The October Man

Synopsis

A Rivers of London novella, from Sunday Times Number One bestselling author Ben Aaronovitch.

Trier is famous for wine, Romans and for being Germany's oldest city. So when a man is found dead with, his body impossibly covered in a fungal rot, the local authorities know they are out of their depth.

Fortunately this is Germany, where there are procedures for everything.

Enter Investigator Tobias Winter, whose aim is to get in, deal with the problem, and get out with the minimum of fuss, personal danger and paperwork. With the help of frighteningly enthusiastic local cop, Vanessa Sommer, he's quick to link the first victim to a group of ordinary middle-aged men - and to realise they may have accidentally reawakened a bloody conflict from a previous century. But the rot is still spreading, literally and with the suspect list extending to people born before Frederick the Great solving the case may mean unearthing the city's secret magical history.

. . . so long as that history doesn't kill them first.

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

The October Man is a Rivers of London novella by Ben Aaronovitch. It follows police detective Peter Grant as he investigates a mysterious death in the Forest of Dean. The case takes an unexpected turn when he meets a mysterious man named October who appears to be connected to the case.

Chapter One

In Chapter One, Peter Grant is sent to investigate a suspicious death in the Forest of Dean. His partner, Chief Inspector Nudger Clarke, tells Peter not to discuss the case with anyone else. At the scene, Peter notices unusual activity from a group of squirrel hunters, and finds evidence of magical interference in the murder.

Chapter Two

In Chapter Two, Peter meets with October, a strange figure who seems to know more about the Forest of Dean than anyone else. He tells Peter about the mysteries of the area and makes an offer to hire Peter as a private detective. Peter agrees, and October reveals that he is searching for the source of a strange red mist.

Chapter Three

In Chapter Three, Peter begins to investigate the red mist, and discovers that it comes from an ancient book, The Octavius of Septimius. The book is guarded by a magical construct called the Word Made Flesh. Peter encounters the Word Made Flesh but is unable to do anything to stop it.

Chapter Four

In Chapter Four, Peter learns that the Word Made Flesh was created by a group of wizards called The Octopus, who are using it to protect The Octavius of Septimius. He finds out that the book contains a powerful spell, which the Octopus is using to cause strange events in the forest.

Chapter Five

In Chapter Five, Peter learns that the Octopus are using The Octavius of Septimius to summon a creature known as the Shadowman. The Shadowman is a powerful creature that is able to control the minds of those it touches. Peter soon finds himself in a dangerous situation as he is forced to confront the Shadowman.

Chapter Six

In Chapter Six, Peter discovers that the Shadowman is created by a magical creature known as the Twins. The Twins have an agenda of their own and they have been manipulating events to gain control of the Forest of Dean. Peter confronts the Twins, and the Twins reveal that their ultimate plan is to consume the life force of all living things in the forest.

Chapter Seven

In Chapter Seven, Peter and October join forces to find a way to stop the Twins. October reveals that the only way to defeat them is to use a powerful magic relic known as the Octagon. With the Octagon, Peter is able to defeat the Twins and the Shadowman, and the forest is saved.

Chapter Eight

In Chapter Eight, Peter returns to London and discovers that Nudger has been investigating the Twin’s plans. They discover a magic relic called the Song of the October Women, which reveals the truth about the Twin’s plans. Peter and Nudger destroy the relic, and the Witches of the Night are finally defeated once and for all.