Stone and Sky

Stone and Sky (2025) Ben Aaronovitch (Rivers of London #10)

Of course I loved it.

And I can’t wait for the audiobook to come out.

This story is split between Peter and Abigail, and I wonder how many people are going to take issue with that.

Personally, not only did I like it, but I deeply appreciated how and why Abigail came along on this trip.

I’M LYING IN a ditch in Scotland because Paul is dead and there is a hole inside me and I’m scared I’m going to fall into it.

It’s been clear from the start that Paul was going to die relatively soon, and also clear that this was going to deeply affect Abigail.

Peter wants me to do grief counseling, which is rare coming from him, but I said it’s my grief, innit? And I ain’t finished with it yet.

Although it’s hard to remember that Abigail is an older teen now–the twins are two so a good deal of time has passed since she came onto the scene. So keep that in mind as you see Abigail fall for one of the characters they meet while hunting a panther.

(T)he panther had a large but finite number of routes it liked to follow when moving about the woods.

“Tell me you’ve plotted them out,” I say, and all three foxes give me the same offended look.

“Of course,” says Sax William.

“And made a frequency analysis?”

Not that Abigail isn’t 100% Abigail.

As we have Abigail, we also have the foxes. We’ve had lots of them in Abigail stories, but this is I think the most they’ve appeared in a book with Peter.

There are stories,” said Brian. “Of people that turn into foxes and vice versa. I believe they’re common in Japan and China.”

“Can you tell me the stories?” asked Indigo.

“Not off the top of my head, but I’m sure I can find you some books.” He hesitated. “Can you read?”

“Of course,” said Indigo. “Can’t write, though—the keys are too small.”

Which is fine with me because I really like the foxes.

We do get Peter, of course, but now he’s a father, he’s starting to settle down and take his safety a bit more seriously.

Also, I want to note that unlike many authors, Aaronovitch gets young kids precisely right.

The twins ate their chips and the inside of their burgers, and would have used the buns as impromptu frisbees if I hadn’t moved to confiscate them.

I love this series and although I have the audiobook to look forward to, who knows how long until there’s another story?!

Characters: Peter Grant, Beverley Brook, Rose Grant, Richard Grant, Thomas Nightingale, Abigail Kamara, Dr. Abdul Haqq Walid (Ian Meikle), Dr. Brian Robertson, Zachary Palmer, Indigo, DCI Mason, DS Martin Blinschell, Bernard Fontaine, James Lochrane, Derek Harwood, Daniel Hossack, Elric, Bridget, Sax William, Reid King, Ione Seaton, Duncan, Calliste, Aunty Clio, Kirsty MacIntyre, Donnie, Nathan Fairbright, Alice MacDuffie, Kristian Jørgensen, Robert Tarry Smith, Gerald Tully, Artemis Vance, Derek Patterson, DS Danni Wickford, Special Agent Kimberley Reynolds, Rory Carroll, Phyllis, Ryan Griffiths, Garrett Partridge

Cover by Stephen Walter & Patrick Knowles

Publisher: DAW

Rating: 9/10

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