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Rivers of London

Rivers of London, Book 1

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Rivers of London

By: Ben Aaronovitch
Narrated by: Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
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About this listen

 Book 1 in the Rivers of London series, from Sunday Times Number One bestselling author Ben Aaronovitch.

My name is Peter Grant, and I used to be a probationary constable in that mighty army for justice known to all right-thinking people as the Metropolitan Police Service, and to everyone else as the Filth.

My story really begins when I tried to take a witness statement from a man who was already dead...

Probationary Constable Peter Grant dreams of being a detective in London's Metropolitan Police. After taking a statement from an eyewitness who happens to be a ghost, Peter comes to the attention of Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, who investigates crimes involving magic and other manifestations of the uncanny.

Suddenly, as a wave of brutal and bizarre murders engulfs the city, Peter is plunged into a world where gods and goddesses mingle with mortals and a long-dead evil is making a comeback on a rising tide of magic.

Praise for the Rivers of London novels:

'Ben Aaronovitch has created a wonderful world full of mystery, magic and fantastic characters. I love being there more than the real London'
NICK FROST

'As brilliant and funny as ever'
THE SUN

'Charming, witty, exciting'
THE INDEPENDENT

'An incredibly fast-moving magical joyride for grown-ups'
THE TIMES

Discover why this incredible series has sold over two million copies around the world. If you're a fan of Terry Pratchett or Douglas Adams - don't panic - you will love Ben Aaronovitch's imaginative, irreverent and all-round irresistible novels.©2011 Ben Aaronovitch Crime Fiction Fantasy Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Paranormal Exciting Funny Witty Scary England Wizardry Magic Magic Users

Critic reviews

A darkly comic read with characters you can't help but like
Funny and wildly inventive
Masterfully crafted . . . gives the late, great Terry Pratchett a run for his money
Ben Aaronovitch has created a wonderful world full of mystery, magic and fantastic characters. I love being there even more than the real London
Charming, witty, exciting
An incredibly fast-moving magical joyride for grown-ups
What would happen if Harry Potter grew up and joined the Fuzz. A hilarious, keenly imagined caper
A consummate story of real policing in a vividly real world intersecting the decidedly unreal to marvellous effect. Filled with detail and imagination, the quality of this achievement stands out, making Aaronovitch a name to watch
Magical, mysterious and mesmerising, Rivers of London will have you spellbound
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
We can't fault the pace, ingenuity and creativity of Rivers of London. With each page, we're eager to learn more about this mysterious new world, set on very familiar streets
The perfect blend of CSI and Harry Potter
Great, great fun
It's a real treat - Hot Fuzz meets Harry Potter via hardboiled police procedural - with a compelling cast of characters and a nail-biting mystery to be solved
Rivers of London manages to be fresh and original and a wonderful read. I loved it
All stars
Most relevant
I bought this book on a whim, liking the sound of the blurb describing it. I wasn't sure what I'd get, but I loved it.

It is very silly, in an adult kind of way; think Dr Who crossed with Harry Potter, but written for grown-ups and with a lot of one-liners. I would've rated it as 5*, but for the narrator. He is very breathy, which was bad enough, but his timing was also terrible in places.

If you're expecting a serious detective story, you'll be sorely disappointed; go into it expecting to be entertained in a light, unusual way with inexplicable characters and a rather clever plot, and you'll love it.

Refreshing

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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.

A Classic

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I loved this book for its unusual theme and pace! Kobna Holdbrook-Smith was the perfect choice for narrator! I will never walk the streets of London again without just wondering if it all might be true!!!

Unusual!!

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Any additional comments?

I got this after reading some good reviews and a friend recommending it. Have to say I'm grateful as I loved it, hated having to remove my earphones when the kids came home. The story is set in modern Britain with the added bonus of magic, the plot moves along wonderfully and the central characters aren't perfect but 'real' which helps a lot. I'll definitely be getting more of the series.

Wonderful Book

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I was so dissapointed with this book having read the reviews.
No this is not my normal Genre but wanted something different.. THe book started well but I do not know why it just missed the mark for me
Almost funny
Almost well narated
Almost clever
In fact I almost finished it but could not face the last hour
just never hit the heights that others thought. Oh well I suppose thats why there are so many Audible books to choose from

Almost awful

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