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katieinca's review against another edition
5.0
Everything I love about this series, and then some. Finally, Peter's detailed knowledge of architecture becomes highly relevant to a case! Also, I'm starting to notice that Aaronovitch drops like clues that I expect to be revisited later in the book, and then they're not. When do they come back? What is the long game? Should I be keeping a notebook ? (Probably, yes).
saritaroth's review against another edition
4.0
Favorite Quote of the Book - "Two hundred and forty tons of locomotive can mess up your whole day."
For those of you who have not read this book, which is probably most of you, I will lend some context to the above quote. Peter and his mentor, Detective Chief Inspector Nightingale, are called to a number of different violent crime scenes, one of which involves a man who apparently threw himself under a train. Hence, the above quote. It is discovered later that the man was likely coerced to commit suicide. The humor in the Rivers of London series is often dark and even disturbing, but I tend to like that type of humor.
Peter continues to scramble to try and find the Faceless Man, the one supposedly responsible for all the killings. In his struggles, he discovers a disturbing bit of information that he and the reader do not see coming. I don't want to give too much away, but let's just say that someone Peter trusted betrays him in the worst way.
I know, in the past, I have criticized these books for being blatantly, grammatically incorrect. This time, however, the use of incorrect grammar did not bother me so much. I think the reason for this is that, prior to reading this book, I was reading another book entitled, "From The Corner Of His Eye" by Dean Koontz. Normally, I am a big fan of Dean Koontz, but I just could not get into that book. Because of that, once I began reading this book, I was able to overlook the grammatical discrepancies. I kept thinking that at least this book was interesting and humorous.
For those of you who have not read this book, which is probably most of you, I will lend some context to the above quote. Peter and his mentor, Detective Chief Inspector Nightingale, are called to a number of different violent crime scenes, one of which involves a man who apparently threw himself under a train. Hence, the above quote. It is discovered later that the man was likely coerced to commit suicide. The humor in the Rivers of London series is often dark and even disturbing, but I tend to like that type of humor.
Peter continues to scramble to try and find the Faceless Man, the one supposedly responsible for all the killings. In his struggles, he discovers a disturbing bit of information that he and the reader do not see coming. I don't want to give too much away, but let's just say that someone Peter trusted betrays him in the worst way.
I know, in the past, I have criticized these books for being blatantly, grammatically incorrect. This time, however, the use of incorrect grammar did not bother me so much. I think the reason for this is that, prior to reading this book, I was reading another book entitled, "From The Corner Of His Eye" by Dean Koontz. Normally, I am a big fan of Dean Koontz, but I just could not get into that book. Because of that, once I began reading this book, I was able to overlook the grammatical discrepancies. I kept thinking that at least this book was interesting and humorous.
alanaheade's review against another edition
3.0
2.5/3
Very average until about the second last chapter. Literally nothing happened, I have no idea what the plot was
Very average until about the second last chapter. Literally nothing happened, I have no idea what the plot was
pyropaws's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
walium's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-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
3.5
paperpaladin's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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
4.5
The fourth book in this series and it feels like Aaronvitch has found his footing. I have been really enjoying this series but after the set up in book one, it has felt like Aaronvitch has been having some trouble figuring out the direction that he wanted the series to go in. In the last book, I felt like he was struggling the most with this, trying to figure out how much time to dedicate to the mystery of the week vs how much time to give to the faceless man. In this book he solved he problem by giving them equal time and having them more connected to one another.
I think the mystery in this book is stronger than the last though it is not the strongest. I love all the characters still and you get to see them in different ways this time. Seeing Nightingale go off magically was really fun. This book has me excited to read more in the series again. Note: This one does end on a bigger cliff hanger that might make you want to have the next one ready. Having not read it yet, I don't know if it will help.
My rating system
1 - Did not enjoy
2 - Not irredeemable but has too many flaws to say I enjoyed
3 - Enjoyed it
4 - Great book but didn't love it
5 - Amazing book
I think the mystery in this book is stronger than the last though it is not the strongest. I love all the characters still and you get to see them in different ways this time.
My rating system
1 - Did not enjoy
2 - Not irredeemable but has too many flaws to say I enjoyed
3 - Enjoyed it
4 - Great book but didn't love it
5 - Amazing book
h_nnah's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
hannuuh's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0