Released: 7th April 2022
Genre: Fiction, Detective, Fantasy
Number of Pages: 404
Metropolitan Police officer and practicing magician Peter Grant continues his service in Amongst Our Weapons, the ninth entry in Ben Aaronovitch’s long-running series. Taking place mainly in the capital and surrounding areas, we have another round of fantastical detective work.
Another murder has turned up on The Folly’s doorstep, this time from the London Silver Vaults. In a self-aware nod to Lord of The Rings, Grant, Nightingale and their colleagues are on the hunt for seven rings that hold the power to reach into trans-dimensional rifts. The search quickly turns into a clash with deadly angelic forces hiding among the populous. New characters like Danni Wickford join the fray and Peter is also on his way to parenthood, caring for his river goddess partner Beverley. Amongst Our Weapons is split between these character moments and the investigation. This structure has become standard fare for the series with some intervention from one of Peter’s former colleagues. This does limit the number of twists and turns in the narrative.
Some of the major set pieces this time around include an eerie excursion to the northern moors, and a destructive showdown in a kitchen pantry. All of these moments really amp up the tension with Peter’s sarcastic perspective acting as a counterbalance. Aaronovitch has always woven in some light humour and it still works well for this book. The interesting thing about this series is how it seamlessly weaves in references to past adventures and world-building without dipping into flashbacks. Outside of character progression, each book can be picked up easily and you can easily engage with each police case. Everything is tied off nicely by the end with an interesting new direction for Grant to take.
Recommended?
YES: Like all the entries before it, Amongst Our Weapons packs plenty of wit, action and mystery. It’s always a pleasure to return to this series through the years with the blend of contemporary investigation and fantasy. Some side characters have been shuffled into lesser roles and the story lacks some dramatic heft, but you won’t be disappointed by Peter Grant’s latest outing.
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