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Amazon Customer

Oh..... Sad. . . . Mixed Feelings

Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2020

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First of all let me say I LOVE this series. Each of the full length books is a delight in its own way. (I might add, though it is better to read them in order, if any newcomers happen to read this.). I was sooooooo excited to see that Tales of the Folly was finally out. I bought it immediately without reading any reviews. The Good things: The introduction before each entry in Tales is very helpful and puts the entry in the chronological order. 2). For the most part, the entries are about the characters/world that River people have come to know and love. The VERY BAD: These entries, for the most part, read like editing out takes from the full length books. or 2) The entries were idea drafts for other books that didn''t go. This is not to say that they are badly written, its just that the story just. . . stops abruptly when you KNOW there should be more!

Martin Donnelly

Not a short story collection, it’s a tease collection.

Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2020

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This is not a short story collection, it’s a collection of teases. The author starts what seems like it would be the beginning of something interesting and then just stops! Annoying. Don’t waste your money.

Recommend to Rivers fans, who prefer stories in one volume. Plus, Ben A’s hints of things to come!

Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2020

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I was heartened by author Ben Aaronovitch’s closing note on page 135, which—during this horrible pandemic in the States—I greatly appreciate. See below.
“Until then, good luck, stay safe and keep the faith. —Ben Aaronovitch June 2020
Thank you, Ben A! I wish you the same.

I love having the Peter Grant stories together, especially the Kindle version of “A Rare Book of Cunning Device,” which was an Audible special. I enjoyed the stories about the Rivers of London’s secondary characters. There’s toddler god Lugg’s introduction to Dominic, Victor, and the three Teme goddesses. There are many good stories, but also a few I skimmed, including “A Dedicated Follower of Fashion.” It features disreputable people called the Deplorables, a name with a different and yet a similar sorta flavor here in the States. On the lighter side, this fashion story introduces Wanda, a baby genius locorum of the River Wandle, a tributary of the River Thames.

I skimmed The Moments, which are very short, short stories. I’m looking forward to hearing Kobna Holbrook-Smith narrate this audiobook. I’m re-reading Ben A’s introductions to the stories—and his hints of books, novellas, etc. to come.

Margaret A. Davis

Peter Grant, Nightingale, Abigail, etc. are back in a new short story collection!

Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2020

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Tales from the Folly is the best kind of short story collection. It collects, all under one cover, stories which had appeared elsewhere and now the rights have apparently reverted to the author.

So I get to read stories such as those included exclusively in the Waterstones (major British bookstore chain) edition of the Rivers of London novels.

Of course, I was delighted with the opening Peter Grant stories section. Being a retired librarian myself, not too surprisingly my favorite tale of all was A Rare Book of Cunning Device.

The rest of the book included short stories featuring other characters, in particular Abigail's story Favourite Uncle.

This entire collection is highly recommended for urban fantasy fans and especially Rivers of London series fans!!

Faithful urban reader

A Most Enjoyable Return To Form

Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2020

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I read this collection in one go and thoroughly enjoyed Aaronovitch's introduction of new characters and locations. Am really looking forward to the extension of his numinous London into new areas involving these fascinating characters and concepts.

Jim Greenlees

Tasty bits

Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2020

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It’s always a joy when a new Rivers book comes out. These short stories fill in holes, pose new questions, and make you want more. My only quibble is one of the stories (“King of Rats”) ends abruptly with the plot dangling. I don’t know if that was intentional, an oversight, or a Kindle problem.

Note that this collection includes new work, stories included as special additions to print volumes, and “Moments” from Ben Aaronovitch’s website. Regardless, it’s well worth having.

H. Kirchbach

Great fun !

Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2020

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A great companion piece to the Peter Grant/ Rivers of London series, fleshing out the world he lives and works in. It was great to get some background on the ever expanding cast of characters. I particularly enjoyed the Christmas tale about Abigail and can't wait to hear more in her novella. An enjoyable read !

Kevin Hill

A Superb Collection

Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2020

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The Rivers of London series is filled with wonderful role playing characters. These short stories allow Ben Aaronovitch to expand on some of characters that are met only briefly in the novels. Best of all, there was a wonderful short story featuring Abigail. I look forward to more short stories and wait impatiently for the next novel.

Top reviews from other countries

Ms. F. C. Ross

Great read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 6, 2020

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Not enough stories! Need another 50 or so! Oh well....
Some of these are from the ‘Waterstones’ editions, some are from other special editions, some (I think) have not been printed before. Most are about Peter, but not all. Many relate to a specific book, but they don’t have spoilers, so don’t have to be read in order with the books. Enjoyed them all. BUT not recommended if you haven’t read at least the first ‘Rivers of London’ book.
Brought out quickly, to brighten our days during the Covid crisis, so the Kindle edition came first, they say audible and print editions will follow eventually (but not soon enough)

Kindle Customer

Enjoyable

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 31, 2020

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I hoped this book might have the graphic novels in written form so I was both sad ( it doesn't) and happy (these stories were new to me) I therefore feel a bit spoiled by the good , funny and thoroughly enjoyable book and deprived please please put the graphic novels into written form.

L Weale

Interesting snippets from world of The Folly

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 4, 2020

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This is a great light summer read. I like the additional insights into different characters. I did feel a couple of the stories ended in an "!", where if they were a bit longer we would have a slightly more rounded ending. A Rare Book of Cunning Device being one with a more rounded ending - I too look forward to hearing more about Hatbox Winstanley.

It made me think I would like the graphic novels to be presented in non-graphic form (sorry graphic novel aficionados) as well.

James Graham

Fascinating, and as insightful and humourous as ever

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 3, 2020

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It's a series of vignettes really, some longer than others but all enjoyable. Some are not from the point of view of Peter Grant, but they are equally good. I'd love one from Molly's POV if that were possible. I'd have bought it in paperback form if it had been available but the Kindle version is fine. I may buy the audiobook just to hear Ben Aronovith's own voice - he sounds a hoot.
The author deftly introduces new characters and then gently enlargens their place in Peter Grant's world - it all feels very organic, and he is obviously fleshing out the world to escape being trapped in a Grant/Nightingale/ Lesley dead end.
Just wish I liked the graphic novels more.

BananaTricky

Collection of scraps and snippets about Peter and other characters

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 29, 2020

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How to describe this anthology? First, if you are new to the world of Peter Grant and the Rivers of London series I DO NOT recommend reading this to see if you like the premise. This is a mixture of short stories, vignettes and tantalising ideas featuring Peter and some of the minor characters from the novels, some written at the request of the British bookshop Waterstones, others for specific purposes like the London 2012 Olympics (although I believe that may also have been at the request of Waterstones).

Some stories I had read before, others were new to me. At the current reduced price of £1.99 I thought it was very good value but I think I would balk at paying the full price for something which is only 227 pages long and includes some material which is already available FOC on Ben's website.

Having had my obligatory moan about the price of e-books, if you love the Rivers of London then I think you will enjoy meeting stroppy ghosts, a Christmas spirit, seeing the 'birth' of two rivers, and meeting the original Dedicated Follower of Fashion.

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