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Delphic Division #1
Poison City
The name's Gideon Tau, but everyone just calls me London. I work for the Delphic Division, the occult investigative unit of the South African Police Service. My life revolves around two things - finding out who killed my daughter and imagining what I'm going to do to the bastard when I catch him.
I have two friends. The first is my boss, Armitage, a fifty-something DCI from Yorkshire who looks more like someone's mother than a cop. Don't let that fool you. The second is the dog, my magical spirit guide. He talks, he watches TV all day, and he's a mean drunk.
Life is pretty routine - I solve crimes, I search for my daughter's killer. Wash, rinse, repeat. Until the day I'm called out to the murder of a ramanga - a low-key vampire - basically, the tabloid journalist of the vampire world. It looks like an open and shut case. There's even CCTV footage of the killer.
Except... the face on the CCTV footage? It's the face of the man who killed my daughter. I'm about to face a tough choice. Catch her killer or save the world? I can't do both.
It's not looking good for the world.
Poison City is the first in a fantastical new series for fans of Ben Aaronovitch, Lauren Beukes, Sarah Lotz and Stephen King.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 9, 2016
15 people are currently reading
1077 people want to read
About the author
Paul Crilley
51 books203 followersPaul Crilley (who also writes thrillers under the pseudonym Paul Herron) has been writing professionally for the past 20 years. In that time, he has worked on over twenty-seven television shows - one of which was nominated for an iEmmy - as a head-writer, writer, script editor, and story-liner.
His Delphic Division series, Poison City and the sequel Clockwork City, (written as Paul Crilley), about a supernatural police force based in Durban, South Africa, is in development as a television series with Jerry Bruckheimer Productions and CBS. Paul worked on the Bioware MMO, Star Wars: The Old Republic and has also written comics for IDW, (most notably, Star Wars Adventures, and The X-Files)
Over the years, Paul has worked with Marvel, 20th Century Fox Television, NBC Universal, Anonymous Content, Krysten Ritter’s production company Silent Machine, Disney, the SyFy Channel, and IDW comics. He has written twelve novels, worked on five computer games, and also novelized Frank Miller’s seminal graphic novel, Daredevil: The Man Without Fear for Marvel.
His new thriller Breakout, (written as Paul Herron), comes out in 2021 from Headline (UK) and Grand Central Press (US).
His Delphic Division series, Poison City and the sequel Clockwork City, (written as Paul Crilley), about a supernatural police force based in Durban, South Africa, is in development as a television series with Jerry Bruckheimer Productions and CBS. Paul worked on the Bioware MMO, Star Wars: The Old Republic and has also written comics for IDW, (most notably, Star Wars Adventures, and The X-Files)
Over the years, Paul has worked with Marvel, 20th Century Fox Television, NBC Universal, Anonymous Content, Krysten Ritter’s production company Silent Machine, Disney, the SyFy Channel, and IDW comics. He has written twelve novels, worked on five computer games, and also novelized Frank Miller’s seminal graphic novel, Daredevil: The Man Without Fear for Marvel.
His new thriller Breakout, (written as Paul Herron), comes out in 2021 from Headline (UK) and Grand Central Press (US).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
January 9, 2019
4.5 stars
"Durban, a city where everything goes...Durban's a schizophrenic mix of colours and impressions; a serial killer trying to present a facade of normality to the world, grey 1970s buildings painted in green and red to lighten up the drabness; dusty skyline shading up from sepia to blue. Street signs advertising craft markets and Mhuti doctors."
This was so good - not only was it as South African as you can get, but it was a unique urban fantasy with some interesting new takes on the genre that I absolutely adored, along with the cynicism and humour that comes with a good dark urban fantasy.
This book is as South African as it gets along with urban fantasy including a sarcastic man and a bastard of a talking dog Looks like Christmas came either late or really early!!!
"Durban, a city where everything goes...Durban's a schizophrenic mix of colours and impressions; a serial killer trying to present a facade of normality to the world, grey 1970s buildings painted in green and red to lighten up the drabness; dusty skyline shading up from sepia to blue. Street signs advertising craft markets and Mhuti doctors."
This was so good - not only was it as South African as you can get, but it was a unique urban fantasy with some interesting new takes on the genre that I absolutely adored, along with the cynicism and humour that comes with a good dark urban fantasy.
This book is as South African as it gets along with urban fantasy including a sarcastic man and a bastard of a talking dog Looks like Christmas came either late or really early!!!
July 27, 2022
I screw the suppressor onto the barrel of my Glock and glance at Armitage. "You ready?"
"Course I am."
"Can I come?" asks the dog.
"As long as you promise to be good."
"Mmm...no," says the dog. "Can't do that."
I sigh. "Fine. Just don't piss on anything."
"Can't promise that either."
"Jesus." I snap, pushing the door open. "Do what you want then!"
I love my fantasy set in a city, and moving the action to the relatively rare setting of Durban, SA, is a major bonus, too. Poison City was a recommendation after a visit to Athena Books in Christchurch - and it was spot on, too (I've met that particular worker before at another bookshop, and dude has an absolutely comprehensive knowledge of genre books - I've yet to find one he hasn't read).
One of those kitchen sink books I've mentioned (every kind of myth, legend, or supernatural beastie, bar the kitchen sink), I thought Paul Crilley did a great job of setting up the start of the series and establishing stakes without heading into infodump territory. There were a couple of stumbles, particularly towards the end, where we'd have some abrupt plot movements, but for the most part the mix of humour and apocalyptic-level stakes really worked for me.
Poison City was nothing like the Matthew Swift series in any way I could put a label on, but I was thinking of that series frequently as I read this. Maybe it's the casual attitude to magic - it works for people in different ways in both books, allowing people to approach it and make it their own. I think fans of either series would enjoy the other.
Regardless, I thought this was excellent, even with the couple of stumbles. It's different, and interesting, and definitely a series I'll be getting further into.
"Course I am."
"Can I come?" asks the dog.
"As long as you promise to be good."
"Mmm...no," says the dog. "Can't do that."
I sigh. "Fine. Just don't piss on anything."
"Can't promise that either."
"Jesus." I snap, pushing the door open. "Do what you want then!"
I love my fantasy set in a city, and moving the action to the relatively rare setting of Durban, SA, is a major bonus, too. Poison City was a recommendation after a visit to Athena Books in Christchurch - and it was spot on, too (I've met that particular worker before at another bookshop, and dude has an absolutely comprehensive knowledge of genre books - I've yet to find one he hasn't read).
One of those kitchen sink books I've mentioned (every kind of myth, legend, or supernatural beastie, bar the kitchen sink), I thought Paul Crilley did a great job of setting up the start of the series and establishing stakes without heading into infodump territory. There were a couple of stumbles, particularly towards the end, where we'd have some abrupt plot movements, but for the most part the mix of humour and apocalyptic-level stakes really worked for me.
Poison City was nothing like the Matthew Swift series in any way I could put a label on, but I was thinking of that series frequently as I read this. Maybe it's the casual attitude to magic - it works for people in different ways in both books, allowing people to approach it and make it their own. I think fans of either series would enjoy the other.
Regardless, I thought this was excellent, even with the couple of stumbles. It's different, and interesting, and definitely a series I'll be getting further into.
October 26, 2016
Poison City
WTF did I just read!
Gideon Tau, an occult investigator and his alcoholic, talking dog spirit guide, in a story with every kind of supernatural being you have ever heard of and many you haven't while he tries to find out who killed his daughter and stay alive.
It's some kind of f***ed up, bloody, paranormal Tarantino film and I loved it.
* I received a free copy in a Goodreads giveaway *
WTF did I just read!
Gideon Tau, an occult investigator and his alcoholic, talking dog spirit guide, in a story with every kind of supernatural being you have ever heard of and many you haven't while he tries to find out who killed his daughter and stay alive.
It's some kind of f***ed up, bloody, paranormal Tarantino film and I loved it.
* I received a free copy in a Goodreads giveaway *
Read
June 6, 2018Urban fantasy of the 'policemen in Occult Crimes division' type set in Durban. The setting is pretty vividly done, but the rest is fairly routine for the genre, including the lead: a hard-drinking male cop who doesn't play by the rules with the murdered daughter and the ex wife who left him but who he still oh god men *please* stop writing this.
Very violent, but though the hero is constantly beaten up and even killed at one point it never seems to hold him back because he is Hard Drinking Cop. Plus, the hero kills archangels, who are all powerful supernatural beings who've survived since the dawn of creation without anything bad happening to them, but evidently they've never met a Hard Drinking Cop in any of the millennia they've ruled Creation. This fails to make sense to me. Also, and most weirdly, this is set in South Africa but there's virtually no description of any named human character. I don't have a clue if that's a deliberate authorial decision and the characters are meant to to be a rainbow nation, or if everyone is just default white.
I liked the alcoholic dog spirit guide, but otherwise this didn't do much with its potential.
Very violent, but though the hero is constantly beaten up and even killed at one point it never seems to hold him back because he is Hard Drinking Cop. Plus, the hero kills archangels, who are all powerful supernatural beings who've survived since the dawn of creation without anything bad happening to them, but evidently they've never met a Hard Drinking Cop in any of the millennia they've ruled Creation. This fails to make sense to me. Also, and most weirdly, this is set in South Africa but there's virtually no description of any named human character. I don't have a clue if that's a deliberate authorial decision and the characters are meant to to be a rainbow nation, or if everyone is just default white.
I liked the alcoholic dog spirit guide, but otherwise this didn't do much with its potential.
August 11, 2016
As always me fellow Goodreaders, this review is also available on my blog for your perusal at TheTattooedBookGeek.wordpress.com
4.5 stars!
I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Poison City is the first book in Paul Crilley's new urban fantasy series of books. Focusing on Gideon Tau (nickname - London Town as he's British and Tau sounds like town), his spirit guide 'the dog' and his boss Armitage and set in South Africa, Durban to be precise - the titular Poison City of the title.
Tau works for the Delphic Division, which is the occult investigation unit of the South African police force and was formed to keep the supernatural creatures that live in SA, under control and within the law, making sure that those creatures (Orisha's, Fae, Vampires, Werewolves, Demons, amongst others) abide by the covenant.
The covenant is the centuries old agreement between mankind and the supernatural where each side generally sticks to the rules of not committing crimes against each other, obviously that doesn't always happen as then there would be no need for the Delphic Division.
Where do the supernatural creatures come from you may ask and I'll tell you. There's two worlds in Poison City, Dayside and Nightside. Our world and humans are Dayside - presumably because we are deemed to be the light. With the other world and the supernatural creatures that inhabit it, Nightside - as they are the dark. Now, that's a very simplistic black and white description of the two worlds and there's actually countless shades of grey between the two colours, as we all know about human nature and the evil that can lurk within humanity.
At the start of the book, the story appears to be a simple investigation into the murder of a minor vampire, only for that crime to turn into something far bigger as the story progresses, building to the big reveal about what's really going on behind the scenes and the epic confrontation between good and evil at the books conclusion.
I recently finished Nevernight by Jay Kristoff. I thought that it had one of the best opening lines I've read in a book, not just recently but in a very long time, setting the tone and authors writing style for the whole book. Worry not bookish peeps, I'm not merely rambling incoherently and I do in fact have a point. As, Poison City tops that opening line, again setting the tone for the rest of the book, along with the authors writing style but also adding humour - most will chuckle and introducing you to 'the dog', Tau's spirit guide, he's sarcastic, droll and foul-mouthed with a penchant for the cheapest sherry available. He is pure awesome and is by far the best character in the book.
"The first thing the dog does when I walk through the door is sniff the air and say, 'you forgot the sherry, dipshit.'"
The writing is of a high standard for the whole book, from the first page - I've already mentioned the first line, all the way through to the conclusion and ending. With a fast paced and descriptive style Crilley really pulls you in to the story he's telling. The pacing never wavers either, with plenty of action, humour, some emotion and various plot twists and turns thrown in making for a real page turner of a book.
The world building in Poison City is also very good. The two worlds idea, whilst having been done many times before in other books, is always intriguing and Crilley adds his own unique take on it. Along with the magic system and usage which is well explained and is interesting. And, Crilley brings Durban to life with his writing style, creating a gritty, dark and realistic setting for the book to take place in.
Throughout the book there's a lot of popular culture references thrown around, Harry Potter and Star Wars to name two along with many more by Crilley. They are a nice touch and addition, making you smile knowingly at the references aswell as giving some light relief at times. Me personally, well, I never thought I'd here Star Wars as being described how it is by the dog, but well-played Crilley, after thinking about it, it really is an ingenious and apt way to describe the film and it fully deserves a tip of the hat, a nod and a handshake as it was top quality and humorous!
The cast of characters are all well described and even the secondary and small part characters (both human and supernatural) come across as real, well thought out and individual with some unique traits and there's always reasons for why they do, what they do, so you as the reader even if you disagree with them, understand their motives.
Armitage, Tau's boss is a great supporting character, she acts perfectly as the foil to Gideon and the interplay and occasional banter between them throughout the book is one of the highlights, again she's a likeable character and would make a great boss for anyone. The best character for me as I mentioned earlier during my read of Poison City was the dog. He certainly isn't the main focus in the book but every time he appears and is given page time, he steals the show and you can't help but smirk at what he says. For a secondary character and a little guy he adds so much to the book.
While the supporting characters all do their jobs, the good guys are likeable and the bad guys are bad, all of that would mean nothing if the main character wasn't someone you wanted to read about and could get behind. Luckily with Tau, Crilley has nailed it and as the main protagonist he really draws you into his world and story. Tau is a flawed and emotionally challenged person, with a tortured soul and an underlying cynicism to the world that comes through in his comments and narrative during the book. Losing his daughter and the after effects have really damaged him and you really feel for him. Underneath it all he's someone who's lost the most important things in his life and has been left attempting to get by the best way he can, while remaining a member of the Delphic Division. By the end of the book, you may not agree with all his actions but you fully understand the reasoning behind them and he's a sympathetic character that really pulls you into his plight.
Poison City contains swearing, violence and gore which won't appeal to everyone, but it didn't bother me at all, they generally play a big part in the books I usually read and all the elements have their place in this genre to. They are part of the story being told and aspects of the characters involved. And, while swearing may not be to everyone's personal taste, it feels natural to the characters personalities in the book. For example, if the dog wasn't foul-mouthed and was instead polite and well-mannered, it would completely change the character and wouldn't feel right.
One other thing I also feel I should mention, unfortunately in my opinion but I try to give you an honest review, is the religious aspect later on in the book. As I've just mentioned with the violence and swearing, it doesn't bother me at all and is a part of the story Crilley tells in Poison City, but there maybe some people out there with strong Christian views who could be offended by the depictions of certain religious figures. And, I say to you, please keep an open mind and don't be, it's merely fiction.
As stated earlier in my review, there's popular culture references strewn within Poison City and it seems only apt to use one myself to help describe the book. The first one that springs to mind is from the classic 1980's cartoon series Transformers.
Poison City: more than meets the eye.
Poison City is well written with great characterisation making for an entertaining read, that rewards you with becoming a far deeper book than it at first appears to be. With a satisfying conclusion that ties up the story in the book nicely, while also hinting at more to come in the sequel, it's a great captivating read.
On the front cover of the book it says 'The war is coming' well after reading this book, where's the Delphic Division job application form because, I want in, sign me up!
For fans of urban fantasy, fantasy and booklovers/readers simply looking for something different to dabble in and try, this book would be a great addition to your TBR lists and library.
Highly recommended.
4.5 stars!
I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Poison City is the first book in Paul Crilley's new urban fantasy series of books. Focusing on Gideon Tau (nickname - London Town as he's British and Tau sounds like town), his spirit guide 'the dog' and his boss Armitage and set in South Africa, Durban to be precise - the titular Poison City of the title.
Tau works for the Delphic Division, which is the occult investigation unit of the South African police force and was formed to keep the supernatural creatures that live in SA, under control and within the law, making sure that those creatures (Orisha's, Fae, Vampires, Werewolves, Demons, amongst others) abide by the covenant.
The covenant is the centuries old agreement between mankind and the supernatural where each side generally sticks to the rules of not committing crimes against each other, obviously that doesn't always happen as then there would be no need for the Delphic Division.
Where do the supernatural creatures come from you may ask and I'll tell you. There's two worlds in Poison City, Dayside and Nightside. Our world and humans are Dayside - presumably because we are deemed to be the light. With the other world and the supernatural creatures that inhabit it, Nightside - as they are the dark. Now, that's a very simplistic black and white description of the two worlds and there's actually countless shades of grey between the two colours, as we all know about human nature and the evil that can lurk within humanity.
At the start of the book, the story appears to be a simple investigation into the murder of a minor vampire, only for that crime to turn into something far bigger as the story progresses, building to the big reveal about what's really going on behind the scenes and the epic confrontation between good and evil at the books conclusion.
I recently finished Nevernight by Jay Kristoff. I thought that it had one of the best opening lines I've read in a book, not just recently but in a very long time, setting the tone and authors writing style for the whole book. Worry not bookish peeps, I'm not merely rambling incoherently and I do in fact have a point. As, Poison City tops that opening line, again setting the tone for the rest of the book, along with the authors writing style but also adding humour - most will chuckle and introducing you to 'the dog', Tau's spirit guide, he's sarcastic, droll and foul-mouthed with a penchant for the cheapest sherry available. He is pure awesome and is by far the best character in the book.
"The first thing the dog does when I walk through the door is sniff the air and say, 'you forgot the sherry, dipshit.'"
The writing is of a high standard for the whole book, from the first page - I've already mentioned the first line, all the way through to the conclusion and ending. With a fast paced and descriptive style Crilley really pulls you in to the story he's telling. The pacing never wavers either, with plenty of action, humour, some emotion and various plot twists and turns thrown in making for a real page turner of a book.
The world building in Poison City is also very good. The two worlds idea, whilst having been done many times before in other books, is always intriguing and Crilley adds his own unique take on it. Along with the magic system and usage which is well explained and is interesting. And, Crilley brings Durban to life with his writing style, creating a gritty, dark and realistic setting for the book to take place in.
Throughout the book there's a lot of popular culture references thrown around, Harry Potter and Star Wars to name two along with many more by Crilley. They are a nice touch and addition, making you smile knowingly at the references aswell as giving some light relief at times. Me personally, well, I never thought I'd here Star Wars as being described how it is by the dog, but well-played Crilley, after thinking about it, it really is an ingenious and apt way to describe the film and it fully deserves a tip of the hat, a nod and a handshake as it was top quality and humorous!
The cast of characters are all well described and even the secondary and small part characters (both human and supernatural) come across as real, well thought out and individual with some unique traits and there's always reasons for why they do, what they do, so you as the reader even if you disagree with them, understand their motives.
Armitage, Tau's boss is a great supporting character, she acts perfectly as the foil to Gideon and the interplay and occasional banter between them throughout the book is one of the highlights, again she's a likeable character and would make a great boss for anyone. The best character for me as I mentioned earlier during my read of Poison City was the dog. He certainly isn't the main focus in the book but every time he appears and is given page time, he steals the show and you can't help but smirk at what he says. For a secondary character and a little guy he adds so much to the book.
While the supporting characters all do their jobs, the good guys are likeable and the bad guys are bad, all of that would mean nothing if the main character wasn't someone you wanted to read about and could get behind. Luckily with Tau, Crilley has nailed it and as the main protagonist he really draws you into his world and story. Tau is a flawed and emotionally challenged person, with a tortured soul and an underlying cynicism to the world that comes through in his comments and narrative during the book. Losing his daughter and the after effects have really damaged him and you really feel for him. Underneath it all he's someone who's lost the most important things in his life and has been left attempting to get by the best way he can, while remaining a member of the Delphic Division. By the end of the book, you may not agree with all his actions but you fully understand the reasoning behind them and he's a sympathetic character that really pulls you into his plight.
Poison City contains swearing, violence and gore which won't appeal to everyone, but it didn't bother me at all, they generally play a big part in the books I usually read and all the elements have their place in this genre to. They are part of the story being told and aspects of the characters involved. And, while swearing may not be to everyone's personal taste, it feels natural to the characters personalities in the book. For example, if the dog wasn't foul-mouthed and was instead polite and well-mannered, it would completely change the character and wouldn't feel right.
One other thing I also feel I should mention, unfortunately in my opinion but I try to give you an honest review, is the religious aspect later on in the book. As I've just mentioned with the violence and swearing, it doesn't bother me at all and is a part of the story Crilley tells in Poison City, but there maybe some people out there with strong Christian views who could be offended by the depictions of certain religious figures. And, I say to you, please keep an open mind and don't be, it's merely fiction.
As stated earlier in my review, there's popular culture references strewn within Poison City and it seems only apt to use one myself to help describe the book. The first one that springs to mind is from the classic 1980's cartoon series Transformers.
Poison City: more than meets the eye.
Poison City is well written with great characterisation making for an entertaining read, that rewards you with becoming a far deeper book than it at first appears to be. With a satisfying conclusion that ties up the story in the book nicely, while also hinting at more to come in the sequel, it's a great captivating read.
On the front cover of the book it says 'The war is coming' well after reading this book, where's the Delphic Division job application form because, I want in, sign me up!
For fans of urban fantasy, fantasy and booklovers/readers simply looking for something different to dabble in and try, this book would be a great addition to your TBR lists and library.
Highly recommended.
May 3, 2019
🐕 They shut up & took my monies. Now, time to get read! Roped in the MacHalos as well cause I can and also if there's anyone who likes mean drunks & violence it's definitely not us 🐕
4.5 Stars
Finally getting around to reviewing this! Go ahead and laugh, I'll wait.
Done? Good, good. Now:
I had never read anything solely pertaining to South African culture and that fact scared me a little before starting this. I had questions knocking around in my skull, questions like:
"What if I don't understand it?"
"I wonder how much research will I have to do for this?"
"Will it feel alien to me in a good way? Goddess I hope it does."
"I wonder if we have an donuts in the kitchen. Hmmm.."
"I should probably sleep for a bit and soon."
"Food? Food!"
But my fear was unwarranted because this? This was FUCKING awesome!
A morally immoral cop that owned every Grey Spot on the planet and a bastard asshole of a talking Dog. What a pair!
What more do you want, huh? The correct answer is "Pineapples & Nothing".
Not to detract from the Awesome Duo but the Boss was also great. Like Daymn. 10/10 would've loved to have her as my boss!
The story was great, polished with a great narrative. Could have been a bit more vivid but still pretty good!
Ouuuu can't wait to see where this will go! *marching off to Bk #2*
Pre- Review Thingy:
4.5 Stars
Sitting here is a morning routine. Waiting while I try to slip into character. While I remember what it’s like to be me.
Sometimes it takes me five minutes, sometimes twenty.
Everyone wears a mask. To fit in. To hide the real person inside. Because, let’s face it. If we didn’t have masks, if we all saw who we really were beneath the facade, beneath society’s norms, and lies we tell ourselves, the human race would be extinct. We’d be too scared to leave the house.
@10%
Finally getting around to reviewing this! Go ahead and laugh, I'll wait.
Done? Good, good. Now:
I had never read anything solely pertaining to South African culture and that fact scared me a little before starting this. I had questions knocking around in my skull, questions like:
"What if I don't understand it?"
"I wonder how much research will I have to do for this?"
"Will it feel alien to me in a good way? Goddess I hope it does."
"I wonder if we have an donuts in the kitchen. Hmmm.."
"I should probably sleep for a bit and soon."
"Food? Food!"
But my fear was unwarranted because this? This was FUCKING awesome!
A morally immoral cop that owned every Grey Spot on the planet and a bastard asshole of a talking Dog. What a pair!
The first thing the dog does when I walk through the door is sniff the air and say, ‘You forgot the sherry, dipshit.’
He stares at me, the colour of his eyes shifting between jaundiced yellow and soul-of-a-serial-killer black. He knows I hate that. It’s his lazy-ass way of saying, ‘You open that mouth it better be to say: Sorry, dog. I’ll get right on it, dog.’
@1%
What more do you want, huh? The correct answer is "Pineapples & Nothing".
Not to detract from the Awesome Duo but the Boss was also great. Like Daymn. 10/10 would've loved to have her as my boss!
The story was great, polished with a great narrative. Could have been a bit more vivid but still pretty good!
Ouuuu can't wait to see where this will go! *marching off to Bk #2*
I pour the entire bottle of sherry into the dog’s huge bowl.
‘So how was your day?’ I ask.
‘Epic. I watched movies and licked my balls. You?’
‘A ramanga was murdered out in the boondocks. Been out there all day cooking in the heat.'
‘Lovely. Now we’re all caught up, let’s have some silence. I need to drink.’
@19%
Pre- Review Thingy:
I have two friends in my life. The first is my boss, [...]
The second is the dog, my magical spirit guide. He talks. He watches TV all day. He's an alcoholic. And he's a mean drunk.
August 14, 2016
Poison City is adorable…
Oh who am I kidding? Poison City is fricking nuts, completely utterly beautifully crazy. With dog.
I loved every minute of it. Urban fantasy at its brilliant best with a banging addictive story, characters to die for and thought provoking, intensely insightful glances at human nature in all its terrible glory. With vampires.
This is like Urban Fantasy Noir – its kind of like one of those old school detective stories, where the bars are smoky, the conversation is peppered with underlying feeling, the investigator is enigmatic and focused and there is always some kind of huge blow up fight at the end. Only with added Angels. And other things. And the fight is really on from first page to last…
It rocks along, the dialogue is sharp and funny, the world building is incredibly imaginative with a truly authentic feel considering theres a fae market down the road – the setting is pure joy, the whole thing comes alive around you while you read. Those are the best books right? Also whenever dog is around he steals the limelight and frankly he should have his own sidekick comic or something. Really. I do feel like I should send Paul Crilley ALL the sherry.
If this was just a tale of adventure that would have been pure class but the thing about Poison City is it is EMOTIONAL seriously seriously heart wrenchingly emotional at times. I won’t give anything away but there are moments in Poison City that I felt right down in my soul. My engagement with London and his search for his daughters killer was a complete one. Bonded now we are.
As for Armitage well. Amazing you know she’s…actually I’ll let you find out for yourself….
Brilliant characters, utterly clever plotting, a world you both want to live in and run screaming away from, Poison City is my new favourite thing. Bring on the next book…I’ll start queuing now if necessary get ye behind me people!
The war is coming…
Highly Recommended.
With Dog.
Oh who am I kidding? Poison City is fricking nuts, completely utterly beautifully crazy. With dog.
I loved every minute of it. Urban fantasy at its brilliant best with a banging addictive story, characters to die for and thought provoking, intensely insightful glances at human nature in all its terrible glory. With vampires.
This is like Urban Fantasy Noir – its kind of like one of those old school detective stories, where the bars are smoky, the conversation is peppered with underlying feeling, the investigator is enigmatic and focused and there is always some kind of huge blow up fight at the end. Only with added Angels. And other things. And the fight is really on from first page to last…
It rocks along, the dialogue is sharp and funny, the world building is incredibly imaginative with a truly authentic feel considering theres a fae market down the road – the setting is pure joy, the whole thing comes alive around you while you read. Those are the best books right? Also whenever dog is around he steals the limelight and frankly he should have his own sidekick comic or something. Really. I do feel like I should send Paul Crilley ALL the sherry.
If this was just a tale of adventure that would have been pure class but the thing about Poison City is it is EMOTIONAL seriously seriously heart wrenchingly emotional at times. I won’t give anything away but there are moments in Poison City that I felt right down in my soul. My engagement with London and his search for his daughters killer was a complete one. Bonded now we are.
As for Armitage well. Amazing you know she’s…actually I’ll let you find out for yourself….
Brilliant characters, utterly clever plotting, a world you both want to live in and run screaming away from, Poison City is my new favourite thing. Bring on the next book…I’ll start queuing now if necessary get ye behind me people!
The war is coming…
Highly Recommended.
With Dog.
October 13, 2016
If, like me, you are itching for the next Peter Grant book, I recommend Poison City as the perfect salve.
Gideon Tau is a member of Delphic, the division of South Africa’s occult police force charged with the thankless task of bringing a bit of law and order to the gods, demons, vampires and fae who flock to Durban from across Africa and the world. Tau is a wise-cracking, hard drinking British transplant who, along with his sidekick ‘Dog’, gets intimately involved with a criminal plot which goes right to the very, very top.
The book is fun and absorbing and there were a few laugh-out-loud moments. I found the beginning quite slow as Crilley set the scene, and some of the early jokes felt a little contrived, but the writing became more assured as the book went on and built to a thrilling crescendo.
It’s not a shallow book either - it takes some deep digs at corruption and crime among SA’s political class, and I also loved the healthy dose of blasphemy (those of a religious persuasion beware).
I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
(With thanks for the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review)
Gideon Tau is a member of Delphic, the division of South Africa’s occult police force charged with the thankless task of bringing a bit of law and order to the gods, demons, vampires and fae who flock to Durban from across Africa and the world. Tau is a wise-cracking, hard drinking British transplant who, along with his sidekick ‘Dog’, gets intimately involved with a criminal plot which goes right to the very, very top.
The book is fun and absorbing and there were a few laugh-out-loud moments. I found the beginning quite slow as Crilley set the scene, and some of the early jokes felt a little contrived, but the writing became more assured as the book went on and built to a thrilling crescendo.
It’s not a shallow book either - it takes some deep digs at corruption and crime among SA’s political class, and I also loved the healthy dose of blasphemy (those of a religious persuasion beware).
I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
(With thanks for the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review)
August 19, 2016
Any book that features a talking, bitching, wise ass, slightly magical drunk dog will automatically get upon my reading list, I mean what is not to love? In fact I would go as far to say as the dog needs a spin off series. He is awesome.
Anyway its not all dog related, he has of course an owner/partner/skivvy, Gideon Tau. A policeman who has upped sticks from London town (London is also his nickname) to South Africa, Durban to be exact. He is not a run of the mill copper, he works for the Delphic Division who deal with all things occult.
Tau can wield magic or shinecraft as it is called in the book which I personally think sounds kinda cool. His days are spent dealing with the magical scum of the Earth and trying to solve a case that is very personal to him - the murder of his daughter.
His daughter's death understandably has really screwed him up and he is trying to uncover what happened to her, who is responsible for taking her from him.
But before he can continue with that there is the small matter of a Ramanga (what is a Ramanga?, well the book describes it wonderfully as a low-key vampire - basically, the tabloid journalist of the vampire world) who has been murdered and the killer turns out to be the main suspect in his daughters murder.
Things are not open and shut however, a whole heap of other mystical, magical dudes are hell bent on giving Gideon a very bad day. His daughters killer might have to wait a bit.
Now I haven't read many books set in South Africa but straight away I fell in love with it, Paul Crilley has painted it so vividly and it isn't just the setting, the characters are excellent too. Of course I have already mentioned my love for the dog but another mention has to go to Armitage, Tau's boss who is from Yorkshire and every time she spoke in the book I heard her as a mixture of all the ladies from Last of the Summer Wine. She is a bit more badass than Nora Batty - younger/non Brit readers may need to Google this comparison.
This book was fantastic, it was funny, it was smart, it was enchanting and it was one heck of a read, quite frankly I loved it, it sucks you in straight away and has a good mix of menace and magic too.
I highly recommend it.
Thanks to Hodder and Stoughton for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Anyway its not all dog related, he has of course an owner/partner/skivvy, Gideon Tau. A policeman who has upped sticks from London town (London is also his nickname) to South Africa, Durban to be exact. He is not a run of the mill copper, he works for the Delphic Division who deal with all things occult.
Tau can wield magic or shinecraft as it is called in the book which I personally think sounds kinda cool. His days are spent dealing with the magical scum of the Earth and trying to solve a case that is very personal to him - the murder of his daughter.
His daughter's death understandably has really screwed him up and he is trying to uncover what happened to her, who is responsible for taking her from him.
But before he can continue with that there is the small matter of a Ramanga (what is a Ramanga?, well the book describes it wonderfully as a low-key vampire - basically, the tabloid journalist of the vampire world) who has been murdered and the killer turns out to be the main suspect in his daughters murder.
Things are not open and shut however, a whole heap of other mystical, magical dudes are hell bent on giving Gideon a very bad day. His daughters killer might have to wait a bit.
Now I haven't read many books set in South Africa but straight away I fell in love with it, Paul Crilley has painted it so vividly and it isn't just the setting, the characters are excellent too. Of course I have already mentioned my love for the dog but another mention has to go to Armitage, Tau's boss who is from Yorkshire and every time she spoke in the book I heard her as a mixture of all the ladies from Last of the Summer Wine. She is a bit more badass than Nora Batty - younger/non Brit readers may need to Google this comparison.
This book was fantastic, it was funny, it was smart, it was enchanting and it was one heck of a read, quite frankly I loved it, it sucks you in straight away and has a good mix of menace and magic too.
I highly recommend it.
Thanks to Hodder and Stoughton for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 2, 2016
* I was sent this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review *
This is an urban fantasy book, and let me start out by saying that urban fantasy is often a genre that I don't tend to love as much as high/epic fantasy (hence the slightly lower rating). This book is slightly different from the 'average' urban fantasy in that it's set in South Africa. I liked that it wasn't the typical set up, and there were a few moments in the book where I felt as though I enjoyed seeing that culture come through a bit.
We follow a man called Gideon Tau (a.k.a. London Town) and his side-kick/spirit-animal Dog. Together they investigate crimes (of the magical kind) and get mixed up in all sorts of pretty dark goings-on. It definitely reminded me a LOT of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files books, so if you like them you may well like this, but it also had hints of Ben Aaronovitch's style too.
What I did like about this story is that it doesn't take long to get into the action and it was pretty fast-paced the whole way through. When it comes to crime-based books I like it to be quick and easy to read, becuase I find that I get a little bored otherwise, but this one was a fun and fast one.
One element of Urban fantasy that I don't really care for is a lack of character development. As the urban fantasy story is almost always on Earth in normal society, I feel like this leaves more time to develop characters over world, but I so rarely see this. It's not to say that the character's within this are totally flat, but they aren't totally real to me either becuase they didn't fully convince me of their motives and there were times when I felt as though the reasoning was a little thin.
On the whole this is a fun start to (what I assume will be) a series. I think there is potential, and there's a lot going on, but for me Urban fantasy is something I do tend to rate fairly harshly, so bear that in mind. If you do enjoy Urban fantasy books then you'll probably like this more than I do, but even if you haven't tried them before and just want a start point with Urban then this one works for that too. I would give this a 2.5*s overall.
This is an urban fantasy book, and let me start out by saying that urban fantasy is often a genre that I don't tend to love as much as high/epic fantasy (hence the slightly lower rating). This book is slightly different from the 'average' urban fantasy in that it's set in South Africa. I liked that it wasn't the typical set up, and there were a few moments in the book where I felt as though I enjoyed seeing that culture come through a bit.
We follow a man called Gideon Tau (a.k.a. London Town) and his side-kick/spirit-animal Dog. Together they investigate crimes (of the magical kind) and get mixed up in all sorts of pretty dark goings-on. It definitely reminded me a LOT of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files books, so if you like them you may well like this, but it also had hints of Ben Aaronovitch's style too.
What I did like about this story is that it doesn't take long to get into the action and it was pretty fast-paced the whole way through. When it comes to crime-based books I like it to be quick and easy to read, becuase I find that I get a little bored otherwise, but this one was a fun and fast one.
One element of Urban fantasy that I don't really care for is a lack of character development. As the urban fantasy story is almost always on Earth in normal society, I feel like this leaves more time to develop characters over world, but I so rarely see this. It's not to say that the character's within this are totally flat, but they aren't totally real to me either becuase they didn't fully convince me of their motives and there were times when I felt as though the reasoning was a little thin.
On the whole this is a fun start to (what I assume will be) a series. I think there is potential, and there's a lot going on, but for me Urban fantasy is something I do tend to rate fairly harshly, so bear that in mind. If you do enjoy Urban fantasy books then you'll probably like this more than I do, but even if you haven't tried them before and just want a start point with Urban then this one works for that too. I would give this a 2.5*s overall.
August 15, 2016
https://lynns-books.com/2016/08/15/po...
Poison City is the first in a new Urban Fantasy series by Paul Crilley set in South Africa. The main protagonist, one Gideon Tau (nicknamed London Town) works for the Delphic Division of the South African police force. The Delphic Division keep all the supernaturals in the City from misbehaving and given the number of other worldly critters out there it isn’t an easy job! At the start of the story London is about to investigate the death of a ramanga who died a most violent death having not only his chest cavity laid waste to but also having had his head removed – well, I don’t suppose you can be too careful with vampires, even if the vampire in question is a down at the bottom of the pile, lowly, ramanga!
So the scene is set. London is sent to investigate. And the Body count is set to explode.
In terms of the setting. Based in Durban (otherwise fondly referred to as the Poison City that gives the book it’s name) we have a world where every sort of supernatural creature exists. If you can think of it then it no doubt lives – including Gods, angels and demons. There is a covenant in place between the supernaturals and humans which helps to keep the peace and the Delphic Division are the ones who enforce that agreement. Think Men in Black but with werewolves and vampires rather than aliens. It’s an interesting world full of dark possibilities and frankly crammed to the gills with imagination involving sea deities, secret fae markets and a labyrinth of waste tunnels where the effluence is the least worrying thing to deal with! On top of the supernatural element Crilley gives the story a different twist by throwing into the mix a society where corruption is rife amongst the topmost echelons and government officials.
The characters are a mixed bunch indeed. We have the Delphic Division which seem to include a number of none human employees and even a talking dog that provides spiritual guidance to the main character. London himself has a terrible history that haunts his dreams. His daughter has been murdered and his marriage ended as a result. It’s actually an incredibly sad storyline although maybe not the first time that we’ve seen it used to create a hard boiled and cynical detective. Basically London’s motivation now revolves solely around revenge! His actions are all led by his need to avenge his daughter’s death and whilst sometimes his rash decisions assist the work of the Division it does make him into something of a maverick who frequently makes the wrong choices with quite disastrous results. His sidekick, known only as Dog, does help to bring a measure of relief to the story by the use of the sarcastic banter between the two. Basically, the dog is a raging alcoholic with a penchant for sherry and soap operas and London is a man on a mission who also likes to find solace in the bottom of a bottle and isn’t above making some very self centred decisions. I think there is a lot of potential for both London and the dog to grow in this series. At the moment they���re entertaining but I wouldn’t say they’re really showing their full potential although being the first in the series there’s a lot to get across. I really liked the character Armitage, London’s hard assed boss who experiences a very unusual character development that I won’t elaborate on.
I can’t really write much more without spoiling the plot for other readers. I thought this was a fast paced, murder mystery, packed with supernatural elements and with an entertaining duo at it’s centre. There’s a very interesting magical system in place that involves tattoos and magical wands and the story is littered throughout with cultural references that will undoubtedly bring a cheesy grin to the faces of most readers.
I thought this was a really enjoyable read. A dark and cruel world that I certainly don’t want to live in but would definitely like to visit again through the pages of a book!
I received a copy courtesy of the publisher through Netgalley for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
Poison City is the first in a new Urban Fantasy series by Paul Crilley set in South Africa. The main protagonist, one Gideon Tau (nicknamed London Town) works for the Delphic Division of the South African police force. The Delphic Division keep all the supernaturals in the City from misbehaving and given the number of other worldly critters out there it isn’t an easy job! At the start of the story London is about to investigate the death of a ramanga who died a most violent death having not only his chest cavity laid waste to but also having had his head removed – well, I don’t suppose you can be too careful with vampires, even if the vampire in question is a down at the bottom of the pile, lowly, ramanga!
So the scene is set. London is sent to investigate. And the Body count is set to explode.
In terms of the setting. Based in Durban (otherwise fondly referred to as the Poison City that gives the book it’s name) we have a world where every sort of supernatural creature exists. If you can think of it then it no doubt lives – including Gods, angels and demons. There is a covenant in place between the supernaturals and humans which helps to keep the peace and the Delphic Division are the ones who enforce that agreement. Think Men in Black but with werewolves and vampires rather than aliens. It’s an interesting world full of dark possibilities and frankly crammed to the gills with imagination involving sea deities, secret fae markets and a labyrinth of waste tunnels where the effluence is the least worrying thing to deal with! On top of the supernatural element Crilley gives the story a different twist by throwing into the mix a society where corruption is rife amongst the topmost echelons and government officials.
The characters are a mixed bunch indeed. We have the Delphic Division which seem to include a number of none human employees and even a talking dog that provides spiritual guidance to the main character. London himself has a terrible history that haunts his dreams. His daughter has been murdered and his marriage ended as a result. It’s actually an incredibly sad storyline although maybe not the first time that we’ve seen it used to create a hard boiled and cynical detective. Basically London’s motivation now revolves solely around revenge! His actions are all led by his need to avenge his daughter’s death and whilst sometimes his rash decisions assist the work of the Division it does make him into something of a maverick who frequently makes the wrong choices with quite disastrous results. His sidekick, known only as Dog, does help to bring a measure of relief to the story by the use of the sarcastic banter between the two. Basically, the dog is a raging alcoholic with a penchant for sherry and soap operas and London is a man on a mission who also likes to find solace in the bottom of a bottle and isn’t above making some very self centred decisions. I think there is a lot of potential for both London and the dog to grow in this series. At the moment they���re entertaining but I wouldn’t say they’re really showing their full potential although being the first in the series there’s a lot to get across. I really liked the character Armitage, London’s hard assed boss who experiences a very unusual character development that I won’t elaborate on.
I can’t really write much more without spoiling the plot for other readers. I thought this was a fast paced, murder mystery, packed with supernatural elements and with an entertaining duo at it’s centre. There’s a very interesting magical system in place that involves tattoos and magical wands and the story is littered throughout with cultural references that will undoubtedly bring a cheesy grin to the faces of most readers.
I thought this was a really enjoyable read. A dark and cruel world that I certainly don’t want to live in but would definitely like to visit again through the pages of a book!
I received a copy courtesy of the publisher through Netgalley for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
December 29, 2020
A dive back into Urban fantasy which I haven’t encountered in quite a while & a South African version at that although the writer is a Scotsman living in South Africa so we could have a mix of cultures?
We start with a talking dog who’s partial to Sherry, rough sherry at that & gets narky when his owner “London” doesn’t bring him home his favourite tipple! Gideon Tau is called that because in fact he’s a Brit from…. You guessed it LONDON! We soon find ourselves located in Durban which is painted as fairly grim, bar the golden mile strip where the elite society locate themselves. It seems a colourful place with it’s diversity of peoples/cultures before we even get to the supernatural element where we find that London is a member of the Delphic division along with “dog” yes that’s his name, he wont answer to anything else! Who investigate said supernatural occurrences.
With the introductions out of the way it’s straight to the action…..
With malevolent gods from millennia ago, angels who feed on human souls, children at that! Vampires, were-hyenas to name but a few of the occult figures that appear early in the text.
The main story revolves around the murder of a vampire who is a sin-walker which the Delphic division are sent to investigate & it all kicks off from there! Various characters are introduced along the path all revolving around the case of the murdered sin-walker & it’s as much a case of whydunit as a whodunnit in the end & very cleverly plotted it is.
I have to say though it’s VERY Dresdenesque in it’s storytelling, I could almost….? Be reading one of Jim Butcher’s stories. We even have a very murphylike female boss in tow. That said it’s still all good fun & I enjoyed it, although I could have done with more of the vibe of it’s setting as bar the opening scenes I didn’t really feel like I was in South Africa at all.
Nothing really knew I know but still a 4 star urban adventure & a good read for fans of Harry Dresden.
We start with a talking dog who’s partial to Sherry, rough sherry at that & gets narky when his owner “London” doesn’t bring him home his favourite tipple! Gideon Tau is called that because in fact he’s a Brit from…. You guessed it LONDON! We soon find ourselves located in Durban which is painted as fairly grim, bar the golden mile strip where the elite society locate themselves. It seems a colourful place with it’s diversity of peoples/cultures before we even get to the supernatural element where we find that London is a member of the Delphic division along with “dog” yes that’s his name, he wont answer to anything else! Who investigate said supernatural occurrences.
With the introductions out of the way it’s straight to the action…..
With malevolent gods from millennia ago, angels who feed on human souls, children at that! Vampires, were-hyenas to name but a few of the occult figures that appear early in the text.
The main story revolves around the murder of a vampire who is a sin-walker which the Delphic division are sent to investigate & it all kicks off from there! Various characters are introduced along the path all revolving around the case of the murdered sin-walker & it’s as much a case of whydunit as a whodunnit in the end & very cleverly plotted it is.
I have to say though it’s VERY Dresdenesque in it’s storytelling, I could almost….? Be reading one of Jim Butcher’s stories. We even have a very murphylike female boss in tow. That said it’s still all good fun & I enjoyed it, although I could have done with more of the vibe of it’s setting as bar the opening scenes I didn’t really feel like I was in South Africa at all.
Nothing really knew I know but still a 4 star urban adventure & a good read for fans of Harry Dresden.
June 5, 2016
I loved this book. Supplied as an advance copy from my wife's book shop. The first time I have given 5 stars on good read. I don't like to give spoilers so I stay away from plots in reviews. The book is set in South Africa (I've never been) so the cities and areas covered do have a real basis as do some of the local practices. The book is definitely for adults. There are some disturbing scenes where humans show their worst and best traits. Great writing style. Great characters human and non-human. The "DOG" just cracked me up throughout the book.
The story is fast passed from beginning to end. The genre is hard to describe. Great detective/mystery novel with a supernatural element that is treated as every day. Some alternate views on God, mystical beings and the universe that I found very interesting. If you are someone with strong Christian views or if your easily offended this might not be the book for you. But I think everybody else with an open mind would like this and should give it a go. I will be looking out for more from this author in the future.
The story is fast passed from beginning to end. The genre is hard to describe. Great detective/mystery novel with a supernatural element that is treated as every day. Some alternate views on God, mystical beings and the universe that I found very interesting. If you are someone with strong Christian views or if your easily offended this might not be the book for you. But I think everybody else with an open mind would like this and should give it a go. I will be looking out for more from this author in the future.
July 8, 2017
Great fun!! Definitely worth the time. Chatacters are hilarious and setting although a little familiar with other urban fantasy settings, is a blast. Hopefullly a 2nd book on the way.
September 21, 2018
Gideon Tau, called London by most of his colleagues due to his English origins, works for the Delphic Division of the South African Police, investigating supernatural crime. With his spirit guide (a talking dog with a penchant for anything alcoholic) and a few magical tricks up his sleeve he deals with whatever crimes cross his desk, kills the occasional god, and tries to find the man who killed his daughter. A seemingly open-and-shut murder case involving a slaughtered vampire, complete with CCTV footage of the killer, turns out to be the opening act to something much larger - but the part Gideon cares about most is that the killer's face is that of the man who murdered his daughter. The fate of the world may hang in the balance, but revenge might just have to come first.
This was... a lot more gory than I expected. It's a good thing that doesn't bother me all that much. Gritty, violent, and packed with fast-paced action, this was a pretty intriguing series opener, though admittedly fewer body parts flying around and liters of blood gushing all over the place also would have done the job.
This was... a lot more gory than I expected. It's a good thing that doesn't bother me all that much. Gritty, violent, and packed with fast-paced action, this was a pretty intriguing series opener, though admittedly fewer body parts flying around and liters of blood gushing all over the place also would have done the job.
April 29, 2016
I'm really not sure what to make of this book. It started out with strong flavours of Men In Black (complete with a sarcastic, talking dog) but it quickly morphed into a social commentary on the evils of human nature, before finishing spectacularly with a twist on the biblical apocolypse. It was certainly thought provoking. The lead character Gideon Tau was so, well, human. I do think that the dog could have played a much stronger part in the story. But of course there will be a follow-on so maybe he will get his chance.
February 25, 2018
Perhaps I've just read too many supernatural crime novels but I really didn't feel this brought anything new to the party. It's not a bad book, it's well written, the characters are interesting, the South African setting and Gods are a bit different and if you enjoy Ben Aaronovitch and Jim Butcher you will most probably really enjoy it, but I can't say I'm desperate to read the next in the series.
April 26, 2016
Fancy, funny, dark and with a brilliant cast of characters. Gideon Tau is one to watch. Imagine Paul Cornell and Ben Aaronovitch got together with Lauren Beukes and you're on the right track.
July 28, 2020
2.5 stars from me. This novel is extremely well written with dynamic action sequences. It's the plot that I have a problem with. Starting small but escalating wildly, it is far more audacious than anything from Tarantino. This results in pretty much the ultimate expression of humanism, which is probably not welcome in an urban supernatural thriller.
A lot of reviewers mention the dog. I personally didn't see the attraction and felt he came off like a derivative blend of Guardians of the Galaxy's Rocket Raccoon and the dog spirit guide from Coco.
My ending thought was the author hasn't left himself many places to go with subsequent books so this works best as a one-shot. Though I know a sequel has already been published.
A lot of reviewers mention the dog. I personally didn't see the attraction and felt he came off like a derivative blend of Guardians of the Galaxy's Rocket Raccoon and the dog spirit guide from Coco.
My ending thought was the author hasn't left himself many places to go with subsequent books so this works best as a one-shot. Though I know a sequel has already been published.
September 9, 2017
Finally a crime novel I am able to enjoy. Far away from the traditional ones, of course, with magic and mythological creatures being the main elements. Crilley writes good in his first adult novel, and the book does not have any boring segment. But he should really find some other words to use instead of "frown" when describing people/creatures and their reactions.
January 2, 2018
Loved it. The story is engaging, funny, and entertaining. Highly recommended.
January 13, 2019
This was a great read for me. I loved the wise cracking demonic dog and the way the book followed London's investigation into the disappearance of some children, stumbling from one clue to the next and getting leads from the people who are trying to kill him. This is a must read for anyone who likes the Dresden Files.
March 19, 2020
This book was so much fun. It starts of with massive Rivers of London vibes, but set in Durban, South Africa. Reading this whilst visiting family in SA just made it even better for me. But then it goes its own way... whilst keeping the nerdy references, police investigation, river godesses, etc, it gets a lot darker and brings a lot of new species to the story. There are so many different types of vampires, and creatures/gods based on African folklore... I loved it. And I wished it had stayed with that... the plot gets religion quite involved, and gives a twist to it (the latter I do appreciate, but I can imagine some people wouldn't. It isn't bad or anything, but I wanted to stay with the exotic vampires, not Michael and Lucifer.
Our main character is great. He is the good guy for sure, but doesn't always do the good thing. He is selfish at times (in a relatable way), and shit hits the fan. Seriously, he gets himself in situations I couldn't imagine he would get himself out of again. Also, he has an amazing, talking, alcoholic, magic boosting dog. Dog is a great addition to the story and adds some really good humor to it (as you can imagine).
The writing is fine. Nothing special but easy to read. Criley adds some local terminology to it, which is great when you know it but not distracting when you don't.
Overall, a fun read I would definitely recommend. The second book is already placed on my nightstand to be read Very soon.
Our main character is great. He is the good guy for sure, but doesn't always do the good thing. He is selfish at times (in a relatable way), and shit hits the fan. Seriously, he gets himself in situations I couldn't imagine he would get himself out of again. Also, he has an amazing, talking, alcoholic, magic boosting dog. Dog is a great addition to the story and adds some really good humor to it (as you can imagine).
The writing is fine. Nothing special but easy to read. Criley adds some local terminology to it, which is great when you know it but not distracting when you don't.
Overall, a fun read I would definitely recommend. The second book is already placed on my nightstand to be read Very soon.
August 16, 2016
Gideon ‘London’ Tau is about as burnt out an occult investigator as you are ever likely to meet. A personal trauma has left him alone and angry at the world. The only thing that keeps him going is the thought of revenge against those who caused him pain. Unbeknownst to the vast majority of humanity, supernatural entities are real and it is up to Tau and his colleagues to keep their little corner of Africa safe from harm. I warmed to Gideon Tau immediately. You can’t beat a down at heel hero with a world-weary, slightly shambolic view of life. Tau knows he is a broken man but there is a grim determination, somewhere deep inside, that steadfastly refuses to let him quit. I felt the urge to cheer every time he managed to best an enemy. Even the tiniest of victories felt like he was claiming back a little bit of his life.
I’m sure you’ll have seen movies where an angel and a devil appear on a character’s shoulder forcing them the try and make a decision between good and evil? In Gideon’s case he is not quite as lucky as that. Tau is stuck with Dog, and Dog is mostly a devil. Lewd, crude and mouthy as hell, this four legged reprobate is Gideon’s partner and will help him out just as long as sherry continues to be provided in copious quantities.
The other character I really liked was Tau’s boss, Armitage. I have to admit every time she appeared on the page I was picturing Helen Mirren in Prime Suspect. No nonsense and more than capable of dealing with any type of situation, Armitage kicks all manner of ass. I loved her attitude and her innate ability to steamroller anyone into her point of view. It turns out Gideon Tau’s boss is not a person you would ever want to cross.
The seedy, supernatural underbelly of Durban is the ideal location for this story to play out. In this city there is a very distinct culture clash as the modern and traditional faces of Africa meet. I often find in urban fantasy that the location used almost becomes a character itself. In Poison City the author takes things one step further. Mother Durban exists and is the very soul of South Africa. In all honesty it’s a pleasant change to find an urban fantasy series that isn’t set in London. Don’t get me wrong, I do love our nation’s capital but I’m always curious about other cultures and their mythologies.
While Tau works various cases, including the one closest to his heart, you get to discover all the various supernatural factions vying for power in Durban. You’ll find everything from various types of vampire and water goddesses, to the courts of the fae and dark wizards. Crilley drops some wonderful hints about how different countries deal with their various supernatural problems. The attention to little details like that always make any book that much more immersive and enjoyable. Part of me is eager to discover just exactly how the Delphic Division get on with their counterparts elsewhere in the world. I also hope if there are more books we’ll also learn more about Tau’s other colleagues in South Africa.
This first Delphic Division novel is a rare treat. I liked Gideon Tau and I absolutely loved Dog. It could have been very easy for a book like this to devolve into something overly dark and grim, but Paul Crilley balances this all out with some wonderfully dry humour. The bitchy, snarking relationship between the Tau and Dog is a particular joy. There is also a couple of nods to Harry Potter than made me snort tea out of my nose.
My greatest hope is that this series will just run and run. It has a brilliant premise, is easy to lose yourself in and tons of potential. If you read and enjoyed Apocalypse Now Now or Kill Baxter by Charlie Human, then you need to treat yourself to Poison City. It has that same deliciously dark heart. I read Poison City in a single sitting. It takes a pretty special kind of book to capture my attention so completely. Thinking about it, I guess that’s probably the highest compliment I can give.
Poison City is published by Hodder and is available now. I tell you what, there had better be more Gideon Tau novels in the future *shakes fist angrily at the sky* More dammit!!
I’m sure you’ll have seen movies where an angel and a devil appear on a character’s shoulder forcing them the try and make a decision between good and evil? In Gideon’s case he is not quite as lucky as that. Tau is stuck with Dog, and Dog is mostly a devil. Lewd, crude and mouthy as hell, this four legged reprobate is Gideon’s partner and will help him out just as long as sherry continues to be provided in copious quantities.
The other character I really liked was Tau’s boss, Armitage. I have to admit every time she appeared on the page I was picturing Helen Mirren in Prime Suspect. No nonsense and more than capable of dealing with any type of situation, Armitage kicks all manner of ass. I loved her attitude and her innate ability to steamroller anyone into her point of view. It turns out Gideon Tau’s boss is not a person you would ever want to cross.
The seedy, supernatural underbelly of Durban is the ideal location for this story to play out. In this city there is a very distinct culture clash as the modern and traditional faces of Africa meet. I often find in urban fantasy that the location used almost becomes a character itself. In Poison City the author takes things one step further. Mother Durban exists and is the very soul of South Africa. In all honesty it’s a pleasant change to find an urban fantasy series that isn’t set in London. Don’t get me wrong, I do love our nation’s capital but I’m always curious about other cultures and their mythologies.
While Tau works various cases, including the one closest to his heart, you get to discover all the various supernatural factions vying for power in Durban. You’ll find everything from various types of vampire and water goddesses, to the courts of the fae and dark wizards. Crilley drops some wonderful hints about how different countries deal with their various supernatural problems. The attention to little details like that always make any book that much more immersive and enjoyable. Part of me is eager to discover just exactly how the Delphic Division get on with their counterparts elsewhere in the world. I also hope if there are more books we’ll also learn more about Tau’s other colleagues in South Africa.
This first Delphic Division novel is a rare treat. I liked Gideon Tau and I absolutely loved Dog. It could have been very easy for a book like this to devolve into something overly dark and grim, but Paul Crilley balances this all out with some wonderfully dry humour. The bitchy, snarking relationship between the Tau and Dog is a particular joy. There is also a couple of nods to Harry Potter than made me snort tea out of my nose.
My greatest hope is that this series will just run and run. It has a brilliant premise, is easy to lose yourself in and tons of potential. If you read and enjoyed Apocalypse Now Now or Kill Baxter by Charlie Human, then you need to treat yourself to Poison City. It has that same deliciously dark heart. I read Poison City in a single sitting. It takes a pretty special kind of book to capture my attention so completely. Thinking about it, I guess that’s probably the highest compliment I can give.
Poison City is published by Hodder and is available now. I tell you what, there had better be more Gideon Tau novels in the future *shakes fist angrily at the sky* More dammit!!
November 10, 2020
Dark, witty and brilliant! Thoroughly enjoyed this book, filled with fantastic characters and an exciting storyline. Can't wait to read what happens next!
February 17, 2017
Do you like books that involve:
crime?
mystery?
fantasy?
magic? (+ Harry Potter references in jokes!)
vampires, angels, faeries and all the possible fantasy characters out there?
talking dogs?
bad-ass fighting scenes?
sarcastic sidekicks?
British characters with undeniably British humor?
If you answered 'yes' to any of the questions (or better- to all of them) you are in luck! Because this book has it all and more! I enjoyed it so much that I don't know if I'll be able to write it all down. This book made me stay up late, and I don't do that much those days (Sleeping over reading after 11 pm.).
If there are people out there that answers 'no' to all of the questions - I don't know what I can say to save you. Books with those themes are pretty cool, so reconsider your book preferences, maybe it's time to read something different?
Gideon Tau, whom everyone calls London, lives in Durban (nickname - Poison City), South Africa. He works for the Delphic Division, the occult investigation unit of the police service. He is determined to find his daughter killer - his need for vengeance is the only thing left fueling him. He lives with a dog who loves his tv series and his booze.
The world is full of all the different kinds of fantasy creatures - orishas. There are vampires, werewolf, other were-creatures, gods, goddesses, the God (christian one) and his angels, mythical creatures. Everything you can imagine lives in the Nightside and also can work and live in the Dayside.
The killing of a ramanga - a low-key vampire, starts a huge case of deaths, fights, and secrets. London and his boss Armitage are swept into a world of a huge secret that is kept and secured by the most powerful of the world - not only powerful humans but also orishas. The closer they get to finding out what is the secret, the more in danger they are.
The big secret - it's mindblowing when we find out what is going on. I think that the political aspect of the story is perfect and without the fantasy part is probably true to some extent, and that's scary. Overall the story is amazing, fast-paced and funny, and great to read. Highly recommended.
crime?
mystery?
fantasy?
magic? (+ Harry Potter references in jokes!)
vampires, angels, faeries and all the possible fantasy characters out there?
talking dogs?
bad-ass fighting scenes?
sarcastic sidekicks?
British characters with undeniably British humor?
If you answered 'yes' to any of the questions (or better- to all of them) you are in luck! Because this book has it all and more! I enjoyed it so much that I don't know if I'll be able to write it all down. This book made me stay up late, and I don't do that much those days (Sleeping over reading after 11 pm.).
If there are people out there that answers 'no' to all of the questions - I don't know what I can say to save you. Books with those themes are pretty cool, so reconsider your book preferences, maybe it's time to read something different?
Gideon Tau, whom everyone calls London, lives in Durban (nickname - Poison City), South Africa. He works for the Delphic Division, the occult investigation unit of the police service. He is determined to find his daughter killer - his need for vengeance is the only thing left fueling him. He lives with a dog who loves his tv series and his booze.
I sigh. You know all those cute dogs in the movies you saw as a kid? Jock? Benji? Lassie? Well, the dog is nothing like that.
He’s the complete opposite of that. He’s the dog equivalent of a pervert in a dirty raincoat, sucking methylated spirits through a loaf of bread while watching porn and cackling to himself. He looks a bit like a border terrier, but don’t let that fool you. Cute and friendly he is not.
The world is full of all the different kinds of fantasy creatures - orishas. There are vampires, werewolf, other were-creatures, gods, goddesses, the God (christian one) and his angels, mythical creatures. Everything you can imagine lives in the Nightside and also can work and live in the Dayside.
Here’s the thing. Shinecraft is everywhere. Always has been. Always will be. And there are a thousand different ways to use it. To name a few: binding. Demon summoning. Cursing. Golemancy. Necromancy. Magical sigils. Warding. Divination. Tasseography. Oneiromancy. Scrying. Illusion. Vivimancy. Runes. Heka. Mind reading. Alchemy. And there are more.
The killing of a ramanga - a low-key vampire, starts a huge case of deaths, fights, and secrets. London and his boss Armitage are swept into a world of a huge secret that is kept and secured by the most powerful of the world - not only powerful humans but also orishas. The closer they get to finding out what is the secret, the more in danger they are.
This. This is what we are. This is what we do to each other. Forget the orisha. Forget the monsters under the bed. We’re the fucking monsters under the bed. We’re the ones who do this. Mankind is the bogeyman. The word humanity doesn’t mean kindness, caring. If it represents us as a species then it means evil. Perversion.
The big secret - it's mindblowing when we find out what is going on. I think that the political aspect of the story is perfect and without the fantasy part is probably true to some extent, and that's scary. Overall the story is amazing, fast-paced and funny, and great to read. Highly recommended.
September 4, 2016
Gideon Tau (better known as London Town to his colleagues) works in the occult investigative unit in the South African police force called the Delphic Division. Since his daughter was kidnapped and murdered, his life has fallen to pieces. His girlfriend has left him, all he does is work, drink and obsess about who killed his daughter Cally. He has two friends left: his fifty-something year old boss Armitage, another UK ex-pat from Yorkshire, and his spirit guide, a talking dog who loves to watch TV all day and drink sherry all night. Tau's cases have him in contact with all sorts of supernatural creatures, such as angels, demons, vampires and fae. While investigating the death of a low level vampire, Tau finally finds a link to his daughter and has to choose between revenge for Cally or do his job and help save the world.
I really liked this book! I first heard about it in one of Books and Pieces videos, which you can find here. I’ll be honest, the main reason this book intrigued me was because it reminded me of Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London series, which I love, and while there are some similarities, it’s not a carbon copy. South Africa is a great setting for an urban fantasy and Crilley has done his research when it comes to lore and mythology around the world. While there is a lot of gore and fighting in this, I didn’t find it too unsettling but keep this is mind if that’s not your kind of thing. Gideon Tau is a solid narrator, I did feel like I really didn't get to know him but I think that's partly down to his torment over his daughter's death, that he’s lost who he is obsessing over this. I loved Dog and Armitage! They made me laugh out loud on so many occasions, especially when Armitage cracked jokes about Harry Potter (also, the fact that Crilley mentions that the UK’s version of the Delphic Division is called the Ministry tickled me!). Dog is so snide and dry, most of the lines I’ve highlighted and saved are from him. I particularly like this come back he had after Tau says he has something all figured out
‘London, you haven’t even figured out how much milk to put in your cereal yet. Consider me worried’.
This is a fast paced urban fantasy that has interesting characters, plenty of humour and some dark themes. I can’t wait to read the next one!
I really liked this book! I first heard about it in one of Books and Pieces videos, which you can find here. I’ll be honest, the main reason this book intrigued me was because it reminded me of Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London series, which I love, and while there are some similarities, it’s not a carbon copy. South Africa is a great setting for an urban fantasy and Crilley has done his research when it comes to lore and mythology around the world. While there is a lot of gore and fighting in this, I didn’t find it too unsettling but keep this is mind if that’s not your kind of thing. Gideon Tau is a solid narrator, I did feel like I really didn't get to know him but I think that's partly down to his torment over his daughter's death, that he’s lost who he is obsessing over this. I loved Dog and Armitage! They made me laugh out loud on so many occasions, especially when Armitage cracked jokes about Harry Potter (also, the fact that Crilley mentions that the UK’s version of the Delphic Division is called the Ministry tickled me!). Dog is so snide and dry, most of the lines I’ve highlighted and saved are from him. I particularly like this come back he had after Tau says he has something all figured out
‘London, you haven’t even figured out how much milk to put in your cereal yet. Consider me worried’.
This is a fast paced urban fantasy that has interesting characters, plenty of humour and some dark themes. I can’t wait to read the next one!
June 14, 2017
3.25 stars
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway and I was pretty excited to read it since Urban Fantasy is a genre that I tend to like.
However, urban fantasy is one of the genre that often gets an average of 3.5 stars from me. In short, good but not great. Alas, the same went for this book.
I loved the start, we have a pretty peculiar African settings, a mean and talking dog and a protagonist that does not walk away from a good fight. There were a lot of different creatures from all kinds of religions and mythology and a good dose of humor, so I cannot exactly pinpoint what made this book end up in the 3 stars rage. It just did. After the first 70 pages I started to enjoy it less, although the actions was increasing and toward the end I was not really interested anymore, and I'm not sure I will ever pick up the sequel even if there is still much to find out.
Could be that I wanted way more scenes with the mean Dog.
Could be that there is one of my most hated tropes (SPOILER ALERT: memory loss).
Could be that I did not get why when Armitage gets back on two feet (and after all the struggle they have to go through to get her back up) they NEVER ask her: "Oh, by the way, who killed you?"
Maybe it was just me, I mean, nothing to say about the writing style and I did enjoy its humor and some character development so I don't know what went wrong. Maybe nothing did (3. 25 stars in not, all things considered, a bad rating) but nothing went very good either.
I'll probably think about it for a while longer and then decide if I will ever continue on with the series or not.
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway and I was pretty excited to read it since Urban Fantasy is a genre that I tend to like.
However, urban fantasy is one of the genre that often gets an average of 3.5 stars from me. In short, good but not great. Alas, the same went for this book.
I loved the start, we have a pretty peculiar African settings, a mean and talking dog and a protagonist that does not walk away from a good fight. There were a lot of different creatures from all kinds of religions and mythology and a good dose of humor, so I cannot exactly pinpoint what made this book end up in the 3 stars rage. It just did. After the first 70 pages I started to enjoy it less, although the actions was increasing and toward the end I was not really interested anymore, and I'm not sure I will ever pick up the sequel even if there is still much to find out.
Could be that I wanted way more scenes with the mean Dog.
Could be that there is one of my most hated tropes (SPOILER ALERT: memory loss).
Could be that I did not get why when Armitage gets back on two feet (and after all the struggle they have to go through to get her back up) they NEVER ask her: "Oh, by the way, who killed you?"
Maybe it was just me, I mean, nothing to say about the writing style and I did enjoy its humor and some character development so I don't know what went wrong. Maybe nothing did (3. 25 stars in not, all things considered, a bad rating) but nothing went very good either.
I'll probably think about it for a while longer and then decide if I will ever continue on with the series or not.
August 23, 2016
I really enjoyed this, a dark urban fantasy set in South Africa. The location is slightly irrelevant so don’t let it put you off. The world presented to us has a strong element of non-human beings at a number of levels from low level daemons to Gods and Angels. The majority of the population are unaware of the “other side” but the authorities are aware and have a specialist Police Unit that deal with related crimes and issues.
Our hero of the story is a man with an agenda and has the ‘help’ of talking a dog who is his spiritual advisor but is pretty bad-tempered and likes a bowl of sherry. A case develops which bring forward some hard choices against the biggest stake of all, humanity. A war is coming and it might be too late to stop it.
There is black humour in this but it is very well balanced and does not feel at all forced, this is partly because the characters are so well drawn and it fits perfectly with them. The story is clever and surprisingly deep, those of an overly religious disposition might not find this to their taste, but otherwise those that like dark urban fantasy will lap this up.
An absolute pleasure and highly recommended.
Our hero of the story is a man with an agenda and has the ‘help’ of talking a dog who is his spiritual advisor but is pretty bad-tempered and likes a bowl of sherry. A case develops which bring forward some hard choices against the biggest stake of all, humanity. A war is coming and it might be too late to stop it.
There is black humour in this but it is very well balanced and does not feel at all forced, this is partly because the characters are so well drawn and it fits perfectly with them. The story is clever and surprisingly deep, those of an overly religious disposition might not find this to their taste, but otherwise those that like dark urban fantasy will lap this up.
An absolute pleasure and highly recommended.
August 15, 2016
Coarse, violent and far fetched, this is urban fantasy at its most fun and exhilarating.
This monster filled romp set in South Africa chronicles the hap hazard life of Gideon Tau, a reckless detective working for a not so discreet branch of peace keepers (armed with bullets made of poo, hand grenades and magic wands), as he is thrust into a conspiracy held by those at the highest levels of government and by the glorious heavens themselves. A conspiracy riddled with a multitude of devious sins and perversion, making explosive bedfellows with violence and interference of what can only be referred to as biblical proportions.
You will not be disappointed if you already love Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London series and Jim Butcher's loveable rogue Harry Dresden, and if you don't already love the above you have some catching up to do.
Overall, excellent. More please!
This monster filled romp set in South Africa chronicles the hap hazard life of Gideon Tau, a reckless detective working for a not so discreet branch of peace keepers (armed with bullets made of poo, hand grenades and magic wands), as he is thrust into a conspiracy held by those at the highest levels of government and by the glorious heavens themselves. A conspiracy riddled with a multitude of devious sins and perversion, making explosive bedfellows with violence and interference of what can only be referred to as biblical proportions.
You will not be disappointed if you already love Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London series and Jim Butcher's loveable rogue Harry Dresden, and if you don't already love the above you have some catching up to do.
Overall, excellent. More please!
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