Detective Stories continues the increasingly enjoyable tradition of expanding the Rivers of London universe through graphic novels that feel substantial without ever becoming essential reading. Co-written with Andrew Cartmel, this collection takes a slightly different approach from earlier volumes by splitting the focus across multiple shorter investigations rather than presenting one large central case. The result is a comic that feels lighter and more episodic, but still packed with the same supernatural charm, dry humour, and procedural detail that have made the series so popular.

The collection follows several different characters across a variety of smaller magical mysteries. Peter Grant is still present, but Detective Stories wisely uses the opportunity to give other members of the Folly and the Metropolitan Police more attention. Abigail Kamara remains one of the standout supporting characters in the entire franchise, and her sections are among the strongest in the book. There is also a welcome amount of focus on Sahra Guleed, Nightingale, and even some side characters who rarely get much time to shine in the novels. That wider perspective helps make the Rivers of London world feel larger and more lived in.

What makes the comic work particularly well is how naturally these smaller cases fit into the larger setting. The stories involve ghosts, strange magical disturbances, missing persons, and supernatural oddities, but they never feel disconnected from the grounded police procedural atmosphere Aaronovitch established from the beginning. The humour is still wonderfully understated, with Peter and the rest of the cast reacting to absurd magical situations with a mixture of professionalism, frustration, and weary acceptance. Even when the plots are relatively minor, the characters remain consistently entertaining to follow.

The artwork deserves enormous praise once again. Lee Sullivan’s art style has become one of the defining strengths of the Rivers of London comics, and Detective Stories continues that trend beautifully. London feels gritty and authentic, full of cluttered streets, cramped offices, and believable locations that contrast nicely with the strange magical events unfolding around them. The character work is particularly strong, with expressive faces and subtle visual details doing a great deal of storytelling on their own. Sullivan has an excellent sense of pacing during conversations and investigations, while the supernatural sequences remain visually striking without becoming chaotic or confusing. Luis Guerrero’s colouring adds even more atmosphere, balancing muted realism with bursts of magical energy when the story demands it. The comic consistently looks excellent from beginning to end.

One of the smartest things about Detective Stories is that it fully embraces its role as an interlude rather than trying to force itself into the centre of the main narrative. These graphic novels function best as side-quests within the Rivers of London universe. They give fans more time with characters they already enjoy while adding extra texture and worldbuilding to the setting. At the same time, they are absolutely not required reading for the core novel series.

That distinction matters because it keeps the comics accessible and fun. Readers who only follow the novels are not going to miss major plot developments, while dedicated fans are rewarded with entertaining bonus adventures that deepen the world without overcomplicating it. Detective Stories succeeds precisely because it understands that balance so well, delivering another enjoyable supernatural detour supported by excellent artwork and consistently strong character writing.

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