Love Doctor Who and Sherlock?
If you’re a fan of Sherlock and Doctor Who, here’s a series I can almost guarantee you’ll love! This is the Rivers of London (Peter Grant) series, written by Ben Aaronovitch.
The books are set in London, and follow the adventures of biracial Peter Grant, the first wizard to be discovered in the police force in fifty years. Peter finds himself averting various magical disasters and along the way has a relationship with a river, a dog and a faceless villain. And no, it’s not like Harry Potter. Well, it is a bit…
Once you’re hooked, there are FIVE books to discover. And it’s not one of those series that has a couple of not-so-good stories. All these books are great. And, as a bonus, there’s another, called The Furthest Station, coming out this year.
Why is it like Doctor Who?
Well, for a start Aaronovitch was a writer for Doctor Who! So of course he really knows how to capture the London voice. There’s this deeply ironic, subversive, gallows-humour that pervades the series. And of course, the city itself makes a fantastic setting; there’s the underground, the history and – did I mention the rivers?
Blurb:
“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.”
Best Quote:
“My name is Peter Grant and I am a member of that mighty army for justice known to all right thinking people as the Metropolitan Police and as ‘the filth’ by everyone else.”
Where can I find?
Here’s links to the Amazon listings for these books:
Rivers of London (published in the US as Midnight Riot)
Extras
There’s a heap of additional material: comic books, novellas, short stories. If, like me, you’re a bit confused about what fits where, check out Aaronovitch’s website.
Hope you enjoy!
