Kraken by China Mieville

I really like China Mieville and have read most (but not all) of his books. But, he is a bit hit or miss for me. Kraken is a bit of a miss.

The basic plotline is a giant squid pickled in a jar is stolen from a museum. Billy Harrow, known for his expertise on these odd sea creatures, becomes deeply involved in a netherworld inhabiting London that includes all sorts of fantasia, such as a man who is only a tattoo on someone's back, a female cop who also happens to be a mage, and an assortment of cultists, the primary one being a group that worships the giant squid. The race is on to figure out who stole the squid and Billy is caught in the middle.

The primary problem with this novel is it is just a bit too clever and pretentious for its own good. I don't mind, and in fact usually enjoy, the showy wordplay, alliterations, and non-linear story line. But Mieville does not do enough to move the plot along as he jumps from one storyline or character to another. While the writing style and weird world he creates is interesting enough, I like a story well told, regardless of the style, but this not a story well told. The story is there, but it is buried somewhere in the mix of storylines, some that do not really advance the plot, in this bloated novel.