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robotswithpersonality's review against another edition
Evidently Aaronovitch is superb at creating a story of any length in which Peter Grant uses magic, science, police procedure and architectural know how to crack the case. I've enjoyed all the extant novels and the short story collection in the Rivers of London series, and can now vouch for this novella length entry as well. On to the next!
Regarding this particular novella: Always here for cheeky new river gods, commiseration about the dreary realities of morning commutes, and any ghosts that like to chat, for case solving purposes or just a little local colour. Some perennial favourites showing up: Abigail, Nightingale, Beverley, Post-Martin, as well as a cameo from a character I was glad to see pop up again.
Audiobook means highlighting quotes is a bit more challenging, but I was particularly struck (and had free hands) at the moment this one came to my ears:
"Only Molly can make breakfast in bed a sinister experience, but over the years I've managed to repress my instinct to leap up screaming." 😆
⚠️animal death
Regarding this particular novella: Always here for cheeky new river gods, commiseration about the dreary realities of morning commutes, and any ghosts that like to chat, for case solving purposes or just a little local colour. Some perennial favourites showing up: Abigail, Nightingale, Beverley, Post-Martin, as well as a cameo from a character I was glad to see pop up again.
Audiobook means highlighting quotes is a bit more challenging, but I was particularly struck (and had free hands) at the moment this one came to my ears:
"Only Molly can make breakfast in bed a sinister experience, but over the years I've managed to repress my instinct to leap up screaming." 😆
⚠️animal death
annvsted87's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
bgskinner's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
fdr_girl's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
okevamae's review against another edition
3.0
(I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)
A nice little addition, good for fans of this series. As usual, Peter's voice is very distinct, all dry wit, enthusiasm for his job and a comprehensive knowledge of his city. The details paint a vivid picture, and Aaronovitch keeps just enough of Peter's wit and personality in descriptive passages to keep it from being an out-and-out infodump.
I assume this story is filling a gap and setting up some things that will be further explored in a later novel. Or at least, I hope so, since the story lines I am thinking of - I'll just say the Abigail and Chess story lines, avoiding specifics to avoid spoilers - neither of them felt especially well resolved, particularly the Chess story line. If it's not brought up again later, it's just a random idea he liked but couldn't fit into a novel, which would be fine if it felt resolved at the end, but it doesn't. I have faith we will be seeing Abigail again though (it was nice to see her again, I had been wondering what was happening there.)
All in all, it's fun if you're a big fan of the series, but you'd be fine if you skipped it.
A nice little addition, good for fans of this series. As usual, Peter's voice is very distinct, all dry wit, enthusiasm for his job and a comprehensive knowledge of his city. The details paint a vivid picture, and Aaronovitch keeps just enough of Peter's wit and personality in descriptive passages to keep it from being an out-and-out infodump.
I assume this story is filling a gap and setting up some things that will be further explored in a later novel. Or at least, I hope so, since the story lines I am thinking of - I'll just say the Abigail and Chess story lines, avoiding specifics to avoid spoilers - neither of them felt especially well resolved, particularly the Chess story line. If it's not brought up again later, it's just a random idea he liked but couldn't fit into a novel, which would be fine if it felt resolved at the end, but it doesn't. I have faith we will be seeing Abigail again though (it was nice to see her again, I had been wondering what was happening there.)
All in all, it's fun if you're a big fan of the series, but you'd be fine if you skipped it.
priya_haha's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dolios's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
katieinca's review against another edition
4.0
Just the novella I was looking for. Mostly Peter, with appearances from many of my favorite secondary characters, with a bonus aside about a new preschool aged river god. The story works well at this length. It's also kind forgettable, as these stories outside the main novel chronology go, so I don't feel that I skipped it on my first pass through, and you shouldn't either.