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

A riot of a good time

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

Kobna Holdbrook-Smith knocks these Peter Grant books out of the park. I love the sound of his voice, and his characters make the story come alive. He just sounds like London. I loved listening to the first book- Midnight Riot- and this book too. The story is good, but in the hands of a lesser performer it would not have come roaring of the page the way it does. Highly recommend.

Great follow up to Rivers of London or...

What ever the American title was absolutely love the ending time to dive into book 3.

Hooked on Aaronovitch and Holdbrook-Smith

What did you love best about Moon Over Soho?

It's clever, intelligent, smart, well written...did I mention clever? The underlying "magic or other things uncanny" theme is handled on such a high brow level that you don't feel condescended to at all. There is much to learn here, too: history of London, history of magic, other history in general. Also love learning more British slang. I thought a punter was someone who poled a boat.

Someone is killing jazz men in London and has been for some years. Same person/people?

Who was your favorite character and why?

Peter and Thomas are a toss up, but Peter may edge out a little just because he is in this one more.

Which scene was your favorite?

So many to choose from. Each small piece is a large building block. Can't choose. The scenes with Lesley are heart rending. I am looking forward to more of Lesley.

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

Laughed a lot. Squirmed a bit, too.

I am addicted to this series

A friend had me listed to book one on a road trip and well, here I am, slowly devouring the entire series.

A distinguished 2nd book in this series. Pulling DCI Nightingale to the sidelines and letting Peter both shine and flounder seemingly on his own was a hold move for the sophomore book and it paid off.
I enjoyed seeing Lesley after her encounters in book one and seeing how she is dealing with the aftereffects. Showing the price for magic as a substantial cost that lingers reminds the readers that Peter and Nightingale aren't infallible.
The connecting storylines were intriguing and engaging. The twist at the end leaves you wanting more. I can't wait to read book three.

Marathon part 2

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I love this series - enough to buy all 3 and wait with anticipation for the 4th. Mr. Aaronovitch continues where he left off in Book 1 with a good mystery and the continuing story of Lesley. Unlike some authors, his 2nd book actually fulfills the promise of the 1st. The characters develop and become more complex.

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

When Peter grapples with what has happened to his friend Lesley - and when she finds a reason to hope - I was right there with them.

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

I had not heard of Kobna Holdbrook-Smith before this series, but I plan on finding other performances.

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

Investigating a London murder may never be the same again.

My least favorite of the series . . .

But I do so love the final chapter. Sweet, sincere, heart breaking. Just really well written. Great series.

Narrator is fantastic

Fun story made better by great narration. Pleasure to listen to. Will continue to the next in the series.

Highly entertaining

and funny as heck. Peter’s story continues with new adventures as we learn about his parents and watch his evolution as an apprentice wizard. All the secondary characters from the first book are back and this book provides us with solid background info on them as well.

great read

just the right pacing. a great voice. love this series. and to put in a review takes twenty words, unbelievable

This is a great series

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

I didn't read the print version, so I can't say, but at this point the narrator is as much a part of my enjoyment of these books as the text, so I don't think I'd ever switch.

What other book might you compare Moon Over Soho to and why?

It's like a cross between Red Dwarf (humor, ludicrosity, British particularities) and Men in Black (guy dealing with things that are unreasonbly above his pay grade and also crazy). Not books, but I think that combination captures the feel.

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

I love the main character, but the narrator's nasal aristocratic accent for Nightingale is great too.

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

I suck these books down, but I hate to see them end, so not staying up late to get them finished. Also, I recently relistened to the whole series, which I started 4 or 5 years ago, and loved every minute. There's so much that goes on, that you can't remember how you get from A to B, so all the surprises and disasters are just as much fun the second time.

Any additional comments?

Police procedural + crazy magical nonsense + lots of humor + wry observations about the cruelties done to architecture by central planning, and to the common man by bureaucratic demands. Really, lots of throw-away observations that make me laugh out loud, all the while that some mystery is pulling me along...