My Thoughts:

I bought this book when I was looking for an urban fantasy book to read during a spate of crime fiction reads and I realised that I was supposed to be an urban fantasy fan! I came across this. Listened to the audiobook sample. Liked it and bought it. However, once I started listening/reading this book, it took a bit of perseverance to get into the story even with the convenience of the audiobook format... I am not sure if it is the story telling quality or if it was me having a reading slump of some sort or BRMP (book reading mood phenomenon)... So, no, not a page-turner.

There wasn't much of a plot either. But then again this is urban fantasy even if it is kinda sort of crime fiction at the same time. Urban fantasy books are not known for their plot building. By urban fantasy standards, the story actually has a plot!

This is my first Kate Rawson listen and I like the way she reads. Would buy audiobook by her again.

Quantitative Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4
Character development = 4
Story itself = 4
Writing Style = 4
Ending = 4
World building = 4.5
Cover art = 3.5
Pace = (6 hrs and 50 mins listening time)
Plot = 3
Narration = 4.5

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 ( )

This was fun and an excellent dristraction read. Will definitely read more in the series. ( )

An intriguing new urban fantasy series, book one of the Crow Investigations series introduces us to protagonist Lydia and the powerful magic families of London. I was sent a copy of this book by the author to give an honest review and I'm thoroughly grateful for her doing so as I absolutely loved this book. I can't wait for the sequel!

As a Londoner I'm always on the lookout for urban fantasy novels set in my home town and it was great to read one that shone with such authenticity. Lydia is a very likeable and relatable character with Painter touching on some familiar issues amongst the cleverly crafted world building. There's plenty of suspense and mystery to go around, as well as humour and a touch of romance too. It's not easy to reach that delicate balance of getting just the right amount of each and Painter has managed to do just that.

The result is a magnificent story that leaves you wanting to know what's in store for Lydia and the gang next and that is exactly what you want from a good urban fantasy novel. ( )

Not a bad urban fantasy - magical London crime families and their offspring. Somewhat derivative of Rivers of London - the magical lineages being one, a character called Fleet whose mother's maiden name was Kamara who may have come from a different lineage.

Lydia Crow has escaped London and moved to Aberdeen where she is training as a PI. She's been raised 'normal' - her father, Henry Crow, accepted this as the condition for Lydia's mother agreeing to marry him. His father wasn't happy for Henry to move away, but Charlie (the eldest son) persuaded him into it. After a case turns sour, Lydia needs to get out of Aberdeen, and accepts Charlie's offer of a place to stay in London. This happens to be a flat above a family-owned café, and Lydia is doing Charlie a favour by living there - oh, and can you look for your cousin who has run off?

It reads a bit like a first novel, but it's not. The story was interesting, but didn't seem to flow very well, feeling more like linked scenes. I'll probably pick up the rest of the series, but I'll be waiting for them to come up in deals.

Recommended.

https://tamaranth.blogspot.com/2021/04/2021044-night-raven-sarah-painter.html ( )