My name is Peter Grant and until January I was just probationary constable in that mighty army for justice known to all right-thinking people as the Metropolitan Police Service (as the Filth to everybody else). My only concerns in life were how to avoid a transfer to the Case Progression Unit - we do paperwork so real coppers don't have to - and finding a way to climb into the panties of the outrageously perky WPC Leslie May. Then one night, in pursuance of a murder inquiry, I tried to take a witness statement from someone who was dead but disturbingly voluable, and that brought me to the attention of Inspector Nightingale, the last wizard in England. Now I'm a Detective Constable and a trainee wizard, the first apprentice in fifty years, and my world has become somewhat more complicated: nests of vampires in Purley, negotiating a truce between the warring god and goddess of the Thames, and digging up graves in Covent Garden . . . and there's something festering at the heart of the city I love, a malicious vengeful spirit that takes ordinary Londoners and twists them into grotesque mannequins to act out its drama of violence and despair. The spirit of riot and rebellion has awakened in the city, and it's falling to me to bring order out of chaos - or die trying.
Rivers of London (PC Peter Grant)
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Review
"Witty, well plotted, vividly written and addictively readable." (Lisa Tuttle THE TIMES )
"An engaging mix of magic and police procedural, this is a great kick off to a very promising series as well as the most satisfying fantasy thriller to hit bookshelves in quite some time. Witty, imaginative and gripping." (Saxon Bullock SFX )
Rivers of London is highly recommended for anyone looking for some urban fantasy fun with a real life spin, the sights and smells of London just ooze out from between the pages. This book should be essential reading for anyone who has ever seen anything inexplicable or strange on the streets of London - which would be just about everybody who's ever been there, really. (LOVEVAMPIRES.COM )
"Anyone who has enjoyed Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, Kate Griffin's Matthew Swift novels, Mike Carey's Felix Castor series - anyone in those shoes will adore Rivers of London. Assured, witty and great fun to read." (Amanda Rutter FLOOR TO CEILING BOOKS )
"Rivers of London comfortably fills out its engaging premise." (Sophia McDougall )
"Ben Aaronovitch has put together an enjoyable and exciting story that is easy to read. " (BOOK MONKEYS )
"This is a terrific urban fantasy police procedural in which the two cops make the unbelievable believable; especially the inexperienced Grant. The fast-paced yet meandering story line is loaded with action from the onset as the mentor and mentee work a challenging investigation in which an ancient has arisen to stir the troubled waters. Sub-genre fans will enjoy Ben Aaronovitch's view of London in this witty well written riot." (ALTERNATIVE-WORLDS )
"Aaronovitch gives us a glimpse of a fascinating and fantastical underbelly to the capital that feels entirely believable. Those familiar with the city will enjoy picturing the chaotic events unfold, while those less familiar will receive an accurate and entertaining geography lesson. Magical, mysterious and mesmerising, Rivers of London will have you spellbound." (Alice Wybrew TOTAL SCI FI )
"This is a fun book, with enough wry humour without descending into slapstick. Recommended." (British Fantasy Society )
"An engaging mix of magic and police procedural, this is a great kick off to a very promising series as well as the most satisfying fantasy thriller to hit bookshelves in quite some time. Witty, imaginative and gripping." (Saxon Bullock SFX )
Rivers of London is highly recommended for anyone looking for some urban fantasy fun with a real life spin, the sights and smells of London just ooze out from between the pages. This book should be essential reading for anyone who has ever seen anything inexplicable or strange on the streets of London - which would be just about everybody who's ever been there, really. (LOVEVAMPIRES.COM )
"Anyone who has enjoyed Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, Kate Griffin's Matthew Swift novels, Mike Carey's Felix Castor series - anyone in those shoes will adore Rivers of London. Assured, witty and great fun to read." (Amanda Rutter FLOOR TO CEILING BOOKS )
"Rivers of London comfortably fills out its engaging premise." (Sophia McDougall )
"Ben Aaronovitch has put together an enjoyable and exciting story that is easy to read. " (BOOK MONKEYS )
"This is a terrific urban fantasy police procedural in which the two cops make the unbelievable believable; especially the inexperienced Grant. The fast-paced yet meandering story line is loaded with action from the onset as the mentor and mentee work a challenging investigation in which an ancient has arisen to stir the troubled waters. Sub-genre fans will enjoy Ben Aaronovitch's view of London in this witty well written riot." (ALTERNATIVE-WORLDS )
"Aaronovitch gives us a glimpse of a fascinating and fantastical underbelly to the capital that feels entirely believable. Those familiar with the city will enjoy picturing the chaotic events unfold, while those less familiar will receive an accurate and entertaining geography lesson. Magical, mysterious and mesmerising, Rivers of London will have you spellbound." (Alice Wybrew TOTAL SCI FI )
"This is a fun book, with enough wry humour without descending into slapstick. Recommended." (British Fantasy Society )
Book Description
CSI London, Urban Fantasy-style!
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
88 of 92 people found the following review helpful
By J. Lesley
Format:Hardcover
It is always such a pleasure for me to find an author who manages to write a book that piques my interest and holds my attention. Both are true here because Ben Aaronovitch created something new for me. Normally when I read an urban fantasy book the plot requires that all those involved in that world are aware of the magic components active all around them. In this book that is not the case. Probationary PC Peter Grant had been left to guard a crime scene when he met a ghost. Not just any ghost either, no, this one was a witness to the crime. In very short order PC Grant finds himself assigned to a unit of the Metropolitan Police which up until he joined it had only one other member, a wizard. Peter is now on his way to becoming an apprentice wizard, learning magic and trying to help solve the crimes of completely unexplained violence which are breaking out all over London. Peter's best answer is to use his interest in scientific knowledge and experimentation in conjunction with the magic to explain some of the things that are happening.
I really enjoyed this book for its humor and the unusual combination of scientific investigation paired with utilizing magic. It put a different spin on the plot for me by having the entire London scene be so solidly in the present time, with the citizens of that great city completely unaware of the magic or the horrors within their city. I also enjoyed the great amount of research this author has obviously done regarding the many rivers around London. And to have each of them portrayed as an individual character was quite a successful undertaking. I also want to compliment those responsible for the artwork map on the cover of this book. No matter how many times I look at it I keep finding names of areas or a street that I recognize. I have to admit that, as an American, there were just a few times when I felt a little lost because I didn't understand some of the English slang or references, but it was certainly not anything that kept me from enjoying the novel. Book two, Moon Over Soho, is next in the series and if this one is anything to go by it should be another fascinating reading experience.
I really enjoyed this book for its humor and the unusual combination of scientific investigation paired with utilizing magic. It put a different spin on the plot for me by having the entire London scene be so solidly in the present time, with the citizens of that great city completely unaware of the magic or the horrors within their city. I also enjoyed the great amount of research this author has obviously done regarding the many rivers around London. And to have each of them portrayed as an individual character was quite a successful undertaking. I also want to compliment those responsible for the artwork map on the cover of this book. No matter how many times I look at it I keep finding names of areas or a street that I recognize. I have to admit that, as an American, there were just a few times when I felt a little lost because I didn't understand some of the English slang or references, but it was certainly not anything that kept me from enjoying the novel. Book two, Moon Over Soho, is next in the series and if this one is anything to go by it should be another fascinating reading experience.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I heartily recommend this book as so totally London and so well researched. I've been intrigued by the 'lost' rivers for many years and Aaronovitch deliverers a humourous and well plotted book that is a pleasure to read. Funny, human and interesting. I couldn't put it down.
73 of 78 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely nothing like what would happen if Harry Potter grew up and joined the Fuzz
13 July 2011
By phoebes_mum
Format:Hardcover
For once an urban fantasy that actually is an urban fantasy, with not a poxy Doc Martened elf in sight, thank god: part very well researched police procedural, part Sorcerer's Apprentice - and this is a real apprenticeship, where results come from sheer slog and perseverance, not from waving a magic wand - part gruesome murder hunt, part otherworldly politicking, and part - and this is my favourite part by far - a carefully detailed map of Central London, written by one who knows and loves the place as it should be loved, all of it narrated by likeable Everyman Peter Grant, an adequate enough probationary constable who's just a bit too curious for his own good (while his colleagues are breaking up a riot in Trafalgar Square, he stops to check what's written on the lions' bums). Peter crosses the line between one world and another and, in the process, is saved from a future of data entry in the Case Progression Unit, one cold morning in Covent Garden, when he's left guarding a crime scene and a witness steps forward from St Paul's Church - a witness who has been dead for considerably longer than the body under investigation.
Rivers of London isn't perfect - there are a lot of open questions left hanging, and some of the plot resolutions don't entirely make sense - but it is bloody good, and one of the best things I've read in many years. Good enough that I went straight out and bought the sequel. In hardback.
Ignore Diana Gabaldon's stupid cover blurb, by the way. I'll do her the credit of believing she was misquoted.
Don't expect to learn too much about the actual lost rivers of London, though. That's a fascinating topic in itself, but one for another book entirely.
Rivers of London isn't perfect - there are a lot of open questions left hanging, and some of the plot resolutions don't entirely make sense - but it is bloody good, and one of the best things I've read in many years. Good enough that I went straight out and bought the sequel. In hardback.
Ignore Diana Gabaldon's stupid cover blurb, by the way. I'll do her the credit of believing she was misquoted.
Don't expect to learn too much about the actual lost rivers of London, though. That's a fascinating topic in itself, but one for another book entirely.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rivers of London
See my comments for Moon Over Soho. Excellent. Can't wait for the next one. I do hope there will be more.
Published 5 days ago by Mrs P Lowe
3.0 out of 5 stars
Review
Good book, gota bit strange towards the end. Could have done with a bit more detail. Looking forward to the next one
Published 7 days ago by stuart hicks
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well written, New Ideas, Some Magic, Twists and Turns Galore, Highly...
Rivers of London is the first of a series of books in the style of urban fantasy. Having read and enjoyed several highly recommended urban fantasy novels lately, I decided to take... Read more
Published 11 days ago by Sam Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars
That's the way to do it
I had long given up on finding a book that was addictive enough to make me pick it up and read it at every opportunity. Until I found this one. Read more
Published 13 days ago by Derek
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
Well written, funny, insightful along with wonderfully real characters. Ben's books are now my favourite series. To those just starting you are in for a treat!
Published 15 days ago by K. J. Alexander
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not as good as I thought it would be
Quite a disappointment as I was looking forward to reading this and had saved it for my holiday. It sounded like the sort of book I usually really enjoy and I love London. Read more
Published 17 days ago by Ally
5.0 out of 5 stars
loved it
great opening book really enjoyed it, sarcastic funny great charaters and really interesting plot cant recommend it enough the follow up books are good too
Published 20 days ago by kindleaddict
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read, very enjoyable.
Interesting and very enjoyable storyline. Loved the idea of a supernatural investigating unit within the Met police force. Bet the Met love this guy.
Published 21 days ago by Gareth Jones
1.0 out of 5 stars
Rivers of London
Rubbish! What a load of cobblers. Couldn't wait to get to the end to start a decent book, really disappointing read.
Published 1 month ago by Buddy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Blindingly brilliant.
Fantastic read, I'm sure everyone else has said the same thing. The author really knows and appreciates the character of London as a city and its inhabitants, and the plot is zippy... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Lindsay Duff
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