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 as good as the first

I really enjoyed the first book. This one took a long time to get going and seemed to meander wildly. Still a good listen.

Narrator and story a perfect match

Truly perfect match of narrator and story. Comparable in quality to the Dresden files or The First Law Trilogy. (Tone and atmosphere very similar to Dresden Files).

Excellent

Really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to the rest of the series.

NOT Pratchett. NOT Potter. Different. Excellent.

Once I opened my mind to the reality that this series is not really like Terry Pratchett's Discworld series and/or the Harry Potter stories (albeit an adult version).... I was able to see the story for what it is: very witty, very nice and (in my humble opinion)... well written. I'd read too many reviews and, unfortunately, that colored my perception. Don't get me wrong...that IS what made me pick up this series in the first place. I never would have given the books a second glance otherwise. Ironic, eh? There are common threads...but only in an overall, generalized sort of way. British humor for one and an apprentice learning magical skills. That's (roughly) about it. This series has a unique identity and that's awesome :) I'm glad I picked up book #2 in a sale. BTW: Book #2 (Moon Over Soho), is a tad different from Book #1 (Midnight Riot)... Have you ever heard the classic line by an actor/actress: I'll do nude but only if it's relevant to the story line...? THAT applies here. There is nudity and sexuality but it is not over done and does not linger for a page-after-page-after-page sort of nonsense ...just to be sensational, etc. There's actually a reason for it. Anyway. This book is very witty, the characters are allowed to grow, police procedures are followed and there is entertainment to be had. Enjoy. I did. That is one thing that this series really does have in common with Terry Pratchett...it makes me laugh a LOT. LOL.

A book where the narrator enhances the book.

Any additional comments?

This is one of the few audio books where the narrator not only lives up to the potiential of the book but also enhances it. The narrator gives the story more character and shades in the story to give it more depth. The various British terms (knackered meaning dead tired) (transport cafe is a truckstop) and the accent may give Americans a little trouble but otherwise I think everybody will enjoy the story.

The texture of the Jazz scene and the expressions of London life where enjoyable as well.

The first book was good but the second was better and I still waiting to listen to the third.

More of a good thing

Well, I'm getting better at understanding English, as opposed to American. But...there are a number of "pop" references that I had to think about or check on. Maybe I'm getting too old, but it was worth it.

The narrator's ability to use different voices remains a virtual wonder, particularly as more characters are introduced into the arc of the story.

After reading this, 2nd in the series, I can't emphasize enough the advise that you read the series, beginning with the first book.

Alexandra

This was one of the most enjoyable books I've had the pleasure of listening to. The first book 'Midnight Riot ' was good but this was even better. I loved the colorful and historical descriptions of English landmarks and architecture.
The dry wit of the characters had me chuckling from time to time. The English slang suited the MC's style and was fun to learn a different turn of phrase And K.Holdbrook-Smith was a perfect narrator.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an urban fantasy/detective genre. Even those that are just slightly into sci-fi as the mysteries and storyline are just that interesting
Of particular enjoyment for me was the music intro at the start of each chapter
I'm a big fan of the Dresden series and would recommend this to his fans

Amazing

What an amazing book!! I loved the first one the most but this one certainly sets you off for the rest of the series!

nice continuation of the 1st book

more info about Peter background (mostly his dad). Bit and pieces of Nightingale past. lots of sex and killing. narrator need too lay off the mumbling Liz

love this story line

love Ben aaronovitch's works, waiting for more, I have all the books available in at this time & I want more