Rivers of London

Synopsis

Book 1 in the Rivers of London series, from Sunday Times Number One bestselling author Ben Aaronovitch.

My name is Peter Grant, and I used to be a probationary constable in that mighty army for justice known to all right-thinking people as the Metropolitan Police Service, and to everyone else as the Filth.

My story really begins when I tried to take a witness statement from a man who was already dead...

Probationary Constable Peter Grant dreams of being a detective in London's Metropolitan Police. After taking a statement from an eyewitness who happens to be a ghost, Peter comes to the attention of Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale, who investigates crimes involving magic and other manifestations of the uncanny.

Suddenly, as a wave of brutal and bizarre murders engulfs the city, Peter is plunged into a world where gods and goddesses mingle with mortals and a long-dead evil is making a comeback on a rising tide of magic.

Praise for the Rivers of London novels:

'Ben Aaronovitch has created a wonderful world full of mystery, magic and fantastic characters. I love being there more than the real London'
NICK FROST

'As brilliant and funny as ever'
THE SUN

'Charming, witty, exciting'
THE INDEPENDENT

'An incredibly fast-moving magical joyride for grown-ups'
THE TIMES

Discover why this incredible series has sold over two million copies around the world. If you're a fan of Terry Pratchett or Douglas Adams - don't panic - you will love Ben Aaronovitch's imaginative, irreverent and all-round irresistible novels.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Lady of the Thames

* Peter Grant, a rookie London police constable, witnesses a woman thrown into the Thames River.
* He dives in and encounters a river spirit, or "Faceless Man," who claims the woman is a sacrifice to the river goddess.
* Peter is rescued by a mysterious detective named Thomas Nightingale, who reveals that the supernatural exists and forms a partnership with Peter.

Chapter 2: The Ghost of St. Paul's

* Peter and Nightingale investigate the haunting of St. Paul's Cathedral by a 17th-century ghost.
* They encounter a demon who manipulates the ghost but are unable to capture it.
* Peter realizes he has a latent ability to see and manipulate magic, known as "folk."

Chapter 3: The Beast of Belgravia

* A series of animal attacks terrorizes the upscale neighborhood of Belgravia.
* Peter and Nightingale discover a werewolf responsible, led by a wealthy and powerful occultist.
* They team up with Leslie May, a vampire private investigator, and confront the werewolf, revealing a sinister plot.

Chapter 4: The City of Ghosts

* Peter and Nightingale investigate the theft of a magical artifact from a museum.
* They encounter a group of rogue mages who are trying to summon a powerful ancient god.
* With the help of May, they defeat the mages and recover the artifact.

Chapter 5: The Thames Gods

* The Thames river spirits abduct a group of teenagers, threatening to flood London.
* Peter and Nightingale confront the river goddess, who demands a sacrifice in return for the hostages.
* They negotiate with the goddess and offer a symbolic sacrifice, averting the flood.

Chapter 6: The Faceless Man

* Peter and Nightingale discover that the Faceless Man is responsible for the supernatural disturbances in London.
* They confront the entity, revealing it to be a powerful ancient being that seeks to control the city.
* With the help of allies, they defeat the Faceless Man and banish it from the realm.