Foxglove Summer

Peter Grant, a London police constable and apprentice wizard, travels to rural Herefordshire to assist with the mysterious disappearance of two young girls. The case pulls him away from his usual urban territory and into the complex dynamics of a small country town where magic and mundane reality intersect in unexpected ways. During his investigation, Grant encounters an array of supernatural beings including unicorns, faeries, and river goddesses. He works alongside local law enforcement while navigating both the official police investigation and the hidden magical elements that may be responsible for the girls' disappearance. The novel explores the contrast between urban and rural magic, setting the familiar territory of London's supernatural landscape against the older, wilder magic of the countryside. This fifth installment in the Peter Grant series expands the magical universe while examining themes of belonging, duty, and the price of power.

Readers highlight this as a refreshing change of pace from the previous books by moving the action to rural Herefordshire. Many appreciate the tighter, more focused plot compared to earlier entries in the series. Liked: - The rural police procedural elements - Development of Peter Grant's character without London's usual supporting cast - Integration of British folklore and countryside traditions - Humor remains strong despite darker themes Disliked: - Less involvement from favorite recurring characters - Some found the pacing slower than previous books - Resolution felt rushed to some readers - A few readers missed the London setting Ratings: Goodreads: 4.17/5 (52,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (4,800+ ratings) Common reader comments note the book works as a standalone story but lacks some of the series' usual complexity. Multiple reviews describe it as "a breather" between more intense series entries. Some readers specifically praised the unicorn scenes and rural police interactions as highlights.

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🔮 Herefordshire, where the story is set, has a rich history of fairy folklore dating back to medieval times, including tales of children being stolen by the fae. 📚 Ben Aaronovitch worked as a scriptwriter for Doctor Who, penning the episodes "Battlefield" and "Remembrance of the Daleks" before becoming a novelist. 🌺 Foxgloves, referenced in the title, have a dual nature in British folklore - they're both magical protection against evil and potentially deadly poison, earning the nickname "Dead Man's Bells." 👮 The author consulted with real police officers to ensure accuracy in the procedural aspects of his novels, including proper police terminology and investigation techniques. 🗺️ The Peter Grant series has been translated into 14 languages and spawned a successful graphic novel adaptation called "Rivers of London: Body Work."