Whispers Underground (Rivers of London #3) by Ben Arronovitch

Format: Audio (BorrowBox)
Read: May 2025

I didn’t have a good time with Moon Over Soho, in fact, it made me dislike Peter, but I kept reading that that was something of a blip in the series, and so I was encouraged to press on to the next book. I am very glad that I did!

There was a lot to like in this book. Firstly, that Lesley is back! She’s been reassigned to The Folly, she is also now being trained by Nightingale in magical arts, and is partnered with Peter again. After the fiasco of the previous book, he definitely benefits from having a partner. She is out and about, although wearing her mask, her voice on the audiobook sounds a little bit clearer now that she’s had some more surgeries on her face (I’m a little suspicious about that). I am glad that her face hasn’t been “magically” fixed overnight, and that we have Peter adjusting to it. I really enjoy Lesley, I think she’s generally smarter than Peter and definitely more focused, which is why she is seemingly progressing with her magic faster than he did… I am excited about all the hints I think I picked up from the previous book as to where this is going to go!

The magical world continues to expand with some great new characters, creatures, and history explored. I like the pace of the world-building in this series. It’s not overwhelming, and it feels like it makes sense to me! I suspect some of these characters will be returning (I’ve got my eye on Abigail especially!). I am still dying for more Nightgale! He is in this book more than in the previous one, but it’s never enough for me!

I love the humour in this series, and I also, surprisingly, love the mundane police procedural stuff, and also Peter’s detailed remarks on architecture. We learn why he’s always noting architecture in this one! I actually enjoyed learning about the London Underground more, and safety tips for walking on railway tracks (the number one being don’t fucking do it!).

I’ll not be able to give any of these books five stars, though, if they persist in such a strong Male Gaze. It gives me a pang of the Ick every time. I have to say this one is the least offensive to me so far on that front. Only one reference to Peter’s erection and mercifully no sex scenes. However, we get some mildly gratuitous description of Lesley’s body in skimpy pyjamas in this one, and it does read an awful lot like Peter fancies her again, despite her ruined face, because he’s remembering she has a really hot bod, and that Zak fancies her too… Once again, Peter, not a great look.

Still, that is a niggle and these audiobooks are wildly enjoyably! Kobna Holdbrook-Smith is fantastic and brings Peter and the whole world alive. His American accent for Agent Reynolds is really dodgy, yes, but it is what it is! I blew through this book in days, which is quite annoying, actually, because now I have to wait two weeks to get hold of the next one!