At the back of my copy, there is a quote about the book from someone at The Times. It says: "Witty, well-plotted, vividly written and addictively readable."

I'd that pretty much sums it up. I devoured the book in record time. While I think the plotting could have been a little tighter with a few coups de theatre, I did laugh quite a few times and was thoroughly entertained throughout. Unlike so many stories centred on London, the city felt real and recognisable.

Other than the convoluted magical elements of the plot, which I didn't always find particularly convincing, my only big qualm is that the author doesn't seem overly au fait with the realities of migratory flows on London's transport system. The hero often finds himself in rush hour situations (either in a car or on the tube) on journeys or at times of the day or the week where there would be no such things. But you can have it all.

This is a book I liberated from the bin room of my building (No, sir, I have no shame), having no idea what to expect. I have now ordered copies of all 9 following volumes, so it can't have been that bad...