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

Shocking ending!

The progression of our characters is leading to an intense, intertwined convolution of this series.
Wow, just wow.
The Nightingale has been this powerful enigma thus far, but situations in the story are forcing him to come forward.
As for Peter, it is time to leave childish things behind. He has great intuition and power and I've always had the feeling he's been "treding water" and just biding his time. I feel that time has passed. He needs to get busy living, learning, and actively applying what he has learned or he will die...and I think he FINALLY realizes this.

Great

Love this entire series!! The narrator Kobna Holbrook Smith is a marvel to listen to !!

Love these book

I love listening to the books. The narrator is wonderful, love the stories, they keep me very interested, offering twists, and turns. I am so glad I found this series.

Great Addition to a Great Series

Broken Homes is the fourth in the Peter Grant series. I am still amazed at how much I enjoy this series. The old familiar characters are back with new twists and turns. I am giving the story four stars instead of five only because I got a bit lost in the theory of why the bad guy was doing what he was doing. If you like a bit of the supernatural, a bit of the police procedural, and a bit of the absurd, this is where you will find it.

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.