The Mercenary River, with Nick Higham

In 'Rivers of London', Peter Grant, a young officer in the Metropolitan Police, encounters a ghost while taking a witness statement, which leads him to Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, the last wizard in England. Peter becomes Nightingale's apprentice and is drawn into a world of magic, gods, and goddesses associated with the River Thames. The story involves solving a series of brutal and bizarre murders and brokering peace between the warring gods of the River Thames. The novel blends police procedural with urban paranormal elements, incorporating London's history and geography, and features a diverse cast of characters[2][3][5].

In Love and War is a compelling memoir co-authored by James B. Stockdale and his wife Sybil. The book recounts James' harrowing experiences as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam and Sybil's courageous efforts to raise awareness about the plight of American POWs. The narrative alternates between James' time in captivity and Sybil's battles with bureaucracy and her role in founding the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia.

The Mercenary River offers a detailed and engaging narrative of London's water supply history, from medieval times to the present day. It highlights the ongoing struggle between private enterprise and public good, weaving together social, scientific, and engineering history to create a fascinating tale of greed, altruism, and the evolution of one of the world's greatest cities.