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

fun story

nicely differe= funny and unexpected. great narration made this a pleasure to listen to.

Jasper FForde Fans will enjoy this series

Would you listen to Midnight Riot again? Why?

Read this series in the correct order for full appreciation. Presently listening to themnon-stop and after the first two, I am wishing the 5th was already out (Sept 2014)! Lots of good laughs to be had here as well. Kobna does a superb job of bringing Peter Grant to life;series will suffer greatly if he is ever replaced.

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

No spoilers!

Which scene was your favorite?

Peter's conversations with Lady Ty and her Mother.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

(This is really a useless question)

Any additional comments?

Love the author's sense of humor!

stellar book, even better narration

I love this series, but Kobna Holdbrook Smith makes it even better. It is witty, hilarious and original.

Entrancing narrator

The narrator got me hooked on this series. His verbal gymnastics enlivened all the characters.

Eh

Lots of British jargon that I didn’t understand. The reader is good. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if I read it.

Rivers of London

(*edit: they are now calling it Rivers of London, the American publishers grew up*)The book is Rivers of London with dumbed down title forced on it by the American publishers. ThenBritish cover fits the book, the American almost put me off until I realized it was a poorly conceive rebranding. Thankfully, the text remains the same.

This is urban fantasy at its best, with an engaging first person narrative from an immediately likable character. The magic and supernatural are introduced well and integrated well, and as Peter learns, we learn. We are also introduced to the many river gods and goddesses of London, all beautifully portrayed here. Often the first book in a series is something to endure while the writer finds their way (hello Dresden Files and Dark Tower). This one delights from the first paragraph. The series just gets better, but based on building on this and not because this book is at all lesser.

Well-narrated, inventive story

Narrator was perfect for this story. Really enjoyed the book, just had a little trouble at times following a few details, but this is more likely due to the listener than the author.

So fun

Thanks book tok ! I would have not found this series on my own. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

Great story and narration with distracting production issues

Love the story, love Kobna Holdbrook-Smith’s performance of the story and differentiation of characters, BUT I wish the production was a little more sophisticated and had minimized or removed the distracting breathing sounds. Oddly, I’ve just started my second listen of the series and didn’t notice the huffs and puffs the first time around.

Great story

Fast paced listen from the start. Kept me listening straight through. Highly recommend this modern day magical mystery