Midnight Riot (Peter Grant, #1) Summary & Key Insights

Ben Aaronovitch's Midnight Riot, the first in the Peter Grant series, introduces us to Peter Grant, a young, aspiring London police officer whose life takes a dramatic turn when he witnesses a murder – a murder committed by a ghost. This encounter thrusts him into the hidden world of the Metropolitan Police's Folly, a department dedicated to investigating supernatural occurrences.

The main plot revolves around Peter's apprenticeship under the enigmatic and somewhat eccentric Detective Inspector Thomas Nightingale, the last officially sanctioned wizard in London's police force. Nightingale takes Peter on as his apprentice, initiating him into the world of magic, a world seamlessly interwoven with the mundane reality of modern-day London. Their initial investigation into the ghostly murder leads them down a twisting path filled with various supernatural creatures, including river spirits, dangerous entities from the fae realm, and powerful, ancient magicians.

Key characters besides Peter and Nightingale include Lesley May, a sharp and resourceful colleague in the regular police force who unknowingly gets drawn into the supernatural world, and several compelling antagonists. The central antagonist is a powerful and malevolent entity whose motivations are slowly revealed throughout the book, creating a compelling suspense. The supporting cast of magical beings adds depth and intrigue to the plot, showcasing a diverse range of magical traditions and personalities.

Throughout the investigation, Peter must grapple with learning the complexities of magic while simultaneously dealing with the demands of his regular police work. This creates a constant tension and highlights the book's central theme of blending the mundane with the magical. London itself becomes a crucial character in the story, with its rich history and hidden corners serving as a backdrop for supernatural events. The city's physical landscape reflects the interwoven nature of the magical and non-magical worlds.

Overarching themes explored include the clash between tradition and modernity, the balance between the hidden magical world and the ordinary human world, and the ethical considerations involved in wielding magical power. Peter's journey is one of self-discovery as he confronts his own growing magical abilities and the responsibilities that come with them. The book explores questions of duty, loyalty, and the nature of good and evil within a world where the lines are often blurred. Ultimately, Midnight Riot is a fast-paced, engaging urban fantasy novel that successfully blends police procedural elements with a rich and captivating magical world, setting the stage for the subsequent books in the series.