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

The return of Peter Grant Wizard/Policeman

Where does Broken Homes rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is a great series in the Urban Fantasy genre and this is the best of the (currently) four books in the series.

What other book might you compare Broken Homes to and why?

If you like the Dresden Files books you should do yourself a favor and listen to this book (and the related series). It is the ongoing story of an Apprentice Wizard who is also a Police officer for the London Metropolitan Police force. It is almost (but not quite) a police procedural with magic.

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

Kobna Holdbrook-Smith should be reading anything and everything that requires a British accent he is a brilliant vocal talent. He really brings the characters to life.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I could have listed to this whole book without stopping and found myself extending my walk/drive/other activity so that I could listen to more.

Any additional comments?

I will say (without spoilers) that when you get to the twist in the last quarter of the book that I was stunned speechless and now curse that the book is over and I will have to wait for the next one (whenever that is)

Wonderful, just wonderful

I started reading the Peter Grant/Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch based on a friend's recommendation, and I admit, I wasn't really expecting much. But boy, was I wrong. These are excellent police procedurals, set in modern London, but with magic added to the mix. The characters are vivid, interesting, and believable, and it's a real pleasure to have the protagonist be a constable, not a DCI; a working class person, not posh; and a person of colour, not white.

The narrator, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith is PERFECT for the books and adds to the enjoyment of the story. Highly recommended.

Amazing

Holdbrook-Smith is the best narrator I have ever listened to (and I have listened to many!). I was a bit more leary of this book because the other reviews mentioned that it was different from the first three. I am SO glad that I downloaded this book. It is a great book and I completely did not see the ending coming. Ben Aaronovitch is an amazing author. I can't believe I now have to wait for the next book!

Developing a wonderful alternate reality

As the series unfolds, Ben is building layers of complexity and history as the plot develops. Wonderful sense of humor and familiar voice.

I’d love more lose ends to be laced through but trust they have a purpose in the next book.

Love this series

Love this series of stories. Great suspense and turns and twists. The character development In each new tale is wonderful

Great series!

Any additional comments?

Great melding of language, acting, and writing. Doesn't get old. Can't wait for the next book. Read it. You will like it. I love it.

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.