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carol. 's Reviews > Broken Homes

Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch
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it was amazing
bookshelves: audio, favorites, urban-fantasy, supernatural-mystery, to-buy
Read 3 times. Last read June 5, 2016 to June 19, 2016.

I loves it so much that this may be the reason I join Audible. Or is there another way for me to owns my precious?

Holdbrook-Smith's narration coupled with Aaronovitch's story is an absolutely splendid combination. Peter Grant has a dry, wry bent, and Holdbrook-Smith is allowing the emotion to come through, even allowing himself to become exclamatory in a couple of parts.

Holdbrook-Smith also has an amazing ability to convey a range of types. He must truly be an actor's actor. He does the genteel tones of Dr. Morehouse awkwardly reading a German title contrasted with Nightingale's smooth description of the same title. His Nightingale is absolutely pat--I hear him and Peter as two different people by now. Zach's indignant hippie vibe continues to amuse. His readings of female lines are just as apt, from the working-class busybody in the Gardens to the weary bemusement of the Nightwitch.

It's worth noting a couple of things. One, re-listening added to my enjoyment and understanding. Pacing was different than a traditional story because it really is more police-procedural. As Peter and the Folly continue to investigate suspicious occurrences, some will matter to the overall arc and some won't. Second, this is amazing and heart-wrenching with more suspense than the last book. This is where the series gets serious. Thankfully, there are still some humorous parts--such as a literal pissing contest. Apparently, as my notes from the first read attest, I'm still amused by many of the same lines.

My review of the story: Broken Homes
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Reading Progress

January 11, 2013 – Shelved (Hardcover Edition)
August 6, 2013 – Started Reading (Hardcover Edition)
August 8, 2013 – Finished Reading (Hardcover Edition)
June 5, 2016 – Started Reading
June 5, 2016 – Shelved
June 11, 2016 –
page 4
0% "It's a police mantra that all members of the public are guilty of something, but some members of the public are more guilty than others."
June 11, 2016 –
page 5
0% "I say a walk, but actually the pair of us had sloped off through the thin winter drizzle to the café in the park where I had coffee and Toby had cake."
June 11, 2016 –
page 8
0% "'Day boy or boarder?' asked Nightingale. I've picked up a smattering of posh since working with Nightingale, so at least I understood the question."
June 11, 2016 –
page 18
0% "Nightingale was aghast at my lack of arboreal knowledge. 'I don't understand how you can know five types of brick bond,' he said, 'but you can't identify the most common of trees.' Actually, I knew about 23 types of brick bond if you counted Tudor and other early modern styles, but I kept that to myself."
June 11, 2016 –
page 24
0% "So we had afternoon tea and pathology, sitting in the stuffed leather armchairs downstairs in the atrium."
June 11, 2016 –
page 38
0% "'Peter,' said Nightingale. 'If you'd like to spend the next three days cleaning the lab then by all means keep referring to my old school as Hogwarts.'"
June 11, 2016 –
page 61
0% "Arts and Antiques, definitely not known by the rest of the Met as the Arts and Crafts squad, occasionally recover an item so valuable that even the evidence storage locker in the middle of New Scotland Yard isn't secure enough."
June 11, 2016 –
page 62
0% "Holbrook Smith can pronounce German!"
June 11, 2016 –
page 71
0% "We broke for what me and Leslie called dinner, Nightingale called supper and Molly, we'd begun to suspect, thought of as field trials for her culinary experimentation."
June 11, 2016 –
page 71
0% "We heard a distant ringing noise that confused everyone until we recognized the Folly's front doorbell. We all exchanged looks until it was established that since I wasn't intrinsically supernatural, a chief inspector or required to put on a mask before meeting the public I was nominated door opener in chief."
June 11, 2016 –
page 90
0% "'You tell me. Is that likely?' 'It's possible,' said Nightingale. 'I wouldn't have been able to tell at your stage of apprenticeship. But I was only 12 at the time and easily distracted.' 'Distracted by what?' 'Peter!' ---lol!"
June 19, 2016 – Finished Reading
August 15, 2024 – Started Reading (Hardcover Edition)
September 5, 2024 – Finished Reading (Hardcover Edition)

Comments Showing 1-16 of 16 (16 new)

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Hank I couldn't agree more and Foxglove Summer made me join Audible. All the others were at my library but not the next one.


Nataliya I don't listen to audiobooks much - it's harder for me to get into the story that way. But this particular series with this narrator is definitely an exception.


carol. Hank, I even found a CD set of this on Amazon and was considering that over Audible!

Nataliya--I agree. I don't like the pace of books that are read to me, and I will easily lose track if I don't pay attention--either that, or start miscounting my cups of flour if I'm baking!--but this series is a clear exception.


Philip I have a credit on audible and will need something to listen to after my current book. I think you've thoroughly convinced me.


carol. The first was good, but by this book, he's fantastic (and the third book as well). A number of listeners convinced me to give this series a try in audio--so glad I did. I'll look forward to your thoughts. I think if you enjoy a more police-focused UF, there's a lot to like here.


Naomi I don't think you need an audible account - just an Amazon account.


carol. Hmm, okay.


Amanda I know this is an old thread, but I've been listening to them all free from the library using the Overdrive app. It's amazing.


carol. I absolutely agree, Amanda. I listened through Overdrive, but I've found some cheaper CDs and bought those as well, just so I can have any time. :) Happy listening!


Joanne Ashworth I completely agree with your review :-)


carol. Thank you, Joanne


Tracy I joined Audible just to be able to listen to these. Totally worth it.


message 13: by carol. (last edited Nov 10, 2020 08:49AM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

carol. So glad you discovered the fun! Pick up the short story too.
Tracy, I have a secret: I ended up buying the cds and getting audible copies for a couple of them, because I was just that weird.


Tracy Lol. I have done that. I have hard copies of books and then I buy ebooks too so I always have them with me.


carol. Exactly!


debra (view spoiler)


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