Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

This thread is open to discuss Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch.

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Synopsis
Join Peter Grant, detective and apprentice wizard, for a brand new case . . .

Martin Chorley, aka the Faceless Man, wanted for multiple counts of murder, fraud, and crimes against humanity, has been unmasked and is on the run. Peter Grant, Detective Constable and apprentice wizard, now plays a key role in an unprecedented joint operation to bring Chorley to justice.

But even as the unwieldy might of the Metropolitan Police bears down on its foe, Peter uncovers clues that Chorley, far from being finished, is executing the final stages of a long term plan. A plan that has its roots in London’s two thousand bloody years of history, and could literally bring the city to its knees.

To save his beloved city Peter’s going to need help from his former best friend and colleague–Lesley May–who brutally betrayed him and everything he thought she believed in. And, far worse, he might even have to come to terms with the malevolent supernatural killer and agent of chaos known as Mr Punch . . .

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So excited for this to be released tomorrow!

I know! Can't wait to wake up and download!
Nearly like Christmas eve!

Why isn't the audio released yet?!
Happily I bought the kindle too... Action-packed opener with lovely Guleed kicking ass as is her wont :)
I like that we are being shown other magic systems too, so it's not all entitled white men spouting Latin

I got an email at 8 with it so hopefully yours will turn up soon.

Waiting for Joe to settle so I can start listening - going to be slower than your read.

I've got it now :)

I got through the first 5 chapters on my way in, but I'm at work now, and can't read here :(

yay! the music between chapters is back! I missed that so much in the last couple of audios :(

Yay! I normally don't like it, but it's ok for this series.

Listened to the 1st couple of chats during nap time. The list of cases that they've amalgamated was interesting as a prologue.

More Guleed is always a good thing, and as you said the different non-white man sprouting Latin magic is a good turn to take.

Yeah, I hate when the music or effects spill over the narration (I wear hearing aids, so it just makes it really hard work for me. podcasts are the bane of my life, with sound levels being all over the place). but I don't find the inter-chapter music here annoying - just the right length and adds to the vibe with the link back to Peter's dad too.

I had to stop one book because they added a lot of sound effects into the story (engine noises etc). Really didn't work for me.

I'm onto chapter 15 now. So many different bits of plot from so many of the previous books are coming together - I almost wish I'd done a re-read/listen before I started this, but would have delayed it a lot.

Nightgale's comments to Peter about going public about magic seemed so fully within character.

I almost wish they'd make a TV show of this, but it would never live up to the detailed genius and humour of the books

Did you hear about the largest privately owned aquarium in a building Peter entered and start counting down to massive explosions?!

I was almost disappointed it didn't!

Ended up listening to some at 4.30 this morning when my son wouldn't settle back to sleep. Not sure how much I'll have to listen to again, but v grateful for the sleep function as it can't be more than 30 minutes

Sophie wrote: "I was almost disappointed it didn't!"

I know, right!

I've got through chapter 20 now.

one of the things I really enjoy about these books is how much London becomes a character in its own right, partly through the rivers but also through the mundane geography and history and - especially this one - the archaeology.

The description of Whitechapel Road as a microcosm of the city (market, school, art, religion, hospital, transport, industry) and the changing uses of the buildings, for instance, enabled by the Roman road.

Also enjoying the snippets of life at the Folly, with the police portacabin, Molly as high quality industrial caterer, and Abigail watching over a post-morten of one of her foxy friends.

All in all, I'm enjoying this very much!

You can definitely tell the author knows London and its variety. My husband used to live in Whitechapel, so I've spent a fair amount of time walking round there and the description bought it all back vividly.

I love Lady Ty's response to Peter's shrine and his sacrifices. Can just picture her face wondering what the silly boy is up to when it first came to her attention.

chapter 22 - HOW EXCITING!!!

I might also have sniggered at the visual of Peter cycling like mad with his jacket flapping about

and I'm off Quality Street for this Christmas!

Sophie wrote: "I love Lady Ty's response to Peter's shrine and his sacrifices. Can just picture her face wondering what the silly boy is up to when it first came to her attention..."

Her horror at the waste of top quality wine!

It's only a proper sacrifice if you know the value of what you're giving!

hahahaha! I am totally with Peter on the tediousness of The Silmarillion. The torture!

Nooooooo! Lesley! why??????!

Finished!

I'm sad at the lack of big buildings being blown up :(
but it was fun and satisfying, with an ending that could end us up who knows where....

Cat wrote: "hahahaha! I am totally with Peter on the tediousness of The Silmarillion. The torture!"

I've never been tempted to read it and this hasn't encouraged me to add it to my tbr shelf.

Cat wrote: "chapter 22 - HOW EXCITING!!!

I might also have sniggered at the visual of Peter cycling like mad with his jacket flapping about

and I'm off Quality Street for this Christmas!"

Wonderful images of him cycling. Liked seeing him and Nightgale fight.

Oh definitely! Might have to give roses etc a miss as well just in case

Cat wrote: "Finished!

I'm sad at the lack of big buildings being blown up :(
but it was fun and satisfying, with an ending that could end us up who knows where...."

Don't think I'm going to manage to finish it tonight. Hopefully will get time over the weekend

I liked the double date with Brooke, Isis and Oxley. Moment of normality in amongst all the chaos.

Sophie wrote: "Liked seeing him and Nightingale fight...."

The action scenes are good - especially when Kobna's describing them :)

Too often fight scenes get overlong or tedious, but not so much with Peter. and when Thomas "Tank-killer" Nightingale wades in.... I'm a little in love with him too!

Sophie wrote: "I liked the double date with Brooke, Isis and Oxley. Moment of normality in amongst all the chaos."

Yeah! With Oxley ready to strip off to keep Isis happy if needs be!

But the prophecy.... what's that about?? Peter in exile doesn't sound good! :(

Cat wrote: "Nooooooo! Lesley! why??????!"

I feel like this could be applied to everything in the last 1/4 of the book!

Really hope this isn't the last of the series. Felt like enough has been wrapped up that it could end, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there's more to come.

Has made me restart the series at the start - I'm loving relistening to Peter's early adventures and how he starts to learn magic.

I don’t think it’s the end of Peter’s stories, but I do know The next book from Ben is from a different point of view- German, I think?

Have you read any of the graphics?

I think I might have read one, but I'm not sure. Have read most of the short stories. Might go hunting for the graphics...

Hello everyone! I am listening to this and pleased with it so far. Any chance any good willing person would add a chapter by chapter summary? As a non native English speaker it helps a lot as we listen to the audiobook.