Kobna Holdbrook-Smith - Zeno Agency Ltd.

AMONGST OUR WEAPONS Wins Listening Books Members’ Choice Award!

Posted on Thursday, February 9th, 2023

We’re very happy to share the news that the audiobook of Ben Aaronovitch‘s latest novel, AMONGST OUR WEAPONS has won the 2022 Listening Books Members’ Choice Award! You can watch the announcement, by Stephen Fry, above.

The ninth novel in the acclaimed, best-selling Rivers of London/Peter Grant series, it is narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, who has narrated all novels’ audiobooks in the UK! Published by Orion, here’s the synopsis…

There is a world hidden underneath this great city…

The London Silver Vaults – for well over a century, the largest collection of silver for sale in the world. It has more locks than the Bank of England and more cameras than a celebrity punch-up.

Not somewhere you can murder someone and vanish without a trace – only that’s what happened.

The disappearing act, the reports of a blinding flash of light and memory loss amongst the witnesses all make this a case for Detective Constable Peter Grant and the Special Assessment Unit.

Alongside their boss DCI Thomas Nightingale, the SAU find themselves embroiled in a mystery that encompasses London’s tangled history, foreign lands and, most terrifying of all, the North!

And Peter must solve this case soon because back home his partner Beverley is expecting twins any day now. But what he doesn’t know is that he’s about to encounter something – and somebody – that nobody ever expects…

Effortlessly original, endlessly inventive and hugely entertaining – step into the world of the much-loved, Number One bestselling Rivers of London series.

Many congratulations to Ben and Kobna!

Ben Aaronovitch’s AMONGST OUR WEAPONS is Out Now in the UK!

Posted on Thursday, April 7th, 2022

The wait is finally over: AMONGST OUR WEAPONS, Ben Aaronovitch‘s highly-anticipated ninth Rivers of London novel is out today in the UK! Published in the UK by Orion Books, here’s the synopsis…

There is a world hidden underneath this great city…

The London Silver Vaults – for well over a century, the largest collection of silver for sale in the world. It has more locks than the Bank of England and more cameras than a celebrity punch-up.

Not somewhere you can murder someone and vanish without a trace – only that’s what happened.

The disappearing act, the reports of a blinding flash of light and memory loss amongst the witnesses all make this a case for Detective Constable Peter Grant and the Special Assessment Unit.

Alongside their boss DCI Thomas Nightingale, the SAU find themselves embroiled in a mystery that encompasses London’s tangled history, foreign lands and, most terrifying of all, the North!

Effortlessly original, endlessly inventive and hugely entertaining – step into the world of the much-loved, Number One bestselling Rivers of London series.

The novel is also available as an audiobook, narrated by the incomparable Kobna Holdbrook-Smith. The novel is due to be published in North America by DAW Books (April 12th) and in Germany by DTV (April 14th).

The other novels and novellas in the Rivers of London series are published in the UK by Gollancz; by DTV in Germany; and by Del Rey (1-3), DAW Books (4-) and Subterranean Press (novellas) in North America.

ICYMI: Two Interviews with Ben Aaronovitch…

Posted on Tuesday, August 24th, 2021

Today, we wanted to share with you two interview clips featuring Ben Aaronovitch. The first, above, is from his Cymera Festival event, in which he discusses supernatural crime fiction with Adam Simcox and Jacky Collins.

The second clip, below, is a short clip from the Graham Norton Book Club, in which Ben is joined by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith to discuss the Peter Grant series (which Kobna has narrated since the beginning).

Gollancz recently published the 10th Anniversary edition of Ben’s first novel in the series, RIVERS OF LONDON. A great collector’s edition for fans of the series, as well as a great place to start for newcomers!

New Audio Edition of THE FURTHEST STATION out tomorrow in North America!

Posted on Monday, February 8th, 2021

Ben Aaronovitch‘s first Rivers of London novella, THE FURTHEST STATION is out tomorrow in a new audio edition. Published by Tantor Media, and narrated by the ever-excellent Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, here’s the synopsis…

There have been ghosts on the London Underground, sad, harmless specters whose presence does little more than give a frisson to traveling and boost tourism. But now there’s a rash of sightings on the Metropolitan Line and these ghosts are frightening, aggressive, and seem to be looking for something.

Enter PC Peter Grant, junior member of the Metropolitan Police’s Special Assessment Unit, AKA The Folly, AKA the only police officers whose official duties include ghost hunting. Together with Jaget Kumar, his counterpart at the British Transport Police, he must brave the terrifying crush of London’s rush hour to find the source of the ghosts.

Joined by Peter’s wannabe wizard cousin, a preschool river god, and Toby the ghost hunting dog, their investigation takes a darker tone as they realize that a real person’s life might just be on the line.

And time is running out to save them.

The 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). The series is also available in a growing number of translated editions around the world.

Here are just a few reviews that THE FURTHEST STATION has received so far…

‘Aaronvitch guarantees a thrilling read; his style and approach to world building are simply too tight and too accomplished not to. THE FURTHEST STATION is a strong example of compact and intense storytelling… We get some nice character development, especially via Peter’s cousin. She’s beginning to dabble in magic herself, which is a little like learning to juggle hand live hand grenades, and this provides a decent B-plot. THE FURTHEST STATION is short, but perfectly formed.’ — Starburst

‘An excellent entry point to the Peter Grant series for newcomers who like their urban fantasies rendered with a light touch… The story is intriguing enough to pull readers along, and Peter’s dry humor will linger in the memory.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘Though it be but little, this newest adventures of PC Peter Grant (technically book 5.7 in the Peter Grant/Rivers of London series) is fiercely entertaining; the endlessly imaginative Aaronovitch is in top form. Perhaps because there is so much intrigue, ghostly action and unique characterization packed into such a comparatively small space, the deft blend of supernatural adventure and police procedural is particularly impressive here, as Grant is called upon to use all the tools at his disposal, both the magical and the mundane.’ — RT Book Reviews (Top Pick)

‘So entertaining that I’d readily recommend it to newcomers and old fans alike… perfect for someone who just wants to dip their toes into the world before deciding to take the plunge into the novels… a wonderful book.’ — Bibliosanctum

‘Thoroughly enjoyable, and thoroughly recommended.’ — SF&F Reviews

Ben Aaronovitch’s TALES FROM THE FOLLY out now as an Audiobook!

Posted on Thursday, August 27th, 2020

We’re very happy to report that TALES FROM THE FOLLY, Ben Aaronovitch‘s highly-anticipated short story collection set in the Rivers of London universe, is now available in the UK as an audiobook! Published by Orion, it is a must-listen for fans of Ben’s internationally best-selling and highly acclaimed series. The collection has a large cast of narrators — including Ben himself and long-time Rivers of London narrator Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, other narration is provided by Alex Kingston, Ben Elliot, Felix Grainger, Penelope Rawlins, Sam Peter Jackson, and Shvorne Marks.

Here’s the collection’s synopsis and table of contents…

Tales from the Folly is a carefully curated collection that gathers together previously published stories and brand new tales in the same place for the first time.

Each tale features a new introduction from the author, filled with insight and anecdote offering the reader a deeper exploration into this absorbing fictional world. This is a must read for any Rivers of London fan.

Join Peter, Nightingale, Abigail, Agent Reynolds and Tobias Winter for a series of perfectly portioned tales. Discover what’s haunting a lonely motorway service station, who still wanders the shelves of a popular London bookshop, and what exactly happened to the River Lugg…

With an introduction from internationally bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse series, Charlaine Harris.

This collection includes:
The Home Crowd Advantage
The Domestic
The Cockpit
The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Granny
King of The Rats
A Rare Book of Cunning Device
A Dedicated Follower of Fashion
Favourite Uncle
Vanessa Sommer’s Other Christmas List
Three Rivers, Two Husbands and a Baby
Moments One-Three

Available first as an eBook, published by JABberwocky in the UK and North America, there are plans for a print edition in the works, as well as audio editions for other territories/languages — we’ll share more information as we have it.

The Rivers of London/Peter Grant series — currently at eight novels and two novellas — 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.

The LIES SLEEPING audiobook is on sale in Australia (today only)!

Posted on Tuesday, January 21st, 2020

The audiobook edition of LIES SLEEPING, the seventh novel in Ben Aaronovitch‘s widely-acclaimed Peter Grant series, is on sale via Audible Australia! Published by Orion Audio, and read by Olivier Award-winning Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, here’s the synopsis…

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…

Ben’s series is published in the UK and Commonwealth by Gollancz, in North America by Del Rey and DAW Books, and widely elsewhere in translation.

The highly-anticipated next novel in the series, FALSE VALUE, is due to be published next month by Orion (UK) and DAW Books (North America).

Here are just a few reviews that LIES SLEEPING has received since it was first published…

‘[F]unny… laugh-out-loud prose… fans will delight in this outing.’ — Publishers Weekly

‘[R]ecounted with deadpan British wit and irony… packed with fascinating historical detail… Lively and amusing and different.’ — Kirkus

‘Peter Grant’s London has depth, breadth, and a complex array of recurring characters, and every one of the novels can be relied on to start with a bang… Aaronovitch’s Peter Grant has a distinctive voice, one that makes even the bureaucracy of regular police work engaging and compelling… Aaronovitch writes a tense, compelling police procedural with magic. As usual, Grant’s voice is striking, and the action gripping and intense.’ — Tor.com

‘[S]till as fresh as ever… Aaronovitch melds the magical and mundane extremely well. There’s a good mix of ‘London practicality’ and ‘unimaginable terror’ here; this isn’t a world where everyone can take the idea that magic is a real thing in their stride. Fear of the unknown keeps things in the margins, which provides a backdrop for the main characters’ struggles… The plot dives straight into strands from the previous titles, tying up plots going all the way back to book one whilst fraying new threads to keep the intrigue going. The pace is solid and steady, the action is as thrilling as ever and the whole thing ticks along like an old yet exciting friend… A must for fans of the series so far and, as always, we can’t wait to read the next one.’ — Starburst

‘Things build to a peak with thrilling confrontations, an impressively weird final battle, and a big surprise at the end… Aaronovitch has a way with surprising developments, and I’m looking forward to seeing how things play out.’ — Locus (Carolyn Cushman)

‘[T]hose wondering if we’ll ever get to see the end of this Faceless Man’s saga will be pleased to know, LIES SLEEPING has the final showdown and answers you’re looking for. After seven books, this resolution was a long time coming, and it was awesome… those who have always appreciated this series’ attention to the history and mythology associated with London will find lots of like about this book…’ — Bibliosanctum

First two Peter Grant novels available in Czech audio!

Posted on Friday, January 26th, 2018

Great news! The first two novels in Ben Aaronovitch‘s Peter Grant series are now available in Czech audio editions! Produced by Tympanum, and narrated by Tomáš Kobr, the novels are published as ŘEKY LONDÝNA (RIVERS OF LONDON) and MĚSÍC NAD SOHO (MOON OVER SOHO), here’s the synopsis for the first book…

Jedna z nejúspěšnějších městských fantasy uplynulého desetiletí vás zavede do Londýna, ve kterém u policie slouží čarodějové a po ulicích se prohánějí zlovolní duchové či božstva na válečné stezce.

Jmenuji se Peter Grant. Ještě nedávno jsem byl obyčejný četnický zelenáč v řadách londýnské Metropolitní policie. Jedné noci jsem se ale při vyšetřování jisté vraždy pokusil získat svědeckou výpověď od muže, který byl sice mrtvý, ale jinak znepokojivě výřečný, což mi zajistilo pozornost vrchního inspektora Nightingalea, posledního čaroděje Anglie. A právě tehdy začal můj příběh.

Nyní jsem policejní detektiv a čarodějův učeň, první učedník za padesát let, a můj svět už není zdaleka tak jednoduchý, jak býval.

The print editions of the novels are published in Czech by Argo. The series is published in the UK by Gollancz, and in the US by Del Rey (1-3) and DAW Books (4-6). The English-language audiobooks are published by Orion Audio, and are narrated by the superb Kobna Holdbook-Smith. The series has also been published widely in translation. Here’s the English-language synopsis for the first novel…

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.

Ben Aaronovitch’s THE HANGING TREE out now on MP3 CD!

Posted on Thursday, December 8th, 2016

Ben Aaronovitch‘s best-selling, critically-acclaimed THE HANGING TREE is out today on MP3 CD! Published by Gollancz, and read by the brilliant Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, here’s the synopsis…

The sixth outing for PC Peter Grant sees him back in London and facing up to the terrifying legacy of London’s hangings.

Suspicious deaths are not usually the concern of PC Peter Grant or the Folly, even when they happen at an exclusive party in one of the most expensive apartment blocks in London. But Lady Ty’s daughter was there, and Peter owes Lady Ty a favour.

Plunged into the alien world of the super-rich, where the basements are bigger than the house and dangerous, arcane items are bought and sold on the open market, a sensible young copper would keep his head down and his nose clean. But this is Peter Grant we’re talking about.

He’s been given an unparalleled opportunity to alienate old friends and create new enemies at the point where the world of magic and that of privilege intersect. Assuming he survives the week…

THE HANGING TREE is the sixth novel in Ben’s best-selling Peter Grant series. Gollancz has published the entire series to date in the UK: RIVERS OF LONDON, MOON OVER SOHO, WHISPERS UNDERGROUND, BROKEN HOMES and FOXGLOVE SUMMER.

THE HANGING TREE is due to be published in the US by DAW Books in January 2017.

Titan Comics has published three comic mini-series: BODY WORK, NIGHT WITCH and the currently-ongoing BLACK MOULD.

THE HANGING TREE Audio out tomorrow in the UK!

Posted on Wednesday, November 23rd, 2016

The Audio edition of Ben Aaronovitch‘s bestselling THE HANGING TREE is out tomorrow in the UK! Narrated by the ever-brilliant Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, it is published by Gollancz. Here’s the synopsis…

The sixth outing for PC Peter Grant sees him back in London and facing up to the terrifying legacy of London’s hangings.

He’s been given an unparalleled opportunity to alienate old friends and create new enemies at the point where the world of magic and that of privilege intersect. Assuming he survives the week…

The audio edition also features an audio exclusive interview with Ben Aaronovitch and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith.

THE HANGING TREE is the sixth book in Ben’s Peter Grant series, and follows RIVERS OF LONDON, MOON OVER SOHO, WHISPERS UNDERGROUND, BROKEN HOMES, and FOXGLOVE SUMMER — all of which are published in the UK by Gollancz. THE HANGING TREE is due to be published in the US in January 2017, by DAW Books; and in Germany by DTV, also in January 2017.

Ben has also written (with Andrew Cartmel) three comic series published by Titan Comics, set between the novels: BODY WORK, NIGHT WITCH and the currently-ongoing BLACK MOULD.

THE HANGING TREE News!

Posted on Tuesday, September 20th, 2016

We have an update regarding Ben Aaronovitch‘s highly-anticipated sixth novel, THE HANGING TREE! We are very happy to report that, as revealed recently, the book is now scheduled for a November 3rd release in the UK! Due to be published by Gollancz, it is the sixth instalment in the best-selling, critically-acclaimed Peter Grant urban fantasy series. Here’s the synopsis…

The sixth outing for PC Peter Grant in this bestselling series sees him back in London and facing up to the terrifying legacy of London’s hangings.

He’s been given an unparalleled opportunity to alienate old friends and create new enemies at the point where the world of magic and that of privilege intersect. Assuming he survives the week…

Gollancz’s publisher, Gillian Redfearn said of the news, ‘THE HANGING TREE is fantastic – a mystery set in the heart of London and drawing on the city’s rich history and culture to add depth and a little London magic to a gripping story. It’s a treat to read, and a welcome early Christmas present for fans of Ben Aaronovitch and PC Peter Grant.’

An audiobook edition is due to be published on November 24th, 2016. It will be narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, who has masterfully narrated the other novels.

The first five novels in the series have also been published in the UK by Gollancz: RIVERS OF LONDON, MOON OVER SOHO, WHISPERS UNDERGROUND, BROKEN HOMES, and FOXGLOVE SUMMER. The series is published in the US by Del Rey (1-3) and DAW Books (4-6), and has been published in Germany (DTV), France (J’ai Lu), and in a host of other languages. More details can be found on Ben’s author page, and also by getting in touch with us.

FOXGLOVE SUMMER Shortlisted for 2015 CrimeFest Award!

Posted on Thursday, April 23rd, 2015

We have some fantastic Ben Aaronovitch-related news this afternoon: the audiobook edition of FOXGLOVE SUMMER, narrated by the always-excellent Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, has been nominated for a 2015 CrimeFest Awards! Specifically, the novel has been nominated for the Audible Sounds of Crime Award, which ‘recognizes the best crime audiobook published in both print and audio in 2014. Courtesy of sponsor Audible UK.’

The audiobook edition of the novel is published by Orion Audio, and the print editions of the Peter Grant Series are published in the UK by Gollancz. Here’s the FOXGLOVE SUMMER synopsis…

The fifth of the Sunday Times Bestselling series sees PC Grant looking for missing children. And missing London.

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 CrimeFest crime fiction convention will be held in Bristol, from May 14th to 17th. The winners will be announced at the CrimeFest Gala Awards Dinner on Saturday 16th May.

Many congratulations to Ben and Kobna!

Zeno Titles in Audible’s 2014 Bestsellers Lists!

Posted on Friday, December 12th, 2014

Ben Aaronovitch‘s FOXGLOVE SUMMER and Brandon Sanderson‘s WORDS OF RADIANCE are among the bestselling audiobooks released in 2014 on Audible UK (of all genres)! Especially incredible is the fact that FOXGLOVE SUMMER makes the list having only been published on November 11th! (Just four weeks ago!)

Additionally, and equally great news, Ben’s RIVERS OF LONDON and BROKEN HOMES and Brandon’s THE WAY OF KINGS are also among the 2014 Best-Sellers – All Time Releases!

RIVERS OF LONDON, BROKEN HOMES and FOXGLOVE SUMMER are the first, fourth and fifth books in Ben’s Peter Grant urban fantasy series, published by Gollancz in the UK. The series is narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith. Here’s 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.

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 WAY OF KINGS and WORDS OF RADIANCE are the first two novels in Brandon’s Stormlight Archive epic fantasy series, also published by Gollancz in the UK. The series is narrated by Michael Kramer and Kate Reading. Here’s the synopsis for the THE WAY OF KINGS…

According to mythology mankind used to live in The Tranquiline Halls. Heaven. But then the Voidbringers assaulted and captured heaven, casting out God and men. Men took root on Roshar, the world of storms. And the Voidbringers followed…

They came against man ten thousand times. To help them cope, the Almighty gave men powerful suits of armor and mystical weapons, known as Shardblades. Led by ten angelic Heralds and ten orders of knights known as Radiants, mankind finally won.

Or so the legends say. Today, the only remnants of those supposed battles are the Shardblades, the possession of which makes a man nearly invincible on the battlefield. The entire world is at war with itself – and has been for centuries since the Radiants turned against mankind. Kings strive to win more Shardblades, each secretly wishing to be the one who will finally unite all of mankind under a single throne.

On a world scoured down to the rock by terrifying hurricanes that blow through every few day a young spearman forced into the army of a Shardbearer, led to war against an enemy he doesn’t understand and doesn’t really want to fight.

What happened deep in mankind’s past?

Why did the Radiants turn against mankind, and what happened to the magic they used to wield?

Zeno represents Brandon Sanderson in the UK and Commonwealth, on behalf of the JABberwocky Literary Agency in New York.

Ben Aaronovitch’s FOXGLOVE SUMMER is Out Tomorrow!

Posted on Wednesday, November 12th, 2014

The wait is almost over! Ben Aaronovitch‘s FOXGLOVE SUMMER is officially published in the UK tomorrow by Gollancz! (It has already been available at a few signings this past week.) The highly-anticipated fifth novel in Ben’s Peter Grant series, a lot of people have been very eager to get their hands on it! Here’s the synopsis…

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…

We would also just like to mention again the great news that RIVERS OF LONDON, the first in the series, has been selected by Cityreads London for the April 2015 title! You can read more about that, here. All of the novels are published in the UK by Gollancz.

FOXGLOVE SUMMER is available in hardcover, eBook, and also unabridged audio – narrated by the very talented Kobna Holdbrook-Smith. The novel will be published in the US by DAW Books, on January 6th, 2015.

And, finally, Gollancz are running a limited special offer for people who pre-ordered FOXGLOVE SUMMER…