The Masquerades of Spring is a Rivers of London novella set in 1920s New York. It introduces an entirely new character, Augustus Berrycloth-Young, whose foppish life of leisure is interrupted by a surprise visit from Thomas Nightingale, who has arrived from London on a case.

I really loved this novella. I loved delving into the queer and Black subcultures of 1920s New York and I found Augustus a very enjoyable narrator to read. The novella doesn't shy away from the evils of the period - segregation, rampant racism and homophobia - but it takes care to also show the joy and community that could be found at the same time. The mystery itself is a nothing case but I was having such a good time I truly didn't care. I hope we get to revisit Augustus and co again in the future.