I was my dad's vinyl-wallah: I changed his records while he lounged around drinking tea, and that's how I know my Argo from my Tempo. And it's why,...
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Apr 04, 2011
Kevin
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I enjoyed this book, much as I did the previous book in this series Midnight Riot. The things that I liked about that book are still in force. The detecting is good, and it's a nice to have a detective that works with the police, instead of around them. I like the response of most of the regular officers to the introduction of paranormal elements to cases (i.e. 'deal with this, but keep me in the loop'). Another nice element is the carry through of the people and their states from MR, it's t
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Jan 23, 2012
Andrea
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I very much enjoy the world of this series - the story is leading us through the trials of a police force in an increasingly magical London very well. However, I spent much of this volume frustrated and annoyed with the main character.
Peter is an amusing fellow with a scientific turn of mind, always trying to unpick and understand how magic works. But he spends much of this book completely failing to _think_. <spoiler>Investigating what appears to be a female 'jazz vampire' More...
Peter is an amusing fellow with a scientific turn of mind, always trying to unpick and understand how magic works. But he spends much of this book completely failing to _think_. <spoiler>Investigating what appears to be a female 'jazz vampire' More...
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May 12, 2011
Christine
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The second Peter Grant mystery set in London revolves in part around the London jazz scene. Since Peter's the son of jazz legend Richard "Lord" Grant, he's got an inside track on solving the case, but he's still learning the ways of magic. We also learn more about the background of his mentor, Thomas Nightingale. This is a fun series that delves into urban fantasy in a new way, with lots of twists and turns in the plot. I like the background information on the inner workings of the Lon
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Jan 29, 2012
Niek
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Na het vorige boek Rivers of London per ongeluk te hebben gekocht (ik dacht dat het een graphic novel was gezien de kaft en had niet verder gekeken, dat heb je met internet) en daar verrassende wijs van te hebben genoten, kon ik dit volgende deel niet laten liggen. Ik heb het hier wel over delen maar de boeken kunnen prima afzonderlijk worden gelezen. Het zijn alleen deel 1 en 2 chronologisch gezien in de tijd, de setting en de hoofdpersonen maar de hoofdverhalen staan los van elkaar.[return]De
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Jan 08, 2012
Alytha
rated it:
Finished Moon Over Soho, the sequel to Midnight Riot, respectively Rivers of London, by Ben Aaronovitch.
Minor spoilers!
It's an OK novel, but I enjoyed the first one more. For one, the obsessive detailing of everything can get a bit annoying...every object is of a certain brand, to the extend where you wonder if he gets paid for it, and every food item is described in detail...unfortunately it also leads to mistakes, as, as far as I know, all kinds of iThings don't have remova More...
Minor spoilers!
It's an OK novel, but I enjoyed the first one more. For one, the obsessive detailing of everything can get a bit annoying...every object is of a certain brand, to the extend where you wonder if he gets paid for it, and every food item is described in detail...unfortunately it also leads to mistakes, as, as far as I know, all kinds of iThings don't have remova More...
Dec 05, 2011
Rosebee
rated it: 
It was ok, but not as good as the first in this series (Midnight Riot).
The first one was really intriguing and sucked me in - this one didn't. I didn't like the whole thing with Simone - it seemed there was too much gratuitous sex, that didn't really have believable basis for why it happened. And yes, that may have been part of the point, but it was a weak plot device that wasn't believable on its own.
Peter didn't seem real to me as a police detective in this book the w More...
The first one was really intriguing and sucked me in - this one didn't. I didn't like the whole thing with Simone - it seemed there was too much gratuitous sex, that didn't really have believable basis for why it happened. And yes, that may have been part of the point, but it was a weak plot device that wasn't believable on its own.
Peter didn't seem real to me as a police detective in this book the w More...
Dec 03, 2011
Gav
rated it: 
Kobna Holdbrook-Smith again reads the words of Ben Aaronovitch as we return to apprentice magician and wizard Peter Grant, who again takes us to the London that we all know is there under the surface. You know the one with jazz vampires, which is fortuitous considering Peter’s dad is a jazz loving trumpet player with a title in jazz scene.
Book two in the series (Rivers of London was the first) finds Aaronovitch more relaxed and leisurely, which is a blessing and a curse in some ways. I More...
Book two in the series (Rivers of London was the first) finds Aaronovitch more relaxed and leisurely, which is a blessing and a curse in some ways. I More...
Oct 01, 2011
Annmarie
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This is number 2 in this series, and it wasn't quite as good as the first. It's another detective urban fantasy novel with new policeman and wizard-in-training Peter Grant. Peter hears a magically induced jazz riff when he's magically checking a murdered body, and it leads him to what seems to be a series of murders that he starts semi-jestingly attributing to "jazz vampires". Also the "vagina dentata" case of the last minutes of the first book features, unfortunately, and it
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Jul 30, 2011
Lightreads
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Not as good as Rivers of London -- the plot is sloppy, he accidentally replaced the romance with a cliche, etc. – but I liked it anyway for reasons that had nothing to do with the London copper urban fantasy bits.
This book made so much sense to me. It’s all quiet and subliminal, the way it would be, but this first person narration is just so dead on for what it’s like to be the token minority. The unspoken sense that everyone else is always going to have an opinion bout you or a reac More...
This book made so much sense to me. It’s all quiet and subliminal, the way it would be, but this first person narration is just so dead on for what it’s like to be the token minority. The unspoken sense that everyone else is always going to have an opinion bout you or a reac More...
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Jul 06, 2011
sage
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jul 05, 2011
Clay
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“Midnight Riot” (Ballantine Del Rey, $7.99, 298 pages) and “Moon over Soho” (Ballantine Del Rey, $7.99, 288 pages) are a pair of witty, entertaining romps through a modern-day London that has a very active underground of gods, goddesses, demons, nymphs and the other usual suspects.
The hero is Peter Grant, an apprentice policeman in London (which is described in great detail throughout the book, so those who are familiar with the city will get even more out of the books), and he finds h More...
The hero is Peter Grant, an apprentice policeman in London (which is described in great detail throughout the book, so those who are familiar with the city will get even more out of the books), and he finds h More...
Aug 24, 2011
Mark
rated it:
Not being a Londoner, hell being a born and bread American, I appreciate the way Ben Aarononvitch paints London in this series. It makes me want to see England but not for all the touristy reason but rather for the almost-underbelly side of the town. To me that speaks volumes about the quality of the writing. The plot twist in this one was a little transparent but it is forgivable because the world Ben has created is vibrant enough that seeing the twist coming really doesn't matter. Ben is now o
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Sep 28, 2011
Catie
rated it:
3 1/2 stars
Whenever I contemplate continuing a series that I love, there’s always that little bit of anxiety in the back of my mind: will this one live up to the rest? Will I have to abandon yet another series? Well, if any of you out there are worried about this one, be at ease. This installment is lovely and I have no doubt that fans of the first book will enjoy this one just as much.
At the end of Midnight Riot (aka, Rivers of London), Peter had just learned of a ra More...
Whenever I contemplate continuing a series that I love, there’s always that little bit of anxiety in the back of my mind: will this one live up to the rest? Will I have to abandon yet another series? Well, if any of you out there are worried about this one, be at ease. This installment is lovely and I have no doubt that fans of the first book will enjoy this one just as much.
At the end of Midnight Riot (aka, Rivers of London), Peter had just learned of a ra More...
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Feb 17, 2012
Algernon
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The second book following the exploits of Police Constable Peter Grant confirms the good impression left by Rivers of London. The sarcastic yet enthusiastic young investigator is once again embroiled in investigating magical occurences that veer towards horror. The river gods from the previous novel take a back seat, and this time the focus is on the Soho promiscuous nightlife and on the jazz scene. We are treated with interesting trivia about London arhitecture, history and police procedures, d
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Jun 17, 2011
Mieneke
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Hurray, finally! I've been itching to get my hands on Moon Over Soho ever since finishing Rivers of London in January. So when we went on The Great London Book Spree of 2011, it was almost the first book that I picked up off the shelves. Only then I got waylaid, Wiebe started reading it before I could finish my then current read and I had to wait until he had finished it. Which was both frustrating and great. Frustrating because I wanted to read the book now - thank you very much - but great bec
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May 15, 2011
Nikki-ann
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This being the second book in a series, I’d advise reading Rivers of London first, otherwise you might find some parts of the book (including the first chapter) confusing. It’s definitely one of those series you’ll need to read in order.
An issue with the cover (of the hardback, at least) is that while it gives reference to the fact that it’s “The Sunday Times Best Selling Series”, it doesn’t mention what number book it is in the series. So those who haven’t read it before may not reali More...
An issue with the cover (of the hardback, at least) is that while it gives reference to the fact that it’s “The Sunday Times Best Selling Series”, it doesn’t mention what number book it is in the series. So those who haven’t read it before may not reali More...
Mar 17, 2011
Ranting
rated it:
http://www.rantingdragon.com/moon-over-s...
Moon Over Soho is the second book in Ben Aaronovitch’s Peter Grant series, the first being Midnight Riot (U.S.) or Rivers of London (U.K.). In his first adventure, Peter Grant, a magic-wielding constable, investigated a series of crimes tied to the theater. This time around, in Moon Over Soho, Peter takes on jazz: When a part-time jazz musician drops dead from what seems like a heart attack, the jazz notes lingering on his corpse indic More...
Moon Over Soho is the second book in Ben Aaronovitch’s Peter Grant series, the first being Midnight Riot (U.S.) or Rivers of London (U.K.). In his first adventure, Peter Grant, a magic-wielding constable, investigated a series of crimes tied to the theater. This time around, in Moon Over Soho, Peter takes on jazz: When a part-time jazz musician drops dead from what seems like a heart attack, the jazz notes lingering on his corpse indic More...
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Sep 09, 2011
William
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I really enjoyed Rivers of London, the first book in this series, and I thought Moon Over Soho was almost as good although the plot does take a while to really get going. The pacing is a little bit slow to begin with as Peter Grant starts to investigate two different sets of separate supernatural murders but it picks up pace in the second-half of the book and has a fast-moving climax. Both the mysteries are reasonably interesting, although the background history of Inspector Nightingale and the
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Sep 13, 2011
Kara-karina
rated it:
4.25/5
Another great story from Ben Aaronovitch. It's not as intense as the first one, but the humor and the observations are just as wry and brilliant.
I think what attracts me to this series is the language; you get unexpected bursts of laughter out of it and pretty much can quote from any page.
“Would you like me to arrest you?” I asked. That’s an old police trick: If you just warn people they often just ignore you, but if you ask them a question then they have More...
Another great story from Ben Aaronovitch. It's not as intense as the first one, but the humor and the observations are just as wry and brilliant.
I think what attracts me to this series is the language; you get unexpected bursts of laughter out of it and pretty much can quote from any page.
“Would you like me to arrest you?” I asked. That’s an old police trick: If you just warn people they often just ignore you, but if you ask them a question then they have More...
Oct 10, 2011
kvon
rated it:
Read on vacation. I really like the narrator's voice. He's a transition character, between wizards and mere mortals, immigrants and natives, rookie and policeman. Therefore he's able to comment more on seeing racism and classism, and police procedures and rankings, than other characters do. In this story, he's still learning magic and the history of English wizardry (which includes thankfully elided Latin lessons and spell practice). There are two murder investigations going on, which may o
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Aug 31, 2011
Wattle
rated it:
I must admit, before picking up 'Rivers of London' at the bookstore, I picked up 'Moon Over Soho' because the cover just grabbed me. It was pretty and looked interesting, and when I realised it was book 2 of a series I had to buy them both.
I know they say don't judge a book by its cover. But I do. A lot. I can't help myself.
Anyway. I really enjoyed the first book, and this one was just as fun. In fact, I think I liked it a bit more. In the first book we're just getting to kno More...
I know they say don't judge a book by its cover. But I do. A lot. I can't help myself.
Anyway. I really enjoyed the first book, and this one was just as fun. In fact, I think I liked it a bit more. In the first book we're just getting to kno More...
Nov 21, 2011
Melanti
rated it:
The scientific approach to magic makes me happy, though Peter's training is less prevalent in this book than in Midnight Riot.
But what I seriously dislike is Peter sharing details of his investigation with non-involved parties. I disliked him leaning on Lesley for assistance as much as he did in the previous novel, but at least she was a cop. But he also involved Beverly and I was dubious about that. In this installment, he involves Ash (who does a stakeout for him), a group of More...
But what I seriously dislike is Peter sharing details of his investigation with non-involved parties. I disliked him leaning on Lesley for assistance as much as he did in the previous novel, but at least she was a cop. But he also involved Beverly and I was dubious about that. In this installment, he involves Ash (who does a stakeout for him), a group of More...
Jan 14, 2012
Tim
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This book can be described in three words: Jazz, Magic and Soho. The follow up to "Rivers of London" continues the story of Detective Constable Peter Grant, trainee wizard working for a secret unit of the Metropolitan police - Economic Specialist Crime Unit 9 (ESC9) also known as ‘the folly’. He is called in to investigate after the death of Cyrus Wilkinson ‘a part time Jazz saxophonist and full time accountant’. He discovers that many more Jazz musicians have suffered similar suspici
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Jan 11, 2012
The_antichris
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Oct 23, 2011
Mark
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After "Rivers of London/ Midnight Riot" I was curious if mr. Aaronovitch could deliver another cracker of a tale. He did more than deliver.
Peter Grant is somewhat wiser in this story but at the same time finds out he has a lot to learn be it that he is talented in magic. We learn more about his boss and his life which is a boon. Also the "normal" world and magic world collisions are brilliantly done especially the distrust/respect the other police officers of the Me More...
Peter Grant is somewhat wiser in this story but at the same time finds out he has a lot to learn be it that he is talented in magic. We learn more about his boss and his life which is a boon. Also the "normal" world and magic world collisions are brilliantly done especially the distrust/respect the other police officers of the Me More...
Mar 18, 2011
Benni
rated it:
http://www.rantingdragon.com/moon-over-s...
Moon Over Soho is the second book in Ben Aaronovitch’s Peter Grant series, the first being Midnight Riot (U.S.) or Rivers of London (U.K.). In his first adventure, Peter Grant, a magic-wielding constable, investigated a series of crimes tied to the theater. This time around, in Moon Over Soho, Peter takes on jazz: When a part-time jazz musician drops dead from what seems like a heart attack, the jazz notes lingering on his corpse indicate a s More...
Moon Over Soho is the second book in Ben Aaronovitch’s Peter Grant series, the first being Midnight Riot (U.S.) or Rivers of London (U.K.). In his first adventure, Peter Grant, a magic-wielding constable, investigated a series of crimes tied to the theater. This time around, in Moon Over Soho, Peter takes on jazz: When a part-time jazz musician drops dead from what seems like a heart attack, the jazz notes lingering on his corpse indicate a s More...
Aug 12, 2011
Carole-Ann
rated it:
Another 'magical' romp through London with PC Peter Grant, this time centred around jazz musicians dropping dead after a gig in a jazz club. As he investigates, another line of enquiry builds regarding men who have died after having their 'tackle' gnawed away.
It's all linked together in obscure ways which Grant perceives and unravels. There is some chuckle-worthy dialogue; in-depth descriptions of famous jazz musicians; clever historical notes about London; and some red herrings defi More...
It's all linked together in obscure ways which Grant perceives and unravels. There is some chuckle-worthy dialogue; in-depth descriptions of famous jazz musicians; clever historical notes about London; and some red herrings defi More...
Nov 27, 2011
Mackenzie
rated it:
Ben Aaronovitch's second book about the wizard apprentice PC Peter Grant's roller coaster ride with magic and mayhem is neither as charming nor as funny as the first one. Moon Over Soho is, unfortunately, the inferior book compared to the series opener.
The story starts somewhat in medias res, which makes it impossible for new readers to grasp what's happening without knowing the prequel, and it starts in a rather depressing tone as Peter talks to his best friend who's so horribly di More...
The story starts somewhat in medias res, which makes it impossible for new readers to grasp what's happening without knowing the prequel, and it starts in a rather depressing tone as Peter talks to his best friend who's so horribly di More...
Nov 03, 2011
Erin
rated it:
More of a 4.5. This was slightly uneven compared to the first book -- meaning that at times I didn't like it as much, but at times I liked it even better! So things even out. This was definitely a "sequel"; things were covered enough that if you'd picked it up without reading the previous book you could have kept up, but I wouldn't recommend doing that.
I usually hate books in which music features prominently (somewhere along the line somebody, the author, an editor, SOMEbody More...
I usually hate books in which music features prominently (somewhere along the line somebody, the author, an editor, SOMEbody More...
Mar 31, 2011
Stefan
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A promising jazz drummer is found dead of a heart attack shortly after playing a gig in London. At first, the only odd circumstance surrounding his death is the fact that Peter Grant, apprentice wizard and police constable, faintly hears the notes of the jazz standard “Body and Soul” rising from the corpse, indicating that magic was somehow involved in the musician’s death. However, when further research reveals that several jazz musicians have died in similar circumstances over the years, it su
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