author : Ben Aaronovitch

Nowadays, I don't read much media SF unless I like the author. Although I have never read anything by Aaronovitch before, I do like his Doctor Who TV episodes Remembrance of the Daleks and Battlefield, and I have heard net.posters describe The Also People as "An Iain M. Banks Culture novel with the serial numbers filed off". So I thought I would try it. And it's good.

Up until now my Doctor Who experience has consisted solely of watching the TV shows and reading the odd anniversary special coffee table book (and building a cardboard Tardis, of course). This is different. The Doctor may be familiar (here in his 7th, Sylvester McCoy, incarnation), but all the Companions are new to me, and yet obviously have a lot of back story with him (I suspect that reading only one of the many "New Adventures" is responsible here). Also, there is more depth to the characters, and a more adult tone to the story -- Companions hopping into bed with the natives, and so on. Although the TV series was made by the BBC's Drama department, not its Children's department, it was supposedly deemed suitable for children (on the sex and bad language front, if not always on the violence front, at least). So I found reading this Doctor Who novel rather disconcerting, like coming back to a familiar place after a long absence, where much is the same, but changed.

Anyway, to the review. The Doctor has taken his three Companions -- Bernice, Roz and Chris -- to paradise for a holiday. They are on (in?) a Dyson sphere, controlled by a planet-sized computer known as God, where all the inhabitants, biological humanoids and artificial drones and ships, are effectively immensely wealthy and powerful, having ready access to immensely advanced technology (all this is the Culture-esque bit). So powerful, in fact, that they have a non-aggression pact with the Time Lords.

As always, The Doctor has an ulterior motive for his seemingly innocent actions, and, as always, things start Happening as soon as he arrives. There's a murder, and the Doctor and Roz are the most suitable beings to investigate. They have to find the solution before the inhabitants decide that actually the Doctor is violating the pact.

It's not the detective plot that makes this story fun, however. The investigation merely serves as an excuse for exploring the world and its people, and suggesting how one might live in a world where one's every whim is catered to, and yet still lead a satisfying and fulfilling life. There are some wonderful scenes as the Companions experience the technology, and some beautifully acidly witty one-liners. It doesn't have some of the depth, or the nastiness, of a Banks' novel -- I would say it's a Culture novel with the serial numbers, and the darkness, filed off -- but it's well written, keeps the Doctor in character, and poses some interesting questions. A good read. (And I would probably have rated it 2.5 if I hadn't already read the Culture.)

Probationary Constable Peter Grant is not looking forward to being assigned to Case Progression Unit where he would be performing a valuable role. He wants to do real policing. Then he questions a ghost who witnesses a murder, and his career direction suddenly changes. He is apprenticed to the mysterious Inspector Nightingale, not only to investigate a series of haunted murders, but to help placate Mother Thames and her daughter rivers in their feud with further upstream Father Thames. All while trying to start a relationship with PC Lesley May.

This is a wonderful innovative fantasy police procedural situated in a totally recognisable and yet completely alien contemporary London. The tone is relatively light and street-smart, but there are real consequences and real heartaches to deal with. Peter is bright and capable, but still junior and not yet experienced in either policing or magic. It will be fun to watch him grow through the series.