The City & The City

Inspector Tyador Borlú of the Extreme Crime Squad investigates the murder of a foreign student whose body is found in the city of Beszel. The investigation leads him across the border into Ul Qoma, a distinct city that occupies the same geographical space. Because the two populations must mentally unsee and consciously ignore each other according to strict laws, solving the crime requires navigating a complex geopolitical reality. The case ultimately draws the inspector into high-level conspiracies that span both overlapping municipalities.

by China Miéville

MacMillan · First published 2009 · 312 pages