Whispers Under Ground (Peter Grant #3) Review

Whispers Under Ground (Peter Grant #3)

Ben Aaronovitch

Publisher: Gollancz

'Come Monday I get to do some proper policing. Person Unknown has been stabbed to death on the tracks at Baker Street tube. Magic may have been involved.'
Person Unknown turns out to be the son of a US senator and before you can say 'International incident', FBI agent Kimberley Reynolds is on DC Grant's case.
And down in the dark, in the tunnels of London's Underground, the buried rivers, the Victorian sewers, there are whispers of vengeance from beyond the grave.
DC Grant's latest case is about to come off the rails...

This is the third adventure following police constable and apprentice-wizard Peter Grant as he investigates a murder at Baker Street tube station. Peter Grant is as ordinary as you can be, considering he is able to wield magic. He isn’t that good at policing though, but his friend and fellow apprentice Leslie is good at the real police work. Together they have a great chemistry and rapport which really anchors this story. The change in their relationship after the events of the first two books simmers away in the background of the investigation and adds a wonderful flavour to the mixing pot.

The course of the investigation throws Peter and Leslie into London’s art world, underground scene and international politics when an FBI agent keeps following Peter around. There has obviously been a lot research done on parts of London and the underground that mixes an air of authenticity to the story and keeps you wondering how much of this could be true. There is a large element of hidden London – both the magically hidden and below the surface which explores one of the most complicated cities in the world. However, this is all background material on a fast paced story which has numerous twists and turns that will have you scratching your head to keep up – with the magic used just occasionally to season the story without overpowering it.

The story is set in the lead up to Christmas so felt very timely to be reading it now! There is plenty of sarcasm between characters as they banter which reminds me so much of normal conversations in the UK and adds melting of comedy. This was a perhaps the least personal investigation for Peter so far and as such it lacks a little sparkle that the first two books had. However, it still puts the story, the writing and the characters miles above most books! This is a great Urban Fantasy adventure for those who like plot and characters in a well thought out world with so much potential for further adventures. Great fun!

Recommended for fans of Jim Butcher and James R Tuck. 8 out of 10

Moon Over Soho Review

Moon Over Soho (Peter Grant 2)

-       Ben Aaronovitch

Publisher: UK – Gollancz

BODY AND SOUL

The song. That’s what London constable and sorcerer’s apprentice Peter Grant first notices when he examines the corpse of Cyrus Wilkins, part-time jazz drummer and full-time accountant, who dropped dead of a heart attack while playing a gig at Soho’s 606 Club. The notes of the old jazz standard are rising from the body—a sure sign that something about the man’s death was not at all natural but instead supernatural.
Body and soul—they’re also what Peter will risk as he investigates a pattern of similar deaths in and around Soho. With the help of his superior officer, Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, the last registered wizard in England, and the assistance of beautiful jazz aficionado Simone Fitzwilliam, Peter will uncover a deadly magical menace—one that leads right to his own doorstep and to the squandered promise of a young jazz musician: a talented trumpet player named Richard “Lord” Grant—otherwise known as Peter’s dear old dad

PC Peter Grant, trainee wizard is back, this time investigating the mysterious deaths of Jazz musicians in Soho. Peter is a typical twenties lad – interested in football, women and doing his job – in fact despite his magical abilities Peter is refreshing ordinary and as has been pointed out to him, not actually very good at police work. He is however keen to make magical measurable someway and his experiments and practise session give the world a solid grounding. No-one is suddenly brilliant at anything but the skills come with practise and familiarity.

A lot of police is dull paper work and while that comes across, it is also told with a dry wit that could give Stephen Fry a run for his money. Peter is very self-deprecating and normal but has a delicious talent for taking everyday observations and making them seem ridiculous. I love his voice and his lack of thoughts about the wider world. Leslie and even his boss, are not as big a presence in this book after the events of Rivers of London, but I enjoyed the freedom this gave Peter.

The writing is easy to follow and obviously written by someone who loves London and knows it well – I could follow the chase scenes vividly with my own knowledge. I was intrigued to learn something of London’s Jazz culture – something I’m not familiar with myself and I’m sure the attacks on men by the ‘Pale lady’ will have more than one man crossing his legs uncomfortably. There are enough chases and attacks to keep most action hunger satisfied while not all threads are wrapped up neatly, leaving the Folly with some very intriguing and dangerous enemies out there. I personally can’t wait until the next books, Whispers Under Ground comes out!

Recommended for fans of Jim Butcher and Neil Gaimen. 9 out of 10.

Rivers of London Review

Rivers of London (Peter Grant 1)  

-          Ben Aaronovitch

Publisher: UK – Gollancz

Published as Midnight Riot in the US

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

It’s not a secret that I love London and I always have a soft spot for books set in my home town. I love finding good books set in London – and with Rivers of London, I not only got a good book, I got a great book with a panorama of one of the best cities in the world! J

Peter Grant is probationary constable in London, just about to be transferred to an office assignment when he interviews a ghost at a murder scene and suddenly finds himself assistant to the most unusual and secret part of the Met police. Add to which a ghost serial killer who can infect anyone, a long standing dispute between Mother Thames and Father Thames and coming to grips with the magical, mystical side of England’s capital city, Peter could be in over his head...

So many things I loved about this novel – the police procedures surrounding the murders feels realistic – more so than CSI ever has. The characters of Peter Grant, his fellow constable Lesley, his new boss all have distinct personalities and act more like real people do than book characters. I loved the humour that jumps out at you from the first page – very real humour. I’m used to snarky comments, but this isn’t snarky, it’s real without being overtop and very recognisable for any Londoner. Peter’s use of magic isn’t instantaneous but requires hard work and study – and the use of many apples!

The plot flies along at a cracking pace, with many areas of London easily recognisable and for me at least, easy to picture. And this does dive into some of the murkier aspects of the city as well as the tourist parts. I loved the dispute between the two parts of the Thames – country verses city, old verses new. While there are many elements to this book, with the Rivers dispute and ghostly killer for Peter to deal with as well as his training in magic and personal life it all hangs to together and makes for a layered, but delicious taste of London life – rather like a cheesecake!  

This is a story for those who like realistic, intellectual Urban Fantasy with humour and a dog thrown in. I can’t recommend this enough! I’m really happy I already have Moon Over Soho to look forward to reading soon.

Recommended for fans of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files and Kevin Hearne. 9 out of 10  

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