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 valuable, 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.
©2011 Ben Aaronovitch (P)2011 Orion Publishing Group Limited
"Rivers of London"
Fantastic listen - the best new author I have come across in a long time. I just wish you would hurry up and put his next book on audio - I couldn't wait so bought and read the hardback version - and that he will keep writing more of them. Fascinating for his detailed account of modern and historical London, blended with lighthearted spookiness and magic, and a convincing idea of how the Met would deal with magic, not only from the villains, but with the wizard in their ranks.
"Fantasy thriller with attitude !"
A fantasy thriller with bags of attitude, it?s very funny, imaginative and absorbing ? almost addictive. Totally refreshing in its detail, perspective and writing style. The story line of a believable supernatural underworld in London is based on a mixture of magic, police procedurals and human relationships. This looks like a start to a very promising series, I really am looking forward to the next book.
"The Best 'Read' I've Heard For A Long Time"
Having listened to the first few minutes of this book I was a bit put off by Kobna's reading style but stayed with it and boy, how glad I am that I did! His narration is absolutley perfect and he carries you along with this tale as if it's his own. The story is quirky, imaginative, very funny and visual. I loved the mix of police protocol with whimsical wizardry, brilliant.
"Surprisingly addictive"
I listened to the first few sentences of this book and nearly turned it off, but so glad I did not! A fantasy/crime/historical novel, I was never bored and amazed at the level of research the author has put into this book. At no time did I have to cringe and reach for the off switch because something was just too ridiculous to believe. THe reader was also very good- after the first 5 minutes of getting used to his reading style. In the end, it was obvious he was the right choice for the job, narrating it easily and using excellent accents and voices in just the right places. All in all, a very enjoyable listen!
"THATS THE WAY TO DO IT !!"
One of those rare examples of something that lives up to the hype , Im not going to spoil it but this book is a fantastic read from start to finish . I can imagine a T.V series in the offing eventually ( ironically the lead role the Narrator would be perfect for ) ......
Plenty of humour and sarcasm , but serious when it needs to be.
The `Villain` was also perfectly thought out .
I urge anyone to take a plunge and buy this ......
"Fantastic listen"
Have to review this, never felt the need before, but this has to be one of the most enjoyable books I have listened to in eons! Was a little put off at first, always wary of the 'bandwagon jumpers' with latest fantasy novels, can be a bit boring, but this was just fantastic. Gritty, great thriller plot and superbly narrated. If you are fan of any of the genres, be it fantasy, sci-fi, mystery or thriller, I don't think you will be dissapointed. Please hurry up and put next book on audible!
"Narration spoils promising book."
This is a good book, unfortunately the narration lets it down and lets it down horribly. What should be a rip snorting romp through the streets of London sounded utterly boring. I've since read the book again myself and it zips along nicely, however the narrator on this particular issue spends most of his time trying to sound laid back and cool but simply comes across as bored.
I'd suggest reading the book yourself and bring it to life in your own mind. The narrator simply paints this fascinating magical world a mixture of beige and grey.
"Brilliant Londoners book"
I initially thought twice about downloading this, after all I don't really like fantasy type books. But some strong reviews on here made me think to give it a try. Plus my best mate works for the Met Police and having heard many of his stories I was keen to see how this fictionalised account compares.
Really enjoyed it and devoured it in a very short time...really glad the next book is now out which will be my next listen. The narrator is superb, to me he sounds like a young Idris Elba which is no bad thing. Yes its got spirits and vampires and trolls in it, but its not really a fantasy book to me, or at least what I would stereotype as being the fodder of your typical world of warcraft wielding weirdo...
This is a gritty, urban, London crime story, with large dollops of humour chucked in. Loved that, being focussed around the Thames, I could relate to the places and streets and have even drunk in the pubs mentioned.
Download it now, sit comfortably and write off the next ten hours...
"Fantastic"
This was reccommended to me by a friend who knows my passion for magic/thrillers and sci-fi fiction.
It is fantastic.
"A Classic"
I will never look at Covent Garden in the same light again!! Audible please release more of this series. Deserves to be a classic . Very well read. Am now hooked on this author.