Rivers of London / Peter Grant book cover

The Rivers of London / Peter Grant Series in Order

The Rivers of London / Peter Grant series is best read in order, starting with Rivers of London, as character relationships and storylines develop across the series. Peter Grant, a young London police officer, discovers the hidden world of magic and becomes the first new apprentice wizard in decades, solving crimes involving supernatural forces in the city.

🔄 Best Read in Order · Start with Book 1

Rivers of London / Peter Grant Books in Order

16 books total 10 main + 5 extra stories + 1 companion book

How to Read the Rivers of London / Peter Grant series

🔄 Best Read in Order · Start with Book 1

Standalone stories, but characters and relationships develop across the series.

Publication order gives the best experience for the Rivers of London / Peter Grant series. Each book has a complete central plot with its own mystery and resolution, but character relationships and ongoing developments carry across the series. Readers who begin later in the series will understand the main events yet miss the deepening friendships, Peter’s magical growth, and context for recurring supernatural elements that add significant depth.

About the Rivers of London / Peter Grant series

Series Premise

The Rivers of London / Peter Grant series follows a police constable who joins the Folly, London’s secret magical police unit. Each book combines modern police work with investigations into magical crimes, gods, and ancient beings hidden in the city.

Main Characters

Peter Grant serves as the witty and resourceful central protagonist, a mixed-race police officer learning to wield magic. He works closely with Inspector Thomas Nightingale, the last official wizard in Britain, and builds relationships with various river gods and supernatural beings throughout the series.

Setting

The series is set in contemporary London, where the magical and mundane worlds overlap in the city’s streets, rivers, and historic buildings, blending real locations with hidden magical realms.

Tone & Themes

The tone is humorous, clever, and suspenseful with a strong sense of place. Central themes include balancing the ordinary and the extraordinary, cultural identity and heritage, the ethics of power, and the coexistence of magic and modern life.

Is This Series Worth Reading?

This series appeals to readers who enjoy urban fantasy with police procedurals, witty narration, and richly detailed London settings. It suits fans of Ben Aaronovitch’s blend of magic, mystery, and dry British humor.

Content Warnings and Heat Level

Moderate violence and crime scene details; some strong language; mild romantic elements; suitable for adult readers.

The Rivers of London / Peter Grant series offers clever supernatural mysteries grounded in a believable modern London. Its structure rewards sequential reading while delivering satisfying individual cases. The mix of magic, humor, and sharp observation creates a distinctive and highly engaging urban fantasy series.

FAQ

How many books are in the Rivers of London / Peter Grant series?

16 books total: 10 main + 5 extra stories + 1 companion book

When will the next book in the series be released?

No new book in the series is currently scheduled. The latest book, Stone and Sky, was published in July 2025.

When was the most recent book released?

Stone and Sky was published in July 2025.

What was the first book in the series?

The first book in the series is Midnight Riot, published in January 2011.

What genre is the Rivers of London / Peter Grant series?

The series primarily falls into the Urban Fantasy genre.

Do you need to read the Rivers of London / Peter Grant series in order?

It’s best to read the series in order. Each book has its own story, but ongoing character arcs and relationships develop across the series.

What is the Rivers of London / Peter Grant series about?

The Rivers of London / Peter Grant series follows a police constable who joins the Folly, London’s secret magical police unit. Each book combines modern police work with investigations into magical crimes, gods, and ancient beings hidden in the city.

Is the Rivers of London / Peter Grant series finished?

The series does not currently have a new book scheduled.