The Invisible Code: A Peculiar Crimes Unit Mystery (Bryant & May #10) by Christopher

The Invisible Code, is the tenth standalone book in the ‘Peculiar Crimes Unit’ Series, but the first one that I got my hands on thanks to Netgalley. It is always better to read the books in a series in order to be able to see the main characters being introduced and their growth over the period, but then it is not always possible. I usually do not mind picking up standalones of a series from here and there – but in this case I so wish I had the chance to read the books in order from the beginning because the protagonists are such characters that make you want to see their journey throughout.


Arthur Bryant and John May are part of a self-sufficient Peculiar Crimes Unit that pick up, yes, peculiar cases that the other departments cannot solve and approach them in their own unique way. They are not the most popular branch around and are always under scrutiny with constant pressure of being shut down. When another peculiar case comes up, Bryant wants a chance to work on it where a woman trying to avoid annoying children, walks into a church and keels over and dies. But the case is beyond their reach and when Oskar Kasavian, the head of Home Office security and long-time adversary of the PCU needs their help with a sensitive issue, Bryant uses the opportunity to leverage his way into the other case as well. Oskar’s wife has been behaving oddly and when another body turns up, the two seemingly unrelated cases suddenly become vital to each other in order to be solved.


In the era of NCIS/CSI/Person of Interest/Almost Human, where advanced technology plays a crucial role, PCU is almost like a walk back into the black and white era. Unconventional in their ways, according to the current trend anyway, May & Bryant stand out like a sore thumb. But it is also what makes their story much more interesting to read. I absolutely adored Bryant and his quirky nature and May’s people skills more than makes up for Bryant’s lack of it. They are a team - more than a detective and sidekick. The plot is simple yet intricate and consuming. Then there’s the author’s unmatched style of narration that rounds up the story so well.


Awesome and a must read for all Sherlock Holmes & Hercule Poirot fans.