The Graveyard Watch. That does sound a lot like the graveyard shift of the Ankh-Morpork Night Watch, what with the undead and the werewolf , the coppers and so on. Throw in the nice cover, and my inner coinnoissieur of funny fantasy literature immediately starts grinning. It’s the good kind of grin, starting at the one ear and ending at the other. And that’s not a bad way to look at a new book. So many thanks to Small Bear Books for granting me access to this arc, it’s really much appreciated!
The story tends to follow two different protagonists, the leader of the graveyard watch and the newest addition to his team, a young pathologist who just doesn’t know what she’s in for, yet. The only thing that threw me a wrench was the fact that we follow the leader in two different timelines, and it would have been much appreciated had the chapters been outfitted with markers telling the readers what timeline they are in, currently. But you’ll get used to it.
I’m very happy to report that the humor hits just the right spot! It’s not over the top and goofy, and it doesn’t take away from the mystery vibe, but lightens the mood ever so often. I really enjoyed it, the suspension luring me along, making me stay awake past my bedtime.
This being Urban Fantasy, the world inhabited by its characters is the same as ours, plus some additions like french werewolves, ghosts, gnomes or a second pope. And vampires, of course.
If you would press hard for me to describe this book in one sentence, it would probably be this: Graveyard Watch is what happens when the Night Watch of Ankh-Morpork gets totally drunk and wakes up in Peter Grant’s London.
It also has all the hallmarks of a series starter, and to be honest: I wouldn’t mind more books with Commander Domingo, Captain Everly and the rest of the gang. Bring it on!
Enjoyable and quick read, I give it 4.5 out of 5 Black Popes!
Crossing the Pond Reviews 