Lagniappe: The Underground and the Death Star

The Underground works all day and all evening, which means the brave men and women in high-visibility orange who keep it running have to work all night. The depot is so full of people banging bits of metal together and scraping things to make sparks that if you squinted you'd swear they were about to launch a last desperate attack against the Death Star.

Ben Aaronovitch, The Furthest Station

I just love his turn of phrase and ability to evoke a mental image. Plus, he makes me laugh.

Lagniappe: Finishing What the Luftwaffe Started

In the 1960s the planning department of the London County Council, whose unofficial motto was Finishing What the Luftwaffe Started, decided that what London really needed was a series of orbital motorways driven through its heart.

Ben Aaronovitch, Moon Over Soho

I've been rereading this series and especially enjoying the architectural comments and the details about police work that the author includes.

One of the most unexpected elements of P.C. Grant's character in the Rivers of London series is his continual disapproval of a lot of modern architecture. There's a reason that comes to light eventually but it is funny. And pretty accurate as far as I can tell.

Lagniappe: Never record anything ...

I rang her and left a message identifying myself and giving an impression of urgency without actually saying anything concrete. Never record anything you wouldn't want turning up on YouTube is my motto.

Ben Aaronovitch, Moon Over Soho

If only more of us remembered this, the world would be a calmer place. More boring, sure. But definitely calmer.

Lagniappe: Planned Improvisation

She glanced back at where my dad ... was having a technical discussion with the rest of the band. Lots of hand gestures as he indicated where he wanted solos to come in during the set because, as my dad always says, while improvisation and spontaneity may be the hallmarks of great jazz, the hallmark of being a great player is ensuring the rest of the band is spontaneously improvising the way you want them to.

Ben Aaronovitch, Broken Homes

Aha! I always suspected as much!

Lagniappe: A Copper Who Is a Wizard

"You're so boring," she said. "You'd think a copper who was a wizard would be more interesting. Harry Potter wasn't this boring. I bet Gandalf could drink you under the table."

Probably true, but I don't remember the bit where Hermione gets so wickedly drunk that Harry has to pull the broomstick over on Buckingham Palace Road just so she can be sick in the gutter.

Ben Aaronovitch, Whispers Under Ground

It goes on like that for a bit, but you get the point. Makes me laugh and that's it. Nothing deeper here to see. Move along now.