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Rivers of London #1.5
The Home Crowd Advantage
This short story was first published in 2012 in the 'Special London Edition' of Rivers of London. It takes place during the Olympic Games in London, 2012.
25 pages, ebook
First published October 27, 2014
12 people are currently reading
4553 people want to read
About the author
Ben Aaronovitch
160 books13.5k followersBen Aaronovitch's career started with a bang writing for Doctor Who, subsided in the middle and then, as is traditional, a third act resurgence with the bestselling Rivers of London series.
Born and raised in London he says that he'll leave his home when they prise his city out of his cold dead fingers.
Born and raised in London he says that he'll leave his home when they prise his city out of his cold dead fingers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews
February 28, 2018
The Home Crowd Advantage is a Peter Grant short story that apparently takes place between Book 1: Rivers of London and Book 2: Moon Over Soho, though, having just read the first book, I’m not sure if it has any bearing on the second; it reads like a standalone for anyone who’s familiar with this world.
It’s set during the 2012 London Olympics where an elderly French magician has decided to go out swinging by challenging Nightingale to a duel - except the Detective Inspector isn’t around and all he gets is his apprentice, Peter!
For a series so deeply tied to the city, I suppose it made sense for Ben Aaronovitch to write something for a momentous event like the 2012 London Olympics. Aaronovitch uses the story to further build the lore of his world, alluding to Nightingale’s past at the 1948 London Olympics and referencing the disaster at Ettersburg, which was mentioned in Rivers of London, again - I’m very curious to see what that’s all about. And the finale is amusingly anticlimactic.
The Home Crowd Advantage is a well-written and cute short story albeit not that special or memorable and fairly disposable. I’m not sure if you need to read this before diving into Book 2 but it’s a quick read and available for free over at Ben Aaronovitch’s blog here.
It’s set during the 2012 London Olympics where an elderly French magician has decided to go out swinging by challenging Nightingale to a duel - except the Detective Inspector isn’t around and all he gets is his apprentice, Peter!
For a series so deeply tied to the city, I suppose it made sense for Ben Aaronovitch to write something for a momentous event like the 2012 London Olympics. Aaronovitch uses the story to further build the lore of his world, alluding to Nightingale’s past at the 1948 London Olympics and referencing the disaster at Ettersburg, which was mentioned in Rivers of London, again - I’m very curious to see what that’s all about. And the finale is amusingly anticlimactic.
The Home Crowd Advantage is a well-written and cute short story albeit not that special or memorable and fairly disposable. I’m not sure if you need to read this before diving into Book 2 but it’s a quick read and available for free over at Ben Aaronovitch’s blog here.
June 9, 2016
Still two months left until the next Peter Grant mystery is published. Lucky for me, while eagerly searching for updates on release dates for book six, I have come across temporary relief in the form of a short story featuring my favorite Metropolitan Magical Constable.
The title, and the subject of the story, relate to the Summer Olympics in London 2012, with some reference to the previous games hosted by the town in 1948. Previous meetings with Peter Grant and with his policing methods made it unlikely our young constable will get a front seat for the sporting events:
.. my role, unofficially handed down from the Commissioner's office, was to stay as far away from any Olympic venues as was consistent with my duties. I guess they were worried about property damage, what with Covent Garden burning down, the ambulance hijack, that business in Oxford Circus and the thing that happened in Kew that was totally not my fault.
Nevertheless, when a disgruntled French tourist starts to complain about the quality of British food in a supermarket coffee shop by magically setting a bystander ablaze, Peter is called to quietly defuse the situation. As usual, I loved the humorous, self-deprecating yet earnest first person narrative and the dedication to peaceful conflict resolution that Peter so often advocates, yet rarely gets to put in practice:
The longer people sit around being calm and civilised, the harder it is for them to become uncivilised later - it's just too much effort. The rule of thumb is that if you keep them talking for over twenty minutes you can usually walk away without the use of force. Usually.
Peter sure finds the weirdest criminals to chase and the elderly Dominic is no exception. I won't go into the details of the Frenchman's backstory, but it looks like we're in for another impromptu demolition when Peter is challenged to a magical duel
"Are there rules?"
"No gods, no staffs, first man to stay down for the count loses and we suspend the contest if the building collapses."
The story was a bit on the very short side, but it is a fun reminder of why I love the Peter Grant books so much. I recommend it to other fans impatient for the next novel and to readers who are not sure yet if they want to start on yet another unfinished paranormal investigations series.
February 18, 2018
Ben Aaronovitch’s 2012 short story The Home Crowd Advantage finds Peter Grant still coming to grips with his magic apprenticeship, but he as some mundane copper tricks up his sleeve just fine, thank you very much.
Set during the London Olympic games in 2012, but referencing London’s 1948 games, this serves to further expand on Aaronovitch’s marvelous world building.
A short fun read.
Set during the London Olympic games in 2012, but referencing London’s 1948 games, this serves to further expand on Aaronovitch’s marvelous world building.
A short fun read.
October 13, 2015
As usual the only issue with Peter Grant series is - that it ends. :)
January 5, 2021
Read it at
http://temporarilysignificant.blogspo...
Takes place during the Summer Olympics of 2012 in London, and all security forces around the city are on high alert. Peter gets a call about a magical situation near an Olympic stadium that has turned into a standoff, so he rushes over to see if he can contain it by himself as Nightingale is currently out of town.
This is an interesting piece, but it's literally too short to review and reads more like an outtake than a short story, so not unlike A Rare Book of Cunning Device in that regard. "Home Crowd" sort of expands on Nightingale's past, but not enough to tell you much of anything. And that's why I think it's an outtake--a scene too interesting to scrap but doesn't necessarily fit into the next book.
If you're looking for something to tie you over until The Hanging Tree comes out, this story will sort of do it. It's always fun to return to Aaronovitch's London and see what Peter is up to these days, but it never fails to make me want more.
* * * * *
Cross-posted at https://covers2covers.wordpress.com/2...
http://temporarilysignificant.blogspo...
Takes place during the Summer Olympics of 2012 in London, and all security forces around the city are on high alert. Peter gets a call about a magical situation near an Olympic stadium that has turned into a standoff, so he rushes over to see if he can contain it by himself as Nightingale is currently out of town.
This is an interesting piece, but it's literally too short to review and reads more like an outtake than a short story, so not unlike A Rare Book of Cunning Device in that regard. "Home Crowd" sort of expands on Nightingale's past, but not enough to tell you much of anything. And that's why I think it's an outtake--a scene too interesting to scrap but doesn't necessarily fit into the next book.
If you're looking for something to tie you over until The Hanging Tree comes out, this story will sort of do it. It's always fun to return to Aaronovitch's London and see what Peter is up to these days, but it never fails to make me want more.
* * * * *
Cross-posted at https://covers2covers.wordpress.com/2...
February 6, 2015
V short. Have a problem because I'm so used to listening to kobna holbrook smith narrating that it feels wrong to read it
January 27, 2018
This is a short story with an excellent in-between adventure for Peter Grant. Its set during the 2012 Olympic Games. Just long enough to reintroduce the Rivers of London and make us yearn for more books. 😊💕📖
August 27, 2021
More of a tiny homage to London's Olympics with a cuppa for a copper than anything else.
It's cute and definitely one for the fans. Of both.
It's cute and definitely one for the fans. Of both.
July 3, 2018
3.5 stars. Really short and pretty light, a little story that took place during the London Olympics. Peter must deal with an angry wizard.
February 28, 2023
The Home Crowd Advantage is a short story in the popular Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch. It is set between Rivers Of London and Moon Over Soho. During the 2012 London Olympics, the Met have their hands full. With Nightingale in Aberdeen handling a situation, Peter Grant is called to a Costa Coffee at a shopping plaza where a French-speaking practitioner of magic is creating a disturbance. Antonin Bober confesses murder to Peter, committed on that very spot during the 1948 London Olympics, and has come to face the music, but a simple arrest is not what he has in mind. Peter has to be clever and a little underhanded to minimise injury and damage. An excellent little in-between.
June 9, 2018
This is an incredibly short story which apparently first appeared in the special edition of Rivers of London - strangely I got to read it directly off Mr Aaronovitch's webpage - its short and to the point however for me I think it perfectly encapsulates the style and characterisation that I think makes the Peter Grant series so distinctive.
I cannot praise this series enough for its approach to everything from humour to inclusion and all from the man who writes some exceptional Doctor Who.
What more can I say than as always I wish these stories were longer
I cannot praise this series enough for its approach to everything from humour to inclusion and all from the man who writes some exceptional Doctor Who.
What more can I say than as always I wish these stories were longer
August 20, 2016
Nice and interesting short story. Oh, Peter, I already miss you <3
May 14, 2018
Entertaining Peter Grant short story, set after the first book and during the 2012 Olympics in London. Like a small, sweet dessert after the main course. Not much to it, but nice.
August 27, 2021
*lol* This short story has a very funny origin story (no, I shan't spoiler).
As the cover suggests, we are in London in 20212, during the Olympics. Peter is alone since Nightingale has been called to Aberdeen to deal with "a situation".
The situation Peter is suddenly faced with is a man in a coffee shop who can obviously use magic. The question is: is it a man or a creature and why was there the confrontation in the coffee shop involving fire and at least one glamour? And how does that connect to the Olympics back in 1948 (except that London hosted the games then, too)?
This book was also educational in the sense that I've learned some police codes (like what IC1 means). *lol* Seriously, it's mazing how different and yet always entertaining these books are and how they ALWAYS deliver some new information about the city.
Most interestingly, though, we learned about wizards from France and how they teach magic there. I LOVE the tidbits we get about the magic system and the societies living in parallel and sometimes interacting with one another!
I'm pleased to report that you can red the story for free here: https://temporarilysignificant.blogsp...
As the cover suggests, we are in London in 20212, during the Olympics. Peter is alone since Nightingale has been called to Aberdeen to deal with "a situation".
The situation Peter is suddenly faced with is a man in a coffee shop who can obviously use magic. The question is: is it a man or a creature and why was there the confrontation in the coffee shop involving fire and at least one glamour? And how does that connect to the Olympics back in 1948 (except that London hosted the games then, too)?
This book was also educational in the sense that I've learned some police codes (like what IC1 means). *lol* Seriously, it's mazing how different and yet always entertaining these books are and how they ALWAYS deliver some new information about the city.
Most interestingly, though, we learned about wizards from France and how they teach magic there. I LOVE the tidbits we get about the magic system and the societies living in parallel and sometimes interacting with one another!
I'm pleased to report that you can red the story for free here: https://temporarilysignificant.blogsp...
March 7, 2025
This short tale was expressly written to honor the 2012 London Olympics. It illustrates nicely how Aaronovitch’s series is a police procedural foremost, seasoned with magic to give it that special spice.
Called to a coffee shop in a nondescript shopping center to deal with a minor case of magical terrorism, Peter Grant suits up in obvious police gear and goes in to negotiate with the old French fellow who had been carelessly flinging magic about. Over espresso (made by Peter) the old man tells him a story of his past as a collaborator during the war, and of a fateful visit to London during the 1948 Olympics, then challenges him to a magical duel. Peter listens, then demonstrates how mundane preparations and quick thinking can be as valuable as any spell.
Short, sharp, and clever — with just a very few pages Aaronovitch demonstrates why Rivers of London is such a brilliant series.
Called to a coffee shop in a nondescript shopping center to deal with a minor case of magical terrorism, Peter Grant suits up in obvious police gear and goes in to negotiate with the old French fellow who had been carelessly flinging magic about. Over espresso (made by Peter) the old man tells him a story of his past as a collaborator during the war, and of a fateful visit to London during the 1948 Olympics, then challenges him to a magical duel. Peter listens, then demonstrates how mundane preparations and quick thinking can be as valuable as any spell.
Short, sharp, and clever — with just a very few pages Aaronovitch demonstrates why Rivers of London is such a brilliant series.
February 26, 2015
I couldn't resist reading this so soon after Foxglove Summer, even though I told myself I'd wait until closer to the release of The Hanging Tree. It probably isn't really a 5* but I love this series and I did really enjoy this little shortly and it would just feel wrong to give it anything less. Can't wait for the next book! Hope it's as amazing as the others are.
June 5, 2016
Nice little story but in the end pointless.
October 10, 2017
маленьке оповідання, в якому магії майже й нема.
але, по-перше, пітер грант розуміє, як важливо багато свого носити з собою (особливо якщо непомітно), і цим він мені безмежно симпатичний.
а по-друге, це хороше нагадування, що навіть у боротьбі з усіляким надприродним іноді достатньо буденного вмісту поліцейських кишень.
але, по-перше, пітер грант розуміє, як важливо багато свого носити з собою (особливо якщо непомітно), і цим він мені безмежно симпатичний.
а по-друге, це хороше нагадування, що навіть у боротьбі з усіляким надприродним іноді достатньо буденного вмісту поліцейських кишень.
September 22, 2015
A very nicely written short story about our police wizard Peter Grant. Good little taster.
February 17, 2020
Cute short story about a elderly French practitioner who visits London during the 2012 Summer Olympics. Typical snarky and witty narration by Peter Grant.
November 10, 2020
Not as good as the novels. Not enough London and architecture and humour.
April 7, 2017
Nice wee little shot of Peter Grant, read for free at:
Peter Grant 1.5
Peter Grant 1.5
November 13, 2017
As this is a short story, I didn't think I was going to get to read it.
However, Ben Aaronovitch kindly has it available on his website to read, so I settled in for a quick read.
Ben has said himself that this no longer works with in the time line he's created. I don't care. It's a lovely little story harking back to the London Olympics of 1948.
It's 2012, Nightingale is in Aberdeen, and the magical shenanigans of London are purely in the purvey of Peter.
We learn a little about the French version of the Folly in this delightful story.
However, Ben Aaronovitch kindly has it available on his website to read, so I settled in for a quick read.
Ben has said himself that this no longer works with in the time line he's created. I don't care. It's a lovely little story harking back to the London Olympics of 1948.
It's 2012, Nightingale is in Aberdeen, and the magical shenanigans of London are purely in the purvey of Peter.
We learn a little about the French version of the Folly in this delightful story.
September 25, 2021
Виявляється, британських авторів теж змушують писати "піддатні" оповідання. Пана Аароновича попросили написати щось спеціально під Літні Олімпійські ігри у Лондоні 2012-го і він написав щось про Літні Олімпійські ігри у Лондоні... 1948-ого. Гарно викрутився.
May 15, 2018
I liked it. Super short and I could have done with more Nightingale and a little bit of Molly but still enjoyable.
April 23, 2018
A charming very short story set at the time of the 2012 London Olympics in which Peter confronts a French practitioner caught doing magic in public.
November 3, 2019
Very very short story...but still an entertaining read for a tube journey!
January 12, 2022
PODCAST is here :)
Write something for the Olympics they said.
Do I have to? I asked.
Yes, they said, we’re going to publish a special edition in 2012 and we want to capitalise on the fact that London is going to host the Olympics.
So that was me told.
Up till then, I’d avoided setting the books in a specific year because of the Olympics. Books are written years before they’re published, so I’d either have to guess at the likely outcomes of the events or write a story referencing them after the games had taken place and risk nobody giving a toss what happened when the book finally made its way onto a shelf. The Olympics—that’s so 2012, Grandad!
So when tasked to write a short story that was specifically Olympian, my solution was to set a story built around the events of the 1948 London Games, which were safely over. So, I did some research and came across France vs USA basketball final and the little idea birdie went ‘ping’.
I’d originally had the idea that Rivers, Moon and Whispers Under Ground were all set in 2011 but that meant Broken Homes would be set during 2012—the Olympic year. Which I wanted to avoid. My solution was to declare that the first three books were always set during 2012 and hope no one noticed.
So strictly speaking ‘The Home Crowd Advantage’ isn’t canon—but I still think it’s fun.
2nd re-read: I don't want to repeat myself, but please read the first impression from the year 2017.
It is still a pleasant read and still a bit too short with a quick solution for the troubles :)
On another hand this was supposed to be only a teaser for Olympics... and for that, it's a great idea.
3 happy Olympic kittens playing with the sunrays.
First sentence: We were a grumpy lot that summer of 2012.
Last sentence: ‘At least the food will be better,’ he said and I couldn’t argue with that.
Goodreads Challenge 2022: 7. book
*****************************************
Simple, easy and quick read, with a usual dry sense of humour from Peter, one aged wizard from France, unresolved crime and Olympic games from 1948.
It was pleasant to return to the world of Peter Grant with all the police talk and stuff around. I would prefer this story to be longer :)
Write something for the Olympics they said.
Do I have to? I asked.
Yes, they said, we’re going to publish a special edition in 2012 and we want to capitalise on the fact that London is going to host the Olympics.
So that was me told.
Up till then, I’d avoided setting the books in a specific year because of the Olympics. Books are written years before they’re published, so I’d either have to guess at the likely outcomes of the events or write a story referencing them after the games had taken place and risk nobody giving a toss what happened when the book finally made its way onto a shelf. The Olympics—that’s so 2012, Grandad!
So when tasked to write a short story that was specifically Olympian, my solution was to set a story built around the events of the 1948 London Games, which were safely over. So, I did some research and came across France vs USA basketball final and the little idea birdie went ‘ping’.
I’d originally had the idea that Rivers, Moon and Whispers Under Ground were all set in 2011 but that meant Broken Homes would be set during 2012—the Olympic year. Which I wanted to avoid. My solution was to declare that the first three books were always set during 2012 and hope no one noticed.
So strictly speaking ‘The Home Crowd Advantage’ isn’t canon—but I still think it’s fun.
2nd re-read: I don't want to repeat myself, but please read the first impression from the year 2017.
It is still a pleasant read and still a bit too short with a quick solution for the troubles :)
On another hand this was supposed to be only a teaser for Olympics... and for that, it's a great idea.
3 happy Olympic kittens playing with the sunrays.
First sentence: We were a grumpy lot that summer of 2012.
Last sentence: ‘At least the food will be better,’ he said and I couldn’t argue with that.
Goodreads Challenge 2022: 7. book
*****************************************
Simple, easy and quick read, with a usual dry sense of humour from Peter, one aged wizard from France, unresolved crime and Olympic games from 1948.
It was pleasant to return to the world of Peter Grant with all the police talk and stuff around. I would prefer this story to be longer :)
November 19, 2015
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
Ever after reading the first book in the Peter Grant series, Rivers of London, I've been a big fan. I don't read that many urban fantasy series, but this one is quite different from the rest I've read as it contains loads and loads of British humour, sarcasm and wit.
Needless to say I was very happy when I saw that Ben Aaronovitch had posted a short story, featuring the same main character, on his blog. Since it's still some time until (the right edition of) The Hanging Tree is published I thought this would be perfect to bridge the wait.
Set during the 2012 London Olympics it was a very nice story. It's really short, which is its only real problem. Peter is his usual self and handles the case well. I'd definitely recommend it to fans of the series. It's free and it won't take a lot of your time.
Read it here: http://temporarilysignificant.blogspo...
The Home Crowd Advantage is a short story in the Peter Grant/Rivers of London series. Rivers of London (Midnight Riot), Moon over Soho, Whispers Under Ground, Broken Homes and Foxglove Summer are the first five books in the series. The Hanging Tree, book six, will be published next year.
Ever after reading the first book in the Peter Grant series, Rivers of London, I've been a big fan. I don't read that many urban fantasy series, but this one is quite different from the rest I've read as it contains loads and loads of British humour, sarcasm and wit.
Needless to say I was very happy when I saw that Ben Aaronovitch had posted a short story, featuring the same main character, on his blog. Since it's still some time until (the right edition of) The Hanging Tree is published I thought this would be perfect to bridge the wait.
Set during the 2012 London Olympics it was a very nice story. It's really short, which is its only real problem. Peter is his usual self and handles the case well. I'd definitely recommend it to fans of the series. It's free and it won't take a lot of your time.
Read it here: http://temporarilysignificant.blogspo...
The Home Crowd Advantage is a short story in the Peter Grant/Rivers of London series. Rivers of London (Midnight Riot), Moon over Soho, Whispers Under Ground, Broken Homes and Foxglove Summer are the first five books in the series. The Hanging Tree, book six, will be published next year.
December 30, 2017
This is a short story written for the 2012 London Olympics. I think it was originally for a charity or something but Ben Aaeronovitch has made it available on his website for free. Although it's not technically a novel, only a short story, I am listing it here as a separate entry in Goodreads. Perhaps one day the author will collect all the Peter Grant short stories together.
This story takes place during the London Olympics and Peter is assigned as far away from the games as possible, But, as usual, something very weird happens that relates back to the London Olympics of 1948.
A short story but worth reading.
This story takes place during the London Olympics and Peter is assigned as far away from the games as possible, But, as usual, something very weird happens that relates back to the London Olympics of 1948.
A short story but worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 226 reviews