Ben Aaronovitch

Ben Aaronovitch is a British author and screenwriter best known for the Rivers of London series of urban fantasy novels and his work on Doctor Who. His writing career spans multiple genres and formats, from television scripts to novels that blend police procedural with supernatural elements. Born in London in 1964, Aaronovitch began his career writing for television, most notably contributing two serials to Doctor Who in the late 1980s. He also wrote tie-in novels for both Doctor Who and Blake's 7 during this period. The Rivers of London series, launched in 2011, represents Aaronovitch's most significant literary achievement. The series follows Peter Grant, a London Metropolitan Police officer who becomes involved in investigating supernatural crimes, combining police work with magic in a contemporary London setting. Before his breakthrough as a novelist, Aaronovitch worked various jobs including security guard and bookseller at Waterstones. His career trajectory changed dramatically with the success of Rivers of London, which allowed him to transition to full-time writing.

Readers highlight Aaronovitch's dry British humor, detailed London settings, and blend of police procedural with fantasy elements. Many note his background in TV writing shows through in the quick pacing and snappy dialogue. Fans praise: - Complex magical world-building that builds over the series - Diverse, well-developed supporting characters - Architecture and London history details - Mix of humor with serious themes Common criticisms: - Plot pacing slows in later books - Too many pop culture references that may date the works - Technical/architectural descriptions can be excessive - Some find the magic system inconsistently explained Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: Rivers of London series averages 4.0/5 from 250,000+ ratings Amazon: Series averages 4.5/5 from 30,000+ reviews LibraryThing: 4.1/5 average Several readers note the audiobook narration by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith enhances the experience, with one calling it "the perfect voice for Peter Grant."

Rivers of London (2011) Metropolitan Police constable Peter Grant discovers he can speak with ghosts and is recruited as an apprentice wizard-policeman.

Moon Over Soho (2011) Peter Grant investigates a series of supernatural deaths in London's jazz community.

Whispers Under Ground (2012) A murder in the London Underground leads Peter Grant into a hidden world beneath the city streets.

Broken Homes (2013) Peter Grant's investigation centers around a mysterious housing estate with architectural secrets.

Foxglove Summer (2014) Two young girls go missing in rural Herefordshire, drawing Peter Grant away from his London comfort zone.

The Hanging Tree (2016) A death at a party in an exclusive London building reveals connections to ancient magical history.

The Furthest Station (2017) Peter Grant investigates ghost sightings on the Metropolitan Line of the London Underground.

The Also People (1995) The Doctor and companions visit an advanced civilization that mirrors the Culture universe of Iain M. Banks.

So Vile a Sin (1997) The Seventh Doctor and companions become involved in an interplanetary conflict affecting Earth's colonies.

Jim Butcher writes The Dresden Files series about a wizard working as a private investigator in Chicago, mixing supernatural cases with detective work. His blend of magic, police procedure, and urban setting parallels Aaronovitch's style while maintaining a distinctly American perspective.

Paul Cornell combines British urban fantasy with police work in his Shadow Police series set in London. His background in Doctor Who writing and his focus on London's supernatural underbelly creates similar territory to Rivers of London.

Charles Stross writes The Laundry Files series about a secret British government agency dealing with supernatural threats. His work merges bureaucracy, magic, and horror with a British civil service setting.

Mike Carey created the Felix Castor series about an exorcist in London who takes on supernatural cases. His protagonist works alongside police while dealing with ghosts and demons in a contemporary London setting.

Kate Griffin writes the Matthew Swift series about a sorcerer in London who draws power from the city itself. Her work focuses on urban magic and the personification of London, featuring detailed knowledge of the city's geography and history.