Stone and Sky, by Ben Aaronovitch

Wizard and Detective Sergeant Peter Grant, his river goddess partner Beverly and their two-year old twins are meant to be on holiday, but find themselves accompanied on a trip to Scotland by his parents, his Dad’s jazz band and the Folly team for investigating weird bollocks. They are looking into reports of a large black panther, possibly supernatural, and find themselves in the middle of a murder investigation. The victim had gills and is connected to the water-based fae communities in and around Aberdeen. The disappearance of an academic who is researching extending the life of fossil fuel resources may also be connected. Luckily Peter gets to work with the usual pragmatic local copper, smoothing the path, but his apprentice cousin Abigail’s blooming romance could prove to be hindrance or help. These dark fantasy stories, grounded on a base of routine police work, are always a delight, although occasionally get a bit bogged down in descriptive detail. The alternating POV between Peter and Abigail adds to the tale, but gets a tad confusing at times.

Winter’s Gifts, by Ben Aaronovitch

A lake is the only body of water in this latest Rivers of London tale, which moves away from Europe to the US and Peter Grant’s FBI contact. Special Agent Kimberley Reynolds is called to the wilds of Wisconsin by a report of ‘unusual activity’ from a former agent. She finds an extreme weather event has destroyed selected parts of the town and her informant is missing. A terrible force has awakened that is linked to historic events and threatens death and destruction unless Kimberly can find a way to stop it. She needs to identify who is an ally and who is an enemy, including the local indigenous spirits. Aaronovitch’s blend of horror, humour and romance transfer well to North America, tapping in to Indian culture for the supernatural elements of this short, sharp tale. It's good to find out more about Kimberley and interesting to see how a big C Christian deals with magic. But she’s not Peter, so hopefully future stories will return to the UK.

Amongst Our Weapons, by Ben Aaronovitch

Back in the Folly after his undercover adventures, Detective Constable Peter Grant has a new trainee in the Special Assessment Unit. Two mysterious murders lead the team of magical investigators in search of a set of platinum puzzle rings. Peter has to leave his beloved London for Manchester to repair relationships with magical engineers the Sons of Wayland. The Folly needs allies to combat a malign medieval spirit inadvertently released by erstwhile colleague Lesley May, while she was pursuing the rings. Meanwhile his other beloved, river goddess Beverley Brook, is about to give birth to twins, which will change their lives forever. The key to this mystery is to expect the unexpected and the same goes for Peter’s future in the police force. This novel was published in 2022, which means it may be a while to wait for any further adventures of Peter Grant, his family and friends. Hopefully not too long.

False Value, by Ben Aaronovitch

Peter Grant has left the Met and is working in security for tech company. Or is he actually working undercover? The answer is not long withheld as our intrepid magical detective finds himself battling on several fronts. Fortunately he also has extra allies as the magical world keeps expanding. The complicated storyline involves rogue libertarian librarian practitioners from the US, because why not? Peter’s partner, river goddess Beverly Brook, is six months pregnant with twins, which adds extra complications to his personal and professional life. Much amusement is to be found from the tech bros, particularly around their idiosyncratic behaviours and naming protocols. With the unmasking and death of the Faceless Man there was a need for a new big bad enemy. Is it the Australian/American tech billionaire Terence Skinner or are there darker forces at work behind him? Although she does not rear her formerly ugly head in this book, it seems likely that Lesley May is involved somehow. Future volumes will no doubt reveal all.

The October Man, by Ben Aaronovitch

Although it references to the Rivers of London characters, this novella and short story is actually more Rivers of Germany. It features Peter Grant’s German counterpart Tobias Winter, investigating a mysterious vineyard death in the Mosel valley. His local police liaison is Vanessa Summer, a pragmatic offsider who makes a useful ally and potential recruit. While the story is a bit of fun, its chief role is in providing a deeper and richer backdrop to the Rivers of London world, filling in some gaps on postwar relationships and developments in magical communities. It would be great to see Peter Grant and Tobias Winter meet up and even work together in a future tale, so hopefully that is where the series is heading as the ranks of the international magical police expand.

Lies Sleeping, by Ben Aaronovitch

Now a detective, Peter Grant is a key member of the task force trying to thwart the twisted ambitions of Martin Chorley, aka the Faceless Man. The action is all centred around St Paul’s, in the heart of the City of London, with Chorley trying to harness the power of an ancient vengeful spirit. Can Peter persuade former colleague Lesley to repudiate her allegiance to the dark side and help defeat it, or will she double down? The Met has finally thrown substantial resources at the Folly – magic HQ, but all that Peter loves is at risk and it will take all of his alliances to overcome this most formidable adversary. The fight takes even more of a toll than usual, but there is promise for the future too, both personally and professionally.

The Furthest Station, by Ben Aaronovitch

The seventh book in the Rivers of London series is a super short one, more of a novella or a longish short story than a novel. It takes us back to the London Underground, with a series of ghostly encounters reported on the Metropolitan Line. Constable Peter Grant and his teen cousin Abigail must get to the bottom of magical messages that could lead to solving a non-magical crime. No sign of the faceless man or erstwhile colleague Lesley in this brief tale, but the scene is set for Abigail to be properly apprenticed to the magical unit of the Metropolitan Police.

The Hanging Tree, by Ben Aaronovitch

Formidable river goddess Lady Tyburn’s daughter is caught up in the drug-related death of a fellow rich kid and Constable Peter grant owes her a favour. Of course the crime turns out to have a supernatural element so Peter is drawn in on two fronts, with the associated search for a powerful stolen magical text. A lot of other magical practitioners also want the book, leading to a multiple magical tussle. The tale see the return of Lesley May, face restored, and her boss the Faceless Man, whose connection to the case is unexpected. The Rivers of London universe is expanding to reveal all sorts of new creatures and practitioners, some of whom make dubious allies to Peter Grant and his colleagues. It is always a joy to see Peter blending standard policing techniques with magical innovations to solve the crime. This book takes him a step closer to defeating the Faceless Man as his abilities and networks expand.

All the Murmuring Bones, by AG Slattard

Miren is the last of O’Malleys, a formerly rich and dominant family that attained its status with an unholy bargain with the mer people. They have not kept the bargain for several generations and have fallen on hard times, but Merin’s grandmother plans to restore their fortunes through Merin’s marriage to her cousin. This sends Merin on a quest for her true history and her independence. Good and moral people are few and far between in this dark tale full of witches, selkies, shape shifters and water horses. It’s a strange world, reminiscent of 18th century Ireland and filled with creatures from folk tales, but with some interesting quirks. Merin’s courage and determination sees her fight for her freedom, drawing on a murky salt water heritage heritage for the tools she needs to survive, but ultimately demonstrating that decency can win.

Foxglove Summer, by Ben Aaronovitch

Constable Peter Grant has been sent out of London to the Welsh border, ostensibly to follow up a magical lead but also for a change of scene, following the devastating betrayal by colleague Lesley May. But the countryside turns out to be not so peaceful as two young girls have gone missing and Peter stays to lend a hand. He soon discovers a magical element to the disappearance and is seconded to the taskforce searching for them. He has the assistance and consolation of river goddess Beverley Brook, as well as local copper Dominic Croft. In amongst dealing with the Fae, changelings and aggressive invisible unicorns, Peter has to deal with texts from Lesley, treading a fine line between the personal and professional. The danger is in the woods at night. Will this city boy be able to navigate the tricky trees and make it back to London? It’s good to see Peter’ character develop as this series continues. He is growing up and showing just why he is a cop – and a trainee wizard.

Broken Homes, by Ben Aaronovitch

The action moves south of the river when the magical investigators of the Metropolitan Police look into an apparent suicide at a London Tube station. Trainee wizard constable Peter Grant and his damaged colleague Lesley May go undercover in an iconic tower block, Skygarden, designed in the 60s by a revolutionary architect, who also may have had magical connections. Their old adversary the Faceless Man seems to be involved, but the team are puzzled as to his interest in Skygarden. Peter’s teenage cousin Abigail makes a few appearances in this tale, possibly flagging her trajectory in future books. Lesley forms an unlikely relationship with an unusual character from the previous book, underlining Peter’s cluelessness with women. The action is fast and it can be tricky to keep track of all the various elements and characters and how they are related – or not. Peter’s confidence and competence are growing, despite the doubts of his boss, but a major betrayal shocks them both and seriously undermines their chances of stopping their most dangerous enemy.

Whispers Underground, by Ben Aaronovitch

The London Underground is the setting for this third book in the Rivers of London series. Constable Peter Grant’s colleague Lesley May has joined him at The Folly as an apprentice wizard. She is still recovering from the horrific facial injuries inflicted by magic in the first book, but is gradually discarding her mask. In this tale the murder of a young American student leads to discovery of a secret underground village of a previously unknown species of magical humans. Peter’s young cousin Abigail makes another appearance, expanding the team of magic learners. All hands are likely to be needed as the so-far fruitless search for the Faceless man and his evil associates ramps up. A lesson in the history and geography of London always comes with these books and this mostly adds to their entertainment.

Moon Over Soho, by Ben Aaronovitch

London jazz musicians have been dying immediately after gigs and while initially deemed to be of natural causes, there is a pattern that looks suspicious. Quite apart from his role as apprentice wizard in a special unit of the Metropolitan Police, Constable Peter Grant is uniquely placed to investigate the mystery. His dad is an almost famous jazz trumpeter, derailed by his addictions, who has taken up keyboard and is hoping for a second chance career. As if the jazz vampires weren’t enough, there is also a ‘dark lady’ wreaking horror on not-so innocent men. This uncovers the working of a dark wizard, who looks likely to cause trouble for Peter and his colleagues in future books. The plot gets a bit convoluted and the usually sharp Peter stays a long way behind the reader in identifying a likely suspect. This is possibly a commentary on how even the best young men can be led by their anatomy. The author’s trademark dry wit makes for an entertaining read, with the history and geography of London an intrinsic part of the tale.

Rivers of London, by Ben Aaronovitch

PC Peter Grant is guarding a murder scene in London's Covent Garden when he encounters a ghost. This changes the course of his career with the Metropolitan Police and the course of his life. Destined for a paperwork assignment, instead he becomes an apprentice wizard to the mysterious Inspector Nightingale. This puts him at the pointy end of the murder investigation and he has to learn fast how to deal with the supernatural, both benign and malevolent. Aaronovitch seamlessly weaves the history of London with the operations of the Met and the everyday concerns of a young man about town, in a style reminiscent of Neil Gaiman. His wry humour leavens the often gory and brutal action faced by his appealing hero, who has an interesting back story and a fascinating future. The rivers of the tale are the spirits of the city’s waterways, who have their own agenda that could hinder or help Peter’s investigation and career.