The Hanging Tree is the sixth novel in the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch. The book revolves around PC Peter Grant, a member of The Folly, the department of the London police dedicated to investigating crimes of a magical nature. When Lady Tyburn's daughter is accused of murder after a drug-filled party, she calls in a favor from Peter Grant to keep her daughter out of trouble. The story is a blend of urban fantasy and police procedural, filled with magical mayhem, well-written and competent female characters, and an escalation of the conflict with the Faceless Man. The plot is intricate, involving various characters from past books and introducing new ones, while also setting the stage for potential spin-offs.

Characters:

The characters are diverse and well-developed, with Peter Grant at the center as he grows into his role, surrounded by a mix of goddesses, police colleagues, and magical practitioners.

Writing/Prose:

The prose combines dry humor with sharp wit, reflecting British culture while integrating police procedural aspects with supernatural elements, creating an engaging narrative style.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot of the novel revolves around Peter Grant's investigation into a drug overdose at a party involving wealthy young people, connecting to deeper supernatural elements and the ongoing conflict with the Faceless Man.

Setting:

The setting is intricately woven into the fabric of London, showcasing its cultural and historical richness alongside its supernatural elements.

Pacing:

The pacing varies, with some fast-paced segments and moments of exploration, though some critiques mention a meandering plot that lacks tight focus.

I dreamt that I heard Mr Punch laughing gleefully by my ear, but when I woke I realised it was my phone. I recognised the number on the screen and so wasn’t surprised by the cool, posh voice that spok...

Notes:

The Hanging Tree is the sixth book in the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch.

The story involves Peter Grant investigating a suspicious death linked to Lady Tyburn's daughter.

Ben Aaronovitch is known for combining police procedurals with urban fantasy.

The narrative is rich with references to London's culture, history, and geography.

The protagonist, Peter Grant, is an apprentice wizard working with the police.

Diversity in characters is prominent, with multiple ethnicities represented.

Peter Grant's character is known for his sarcastic and humorous commentary.

The plot includes themes of wealth, privilege, and the magical underworld of London.

The book addresses systemic issues related to race and class in policing.

A key character, Sahra Guleed, is a Muslim police constable involved in the investigation.

Peter's relationship with River goddess Beverley Brook progresses in this installment.

The novel explores magical traditions outside of the Folly, introducing new magical practitioners.

The story connects to a larger ongoing arc involving the Faceless Man and other recurring characters.

There are humorous references and banter among the characters that add to the charm of the narrative.

The title refers to Tyburn, a historical site associated with executions in London.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include mentions of drug overdose, death, and the implications of class and racial issues.

Has Romance?

While there are romantic elements, specifically Peter's relationship with Beverly, the focus remains primarily on the plot and character development.

From The Publisher:

Ben Aaronovitch's bestselling Rivers of London urban fantasy series

"The perfect blend of CSI and Harry Potter." -io9

Suspicious deaths are not usually the concern of Police Constable Peter Grant or the Folly-London's police department for supernatural cases-even when they happen at an exclusive party in one of the flats of the most expensive apartment blocks in London. But the daughter of Lady Ty, influential goddess of the Tyburn river, was there, and Peter owes Lady Ty a favor.

Plunged into the alien world of the super-rich, where the basements are bigger than the houses, where the law is something bought and sold on the open market, a sensible young copper would keep his head down and his nose clean.

But this is Peter Grant we're talking about.

He's been given an unparalleled opportunity to alienate old friends and create new enemies at the point where the world of magic and that of privilege intersect. Assuming he survives the week…

Ratings (16)

Incredible (4)
Loved It (9)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (25):

Read It (16)
Want To Read (4)
Not Interested (5)

What can you read after
The Hanging Tree?

About the Author:

Ben Aaronovitch was born in London in 1964 and had the kind of dull routine childhood that drives a man either to drink or to science fiction. He is a screenwriter, with early notable success on BBC's legendary Doctor Who, for which…

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The Hanging Tree

Ben Aaronovitch

Book 6 in the series:Rivers of London