This is really an incredible mystery/thriller that isn't directly about the surface-topic. Miéville does an outstanding job dealing with liminality, and his world-building is top-notch. If I could ever write something as well-crafted as this novel, I would be satisfied in life. That said, the end of the "mystery" left a lot to be desired. In fact, I would go so far as to say that it was ham-fisted in the way that Miéville seems to let out his grievances at New Labour and the post-Cold War order, but that may just be my own subjective interpretation. But, the end of the mystery isn't the point, and Miéville's writing is utterly beautiful.