The Minority Council by Kate Griffin (Matthew Swift: Book 4)

9/10

The fourth book in a series is always a little difficult to review. You can't say much you haven't said already, and any praise you heap on the book may end up ignored as repetitive.

But the simple fact of the matter is that sometimes an author continues to churn out brilliant novel after novel. Needless to say, this is exactly my opinion of Kate Griffin's novels.

Matthew Swift, sorcerer, Midnight Mayor, is in charge. Or so he'd like to think. And London, being London, is having its issues. Drug use is rampant. Teenage vandalism is driving away business. Violent crimes are on the rise. Once upon a time, Matthew Swift wouldn't have given a toss. Now it's his mess to clean up.

Especially when the new drug on the market is fairy dust and the production process involves turning humans into walking drug labs. And when the teenage vandals are being hunted by a mystical creature. And when the petty criminals of London start dying by magical means it becomes clear that not only is this Swift's mess to clean up, but someone is trying to tell him how to do his job. Now he has to sort out who's behind the crime wave and who's interfering in his business. Swift has a lot of old enemies and few friends. If he's going to save London from a rising tide of blood - he's going to have to learn his lessons and fast.

The fourth novel in the Matthew Swift novels, 'The Minority Council', continues the wonderful story of London's new Midnight Mayor and his political inadequacies. There is the requisite magical threat to the city that Swift has to deal with. This time, however, the threat isn't an external power but rather a magics drug problem.

But the real story is found in Swift's dealings with his staff and his new position as Midnight Mayor to the city ofLondon. Some authors have a real gift with characters, and putting those characters in humorous situations that they simply do not belong in.

Especially when those situations are everyday situations like political or council responsibilities. Matthew Swift is not a man to deal well with others, above or below him.

Taken with Kate Griffin's amazing writing talent and gift for showcasing the dirty streets of London, this combination results in a wonderful time for the reader. Griffin takes the reader through the streets of London like you were walking them yourselves.

If you haven't had a chance to read any of the Matthew Swift novels by Kate Griffin, then this isn't necessarily the book for you. It's fun, and probably fine for anyone jumping in. But really, it's just more proof that you should be reading everything Griffin puts her pen to. Either way, this is definitely a book you should be putting on your shelves.