False Value

Generally, as a geek and a tech worker, I enjoyed this novel. I thought the Douglas Adams references were on-brand for a tech entrepreneur, and they frequently made me laugh. Peter fits comfortably into this world, and gets to display his strong problem solving skills.

Peter’s relationship with Bev is developing and I enjoy their domestic time. They are funny together even when things are serious.

I felt like Peter and Nightingale collaborated more in this novel than the last two. Their relationship appears to be maturing, less student/master, more collegial.

I think the introduction of The Librarians and the Mary Engine creates innumerable opportunities for future novels, but this story was very simple compared to the other novels, and honestly as quick as a read as it was, it didn’t grab me. I’d like to have seen more of Skinner plotting and Ms. Chin’s history. I’d really like to know more about what was happening in the battle between Ms. Chin and Nightingale.

I’m fine with Peter going undercover, and it served the plot well, but I didn’t like the way Aaronovitch structured that reveal in the first section of the book. The time skipping was specifically meant to tease the reader; it was contrived. I was very pleased when it ended.

Aaronovitch continually expands the Rivers universe. I wonder if he’d bring in other authors to add some depth to some items that we know little about so far.

Being a fan of Peter Grant, this book is ok. It contains some humour and wittiness, but the showdown and solution were ... mmmh .. ok.

Bev's role is quite reduced to a twin baby breading machine, and Nightingale seems to have emotionally already quit job.