Ben Aaronovitch in Conversation: 10th Anniversary Rivers of London. at International Anthony Burgess Foundation

Blackwell’s Manchester is delighted to be hosting a special event with Ben Aaronovich as part of the 10th Anniversary celebrations of the publication of Rivers of London. He’ll be discussing how the bestselling novel was created, leading to the ongoing much-loved series following the magical mystery adventures of Peter Grant.

Rivers of London

My name is Peter Grant and until January I was just probationary constable in that mighty army for justice known to all right-thinking people as the Metropolitan Police Service (and as the Filth to everybody else). My only concerns in life were how to avoid a transfer to the Case Progression Unit – we do paperwork so real coppers don’t have to – and finding a way to climb into the panties of the outrageously perky WPC Leslie May. Then one night, in pursuance of a murder inquiry, I tried to take a witness statement from someone who was dead but disturbingly voluble, and that brought me to the attention of Inspector Nightingale, the last wizard in England.

Now I’m a Detective Constable and a trainee wizard, the first apprentice in fifty years, and my world has become somewhat more complicated: nests of vampires in Purley, negotiating a truce between the warring god and goddess of the Thames, and digging up graves in Covent Garden … and there’s something festering at the heart of the city I love, a malicious vengeful spirit that takes ordinary Londoners and twists them into grotesque mannequins to act out its drama of violence and despair.

The spirit of riot and rebellion has awakened in the city, and it’s falling to me to bring order out of chaos – or die trying.

This event will be taking place at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation. Tickets are £5.00 or £25.00 with a copy of the book (rrp £25.00) plus booking fee. Doors 18.30, event starts at 19.00.If you can't make the event but would like a signed copy please email manchester@blackwell.co.uk or call 0161 274 3331