Peter Grant Books In Order

Publication Order of PC Peter Grant / Rivers of London Books

Chronological Order of PC Peter Grant / Rivers of London Books

Combining elements of both the supernatural and the detective thriller genre, author Ben Aaronvitch has been writing his ‘Peter Grant’ series for some time now. Using the police-procedural genre as well, he’s managed to get his novels optioned for UK television, as a show is currently in the works. No stranger to TV himself having scripted some episodes of ‘Doctor Who’ in the past, he looks set to take the helm himself.

The series itself features the adventures of the eponymous Peter Grant, a young metropolitan officer situated in London who gets transferred to a smaller paranormal branch after witnessing a ghost up close first-hand. Soon as a wizard in training, he deals with the magic and paranormal entities that besiege the city dealing with the various cases as they come. With its mix of urban fantasy and crime, it’s proving to be popular as the series continues on a regular basis.

Peter Grant: Midnight Riot/Rivers of London

Published originally on the first of January, 2011, this novel from Ben Aaronvitch was to be the one that was to start the Peter Grant franchise. Going under two titles, it’s known as ‘Midnight Riot’ in America and ‘Rivers of London’ in the UK. Introducing the character and setting the scene, it brought readers into the world of Grant and the city of London. Showing how he got his job, it manages to create the universe in which he now resides and operates.

Peter Grant is an ambitious and ever eager probationary Constable hoping to make detective within the London Metropolitan Police department. His dreams are soon dashed though, when he quickly discovers that his superior has other plans for him, as he aims to place him within the ‘Case Progression Unit’. This means that all he’ll be seeing is paperwork for the rest of his career, without a glimmer of action or excitement. Soon this is all to change though when a murder takes place that is more than puzzling leaving him without any leads. That is until it soon transpires that there was one witness at the scene of the crime; a ghost. Discovering he has the ability to speak to the dead, Peter Grant’s life and outlook on the world is flipped upside down, as he’s thrust head-first into the land of the paranormal, and he embarks on an adventure of the supernatural variety.

This quickly captures the attention of the mysterious Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale who seeks to recruit Peter Grant for his own division. Investigating crimes of a magical and supernatural nature, he works for a smaller more covert department of the Metropolitan Police focused on crimes of such a nature. Looking at crimes of the uncanny, Grant soon finds himself investigating a wave of strange and brutal murders sweeping the city of London. It appears there’s a new evil afoot and it’s arriving off the back of tide of magic that’s quickly engulfing the metropolis at an unprecedented rate. In a world where goddesses and gods mingle with both the dead and the living, Grant finds he might be in a little over his head. Will he be able to solve the crimes and save the city from the potential evil that threatens to engulf it? Can he maintain his composure, let alone survive the forces beyond his imagination? What will become of Peter Grant as he enters the rivers of London?

Peter Grant: Moon Over Soho

Carrying on from the last book, this sequel continues the adventures of Peter Grant as he now works for the supernatural division of the London Metropolitan Police Force. Originally published in 2011 on the 21st of April, it was first brought out by Ben Aaronvitch as the second installment in the series. With its characters and setting now firmly established, he jumps straight in to the next case to investigate.

Now an apprentice wizard, the new Police Constable Peter Grant is making his way in the division, getting involved within the magical underworld of the city of London. That’s when he’s assigned to a new case involving a murdered journalist found dead within the Soho district of London, specifically in the Groucho Club. Brutally killed, he’s discovered in the toilets there as Grant is to lead the investigation into his death. Simultaneously it turns out that there are also murders occurring, whereby jazz musicians are being killed shortly after they perform on-stage, much to the suspicion of Grant. It also turns out that each death has all the hallmarks of magic, as it soon transpires that the killings have been caused by spells, leading Grant to utilize his newly acquired skills on the job. These deaths are far from natural and he’s going to find out who or what is causing them before it’s too late.

Using his now trademarked recognizable brand of humor, Aaronvitch divulges his readers in the many laconic quips delivered by Grant. Taking the police-procedural genre to new heights through its use of the supernatural, he’s really taken it up a level to reach new heights. Presenting a whole cast of characters both old and new, he creates a world that is rich and vibrant for his readers. With critical acclaim for the novel as well, it really made an impact for the series as a whole overall. Will the Police Constable Peter Grant be able to discover who’s carrying out these most gruesome murders? Can he find out and crack the case in time before it’s too late? What’s in store for Peter Grant as the moon rises over Soho?

The Peter Grant Series

With their trademark humor and fun take on the genre, it’s easy to see why this franchise is potentially being green-lit for a television show. As it looks set to continue, it appears that Aaronvitch isn’t planning to finish anytime soon, as he aims to carry on into the foreseeable future. Using his concoction of pop-references and intelligent wit, it’s a must for fans of the genre looking for an insightful modern spin. Expect plenty more books to come from this series yet, with many more installments planned for the future.