If you’re getting tired of my reviews of Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London books, you’ll be happy to know I only have one more after  Foxglove Summer. But, this fifth one was one of the best in the series.

Police constable Peter Grant is on his own this time. When two young girls disappear, Nightingale suggests he offer assistance to the police force in rural Herefordshire. When he talks with the parents, it seems to be a normal case of two youngsters who ran away together. Then, a friend mentions a unicorn called Princess Luna, the invisible friend of one of the girls. Or, at least she’s an invisible horse-shaped friend. Unicorns exist?

Even Peter’s friend, Beverley Brook, goddess of a small river in South London, doesn’t believe unicorns still exist. But, there doesn’t seem to be other magic, although Peter has felt as if there’s something to do with trees, and a beekeeper’s bees have ignored this corner of Herefordshire. His tests for magic really don’t prove anything. But, when he’s attacked by a unicorn, he’s convinced. Fairies and unicorns and changelings. They all exist in this small corner of the country. And, the only threat that Peter can recognize is the historic Roman road that runs in a straight line through the area.

Peter Grant and the reader needed a break from London and the training in magic. In this book, he’s accompanied by Beverley, but he’s really on his own in coming up with ideas as to what direction to take in his investigation. Although he seems uncertain at times, he is excellent in reasoning his way through. Peter is intelligent with a dry sense of humor. It was time to set him out on his own to see what happens.

Put Peter and Beverley out in the country, away from their elders, and they become independent and capable. Foxglove Summer was one of the most enjoyable books in the series.

Ben Aaronovitch blogs at http://temporarilysignificant.blogspot.com/

Foxglove Summer by Ben Aaronovitch. DAW Books, 2015. 325p.

*****
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