A battered, old, harmless wooden stall? A snazzy sports car turned homicidal killer? A pack of wayward rich kids? Like pieces of a weaponized jigsaw puzzle, the links between these three apparently unrelated things are becoming lethally clear to full-time London cop and part-time wizard Peter Grant.
Written by Dotor Who writer Ben Aaronovitch (Remembrance of the Daleks) and set in the world of his own bestselling novels, with Doctor Who showrunner Andrew Cartmel.
Rivers of London - Body Work is written in continuity with the novels - not an adaptation - this is an all-new story set between books four and five.
Ben Aaronovitch's career started with a bang writing for Doctor Who, subsided in the middle and then, as is traditional, a third act resurgence with the bestselling Rivers of London series.
Born and raised in London he says that he'll leave his home when they prise his city out of his cold dead fingers.
The following is a review for the entirety of Body Works, one through five, as I read the combined edition rather than the individual chapters…
I’m a big fan of the Peter Grant series, and yet I’ve avoided the graphic novels for one reason: I’m not a fan of graphic novels. I’ve tried to get into them a few times, yet I find it extremely difficult. I can understand the appeal, I can see why there are so many graphic novel fans out there, but I doubt I will ever be one. Nevertheless, my curiosity about the Peter Grant graphic novels remained. Thus, I decided it was time to borrow Body Work from the library.
With this one, it’s very much a case of “it’s not you, it’s me”. As I’ve stated, I’m not a graphic novel fan. Although this was a nice addition to the Peter Grant storyline, it didn’t do much for me. There was no point where my feelings reached the high they do when I am reading one of the novels. It was okay, but it was not enough to blow my mind – making it a rounded down two-point-five-star rating.
If you do enjoy graphic novels and you’re a fan of the Peter Grant stories, then you should certainly give the graphic novels a read – it is a nice extra for fans, but it is not something I will be reading more of.
Nice conclusion to the Body Work story, although I was annoyed by the typo calling it a ducking "stall" instead of stool. Loved the short epilogue with a Downton Abbey theme, and interesting notes about the demi monde by Peter at the end.
I haven't read many graphic novels, but I'll read anything to do with the Rivers of London series, as they are brilliant! I pre-ordered this set of five comics as soon as I read on Ben Aaronvitch's website that they were in existence. As a story, it slots into the book series seamlessly. It has a well thought out mysterious crime which Peter sets out solving in his usual analytical and cynical style with plenty of witty banter along the way. There is also a bit more of Nightingale's back story. I enjoyed the illustrations which matched the fast pace of the story and helped to bring it to life, although I prefer the characters I had imagined myself to the illustrations! There is an extra double page at the back of each comic which explains a particular detail of the story in a bit more depth. I wouldn't have missed these sections if they weren't there, but they might be of interest to some people. Overall I enjoyed this comic series and it has satisfied my craving for Peter and his pals until I can get my hands on the next book!
This is set between Broken Homes and Foxglove Summer. A set of 5 graphic novels where Peter is called on the scene of a death by diving with a car into the river and finds himself following the trail of a possessed automobile. The past is not far behind as Nightingale finds out. Homocidal cars, haunted houses, Peter can't catch a break. Fun and a very good fit in the series.
I didn't realize this was a graphic novel. It was ok but a far cry from them the stylish writing and rich invention of the series that begins with Midnight Riot in the states. Still waiting for the next installment, Ben!
I don't care for graphic novels, and this is just a small part of one. I like the series though. The drawing of Molly didn't work for me, but that may be because she can't be drawn.
It's a last installment in this case - Body Work. It wraps things up and it's very nice. Again, lovely written and drawn even better. I'm waiting for more from Mr Aaronovitch.