When American exchange student James Gallagher is found stabbed to death on the tracks at Baker Street station of London's subway line, something seems unnatural. It appears magic may have been involved. That's why PC Peter Grant, a wizard's apprentice, is called in on the case. Peter is learning magic as fast as he can as a member of the Met's Economic and Specialist Crime Unit 9, aka The Folly, a department that doesn't officially exist.

It doesn't help matters any when James Gallagher's politically powerful family send over FBI agent Kimberley Reynolds to assist in the case. The strongly religious agent has absolutely no idea what she's dealing with when it comes to Peter and all the mystical information he's discovering.

Peter's investigation eventually leads to a rogue magician called "The Faceless Man" who's wreaking supernatural havoc in the underground subway system. With the help of his superior, Inspector Nightingale, England's last registered wizard, Peter uncovers more than he ever imagined possible.

In WHISPERS UNDER GROUND, "Doctor Who" screenwriter Ben Aaronovitch has written an entertaining third addition to his Rivers of London paranormal crime series, which also includes MIDNIGHT RIOT and MOON OVER SOHO. With witty one- liners and an amusing cast of characters, he gives readers an enlightening and unique take on quite a different type of London. I think reading the first two books in the series will help readers understand more about this novel's characters and how their backstory affects current events.