Loved this book so much and I love that Waterstones consistently has signed copies I can add to my collection.

I had to ask myself if I was actually going to review the 8th in this massively popular series? What is there to say? Well, quite a bit to say, I think. Not every massively popular series is still going strong by Book 8. Some become formulaic, continuing to please the fans but not really justifying another book... and another, and another. NOT true of Rivers of London, though. False Value finds us in quite a new place and Aaronovitch exploits this to excellent effect. After the events of Lies Sleeping, Peter faces an uncertain future - suspended from the Met and now starting a new job as security at a tech startup based near the Old Street "Silicon Roundabout" (London's go-to quarter for would be dotcom entrepreneurs - this being London, I should perhaps, London's go-to quarter for much-mocked would be dotcom entrepreneurs). Other things are changing too - the Folly is being redeveloped, the Met is suffering brutal budget cuts (taking out not only officers but canteens!) and Beverley, Peter's river goddess girlfriend, is expecting. Back to that new job. The Serious Cybernetics Corporation (and yes, the book does abound with Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy puns and references) needs a good pair of eyes - and hands - to track down a rat, a rogue who's messing with the systems logs and, perhaps, trying to get where they ought not to be. A rat among the workers known as "mice" (Yes, one of those references). And Peter has the background to help with this. Recruited by ex-Met colleague Tyrel Johnson, he's soon on the case. This being a Rivers of London novel, though, Peter's never going to be far away from the weird shit. It's fun to see him get to grip with things on his own, with little or no backup (there are of course favours to be called in, rules to be bent) and to learn more in the process about Aaronovitch's alternate London (and indeed, about the actual London). We hear a lot in False Value about how magic is policed in the US, and events in the book link back not only to Lovelace and Babbage and early computing in 19th century London but also to going's on in Silicon Valley. (Maybe this is prepping us for future developments?) This is, I think, a more confident, capable Peter than we've seen before. Despite his setting being quite different, he's on top of things and he's not being run ragged by the Faceless Man or Lesley May. While there is, somewhere, a scary antagonist this book is, compared to some of the previous instalments more a game of chess than a deadly thriller (though it does lead up to a nail biting conclusion) and the pace allows for interludes such as Beverley holding an impromptu river goddess pageant (naturally, bringing together everyone Peter wanted kept apart...) an event that allows Aaronovitch to show just why the two are close (his portrayal of this complex relationship, visibly deepening through the series, is one of the things I like most about these books). It's in many respects a more straightforward story than many of the earlier books (which is not to say it's simple to follow - there are some fiendish turns to the plot) with no villainous mastermind in sight (or out of sight). The solution to the mystery turns neatly on both information from previous stories and hints dropped here (no spoilers, but watch carefully...) but potentially takes the Rivers series into deeper and darker territory than before: the books are, in a sense, outgrowing London with the threats Peter is now facing not arising from the deep ghost soil of London (Mr Punch, the Faceless Man's cabal of banker would-be sorcerers) but coming from somewhere quite beyond, somewhere deeper. There is still a lot of humour here - the ridiculous startup culture of the SCC or the the dry wit of Nightingale, who makes several appearances. There is dark humour focussing for example on the downsized Met There is also plain darkness (besides the threat that emerges, we learn more about what happened in the Eckersberg forest). What there isn't, is any sign, hint or trace of this series becoming stale or flagging in any way. Rather this series is ion rude health. There is clearly more to explore in and beyond magical London and I look forward to reading another instalment soon.

Peter Grant is back and this time magic and technology combine with a touch of Lovecraft. I enjoyed this story a lot more than I have the last couple of books, the story telling seemed to have returned to the feel it had at the beginning of the series. The magic and police procedural are all here with the usual cast with the added touch of the world of computing and technology and the slightly cliched people that inhabit that business. It might have had something to do with the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy references (it is it's 42nd anniversary) or that some of the story is set in the Medway towns, so close to home.

Another fascinating addition to the Rivers of London series. Taking on a new story arc that is set in a wonderfully realised computer innovation company of modern London, with plenty of nods to real history, myth and twisted with urban magic and the expanding magical division of the Met, the story continues with familiar narratives of continuing main characters. I'm keeping this a little vague so as not to spoil anything, but this is a real page turner of urban fantasy, that is most successful because it succeeds in remaining to appear normal and everyday. Highly highly recommend.

Peter Grant in deep again. Ben Aaronovitch delivers another great “Rivers”read. Well written, believable characters, magic and goddesses it ticks all my boxes. I also love his nods and references to Sir Terry Pratchett’s writings and Ben’s work feels similar. I can’t wait for the next book.