Midnight Riot

Rivers of London, Book 1

By: Ben Aaronovitch

Narrated by: Kobna Holdbrook-Smith

Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Probationary constable Peter Grant dreams of being a detective in London's Metropolitan Police. Too bad his superior plans to assign him to the Case Progression Unit, where the biggest threat he'll face is a paper cut. But Peter's prospects change in the aftermath of a puzzling murder, when he gains exclusive information from an eyewitness who happens to be a ghost. Peter's ability to speak with the lingering dead brings him to the attention of Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, who investigates crimes involving magic and other manifestations of the uncanny.

Now, 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.

©2011 Ben Aaronvitch (P)2012 Tantor

Surprised and Pleased

I am always looking for different kinds of books. I don't care for Sci Fi or Romance. I don't know how to categorize this one. A real original. It does have magic in it and that was fine. Good story, great main character and very funny. Loved all the historical info on London. That was beautifully done. I will continue the series. And loved the narrator. He was perfect.

Too strange for me

Any additional comments?

I expected a few ghosts, but by the time werewolves, wizards, rivers spirits, and other creepy things overran the book, I gave up. Didn't finish it. The book is well-written and clever, though. And the narrator is marvelous! I'll be looking for more books by this narrator.

Fantastic Narration for a FUN FUN story

Would you listen to Midnight Riot again? Why?

Actually~ yes. Not only is the narrator very pleasing to the ear, but the story is absolutely fun.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Midnight Riot?

Anytime Molly is mentioned. I am SO curious as what her back-story might be.

Have you listened to any of Kobna Holdbrook-Smith’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't, but I promise you I will listen to more!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was often chuckling throughout the story. It's right-down quirky!

Any additional comments?

It's one of those tales that, going in, you're not really expecting much. Then you get rolling, and simply MUST know what happens next. Thank goodness for the mobile phone app so I could continue listening to this book throughout my day.

Read this book

Holdbrook-Smith is an extremely good narrator, and probably my favorite of all audiobook narrators I've ever heard. Aaronovitch's story is original, shows a new twist on magic and the supernatural in an urban fantasy book that really works for me, and is deeply involved with the history of London. I really recommend it.

Wanted to really love this

Would you try another book from Ben Aaronovitch and/or Kobna Holdbrook-Smith?

I'm a total freak for London so I was practically drooling to start this book. BTW, the cover art is misleading so don't judge this book by its.... Anyway, I enjoyed most of this book except for the bizarre monster side of it, and because in a few places it seemed to go offtrack. I think it would have been a better book without all of the metaphysical nonsense.

*spoiler alert*
One example of going offtrack is the whole scene in the theatre, followed by a flood. I won't say any more about that. It also annoyed me that someone had to travel back in time and it was achieved by *spoiler alert* getting bit, on purpose, by a vampire. Really!?! That just seemed stupid. And then the vampire seems to turn into a spider. No no no! Just no!
*end of spoiler alert*

Some people mentioned having a hard time with the slang. I understood it all but I'm really into British programming and books. So if you're not you might want to have google translate for you. This book does provide a great sense of place (London) that I really loved. Also sprinkled throughout were great lessons for those who want to learn more about London and its history. So, all in all, I might try another by this author - despite the monster bs.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Wrapped things up neatly.

Which scene was your favorite?

Probably the beginning, in Covent Garden.

Did Midnight Riot inspire you to do anything?

No

Great fun, fantastic narrator

This book is so much better than the stupid title the US publisher saddled it with (it's called "Rivers of London" in the rest of the world). It's suspenseful, engrossing, and funny. I found myself laughing out loud while I listened to it. I've already downloaded the next two books, and am looking forward to some lengthy drives so I can listen to them in the near future.

I also have to single out the narrator, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as a star of this production. The characters in this novel come from all strata of British society and education level, and span the time from present day to the 18th century. KHS makes each character speak in a distinctive voice, and also in the correct accent for their situation, something that is, frankly, mind-boggling, given the enormous variety and depth of British accents. My wife is British, and a bit of an accent Nazi. She also enjoyed the book enormously (and she doesn't usually like audiobooks), and thought he absolutely nailed the accents. I'm so glad they got him to narrate the rest of the books in the series.

Decent

It's no novel of the century but it kept my interest enough to listen to all of it and if there are sequels I would probably give them a try. If you like the dresden files, it is in that genre.

really like Peter

the story is inventive. a bit messy at times. what really makes this book good is the mild sarcastic snarkyness of the main character. if you like that sort of thing, which i do. I would listen to more, but not at full price.

Another Dale or Prebble!

Not since Jim Dale or Simon Prebble, have I heard such a great narrator. This performer reads with verve and delight, imparting depth to each character. The authors words and characters are completely animated with an understanding that puts this whole book right at the top of my favorites. It’s equal parts hilarious, creepy and mysterious . What a great pair these two make!

Awesome book!

I really just like stuff like this and the narration is peak (at least to me). and it's just a good book in general!