The Hanging Tree

Peter Grant, a London police officer who investigates supernatural crimes, returns to the city after his recent rural adventure to face a new case involving London's magical elite. The sixth book in Aaronovitch's urban fantasy series finds Grant navigating both his relationship with river goddess Beverley Brook and a complex investigation centered in the city's wealthy neighborhoods. When the daughter of Lady Ty, a powerful river goddess, becomes entangled in a fatal party incident at a luxury apartment, Grant must balance his police duties with a personal debt. The investigation pulls him deeper into the supernatural politics of London's rivers while uncovering connections to historical magic and modern wealth. The case expands beyond a simple drug overdose, forcing Grant to confront dangerous practitioners of magic and navigate the complex social hierarchy of London's supernatural community. This installment adds new layers to the series' established world of police procedure mixed with British magic. The novel explores themes of power, privilege, and the intersection of old magic with modern urban life, continuing the series' examination of how supernatural forces shape contemporary London.

Readers call this book a return to form for the series after slower-paced previous entries. Many note it moves the overall plot forward significantly while maintaining the humor and London history details fans expect. Likes: - Fast-paced action throughout - Development of Peter Grant's magical abilities - Lady Ty's expanded role - Architecture and history references - Humor and pop culture mentions Dislikes: - Complex plot threads require familiarity with previous books - Some found the ending rushed - Too many side characters to track - Technical jargon can be dense Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (35,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (2,800+ ratings) Common reader comment: "The best since Rivers of London" Multiple reviews note this book works better when read in sequence rather than as a standalone, with one Amazon reviewer stating "Don't start here - go back to book one to fully appreciate the character growth."

Storm Front by Jim Butcher A wizard works as a supernatural detective in Chicago, blending police work with magic while navigating relationships with law enforcement.

Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch A London police constable discovers his connection to magic and joins a special unit dealing with supernatural crimes in the city.

A Madness of Angels by Kate Griffin An urban sorcerer returns from death to investigate his murder through London's mystical underworld while working with police contacts.

London Falling by Paul Cornell Four London police officers gain supernatural sight during an investigation and pursue occult cases through the city's hidden magical realm.

The Rook by Daniel O'Malley A woman with supernatural abilities wakes with no memory and must solve her attempted murder while working for Britain's secret paranormal government agency.

🌟 The Rivers of London series was partly inspired by Aaronovitch's work as a screenwriter for Doctor Who during the 1980s. 🌟 The author spent three years working as a bookseller at Waterstones before his breakthrough success with Rivers of London. 🌟 Each river spirit in the series is based on extensive research of London's waterways, with their personalities reflecting historical aspects of their locations. 🌟 Ben Aaronovitch originally developed the concept as a TV show pitch before turning it into a novel series. 🌟 The series has spawned a successful line of graphic novels, with The Hanging Tree being adapted into comic form in collaboration with Titan Comics.