Reviews

Foxglove Summer by Ben Aaronovitch

northie's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Peter Grant finds himself in rural Herefordshire. This is border country with a long, complex history. Perhaps then, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that there's plenty of magic about. And strange birds, beasts, and country folk. PC Grant takes a while to find his feet but it's not too long before the case justifies his presence.

Herefordshire is a place I love and this helps to make Foxglove Summer my favourite Rivers of London novel so far. It's been quite some time since I last visited this universe. Rereading this book has whetted my appetite to continue in both directions - revisiting old friends and hopefully making new ones.

Kobna Holdbrook-Smith is a great narrator, clearly designating different characters and having just the right conversational tone for Peter's frequent asides.

mrs_bonaventure's review against another edition

4.0

Enjoyable tosh.. started because I had a couple of trips to London and these books are usually set in the metropolis. But this one was out in the Marches and drawing on faerie queens, heatwaves, unicorns, infidelity, a press pack, river goddesses and a good few pints. ‘‘Twas a damn good read.

stineym's review against another edition

dark funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

lorelei_reads'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? Yes

4.5

catherine22's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

songwind's review against another edition

4.0

It's always nice to spend some time with Peter Grant and Kobna Hollbrook-Smith.

The adventure this time around takes Peter out of London to a farming community where two girls have been abducted. It doesn't take long before Peter realizes there's some codename FALCON stuff going down.

This serves as Peter's introduction to another part of the demimonde. At the same time we get to see more of his technological tinkering with magic, his relationship with Beverly Brook, and the search for Leslie.

The writing has its same easy to follow feel and flow - no surprises here for fans of the series. I liked the story, and thought the things it added improve the world building and the overarching storylines.

fraser_c's review against another edition

emotional funny mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

This book differs from early entries in the series, but seeing PC Grant leave London and work on case beginning to end without diversion or distraction. 
We see the most character development yet, and see Grant at his most competent (but still a bit daft when the story calls for it).
Beverly’s untold tradecraft that runs through the book really rewards paying full attention, and comes to a head nicely at the end :)

heath_the_leaf's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

danileighta's review against another edition

4.0

I am devastated that the next few audiobooks are only available on Audible. My heart hurts.

aurora_coyoteluck's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny informative mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75