Midnight Riot

Great start to a new Urban Fantasy series - 4 1/2 Stars

While Ben Aaronovitch has written some Doctor Who tie-in novels, this is his first original novel and his urban fantasy debut. Midnight Riot / Rivers of London is quite simply fabulous. It's a mystery, police procedural, and urban fantasy wrapped in a rich mythology of London's rivers. I find it interesting that this novel has two different covers and two different titles. This is not the first time this has happened in the history of novels, of course. I find it interesting because the covers and titles reflect two different aspects of the same story. "Midnight Riot" is the US title; "Rivers of London" is the UK title. "Rivers of London" seems to emphasize the fantasy construct underlying the story: a mythology of London's rivers. Peter Grant, the main character, has to deal with issues created by the rivers. He deals directly with the gods and goddesses of the rivers and streams - the rivers personified. "Midnight Riot" seems to emphasize the police procedural aspect of the novel. A terrible chain of events has been set off. The mystery underlying the crimes comes from London's past. These two themes of the novel intertwine sometimes in surprising, but satisfying, ways. Themes aside, this is essentially a story about Peter Grant. I find Detective Constable Grant to be a likable, flawed character. He makes mistakes. He's sometimes foolish, but he's got a curious mind and a willingness to learn. He's also got a scientific mind which would seem at odds with his new assignment working with DCI Nightingale investigating crimes that involve magic. However, this serves him well as he starts to navigate the world of magic. It's incredibly fun to read about his attempts at magic and watch him begin his journey to wizardom. He's starting to grow into both his jobs - Detective Constable and wizard. The characters both paranormal and normal are well written. The river gods and goddesses are particularly well drawn. I'm intrigued by DCI Nightingale and hope to learn more about him in future books. The pacing is well done. The police procedures are detailed and interesting. There is quite a bit of detail about London and environs, which I enjoyed. I love the understated humor that suffuses Midnight Riot / Rivers of London. I'm looking forward to Moon Over Soho (March 1, 2011). I give Midnight Riot / Rivers of London 4 1/2 Qwills.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

terrific urban fantasy police procedural

Because rookie British police officer Peter Grant can see ghosts, his superior at the Metropolitan Police Department, Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, switches him from the tedious clerical Case Progression Unit to assist on paranormal cases. Thus he sends the probationer new kid on the magical block to school for wizard training.

Nightingale investigates a horrific serial assault case in which the violent attackers usually have their face fall off, but he has made no progress. The violence expands with fears that an epidemic will overwhelm the city and ultimately the nation. He knows he needs Grant who accelerates his formal magic education so he can help solve an ugly case that has it roots in the nation's rivers.

This is a terrific urban fantasy police procedural in which the two cops make the unbelievable believable; especially the inexperienced Grant. The fast-paced yet meandering story line is loaded with action from the onset as the mentor and mentee work a challenging investigation in which an ancient has arisen to stir the troubled waters. Sub-genre fans will enjoy Ben Aaronovitch's view of London in this witty well written riot.

Harriet Klausner

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Great book - confusing title

My husband bought me the third book in this series in London, not knowing there were other books that came before it. I started reading it, then by about page 12 realized it must be part of a series, since there were several important plot points that were skimmed over - more like a gentle reminder to readers of previous books than an initial introduction. Anyway, the front of the book listed "Rivers of London" as the name of the first book so I searched everywhere for it, but could only find it used for way more money than a 2-year-old book should cost. I have access to 3 different library systems but none had it. Eventually, I went to the author's web site, where I finally found out that it was released under a different name ("Midnight Riot") and very different cover image in the US. Don't know why they do that. Besides, "Rivers of London" is really a much better title for the book.
I was sucked into this series from page one, once I really started from the beginning. I read all three books back-to-back and am very happy that the next book is coming out soon (and that the name is the same on both sides of the Atlantic!). I wouldn't say I'm a fan of occult fiction per-se, but the magic here is tempered by some skepticism on the part of several major characters, including the protagonist, and quite a bit of fairly accurate scientific information. I think that's what makes the magic more believable here.
The major plot lines in each book are interesting and slightly different, which keeps it fresh, and there is plenty of humor alongside the 'magical police detective' story to keep it light.
Bottom line: Once I actually started from the beginning, I loved it and couldn't put it down. Would recommend it to people who enjoy Janet Evanovich, Sara Paretsky, and Sue Grafton. Similar smart but slightly inept protagonist - although here he is male unlike the female detectives in the other authors' work - working to solve crimes with a bit of magic.

This is a terrifically entertaining  police procedural... if tha

This is a terrifically entertaining  police procedural... if that's the London Magic Police.  This urban fantasy novel is a page turner!  It's sometimes violent or horrifying and very often funny.  Beautifully written.  Great hero.  Fascinating urban mythology.  In some ways this book reminds me of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere.  High praise!

Entertaining Urban Fantasy

Reminiscent of the early Harry Dresden books, with a delighful sense of humor.

Good fun

Great for Anglophiles; better than Mike Carey. A quick read, and lots of fun.

Delightful Read

Ordinarily I'm not a fan of urban fantasy novels, so I don't know what posessed me to try this, but I'm very glad I did. This was a delightful story to read. The fantastical elements were seamlessly blended with the real, so that if one could posit a world where magic and supernatural beings existed, it would be logical for these elements to need policing, and this story would naturally result. The characters are vivid, realistic, and unique, and London has never been more appealing. (London is as integral to this series, as Gotham is to the Batman stories, or Ankh Morpork is to the Night Watch; in such stories, the city itself is a character.) The story, too, is well plotted and laced with wit and humor. Although I can catch echoes of the Dirk Gently stories, or Good Omens, this story is uniquely its own, and can stand beside them as something to turn to when craving something like those, but newer.

Well written Urban Fantasy Mystery

The glut of poorly written urban fantasies and paranormal erotica can make it hard to find a decent novel in the SF and Fantasy section of the bookstore. Ben Aaronovitch's Peter Grant novels are pearls in the pig sty. The main character is witty, flawed and likable and the fantasy elements are, if not exactly original, at least effectively deployed to keep the reader guessing. Overall Midnight Riot, and its sequel Moon Over Soho, are great fun and well worth the time.

Great New Series - Great New Writer!

One of the best reads I've found in a long time. Probably the best thing I can say about it is that once I finished it I went straight out and bought the sequel "Moon Over Soho" and I'm eagerly awaiting the next book this spring.

Ben Aaronovitch has leaped to the short list of My Favorite Writers and I don't expect he will ever be off of it. :)

Must-read book of 2011

This is one of the most enjoyable books I've read in a long time, certainly this year. Good police procedural, fascinating supernatural characters and really grounded in place. Definitely not your everyday vampire/werewolf mystery!

My minor quibble isn't really about the book at all. The original name (and cover), Rivers of London, is much better - I hate the practice of adapting books for different markets.

Very funny, and interesting

Great humor, with a most unusual premise.

Not too shabby

London is my home town and i have always had soft spot for any stories set in London. Ben has crafted a great story which made me smile at the references to both idioms which are very English and set in a place i know well. I will be buying his other books when i see them and look forward to reading more.

I love discovering a new author, it rare I discover one this entertaining.

Fascinating Characters!

I enjoyed the world building, and the mystery, but what makes this book worth buying is the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed Peter Grant's point of view. He's very observant of the people and world around him, which brings both the city of London and the other characters he meets to vibrant life. I was drawn into the story by all the telling details, and Peter's wry sense of humor. The secondary characters, like Leslie, Beverly, and Nightingale, were all a pleasure to meet and get to know. I will definitely be getting the next book.

Entertaining and fun read

Enjoyed this novel-there are some great, comic lines. I love English humor. This novel is set in modern England and the main character is an English constable-providig a nice change. This book is paranormal fantasy.

Highly enjoyable

Great light read to entertain.

So-So

I don't know why this took me so long to finish. All the right elements were there. It was funny, although more so in the beginning. An interesting plot. Likeable main characters. It was written well. It just seemed to drag a bit, although even the parts that were dragging were well written, I just didn't feel like slugging through them to get to the point. It wasn't bad by any means, and I could see why someone would rate it higher, maybe I just wasn't in the right mood.

Gushing like a teen-aged girl

I haven't felt so excited about a new Urban Fantasy book since Rob Thurman's Cal Leandros series came out. This book is fun! The author clearly knows his London, the characters are well developed, the action is fast-paced. 273 pages devoured in less than a day. On to the next book!

Two in a new Brit Urban fantasy series

Imaginative, fun references to London, and a Dr Who connection in the author

Smart and fast-paced

Enjoyable mystery and interesting world-building. Fans of the Dresden Files should give this series a chance.

Recommended - a fun read

I enjoyed the story! The plot, characters and setting are engaging (but disjointed at times). The author's style is humorous and interesting in and of itself. Some crass scenarios took away from the good stuff. The ending leaves the reader with questions and a sample of the next book in the series. Overall, very fun.