I've been a big Ben Aaronovitch fan since picking up the novels after meeting Ben at the 2014 Discworld Convention.
I love the adventures of Peter Grant storming around London in his Ford Focus aka the Ford ASBO.
The Masquerades of Spring is set in swinging 1920s New York. Our antagonist is Augustus "Gussie" Berrycloth-Young a graduate of the Foley who is now living in New York. Gussie's life is thrown into chaos when he is unexpectedly paid a visit by his old friend Thomas Nightingale.
Nightingale and Gussie then set off on an adventure searching for the origin of a magical trombone.
While there are some Fae adventures within the book it seems to be more interested in the avantgarde hidden nightlife of New York with its rent parties and costume balls.
Through the story we meet Gussie's boyfriend Lucie and for some reason the story tends to keep pushing the fact that Gussie and Lucie are gay lovers. It seems unnecessary to keep referring to Gussie's sexual orientation. I know it was taboo at the time but it seemed that Ben was a little unsure how to handle the relationship and kept having to reassure himself. As a reader it doesn't actually matter to me what Gussie's sexual orientation is. Tell us upfront that he is gay and get on with the story. I understand that affects how the story progresses but I don't need to be constantly reminded.
I did enjoy the story but as mentioned above I miss the Peter Grant and contemporary London. It was good to see Nightingale out of his normal surroundings - but even then still totally confident in his abilities. I felt that the resolution of the story came about very quickly. There was a lot of build up and then it was over in just a few pages. Those last few pages when the magic fights start were so much fun.
In conclusion not one of Ben Aaronovitch's best books but still a very good read. Personally, I look forward to going back to the main series.
Peter Grant will return in July 2025 in a full Rivers of London novel called Stone and Sky. Not set in his native London but instead away in Scotland.
Below are our affiliate links to order you own copy of The Masquerades of Spring:
To pre-order Stone and Sky (the next Peter Grant novel):