Ben Aaronovitch - Zeno Agency Ltd.

Cover Reveal: Ben Aaronovitch’s MOON OVER SOHO in Polish!

Posted on Tuesday, September 30th, 2014

We’re delighted to share with you the Polish cover for the second novel in Ben Aaronovitch‘s Peter Grant Series, MOON OVER SOHO! The novel – KSIĘŻYC NAD SOHO – was just published by MAG. Here’s the English-language synopsis for the novel…

Peter Grant is not just a lowly Detective Constable, he’s also apprenticed to the last wizard in Britain: policing will never be the same again!

I was my dad’s vinyl-wallah: I changed his records while he lounged around drinking tea, and that’s how I know my Argo from my Tempo. And it’s why, when Dr Walid called me to the morgue to listen to a corpse, I recognised the tune it was playing. Something violently supernatural had happened to the victim, strong enough to leave its imprint like a wax cylinder recording. Cyrus Wilkinson, part-time jazz saxophonist and full-time accountant, had apparently dropped dead of a heart attack just after finishing a gig in a Soho jazz club. He wasn’t the first.

No one was going to let me exhume corpses to see if they were playing my tune, so it was back to old-fashioned legwork, starting in Soho, the heart of the scene. I didn’t trust the lovely Simone, Cyrus’ ex-lover, professional jazz kitten and as inviting as a Rubens’ portrait, but I needed her help: there were monsters stalking Soho, creatures feeding off that special gift that separates the great musician from someone who can raise a decent tune. What they take is beauty. What they leave behind is sickness, failure and broken lives.

And as I hunted them, my investigation got tangled up in another story: a brilliant trumpet player, Richard ‘Lord’ Grant – my father – who managed to destroy his own career, twice. That’s the thing about policing: most of the time you’re doing it to maintain public order. Occasionally you’re doing it for justice. And maybe once in a career, you’re doing it for revenge.

We shared the Polish cover for RIVERS OF LONDON earlier this year.

The Peter Grant Series includes: RIVERS OF LONDON, MOON OVER SOHO, WHISPERS UNDERGROUND, BROKEN HOME, and the upcoming FOXGLOVE SUMMER, all published in the UK by Gollancz.

RIVERS OF LONDON is a British Library Staff Pick!

Posted on Friday, August 29th, 2014

Above, you’ll see a screen capture from the British Library‘s homepage. And yes, that is indeed Ben Aaronovitch‘s RIVERS OF LONDON oh-so-wonderfully prominent! The image (and link connected to it) relates to the Library staff’s recommended reads for the summer. We’re delighted that they’ve selected Ben’s novel – and, of course, we agree wholeheartedly.

RIVERS OF LONDON is the first novel in Ben’s urban fantasy series set in London. It is followed by MOON OVER SOHO, WHISPERS UNDERGROUND, BROKEN HOMES and the forthcoming FOXGLOVE SUMMER. More novels in the series are planned. The books are published in the UK by Gollancz; in the US by Del Rey (#1-3) and DAW Books (#4-6); Germany by DTV; France by J’ai Lu; and numerous other publishers in translation around the world.

Zeno Clients to attend Fantasy in the Court Next Week!

Posted on Tuesday, August 5th, 2014

Next week, Goldsboro Books, Tor UK and Voyager Books are hosting in London a science fiction and fantasy extravaganza, Fantasy in the Court! A ticketed event, it is celebrates the SFF genres and offers fans an informal setting to meet some of today’s best authors of science fiction and fantasy. Tickets are available from Goldsboro Books, and more information can be found here. Zeno clients in attendance are Ben Aaronovitch, Edward Cox, E.J. Swift, and Lavie Tidhar.

Ben Aaronovitch is the author of the bestselling and critically-acclaimed Rivers of London series, the fifth book of which – FOXGLOVE SUMMER – is published later this year by Gollancz. Edward Cox is the debut author of THE RELIC GUILD, due out in September 2014 from Gollancz. E.J. Swift is the author of the Osiris Project science fiction series – the second book, CATAVEIRO, was published earlier this year by Del Rey UK. Lavie Tidhar is the author of OSAMA (winner of the World Fantasy Award), THE VIOLENT CENTURY, and the upcoming A MAN LIES DREAMING – to be published later this September by Hodder.

Ben Aaronovitch’s BROKEN HOMES has a Japanese Cover…

Posted on Monday, July 28th, 2014

Today, we want to share with you the Japanese cover for Ben Aaronovitch‘s BROKEN HOMES, the fourth novel in his Peter Grant/Rivers of London urban fantasy series. Published by Hayakawa, 空中庭園の魔術師 is available now. Here’s the Japanese synopsis…

ロンドン警視庁特殊犯罪課４　魔術に魅せられた建築家が設計したスカイガーデン・タワーに隠された、驚くべき秘密!?

きっかけはロンドン郊外で起きた交通事故だった。車内にあった謎の血痕から、やがて顔を散弾でつぶされた女性の死体が森の中で発見される。そして都市計画を担当する役人の不可解な投身自殺に、身体を内側から焼かれたプロの金庫破りの死体…すべての事件に“顔のない男”の魔手が見てとれた。事件を追ううちに、ピーターとレスリーはドイツから亡命した高名な建築家が設計した高層住宅“空中庭園（スカイガーデン）”へと行き着くが…

For those non-Japanese speakers, here’s the English-language synopsis…

A mutilated body in Crawley. Another killer on the loose. The prime suspect is one Robert Weil; an associate of the twisted magician known as the Faceless Man? Or just a common or garden serial killer?

Before PC Peter Grant can get his head round the case a town planner going under a tube train and a stolen grimoire are adding to his case-load.

So far so London.

But then Peter gets word of something very odd happening in Elephant and Castle, on an housing estate designed by a nutter, built by charlatans and inhabited by the truly desperate.

Is there a connection?

And if there is, why oh why did it have to be South of the River?

Full of warmth, sly humour and a rich cornucopia of things you never knew about London, Aaronovitch’s series has swiftly added Grant’s magical London to Rebus’ Edinburgh and Morse’s Oxford as a destination of choice for those who love their crime with something a little extra.

BROKEN HOMES is published in the UK by Gollancz, as are the first three novels in the series – RIVERS OF LONDON, MOON OVER SOHO, and WHISPERS UNDERGROUND. Gollancz will also be published the highly-anticipated fifth book in the series, FOXGLOVE SUMMER, later this year. The series is published in Germany by DTV, and France by J’ai Lu. The first three novels were published by Del Rey Books in the US, and the second three novels are to be published by DAW Books.

For you enjoyment, here are the Japanese covers for the first three titles in the series…

Upcoming Event: Gollancz Festival 2014

Posted on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014

We are very pleased to share with you the news that two of Zeno’s clients will be participating in the inaugural Gollancz Festival! Jointly hosted by Gollancz and Waterstone’s Piccadilly, the event takes place on August 13th, from 6pm-9pm. The evening brings together some of Gollancz’s leading authors of science-fiction and fantasy to discuss the genre and their books.

The full schedule can be found here, but here are the Zeno-specific details…

Room 1: 7.15-7.45pm: Ben Aaronovitch takes part in the discussion, ‘Is fantasy by definition consolatory?’, chaired by Sarah Pinborough and also featuring Peter Higgins, James Barclay, and Joanne M. Harris.
Room 2: 6.45-7.15pm: Edward Cox takes part in the ‘Class of 2014’ panel, chaired by Gillian Redfearn and also featuring Den Patrick, Jon Wallace, and John Hornor Jacobs.

More details about the event will be released via the Gollancz Twitter feed, and also through the hashtag #gollanczfest.

Ben Aaronovitch is the critically-acclaimed best-selling author of the Peter Grant series. The next novel in the series, FOXTROT SUMMER, is due to be published in September 2014. Edward Cox is the author of the upcoming debut fantasy THE RELIC GUILD, also due to be published in September 2014.

Upcoming Event: Ben Aaronovitch in Harrogate this Saturday! (12th)

Posted on Thursday, July 10th, 2014

Great news! This Saturday, Ben Aaronovitch will be appearing at the Raworths Harrogate Literary Festival! Ben will be speaking at the St. George Hotel at 2.00pm. Tickets are only £8 (and currently 2-for-1!). You can book your tickets (and find more details) here.

‘Ever wondered what books your favourite crime writers read? Or what your favourite books say about you?’ Ben will be speaking on these topics and more with Ella Berthoud in a session of Bibliotherapy: LIVE! ‘Ella Berthoud believes that reading the right book could help ease pain, settle your mind or mend a broken heart. Sit back and relax as she diagnoses what ails best selling writer Ben Aaronovitch and recommends the perfect books for him…’

Ben is the author of the fan-favourite and critically-acclaimed London-based urban fantasy Peter Grant Series. The next novel in the series, FOXGLOVE SUMMER, is due to be published in the UK by Gollancz in September 2014. It follows RIVERS OF LONDON, MOON OVER SOHO, WHISPERS UNDERGROUND and BROKEN HOMES (all published in the UK by Gollancz, as well).

Four Zeno Clients in Sainsbury’s Summer Reading eBook Deals!

Posted on Tuesday, June 17th, 2014

It’s often easy to forget that there are an ever-increasing number of eBook vendors, these days – so dominated is the market by Amazon. One new entrant into the market is Sainsbury’s – that venerable supermarket chain. For the next two days, they are running a Summer Reading sale for eBooks – this campaign seems to have been rather stealthily rolled out, too. Handily split up by genre, we are delighted to report that novels by four Zeno clients are included in the ‘Other Worlds’ Science Fiction and Fantasy selection!

Among the great selection of titles from across the SFF genres, there are six Zeno titles…

Ben Aaronovitch, RIVERS OF LONDON – the first Peter Grant novel (Gollancz) – only £1.99!
Ben Aaronovitch, BROKEN HOMES – the fourth Peter Grant novel (Gollancz)
Peter V. Brett, THE PAINTED MAN – the first Demon Cycle novel (Voyager)
Tim Powers, HIDE ME AMONG THE GRAVES (Corvus)
Tim Powers, THREE DAYS TO NEVER (Corvus)
Brandon Sanderson, THE FINAL EMPIRE – the first Mistborn novel (Gollancz) – only £1.99!

So, if you’re after some new e-reading for the inconsistent British summer weather, then these would all offer a great starting point for Ben’s, Pete’s, Tim’s and Brandon’s work.

Zeno represents Tim Powers in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary Agency. Zeno represents Peter V. Brett and Brandon Sanderson in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

Two New International Editions of Ben Aaronovitch’s RIVERS OF LONDON

Posted on Monday, June 16th, 2014

Ben Aaronovitch‘s conquest of the literary world continues! Today, we share with you two more international covers for his debut Peter Grant novel, RIVERS OF LONDON – this time, for the Korean and Russian markets. As you can see, they are two very different takes on the novel, but are both striking and eye-catching.

RIVERS OF LONDON is published in Russia by Fantastika as Реки Лондона; and is due to be published in Korea by Hyundae Munhak as 런던의 강들, in 2015. The novel has been widely published around the world. In the UK, it (and the rest of the series so far) has been published by Gollancz. The novel was published in the US as MIDNIGHT RIOT, by Del Rey Books.

In the unlikely event that you have somehow managed to miss this series, here is the synopsis for 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 (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 voluable, 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.

Cover Reveal: FOXGLOVE SUMMER by Ben Aaronovitch

Posted on Thursday, June 12th, 2014

On Monday, Stephen Walters’s artwork for the UK cover of Ben Aaronovitch‘s FOXGLOVE SUMMER was unveiled! The novel is the fifth in the critically-acclaimed, fan-favourite and Sunday Times bestselling Peter Grant series. Gollancz are due to publish the novel in the UK in late September 2014. DAW Books will publish in the US, with the date as-yet unconfirmed.

Here’s the synopsis…

In the fifth of his bestselling series Ben Aaronovitch takes Peter Grant out of whatever comfort zone he might have found and takes him out of London – to a small village in Herefordshire where the local police are reluctant to admit that there might be a supernatural element to the disappearance of some local children. But while you can take the London copper out of London you can’t take the London out of the copper.

Travelling west with Beverley Brook, Peter soon finds himself caught up in a deep mystery and having to tackle local cops and local gods. And what’s more all the shops are closed by 4pm…

The popularity of Ben’s Peter Grant series has been going from strength to strength, and we have no doubt that his legions of fans will grow again with the release of FOXGLOVE SUMMER. Check back next Monday for some information regarding new international editions of Ben’s RIVERS OF LONDON.

Upcoming Ben Aaronovitch Event! (Bristol)

Posted on Tuesday, May 13th, 2014

This Friday, May 16th, best-selling author Ben Aaronovitch will be taking part in an event hosted by Waterstone’s Bristol.

Murder Most Magical features three of the biggest names in crime/fantasy: alongside Ben, Paul Cornell and Jasper Fforde will be in conversation courtesy of BristolCon. The event is ticketed – tickets are just £3, and are available from the shop.

Ben is, of course, the author of the Sunday Times Bestselling Peter Grant series, published in the UK by Gollancz. The series currently comprises RIVERS OF LONDON, MOON OVER SOHO, WHISPERS UNDERGROUND and BROKEN HOMES, with more novels planned. The series has also been published in the US (by Del Rey and DAW Books), Germany (DTV), France (J’ai Lu), and a number of other territories (more details, here). The next novel in the series, tentatively titled FOXGLOVE SUMMER, is due out later this year – watch this space for more information as-and-when we have it!

BROKEN HOMES now in Paperback! (UK)

Posted on Thursday, May 8th, 2014

BROKEN HOMES, the fourth novel in Ben Aaronovitch‘s critically-acclaimed and Sunday Times bestselling Peter Grant/Rivers of London series, is now available in mass market paperback! The first four books in the series – RIVERS OF LONDON, MOON OVER SOHO, WHISPERS UNDER GROUND, and BROKEN HOMES – have all been published in the UK by Gollancz. Gollancz will also be publishing the next in the series, FOXGLOVE SUMMER, which is due to be released in just a couple months (July 2014). Here’s the synopsis, in case you’ve managed to miss all the attention the series has rightfully been receiving…

Before PC Peter Grant can get his head round the case a town planner going under a tube train and a stolen grimoire are adding to his case-load.

So far so London.

But then Peter gets word of something very odd happening in Elephant and Castle, on an housing estate designed by a nutter, built by charlatans and inhabited by the truly desperate.

Is there a connection? And if there is, why oh why did it have to be South of the River?

BROKEN HOMES is published by DAW Books in the US, J’ai Lu in France, and DTV in Germany.

RIVERS OF LONDON Music Video & Award Nomination

Posted on Wednesday, April 30th, 2014

A little while back, we shared a fan-produced musical homage to Ben Aaronovitch‘s critically-acclaimed, bestselling Peter Grant Series. Today, we’re very happy to be able to share with you the music video! It really is a sign of just how passionate Ben’s fans are about his novels and the characters he’s created. The song was produced by Ben’s nephew, Mikis Michaelides, a composer and musician who works with Doc Brown on their hugely successful 4 O’Clock Club for the BBC.

Check it out…

In related Peter Grant news, the audiobook edition of BROKEN HOMES, the fourth in the series, has been nominated for a CrimFest Award in the Best Audiobook category! The audiobook was expertly narrated by the great Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, and published by Orion Audio.

Ben’s Peter Grant series is published in the UK by Gollancz. At the time of writing, the first four novels are available: RIVERS OF LONDON, MOON OVER SOHO, WHISPERS UNDERGROUND, and BROKEN HOMES. The fifth book in the series is due out in the summer of 2014. We’ll be sure to share up-t0-the-minute information as soon as we get it. The series has been sold widely in other territories – including DTV (Germany), J’ai Lu (France), Del Rey and DAW Books (US), to name but a few.

It’s World Book Night Tomorrow!

Posted on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2014

A very happy World Book Night to you all in advance of tomorrow’s festivities! For a Literary Agency to celebrate a single Book Day/Night is rather peculiar – and, to be sure, every day is a Book Day and every night is a Book Night, as far as we are concerned – but this year is a bit more special. This is because our very own Ben Aaronovitch‘s RIVERS OF LONDON is one of the selected titles that will be given away.

The novel, in case you have been living on Mars for the past few years, is the first in Ben’s critically-acclaimed, fan-favourite, best-selling Peter Grant series. Here’s the synopsis… (Be sure to click through on those links for details about the book giveaways and events.)

CSI London, Urban Fantasy-style!

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 voluable, 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.

The first four books in the series – RIVERS OF LONDON, MOON OVER SOHO, WHISPERS UNDER GROUND, and BROKEN HOMES – are all published in the UK by Gollancz. The next novel, FOXGLOVE SUMMER, is due to be published in Summer 2014. Watch this space for more Ben Aaronovitch news as-and-when we have it! (And we’re sure we will!)

Cover Reveal: Ben Aaronovich’s RIVERS OF LONDON in Polish!

Posted on Friday, April 11th, 2014

Ben Aaronovitch‘s conquest of the (literary) world continues! Not so long ago, we shared new covers for Ben’s novels from Brazil, Germany and France. Now, we are very happy to report that RIVERS OF LONDON, the hugely successful first novel in the Peter Grant series, has a Polish cover! Published by MAG, here is the cover for RZEKI LONDYN…

And here’s the Polish synopsis…

Nazywam się Peter Grant. Jestem detektywem i uczę się na czarodzieja – jako pierwszy uczeń od pięćdziesięciu lat. Zajmuję się gniazdem wampirów w Purley, negocjuję rozejm między walczącymi ze sobą bogiem i boginią Tamizy, wykopuję groby w Covent Garden – a to tylko rutynowe działania. Duch rozruchów i rebelii obudził się w mieście i na mnie spada obowiązek przywrócenia porządku chaosie, który wywołał. Albo tego dokonam, albo umrę próbując…

RIVERS OF LONDON, and the other books in the series – MOON OVER SOHO, WHISPERS UNDERGROUND, and BROKEN HOMES (more on the way!) – are published in the UK by Gollancz. In the US, Del Rey have published the first three novels, and DAW Books has acquired rights for books four to six. The Peter Grant novels have also been published by J’ai Lu in France and DTV in Germany.

US Publication Day – BROKEN HOMES by Ben Aaronovitch

Posted on Tuesday, February 4th, 2014

The wait is finally over! Peter Grant fans States-side can now pick up the fourth novel in Ben Aaronovitch‘s hugely successful and beloved Rivers of London/Peter Grant series! BROKEN HOMES is published in the US today by DAW Books. The novel was released in the UK by Gollancz in July 2013.

Just in case you missed it, here is the synopsis for the novel…

A unique blend of police procedural, loving detail about the greatest character of all, London, and a dash of the supernatural.

Before PC Peter Grant can get his head round the case a town planner going under a tube train and a stolen grimoire are adding to his case-load.

So far so London.

But then Peter gets word of something very odd happening in Elephant and Castle, on an housing estate designed by a nutter, built by charlatans and inhabited by the truly desperate.

Is there a connection?

And if there is, why oh why did it have to be South of the River?

Here’s some of what others have said in praise of BROKEN HOMES…

‘PC Peter Grant and his co-worker Lesley, two of the few policemen in London who can practice magic, are still working under Nightingale, who must be the oldest police officer in England . . . not that he looks it. A low-income housing tower gone awry, an old enemy with a bone to pick . . . and a shocker of an ending – BROKEN HOMES is a delight.’ — Charlaine Harris

‘Aaronovitch has involved his squad with the theatres of Covent Garden, the clubs of Soho and the Underground; now, he takes us south of the River. Here, it’s all about architecture. Those who are sceptical about the massive Modernist housing estates of the Fifties and Sixties as liveable environments will be made to think again – what if some of those architects had entirely other agendas? As always, Aaronovitch is intellectually witty and often delightful in his sparky dialogue. He knows that his characters have to be put in serious jeopardy: this book includes a particularly devastating twist whose emotional logic is overwhelming. Aaronovitch is never less than entertaining, and here he proves he can break our hearts as well.’ — The Independent (Roz Kaveney)

‘BROKEN HOMES,continues in the same rich vein of his brilliant supernatural crime series. Writing about his native London, Aaronovitch has crafted a novel that renders the city in a very different light.’ — BSFA

‘… opens with Aaronovitch’s trademark rapidity and subversive joy with the acronyms and minutiae of modern policing… an enormously fun, fast-paced, witty novel…’ — Tor.com

BROKEN HOMES is also due to be published by J’ai Lu in France and DTV in Germany. Here are the three covers, side-by-side…