Moon Over Soho

Peter Grant, Book 2

By: Ben Aaronovitch

Narrated by: Kobna Holdbrook-Smith

Length: 10 hrs

Publisher's summary

Body and soul. The song. That's what London constable and sorcerer's apprentice Peter Grant first notices when he examines the corpse of Cyrus Wilkins, part-time jazz drummer and full-time accountant, who dropped dead of a heart attack while playing a gig at Soho's 606 Club. The notes of the old jazz standard are rising from the body - a sure sign that something about the man's death was not at all natural but instead supernatural.

Body and soul - they're also what Peter will risk as he investigates a pattern of similar deaths in and around Soho. With the help of his superior officer, Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, the last registered wizard in England, and the assistance of beautiful jazz aficionado Simone Fitzwilliam, Peter will uncover a deadly magical menace - one that leads right to his own doorstep and to the squandered promise of a young jazz musician: a talented trumpet player named Richard "Lord" Grant - otherwise known as Peter's dear old dad.

©2011 Ben Aaronvitch (P)2012 Tantor

Not quite as good as the first, but still hooked

While I enjoyed this book quite a bit, I didn’t feel it was as strong as the first instalment, especially because of Nightingale’s more subdued role and the very cruel fate that had befallen Lesley, who had endeared herself to me in the first book. I did very much enjoy watching Peters development as a character and a sorcerer’s apprentice, as well as learning more about his family, especially his father. Meanwhile, the narration was excellent, and I am in love with Kobna Holdbrook-Smith’s voice. He really brings Peter to life, while he also excels at voicing the female characters without making them sound ridiculous… something that otherwise good male narrators often have trouble pulling off.

Series just gets better and better

Any additional comments?

I really love this series. Aaronovitch continues to build upon the momentum and characters introduced in the first book of the series (Rivers of London/Midnight Riot). Unlike too many fantasy novels, he does not make magic a panacea - there are plenty of real world consequences in this slightly magical London, and characters can be hurt (devastatingly so) without easy remedies. Leslie is still dealing with the aftermath of her encounter with a vengeful spirit in the first book and those ramifications are both physical and psychological. Nightingale is still recovering from a gunshot wound, and nothing can rush that recovery or his lingering vulnerability. Peter Grant, in turn, has to deal with Leslie's disfigurement and Nightingale's diminishment, as well as his own increasing vantage point on magic and its drawbacks (from dark magicians to magical creatures tortured or run amok). Grant has to come to grips with the ramifications of magic and the ethics of those involved. All of these details give the book more depth and allow the mystery (jazz vampires and a rampant woman of mystery with vagina dentata) and police procedure play out as stakes grow. The book is left in a cliff hanger with what appears to be a potential nemesis. I look forward to the next entry.

Jazz Vampires!

What about Kobna Holdbrook-Smith’s performance did you like?

His performance was incredible. There were nuances to his narration that were perfect - and even better than if I had been reading the book. He imbued a sense of humor into ordinary sentences, and his characterizations were wonderful. You couldn't even tell it was the same person when different characters were speaking -- especially Peter and Nightingale. I'm going to look for more books that he has narrated.

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

Not sure -- but at one point when I was listening to it I was practically jumping up and down in my car thinking it would make a GREAT movie!

Any additional comments?

I nornally wait a bit before I listen to the next book of a series, but I can't wait to start #3 today.

End of First Trilogy

It’s been a very long time since I have read anything even vaguely new (in its core idea) and well written all the way through to the end (of the first trilogy). Certainly it didn’t involve policemen who could do magic in the name of the Crown (yes, it’s English), nor did it leave me craving more. This trilogy did all four!
Caveat: If you’re looking for a puzzling mystery that’s going to have you chewing your nails and unable to stop because you must know Who has done these crimes, these are not the books for you. Read a nice Elizabeth George. These books are about a young black policeman doing his job when suddenly he has an unexpected conversation that turns his life into something rather different than what he’s been doing- and he suddenly must cope with information that would have driven many men balmy. Oh, and learn Latin & Greek. It’s just not funny even when he can do a couple of spells- some is fun, mind you- but it’s a very dangerous world out there. As if being a copper weren’t enough!

what a series

if you liked quincy harker or jim butchers stuff but could use a little less "tough guy" posturing and attitude, this is for you. its like a modern day sherlock holmes operating at the intersection of the magical and non-magical worlds in current day london. and its fantastic. the main characters are wonderful, the mysteries interesting and the historical aspects (both magical and not) are rich and well researched. plus its set in london so everything is just cheeky enough. what a series! well done mr aaronovitch.

A good second installment to this series

I really enjoy Kobna's narration and find his voice very mellow and easy to listen to. He's part of the reason I'm carrying on with this series. I do enjoy the series and the characters although this one wasn't as good as the first.

I found it a bit off-putting that Peter was so quick to start sleeping with the girlfriend of the initial murder victim. That seemed kind of skanky to me, especially given his status as the investigator. I know it ended up being important to the plot in the end, but still, it was just a bit much. I also found this book had more sex scenes, which I skipped.

I'll be carrying on with the series though because I still like the characters and the premise. Looking forward to more from Lesley in future books.

Top Notch

The story is amazing and I often got so into it that the world around me disappeared. The narrator is perfect for this story. The voices are not overdone or distracting. They flow with the story.

Loved this series!

I loved this entire series. I love how fun and over the top the writing is. I loved all the characters. Finally a fantasy that portrays men and women as real 3 dimensional people, even when they are completely crazy. The narrator is simply one the best I have heard on Audible. I put him in the same category as Stephen Fry. The different voices he has for the different characters is fabulous. The author's affection for London is apparent and really makes London another character in the book, which I loved. Just can't recommend highly enough. So much fun. I just can't wait until book 4.

PC Peter Graves keeps up his new life in magic

What made the experience of listening to Moon Over Soho the most enjoyable?

I found the different characters and their relationships to our world very interesting

What was one of the most memorable moments of Moon Over Soho?

I had many and did enjoy Peters discovery of his hidden talents of magic

Which character – as performed by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith – was your favorite?

Mr Holdbrook-Smith did a great job on all of the characters he did bring each to a level of professionalism that made the whole book a joy to listen to

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but not practical in my line of work

Any additional comments?

Look forward to reading more Keep up the good works

Read my first review... Still wonderfull!

Would you consider the audio edition of Moon Over Soho to be better than the print version?

Haven't read the paper version but the audio experience will make the paper version just as good if not better

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Almost!

Any additional comments?

have a listen!