Rivers of London Volume 4: Detective Stories

The Rivers of London book series by Ben Aaronovich has now sold over a million copies and delighted fans the world over. The graphic novel series, in the previous three volumes – Body Work, Night Witch, and Black Mould – have been more of side stories, but it’s in the latest volume, Detective Stories, that things reach a whole new level and make it feel part of the true Rivers of London canon.

In this fourth volume, PC Peter Grant, our intrepid and magical hero, is facing one of the most grueling challenges he has ever faced: his detective exam. Fortunately, we, as readers, get front row seats to enjoy it as he regales his interviewer with four of the most unusual cases he can recall throughout his policing career. At first they feel ordinary and mundane, a run-of-the-mill case for a fresh copper, but then things end up turning to the fantastical and magical, and Grant still manages to figure things out.

As previously, the artwork is vibrant and colorful and draws you in. Previously, the stories have been a little complex and convoluted, and therefore, at times, confusing, but Detective Stories is just a fun ride. The diverse cast makes it feel real, as well do the numerous actual police routines and procedures. And if this is your first foray into the Rivers of London, it’s a great place to start.