Book description
Hey, have you ever been pulled into an audiobook so tightly into its world you feel like you're standing right next to the characters? That's exactly what happened with Ben Aaronovitch's Foxglove Summer. I was already hooked on the Rivers of London series, and this fifth installment flips the script by taking Peter Grant out of the familiar streets of London and into a small Herefordshire village. The narration delivers that same crisp, engaging style you've come to expect from Aaronovitch-his voice feels as if it's already a character in the story.
The plot kicks off when local police are reluctant to admit that something supernatural could be behind the disappearance of a few children. Peter's usual London copper instincts clash with the quiet, almost hesitant village police. Yet the story never loses its pace; the supernatural tension is layered in a way that feels fresh, even for a fan of the series. I kept my ears glued as Peter, accompanied by Beverley Brook, was drawn into a deep mystery that pulls local cops and local gods into the mix. The way Aaronovitch describes the setting-shops closing by 4 pm-creates a tangible sense of time passing in this rural backdrop, making the stakes feel immediate.
Listening to the audiobook, I found the pacing just right. The narrator weaves the dialogue and descriptions so the story feels like it's unfolding in real time, not just reading. The small village of Herefordshire gets its own voice, and the supernatural element is presented with Aaronovitch's characteristic blend of humor and seriousness. It's that same voice that made his early Doctor Who work so engaging, then faded, and now has made a triumphant return with the Rivers of London.
And let's not forget the meta-moment where Aaronovitch himself muses about leaving London when the city is "prised out of his cold dead fingers." It adds a personal layer to the narrative that feels almost meta. The entire experience feels like a conversation with a friend who's spilling all the best bits of the story.
In short, if you're looking for a fast-moving, richly atmospheric audiobook that feels like a natural extension of the Rivers of London world, Foxglove Summer is a must-listen. It keeps the charm, adds a new setting, and delivers the supernatural intrigue that keeps me coming back for more.
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience