The Furthest Station: A PC Grant Novella

Not worth the price of the book. A rather skimpy tale and thus without the depth of previous books. It didn't seem to be balanced as previous stories were......and the characters all seem divorced from those we had previously known. Disappointing.

This book was clever, sly, and entirely too short. It felt like one of those special tv episodes that exist to set up the spin off, albeit a really good one. I totally want an Abigail series as well as a comic about Chess and his elderly parents.

Nice print treat for those of us who still prefer writing to pictures - graphic novels are OK, but the text in a well piece simply overshadows all but the most awesome artwork in a GN. I was surprised to find the volume signed and numbered.

It was too short for those waiting so long for a new PG story. And I really missed the tension and controversy of a real large love-hate conflict.
Just a small case, nothing special - not worth it's money and my expectations. Sorry to say that. I wish I change my mind with the next book. Dear Author, please, please!

Another really enjoyable visit to Peter Grant's London. Well written with interesting and believable characters.

My only complaint is that Ben Aaronovitch writes too slowly and now I'm back to waiting for the next book. Still there will be more graphic novels to console me soon.

This outing of PC Grant was highly satisfying. I enjoyed the novella as I have with all the others. It was a tight, intriguing story that lays the groundwork for possible new additions to the Folly's Universe. But Ben, Dear Ben, it was too blasted short!!! Looking forward to the next outing.

The story line was good. The action was what we have come to expect. The problem is its half a book. Half his usual length and with his other books there is a lot of plot twist and side trails he runs down that adds meat to the books entertainment value. He obviously has gotten way to tied up in his Graphic Novels.

Albeit much shorter than most of its predecessors, this installment has all of the charm and interest of the others. I sincerely hope another is in the works, as I truly enjoy the characters and storylines.

There were things that I liked and disliked about this story, but by and large I liked it better than the last full-length entries in the series. First, I was so glad to have a story without Lesley and the faceless man! Second, I really like Peter’s young cousin as an addition to the team at the Folly. She is fun and precocious and her training will be a good addition to the next stories. The main plot line in this novella was new and different with ghost hunting and communications from ghosts to help with a modern crime. The main weakness was its length. It was too short. Consequently, the mystery was solved very quickly. The resolution also left too many unanswered questions to be fully satisfying. Still, overall, I thought this book was a move in the right direction for the series so I restoring a star.

There were things that I liked and disliked about this story, but by and large I liked it better than the last full-length entries in the series. First, I was so glad to have a story without Lesley and the faceless man! Second, I really like Peter’s young cousin as an addition to the team at the Folly. She is fun and precocious and her training will be a good addition to the next stories. The main plot line in this novella was new and different with ghost hunting and communications from ghosts to help with a modern crime. The main weakness was its length. It was too short. Consequently, the mystery was solved very quickly. The resolution also left too many unanswered questions to be fully satisfying. Still, overall, I thought this book was a move in the right direction for the series so I restoring a star.

I received and arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Furthest Station is a fun ghost story that is full of Aaronovitch’s sarcastic wit and humor. This novella has PC Peter Grant and the rest of the folly crew trying to figure out why ghosts are harassing people on the tube. This leads to them learning that the ghosts are trying to save a kidnapping victim, one nobody is looking for.

At just over 140 pages this novella is a quick read in the typical style of the River of London series. If you’ve been reading the series you’ll enjoy this side story and I think people that have not read the series but want to check it out would also enjoy this one. The story is fairly independent of the main story arc with just a few hints of what’s already happened and what’s to come. So if you want to go out on a case with Peter for the sheer joy of the cases he works this will be a great book to kill a little time with.

I've seen the Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London books and thought about picking one up many times, but just couldn't pull the trigger. When the opportunity to review The Furthest Station (a novella-length story in the same series) arose, I decided to give it a shot.

Peter Grant is a police officer who works in The Folly, the special unit that deals with the unexplainable or supernatural. His latest case has him looking for a ghost on the Tube. Grant undertakes the search with the help of his colleague Jaget Kumar from the British Transport Police. What they find is that there is a very real danger to someone's life, and the ghost on the Tube are just the beginning.

I enjoyed The Furthest Station. The characters are well developed and interesting. Peter Grant is a likable protagonist, with real flaws and an engaging personality. Kumar is an adequate companion, as well. It is easy to see that there is a history between the two. Other characters include Grant's teenage cousin Abigail and his boss Nightingale (who is a master practicer of magic). Abigail is somewhat of a prodigy who longs to learn magic and begin working with her cousin full time. She is very proficient with technology (as many teens are) and very intelligent. Abigail is a nice counterpoint to Grant. Nightingale fills the role of (somewhat) crusty mentor.

The mystery was engaging. It was nothing that seemed out of place in a book of this type, and didn't rely heavily on the use of magic. In fact, as far as police procedurals go, it was rather ordinary (this is not meant as a negative). I liked the fact that magic did not dominate the story but rather felt very natural and complimentary to it.

My only complaint was that I felt like I was missing out on some background or inside jokes, having not read any of the other books in the series. This is definitely not Aaronovitch's fault, but I found myself distracted by this from time to time. If The Furthest Station is meant as an easy entry point to the series (due to the length), then maybe those types of things should be explained or left out. However, I would guess readers who are already familiar with the series would enjoy those comments or events.

Overall, I thought The Furthest Station was entertaining. Ben Aaronovitch has created an interesting urban fantasy/mystery series with engaging characters. If as a reader, this fits in your sweet spot, it would be worth picking up and giving it a read. If you are already a fan, this is a must read.

I received a preview copy of this book from Subterranean Press and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was disappointed by this very slight novella, priced more like a full book. I have read all of Aaronovitch's previous books but I fear that he is falling into the trap of laziness. Once an author becomes popular it is alas only too easy to keep on writing variants of the original successful book, S M Stirling is probably the worst case of this, although Weber may be even worse (I can't stand reading his interminable books anymore so I haven't been able to judge). Together with the inexorable ratcheting up of prices (Kindle books as expensive as hardbacks!) I have started seeking out different, underrated, authors, One that I can recommend is Tom Holt

This is an enjoyable 144 page novella, part of the PC Peter Grant series set in the world of "Rivers of London".
There are ghost-sightings in the subway, more than normal, and Peter as a member of the Folly has to handle it.
This starts a light-hearted romp in which we meet some of the cast from the novels, like Jaget from the BTP, learn that even rivergoods have a childhood and especially see, how Abigail, his cousin, develops to an asset of the Folly.
There could be more of Beverly, and there is nothing to advance the main plot line with the Faceless Man and Lesley, but in my opinion it is ok, that the author reservs those for the novels.
Nevertheless I do not think, that any fan of the series will miss on the opportunity to get a view at the things that happen outside the main plot line.
I really liked the book and would recommend it to everyone, but I think, you should know the characters already from the novels to get the most of it.

Well, this one left me kind of flat. I love Mr. Aaronovitch's Rivers of London series - it's some of the best fantasy writing out there today and certainly the best urban fantasy I've ever read, and I eagerly look for each new installment's publication. That said, The Furthest Station was a letdown.

For starters, it's extremely short - I wasn't aware that I was purchasing a novella rather than a full volume, and that was disappointing. Second, as other reviewers have mentioned, it feels very rushed and lacks a lot of the humor, descriptive detail and general joie de vrie of the other Peter Grant books. And third, there's no mention of the primary antagonist of the series and/or advancement of the plot there.

The bad stuff out of the way, there's still some good to be found - this isn't a terrible book by any means, Abigail is a good character, and a Peter Grant story is always welcome. Unfortunately, though, the final verdict for me is that it felt flat overall and the writing wasn't quite up to the extremely high standards Mr. Aaronovitch has set with his previous novels.

I sincerely hope that this installment doesn't signal the decline of the Rivers of London novels. I realize that the author is also busy with the comic book (pardon me, graphic novel) series of the same name, but I'd much rather read actual books, especially with a writer as talented as Mr. Aaronovitch, so I hope that his focus hasn't shifted too far away from that. I'll file The Furthest Station away as entertaining, but ultimately unfulfilling, and return to eagerly awaiting the next great Peter Grant novel.

Short story just to keep in touch with the people of the Folly and to see Abigail taking the place that was Leslie's. Ghosts, kidnapping (as usual) and undergrounds, the same ingredients for the new novella.

Una breve storia per non perdere di vista i nostri amici del Folly e per vedere l'evoluzione di Abigail che, a quanto sembra, prenderá il posto che era di Leslie. Fantasmi, rapimenti (come al solito) e metropolitane, gli ingradienti che conosciamo per una nuova storia.

More of a novella than a novel. I enjoyed the story but wish I had checked the page count before I purchased the book. The book does not introduce anything new to the Rivers of London series but shows what happens between major disasters and helps expand on minor charactors. A good read but makes me want the next novel even more.

I was expecting a proper, full length novel, addressing some of the issues raised in previous books. instead, I get something tat I finished in under an hour and added nothing to teh various existing story arcs. This is the sort of thing that should be a collection of stories rather than a stand alone book. I seriously hope a real novel is quickly forthcoming as short stories are all well and good but, at the end of the day, are the difference between catching a quick bite to eat and sitting down to a proper dinner.

It's a bit short! But othwerwise a reasonable addition to the series. I get the feeling that the target audience for the series bounces around a bit, and now it's younger young-adult. This doesn't bother me too much but it does mean less grittiness.

As always, a new Peter Grant/Rivers of London story was a delightful read!

The Furthest Station is a novella (longer than a short story yet shorter than a novel). Novellas are coming into their own again, I'm happy to say.

Also, it was nice to take a break from Peter's former partner Leslie and her nemesis The Faceless Man. Instead, Peter & Nightingale go ghost hunting on the London Tube (subway).

It was also nice to see that Peter's young cousin Abigail is growing up (she's a teen these days) and she still wants Peter to teach her magic.

All in all, a highly satisfying read that I can recommend to all who enjoy a humorous approach to paranormal police procedurals!

Peter Grant is set to investigate a series of ghostly encounters on the Metropolitan Line (a London underground line) in which commuters are assaulted but lose all memory of the incident moments later. Along with his good friend Sargeant Jaget Kumar, his magic detecting dog and his cousin Abigail Peter's investigations lead him a merry dance through London's underground and uncover a very mundane crime.

Proof, were it needed that Ben Aaronovitch can write a novella just as well as a novel. Full of the same humour, mystery and engaging characters.

A good shorter than usual story about the adventures of Grant with all the favs like Abagail, Nightingale and Molly. Not sure why the UK to US footnotes are included but an entertaining way to pass an afternoon with.