With the latest instalment from the Peter Grant Universe, Ben Aaronovitch still manages to entertain and enthral, even if some of the magic from the first books has been wearing off. The initial journey with Peter discovering the parallel reality of magic, the absurd situations (sewer bobsleigh ride, anyone?), the witty dialogue and the occasional melancholic undertone made the first three books in the series, well, magical.  

Lies Sleeping is a slightly more traditional catch-the-bad-guy story, in so far a chase including weaponised vampire, singing bells and a non-verbal fay with excessive cooking mania can be called traditional. 

Ben Aaronovitch again demonstrates his extensive knowledge of London, its history and its myths, but I sometimes got a bit lost in all the history and references. My favourite part was Foxglove’s narrative, which highlights the human side of the story. This is something the author does very well, but it has been distinctly underutilised in later books.

Overall, I am impressed with the wide gallery of fabulous characters, which has been built up through the series. This variety has definitely helped to keep things interesting. Personal favourites besides from the protagonists include Abigail, Zack and Stephanopoulos, but I also enjoy Kimberley, Lady Tyburn, Molly, Toby,  Seawoll, Doctor Walid, Guleed, Varvara, Faceless Man no 2 (and even no 1), Punch, Postmartin, and many more. Considering I’ve read books, where not even the main characters came alive (alive in my head, that is), this is no mean feat.

Lies Sleeping felt to me like a round-up of the series. I will be sad if we have no more Peter Grant stories, but I found it an appropriate finish. Apparently, a book about the German equivalent to Peter Grant is coming up. I have always thought London played an important role in the books and missed it, when Peter ventured out to the country side. So I do wonder how the German story will compare. 

Nevertheless, I look forward to read more from Ben Aaronovitch and hopefully listen to more from the excellent Kobna Holdbrook-Smith in the future. Bring it on. 

If you are new to the Peter Grant universe, I doubt the above review makes much sense, and most likely the book won’t make too much sense either. I would highly recommend to start with the first book Rivers of London, which takes place in and around Covent Garden.

Title: Lies Sleeping [2018]
Author: Ben Aaronovitch
Format: Audiobook, narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
Genre: Urban Fantasy