523:, with reviewer Joshua Hill stating "Ben Aaronovitch has written a book that never left me disappointed in the choices he made as author, nor in the choices of his characters," referring partly to the characters subdued reaction to the supernatural, which is uncommon in this genre. He further states that "All in all, you have to read this book. Whether you like good writing, good fantasy or urban fantasy, good characters, or simply a breath-taking story set in a breath-taking world, this book is for you."
530:, Thomas Wagner awarded the novel three out of a possible five stars, stating that "the more frenzied and harrowing the action becomes, the more it feels exhausting and excessive rather than thrilling." and citing the novel's inconsistent tone as another detractor. Tempering this, however, he does describe the novel's plot as "surprising and imaginative" and the novel as a whole "highly energized". In a review for
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Peter Grant, having become the first
English apprentice wizard in over seventy years, must immediately deal with two different but ultimately related cases. In one he must find what is possessing ordinary people and turning them into vicious killers, and in the second he must broker a peace between
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The
American edition of the book shows a figure in silhouette carrying a gun in one hand, with a ball of fire floating in the other. Earlier editions of the cover showed the character's face in photographic detail, but a later version reduced this to a silhouette. This change drew criticism for
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Mat Coward stated, of
Aaronovitch himself, "he can really write, with a light touch to his humour and characters that really stand out." and followed this with "This novel is a pure delight and I can't wait for the next in the series." Fellow writer Sam Downing praised the novel's humour and
536:, Matt Brown found the plot to be unbelievable, stating that "Emotion is almost entirely absent." and quipping "If you’re looking for a deep novel, this is more trickling Walbrook than mighty Thames." He does, however, also praise the book's "pace, ingenuity and creativity".
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appearing to intentionally disguise the fact that the book's protagonist was black, and Del Rey later changed their cover policy. Having adopted the UK style "Walters" covers for the release of
291:
Detective Chief
Inspector Alexander Seawoll; The SIO (Senior Investigation Officer) of the MIT (Murder Investigation Team) assigned to investigate the death of William Skirmish.
495:
The novel was well received, with reviewers citing
Aaronovitch's juxtaposition of the magical and the mundane and his storytelling prowess as the novel's main attractors.
1345:
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characters and found it "one of those 'Aww, I’m at the office already? I wanna keep reading nooooow'-style books." The novel was also well reviewed by Saxon
Bullock of
234:
award. The author Ben
Aaronovitch has subsequently written nine books in the Peter Grant Series, plus accompanying novellas, short stories, comics and graphic novels.
1350:
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is a great example of how it's not always about having an astoundingly new idea.", praising
Aaronovitch's knowledge of London and his fresh and "clever" approach.
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Police
Constable Peter Grant; an officer in the Metropolitan Police who, having completed his mandatory probationary period, is expected to do paperwork.
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Police
Constable Lesley May; an officer in the Metropolitan Police who, having completed her mandatory probationary period, is expected to go far.
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has been translated into 14 languages including French, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Hungarian, Portuguese, Japanese and Czech.
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Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale; head of the Folly and the last officially sanctioned English Wizard.
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761:"Really fantastic rivers, ghosts and hammers / Fiction / Non-Fiction / Books / Culture / Home - Morning Star"
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The novel draws a great deal on the historical and mythological background of London and the Thames Valley.
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who awarded it five out of five stars and stated the novel was "Witty, imaginative and gripping,
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Father Thames; aka "The Old Man of the River" God of the River Thames or at least the bits above
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Cecilia Tyburn Thames; aka Lady Ty, another "daughter" of Mama Thames and goddess of the
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713:"The Macomb Daily Blogs: Bitsoli's Biblio Files: Judging a publisher by its cover"
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Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Folsom; a highly placed ally of Lady Ty.
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The novel centres on the adventures of Peter Grant, a young officer in the
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Inspector Neblett; Peter and Lesley's shift commander and line manager at
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The Gollancz cover is based upon a detail from Stephen Walter's artwork
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Richard "Lord" Grant; Peter's father, a jazz musician and heroin addict.
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the two warring gods of the River Thames and their respective families.
618:"Galaxy shortlist gives Hollinghurst a second go against Booker rivals"
126:
543:, was well received and was shortlisted for the Crimefest Award 2012.
1065:"Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London novels are set for TV adaptation"
643:"Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London novels are set for TV adaptation"
573:"Authors : Aaronovitch, Ben : Science Fiction Encyclopedia"
459:
and its tributaries. Most prominent after the Thames itself include
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Detective Sergeant Miriam Stephanopoulos; DCI Seawoll's case manager.
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The US version of the cover, with controversial silhouetted figure.
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Oxley; one of the "sons" of Father Thames and his chief negotiator.
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The novel did not, however, receive universal praise. Writing for
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Brent; a nursery age "daughter" of Mama Thames and goddess of the
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Lea; the most senior "daughter" of Mama Thames and goddess of the
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and cryptopathologist, a "gingery" Scot who converted to Islam.
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835:"Rivers of London (aka Midnight Riot) / Ben Aaronovitch ☆☆☆"
321:
Beverley Brook; "daughter" of Mama Thames and goddess of a
21:
For more information on subterranean rivers of London, see
737:. Temporarilysignificant.blogspot.co.uk. 26 February 2004
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Some of the characters are strongly associated with the
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Fleet; another "daughter" of Mama Thames goddess of the
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Anna Maria de Burgh Coppinger; aka Isis, wife of Oxley.
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Molly; The Folly's domestic helper, of unknown species.
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The unabridged audio recording of the novel, read by
735:"Temporarily Significant: All Change for US Covers!"
222:. The novel was released on 10 January 2011 through
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Cultural depictions of Metropolitan Police officers
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667:"Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch – book review"
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951:"∂| FantasyMagazine | I fiumi di Londra"
857:"Book Review: Rivers of London By Ben Aaronovitch"
790:"Book review: Rivers of London, Ben Aaronovitch"
812:"Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch reviewed"
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928:"Ben Aaronovitch: Geisterbahn durch London «"
383:Ash; a "son" of Father Thames and god of the
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250:that deals with magic and the supernatural.
226:and was well received by critics, earning a
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974:"Temporarily Significant: Now in Spanish!"
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690:"Temporarily Significant: Stephen Walter"
1346:Culture associated with the River Thames
930:(in German). Die Presse. 21 January 2012
1045:. Temporarilysignificant.blogspot.co.uk
1022:. Temporarilysignificant.blogspot.co.uk
999:. Temporarilysignificant.blogspot.co.uk
976:. Temporarilysignificant.blogspot.co.uk
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1351:Speculative crime and thriller fiction
880:"Watson on CrimeFest Awards shortlist"
435:, they announced that new editions of
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212:in the US) is the first novel in the
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995:Aaronovitch, Ben (23 January 2014).
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284:Dr Abdul Haqq Walid; world-renowned
1041:Aaronovitch, Ben (24 August 2015).
336:and a key "associate" of the Folly.
263:Characters introduced in this novel
972:Aaronovitch, Ben (26 April 2012).
949:Cottogni, Pino (31 January 2012).
688:Aaronovitch, Ben (18 April 2011).
665:Bullock, Saxon (14 January 2011).
575:. Sf-encyclopedia. 31 October 2011
230:nomination for Aaronovitch in the
14:
616:Flood, Alison (17 October 2011).
551:As well as the American edition,
711:Bitsoli, Stephen (6 July 2011).
405:The Theatre Royal, Covent Garden
308:Brandon Coopertown; her husband.
1018:Aaronovitch, Ben (8 May 2013).
1321:Rivers of London (book series)
953:(in Italian). Fantasy Magazine
878:Allen, Katie (26 April 2012).
439:will match the British cover.
1:
788:Downing, Sam (25 June 2011).
595:Rivers of London (Book, 2011)
23:Subterranean rivers of London
16:2011 novel by Ben Aaronovitch
1221:What Abigail Did That Summer
859:. Londonist. 28 January 2011
759:Coward, Mat (1 April 2011).
471:, and mentions are given to
314:Mama Thames; Goddess of the
906:"Les rivières de Londres ~"
297:Augusta Coopertown; Danish
228:Galaxy National Book Awards
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519:was also well reviewed by
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1361:Victor Gollancz Ltd books
1331:Novels by Ben Aaronovitch
1258:Remembrance of the Daleks
833:Wagner, Thomas M (2011).
111:10 January 2011
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332:) Fire Investigator, ex-
215:Rivers of London series
1356:Bureaucracy in fiction
1336:English fantasy novels
904:Zedd (14 March 2012).
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232:New Writer of the Year
1149:Whispers Under Ground
814:. Fantasy Book Review
541:Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
433:Whispers Under Ground
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399:Henry Pyke; vengeful
1341:Novels set in London
1213:Tales from the Folly
1181:The Furthest Station
908:(in French). Elbakin
328:Frank Caffrey; LFB (
1326:2011 British novels
1250:Bernice Summerfield
1229:Amongst Our Weapons
521:Fantasy Book Review
403:actor, formerly of
330:London Fire Brigade
244:Metropolitan Police
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997:"Hungarian Cover!"
715:. The Macomb Daily
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286:gastroenterologist
218:by English author
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1020:"Japanese Cover!"
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1047:. Retrieved
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1024:. Retrieved
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1001:. Retrieved
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978:. Retrieved
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955:. Retrieved
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932:. Retrieved
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851:
839:. Retrieved
837:. Sf Reviews
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816:. Retrieved
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768:. Retrieved
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622:The Guardian
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597:. WorldCat.
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577:. Retrieved
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467:, Oxley and
457:River Thames
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394:Isaac Newton
354:River Tyburn
316:River Thames
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194:(2011)
189:
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18:
1298:Genius Loci
1266:Battlefield
1248:Doctor Who/
1205:False Value
1049:8 September
1026:16 November
863:28 November
841:28 November
818:28 November
795:28 November
770:28 November
719:28 November
696:28 November
673:25 November
627:25 November
579:25 November
378:River Brent
364:River Fleet
323:small river
1315:Categories
884:Bookseller
692:. Blogspot
559:References
528:SF Reviews
451:The rivers
443:Background
425:The Island
301:living in
299:expatriate
258:Characters
115:2011-01-10
1114:Works by
603:660533764
533:Londonist
491:Reception
473:the Effra
385:River Ash
371:River Lea
303:Hampstead
180:660533764
142:paperback
96:Publisher
1003:6 August
889:26 April
401:revenant
224:Gollancz
138:hardback
100:Gollancz
56:Language
1274:Transit
465:Lady Ty
136:Print (
127:England
113: (
59:English
1301:(2006)
1293:(1997)
1285:(1995)
1277:(1992)
1269:(1989)
1261:(1988)
1240:(2023)
1232:(2022)
1224:(2021)
1216:(2020)
1208:(2020)
1200:(2019)
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