Tales from the Folly

A Rivers of London Short Story Collection

By: Ben Aaronovitch, Charlaine Harris - introduction

Narrated by: Ben Aaronovitch, Ben Elliot, Felix Grainger, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Sam Peter Jackson, Alex Kingston, Shvorne Marks, Penelope Rawlins

Length: 4 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

Return to the world of Rivers of London in this first short-story collection from best-selling author Ben Aaronovitch. Tales from the Folly is a carefully curated collection that gathers together previously published stories and brand-new tales in the same place for the first time.

Each tale features a new introduction from the author, filled with insight and anecdote offering the listener a deeper exploration into this absorbing fictional world. This is a must-listen for any Rivers of London fan.

Join Peter, Nightingale, Abigail, Agent Reynolds, and Tobias Winter for a series of perfectly portioned tales. Discover what's haunting a lonely motorway service station, who still wanders the shelves of a popular London bookshop, and what exactly happened to the River Lugg....

With an introduction from internationally best-selling author of the Sookie Stackhouse series Charlaine Harris.

©2020 Ben Aaronovitch (P)2020 Tantor

Keep them coming

I love the rivers of london series and the short stories provide some background or fill gaps between the main stories. Love them.

More please!

I look forward with longing to every word written in the Peter Grant Rivers of London series, including spin- offs and short stories. Thank you Ben and Kobna

Love the character insight

Wonderful read, I highly recommend. I would like more Nightingale stories, and fox stories. I like that the characters have depth.

Finally!

I've been frustrated over the years, unable to read all the short stories included in the Waterstones editions. Now, finally, here they all are in a neat little package. Woot! And there's the added bonus of the character development shorts Ben Aaronovitch posted on his blog and a previously released novella. This collection is like having been denied opening an interesting door to see what's behind it and not only do you get to open it, you get to walk inside and explore.

I got the ebook first (because it was released before the audiobook) and instead of inhaling it, I decided to listen to (and read) everything in the series again, in chronological order this time. I greatly enjoyed the enhanced understanding the contents of Tales from the Folly gave to each book, filling in any gaps in the storyline as well as clarifying where the characters relationships were at emotionally. When this audio version came out, with everything still fresh in my memory, it would have made my chronological experience even better.

While Kobna Holdbrook-Smith could have done all of the contents, he exclusively narrates Peter Grant's stories...and Nightingale's too. Which, when you think about it, is as it should be. He's their voice. The change to the other narrators initially seemed a bit of a let down, but the truth is they each do a fantastic job and (this was a realization after the fact) _perfectly_ capture that character's voice. Dominic had me grinning, Abigail was very vivid and I was brought up short by Reynolds' soft southern accent, then recollected that, yes, it did describe just that in Whispers Underground. Kobna Holdbrook-Smith made Reynolds sound like an American, which is fine, she is an American. But in Tales from the Folly? Reynolds sounds like she's from her _home state_. How awesome is that! (Pretty awesome as far as I'm concerned.)

The collection is beautifully done and very entertaining. The shorts are touching and poignant, clever and amusing and will leave you wanting more when you're done. Well worth the credit.

Very good....bit short...but fabulous as always

If you are new to this wonderfully funny and clever urban magic saga...don't start here, start with Midnight Riot and work forwards. At a bit under 5 hrs. this collection of short stories it's a bit pricey...and if you take out the introductions at the start of the book and every separate story...it's closer to 4 hours....but like a fine wine you can't judge by volume. The Rivers series is an emotional warm bath. Beautifully written, witty and spectacularly narrated by Saint Holdbrook-Smith. It reminds me of the London I grew up in. It feels like I might have been elbow to elbow with Ben at the bar of a pub in the early 80’s. I nearly did a spit take when he referenced a late 70’s punk band I’d seen live back in the late middle ages. The magic is structured, almost scientific, the characters are familiar as old friends. The plotting is crisp and detailed. If you are a fan…it’s a must have.

usual strengths and weaknesses of a collection

enjoyed it but a couple of stories felt unfinished, and the book of cunning device had already been published (and bought!) separately

too short, great stuff

This is absolutely delightful! It would get 5 stars if it were just a little longer.

Not enough!

My only complaint is I want more, more, more! If you’re already a fan of The Rivers of London series these further glimpses of characters you love is a delight. I’d suggest waiting to listen to Tales from the Folly until you’ve listened to the novels, though.

The Magic is real and it’s in the writing!

I am a voracious listener. In the car, at the gym, while waiting for appointments. When audible suggested the Rivers of London series I was a bit skeptical, but at the end of book one I was hooked. The writing is wry and smart with just enough geeky nods to keep you chuckling. I like a bit of sarcastic wit.

Excellent

Ben lets his characters stretch their legs, and gives us a view from around the corner.