Foxglove Summer by Ben Aaronovitch

This is quite possibly the best of the Rivers Of London series.  There, I said it.  Unfortunately I have already given all the previous four novels five stars so have nowhere to go with this one.

Initially I was unsure how this one was going to work, Peter Grant away from London, away from the Folly.  After all they both loom large in the books and are almost characters in their own right.  Oddly, it works all too well and seeing the countryside through his townie eye (as well as his magical one) makes for a real page turner.  At first the disappearence of two young girls doesn't seem to have much of the Falcon about it but as one of the few survivors of Etterburg lives locally it seems best to check, plus Peter is really persona non grata in London at the moment after being there at the Skygarden's destruction (and likely instrumental in it).

Peter Grant is his snarky, bewildered self and maybe this is the real joy of the books; as a narrator he is so refreshingly bumbling at times you can't help but feel drawn to him.  Despite the local law enforcement's reluctance to accept him when things take a turn for the possibly mystical (invisible friend that just happens to be a unicorn) they absorb him in to the investigation.  Unfortunately for them this is definitely a case for Falcon and with Peter without the guiding hand of Nightingale things could go South very quickly.  Fortunately Bev is on hand to help steer him, even if she has her own machiavellian plots going on - never trust a River Goddess (even one that drive a steam engine!).

Thunderingly good plot that makes the fantastical seem rational and logical.  Strong characters that don't suddenly behave in unusual ways (often an issue with long running serials) and with the injection of some new blood that is just as deftly created it really sucks you in.  Even better we get introduced to another realm - after River Goddesses and the Quiet People we now have another race breathing in Peter's rarefied world.  A race that throws illumination on to Molly's true character (I admit it now, my gut feeling about her true nature was way off the mark).

Despite there being only the odd cameo by Nightingale and no Molly or Toby at all I thoroughly enjoyed this rural romp.  I'm not sure that I am looking forward to Peter returning to London and The Folly but return he sadly must.

Honestly, if you enjoy Urban Fantasy novels then I urge you to pick up the Rivers Of London series.  With a well thought through supernatural world bubbling alongside one we recognise, a narrator that is charmingly bewildered and strong plotting you will not be disappointed.