Tag: Germany

Coming Soon: Ben Aaronovitch’s EIN WEISSER SCHWAN IN TABERNACLE STREET!

Posted on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020

In late October, DTV is due to published EIN WEISSER SCHWAN IN TABERNACLE STREET, the German edition of Ben Aaronovitch‘s FALSE VALUE! The eighth novel in the author’s internationally bestselling Peter Grant/Rivers of London series, here’s the synopsis…

Peter Grant, unser Londoner Lieblings-Bobby und Zauberlehrling, steht vor völlig neuen privaten Herausforderungen. Welche ihn zu gleichen Teilen mit Panik und Begeisterung erfüllen. Beruflich bekommt er es mit der Serious Cybernetics Company zu tun, dem neuesten Projekt des Internet-Genies Terrence Skinner. Und prompt holt die Magie ihn wieder ein. Denn in den Tiefen der SCC ist ein Geheimnis verborgen: eine geheime magische Technologie, die bis weit ins 19. Jahrhundert zurückreicht, dem Zeitalter von Ada Lovelace und Charles Babbage. Und die brandgefährlich ist für die gesamte Welt.

DTV has published all of Ben’s Peter Grant novels and novellas in Germany to date. FALSE VALUE is published in the UK by Gollancz, and DAW Books in North America. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

Peter Grant is facing fatherhood, and an uncertain future, with equal amounts of panic and enthusiasm.

Leaving his old police life behind, he takes a job with Silicon Valley tech genius Terrence Skinner’s new London start up: the Serious Cybernetics Corporation.

Drawn into the orbit of Old Street’s famous ‘silicon roundabout’, Peter must learn how to blend in with people who are both civilians and geekier than he is. Compared to his last job, Peter thinks it should be a doddle.

But magic is not finished with the Met’s first trainee wizard in fifty years…

Because a secret is hiding somewhere in the building. A technology that stretches back to Ada Lovelace and Charles Babbage, and forward to the future of artificial intelligence. A secret that is just as magical as it technological – and twice as dangerous.

Ben’s latest novella set in the same world, THE OCTOBER MAN, is also set in Germany and features a new protagonist: Tobias Winter. It is published by Gollancz in the UK, Subterranean Press in North America, and DTV in Germany.

Andrew Cartmel’s KILLER ROCK German Audiobook Out Now!

Posted on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020

THE RUN-OUT GROOVE, the second novel in Andrew Cartmel‘s acclaimed Vinyl Detective series, is out now in Germany as an audiobook! Published by Audible as KILLER ROCK, here’s the synopsis…

Valerian war eine britische Rock-Ikone der 1960er Jahre, die Leadsängerin der gleichnamigen Band Valerian. Sie hatte sich damals unter tragischen Umständen das Leben genommen, ihr Kind war verschwunden, entführt und getötet, wie viele Leute mutmaßen. Und jetzt steht plötzlich ein mysteriöser Klient, “the Colonel”, auf der Matte und beauftragt den Vinyl-Detective, das Kind zu finden. Eigentlich nicht sein Job, aber im Hintergrund gibt es eine wertvolle LP als Lockmittel. 

Zusammen mit seiner Crew — seiner Freundin Nevada, Kumpel Tinkler und der unwahrscheinlichen Taxifahrerin Clean Head – macht er sich an die Arbeit und gräbt sich tief in die Popgeschichte der Sixties, trifft einen Ex-Gitarristen von Frank Zappa und andere wunderliche Menschen aus der großen Ära des Rocks. 

Drogen sind natürlich auch im Spiel, damals wie heute. Das macht die Sache entschieden ungemütlich. Hinzu kommt, dass an dem Schicksal des verschwundenen Kindes nicht nur nette Menschen interessiert sind.

The novel is published in Germany in print and eBook by Surhkamp. The first novel in the series, MURDER SWING in German, is also available as an audiobook.

The Vinyl Detective series is published in the UK and North America by Titan Books (print and eBook) and W.F. Howes (audio): WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX, THE RUN-OUT GROOVE, VICTORY DISC, FLIP BACK, and the forthcoming LOW ACTION.

Here’s the English-language synopsis for THE RUN-OUT GROOVE…

His first adventure consisted of the search for a rare record; his second the search for a lost child. Specifically the child of Valerian, lead singer of a great rock band of the 1960s, who hanged herself in mysterious circumstances after the boy’s abduction.

Along the way, the Vinyl Detective finds himself marked for death, at the wrong end of a shotgun, and unknowingly dosed with LSD as a prelude to being burned alive. And then there’s the grave robbing…

‘Part of the fun of the series is the obsessiveness of record collectors, the contradictions between the mundane places in which they hunt their treasures — charity shops, church bazaars — and the sophisticated sound systems they have set up to play what they find… the Vinyl Detective is proving to be a very amenable companion to have on a treasure hunt. This is one vinyl nerd you won’t mind spending time with.’ — Kirkus

‘… entertaining second record-spinning mystery… Cartmel treats music and records seriously, plays his strange characters for laughs, and provides a bit of danger and some unexpected twists in this affectionate nod to the vagaries of rock stardom.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘THE RUN-OUT GROOVE does a fantastic job of making its fictional history of music so fascinating and authentic that you’ll forget it isn’t all true… This a follow-up every bit the equal of its highly memorable predecessor, presenting a mystery you’ll be eager to solve and characters whose company you won’t want to leave. Written with infectious charm, the Vinyl Detective has more than proven he’s no one-hit-wonder.’ (9/10) — Alternative Magazine Online

‘Polished, fast-paced and a ton of fun, this is a fantastic read that is easy to get lost in… more polished… keeps the story rolling forward at an incredible speed – and also makes it very hard to put down… Cartmel has created an intoxicating mix of adventure, humour and mystery to lose yourself in… a truly engaging and enjoyable read. THE RUN-OUT GROOVE surpasses even the opening novel in the series for polish and fun.’ — The Crime Review

Next Month, David Drake & Karl Edward Wagner’s KILLER in Germany!

Posted on Thursday, June 4th, 2020

Next month, Festa Verlag is due to published David Drake and Karl Edward Wagner‘s KILLER in Germany. Here’s the synopsis…

Rom vor etwa 2000 Jahren: Ein Außerirdischer soll gegen Gladiatoren kämpfen.

Lycron hatte Tiger in Indien, Löwen in den Hügeln von Mazedonien und Elefanten am Fuße des Atlasgebirges gefangen… Er war der größte aller Jäger, die den gierigen Schlund des Kolosseums mit Bestien fütterten.
Woher sollte Lycron wissen, dass die Kreatur, die er diesmal jagte, nicht von der Erde stammte? Dass sie das einzige überlebende Wesen eines abgestürzten Raumschiffs war?

Während er der Spur zerfetzter Leichen folgt, erkennt Lycron zwei Dinge: Dieses verdammte Vieh ist genauso intelligent wie er. Und überleben wird dieses Duell nur einer von ihnen.

Killer ist ein großartiger Mix aus SF, Horror und Fantasy. Mit Actionszenen voller Blut und Wucht.

Originally published by Tor Books in 1985, here’s the English-language synopsis…

On the nightmare planet Zuyle evolved a race of predators so deadly they could overrun worlds. Only two of them almost destroyed the planet Doronin. The enigmatic rulers of the galaxy ordered Doronin annihilated to stop the spread of the creatures — not knowing that one had been lost by smugglers on Earth!

Zeno represents David Drake in Translation, on behalf of Kay McCauley at Aurous, Inc.

Audio Cast Edition of DER BÖSE ORT out now in Germany!

Posted on Monday, June 1st, 2020

Audible Germany has exclusively published a new cast edition of Ben Aaronovitch‘s fourth Peter Grant novel, BROKEN HOMES! Published as DER BÖSE ORT, here’s the synopsis…

“Die magischen Fälle des Peter Grant” von Ben Aaronovitch sind internationale Bestseller und absoluter Kult. In seinem vierten Fall führt der ausgebildete Buchhändler und ausgezeichnete Drehbuchautor (“Dr. Who”) an einen Ort, an dem Humor und Spannung wie die Magie des Bösen kongenial miteinander verschmelzen. Ein Audible Original der Krimi-Spitzenklasse.

Der Skygarden Tower in London ist ein düsteres Fleckchen. Ein Sozialwohnblock im Süden der Stadt, wo Drogendealer auf skurrile Künstlergestalter, korrupte Politiker und irre Serienmörder treffen. Für einen Polizisten auf den ersten Blick nichts Außergewöhnliches. Aber Peter Grant ist und sieht bekanntlich mehr. Ein Constable, der nicht nur seinen Job macht, sondern als Zauberlehrling in Ausbildung immer auch ein Auge für das Magische und seine Unerklärlichkeiten hat. Und auf sein Gespür ist wieder mal Verlass: Ein vermeintlich unspektakulärer Autounfall, ein wertvolles gestohlene Buch aus der magischen “Weißen Bibliothek” in Weimar und der offenkundig gestörte Architekt des Towers stehen in einem mysteriösen Zusammenhang. Alle Spuren führen nach Skygarden.

Da hilft nur eins: Peter und seine Kollegin Lesley ziehen als verdecktes Ermittlerpaar in eine der Sozialwohnungen und sind so plötzlich Teil der verrückten Nachbarschaft. Doch die verborgenen Kräfte des Ortes ziehen das Böse auf magische Weise an und haben Verbündete, die Peter an seine Grenze bringen.

Audible has also published the first three books as cast editions.

The novels are published in print and digital in Germany by DTV, where they have frequently landed on bestseller lists.

Ben’s Peter Grant/Rivers of London series is published in the UK by Gollancz; in North America by Del Rey (1-3), DAW Books (4-) and Subterranean Press (novellas); and widely in translation.

Here’s the English-language synopsis for BROKEN HOMES…

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

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 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?

Andrew Cartmel’s WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX now available in German audio!

Posted on Thursday, April 23rd, 2020

WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX, the first novel in Andrew Cartmel‘s acclaimed Vinyl Detective series is now available as an audiobook in Germany! Narrated by Oliver Siebeck, and published by Audible Germany as MURDER SWING, here’s the synopsis…

London, heute: Er ist ein Plattensammler, ein Spezialist für äußerst seltene LPs, die er kauft und verkauft. Die Jobbeschreibung auf seiner Visitenkarte lautet: “Vinyl-Detektiv”. Und manche Leute nehmen das ganz wörtlich – so wie die geheimnisvolle Nevada Warren, die ihn für eine Unsumme anheuert, um für einen anonymen Auftraggeber eine Platte zu finden, die zu der schmalen Produktion eines winzigen kalifornischen Jazz-Labels gehört, das in den 1950ern nur ein Jahr existierte.

Bald häufen sich seltsame Todesfällen, die allesamt mit dieser Platte zu tun haben könnten. Aber was könnte auf ihr zu hören sein, was sie so ungemein wertvoll macht? Und was hat einer der mächtigsten Konzerne der weltweiten Unterhaltungsindustrie damit zu tun? Zu allem Überfluss hat unser Detektiv bald auch noch die “Aryian Twins” Heinz und Heidi an der Hacke, zwei ziemlich extravagante Killer …

The first two novels in the series are published in Germany in print by Suhrkamp Verlag.

The series is published in the UK and North America by Titan Books, and the first four novels are out now. Here’s the English-language synopsis for the first novel…

He is a record collector — a connoisseur of vinyl, hunting out rare and elusive LPs. His business card describes him as the “Vinyl Detective” and some people take this more literally than others.

Like the beautiful, mysterious woman who wants to pay him a large sum of money to find a priceless lost recording — on behalf of an extremely wealthy (and rather sinister) shadowy client.

Given that he’s just about to run out of cat biscuits, this gets our hero’s full attention. So begins a painful and dangerous odyssey in search of the rarest jazz record of them all…

DIE FLÜSSE VON LONDON: DETEKTIVGESCHICHTEN out now in Germany!

Posted on Friday, April 3rd, 2020

The fourth Rivers of London collection, DETECTIVE STORIES, is out now in Germany! Written by Ben Aaronovitch and Andrew Cartmel, the book is published by Panini as DETEKTIVGESCHICHTEN. Here’s the synopsis…

Neue Fälle für Star-Ermittler Peter Grant!

Diesmal haben sich die Autoren Ben Aaronovitch und Andrew Cartmel in einer Reihe von Kurzgeschichten ihrem magisch begabten Polizisten Peter Grant, seiner Partnerin Sarah Guleed und ihren Mitarbeitern gewidmet. Eine Anthologie übernatürlicher Verbrechen auf den Straßen Londons, die direkt in die Kontinuität der „Die Flüsse von London“-Romane greifen.

Panini has also published the first three collections from the Rivers of London comic series: AUTOWAHN (BODY WORK), DIE NACHTHEXE (NIGHT WITCH) and SCHWARZSCHIMMEL (BLACK MOULD).

The series is published in English by Titan Comics. At present, the first seven story-arcs have been collected. Here’s the English-language synopsis for DETECTIVE STORIES…

CSI meets Harry Potter in this fantastic new graphic novel from Ben Aaronovitch, writer of the best-selling Rivers of London supernatural police procedural crime novel series! An anthology series of stories featuring Police Constable Peter Grant, his partner, Sahra Guleed, and their associates, as they tackle supernatural crime on the streets of London! An all-new adventure for Ben Aaronvitch’s laconic, way-past-cool but slightly geeky trainee wizard and budding detective, Peter Grant! Tying directly into the Rivers of London continuity. Aaronovitch is joined by Doctor Who writer Andrew Cartmel for this gripping new series.

Andrew Cartmel’s KILLER ROCK out now in Germany!

Posted on Monday, February 17th, 2020

Andrew Cartmel‘s THE RUN-OUT GROOVE, the second novel in the acclaimed Vinyl Detective series, is out now in Germany! Published by Suhrkamp as KILLER ROCK, here’s the synopsis…

Valerian war eine britische Rock-Ikone der 1960er Jahre, die Leadsängerin der gleichnamigen Band Valerian. Sie hatte sich damals unter tragischen Umständen das Leben genommen, ihr Kind war verschwunden, entführt und getötet, wie viele Leute mutmaßen.

Und jetzt steht plötzlich ein mysteriöser Klient, »the Colonel«, auf der Matte und beauftragt den Vinyl-Detective, das Kind zu finden. Eigentlich nicht sein Job, aber im Hintergrund gibt es eine wertvolle LP als Lockmittel.

Zusammen mit seiner Crew – seiner Freundin Nevada, Kumpel Tinkler und der unwahrscheinlichen Taxifahrerin Clean Head – macht er sich an die Arbeit und gräbt sich tief in die Popgeschichte der Sixties, trifft einen Ex-Gitarristen von Frank Zappa und andere wunderliche Menschen aus der großen Ära des Rocks.

Drogen sind natürlich auch im Spiel, damals wie heute. Das macht die Sache entschieden ungemütlich. Hinzu kommt, dass an dem Schicksal des verschwundenen Kindes nicht nur nette Menschen interessiert sind…

The novel is published in English by Titan Books. Here’s the English-language synopsis for THE RUN OUT GROOVE…

His first adventure consisted of the search for a rare record; his second begins with the discovery of one. When a mint copy of the final album by “Valerian” — England’s great lost rock band of the 1960s — surfaces in a charity shop, all hell breaks loose.

Finding this record triggers a chain of events culminating in our hero learning the true fate of the singer Valerian, who died under equivocal circumstances just after — or was it just before? — the abduction of her two-year-old son.

Along the way, the Vinyl Detective finds himself marked for death, at the wrong end of a shotgun, and unknowingly dosed with LSD as a prelude to being burned alive. And then there’s the grave robbing…

But he does find out what happened to the missing child, and it wasn’t what anyone expected — or wanted — to hear.

Surhkamp has also published the first novel in the series, as MURDER SWING.

All of the Vinyl Detective novels are published in the UK and in North America by Titan Books, and the series currently stands at four novels: WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX, THE RUN-OUT GROOVE, VICTORY DISC, and FLIP BACK.

Here are just a few of the reviews that the series has received so far…

‘This charming mystery feels as companionable as a leisurely afternoon trawling the vintage shops with a good friend.’ — Kirkus on WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX

‘… fast-paced, lighthearted adventure… marvelously inventive and endlessly fascinating…’ — Publishers Weekly on WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX

‘Author Cartmel has combined the tropes of the several genres into a surprising, refreshing story centered around old-fashioned records… the story delivers multiple chuckles per chapter… Based on this volume, the series will be a hit.’ — New York Journal of Books on WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX

‘Part of the fun of the series is the obsessiveness of record collectors, the contradictions between the mundane places in which they hunt their treasures — charity shops, church bazaars — and the sophisticated sound systems they have set up to play what they find… the Vinyl Detective is proving to be a very amenable companion to have on a treasure hunt. This is one vinyl nerd you won’t mind spending time with.’ — Kirkus on THE RUN-OUT GROOVE

‘… entertaining second record-spinning mystery… Cartmel treats music and records seriously, plays his strange characters for laughs, and provides a bit of danger and some unexpected twists in this affectionate nod to the vagaries of rock stardom.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘THE RUN-OUT GROOVE does a fantastic job of making its fictional history of music so fascinating and authentic that you’ll forget it isn’t all true… This a follow-up every bit the equal of its highly memorable predecessor, presenting a mystery you’ll be eager to solve and characters whose company you won’t want to leave. Written with infectious charm, the Vinyl Detective has more than proven he’s no one-hit-wonder.’ (9/10) — Alternative Magazine Online on THE RUN-OUT GROOVE

‘Polished, fast-paced and a ton of fun, this is a fantastic read that is easy to get lost in… more polished… keeps the story rolling forward at an incredible speed – and also makes it very hard to put down… Cartmel has created an intoxicating mix of adventure, humour and mystery to lose yourself in… a truly engaging and enjoyable read. THE RUN-OUT GROOVE surpasses even the opening novel in the series for polish and fun.’ — The Crime Review on THE RUN-OUT GROOVE

‘… effectively integrates the lead’s unusual specialty of searching out rare records into an intricately constructed plot… the clever resolution of the story lines is impressive. Fair-play fans, even those without an interest in music, will be pleased.’ — Publishers Weekly on VICTORY DISC

‘Cartmel at his best… an exciting and atmospheric mystery and a good addition to the Vinyl Detective’s casebook.’ — Blue Book Balloon on VICTORY DISC

‘This book was such a blast! It was a great addition to this hilarious series and I’m so impressed at how entertaining these books are.’ — Divine World of Books on VICTORY DISC

Andrew Cartmel’s KILLER ROCK out next month in Germany!

Posted on Friday, January 3rd, 2020

On February 17th, Suhrkamp Verlag is due to published the German edition of Andrew Cartmel‘s THE RUN-OUT GROOVE! The second novel in the author’s Vinyl Detective series, it will be available as KILLER ROCK. Here’s the synopsis…

Valerian war eine britische Rock-Ikone der 1960er Jahre, die Leadsängerin der gleichnamigen Band Valerian. Sie hatte sich damals unter tragischen Umständen das Leben genommen, ihr Kind war verschwunden, entführt und getötet, wie viele Leute mutmaßen.

Und jetzt steht plötzlich ein mysteriöser Klient, »the Colonel«, auf der Matte und beauftragt den Vinyl-Detective, das Kind zu finden. Eigentlich nicht sein Job, aber im Hintergrund gibt es eine wertvolle LP als Lockmittel.

Zusammen mit seiner Crew – seiner Freundin Nevada, Kumpel Tinkler und der unwahrscheinlichen Taxifahrerin Clean Head – macht er sich an die Arbeit und gräbt sich tief in die Popgeschichte der Sixties, trifft einen Ex-Gitarristen von Frank Zappa und andere wunderliche Menschen aus der großen Ära des Rocks.

Drogen sind natürlich auch im Spiel, damals wie heute. Das macht die Sache entschieden ungemütlich. Hinzu kommt, dass an dem Schicksal des verschwundenen Kindes nicht nur nette Menschen interessiert sind…

Surhkamp has also published the first novel in the series, as MURDER SWING.

The Vinyl Detective novels are published in the UK and in North America by Titan Books, and the series currently stands at four novels: WRITTEN IN DEAD WAX, THE RUN-OUT GROOVE, VICTORY DISC, and FLIP BACK.

Here’s the English-language synopsis for THE RUN OUT GROOVE…

His first adventure consisted of the search for a rare record; his second begins with the discovery of one. When a mint copy of the final album by “Valerian” — England’s great lost rock band of the 1960s — surfaces in a charity shop, all hell breaks loose.

Finding this record triggers a chain of events culminating in our hero learning the true fate of the singer Valerian, who died under equivocal circumstances just after — or was it just before? — the abduction of her two-year-old son.

Along the way, the Vinyl Detective finds himself marked for death, at the wrong end of a shotgun, and unknowingly dosed with LSD as a prelude to being burned alive. And then there’s the grave robbing…

But he does find out what happened to the missing child, and it wasn’t what anyone expected — or wanted — to hear.

Here are just a handful of reviews the novel has received…

‘Part of the fun of the series is the obsessiveness of record collectors, the contradictions between the mundane places in which they hunt their treasures — charity shops, church bazaars — and the sophisticated sound systems they have set up to play what they find… the Vinyl Detective is proving to be a very amenable companion to have on a treasure hunt. This is one vinyl nerd you won’t mind spending time with.’ — Kirkus

‘… entertaining second record-spinning mystery… Cartmel treats music and records seriously, plays his strange characters for laughs, and provides a bit of danger and some unexpected twists in this affectionate nod to the vagaries of rock stardom.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘THE RUN-OUT GROOVE does a fantastic job of making its fictional history of music so fascinating and authentic that you’ll forget it isn’t all true… This a follow-up every bit the equal of its highly memorable predecessor, presenting a mystery you’ll be eager to solve and characters whose company you won’t want to leave. Written with infectious charm, the Vinyl Detective has more than proven he’s no one-hit-wonder.’ (9/10) — Alternative Magazine Online

‘Polished, fast-paced and a ton of fun, this is a fantastic read that is easy to get lost in… more polished… keeps the story rolling forward at an incredible speed – and also makes it very hard to put down… Cartmel has created an intoxicating mix of adventure, humour and mystery to lose yourself in… a truly engaging and enjoyable read. THE RUN-OUT GROOVE surpasses even the opening novel in the series for polish and fun.’ — The Crime Review

Heute: TANZ AUF DEM VULKAN mit der Siebte Doctor!

Posted on Tuesday, December 17th, 2019

Today, Panini publishes the German edition of Andrew Cartmel and Ben Aaronovitch‘s story about the Seventh Doctor — DOCTOR WHO: OPERATION VOLCANO. Published in Germany as DOCTOR WHO: TANZ AUF DEM VULKAN, here’s the synopsis…

Eine unbekannte außerirdische Intelligenz ist im Orbit der Erde aufgetaucht und – wie immer bei Doctor Who – steht die Welt am Abgrund. Doch der Siebte Doctor und seine Begleiterin Ace haben einen Plan: Operation Vulkan kann beginnen. 

The story is available as a collected edition in English, published by Titan Comics. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

An unknown alien intelligence in orbit around the Earth. Astronauts under attack. A terrifying, mysterious landing in the Australian interior. The future of the world itself at stake. Counter Measures activated.

And the Seventh Doctor and Ace slap bang in the middle of it all! This is OPERATION VOLCANO!

This brand new comic adventure features the Seventh Doctor and Ace, as played by Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred, from the writers of the fan favourite episode Remembrance of the Daleks, which celebrates it’s 30th anniversary in 2018 – Andrew Cartmel and Ben Aaronovitch (Rivers of London)!

Whether you’re a long-time fan of the Seventh Doctor, or you’ve yet to have the pleasure, this accessible, big-budget movie extravaganza welcomes everyone with an all-new epic!

Includes a back-up comic written by Richard Dinnick (Twelfth Doctor) with art by Jessica Martin (Doctor Who actress).

Titan Comics also publishes Ben and Andrew’s ongoing Rivers Of London comic series, based on the best-selling characters from Ben’s Rivers of London series.

Ben Aaronovitch’s DIE GLOCKE VON WHITECHAPEL and DER OKTOBERMANN are up for a Leserpreis 2019!

Posted on Monday, November 25th, 2019

Further to the news on Friday that Ben Aaronovitch‘s WHISPERS UNDER GROUND has been adapted into a full-cast audio drama, we are very happy to share more news out of Germany: two of Ben’s critically-acclaimed, best-selling books have been nominated for Der Leserpreis 2019!

To be awarded tomorrow by LovelyBooks, Germany’s premier online book community, both DIE GLOCKE VON WHITECHAPEL and DER OKTOBERMANN are nominated in the Fantasy & Science Fiction category!

Both are published in Germany by DTV, and are of course available now. Read on for more details…

DIE GLOCKE VON WHITECHAPEL is published in English as LIES SLEEPING by Gollancz in the UK and DAW Books in North America. Here’s the German synopsis…

Constable und Zauberlehrling Peter Grant steht vor seiner größten Herausforderung: Das Schicksal Londons steht auf dem Spiel. Der gesichtslose Magier, verantwortlich für grauenvolle übernatürliche Verbrechen, ist zwar endlich demaskiert und auf der Flucht. Doch er verfolgt einen perfiden Plan, der ganz London in den Abgrund stürzen könnte. Um den Gesichtslosen zu stoppen, muss Peter all seine magischen Kräfte aufbieten – und einen bösen alten Bekannten kontaktieren: Mr. Punch, den mörderischen Geist des Aufruhrs und der Rebellion.

… and the English synopsis…

A deadly history.
A dangerous mystery.
And a dark plan coming to light.

IN LONDON, THE PAST IS NEVER DEAD.
IT ONLY… LIES SLEEPING

Martin Chorley – aka the Faceless Man – wanted for multiple counts of murder, fraud and crimes against humanity, has been unmasked and is on the run. Peter Grant, Detective Constable and apprentice wizard, now plays a key role in an unprecedented joint operation to bring Chorley to justice.

But even as the unwieldy might of the Metropolitan Police bears down on its foe, Peter uncovers clues that Chorley, far from being finished, is executing the final stages of a long term plan. A plan that has its roots in London’s two thousand bloody years of history, and could literally bring the city to its knees.

To save his beloved city Peter’s going to need help from his former best friend and colleague – Lesley May – who brutally betrayed him and everything he thought she believed in. And, far worse, he might even have to come to terms with the malevolent supernatural killer and agent of chaos known as Mr Punch…

DER OKTOBERMANN is THE OCTOBER MAN, a novella introducing a new protagonist — Tobias Winter — published by Gollancz in the UK and Subterranean Press in North America. Here’s the German synopsis…

›Die Flüsse von London‹ fließen nach Deutschland …

… denn auch hierzulande gibt es magische Vorkommnisse! Das deutsche Pendant zu Peter Grant heißt Tobi Winter und arbeitet beim BKA (Abteilung für komplexe und diffuse Angelegenheiten, sprich: Magie). Tobi bekommt es mit seltsamen Bräuchen in den Weinbergen rund um Trier zu tun – und mit einem übernatürlichen Rätsel, das schon Hunderte von Jahren alt ist. Selbstverständlich hat in dieser Gegend auch die Mosel ein Wörtchen mitzureden, wenn es magisch wird.

… and the English-language synopsis…

Trier is famous for wine, Romans and for being Germany’s oldest city. So when a man is found dead with, his body impossibly covered in a fungal rot, the local authorities know they are out of their depth.

Fortunately this is Germany, where there are procedures for everything.

Enter Investigator Tobias Winter, whose aim is to get in, deal with the problem, and get out with the minimum of fuss, personal danger and paperwork. With the help of frighteningly enthusiastic local cop, Vanessa Sommer, he’s quick to link the first victim to a group of ordinary middle aged men – and to realise they may have accidentally reawakened a bloody conflict from a previous century. But the rot is still spreading, literally and with the suspect list extending to people born before Frederick the Great solving the case may mean unearthing the city’s secret magical history.

. . . so long as that history doesn’t kill them first.

New, cast production of EIN WISPERN UNTER BAKER STREET out next week!

Posted on Friday, November 22nd, 2019

Audible Germany continues its range of cast productions for Ben Aaronovitch‘s acclaimed, best-selling Peter Grant series with a new edition of WHISPERS UNDER GROUND! Published in Germany as EIN WISPERN UNDER BAKER STREET, on November 28th, here’s the synopsis…

Die Urban-Fantasy-Reihe des britischen Erfolgsautors Ben Aaronovitch geht weiter: Nach dem Erfolg von “Die Flüsse von London” und “Schwarzer Mond über Soho” ermittelt Peter Grant in seinem dritten magischen Fall in den mystischen Katakomben des Londoner Untergrunds. Ein Audible Original Hörspiel mit den Sprechern Leonard Hohm, Victoria Mayer und Tim Schwarzmaier, der schon Harry Potter seine Stimme lieh, uvm.

Ein Toter im U-Bahn-Tunnel der legendären Baker Street hinterlässt magische Spuren und ruft damit Peter und seine Kollegen von der Drei-Mann-Spezialeinheit für Übernatürliches auf den Plan. Als wären Ermittlungen in Abwasserkanälen nicht schon schrecklich genug, bekommt das Team Verstärkung durch FBI-Agentin Kimberley Reynolds.

Als sich herausstellt, dass der Vater des ermordeten Kunststudenten ein hohes Tier im US-Senat ist, werden mit amerikanischer Autorität sämtliche Register gezogen. Peter muss all sein diplomatisches Geschick aufbringen, um die Völkerfreundschaft durch unkonventionelle und leicht magische Ermittlungsmethoden nicht zu gefährden. Aber das Wispern der gequälten Geister unter Baker Street macht es ihm nicht leicht alles unter Kontrolle zu behalten…

The first two novels are also available in cast production editions, published by Audible.

WHISPERS UNDER GROUND is published in print and audio in the UK by Gollancz, in North America by Del Rey; and is available in print in Germany, published by DTV.

Here’s the English-language synopsis…

Peter Grant is learning magic fast. And it’s just as well – he’s already had run-ins with the deadly supernatural children of the Thames and a terrifying killer in Soho. Progression in the Police Force is less easy. Especially when you work in a department of two. A department that doesn’t even officially exist. A department that if you did describe it to most people would get you laughed at. And then there’s his love life. The last person he fell for ended up seriously dead. It wasn’t his fault, but still.

Now something horrible is happening in the labyrinth of tunnels that make up the tube system that honeycombs the ancient foundations of London. And delays on the Northern line is the very least of it. Time to call in the Met’s Economic and Specialist Crime Unit 9, aka ‘The Folly’. Time to call in PC Peter Grant, Britain’s Last Wizard.

Here are just a few of the reviews the novel has received since it was first published…

‘One of the most refreshing things about former Doctor Who writer Aaronvitch’s Rivers of London series of magical procedurals is that they are blessedly free of manufactured rivalries. Instead, Police Constable (and freshly minted wizard) Peter Grant works for a supernatural branch of the London police department that is more interested in solving crimes than creating drama. In Grant’s third outing (after Moon over Soho), he gets called in to help with a magic-linked murder at an Underground station. The victim turns out to be the son of a U.S. senator, with a sketchy, not-quite-human roommate. To solve the murder, Grant and his associates, including disfigured fellow magician Lesley May and trigger-happy FBI agent Kimberley Reynolds, plumb the city’s depths as well as its secret history. This fast, engrossing novel is enjoyable, cheerful, and accessible to new readers.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘… the Peter Grant novels by Ben Aaronovitch are a great way to feel like you’re actually visiting the city by the Thames… Ben Aaronovitch writes some of the funniest prose in current fantasy. These books are extremely entertaining, mainly because narrator Peter Grant has a hilarious voice and a sly sense of humor… quirkily effective prose and dry humor, making it a pure pleasure to read… I’m usually not a big fan of urban fantasy, but this series is so much fun that I always look forward to the next installment. If you’re looking for a fast-moving, entertaining urban fantasy that’ll make you feel like you’re visiting London vicariously this summer, pick up series opener MIDNIGHT RIOT / RIVERS OF LONDON. And if you’ve already read the first two books, you’ll probably be glad to hear that the newest installment WHISPERS UNDER GROUND is just as good.’ — Tor.com

‘The voice is persuasive and funny as all get-out, and the reader is engaged with the narrative from the very first page. Aaronovitch has written a diverse cast of characters who all feel like real people with their own specific motivations. This book is simply wonderful.’ — RT Book Reviews

‘Aaronovitch… improves with each novel he does; this is the best so far, and the previous books were a lot of fun as well.’ — Starburst

‘The quality of the writing is superb with an instantly engaging style and subtle humour that makes reading the novel a real joy and almost impossible to resist… The ending is pretty dramatic and very much a seat-of-your-pants cliff hanger that really does leave you wanting more, I can’t wait to read more in the life of Peter Grant.’ 5/5 — SF Book Reviews

‘The prose is witty, the plot clever and the characters incredibly likeable…’ — Time Out

Next Month, Der Siebte Doctor TANZ AUF DEM VULKAN!

Posted on Thursday, November 21st, 2019

Next month (December 17th), Panini are due to publish the German edition of DOCTOR WHO: OPERATION VOLCANO. Published as DOCTOR WHO: TANZ AUF DEM VULKAN, it is Andrew Cartmel and Ben Aaronovitch‘s story about the Seventh Doctor. Here’s the synopsis…

Eine unbekannte außerirdische Intelligenz ist im Orbit der Erde aufgetaucht und — wie immer bei Doctor Who — steht die Welt am Abgrund. Doch der Siebte Doctor und seine Begleiterin Ace haben einen Plan: Operation Vulkan kann beginnen. 

The story is available as a collected edition in English, published by Titan Comics. Here’s the English-language synopsis…

An unknown alien intelligence in orbit around the Earth. Astronauts under attack. A terrifying, mysterious landing in the Australian interior. The future of the world itself at stake. Counter Measures activated.

And the Seventh Doctor and Ace slap bang in the middle of it all! This is OPERATION VOLCANO!

This brand new comic adventure features the Seventh Doctor and Ace, as played by Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred, from the writers of the fan favourite episode Remembrance of the Daleks, which celebrates it’s 30th anniversary in 2018 – Andrew Cartmel and Ben Aaronovitch (Rivers of London)!

Whether you’re a long-time fan of the Seventh Doctor, or you’ve yet to have the pleasure, this accessible, big-budget movie extravaganza welcomes everyone with an all-new epic!

Includes a back-up comic written by Richard Dinnick (Twelfth Doctor) with art by Jessica Martin (Doctor Who actress).

Titan Comics also publishes Ben and Andrew’s ongoing Rivers Of London comic series, based on the best-selling characters from Ben’s Rivers of London series.

Peter A. Flannery’s BATTLE MAGE out Next Week in Germany!

Posted on Friday, November 8th, 2019

Next week, Heyne will publish the German edition of Peter A. Flannery‘s epic fantasy novel, BATTLE MAGE! The first part (of two), it will be published on Monday, November 11th, as KAMPF DER MAGIER. Here’s the synopsis…

Die Welt steht am Abgrund, denn die übermächtige Armee der Besessenen überrennt ein Königreich nach dem anderen. Die Einzigen, die sie aufhalten können, sind die Kampfmagier auf ihren majestätischen Drachen. Doch das Bündnis zwischen Drachen und Menschen ist schwach geworden. Zu wenige Drachen antworten noch auf den Ruf der Magier, und die meisten von ihnen sind schwarz. Und jedes Kind weiß, dass schwarze Drachen gefährlich sind. Schwarze Drachen sind verrückt. Falco Dantes Vater, ein tapferer Kampfmagier, fiel selbst dem Wahnsinn einer solchen Kreatur zum Opfer, und sein Verlust hat Falcos ganzes Leben geprägt. Als die Armee der Besessenen auf seine Heimat zumarschiert, trifft Falco eine folgenschwere Entscheidung: Er wird in die Fußstapfen seines Vaters treten…

The novel has also been published in France by Albin Michel.

Here’s the English-language synopsis for the novel…

The world is falling to the burning shadow of the Possessed and only the power of a battle mage can save it. But the ancient bond with dragonkind is failing. Of those that answer a summoning too many are black. Black dragons are the enemy of humankind. Black dragons are mad.

Falco Dante is a weakling in a world of warriors, but worse than this, he is the son of a madman. Driven by grief, Falco makes a decision that will drive him to the brink of despair. As he tries to come to terms with his actions Falco follows his friends to the Academy of War, an elite training school dedicated to martial excellence. But while his friends make progress he struggles to overcome his doubts and insecurity. Even Queen Catherine of Wrath has her doubts about Falco’s training.

While the Queen tries to unite the Kingdoms against the Possessed, Falco struggles to overcome his fears. Will he unlock the power trapped inside of him or will he succumb to madness and murder like his father?

Zeno represents Peter A. Flannery in Translation.

Ben Aaronovitch has sold 1,000,000 in Germany!

Posted on Tuesday, October 22nd, 2019

1,000,000 books!

We’re delighted to report that Ben Aaronovitch has passed 1,000,000 sales in Germany!

Ben’s acclaimed Peter Grant series has been popular in Germany from the very beginning, and we’re so happy that the series has been enjoyed by so many German fans!

The author was in Germany last week when the milestone was reached, and he was met by his publisher, DTV, with a cake to commemorate the great news!

DTV has published all of the books in Ben’s series in Germany, including the novellas. The books are available in print, eBook, and audio editions.

The most recent book, THE OCTOBER MAN, was published earlier this year — and, as it happens, is set in Germany and introduces a new protagonist, Tobias Winter.

Congratulations again to Ben!

The Peter Grant series is published in the UK by Gollancz; in North America by Del Rey (1-3), DAW Books (4-), and Subterranean Press (novellas); and it is also available widely in translation.

DER OKTOBERMANN is #3!

Posted on Saturday, September 28th, 2019

We’re delighted to report that Ben Aaronovitch‘s latest novella, DER OKTOBERMANN entered the book charts in Germany at #3! Published by DTV, here’s the synopsis…

›Die Flüsse von London‹ fließen nach Deutschland…

… denn auch hierzulande gibt es magische Vorkommnisse! Das deutsche Pendant zu Peter Grant heißt Tobi Winter und arbeitet beim BKA (Abteilung für komplexe und diffuse Angelegenheiten, sprich: Magie). Tobi bekommt es mit seltsamen Bräuchen in den Weinbergen rund um Trier zu tun – und mit einem übernatürlichen Rätsel, das schon Hunderte von Jahren alt ist. Selbstverständlich hat in dieser Gegend auch die Mosel ein Wörtchen mitzureden, wenn es magisch wird.

THE OCTOBER MAN is the first set in Germany, and introduces readers to Tobias Winter, a new protagonist in the author’s Rivers of London fantasy world. Published by Gollancz (UK) and Subterranean Press (North America), here’s the English-language synopsis…

Trier is famous for wine, Romans and for being Germany’s oldest city. So when a man is found dead with, his body impossibly covered in a fungal rot, the local authorities know they are out of their depth.

Fortunately this is Germany, where there are procedures for everything.

Enter Investigator Tobias Winter, whose aim is to get in, deal with the problem, and get out with the minimum of fuss, personal danger and paperwork. With the help of frighteningly enthusiastic local cop, Vanessa Sommer, he’s quick to link the first victim to a group of ordinary middle aged men – and to realise they may have accidentally reawakened a bloody conflict from a previous century. But the rot is still spreading, literally and with the suspect list extending to people born before Frederick the Great solving the case may mean unearthing the city’s secret magical history.

… so long as that history doesn’t kill them first.

Here are just a handful of the great reviews the novella has received so far…

‘In this enjoyable spin-off from the Rivers of London urban fantasy series, Aaronovitch successfully transfers his blend of the supernatural and humor from England to the Continent as he introduces Tobias Winter, a German police officer who practices magic… Supernatural mystery fans who enjoy more whimsical takes on the paranormal will hope for more of Winter and Sommer.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘Winter’s stolidness is a feature rather than a bug. While there are moments of adventure and daring, the story of this crime is both a satisfying whodunit and a primer on how magic works in Deutschland. THE OCTOBER MAN would be an interesting place to enter the Rivers of London world. Rather than fae, a new reader would anticipate werewolves, perhaps — and still greatly enjoy Aaronovitch’s work. Those who know the Folly will appreciate this outsider’s view of Grant and Nightingale, as well as learn a bit about how the latter spent the war, while still greatly enjoying Aaronovitch’s work, even if it is set someplace new.’ — Locus (Adrienne Martini)

‘Sommer and Winter are an interesting team, the latter especially being a fascinating take of the “ordinary copper” style trope that these books do so well… THE OCTOBER MAN is a must for any fan of the series so far and, unusually, a good introduction to the series. It only marginally connects to the big plot of the main books, but does introduce all the core ideas and distinctive style. More please, and soon.’ — Starburst

‘Aaronovitch expands the universe of his Rivers of London series (Broken Homes, 2014) to include new characters operating in different countries with ties to supernatural crimes and detective work. THE OCTOBER MAN introduces Tobias Winter, a sanctioned magic practitioner who investigates the supernatural angles of crimes for the Abteilung KDA (which fans will recognize as the German extension of the British Folly)… Aaronovitch delivers yet another classic detective novel rich with the magical world building accomplished in his previous work.’ — Booklist

‘THE OCTOBER MAN is a very well-constructed detective story, simple enough to be told in the span of a novella (granted, at more than two hundred pages, this one’s on the longer side) while still containing plenty of complexity to hold the reader’s attention. In addition, its pacing allows for plenty of fast-paced action and police work, but moments of downtime also provide opportunities to get to know our characters better. Despite being in a new setting and following a new protagonist, I was delighted to feel all the familiar attributes and the fine balance of Ben Aaronovitch’s writing style… Aaronovitch has delivered another fun and captivating Rivers of London mystery… I loved getting to meet Tobias and Vanessa, and it would thrill me greatly to see this corner of the series expanded with more stories in the future.’ — Bibliosanctum