Broken Homes

A Rivers of London Novel

By: Ben Aaronovitch

Narrated by: Kobna Holdbrook-Smith

Length: 10 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

My name is Peter Grant, and I am a keeper of the secret flame - whatever that is.

Truth be told, there's a lot I still don't know. My superior Nightingale, previously the last of England's wizardly governmental force, is trying to teach me proper schooling for a magician's apprentice. But even he doesn't have all the answers. Mostly I'm just a constable sworn to enforce the Queen’s Peace, with the occasional help from some unusual friends and a well-placed fire blast. With the new year, I have three main objectives: a) pass the detective exam so I can officially become a DC, b) work out what the hell my relationship with Lesley Mai, an old friend from the force and now fellow apprentice, is supposed to be, and, most importantly, c) get through the year without destroying a major landmark.

Two out of three isn’t bad, right?

A mutilated body in Crawley means another murderer is on the loose. The prime suspect is one Robert Weil, who may either be a common serial killer or an associate of the twisted magician known as the Faceless Man - a man whose previous encounters I've barely survived. I've also got a case about a town planner going under a tube train and another about a stolen grimoire.

But then I get word of something very odd happening in Elephant and Castle, on a housing estate designed by a nutter, built by charlatans, and inhabited by the truly desperate. If there's a connection to the Crawley case, I'll be entering some tricky waters of juristiction with the local river spirits. We have a prickly history, to say the least.

Just the typical day for a magician constable.

©2014 Ben Aaronovitch (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Best in the series, with a cliffhanger

A pivotal book in the series, ending with a massive cliffhanger and a host of unanswered questions. As always, Aaronovitch has a deft hand with Peter Grant's personality and patois. Nightingale and Lesley remain well-drawn and interesting, and the various supernatural elements of London are further revealed and reveled in. I can't wait to turn to the next book and see where things move and whether particular harms can be mended.

As always, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith is outstanding (especially since he isn't called upon to do any extended American accents).

Excellent narration, compelling characters

I really love this series and think this is one you want to listen to rather than read. Definitely start at the beginning of the series for full enjoyment.

Kobna Holdbrook-Smith is an astounding narrator who brings the main character to life and also does an amazing job with a very large range of characters of different ages, genders, classes, and ethnicities. He can go from a gay, Filipino guy from San Francisco to an African matron, to an upper crust, elderly British man in a heartbeat.

I have to agree with other reviewers that the story often has so many different story threads and characters that it can get confusing at times. My advice is to pay attention to names or you may find yourself half way through and wondering - "Wait, who the heck is that again?" I also agree with another reviewer that the story is so delightful anyway, just enjoy the ride.

As far as the surprise twist at the end: it's a believable outcome, but at the same time, am I the only one thinking "Wait a minute, does this really make sense in the story? Why would they have done x, y and z if that was the case? (Don't want to give you any spoilers!)

Enjoy this 'Broken Home'

If you have not picked up 'The Rivers of London' series by Ben Aaronovitch. This is the fourth of a wonderful urban fantasy/detective series set in London and its surrounding areas. Aside from me, this series is recommended by Daniel O'Malley, author of the 'The Rook' and has some similarities. I also have learned that Dresden files fans also like this series. If you have read the previous three books you know they are fantastic fun and should be required reading for those with even a passing interest in fantasy, detective novels, and London.

'Broken Homes' narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith is delightful. This is a case where the narrator has such a grasp on the novel that I look specifically to listen to it.

This book is primarily about Constable Peter Grant,his superior Nightengale, and his friend and fellow constable Leslie. They make up a very small special branch of the police that investigate the 'things that go bump in the night,' and they are a nightmare to work with as far as the rest of the police are concerned. There are few hard facts, actual evidence, and clear up rates when investigating the 'extraordinary.'

While this team is still tracking down "Little Crocodiles" (unlicensed wizards of the day who do not keep The Queens Peace,) Peter comes across several cases with strange facets that put them squarely in their jurisdiction. There is a stolen Grimoire of German origin, a city planner whose suicide by train is not on the up and up, and a mutilated body we believe has ties to The Faceless Man.

Aaronovitch ties all these plots together involving the fabulous Rivers of London Gods and Goddesses, Zach(our favorite connection to the Fey of the city,) and Peter's family including the wayward 13 year old aspiring wizard Abigail.

'Broken Homes' ties in the architecture of the city, previously unknown wizards, and insight into Nightingales' past. As with his other books, I was so drawn into the story I didn't notice if the writing was particularly good or not, but I can say it certainly did not detract. The novel is full of humor and if you are looking for a book that is enjoyable, and will allow you to keep your good spirits, this is for you. There is also a huge twist at the end I would not want to spoil. One warning, you do have to read the other three first, but I doubt you will complain if you do so.

A Continued Fresh Series

Any additional comments?

This series just keeps getting better.

I don't know what it is, but somehow Aaronovitch is just able to keep each book fresh and different from all other books. Every book so far has been unique and full of charm, all the while building on its predecessors. Each book stands alone but is part of a larger narrative, but unlike most series, the overall narrative is on the back burner and the book is more about its individual story. In addition to the content improving, the books overall improve with flow and overall enjoyment factor.

Really, you should continue this series if you have already started it, and if you haven't, start it now. It kind of does what Doctor Who does to TV, except maybe better.

The Empire Strikes Back of the series.

Wow. This was a very dark turn for the series. Still a good book, I look forward to the next to see where this goes.

Wonderful Series, Superb Narration

I love this series, the stories are wonderfully imaginative and Kobna Holbrook-Smith provides a superb narration. I am a Brit, born in Hammersmith, so his character’s voices are pure music to my ears. The first book in the series was read at bit of a rush, but from book 2 on, he has settled in to the perfect pace. I could listen to him all day .. wait, that’s just what I’m doing.

Another good one

Just wanted to say that the narrators voice seemed more hoarse and scratchy for this title and I enjoyed it a bit less than the previous books.

Fun Series - Narrator is PERFECT

If you could sum up Broken Homes in three words, what would they be?

Fast moving, clever, irreverent

Who was your favorite character and why?

Peter Grant. You have this young policeman who sees a ghost (Midnight Riot - the first of the series), gets pulled into a secret branch of the Metropolitan Police that deals with magic and supernatural occurrences and his reactions are spot on through the whole series. I love how he slides in oblique references to modern culture.

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

Peter Grant is the child of a jazz musician and an immigrant from Sierra Leone. He was born in London, loves London and Kobna Holbrook-Smith nails him (at least for me). He sounds exactly like I pictured him while first reading the books. He also manages to change his voice just enough not to sound silly while doing the women characters. I never get lost trying to figure out who is talking

Any additional comments?

Midnight Riot, Moon Over Soho, Whispers Under Ground and now Broken Homes make up a wonderful series of books. They are very English. Sometimes I have to stop and look up words in the Urban Dictionary but it doesn't really detract. The narrator is fantastic - he is to Peter Grant as James Marsters is to Harry Dresden. If you like police dramas with an urban fantasy twist - you will likely enjoy these books.

So engrossing!

I LOVE the narrator and the series. His delivery is so natural, it feels like an old friend speaking directly to me. Completely enthralling!

Narrator 5 Stars as Before Story a Bit Wonky

I've bought and loved all of the prior Peter Grant. Even in one case when I had been given an ARC of Midnight Riot (the US title for the first Peter Grant book) I also bought the Audible download because of the excellent narration by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith. Therefore it pains me a great deal to have to say that I do not think this story is quite up to the standard of the first three.

There's a lack of cohesion to the plot which bounces around from story line to story line without settling down. Then I didn't find the ending particularly satisfying. There's a big unanswered question at the end. If you need to be spoiled before starting the book look at the Amazon reviews. Look for the review that Tells All.

Quite liked the title given the theme of the novel and Peter gets to display his architectural background as well as some fascinating tidbits about London. Numerous characters from past books make appearances. Although the story line about the Faceless Man moves forward a bit, it also started to feel like there were too many characters.

New readers go back to the first book and start there. You need to be invested in the characters and the story before you can really appreciate this one.

I also saw where the series has been optioned for television. I would be really pleased if it did go into production.