Whispers Under Ground (Peter Grant, #3)

Jan 30, 2013 Nataliya rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-reads, catie-knows-best, location-is-the-true-protagonist

"Was it better to die in happy ignorance or terrified knowledge? The answer, if you’re a Londoner, is that it’s better not to die at all."

This series does what most urban fantasies avoid¹ - it seamlessly integrates the 'urban' and the 'fantastical' parts, creating a lovely well-crafted enjoyable reading experience that remains grounded in reality, with just the right touch of whimsy to keep it moving along, *nothing to see here*. (Don't you just loooove my pathetic attempts at police humor? Wai...more

"Was it better to die in happy ignorance or terrified knowledge? The answer, if you’re a Londoner, is that it’s better not to die at all."

This series does what most urban fantasies avoid¹ - it seamlessly integrates the 'urban' and the 'fantastical' parts, creating a lovely well-crafted enjoyable reading experience that remains grounded in reality, with just the right touch of whimsy to keep it moving along, *nothing to see here*. (Don't you just loooove my pathetic attempts at police humor? Wait until I come up with some cops/donuts jokes, really!)

¹ When I think of my favorite magic-meets-real-world stories, the overpowering focus is always on the magical bits - after all, isn't that what makes them exciting? The books I'm thinking about include the Dresden books, Gaiman's Neverwhere, all the Harry Potter books (by the way, one of the covers for this book includes the blurb of it being a blend of CSI and Harry Potter, cue the eyeroll from me), and even the much-disliked by me Miéville's Kraken.

*

Unlike the abovementioned trend (and maybe it's the fault of my way of selecting my pleasure reads, after all), Whispers Underground is first and foremost very much a police procedural that just happens to intersect with the slightly more unusual aspects of London life (the ones that include river goddesses, goblins and occasionally strange creatures equipped with vagina dentata, no less).

It gave me “the eye”— the fearsome gaze that sheepdogs use to keep their charges in line. But I gave it “the look”— the stare that policemen use to keep members of the public in a state of randomized guilt.

But with the exception of employing Peter Grant of the Folly (the London-based magical crime squad that as of this book has been expanded to full *THREE* members!), the police approach to investigating a suspicious murder of a young American university student in the depths of London Underground has very little of magical wand-waving and very much of old-fashioned suspect-questioning, report-writing, and the down-and-dirty (in this book, pretty much literally) exploration of the less savory part of the city, including but not limited to London sewers. (Yes, this book gives you quite a literal look at what you can refer to as London's underbelly. Experience comes complete with the description of the feces-tinged smell as a side bonus).

*

The aforementioned London sewers. Actually, they look rather cool, don't they?

You know, far from magic-be-all approach, it presents policing as actual work, firmly grounded in the real-world policing techniques and approaches. And I love it.

In all honesty, magic itself in this series is actually quite *grounded* as well - very rational and scientific from what we've seen so far, which is reflected in the frequent comparisons that Peter Grant draws between it and science:

"So just chalk it up to pixie dust or quantum entanglement, which was the same thing as pixie dust except with the word “quantum” in it."

"Low sample size— one of the reasons why magic and science are hard to reconcile."

In the same vein, Peter Grant is first and foremost a twenty-something London policeman and a guy well-versed in popular culture with its niches for nerdiness-loving souls, and only secondarily an apprentice wizard with propensity for treating magic as a branch of science that ought to be experimented with (to the utmost chagrin of his old-fashioned ~~master~~ mentor) and with a still very steep learning curve ahead of him.

"Now, you could literally fill two whole libraries, complete with card files, reference sections, and a brass ladder thing that whooshes around on rails with everything I don’t know about magic."

I've talked a lot about my eternal love for Peter Grant and his nerdy dorky brand of dry and frequently self-deprecating humor that shines on every single page of this book and, believe it or not, never feels out of place. And I will say it again - it is the hilarious and smart narrative voice that makes these books truly shine.

"That was Seawoll," she said. "Stephanopoulos is on her way down and you’re not to do anything stupid until she gets here."

You burn down one central London tourist attraction, I thought, and they never let you forget it.

Let me give you some examples of the humor that made me laugh out loud in the hospital cafeteria while I was stealing a few precious minutes to read while stocking up on the life-saving caffeinated drinks to sustain my brain through the endless hospital shift hours (and these sudden outbursts of giggles probably caused a fair share of confused looks from some of my patients who were momentarily distracted from responding to their substance-fueled internal stimuli by my sheer joy).

Just like its predecessors, this book boasts some exquisitely politically correct humor (forget about 'black magicians' - they are, to a mixed-race Peter, simply "ethically challenged") and then in true European fashion some humor that that is painfully not politically correct ("My dad was a fairy,” said [a character]. “And by that I don’t mean he dressed well and enjoyed musical theatre.”)

There is obligatory irreverent homage to the books that helped inspire it and the dorky nerdy culture in which Peter Grant thrives, illustrated in this alcohol-fueled exchange between Peter and his raised-on-Sophie-Kinsella-books and (supposedly) not well-versed in the Dungeons and Drangons rules co-apprentice Lesley:

"You’re so boring," she said. "You’d think a copper who was a wizard would be more interesting. Harry Potter wasn’t this boring. I bet Gandalf could drink you under the table."

Probably true, but I don’t remember the bit where Hermione gets so wicked drunk that Harry has to pull the broomstick over on Buckingham Palace Road just so she can be sick in the gutter.

As any book featuring wizarding apprentices, this one, of course, cannot be complete without featuring our heroes' magical mentors - I mean, how can one do without one? You know the types - the grey-haired bearded wizened sages (think your average Gandalf and Dumbledore here) that give all kinds of wisdom-infused life-saving advice. Like this, coming from Peter's mentor Nightingale:

"This should give you some protection from a fireball while you stage a tactical withdrawal." By which he meant run like fuck.
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“Nightingale turned up,” she said. “He was hoping to shout at you a bit to show his affection in a gruff manly and safely nongay way but you were asleep so he just sort of milled around for a while and then off he went.”

There is cultural awareness here, which helps us, the non-British folk, learn things about, well, the British folk. And while we're at it, about the British folk that comprises Britain's police force. Which, I think, differs quite a bit from the image we are fed by the shows like CSI and stuff, complete with the gun-wielding determined and grim dudes and dudettes wearing cool clothes and flashing their badges in a very professional way.

"Me and Lesley, being both English and police, managed to avoid any outward sign of the massive sense of relief we felt."
--
"Leave the police alone in a room for five minutes and we start looking in drawers, locked or otherwise. It's a terrible habit."

And one of my favorites, regarding the difference between the "official police speak" and the normal way of expressing things (and I'm not stranger myself to using big words to convey a simple thing in my profession):

Thus, “We did a joint evaluation of video evidence encompassing all possible access points in conjunction with BTP and CLP, and despite widening the parameters of our assessment to include registered and nonregistered cameras in the high probability zones, we have as yet to achieve a positive identification of James Gallagher prior to his appearance at Baker Street” becomes: “We’ve checked every CCTV camera in the system and it’s as if the fucker beamed down from the Starship Enterprise.”

Funny aside, this book had a few quite touching (although, thankfully, never sappy) moments between Peter and Lesley - the moments underscoring the old sincere friendship that the two used to share and that they seem to be restoring as they both become more used to the damage Lesley sustained over the course of the first book in the series. I cherished these moments of banter and bonding and some (almost unexpected for not always mature Peter) moments of touching adult sadness:

"It wasn’t until I looked away that I realized I’d read her expression off her bare face without reacting to what her face had become."

All in all, this series is very much worth picking up. It will not be a life-changing experience, but it will provide a few hours of happily chuckling at the well-written humorous narrative - and sometimes that is all you need. 4 stars and impatient foot-tapping in the wait for the next book in the series.
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“You find out that magic and spirits and ghosts are all real,” she said. “And you’re just fine with that? You just accept it?” “It helps that I’ve got a scientific brain,” I said. “How can that possibly help?” “I met a ghost face-to-face,” I said with more calmness than I’d felt at the time. “It would have been stupid to pretend it didn’t exist.”

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In a bit of shameless self-promotion - for those of you who for whatever reason care about my ramblings about the first two books in the Peter Grant series, my reviews of them are here and here.(less)

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Apr 09, 2013 Carol rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone who loves detective fantasy

Shelves: urban-fantasy, supernatural-mystery, my-library, multi-culti, male-lead

Well, I was going to work on my paper today. But then this arrived in the mail, hardcover & signed, direct from London. How could I resist? Within pages I was chuckling aloud, but also relishing the developing feeling of danger.

I can tell you now what will happen. Someday, I'm going to plan a trip to London, and like a complete book nerd, I will attempt to trace down the steps Peter Grant takes in solving these cases. Yes, the books are that good, and the only things hindering my complete un...more
Well, I was going to work on my paper today. But then this arrived in the mail, hardcover & signed, direct from London. How could I resist? Within pages I was chuckling aloud, but also relishing the developing feeling of danger.

I can tell you now what will happen. Someday, I'm going to plan a trip to London, and like a complete book nerd, I will attempt to trace down the steps Peter Grant takes in solving these cases. Yes, the books are that good, and the only things hindering my complete understanding are a lack of fluency in Englishisms and knowledge of London geography. Besides, this is the third UF book I've read that has the London sewers as a significant location; I'd rather like to get a sense of what its about.

Once again, Aaronovich blends police procedural, magic and humor with delicious results. He achieves a clever, wry tone that acknowledges foolishness, injustice, and irony, and still manages to laugh. Within pages, I was chuckling. Never fear, however, that one-liners override thoughtful characterization and an interesting mystery.

There's a little less magical exploration in this one, and a little more emphasis on the mystery. Leslie starts coming out of her self-imposed exile to play co-detective. More review when I get to re-reading.

Meanwhile, some nice little lines:

"But that meant that in the event of a work-related call Molly would answer the phone downstairs and then inform me by silently standing in my bedroom doorways until I woke up out of sheer creepiness."

"Rising out of the lights was the three-metre statue of Sherlock Holmes complete with deerstalker and hash pipe--there to oversee our detective work and ensure that it was held to the highest fictional standards."

"'If you have to walk the tracks with the juice on then you stay off the sleepers. they're slippery. You slip, you fall, you put your hands out and zap.'
'Zap,' I said. 'That's the technical term for it, is it? What do you call someone who's been zapped?'
'Mr. Crispy,' said Kumar."

Cross posted at http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2013/0...(less)

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Jul 10, 2012 Regina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy-uf, series-to-continue, arc-publisher-netgalley, funny-stuff, favorite-authors, bingo-round-5

Damn, I love this series. And damn I love these characters – -Peter, Lesley, Molly, Nightengale and even the little dog Toby. Rarely does an urban fantasy book feel new.

There is something so easy going but yet scary about the world Mr. Aaronovitch has created. It is layers of normal society on top of layers of an unknown magical community. These communities co-exist and sometimes collide. This story begins right off from where Moon Over Soho left off. Lesley and Peter (Why do I want to type Rob...more Damn, I love this series. And damn I love these characters – -Peter, Lesley, Molly, Nightengale and even the little dog Toby. Rarely does an urban fantasy book feel new.

There is something so easy going but yet scary about the world Mr. Aaronovitch has created. It is layers of normal society on top of layers of an unknown magical community. These communities co-exist and sometimes collide. This story begins right off from where Moon Over Soho left off. Lesley and Peter (Why do I want to type Rob and Cassie????) are living at the Folly and learning basic levels of magic at a painfully slow progress. Of course Lesley is better than Peter, who seems to have some good ideas and brave sentiments but execution is not always a strength of his. Peter = Ordinary Guy. He is not drop down gorgeous and he is not emotionally scarred or running from an ancient enemy. Just an average police officer with very average aspirations but caught up in a world that he never knew existed. I guess that is where the Harry Potter comparison comes in to play.

I continue to be somewhat bored during the actual police investigation part of these books. I love the what and the why of the mystery, but the procedure and the tracing down of the who and the how is not that intriguing to me. I read these books for the characters, the world and the humor. The humor written in these books is dry but witty observations and hilarious situations. At many points I was laughing out loud and there are portions of this book that are impossible to excerpt and demonstrate how funny they are because like many brilliant comedians and writers, Aaronovitch starts slowly, builds on the story and then bam! the funny punch part is delivered, so reading the set-up over several pages is very important.

The book isn’t completely lighthearted and it is not simple funny fluff, there is a darkness in this book and when bad things happen it isn’t simply wished away. Lesley continues to wear the very visible scars of her injuries earlier in the series and I so wish that all this magic could be used in a way to heal her.

Americans beware – -there is some very good natured mocking of a F.B.I. agent but it is damn funny.

I will leave you with a few excerpts from Whispers Under Ground so that, without spoiling, you can have a good payoff (i.e. laugh) for reading this review.

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But this meant that in the event of a work related call, Molly would answer the phone downstairs and then inform me by silently standing in my bedroom doorway until I woke up out of sheer creepiness. Leaving a Please Knock sign on my door had no effect, nor did locking it firmly and wedging a chair under the doorknob. Now, I love Molly’s cooking, but she nearly at me once. So the thought of her gliding into my room uninvited while I was kipping meant I found myself getting very little in the way of useful sleep.

***

I went down the stairs to the main ticket hall. A bunch of guys in high visibility jackets and heavy boots were standing around drinking coffee, chatting and playing games on their phones. That night’s routine engineering work was definitely not getting done-expect delays.

***

We’d worked together before, which is probably why she hesitated before nodding to the constable.

***

I figured I’d rather have you check it now that have to call you in later. Like after breakfast, when I was awake. But I didn’t say that.

***

Kumar waited until we were safely out of earshot before asking whether I really was from the Ghostbusters.

***

“We don’t do UFOs and alien abductions,” I said, because that’s usually the second question.

***

The bit I found particularly enjoyable was when I accidentally opened a crate of fragmentation grenades that had been sitting in a puddle since 1946, and Caffey’s voice shot up two octaves as he told me to back away slowly. We had to have a couple of guys from the Explosives Ordinance Disposal Unit come and take them away. An operation me and Lesley supervised from the café in the park across the road.

***

Once she served us she took up a position behind me and Lesley where we couldn’t see her without turning. That’s a bit of a cop trick we don’t like it when people do it to us.

***

This is Special Agent Kimberly Reynolds from the FBI and we all went “ooh” the whole room we just couldn’t help ourselves. That didn’t bode well for the international cooperation because we were all bound to be extra surly to cover up the embarrassment.

***

I gave a clumsy half bow, and because that didn’t make me look stupid enough, clicked my heels for good measure.

***

The thing about being the police is that to do the job properly part of you has to enjoy mixing it up.

And for those of you who read this book – -the luge scene – -hilarious?!! I loved it. I couldn’t stop laughing.

To read this review and more like it check out www.badassbookreviews.com (less)

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Jan 23, 2013 Cherry Mischievous rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: alltimefavorites, audiobook, favourites, i-ve-read, own, signedbooks, willreadthisauthoragain

Review:

I think this series is growing on me. The more books I read on this series, the more interesting it becomes. I think I'm on my way to becoming a die-hard fan! The story telling quality is becoming funnier and more compelling to me too.... Does this book has some sort of spell or something?!

I wasn't quite sure if Ben Aaronovitch named the organization that DCI Thomas Nightingale and PC Peter Grant is a member of other than that it is called the ECD 9 of the Met Police. Anyhow, an explana...more

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Jun 27, 2012 Robert rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Whispers Under Ground is the third book in a series. I'd definitely recommend starting at the beginning for anyone interested in this series - the book largely assumes that the reader is familiar with the characters and at least some of the previous events. There isn't a huge amount of direct plot continuity, but without reading Rivers of London and Moon Over Soho first, you'll probably find this book quite bewildering.

So, Peter Grant, the Constable working on uncanny / weird / magical stuff for...more Whispers Under Ground is the third book in a series. I'd definitely recommend starting at the beginning for anyone interested in this series - the book largely assumes that the reader is familiar with the characters and at least some of the previous events. There isn't a huge amount of direct plot continuity, but without reading Rivers of London and Moon Over Soho first, you'll probably find this book quite bewildering.

So, Peter Grant, the Constable working on uncanny / weird / magical stuff for the Metropolitan Police, is back in action, investigating ghosts, goblins and things that go bump in the night. If this sounds like a children's series, then don't be deceived: it's a series of "urban fantasy" for adults.

This is by no means the only urban fantasy novel - this is a lively sub genre. London, in particular, is the hero of many urban fantasy tales (Neverwhere, Un Lun Dun,Kraken and many more).

However, most of the urban fantasy novels I've read so far struggled to get the balance right. More often than not, the fantasy element and the urban setting start out aligned, but slowly become separate during the course of a novel.

The Peter Grant series is the one outstanding exception: here, fantasy and urban setting stay well and truly on the same page. Mixing irreverent, funny police comedy narrative with hocus pocus and a deep-rooted, affectionate knowledge of London, the book oozes all the right things: convincing London atmosphere, fascination with urban mythology, and a world of supernatural goings-on that feels just about credible. Whispers Underground tackles the iconic tube (and sewer) systems of London - and anyone who has ever lived in London will know that there are many myths and legends about these. Londoners love knowing that there are long-abandoned stations and branch lines, WW2 shelters, and other relics of the city's organic evolution, hidden away from sight but alluringly glimpsed from passing trains if you know when to look out of the window... In short, the Underground is a setting with huge potential - and Whispers Underground lives up to that potential.

Whether we're in disused tube tunnels or sewers: the darkness, smells and convincingly authentic myths we encounter with our hero, Peter Grant, are richly atmospheric and beautifully brought to life. The first person narration, meanwhile, is quirky and amusing. I laughed out loud quite a few times - I get the sense this book contained a lot more gags / humorous dialogue than the two predecessors. (The only flaw: some of the dialogue sees ALL the characters wise cracking, a bit like the cast of the movie Lake Placid, so they don't feel entirely individual when they speak).

But the thing that really, really lifts the Peter Grant series above most urban fantasy is that our hero once wanted to be an architect, and has a fantastically vibrant way of telling the reader about history and describing buildings, whether ugly concrete blocks or Victorian town houses. Reading the book is almost like a tour of the city - but a tour led by a wizard policeman. What could possibly be better than that?

Unlike the first two novels, the main plotline in this one is a little more reserved. There is less scenery-churning, super-powered villainy, less operatic evil, and less of a feeling of supercharged threat. However, this only seems to make the book better. It might not build up tension in quite the same way, but it feels more grounded and authentic and pleasant than the first two novels. The series has settled into a certain rhythm and is now flowing along with joy and happiness rather than feeling the need to amp up the shock factor.

In short, it's the best book of the series so far - and a huge delight to read.

(If, that is, you like funny, fantastic, London-based supernatural magic police popcorn literature. Which I do.)(less)

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Jan 12, 2013 The Flooze rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy-paranormal, owned, vanquished_2013, mystery

It’s early days yet for Peter Grant, as I realise with this book that the series only covers 12 months so far. But, oh, how much the DC has learned in that short span of time.

Peter is a remarkably relatable character. His tone is easy-going, but his inner monologue assures us he’s appropriately horrified at certain things he witnesses. He’s a very aware and accepting sort of person, using logic to prevent his mind from shutting out possibilities. He attributes much of this to his scientific ben...more

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Apr 30, 2013 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, series, cover-to-die-for, can-t-put-down

The third book in the Peter Grant series really lives up to the previous two. There are loads of new components and the story is really progressing.

I have a rather large problem with long series'. Just because they lose steam and usually didn't stay true to the main theme. Think of Doctor who, River Song was introduced in series four and her story line kept going until series seven. Not once did I think the story was forced or forgotten. I have found very few book series that do this as well. Wh...more

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Mar 31, 2013 Rachel Brown rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: england, fantasy

This continues to be my current favorite urban fantasy series - the series which reminds me of why I ever liked urban fantasy.

I can write little about the sequels without spoiling a major plot development at the end of the first. They're both very good, but I liked Whispers Underground better because the mystery (while somewhat incomprehensible) was less obvious, but mostly because of the return of a certain favorite character.

Highly recommended. Highly, highly recommended. Great characterizatio...more

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Mar 16, 2013 Jana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Whispers Underground

After reading Moon Over Soho, I wasn’t too sure where this series was going and I started this with some trepidation. Luckily, there is so much for me to love in Whispers Underground. Peter Grant is really starting to grow on me. Ben Aaronovitch has a way with words, which he aptly puts into Peter’s mouth as exemplified on page 41 when Peter “instructs” another driver after that one had collided with a car while overtaking Peter’s in the first heavy snowfall that winter (this...more Whispers Underground

After reading Moon Over Soho, I wasn’t too sure where this series was going and I started this with some trepidation. Luckily, there is so much for me to love in Whispers Underground. Peter Grant is really starting to grow on me. Ben Aaronovitch has a way with words, which he aptly puts into Peter’s mouth as exemplified on page 41 when Peter “instructs” another driver after that one had collided with a car while overtaking Peter’s in the first heavy snowfall that winter (this sentence sounds awkward, but I can’t be bothered to try again just now):

Despite the cold, I lowered the window as I drove carefully past and explained that the superior handling characteristics of a four-wheel-drive vehicle were as naught if one were deficient in basic driving skills.

There were so many references to popular culture, British and other, I delighted in and probably twice as many I didn’t even catch. Pratchett, Tolkien, Lovecraft, Blackadder, Doctor Who, The Last Airbender, Dungeons & Dragons, Conan The Barbarian, Star Trek, The Hulk, etc.

There’s action and suspense and Grant’s dynamic with the supporting characters is always fun and getting better and better. Everyone Peter deals with has a distinctive voice, is funny and witty and adorable in his or her own right. Oh, London would be the place to be if people really were as depicted in Aaronovitch’s novels. Alas, it’s fiction, fantasy even. :) Even tough I’m sure that the percentage of agreeable people is higher in the UK I’m sure they have their fare share of jerks as well. Still, Whispers Underground offers a great escapism fantasy. I want to be in that place and hang around with those people.

Whispers Underground is gripping fun. The main character seems less self-possessed than in the first two books. He might be a bit more humble, but he’s still quite cocky in the face of authority.
I would have loved to have a bit more interaction with Nightingale, but the few mentions there were, were quite gratifying. When Peter finds himself in hospital after being buried alive, this little conversation between him and Leslie ensues:

“Has anyone else visited?” I asked. […]
“Nightingale turned up,” she said. “He was hoping to shout at you a bit to show his affection in a gruff manly and safely nongay way but you were asleep so he just sort of milled around for a while and then off he went.”

Since I still seem to be holding a grudge because of the negligent copy editing of the previous novel, I kept an eye out for avoidable typographical errors. There were nowhere near as many as in the book that disgruntled me so much because of them. So while knowing I’m anal I’m also appeased.

I would recommend Whispers Underground to everyone looking for a quick fun read with a bit of geek cred.
(less)

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Jan 04, 2013 Ukgardenfiend rated it 4 of 5 stars

book 3 in this series.
Very novel storyline about Magic and Goddesses and the Police in London.
In the UK we still throw silver coins into water to appease the goddesses and ensure good luck - although I am sure most people don't know why they do it! In this book series, each stream or river in London at least, has its own goddess - indeed one of the most powerful being Lady Tyburn. Being well aware of this fact, on passing by the culverted River Tyburn alongside Regent's Canal last week, I made s...more book 3 in this series.
Very novel storyline about Magic and Goddesses and the Police in London.
In the UK we still throw silver coins into water to appease the goddesses and ensure good luck - although I am sure most people don't know why they do it! In this book series, each stream or river in London at least, has its own goddess - indeed one of the most powerful being Lady Tyburn. Being well aware of this fact, on passing by the culverted River Tyburn alongside Regent's Canal last week, I made sure that I said Hello and let her know that I knew she was a goddess to be worshipped or at least acknowledged as a powerful being...!hmm - I may be taking my infatuation with the rivers of London a little too far.
Anyway according to this book there are magicians, good and bad of course and strange creatures lurking and living in the shadows.
This particular episode is about the tunnels under the ground of all London, how they were created and who by.
I have read part of a great book: Underground London: Travels Beneath the City Streets by Stephen Smith - as it says on Amazon it's an exploration through time: Queen Boudicca lies beneath Platform 10 at King's Cross (legend has it); Dick Turpin fled the Bow Street Runners along secret passages leading from the cellar of the Spaniards pub in North London; the remains of a pre-Christian Mithraic temple have been found near the Bank of England; on the platforms of the now defunct King William Street Underground, posters still warn that 'Careless talk costs lives'. Stephen Smith uncovers the secrets of the city by walking through sewers, tunnels under such places as Hampton Court, ghost tube stations, and long lost rivers such as the Fleet and the Tyburn (of course). I found out through this book that miners were tunnelling under Cricklewood quite recently as they are now the artisans of choice for creating the tunnels for gas pipes, sewer building and so on.
I suspect that Ben has read this book too and it is what inspired him.
Anyway, I am waiting for the next in the series please - a refreshing style of writing and enjoyable - but needs to have a stronger storyline next time.(less)

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Jan 03, 2013 Andrew rated it 4 of 5 stars

The author has now firmly settled on the what's-awesome for this series: (a) ordinary police work in London and (b) Peter and Lesley swapping snarky fantasy in-jokes. This is pretty ballsy if you think about it: an urban-fantasy detective series where the magic and the mysteries are distinctly not the big attractions. They *exist*, the plotline is a guy solving mysteries with magic involved, but they're not how the author intends to wow you.

An American idiot turns up dead in a London Underground...more

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Dec 30, 2012 Lois Bujold rated it 5 of 5 stars

The advantage of being a semiretired adult is that there is nobody around who can force one to stop reading and go to sleep. The disadvantage of same is the four hours of daylight left that one confronts when crawling out of bed the next afternoon...

This series, surer now perhaps of its survival to the end of the broadcast season, seems to be settling in for a good run. More lavish invention with Peter, Lesley, Thomas, the Folly, and of course London. I am happy with this; not for me the readerl...more The advantage of being a semiretired adult is that there is nobody around who can force one to stop reading and go to sleep. The disadvantage of same is the four hours of daylight left that one confronts when crawling out of bed the next afternoon...

This series, surer now perhaps of its survival to the end of the broadcast season, seems to be settling in for a good run. More lavish invention with Peter, Lesley, Thomas, the Folly, and of course London. I am happy with this; not for me the readerly demand, so crazy-making to series writers, of "Each one better than all the others!"

There is a, hm, rhythm, spotted especially in Japanese animation series, where about 5 or 6 episodes along the forward momentum of the plot arcs pause to fill in assorted characters' backstories. This works well for character-centered tales, since such mysteries-of-persons, as contrasted with mysteries-of-plot, are just as interesting if not more so when read backwards as forwards. Which is to say, I would sit still for any amount of backstory about Detective Inspector Nightingale, who has, after all, had time to accumulate a large supply. Although the little squibs doled out in this volume were lovely.

Such as the throw-away remarks about Nightingale's adventures chasing German archeologists in Tibet in 1938. I don't expect that one to go anywhere, necessarily, although it did give me a flashback, on more than one level, to a line in another book altogether, Edward Gorey's little classic The Unstrung Harp: "Even the voice of the omniscient author can hardly afford to interject a seemingly pointless anecdote concerning Ladderback in Tibet when the other characters are feverishly engaged in wondering whether to have the pond at Disshiver Cottage dragged or not."

There is an intrinsic problem with maintaining suspense about the main viewpoint character being, say, buried alive, or undergoing any other peril, when the book is written in first person past tense. Just sayin'. (This does not apply, of course, to any other character in the tale undergoing peril.) Nevertheless, "how will he?" can be as interesting a question as "will he?", if handled properly.

I am pleased with what the author is doing so far with the character of Lesley. The back cover blurb was most misleading about the guest-star FBI agent; she ended up more of a card that is palmed for later than a major actor or obstruction in this present plot. This would have worked fine if I'd encountered her just as the author presented her, without the unneeded misconceptions. But that's not the book's fault.

I was also pleased to find out that the next one is in the pipeline: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16...

Onwards to June, then.

Ta, L.
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Dec 14, 2012 Daniel Etherington rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, london, murder-mystery, steampunk, urban-fantasy, supernatural, thriller

Been really enjoying these Peter Grant books. The three star ratings are because they're not classics, or masterpieces, they're just really fun, quick reads. And also because, frankly, they feel somewhat rushed to publication - this one particularly could have done with a better copy edit and final proof.

But aside from that, good stuff.

I lived in London for about 15 years, and even though I live overseas now, I was in London when I picked up the first one, Rivers of London (for some reason publ...more

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Nov 02, 2012 Margaret rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of urban fantasy murder mysteries

The appeal of this series lies in the sardonic humor of the first person narrator, Constable Peter Grant. His pungent, cynical commentary on police work, balanced by his basic decent humanity, gives the novels a distinctive and engaging voice.

When Scotland Yard officers have to bring Grant into their investigative teams, they mentally wince, because that means their case has a supernatural element. In Whispers Underground, Grant is assigned to the murder of a young American in the Baker Street...more

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Oct 30, 2012 Margaret Mcgaffey rated it 4 of 5 stars

The definition of a good book is one that you will make any excuse to carve out time to read. Instead of letting another week go by without posting a review, I gave over my morning to finishing Ben Aaronovitch’s Whispers Underground. And having finished it, I’m sad to have reached the end. Sigh. Just can’t win.

This is the third of his books I’ve read, and I love the dry humor and understated reactions to all things mystical and magical. As with the other two, Midnight Riot and Moon Over Soho, th...more The definition of a good book is one that you will make any excuse to carve out time to read. Instead of letting another week go by without posting a review, I gave over my morning to finishing Ben Aaronovitch’s Whispers Underground. And having finished it, I’m sad to have reached the end. Sigh. Just can’t win.

This is the third of his books I’ve read, and I love the dry humor and understated reactions to all things mystical and magical. As with the other two, Midnight Riot and Moon Over Soho, this novel follows a case through twists and turns to the absolute end, offering the information you need to figure it out but mixed in with so many delicious red herrings that it’s easy to get turned around. And the fun part about it is you don’t care.

Following those extra threads with Peter and Lesley, getting a glimpse into British-American relations, learning new secrets about the world beyond our understanding… All of the side stories are such fun, and complicated and interrelated, that it’s worth the journey alone.

I still debate the Harry Potter connection–it’s too tenuous, leaning only on an unnoticed magic world mixed into the fabric of the world as we know it–but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying these novels as much, or possibly more, than the Potter series.

Aaronovitch offers a police officer who gets by on intuition and the seat of his pants, much to the dismay of his partner Lesley who believes in true police work, but what Peter’s called in to figure out doesn’t fall into any category in the database. Lesley proves that collecting data is a good way to find connections. At the same time, it’s Peter’s ability to bring the pieces into play, supported by the massive data that forms the foundation of British police work (in the novel at least).

These novels offer wonderful characters doing interesting things along with a glimpse into the life on the ground…or under it…in London. Aaronovitch is not showing any signs of losing his touch, and I fully plan to get the next book he puts out.

And for those thinking the “first one’s free” concept has no legs, I got Midnight Riot as part of an early reader program (through LibraryThing I believe), and not only have I, and my family become his avid readers, but I am encouraging all of you to give the series a try.(less)

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Sep 30, 2012 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-fantasy

Midnight Riot, Moon over Soho and Whispers Under Ground are the first three of a series of a London based series featuring Peter Grant, a London detective and wizard in training.

The detective part was very intentional. The wizard part he sort of stumbled into by trying to interview a witness one day, who just happened to be a ghost. Being a good detective, he carried on with the interview. And then found himself recruited by the one man x-files branch of the Metro PD, ran by a wizard named Nigh...more

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Sep 29, 2012 meeners rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, mystery

more of the same from ben aaronovitch. i've been giving all the river of london books 3 stars but on the good end of 3 stars (rather than on the bad end, which would be books i think are competently written and/or entertaining but too safe, formulaic, etc. to enthusiastically recommend). as i've said before, these books would be mostly forgettable if it weren't for peter's narrative voice, which is so fully formed and just darn likeable that it makes even the most routine description of police p...more more of the same from ben aaronovitch. i've been giving all the river of london books 3 stars but on the good end of 3 stars (rather than on the bad end, which would be books i think are competently written and/or entertaining but too safe, formulaic, etc. to enthusiastically recommend). as i've said before, these books would be mostly forgettable if it weren't for peter's narrative voice, which is so fully formed and just darn likeable that it makes even the most routine description of police procedural work interesting. kind of like why i tune in to shows like doctor who - it's not so much what the doctor does but who the doctor is that keeps me hooked from episode to episode.

speaking of doctor who, there is a whole spectrum of nerdiness/geekdom on display here (all the way from the great vowel shift to unseen university) that i find hugely, immensely satisfying. :D not gonna apologize for it, nuh uh! in other works it might have come off as pandering but again, i buy it here because i buy peter as a character. he doesn't have to tell you the details of his childhood or all his Major Life Crises for you to get a sense of who he is, and why; as in real life, you learn these things through an accumulation of words, insights, attitudes, slip-ups, put-ons, and all the rest.

there were some things that made me groan - did you really have to name the taiwanese practitioner of magic "madame teng," mr. aaronovitch? and did the two americans really have to be an arrogant, opinionated politician and a secretive FBI agent? REALLY? - but i'm still not tired of the series. so i guess it's a good thing that the author's been pumping out these river of london books at the rate of 1 book a year (with the 4th one scheduled to arrive in 2013, just like clockwork). really, really hoping we will get to see more of nightingale in the next installment, as he's gotten rather short shrift so far despite being one of the most compelling characters (also potentially one of the hottest, as measured in terms of angst factor and repressed british demeanor XD).

[edit:] i have just noticed that the book blurb describes the FBI agent as "young, ambitious, beautiful . . . and a born-again Christian apt to view any magic as the work of the devil," which is hilariously wrong but also rather illuminating in its own right, at least in terms of american media stereotypes in circulation across the pond. (less)

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Sep 22, 2012 Christopher Everest rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: crime, supernatural

RAVE REVIEW : This is the third book in the series and they are getting better and better. It would/will help to read them in order "Rivers of London", "Moon Over Soho" Now "Whispers Underground". Don't be put off by my use of the tag "Supernatural" either - this is no teen love vampire/werewolf bandwagon this is funny and classy and very English. I think this series deserves to be more popular and would certainly make a great film franchise.

The back of this book carries the message "My name is...more RAVE REVIEW : This is the third book in the series and they are getting better and better. It would/will help to read them in order "Rivers of London", "Moon Over Soho" Now "Whispers Underground". Don't be put off by my use of the tag "Supernatural" either - this is no teen love vampire/werewolf bandwagon this is funny and classy and very English. I think this series deserves to be more popular and would certainly make a great film franchise.

The back of this book carries the message "My name is Peter Grant, and I'm Detective Constable in that mighty army for justice known as the Metropolitan Police (a.k.a the Filth). I'm also the first trainee wizard in the Met for fifty years." The tone of the book is humorous, the observation of life, of city-living, of multicultural living, of "difference" is sharp and acerbic. A writer who can do architectural detail and knows about Chaucer's vowel shifts, who has visited the sewers of London and knows about the third rail, the live one in the Underground.(Mornington Crescent gets in as well) Yes the book is about Magic but it is about magic in a/the real world through the eyes of a young policeman who is trying to use his eyes as a scientist to explain the world to himself. Isn't that the perfect metaphor for a writer to use - trying to understand the world - "to find the meaning... to push the way I saw the world out through the aperture of what little talent I had" - as one character in the book says. Give the books a try - you don't need to suspend your disbelief for long before this imagined world will take you over. From the very first book where Peter finds himself trying to take a witness statement from a Ghost I was hooked. It seems Mr Aaronovitch might well have have read the same books I have. References to popular culture continually appear in the text and earth the book in a vein of Tolkien-Pratchett-Star Trek-D&D-HipHop-Disney that allows Peter to inhabit the real world. What other writer would have a "Demon Trap" (a magical landmine) inscribed in Elvish with the words "IF YOU CAN READ THESE WORDS YOU ARE NOT ONLY A NERD BUT PROBABLY DEAD". I recommend this series. (Yes, Peter survives the Demon Trap). (less)

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Sep 21, 2012 Jessica rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, mystery

As I finished Moon Over Soho , I swore to myself that I was only picking up Whispers Under Ground for a minute or two, and that I would put it down in a minute so I could write two separate book reviews, in a good, orderly fashion.

I should have known better. I did know better.

The books are page-turners, and it is next door to impossible to put them down. Something like a house fire might persuade me to do it (though I'd be more likely to run out the door still clutching the book), but nothing m...more

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Sep 20, 2012 Dark Matter rated it 4 of 5 stars

Whispers Underground by Ben Aaronovitch is an urban fantasy comedy with Harry Potter-esque Peter Grant working as a policeman in contemporary London. I started this review when I only had the flu, before it developed into full-blown pneumonia, but I didn’t quite manage to finish it. Here goes:

Peter Grant works in The Folly, which is a special branch of London Metropolitan Police dealing with the supernatural in present-day London so everyone else can live in denial. Lesley May, his cop-buddy and...more Whispers Underground by Ben Aaronovitch is an urban fantasy comedy with Harry Potter-esque Peter Grant working as a policeman in contemporary London. I started this review when I only had the flu, before it developed into full-blown pneumonia, but I didn’t quite manage to finish it. Here goes:

Peter Grant works in The Folly, which is a special branch of London Metropolitan Police dealing with the supernatural in present-day London so everyone else can live in denial. Lesley May, his cop-buddy and erst-while lust-interest, had her face ripped off in a previous novel. Although Lesley is still intelligent, more capable than Peter and physically attractive apart from her lack of face, Peter has issues about Lesley’s looks. Peter is shallow and somewhat slow on the uptake, as evidenced by Lesley overtaking Peter in magical studies as well as always having been the better police officer. Although technically on medical leave, Lesley is actively involved in this novel to some extent.

Whispers Underground is a detective policing story told from Peter’s point of view; Peter is summoned to investigate a murder with a hint of magic. Peter meanders around, furthering the investigation partly through luck, partly through his increasing skill and partly with the help of old friends.

Peter, like Aaronovitch, is a bit of a geek fanboi, so his detailed knowledge of architecture and the intricacies of London are woven into the story alongside countless one-liners spoofing geek culture with an emphasis on Lord of the Rings. This is Big Bang Theory without making a mockery of the geeks, although a little more respect for Lesley – and, by default, for all women – would be appreciated. At times Peter has the maturity of a teenager while at other times he’s considerate and thoughtful: I hope that this minor story thread is part of Peter growing up.

The humour ranges from dry one-liners to somewhat slap-stick physical comedy to intricate social comment like the reporting about Asylum seekers eating a snow plow (you have to read it!); thus Aaronovitch successfully casts a net for a wide audience. I’m really enjoying this series. Highly recommended as urban fantasy comedy adventure thriller.

I also expect romance to come later, when Peter gets his head out of that very dark place upon which he sits. Although it’d probably have to be initiated by Lesley.(less)

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Sep 03, 2012 Dale rated it 5 of 5 stars

Being a fan of the first two books I had been waiting for this for quite a while, and got it on my kindle the day it was released. And I wasn't disappointed.

One thing I like is that the author hasn't gone down the route many have gone down in this type of book and made the hero of the stories, Peter, some over powered prodigy that is OMG so much more powerful than everyone else. He is reassuringly normal, if you can say someone who can do magic normal. He is still a novice, and finds himself fly...more

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Aug 23, 2012 Dorian rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: library-books

I read the first book in this series a while back, and picked up the second but never quite got past the first page. Still, I liked the first book enough to grab this when I saw it on the library's "new books" shelf.

Peter Grant, our hero and narrator, is a junior detective constable in London's Metropolitan Police, and an apprentice magician and junior member of the..."Special" Force, shall we say. Which consists of him and his master. He doesn't seem to be very good at magic, though in fairness...more

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Aug 07, 2012 Fangs for the Fantasy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Peter Grant is back and he, Leslie and Nightingale are faced with the ongoing dilemma of wizards with dubious ethics wandering around London doing very very unpleasant things. It’s be useful to be able to focus on them – but, of course, other things arise.

Including a murder – a murder which Stephanopoulos and Seawall, doughty members of the murder squad that they are, believe involves funny magic stuff. Not that they ever use the m-word, nor do they expect it to be used around them; they just kn...more Peter Grant is back and he, Leslie and Nightingale are faced with the ongoing dilemma of wizards with dubious ethics wandering around London doing very very unpleasant things. It’s be useful to be able to focus on them – but, of course, other things arise.

Including a murder – a murder which Stephanopoulos and Seawall, doughty members of the murder squad that they are, believe involves funny magic stuff. Not that they ever use the m-word, nor do they expect it to be used around them; they just know it makes their lives much much more complicated. And to make matters worse and even more complicated, the victim is an American, and the son of a state senator at that.

It’s a case that takes them into the warrens of London’s underground –it’s sewers and it’s railways and it’s many many many many tunnels that go on for miles and have been centuries in the building. It’s a maze down there – and it’s beyond amazing what can actually hide down there, unseen, for so very long as they try to find the cause of the man’s death – and the many surprises awaiting them underground.

It’s another review of fulsome praise, I have to say. In some ways it’s easier to write a review with lots of dubious errors, pacing issues or diversity fails because at least you have something concrete to say. When a book is just awesome you’re presented with the difficulty of finding a sufficient diversity of superlative adjectives to try and fill a full review.

The book has an incredible feel of place. You can feel London in its pages, the attitudes, the people, the places, the procedures; this is London through and through. The richness and authenticity of not just the places, but also the history really shows through the book and makes everything so much more real. Despite the fantastic elements, it feels more fact than fiction because there is so much realness there. And not just in the places and not even just in the people, but also in the police procedures, the different jurisdictions, the way different things are handled, the way they were handled – and not just the way they’re officially handled, but also the daily practicalities of daily life.

The book is also funny with constant little side-references, tangents and wry observations about life, the city and everything linked with a cynical acknowledgement of how things are with an amusing twits that makes me repeatedly smile and laugh out loud. I’m not sure how much of it travels outside of a British context and British understanding, but to me it was perfect – amusing, injected lightness and fun and added yet further to the strong British feel of the book.

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Aug 04, 2012 Barbara rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sf

I'd say it was worth the wait, except that might encourage Ben to take as long again to write book #4.

This book had everything I enjoyed so much about the earlier ones. Peter Grant is just as much a cheeky bugger as ever and just as inclined to get fascinated by side issues as with regular policing. The plot is intriguing and the dialogue amusing. The city of London is a vividly described as ever.

It is really a character in its own right. So much so, that when I was recently on holiday in Londo...more

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Aug 02, 2012 Priya rated it 5 of 5 stars

Finished reading this yesterday and I remember being a bit disappointed by Book 2 but this is pretty much back on form for Peter and Co. Lesley is now also working with Nightingale, there is a Faceless Man Up To No Good (he appears more in Book 2) and wandering around London. Add to that an American (Americans!) has been killed in London, meaning the FBI, the American lad's dad (a US Senator), and various other people are getting in Peter's way as he tries to figure out what's going on.

There's l...more

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Jul 30, 2012 Kristin (MyBookishWays Reviews) rated it 4 of 5 stars

You may also read my review here: http://www.mybookishways.com/2012/07/...

Peter Grant and Lesley May go to the home of 13 year old relative, Abigail, who claims to have a ghost that she’d like Peter to look at. The problem is, this ghost is underground, on the tracks, and technically, Peter and Lesley should be calling the British Transport Police and have them send a safety qualified search team. Ghosts are interesting, and all well and good, but unfortunately, there are darker things at work....more You may also read my review here: http://www.mybookishways.com/2012/07/...

Peter Grant and Lesley May go to the home of 13 year old relative, Abigail, who claims to have a ghost that she’d like Peter to look at. The problem is, this ghost is underground, on the tracks, and technically, Peter and Lesley should be calling the British Transport Police and have them send a safety qualified search team. Ghosts are interesting, and all well and good, but unfortunately, there are darker things at work. Peter is called to a murder scene the next day in the Underground, where a man was apparently stabbed with a shard of pottery. Turns out he’s also an American. Peter and Leslie soon learn that the victim’s father is a senator, marking this case top priority. When Peter detects vestigium (a sense of magic, like smells, or sometimes music) on a bowl belonging to the victim, it’s time to follow the magical clues, hopefully directly to the killer.

If you’ve kept up with this superb series, you already know what a rich environment the author has created in which to set Peter’s rather odd cases against, and Whispers Under Ground is no exception. Ben Aaronovitch’s London is chock full of the magical and the mystical, in many different forms, and there’s no shortage of ghosts or the occasional river god or goddess, of whom Peter has more than a casual acquaintance with. Whispers Under Ground has the feel of a more traditional procedural than the other books…until Peter, Nightingale, and Lesley head into the London Underground. This is most definitely not your average murder, but if anyone can solve it, Peter can. I adore Peter Grant. There’s nothing stuffy, uptight, or staid about him, rather, he’s the kind of guy you’d want to hang out with on a Saturday night, with a pint in your hand and some jazz in the background. His dry snark is never forced and always funny, and we also learn a couple of new things about our hero. Three books in, and for me, this series is still going strong. Ben Aaronovitch is my go to guy to get my fix of British procedural with a general helping of the supernatural. This is a fascinating and unique series, and not to be missed by mystery and urban fantasy fans!(less)

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Jul 18, 2012 Jesse Adler rated it 5 of 5 stars

It's a lost art - book buying. I wince even as I type that - like I'm personally killing books by saying it. But if not lost today then soon. Ebooks are great and do make life easier, yet they just aren't the same. But they are changing the reading/writing/publishing game. Getting a kindle was a bitter sweet moment in my life. You see I'm a book geek. Always have been. I love to touch them, leaf through them, smell them. I also love to feel their covers. I'm not proud of it but I just can't brin...more It's a lost art - book buying. I wince even as I type that - like I'm personally killing books by saying it. But if not lost today then soon. Ebooks are great and do make life easier, yet they just aren't the same. But they are changing the reading/writing/publishing game. Getting a kindle was a bitter sweet moment in my life. You see I'm a book geek. Always have been. I love to touch them, leaf through them, smell them. I also love to feel their covers. I'm not proud of it but I just can't bring my self to buy or love a book with a rubbish cover. It's taken me a while to overcome this enough to buy ebooks. It's made a bit easier by my snazzy tactile kindle cover.

What first attracted me to Rivers of London was the cover. Its doodle / graffiti map of London overlaid with the strong bold font in blood red, not to mention how smooth and right it felt in my hand.

Sci-fi set in London. I was sold! I grew up in the big smoke and any books that are set in it immediately pluck at my nostalgic heart strings. The pictures in my mind are sharper and more vivid.

From the first page I was impressed. It's rare to find a main character so immediate and likeable. You are instantly in his head for the crazy ride through the unknown magical side of London.

Peter is honest, modest and most importantly funny. No matter how serious the shit going down is, his perspective is light and likeable. It doesn't detract from the severity of the events but it provides a counter point which gives it a great balance.

There is a winning combination in the book that makes it such a page turner: it combines the behind the scenes crime novel with magic and myth adding a big helping of London's secret history into the mix.

The secret ingredient is Peters perspective and his world view. He has had a tough life; black in a mostly white profession and city; his dads continuing battle with addiction and driving passion for music. Yet he is not maudlin nor troubled. He is just trying to get on and do the best he can. It makes him easy to identify with and really easy to like.

So far there are three books in this series with a fourth in the pipe line (Broken Homes (2013)).

Book 3) Whispers Under Ground (2012) is a continuation that sees lovely Lesley installed at the Folly and Peter with a chance of getting on the Murder Squad. It's the amazing mix of history and myth all told in the crisp funny voice that keeps you totally hooked from the first sentence to the last.
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Jul 14, 2012 Philip Walker rated it 5 of 5 stars

I've gobbled up the first 2 books, and have waited eagerly for the third installment. I've had to read some complete nonsense while waiting, so very happy when it pinged onto my Kindle.

I agree with other reviewers, Whispers Underground is the best out of the series. If like me, you regularly use the London Underground, in all it's sweaty hot unreliable horror, it is actually not too difficult to imagine the hundreds of miles of tunnels could be home to a subterranean community, in fact I have ju...more

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Jul 12, 2012 Mackenzie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: urban fantasy fans, Harry Potter fans

Shelves: fantasy, favorites

Probably my favorite of the three Peter Grant books by Ben Aaronovitch so far. Definitely one of my favorite books of the year. Mostly because there's plenty of Nightingale appearances here, and also because Peter has become a lot smarter. (His new friends are very exciting as well - particularly Kumar the BTP officer and Zach Palmer.)

And is it just or is Aaronovitch is just a massive fanboy? There were references to Harry Potter, Lord Of The Rings, Doctor Who, Dungeons and Dragons, and plenty o...more Probably my favorite of the three Peter Grant books by Ben Aaronovitch so far. Definitely one of my favorite books of the year. Mostly because there's plenty of Nightingale appearances here, and also because Peter has become a lot smarter. (His new friends are very exciting as well - particularly Kumar the BTP officer and Zach Palmer.)

And is it just or is Aaronovitch is just a massive fanboy? There were references to Harry Potter, Lord Of The Rings, Doctor Who, Dungeons and Dragons, and plenty of other things. It also made me happy that the second chapter was named 'Baker Street', the name Sherlock Holmes cropped up a few times, and the cover actually contained the names of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's creation. It even covered one of my current interests: modern art. Perfect.

As usual, the mystery was slow-burning, the investigation carried out in the proper 'policing manner'. Aaronovitch's humor becomes witter, but also subtler in that the jokes don't make me laugh outright but instead it makes me grin throughout the book (at one point, I was also hiding myself behind it because I was afraid people would think I was a loon.) And once more, the author came up with many quotable lines and paragraphs.

An anglophile would've been crazy not to read the Peter Grant series because this book has a very distinct 'British' voice. Some words, I didn't even understand when I read for the first time and had to look up on the Internet. Like the previous books, Whispers Under Ground is yet another scenic installment of the Peter Grant saga - the geography of the story is laid out very carefully and, I'd like to think, realistically. For get your A-to-Z - one could probably do a tour of London using these books as a guide.

(I do believe, however, the entire sewer scene would not help with the tourism. And I may have been entirely turned off from taking the tube.)

There are still so many things to say about this - I haven't even gushed about Nightingale yet, or complained about the typos and missing punctuation marks in my copies - but so far this is all I've got for Goodreads. A more complete review may come later (or not). But whether or not that happens, Aaronovitch's third novel in the Peter Grant series is not a disappointment.

Now, when is the fourth one coming out again?(less)

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Jul 10, 2012 Lightreads rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, urban-fantasy

A somewhat inconsequential book that thoroughly convinced me of the deep consequence of this series.

Well, okay, a stepping stone book. One of those that doesn’t overtly advance the arc, but instead peels off for a side adventure with occasional flickers of bigger things, and you get the sense that you’ll be looking back in three or four books and going “ah, I see,” even though right now it doesn’t feel like much.

But the thing is, I came out the other side completely convinced that this series is...more

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Whispers Under Ground (Peter Grant #3)

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