Midnight Riot

Rivers of London, Book 1

By: Ben Aaronovitch

Narrated by: Kobna Holdbrook-Smith

Probationary constable Peter Grant dreams of being a detective in London's Metropolitan Police. Too bad his superior plans to assign him to the Case Progression Unit, where the biggest threat he'll face is a paper cut. But Peter's prospects change in the aftermath of a puzzling murder, when he gains exclusive information from an eyewitness who happens to be a ghost. Peter's ability to speak with the lingering dead brings him to the attention of Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, who investigates crimes involving magic and other manifestations of the uncanny.

Now, as a wave of brutal and bizarre murders engulfs the city, Peter is plunged into a world where gods and goddesses mingle with mortals and a long-dead evil is making a comeback on a rising tide of magic.

©2011 Ben Aaronvitch (P)2012 Tantor

Nothing Like Harry Potter - which is just fine!

Don't get me wrong, I *love* the Harry Potter series - but this is a totally different animal. The only things they have in common are magic and infinitely listenable writing styles.
I don't know what I can add that others have not - I have never read/listened to a police procedural that was quite this detailed before - but I also haven't read many. I really enjoy the way Peter, the main character takes what he's learned from being a cop in general and transitions it to dealing with his wholly new experiences with the supernatural.
This is a very adult novel, it's got some horrific scenes, as well as use of language, and sexual situations. None of it is gratuitous, however, it all slides well into the story.
I read a couple of pans involving how british this book is - in that there are some words and phrases americans wouldn't necessarily get. The book was written for a british audience and I don't mind popping over to google to look up "punter" (cause it certainly isn't talking about football players) and other such words as well as place names I wouldn't know by hearing in the book.
As a narrator, for the most part Holdbrook-Smith does a bangup job. He does most of the accents so well, that when he flubbed one by not being able to maintain it, I still gave him a pass. The only thing that really gets on me are the occasional mouth noises that leave me wanting to say "swallow!". I enjoy that he acts the book as opposed to just reading it and I'm glad he does the whole series as it's been published in the US so far.
I really recommend this book to those who enjoy urban fantasy. Particularly fans of Harry Dresden. He has some fun takes on issues Dresden has encountered (such as magic farbing technology) and the main character's enjoyable wit, along with self expressed flaws put me in mind of that series. Though once again - different animals, but equally as enjoyable.

Could have been a contender

"Midnight Riot" opens with a body on a foggy English street and a cop who thinks he sees a guy in the distance the cop can see through. Had the writer stuck to that tone, wow. Instead, he went all myth-minded on us, with a fight between river gods, minor devils and him. Overblown, because not rooted in anything real. Harry Potter this isn't.

Worth reading

Surprisingly good for a first in a series. Compared to Dresden Files with less juvenile humor, but also less personality from the main character. I think he will grow into his role though as the series progresses.

Wonderful vocal performance.

A unique series

I just completed the first book in this series and have now purchased the remaining three. I am usually a reader of more traditional mysteries, but I found this book an engrossing twist on the form. (I did read all of the Harry Potters and Ender books....so I have enjoyed some syfi - supernatural materials in the past.) The reader does a terrific job of communicating the characters and action. Even before finishing the remaining books, I'm hoping there won't be as long of a wait before book 5 comes out as there was between 3 and 4.

Love this new-to-me series

Narration and writing skills are both superb and I am now addicted. I love the weaving of police procedure, science, history, myth, and magic into a cohesive and captivating mystery. The relationships are fascinating and the humor enhances Peter's character and my listening experience. Well done all around!

Easy to get lost into

I picked up this book in the mood for a modern fantasy with all the good elements of folklore. I wanted something that was very easy to get lost into, as I was dealing with, at the time, mysterious full body pain. Now, I know that I have fibromyalgia! This was one of the books that got me through the madness of not knowing what was causing my pain.

The narrator is perfect for this series. I don't think I could listen to him narrate anything other than Peter Grant books because he is spot on perfect for this series. I loved the story in general. If you enjoy magic, folklore & cop novels, then you'll probably enjoy this one. Skip if you don't enjoy sex or swearing, however, as there is a bit of both though not much sex if I remember right in this one in the series, at least.

5/5, loved it so much! It made it easier to ignore the pain from my fibro!

enjoyable listen

This is an enjoyable listen. The jazz and narrator's voice are soothing even with the fast paced storyline.
nice arc for te main character.

Gritty Urban Fantasy Reads Like Crime Series

Dresden meets Luther. An action packed mystery from the point of view of a guy whose a little bit of an under achiever but still trying to do his job. No romance, no politics, just a good murder mystery with Isis, river nymphs, and the London's most secret police unit.

Really Interesting Storyline

Loved the narrator. It felt a little jumpy. Will listen to more by this author.

Great Find!

I was looking for a new series to get sucked into that was magical/supernatural in nature without being cliche and preferably keeping a foot in the real world. I am super happy I came across this series. I love the main character and the narrator is great. there's a lot of snark and personality which I am all about. The magic is gritty as is the nature of the supernatural world. The connections to alchemy, current-day science, and the First Law of Thermodynamics create a real world context within which magic has consequences that cannot be dismissed. Other elements of the supernatural world have been translated into existence alongside/within the present day non- magical world and the results are super interesting. I'm really looking forward to starting book 2.