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Rivers of London #5.6
The Furthest Station
There have been ghosts on the London Underground, sad, harmless specters whose presence does little more than give a frisson to traveling and boost tourism. But now there's a rash of sightings on the Metropolitan Line and these ghosts are frightening, aggressive, and seem to be looking for something. Enter PC Peter Grant, junior member of the Metropolitan Police's Special Assessment Unit, AKA The Folly, AKA the only police officers whose official duties include ghost hunting. Together with Jaget Kumar, his counterpart at the British Transport Police, he must brave the terrifying crush of London's rush hour to find the source of the ghosts. Joined by Peter's wannabe wizard cousin, a preschool river god, and Toby the ghost hunting dog, their investigation takes a darker tone as they realize that a real person's life might just be on the line. And time is running out to save them.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published June 30, 2017
519 people are currently reading
8020 people want to read
About the author
Ben Aaronovitch
159 books13.4k followersBen Aaronovitch's career started with a bang writing for Doctor Who, subsided in the middle and then, as is traditional, a third act resurgence with the bestselling Rivers of London series.
Born and raised in London he says that he'll leave his home when they prise his city out of his cold dead fingers.
Born and raised in London he says that he'll leave his home when they prise his city out of his cold dead fingers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,603 reviews
December 24, 2023
A delightful side adventure in the Peter Grant universe. I found myself chuckling, highlighting as a went, enjoying Grant's wry observations of the city and it's denizens.
All the elements that make the series so remarkable, lovable and familiar are here: the humor, the sudden realization that Peter has gotten himself in over his head, references to destroyed landmarks, strange and remarkable Rivers, Molly's sinister looming and her cooking experiments, Toby's reluctance to obey, Peter's inevitable distractions into research, notes on police procedure and interview techniques, commentary on casual racism, and further observations on Nightingale's remarkable dress code and his failure to modernize.
"Normally these days we shunt files back and forth as email attachments, but the Folly prefers to do things the old-fashioned way. Just in case someone leaks our emails, and also because only one of us currently lives in the 21st century."
Written as a novella, it's a little more streamlined than the average Peter Grant book. Kumar, with his willingness to work with 'weird bollocks', has contacted Peter for assistance. There have been ghost sightings on the Metropolitan Line of the Tube train and passengers have been strangely unable to remember any details.
"Okay," said Jaget after a pause. "That's the second most freakiest thing you've ever shown me."
I snapped off the werelight. "That was really odd," I said.
"Yeah, even by your standards of odd that was odd," said Jaget. "What next?"
As usual, the clever social commentary, self-depreciation and genuine curiosity had me chuckling, underlying a bit or two every few pages. I adore the way Aaronovitch is able to make me chuckle without resorting to absurdity, although there is that too. Although I kind of wish he'd stop referencing all the fabulous 'ethnic' places to eat, because I was hungrier than usual eating this one, especially when he snacked on crab with ginger and spring onions. But that provides a nice contrast to some more emotional moments, particularly one where Peter recognizes "it isn't about your personal convictions. It's about what the person standing on the edge needs."
The story is remarkably well balanced with a minimum of digressions, so it may be even more palatable than the novels for some. Weaknesses were minor, with the most glaring being a quick wrap-up. I rather think Aaronovitch would just keep writing, but someone has to cut him off. At any rate, it's not that bothersome. I just flipped back to the beginning and re-read it. Absolutely delicious, although I'm not sure how it compares with the Chinese crab-ginger dish. Can't wait to hear it read by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith.
Many, many thanks to Subterranean Press and NetGalley for giving me an advance peek!
All the elements that make the series so remarkable, lovable and familiar are here: the humor, the sudden realization that Peter has gotten himself in over his head, references to destroyed landmarks, strange and remarkable Rivers, Molly's sinister looming and her cooking experiments, Toby's reluctance to obey, Peter's inevitable distractions into research, notes on police procedure and interview techniques, commentary on casual racism, and further observations on Nightingale's remarkable dress code and his failure to modernize.
"Normally these days we shunt files back and forth as email attachments, but the Folly prefers to do things the old-fashioned way. Just in case someone leaks our emails, and also because only one of us currently lives in the 21st century."
Written as a novella, it's a little more streamlined than the average Peter Grant book. Kumar, with his willingness to work with 'weird bollocks', has contacted Peter for assistance. There have been ghost sightings on the Metropolitan Line of the Tube train and passengers have been strangely unable to remember any details.
"Okay," said Jaget after a pause. "That's the second most freakiest thing you've ever shown me."
I snapped off the werelight. "That was really odd," I said.
"Yeah, even by your standards of odd that was odd," said Jaget. "What next?"
As usual, the clever social commentary, self-depreciation and genuine curiosity had me chuckling, underlying a bit or two every few pages. I adore the way Aaronovitch is able to make me chuckle without resorting to absurdity, although there is that too. Although I kind of wish he'd stop referencing all the fabulous 'ethnic' places to eat, because I was hungrier than usual eating this one, especially when he snacked on crab with ginger and spring onions. But that provides a nice contrast to some more emotional moments, particularly one where Peter recognizes "it isn't about your personal convictions. It's about what the person standing on the edge needs."
The story is remarkably well balanced with a minimum of digressions, so it may be even more palatable than the novels for some. Weaknesses were minor, with the most glaring being a quick wrap-up. I rather think Aaronovitch would just keep writing, but someone has to cut him off. At any rate, it's not that bothersome. I just flipped back to the beginning and re-read it. Absolutely delicious, although I'm not sure how it compares with the Chinese crab-ginger dish. Can't wait to hear it read by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith.
Many, many thanks to Subterranean Press and NetGalley for giving me an advance peek!
May 27, 2017
This is a short novella in the series featuring our intrepid detective, Peter Grant, attached to the Folly, the police unit that deals with all things magical and fantastical in London. Unlike the full length novels with sprawling storylines, this is a more sparse and tightly written affair. It appears there are regular ghostly presences on London's Metropolitan tube line, they are given to invective that is racist, sexist and just generally abusive. However, whilst several rail customers make complaints, these are withdrawn rapidly as they lose their memory of the event. Sergeant Jaget Kumar of the British Transport Police and Peter work together to track down the ghosts as they interview Jessica Talacre whilst her memory remains intact.
So we learn of ghosts, loopers and entities, and the vestigia they leave behind. Peter and Jaget, with the help of DCI Nightingale, set up the conditions where they meet various train ghosts, a veritable psychic soup, like a postboy, Mr Ponderstep, the banker, and the young Alice Bowman, entranced by dogs, from whom Peter begins to surmise that a woman has been abducted. There are ghosts that have been trapped in rose jars, and an elderly couple, Allen and Lilian, who took in a young boy, Chess, without the required legal paperwork. Chess, it turns out is a preschool river god. Peter has his cousin, a prodigy it turns out, chasing down ghosts tirelessly whilst she develops her own knowledge of the magical world. Peter tries to track down a missing social worker before she ends up dead.
This has the wry wit and comic humour of the series and makes a welcome contribution to the Rivers of London novels. We see more of Jaget in his occupation and the way in which he interacts with Peter as they hunt down their ghosts. Peter is always good to spend time with, he is such a great character. A very enjoyable read of a wonderful series. Cannot wait for the next full length novel, which I have to admit would be more to my taste, this felt too short. Many thanks to Subterranean Press for an ARC.
So we learn of ghosts, loopers and entities, and the vestigia they leave behind. Peter and Jaget, with the help of DCI Nightingale, set up the conditions where they meet various train ghosts, a veritable psychic soup, like a postboy, Mr Ponderstep, the banker, and the young Alice Bowman, entranced by dogs, from whom Peter begins to surmise that a woman has been abducted. There are ghosts that have been trapped in rose jars, and an elderly couple, Allen and Lilian, who took in a young boy, Chess, without the required legal paperwork. Chess, it turns out is a preschool river god. Peter has his cousin, a prodigy it turns out, chasing down ghosts tirelessly whilst she develops her own knowledge of the magical world. Peter tries to track down a missing social worker before she ends up dead.
This has the wry wit and comic humour of the series and makes a welcome contribution to the Rivers of London novels. We see more of Jaget in his occupation and the way in which he interacts with Peter as they hunt down their ghosts. Peter is always good to spend time with, he is such a great character. A very enjoyable read of a wonderful series. Cannot wait for the next full length novel, which I have to admit would be more to my taste, this felt too short. Many thanks to Subterranean Press for an ARC.
September 1, 2017
Delightful urban-fantasy-mystery-I-(heart)-London novella. (Well, protagonist Peter, and writer Aaronovitch, love London. I find huge crowded cities vaguely appalling, but my idea of the proper distance between neighbors is half a mile.) Something of a side-story to what may be developing as the main novels' story arc, and it's a very good thing that Aaronovitch, and other writers *cough*, now have an economically viable outlet for such nonstandard story lengths. In relation to the rest of its series it is what might be called a casefic.
It was exactly long enough to reach its end. It would also have been exactly long enough to last from Albany to Minneapolis if not for that three-hour layover in O'Hare, sigh.
I have found through long experience that the only readers qualified to judge whether a mid-series book/story also works as a stand-alone are actual new readers. Old readers misjudge this consistently. I'm an old reader, so don't ask me, though if I had to guess I'd guess it would work fine, if of course differently.
If you do want to start this series at the beginning, find the novel Rivers of London, retitled in the US market Midnight Riot.
I read it twice in close succession, because my Kindle crashed on the trip (it has since spontaneously healed, just as mysteriously) and it was just as much fun both times through.
Ta, L.
June 24, 2020
Arc received from Publisher, Subterranean Press, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have intended to read the Peter Grant series for some time now & and greater motivation than this novella will not be needed.
I HAD SO MUCH FUN READING IT!
Ben Aaronovitch seriously knows how to mix THIS:
and THIS
in perfect proportions to get THIS:
And I also owe him a lot of laugh-out-loud moments, which - as I read the book on the metro, albeit not in London, to get as authentic a reading experience as possible - caused some disturbance among fellow-travellers. Hopefully not as much as a possible ghost would/could.
The writing is clear and succinct interlaced with wry humour, the main characters are interesting and likeable. The story is intriguing throughout, with the show-rather-than-tell approach and not overburdened with unnecessary details.
It is clear that the author knows London like the back of his hand and the extensive info we are offered concerning Tube transport as well as the major congregation of ghosts in the area is not to be sneezed at. :)
Recommended to all who like police procedural dramas with a twist and don't mind MAGIC occupying the territory of the MUNDANE in a very British way: politely and discretely, while offering cups of tea, takeaways and numerous rides on the Metropolitan Line.
I have intended to read the Peter Grant series for some time now & and greater motivation than this novella will not be needed.
I HAD SO MUCH FUN READING IT!
Ben Aaronovitch seriously knows how to mix THIS:
and THIS
in perfect proportions to get THIS:
And I also owe him a lot of laugh-out-loud moments, which - as I read the book on the metro, albeit not in London, to get as authentic a reading experience as possible - caused some disturbance among fellow-travellers. Hopefully not as much as a possible ghost would/could.
The writing is clear and succinct interlaced with wry humour, the main characters are interesting and likeable. The story is intriguing throughout, with the show-rather-than-tell approach and not overburdened with unnecessary details.
It is clear that the author knows London like the back of his hand and the extensive info we are offered concerning Tube transport as well as the major congregation of ghosts in the area is not to be sneezed at. :)
Recommended to all who like police procedural dramas with a twist and don't mind MAGIC occupying the territory of the MUNDANE in a very British way: politely and discretely, while offering cups of tea, takeaways and numerous rides on the Metropolitan Line.
July 9, 2021
This focuses on ghosts which aren’t really my thing. Still enjoyed the characters and writing though and moving into the next book in this awesome series.
May 7, 2017
Ghosts on the Metropolitan Train Line? Assault on a commuter by a non-existent person? When the British Transport Police Underground Unit is called, the commuter does not recall the incident. Another commuter who was accosted expresses surprise and disbelief at police presence within ten minutes after he called the police. This calls for intervention by the Special Assessment Unit aka The Folly headed by Peter Grant and Detective Chief Inspector Nightingale with an assist from teenage volunteer, Abigail.
In total seven incidents, seemingly supernatural, were mentioned in police reports as having happened on the London Tube's Metropolitan Line. Abby compiles a list of train stops in question. Peter and Nightingale plan on boosting the intensity of ghosts by feeding them magic hoping they will appear as entities that talk and react. Using low-grade light called werelight, several ghosts are conjured up and try to impart information about a magical abduction before they vanish.
The team of Peter and Nightingale was greatly enhanced by Abby's diligence and determination. Mentoring Abigail in magic could assist her in becoming an equal member of The Folly in the future. This is my first foray into the Peter Grant series that mixes urban fantasy and police procedural techniques. "The Furthest Station" by Ben Aaronovitch was a nice place to start.
Thank you Subterranean Press and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "The Furthest Station".
In total seven incidents, seemingly supernatural, were mentioned in police reports as having happened on the London Tube's Metropolitan Line. Abby compiles a list of train stops in question. Peter and Nightingale plan on boosting the intensity of ghosts by feeding them magic hoping they will appear as entities that talk and react. Using low-grade light called werelight, several ghosts are conjured up and try to impart information about a magical abduction before they vanish.
The team of Peter and Nightingale was greatly enhanced by Abby's diligence and determination. Mentoring Abigail in magic could assist her in becoming an equal member of The Folly in the future. This is my first foray into the Peter Grant series that mixes urban fantasy and police procedural techniques. "The Furthest Station" by Ben Aaronovitch was a nice place to start.
Thank you Subterranean Press and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "The Furthest Station".
June 9, 2017
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2017/06/08/...
Normally I tend to skip the novellas and short stories that authors are always tacking onto or in between books of their series, but believe me when I say all bets are off when it comes to Rivers of London. The instant I learned about The Furthest Station, I just knew I had to read it. Chronologically taking place between Foxglove Summer and The Hanging Tree, the story is probably meant to be a fun little side episode to help us Peter Grant addicts curb our appetites while waiting for the next book, but ultimately I found it so entertaining that I’d readily recommend it to newcomers and old fans alike.
As a city with a long history, London is also home to a lot of ghosts. Many of them even ride the Underground each day along with—and unbeknownst to—the thousands of living Londoners on their work commute, but rarely do these spectral passengers make any trouble. So when the police start receiving a number of reports about frightening, aggressive, and disturbing ghost sightings on the Metropolitan Line, the situation is worrying enough to get PC Peter Grant and his supervisor Inspector Nightingale on the job. After enlisting the help of Peter’s aspiring magician cousin Abigail and Jaget Kumar of the British Transport Police, the four of them take to the trains in order to try and get to the bottom of this ghostly mystery.
The problem though, is that none of their witnesses can recall much of their haunted encounters. Interviews with the ghosts themselves are also out of the question, after it is found that their incorporeal bodies quickly dissolved after the sightings—a rather unusual sign. Gradually though, Peter and the others are able to collect enough clues to piece together an explanation for the ghosts’ strange behavior…and the prognosis is not good. A very real person’s life maybe in imminent danger, and it is up to the Folly as Britain’s only paranormal investigative unit to save a kidnapping victim before it is too late.
While it might help to be familiar with the series before starting The Furthest Station, it is absolutely not required and this novella can be enjoyed just fine as a standalone. In fact, the story actually features little to no mention of the overarching plotlines in the main series, so don’t expect to see anything about Lesley or the Faceless Man, and even Beverley Brook and the other aspects of the genius loci play only a small role here. In essence, this book reads like a compressed version of a normal Peter Grant adventure, without all the side dramas and extra flavors that usually flesh out an urban fantasy series. For those of us who want to see Peter and Nightingale get back to some good old fashioned sleuthing, this compact mystery tale contains an irresistible case with all the ingredients to keep us on the edge of our seats.
Likewise, The Furthest Station is also perfect for someone who just wants to dip their toes into the world before deciding to take the plunge into the novels. Everything I love about the main series this novella has in spades, including the sharp witticism, rich history and world-building, and of course the diverse and charming characters. With the cast being reduced for this shorter installment, we don’t get to meet as many of the usual contacts to whom Peter goes for advice or consulting, but we do get a couple of new faces as well as larger roles for characters who deserve more attention. Abigail for one is a treasure and I certainly hope her position as the Folly’s summer intern isn’t going to be a one-off because I would love to see her play a bigger part of this series (and given the discussion between Peter and Nightingale in the final chapter, something tells me there’s a good chance I’ll get my wish). Speaking of which, Nightingale fans are also in for a treat. I’ve always bemoaned the fact we hardly ever get to see Peter’s governor in action, even though Aaronovitch is always teasing his immense magical power. Well, this time I’m pleased to say Nightingale gets involved with a lot of the police work, and also gives us many reasons to be in awe of his wizarding skills.
All in all, this was a wonderful book and a nice break from the usual routine. I typically shy away from novellas that supplement a series because I often find I don’t gain too much from them, but The Furthest Station is actually one that I’m glad I got to read. This is the way to do it, in my opinion, by offering a complete standalone story that is both substantial and fun, as well as featuring elements that appeal to those who love the series while also being newcomer-friendly at the same time. If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting PC Grant yet, this is a fantastic opportunity to do so. And if you’re a fan of the Rivers of London books, I think you’ll be pleased as well, and if nothing else, this novella should help make the wait for the next novel just a tad little easier.
Normally I tend to skip the novellas and short stories that authors are always tacking onto or in between books of their series, but believe me when I say all bets are off when it comes to Rivers of London. The instant I learned about The Furthest Station, I just knew I had to read it. Chronologically taking place between Foxglove Summer and The Hanging Tree, the story is probably meant to be a fun little side episode to help us Peter Grant addicts curb our appetites while waiting for the next book, but ultimately I found it so entertaining that I’d readily recommend it to newcomers and old fans alike.
As a city with a long history, London is also home to a lot of ghosts. Many of them even ride the Underground each day along with—and unbeknownst to—the thousands of living Londoners on their work commute, but rarely do these spectral passengers make any trouble. So when the police start receiving a number of reports about frightening, aggressive, and disturbing ghost sightings on the Metropolitan Line, the situation is worrying enough to get PC Peter Grant and his supervisor Inspector Nightingale on the job. After enlisting the help of Peter’s aspiring magician cousin Abigail and Jaget Kumar of the British Transport Police, the four of them take to the trains in order to try and get to the bottom of this ghostly mystery.
The problem though, is that none of their witnesses can recall much of their haunted encounters. Interviews with the ghosts themselves are also out of the question, after it is found that their incorporeal bodies quickly dissolved after the sightings—a rather unusual sign. Gradually though, Peter and the others are able to collect enough clues to piece together an explanation for the ghosts’ strange behavior…and the prognosis is not good. A very real person’s life maybe in imminent danger, and it is up to the Folly as Britain’s only paranormal investigative unit to save a kidnapping victim before it is too late.
While it might help to be familiar with the series before starting The Furthest Station, it is absolutely not required and this novella can be enjoyed just fine as a standalone. In fact, the story actually features little to no mention of the overarching plotlines in the main series, so don’t expect to see anything about Lesley or the Faceless Man, and even Beverley Brook and the other aspects of the genius loci play only a small role here. In essence, this book reads like a compressed version of a normal Peter Grant adventure, without all the side dramas and extra flavors that usually flesh out an urban fantasy series. For those of us who want to see Peter and Nightingale get back to some good old fashioned sleuthing, this compact mystery tale contains an irresistible case with all the ingredients to keep us on the edge of our seats.
Likewise, The Furthest Station is also perfect for someone who just wants to dip their toes into the world before deciding to take the plunge into the novels. Everything I love about the main series this novella has in spades, including the sharp witticism, rich history and world-building, and of course the diverse and charming characters. With the cast being reduced for this shorter installment, we don’t get to meet as many of the usual contacts to whom Peter goes for advice or consulting, but we do get a couple of new faces as well as larger roles for characters who deserve more attention. Abigail for one is a treasure and I certainly hope her position as the Folly’s summer intern isn’t going to be a one-off because I would love to see her play a bigger part of this series (and given the discussion between Peter and Nightingale in the final chapter, something tells me there’s a good chance I’ll get my wish). Speaking of which, Nightingale fans are also in for a treat. I’ve always bemoaned the fact we hardly ever get to see Peter’s governor in action, even though Aaronovitch is always teasing his immense magical power. Well, this time I’m pleased to say Nightingale gets involved with a lot of the police work, and also gives us many reasons to be in awe of his wizarding skills.
All in all, this was a wonderful book and a nice break from the usual routine. I typically shy away from novellas that supplement a series because I often find I don’t gain too much from them, but The Furthest Station is actually one that I’m glad I got to read. This is the way to do it, in my opinion, by offering a complete standalone story that is both substantial and fun, as well as featuring elements that appeal to those who love the series while also being newcomer-friendly at the same time. If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting PC Grant yet, this is a fantastic opportunity to do so. And if you’re a fan of the Rivers of London books, I think you’ll be pleased as well, and if nothing else, this novella should help make the wait for the next novel just a tad little easier.
June 20, 2025
At the end of my write-up for The Hanging Tree, I said something along the line of wanting a break from the faceless man arc and more adventures of Peter doing some magical policing around London. Lo and behold, my request was granted in the form of this novella, or so I like to think. In truth, Ben Aaronovitch must have had this novella planned long before The Hanging Tree finished downloading in my inbox. The announcement just took me by surprise and the brief summary was basically what I asked for, so naturally I thought it was for me. Naturally.
This book was basically a solid 4-star most of the way through. And then that twist at the end happened that turned the investigation. 5 stars, easily, in the end.
Many spoilers scattered below, so that I don't forget them.
Sargent Kumar (from Whispers Under Ground) called Peter and Nightingale in to help investigate what appeared at first to be a ghost infestation in a subway tunnel. Multiple people were reporting brief sightings in which figures clearly not of this world tried to harass or accost them, and what's weird was it wasn't the same ghost, but it appeared to be a different ghost each time. What's weirder still were these people not being able to recall much of the incidents after reporting them; some even forgot they had spoken to the police, at all but the ones who did remember all said, before vanishing, the ghosts had a message to deliver and it had to be delivered to the police.
After following some leads and dead ends, Peter brought Abigail in to help with splicing and deconstructing hours and hours of CCTV footage. So it appears Nightingale has decided to take on another student, when she comes of age, of course. Right now though, she's showing a great deal of talent for magic and will probably turn out to be a faster learner than Peter. And she has a friend in the foxes. Interesting development; looking forward to seeing more.
On Peter's end of the case, it was all very standard Falcon procedure, and all of it was hilariously described in his usual dry sardonic voice.
[...]
[...]
[...]
[...]
Peter, being Peter, had quite a few hilarious turns during the investigation. He even managed to lure a ghost to him by using Toby as bait to get her "statement," which was the big lead he needed that turned this case from a weird ghost problem to a missing persons investigation, which then led to a kidnapped woman trapped behind a solid brick wall in a cellar full of empty jars that used to hold ghosts.
Now I feel bad for previously saying Peter was bad at his job. So I wanna go on record and apologize. He may not be as advanced in his career as I'd like him to be, being slower to catch on to magic than Leslie, but I must give credit where credit is due: he is quick on his feet (most of the time) and always manages to find a workaround for magic he isn't yet capable of handling. Remember those glow bats from Foxglove Summer and using Toby as a vestigia detector? Always make me laugh.
Anyhow. This case did not turn out to be what I expected. It was so much better and a huge surprise at that. I definitely did not see how a paranormal case could lead to missing persons during the read, but it was superbly done. What's more is we're introduced to a new kind of magic--trapping ghosts. Those ghost jars are no doubt a major development for the Folly, and hopefully they will feature in later books because I can't see Nightingale not tinkering with them until he figures out a way to recreate the ghost traps and then use them for Falcon cases.
Overall, an excellent installment. I wouldn't mind if there's more like it in the works. *wink, wink*
Oh, and those little footnotes at the end for Agent Reynolds? Hilarious and very cute. Please add more. As usual, I had to look up a few things during the read like "mispers," "pret," "fried chicken stroke," "waitrose bag," "Nando's," "POLSA," to name a few. And "refs" are apparently not short for referees, but refreshments.
The only thing I couldn't find a definitive answer to was "tuck." There's a scene in which Nightingale tells Peter about how he used to snuck out to the woods with other boarding school boys to "swap comics and tucks." What is a tuck?
* * * * *
Reread: July 2020
Still as good as I remember. I wouldn't mind if Ben Aaronovitch decides to write the rest of the series as novellas. As a matter of fact, I'd prefer it. *wink wink, nudge nudge*
* * * * *
Cross-posted at https://covers2covers.wordpress.com/2...
This book was basically a solid 4-star most of the way through. And then that twist at the end happened that turned the investigation. 5 stars, easily, in the end.
Many spoilers scattered below, so that I don't forget them.
Sargent Kumar (from Whispers Under Ground) called Peter and Nightingale in to help investigate what appeared at first to be a ghost infestation in a subway tunnel. Multiple people were reporting brief sightings in which figures clearly not of this world tried to harass or accost them, and what's weird was it wasn't the same ghost, but it appeared to be a different ghost each time. What's weirder still were these people not being able to recall much of the incidents after reporting them; some even forgot they had spoken to the police, at all but the ones who did remember all said, before vanishing, the ghosts had a message to deliver and it had to be delivered to the police.
After following some leads and dead ends, Peter brought Abigail in to help with splicing and deconstructing hours and hours of CCTV footage. So it appears Nightingale has decided to take on another student, when she comes of age, of course. Right now though, she's showing a great deal of talent for magic and will probably turn out to be a faster learner than Peter. And she has a friend in the foxes. Interesting development; looking forward to seeing more.
On Peter's end of the case, it was all very standard Falcon procedure, and all of it was hilariously described in his usual dry sardonic voice.
"Preliminary Falcon assessment," said Jaget.
"We at the Folly have embraced the potentialities of modern policing," I said
[...]
He would have liked blood samples as well, but we've found that people are strangely reluctant to give up their bodily fluids to the police for science.
[...]
From a policing perspective, motive is always going to be less important than means and opportunity. Who knows why anybody does anything, right?
[...]
The woman who answered the door gave a familiar little start when she saw us and hesitated before saying--"Ah, yes."
We know that reaction well--it is the cry of the guilty middle-class homeowner.
This sort of thing always create a dilemma since since the scale of guilt you're dealing with ranges from using a hosepipe during a ban to having just finished cementing your abusive husband into the patio.
[...]
They started with a bell ring, a police knock, then a fist bang accompanied by shouts of "we're the police" which was then bellowed through the letterbox.
Peter, being Peter, had quite a few hilarious turns during the investigation. He even managed to lure a ghost to him by using Toby as bait to get her "statement," which was the big lead he needed that turned this case from a weird ghost problem to a missing persons investigation, which then led to a kidnapped woman trapped behind a solid brick wall in a cellar full of empty jars that used to hold ghosts.
Now I feel bad for previously saying Peter was bad at his job. So I wanna go on record and apologize. He may not be as advanced in his career as I'd like him to be, being slower to catch on to magic than Leslie, but I must give credit where credit is due: he is quick on his feet (most of the time) and always manages to find a workaround for magic he isn't yet capable of handling. Remember those glow bats from Foxglove Summer and using Toby as a vestigia detector? Always make me laugh.
Anyhow. This case did not turn out to be what I expected. It was so much better and a huge surprise at that. I definitely did not see how a paranormal case could lead to missing persons during the read, but it was superbly done. What's more is we're introduced to a new kind of magic--trapping ghosts. Those ghost jars are no doubt a major development for the Folly, and hopefully they will feature in later books because I can't see Nightingale not tinkering with them until he figures out a way to recreate the ghost traps and then use them for Falcon cases.
Overall, an excellent installment. I wouldn't mind if there's more like it in the works. *wink, wink*
Oh, and those little footnotes at the end for Agent Reynolds? Hilarious and very cute. Please add more. As usual, I had to look up a few things during the read like "mispers," "pret," "fried chicken stroke," "waitrose bag," "Nando's," "POLSA," to name a few. And "refs" are apparently not short for referees, but refreshments.
The only thing I couldn't find a definitive answer to was "tuck." There's a scene in which Nightingale tells Peter about how he used to snuck out to the woods with other boarding school boys to "swap comics and tucks." What is a tuck?
* * * * *
Reread: July 2020
Still as good as I remember. I wouldn't mind if Ben Aaronovitch decides to write the rest of the series as novellas. As a matter of fact, I'd prefer it. *wink wink, nudge nudge*
* * * * *
Cross-posted at https://covers2covers.wordpress.com/2...
May 3, 2017
I just love love love this series and the wait between the installments is kind of killing me. So I was super pleased to at least have this novella to read to satisfy my need to spend more time in the wonderful world Ben Aaronovitch has created.
The case at the heart of this book is an increasing number of ghost sightings on the tube. People report seeing them, but soon after that forget to have ever seen them. The ghosts seem to have a message to deliver, but this proves difficult given that people keep forgetting what they were told within minutes.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this short book, I sped through it in two sittings and my only complaint is that it is so short and I now have to wait who knows how long until the next book comes out. At the same time, this shortness actually works in the book's favour as well - the case presented is a lot easier to follow and the author does not get lost in discussions about other things. It is a neat case that works great in showcasting Abigail as a character (I didn't remember liking her this much!). She is absolutely brilliant and her interaction with Peter is amazing. I love how Aaronovitch manages to built these believable relationships between people and how different every single relationship is to the others. Abigail and Peter behave in a way siblings do and I love that! I love their dynamic and how she challenges him all the while being so so similar to him.
I adore Peter a whole lot and he still is my favourite character in all the Urban Fantasy books I read recently. He is smart and funny and just enough of a geek to be adorable while at the same time getting better and better at his job without losing his inherent optimism. I cannot wait to see where the series goes next!
_____
I received an arc of this book curtesy of NetGalley and Subterranean Press in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for that!
The case at the heart of this book is an increasing number of ghost sightings on the tube. People report seeing them, but soon after that forget to have ever seen them. The ghosts seem to have a message to deliver, but this proves difficult given that people keep forgetting what they were told within minutes.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this short book, I sped through it in two sittings and my only complaint is that it is so short and I now have to wait who knows how long until the next book comes out. At the same time, this shortness actually works in the book's favour as well - the case presented is a lot easier to follow and the author does not get lost in discussions about other things. It is a neat case that works great in showcasting Abigail as a character (I didn't remember liking her this much!). She is absolutely brilliant and her interaction with Peter is amazing. I love how Aaronovitch manages to built these believable relationships between people and how different every single relationship is to the others. Abigail and Peter behave in a way siblings do and I love that! I love their dynamic and how she challenges him all the while being so so similar to him.
I adore Peter a whole lot and he still is my favourite character in all the Urban Fantasy books I read recently. He is smart and funny and just enough of a geek to be adorable while at the same time getting better and better at his job without losing his inherent optimism. I cannot wait to see where the series goes next!
_____
I received an arc of this book curtesy of NetGalley and Subterranean Press in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for that!
April 23, 2019
There had been reports suggesting that there was a ghost on the Metropolitan Line. Which Jaget brought to me, because disruptive phantasmagoria is the responsibility of the Special Assessment Unit, otherwise known as the Folly, otherwise known as "those weird bleeders."
I've missed Peter Grant and his unit of 'weird bleeders', so I dug in happily into this bonus novella, until I can get my hands on the latest official novel in the Rivers of London series. As an added bonus, this is the first episode in the series that I read after my first visit to London, so I have the additional thrill of actually being able to follow Peter around, although I didn't actually went to the end of the Metropolitan line in order to see how far I could get from the city center. But I did visit Camden Market, where agent Jaget works.
Luckily for me, Peter is, as usual, the best tourist guide London could wish for: always ready with the bizarre and intriguing trivia, the architectural detail, the pop culture reference and the food recommendation.
The depot is so full of people banging bits of metal together and scraping things to make sparks that if you squinted you'd swear they were about to launch a last desperate attack against the Death Star.
The passage above details the inside of the metro cars repairs depot, not something on the regular London tourist route. Nightingale, Peter and their new sidekick Abigail visit there in order to track down some unruly ghosts who haunt the Metropolitan underground cars at rush hour. The regular police force, the Transit and the Thames Valley colleagues, cooperate, with not so subtle suggestions to Peter that he refrains from demolishing any landmarks. Given his previous record in the series, this is not as improbable for Peter as he tries to bring together his Metropolitan police best practices with his newly acquired magical abilities.
There's, of course, a lot of background research to be done before finding out why ancient ghosts risk disintegration in order to warn about a real victim of kidnapping. Luckily for Peter, there is somebody else to do the gumshoe work among the old files at the Folly.
Fortunately, I also had access to that most modern of office accoutrements, the unpaid teenaged intern in the form of my cousin Abigail Kumara. Who, because it was the summer holidays, had to be kept out of mischief.
Magic fireworks and interesting trivia are not enough to justify my high regard for the series. The real gems are in the way Peter and his friends maintain their humanity, their sanity and their sense of humour in a world gone mad. Useful skills in the present times.
I know what my mum believes and I know what I believe, but in a situation like this it isn't about your personal convictions. It's about what the person standing on the edge needs.
I have two more quotes from this novella, which ended a bit too quickly for my reawakened interest in the series:
"My worry with you, Peter, is not what you would learn but, should you go into the library, you might never emerge again.
and a bit of Latin:
"Vita non es vivere sed valere vita est" – Life is more than merely staying alive.
Peace!
>>><<<>>><<<
BONUS REVIEW: "A RARE BOOK OF CUNNING DEVICE"
It didn't take me long to dig back in, but I think this short story is too short to merit a separate review. It's still very good, but I feel it ended too abruptly, just as I was getting hot on the subject.
Behind the reception desk rose the King's Library, a six-story glass tower, containing 65000 books donated by King George III during a rare fit of sanity.
The subject here being a homage paid to librarians in the guise of the formidable Ms Elizabeth 'Hatbox' Winstanley, who has a poltergeist problem at the King's Library of the British Museum. (which I visited much too quickly in February, so I need to get back there soonish!). Enters Peter Grant and his "weird bleeders" to track down what is causing havoc among the shelves of very rare and very precious tomes.
I described her as best I could and Postmartin confirmed that it was the woman he was thinking of. So called, because she was said to have traveled down the Amazon in a hatbox, swum the English Channel wearing nothing but goose fat, and run a library in Kolwezi until she was forcibly evacuated by the French Foreign Legion.
I do hope 'Hatbox' Winstanley will guest star in future installments of the series.
"Ah, yes. Librarianship," said Ms Winstanley. "It's not for the faint-hearted."
I've missed Peter Grant and his unit of 'weird bleeders', so I dug in happily into this bonus novella, until I can get my hands on the latest official novel in the Rivers of London series. As an added bonus, this is the first episode in the series that I read after my first visit to London, so I have the additional thrill of actually being able to follow Peter around, although I didn't actually went to the end of the Metropolitan line in order to see how far I could get from the city center. But I did visit Camden Market, where agent Jaget works.
Luckily for me, Peter is, as usual, the best tourist guide London could wish for: always ready with the bizarre and intriguing trivia, the architectural detail, the pop culture reference and the food recommendation.
The depot is so full of people banging bits of metal together and scraping things to make sparks that if you squinted you'd swear they were about to launch a last desperate attack against the Death Star.
The passage above details the inside of the metro cars repairs depot, not something on the regular London tourist route. Nightingale, Peter and their new sidekick Abigail visit there in order to track down some unruly ghosts who haunt the Metropolitan underground cars at rush hour. The regular police force, the Transit and the Thames Valley colleagues, cooperate, with not so subtle suggestions to Peter that he refrains from demolishing any landmarks. Given his previous record in the series, this is not as improbable for Peter as he tries to bring together his Metropolitan police best practices with his newly acquired magical abilities.
There's, of course, a lot of background research to be done before finding out why ancient ghosts risk disintegration in order to warn about a real victim of kidnapping. Luckily for Peter, there is somebody else to do the gumshoe work among the old files at the Folly.
Fortunately, I also had access to that most modern of office accoutrements, the unpaid teenaged intern in the form of my cousin Abigail Kumara. Who, because it was the summer holidays, had to be kept out of mischief.
Magic fireworks and interesting trivia are not enough to justify my high regard for the series. The real gems are in the way Peter and his friends maintain their humanity, their sanity and their sense of humour in a world gone mad. Useful skills in the present times.
I know what my mum believes and I know what I believe, but in a situation like this it isn't about your personal convictions. It's about what the person standing on the edge needs.
I have two more quotes from this novella, which ended a bit too quickly for my reawakened interest in the series:
"My worry with you, Peter, is not what you would learn but, should you go into the library, you might never emerge again.
and a bit of Latin:
"Vita non es vivere sed valere vita est" – Life is more than merely staying alive.
Peace!
>>><<<>>><<<
BONUS REVIEW: "A RARE BOOK OF CUNNING DEVICE"
It didn't take me long to dig back in, but I think this short story is too short to merit a separate review. It's still very good, but I feel it ended too abruptly, just as I was getting hot on the subject.
Behind the reception desk rose the King's Library, a six-story glass tower, containing 65000 books donated by King George III during a rare fit of sanity.
The subject here being a homage paid to librarians in the guise of the formidable Ms Elizabeth 'Hatbox' Winstanley, who has a poltergeist problem at the King's Library of the British Museum. (which I visited much too quickly in February, so I need to get back there soonish!). Enters Peter Grant and his "weird bleeders" to track down what is causing havoc among the shelves of very rare and very precious tomes.
I described her as best I could and Postmartin confirmed that it was the woman he was thinking of. So called, because she was said to have traveled down the Amazon in a hatbox, swum the English Channel wearing nothing but goose fat, and run a library in Kolwezi until she was forcibly evacuated by the French Foreign Legion.
I do hope 'Hatbox' Winstanley will guest star in future installments of the series.
"Ah, yes. Librarianship," said Ms Winstanley. "It's not for the faint-hearted."
February 20, 2018
Ben Aaronovitch teases us with a novella in between novels.
Listed as “Peter Grant 5.5” this novella was first published in June 2017 and is sort of between Foxglove Summer and The Hanging Tree, but is really more of a standalone like the graphic novels.
Ghosts.
This one is about ghosts and what better place on earth to write about ghosts and the historically departed than in and around London and by Ben Aaronovitch as he continues his FREAKING AWESOME! urban fantasy series.
Like the rest of his paranormal world building in this FREAKING AWESOME! Rivers of London series the author uses rules from myth, legend and history as he will and makes up the rest, keeping us readers on the edge of discovery. As a perfect vehicle for this style of writing, Protagonist Grant is also learning as he goes and has a scientific / methodical sense about him and wants to categorize, wants to figure it all out, and so we are let in on the secret of his instruction as Aaronovitch unfurls yet another fine tale.
Grant and his motley crew of supernatural super-sleuths get down to business concerning a rash of unfriendly ghosts who are doing more than just spooking about and they also get on the track of a warm blooded sort who may need some saving.
And there are some delicious references to the main storyline including a certain wet and wild little bundle of joy.
More good fun in this jazzy and cool collection of fun stories.
Listed as “Peter Grant 5.5” this novella was first published in June 2017 and is sort of between Foxglove Summer and The Hanging Tree, but is really more of a standalone like the graphic novels.
Ghosts.
This one is about ghosts and what better place on earth to write about ghosts and the historically departed than in and around London and by Ben Aaronovitch as he continues his FREAKING AWESOME! urban fantasy series.
Like the rest of his paranormal world building in this FREAKING AWESOME! Rivers of London series the author uses rules from myth, legend and history as he will and makes up the rest, keeping us readers on the edge of discovery. As a perfect vehicle for this style of writing, Protagonist Grant is also learning as he goes and has a scientific / methodical sense about him and wants to categorize, wants to figure it all out, and so we are let in on the secret of his instruction as Aaronovitch unfurls yet another fine tale.
Grant and his motley crew of supernatural super-sleuths get down to business concerning a rash of unfriendly ghosts who are doing more than just spooking about and they also get on the track of a warm blooded sort who may need some saving.
And there are some delicious references to the main storyline including a certain wet and wild little bundle of joy.
More good fun in this jazzy and cool collection of fun stories.
December 24, 2023
Audible version with the incomparable Kobna Holdbrook Smith. Finally.
Definitely enjoyable. I did notice the same flow problem that I had in the paper book, but less noticeable here. There's some description of where stations are in the lay of the land that mean it would be nice to be looking at a physical map. Wonder if my hardcover has one.
Love Kobna's voicing as always, with Peter, with Nightingale, with Abigail. So very good.
Definitely enjoyable. I did notice the same flow problem that I had in the paper book, but less noticeable here. There's some description of where stations are in the lay of the land that mean it would be nice to be looking at a physical map. Wonder if my hardcover has one.
Love Kobna's voicing as always, with Peter, with Nightingale, with Abigail. So very good.
November 17, 2018
I had a huge problem with this one. Yuuuuuge problem. Why it had to be so short?? Not to say I didn't enjoy it, I did as always. But why so short? Oh well. Anyway, it had everything that I love about Peter Grant novels. And if you ask me, no, I don't miss Lesley. :P
December 11, 2020
A short novella from the Peter Grant universe that couldn't really grab me.
Due to the brevity, the plot and the criminal case lack sufficiently credible context and everything feels thrown together.
I still rate with 3 stars because I really like the series.
-----------------------------------------------
Ein Kurzroman aus dem Peter-Grant-Universum, der mir nicht so besonders gut gefallen hat.
Aufgrund der Kürze mangelt es Plot und Kriminalfall an ausreichend glaubwürdigem Kontext und kommt mir vor wie ein bisschen schnell zusammengschustert.
Trotzdem gibt es 3 Sterne, da ich sie Reihe wirklich mag.
Due to the brevity, the plot and the criminal case lack sufficiently credible context and everything feels thrown together.
I still rate with 3 stars because I really like the series.
-----------------------------------------------
Ein Kurzroman aus dem Peter-Grant-Universum, der mir nicht so besonders gut gefallen hat.
Aufgrund der Kürze mangelt es Plot und Kriminalfall an ausreichend glaubwürdigem Kontext und kommt mir vor wie ein bisschen schnell zusammengschustert.
Trotzdem gibt es 3 Sterne, da ich sie Reihe wirklich mag.
October 31, 2025
Very good, as always, although too short! My rating probably has more to do with my poor powers of concentration than the book.
January 12, 2022
The Furthest Station
(Rivers of London #5.5)
by Ben Aaronovitch
I love these stories and it's been a while since I have read any. I sure missed them. This had the team encountering ghosts and finding clues that lead to something they did not expect. Always a good read with just enough supernatural elements to make it fun. Great characters and twists.
(Rivers of London #5.5)
by Ben Aaronovitch
I love these stories and it's been a while since I have read any. I sure missed them. This had the team encountering ghosts and finding clues that lead to something they did not expect. Always a good read with just enough supernatural elements to make it fun. Great characters and twists.
February 21, 2019
Good ghosty novella but just made me want the next novelmore. And a long wait too!
September 2, 2021
Peter is back in town and is tasked with a ghost sighting in the London Underground. Technically, that's nothing too special / unusual, but the sightings are getting more frequent AND the ghosts aren't just spectres anymore but suddenly aggressive and possibly looking for something specific.
As mentioned in my status update, Kumar is back for this one since he's working for Transport Police. However, I was very pleased to see that Abigail, Toby and a pre-school river god (bwahahahahahaha) are helping Peter with the case as well.
Truth be told, I don't know what was spookier: the ghosts or rush hour. *lol*
No, truthfully, the novella had a fantastic atmosphere once again and I loved the character building we got in this one. I always enjoy team-ups.
Moreover, even in his short(er) stories the author makes sure to include fascinating tidbits of London's history and/or weird cultural information and/or urban myths. It makes it all so much more real and downright delicious.
That, plus how much the book made me laugh while also seriously tucking on my heartstrings, goes to show you just how talented this author is.
This one doesn't have a link and isn't part of the short story collection, but you can buy it as a book(let) and I can tell you, it's worth it.
As mentioned in my status update, Kumar is back for this one since he's working for Transport Police. However, I was very pleased to see that Abigail, Toby and a pre-school river god (bwahahahahahaha) are helping Peter with the case as well.
Truth be told, I don't know what was spookier: the ghosts or rush hour. *lol*
No, truthfully, the novella had a fantastic atmosphere once again and I loved the character building we got in this one. I always enjoy team-ups.
Moreover, even in his short(er) stories the author makes sure to include fascinating tidbits of London's history and/or weird cultural information and/or urban myths. It makes it all so much more real and downright delicious.
That, plus how much the book made me laugh while also seriously tucking on my heartstrings, goes to show you just how talented this author is.
This one doesn't have a link and isn't part of the short story collection, but you can buy it as a book(let) and I can tell you, it's worth it.
April 26, 2021
A fun addition to an excellent series. While there is a lot of humor, my favorite quotes are more on the introspective side:
Modern day police officers have two main options when faced with a noisy public disturbance:
"Option One: Call for backup, arrest everyone in the vicinity and sort it out down the Nick [police station]."
"Option Two: Locate nearest source of tea, sit everyone down and hope nobody's carrying a concealed weapon."
Peter Grant's dad "believes everything is music and when you pass on you become part of the tune."
Peter agrees with his dad in that, "your life is your solo and whatever song you choose to sing you only get to do it once, although if you are lucky you get to change the tune a couple of times."
"Life is more than merely staying alive."
Modern day police officers have two main options when faced with a noisy public disturbance:
"Option One: Call for backup, arrest everyone in the vicinity and sort it out down the Nick [police station]."
"Option Two: Locate nearest source of tea, sit everyone down and hope nobody's carrying a concealed weapon."
Peter Grant's dad "believes everything is music and when you pass on you become part of the tune."
Peter agrees with his dad in that, "your life is your solo and whatever song you choose to sing you only get to do it once, although if you are lucky you get to change the tune a couple of times."
"Life is more than merely staying alive."
September 3, 2021
Like all of his longer fiction, it always seems to turn out in a very fine way. A full-length novel is usually the best, but if he can keep up this kind of quality for side-adventure magical investigations, I’m gonna run out of anything to complain about.
Nicely dry London cop humor mixed with ghosts and The Underground. What more could I want?
Nicely dry London cop humor mixed with ghosts and The Underground. What more could I want?
January 1, 2018
Entertaining, intriguing and just great! 😏
April 18, 2017
This novella is number 5.7 in the Peter Grant series. This book doesn't further the themes that are developing in the series so it's not necessary to have read all of the previous books. However you'll probably enjoy this one a lot more if you've read at least "Rivers of London". In this book, ghosts have begun interacting with passengers on the Metropolitan Line and the Special Assessment unit (the Folly) of the London police has been called in to investigate. It turns out that the ghosts have an important mission. With the usual combination of wit and police procedure, Peter and his teenaged cousin Abigail encounter not only ghosts but a new river god and a kidnapping.
This is the first book of the series that I didn't listen to in audiobook format. I highly recommend the audiobooks because their narrator is brilliant, but by this time I'm so used to his voice that I could hear him in my head as I read. This book will tide me over until the author releases his next full length book.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
This is the first book of the series that I didn't listen to in audiobook format. I highly recommend the audiobooks because their narrator is brilliant, but by this time I'm so used to his voice that I could hear him in my head as I read. This book will tide me over until the author releases his next full length book.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
June 27, 2022
#1) Rivers of London ★★★☆☆
#2) Moon Over Soho ★★★☆☆
#3) Whispers Under Ground ★★★★☆
#4) Broken Homes ★★★★☆
#5) Foxglove Summer ★★★★☆
#5.3) What Abigail Did That Summer ★★★★☆
#5.5) The Furthest Station ★★★★☆
#6) The Hanging Tree ★★★★☆
▷ Representation: Peter (mc) Sierra Leonean-English; Dominic (sc) is achillean; BIPOC & achillean scs.
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
September 15, 2023
Yeah, I've been in love with these books from the start. Peter is brilliant, Nightingale is dry, Abigail is cocky and Molly is wonderfully terrifying.
This is a novella that gives us a nice little story in between novels. It's time for Abigail to show off her Latin and explains how she ends up learning magic.
Ghosts are arriving on the commuter trains, bothering the customers and Peter and Noghtingale need to know why. It leads them to the River Chess, a strange encounter with a little girl ghost and the case of a missing person.
Never fear, Molly provides refs; Peter provides laughs; Toby provides growls and Nightingale (of course) is in charge of the spectacular magic.
Five out of five. Loved it. More please.
This is a novella that gives us a nice little story in between novels. It's time for Abigail to show off her Latin and explains how she ends up learning magic.
Ghosts are arriving on the commuter trains, bothering the customers and Peter and Noghtingale need to know why. It leads them to the River Chess, a strange encounter with a little girl ghost and the case of a missing person.
Never fear, Molly provides refs; Peter provides laughs; Toby provides growls and Nightingale (of course) is in charge of the spectacular magic.
Five out of five. Loved it. More please.
April 11, 2018
6/10
Love the series and love the audio of these but I couldn’t justify a credit on a 3hr short story (I also struggle with short stories!) so I picked this up from the library. I should have stumped up the credit.
The audio is what makes this series for me so I was always on the back foot here but once I got past that then I enjoyed this for what it is. A nice addition to the series without ever blowing the series wide open. Looking forward to getting into the next one and seeing where things go next.
One for the diehards only, not essential reading in my opinion.
Love the series and love the audio of these but I couldn’t justify a credit on a 3hr short story (I also struggle with short stories!) so I picked this up from the library. I should have stumped up the credit.
The audio is what makes this series for me so I was always on the back foot here but once I got past that then I enjoyed this for what it is. A nice addition to the series without ever blowing the series wide open. Looking forward to getting into the next one and seeing where things go next.
One for the diehards only, not essential reading in my opinion.
December 31, 2022
3.0⭐
A clever and amusing ghost story in Aaronovitch's magic police of London series. This novella is the closest thing so far to a stand alone story, so it's a good place to jump in if you're not starting with the first book, Rivers of London (aka Midnight Riot in the U.S.).
It starts out with Detective Constable and apprentice wizard Peter Grant called in to investigate a series of apparitions on the London Underground. Like the others in the series, it's full of Aaronovitch's cheeky observations on contemporary British society coupled with a decent mystery. Superior light entertainment.
A clever and amusing ghost story in Aaronovitch's magic police of London series. This novella is the closest thing so far to a stand alone story, so it's a good place to jump in if you're not starting with the first book, Rivers of London (aka Midnight Riot in the U.S.).
It starts out with Detective Constable and apprentice wizard Peter Grant called in to investigate a series of apparitions on the London Underground. Like the others in the series, it's full of Aaronovitch's cheeky observations on contemporary British society coupled with a decent mystery. Superior light entertainment.
July 19, 2017
It's a Peter Grant novella wich means it's a fun and a fast read. If you're a fan it's a required read :)
Cheers.
Cheers.
December 15, 2018
So Happy I still have one more book to go. Yum!
On to the next one!
On to the next one!
May 10, 2020
Fun but with another premature ending.
August 19, 2022
3.5 stars. As entertaining and engaging as always.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,603 reviews