Writers of the supernatural and the paranormal are numerous. It is one of the genres that sees the most competition amongst the Unpublished. This is why not only should you find a voice all your own but you should learn from those who have established themselves. Every writer is a reader, and it is how we develop our style and our skills. This case study will focus on how Ben Aaronovitch's urban fantasy/ police procedural Peter Grant series can help you develop further as a writer.
Inner monologue
Written from a 1st person point of view, this narrative is a masterclass in how to consistently keep the reader's attention during an inner monologue. This is an area where people are most likely to quickly lose interest; skipping ahead to read the more 'informative' dialogue. Within a crime novel the inner monologue of the investigator, their mind's analysis and correlation of the known factors with theories, is one of the driving forces of its narrative. Ben Aaronovitch creates renewed interest each time by having the tone and focus of Peter Grant's inner monologue change constantly in a manner similar to the way in which our brains work. Our minds are consistently bouncing from one thought to another, sometimes with very tenuous links. However, there must be a common theme through out these thoughts. Taking an example from the Rivers of London, Peter's thought process about the odd murder, whose perimeter he is guarding, leads him to consider the history of the church next to him, its role within the theatre of London and the graveyard attached. The common theme is the location of the murder; Covent Garden.
Create a magical setting in a mundane location
I would particularly recommend this series as a case study to those who want to imbue a city with an underground world filled with magic or the supernatural. Any city, or place for that matter, can be a setting for the supernatural. But what ties it inexplicably to a setting is the entwining of the magic with a place's history. This bond is based on the idea we all maintain that what we know of the past is not the whole picture. We are being given an alternative viewpoint of an event and with just enough proven facts interspersed.
However, this world, and its lore, should never be introduced in just one book, let a lone a few chapters; it can lose reader interest as well as overwhelming them. If realism is to be attained, then it is the focus on the little details. Throughout this series, Aaronovitch has consistently highlighted details of how this world has stayed hidden from the non-magical other; the 'no-details-needed' attitude of the Met Police in regards to the Folly and the closed elitism of the Folly in the past.
Character development from conception to narrative
Even from conception, characters are never blank slates.They will have morals, aspirations, goals, and opinions. Each will effect how they develop, and it is the events that happen to them within the narrative that will change these starting beliefs, hope and aims. A technique I read about on Tumblr is to jot down 20 things about your character(s) that the reader will never, or may never, learn about them. These points will give a level of depth to your understanding of the character and this richness will subtly seep into your characterisation.
This creation of Peter's mixed heritage background references his later position of limbo between the world inhabited by the Met and the one that the Folly inhabits. This lose of a secure position in either world makes his development as a character much more a focal point, and such a development can consistently through up a multitude of comedic scenes, tension driven arcs, and championing of the character by the readers.This series highlights two areas that effects a character's development; timescale and natural aptitude. Whenever, developing a character within a narrative, something that should be at the very centre of your mind whenever conceiving an answer to the question 'What happens next?', these two things should be central.
World-building Cliffhanger
The last thing that should be taken from Ben Aaronovitch's series is to always leave the world tantalisingly and partially closed. There is always something new, or old, to be (re)discovered and introduced to the characters, and therefore the readers. This can be anything from a new species, a new power (figuratively or literally), or a secret with a wide impact. The supernatural should gradually seep into the life of this character, and they should never know every aspect of it.
The genius is not just in the blurred genres, but in the marvel of the relatable, normal, and flawed policeman that introduces you to a supernatural world that is by no means underground. An urban fantasy that is based around a police procedural narrative, it is a subtly witty comedy that brings a lightness to crime.
Rivers of London (2011)
Summary: Peter Grant finds himself heading to the Case Progression Unit, away from the star of his naughtiest dreams PC Lesley May, but before any transfer can be fully implemented he takes a police statement from a ghost whilst guarding the perimeter of what seems a 'routine' murder. What is he to do with such a statement? He is not sure, but he may just find the answer in Inspector Nightingale, head of the Folly; and last wizard in England. Or is he? The case of the no-longer routine murder tells a different story.
Moon Over Soho (2011)
Something is stalking Soho. Is it the mistress of one of the dead jazz musicians, who turns up wherever Peter is, or is there something more, and much worse? Of course, Peter's life is never easy and uncomplicated since beginning his career as Britain's only apprentice wizard, so it is only to expected that the involvement of jazz would mean that his recovering-addict father will not be far behind. Will be become a hinderance? Or will the bond lost between them once again flourish under the raining bodies of fallen jazz men?
Whispers Under Ground (2012)
We have seen the chaos that magic can cause above ground, but what about below? When an American is killed, and the FBI become involved, going underground may just be the only answer to an elusive answer of means, motive, and opportunity.But what does a magic-imbued potsherd, the descendants of three business friends and art have to do with this death?
Broken Homes (2013)
Suspicious suicide, a knicked grimoire, and a murder that could either be the work of an associate of the Faceless Man or a simple murder. It is a busy time for Peter and the Folly, and the cooking of Molly, is not giving him the relief he is seeking. So when things start linking to a famous housing estate in Elephant & Castle, Peter is pleased for all the help he can get from his allies. Or is he? Can he and and PC Lesley May survive Skygarden Tower? Or will Zach finally push them over the edge with his antics as Underground Ambassador?
Foxglove Summers (2014)
In the fifth book of the Rivers of London series, Peter Grant is going all country, when a routine procedure leads to an offer of help that could do more than answering the question: what the hell is Molly? But before any of this can happen first he needs to visit the local loco genei and get a certain young river goddess out of trouble. With UFOs, crypts and missing children, Peter had not expected the countryside to be as frustrating as the city!
The Hanging Tree (2016)
Over the past few years, the Folly has been gaining an increasing array of alliances and contacts and they are gonna need them all when Lady Ty pulls in of a favour owed that could lead them to a case that is more than a simple drugs bust. For what could very well be the most frustrating week of PC Peter Grant's career so far, the young and rich will be the least of is problems when the investigations opens up an opportunity that Grant and the Folly just cannot pass up. That is if they can unravel the lies of the young and the self-entitled.