Moon Over Soho

Peter Grant, Book 2

By: Ben Aaronovitch

Narrated by: Kobna Holdbrook-Smith

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

Superb narration!

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

Did not read the book

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

The Spider Series by Jennifer Estep are just as fast paced and fantastical. Love the characters, but like the Ben Aaronovitch series, the narrator simply makes the story.

What does Kobna Holdbrook-Smith bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is brilliant with character voices but the cadence he applies to each character actually helped me visualize the person speaking. Books are grand but mostly one dimensional. When Kobna Holdbrook-Smith describes the vestigia, I can smell from his descriptions. I can feel textures. I can see expressions just from his speech. What a gifted artist.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Peter discovered that Simone had ended her life.

Any additional comments?

I don't even think a movie would be as enjoyable. This combination of author and narrator made the story very personal; as if I was running along side Peter during the entire book.

Loved that exhilaration!

Another book in a very good series.

What did you love best about Moon Over Soho?

I like how the main character gives a lot of background on how the London Police operate. that was very interesting and quite different from where I live.

What did you like best about this story?

The magic is fun and interesting. The characters are easy to idenify with and the story is tight and concise.

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

I have only heard this narrator is the previous book in this series. he does an excellent job and is a great listen.

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

Harry Potter becomes a cop.

Any additional comments?

This is a fun series and this story is better than the first in the series. The book is still mostly monster of the week like the first book, but the overarching story is starting to take root.

Fabulous Perfomance

Story is wonderful, but it’s the performance that’s really making it a gem for me. The history and life of modern London coming to life through a true showcase of just how diverse English accents get. Beautiful and fun performance.

Just as good as #1

I liked this just as much, and maybe a little more than the first book. I liked finding out how Leslie was doing during her recovery. The humor is great and refreshing. The story was good.

Not as good as the first, but still worthwhile

Ben Aaronovitch's "Rivers of London" series is the best urban fantasy since Kate Grenville's "Midnight Mayor" series. This second book didn't quite match the first, for me, because Peter was so obviously stupid throughout, but it ended with a bang, and it also ties up some vital loose ends from book 1, as well as introducing what will become an important plotline in book 3 (and probably beyond), so it's well worth the time.

Kobna Holdbrook-Smith does a masterful job with the narration, all the voices and accents. Whoever he is, he should read more things.

This series is great. Dollops of humor throughout.

This narrator is exceptional. His voice is a very effective match for the main character and the voices for the supporting characters are also strongly individual and spot on.

Fantastic, again.

I think that Ben Aaronovitch gets better with each book. The performance ofKobna Holdbrook-Smith is outstanding in every book. The stories are always so unpredictable that I don't want to miss a word. You best not be eating while listening to these books. But I would still listen to everyone of them.

Ridiculously, wonderfully fantastic!!

Everyday police work mixed with fantastic creatures and some almost normal characters! It's also witty and entertaining. I need another!

Soho is full of Magic, Monster's, Mayhem and Jazz

Everything about this book makes it a great continuation of Peter's journey. The people, settings, and pace keep you wanting to keep going. Peter grows on you as we learn more and more information about magic and his and its place in the world.

Once again, excellent Aaronovitch

I am really enjoying this series. Well crafted writing and a stellar performance by the narrator make for a tendency for me to devour the books continuously, gorging myself on delicious storyline after delicious storyline.