This was a fun mystery – found it when I was looking for Christmas mysteries, and it looked so intriguing, I bought it anyway. The Victory Vanishes is a series featuring the the Peculiar Crimes Unit, and is by Christopher Fowler.
The Unit is full of exceptionally eccentric and unique police officers and detectives, whose job is to solve problems that don’t fall in the normal purview of police work. Lots of history thrown in as well, and it would be fun to follow the trail from pub to pub, as Bryant and May, the two key detectives, try to prevent the next crime.
Well written, very smart, lots of fun. All the while you’re learning the history and functions of the English pub. Tres satisfying.