I really enjoyed this re-read of the second book in the Bryant and May series, and I'm glad I started with this one because I wasn't so keen on book 1 which I read after I read this one the first time.

Fowler breaks all the 'rules' writers are fed these days, such as show don't tell - although he 'shows' well with vivid description and engaging characters - because he tells you all sorts of snippets about the characters' backstories, and he also 'head hops' between characters in a scene. But it works. The characters are so interesting, and the mystery in this tale of London's lost rivers - still running under the capital and causing life transforming events - is really intriguing. There are wonderful descriptions evoking the fall of rain onto the houses, very realistic given the recent heavy rains in the UK, and there were some good twists too. The revelation of the villain and the reason for the crimes is quite unexpected. So this one is a 'keeper' and I don't keep many I read these days, as I'm trying to declutter. I also don't give 5 stars very often, but well deserved in this case. ( )

The Water Room is the second book in the Bryant and May mystery series. The Peculiar Crimes Unit building is ready to occupy, although not fully rebuilt after the events of book one, Full Dark House. It's the fifth Bryant and May that I've listened to or read, the other three being books five, eleven, and 17, in that order.

Cally Owens is the protagonist among characters who do not belong to the Peculiar Crimes Unit. She's a nice young woman who makes her living modeling. Her boyfriend, Pat, is a jerk. Persuaded by her friend, Heather, who lives at number 6, Balaclava Street, Cally buys number 5.

Number five is where an old lady, the sister of Benjamin, who once proved very helpful to Bryant in an old case, died under peculiar circumstances. This is Bryant's not-really sanctioned case in the weeks before the PCU will be given their new, official cases. May's not-really sanctioned case involved the husband of an old flame, Monica. The husband unwittingly bought a stolen statue for the museum where he worked and has been under an academic cloud ever since.

Monica's husband's area of expertise is the lost rivers of London. I knew that the Fleet River had been covered over, but not that several others had been as well. These lost rivers play a big role in both cases. A tramp called 'Tate' has an important role.

I had no idea what was going on until Mr. Fowler's various revelations, but it was very intriguing. I enjoyed the way Bryant gave a ten-year-old resident of Balaclava Street, a boy named David (whose parents prefer to call him 'Brewer'), an afternoon of adventure. It was nice seeing a glum boy come alive.

One minor character is a very unfortunate man who is still a registered pedophile even though he didn't know the girl with the scheming family was underage. The charges were dropped, but not the registration. How unfair.

Although Bryant's case is the more interesting one, May's subplot case has its exciting moments. There's a scene with trapped refugees puts Bryant in a better light than May.

Everything is solved in the end. Raymond, in charge of the Peculiar Crimes Unit, is very happy about the successful conclusions. Bryant can't count it a complete success because of those who were murdered before the killer was caught.

Cat lovers, I am very sorry to say that a small cat called Cleo has an unfortunate fate. Let us try to focus on the introduction of Crippen, the Peculiar Crimes Unit cat (here a stray kitten). ( )

This awesome whodunnit set in London and it’s underground world of hidden rivers, waste water, sewers and refugees completely captivated me. Fowler instructs and educates about the physical form of London while dealing with shady characters and contemporary issues, as well as weaving a murder mystery into the mix. My absolute favourite in the Bryant and May cannon ( )

> Ten crates unloading, nine boxes opened, eight phones ringing, seven staff complaining, six desks in various states of assembly, five damaged chairs, four cases pending, three workmen hammering, two computers crashing and a cat locked in a filing cabinet with no key. Arthur Bryant was sitting back at his desk, beaming amidst the chaos, looking for all the world as if he had never left.

> We’re heading for winter, when a caul of sluggishness deepens into thanatomimesis, the state of being mistaken for death.

> ‘Christ, it’s coming down stair-rods out there.’ Kallie joined her and peered out. The other side of the street was half-hidden behind a canescent veil ( )

I'm so glad I persevered with this second installment after not enjoying very much the first. This was quirky, funny and a hoot with enormous vocabulary and knowledge of London. Makes me think Ben Aavonovitch may have read this before penning his Rivers of London series. Top quality all round. ( )