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  • The Dirty Streets of Heaven

  • A Bobby Dollar Novel, Book 1
  • By: Tad Williams
  • Narrated by: Joe May
  • Length: 14 hrs and 21 mins
  • 4.0 out of 5 stars (363 ratings)
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The Dirty Streets of Heaven cover art

The Dirty Streets of Heaven

By: Tad Williams
Narrated by: Joe May
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Summary

The Dirty Streets of Heaven is the first in a new set of fantasy-fuelled thrillers from the author George R. R. Martin cites as one of the major inspirations behind Game of Thrones: Tad Williams, international best-selling author of The Dragonbone Chair.

Bobby Dollar isn’t your average angel! Sure, he takes the occasional trip to Heaven, but his job as an advocate - arguing the fate of the recently deceased - keeps him pretty busy on Earth, and he's more than happy to spend the rest of his time propping up the bar with his fellow immortals. Until the day a soul goes missing, presumed stolen by "the other side".

A new chapter in the war between heaven and hell is about to open. And Bobby is right in the middle of it, with only a desirable but deadly demon to aid him.

©2012 Tad Williams (P)2012 Hodder & Stoughton

Critic reviews

“When I heard that Tad Williams was writing an urban fantasy novel, I got all tingly. Now I've read it, and it's even better than I'd dared to hope. It's snarky, fast-paced, and above all, original. You should be tingly, too.” (Patrick Rothfuss)
“’Tad Williams' ... famous four-book trilogy was one of the things that inspired me to write my own seven-book trilogy. [ I ] said, "My god, they can do something with this form," and it's Tad doing it.” (George R. R. Martin)
“Exhilarating action, fascinating characters, and high stakes will leave the reader both satisfied and eager for the next installment.” ( Publishers Weekly)
“Williams has managed to create something really special with The Dirty Streets of Heaven that manages to breathe new life into the urban fantasy genre while at the same time retaining the magic of his earlier novels, an incredible start to a promising series.”( SF Book website)
“Williams has managed to create something really special with The Dirty Streets of Heaven that manages to breathe new life into the urban fantasy genre while at the same time retaining the magic of his earlier novels, an incredible start to a promising series.”( SF Book website)

What listeners say about The Dirty Streets of Heaven

Average customer ratings
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  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A different spin..

Angels and Demons who fight for your soul when death comes!
I enjoyed this offering on the whole and it kept me interested throughout, first time with this author and would like to read more, saying that would like to have had more interaction with other characters, you are in Bobby Dollars head on his own a lot of the time and although his inner thought processes are witty and entertaining. enjoyed the banter and interactions with other characters more.. on the whole a good read..

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Not too serious but an enjoyable listen

I really enjoyed listening to this book. I've read several other Tad Williams and liked them, this was far less serious. I don't usually like "frivolous" books and I'm not sure I would have enjoyed this so much if I hadn't been listening to it. The narrator was excellent, he was just the right "voice" for Bobby Dollar and was very good at differentiating the characters. Because the reader is so important, I nearly didn't buy this audiobook after reading the criticism of his reading (particularly his portrayal of the Solihull sisters - which truthfully was awful but they play a very very small role in this book). We're probably talking about 10 bad minutes out of an book that lasted 14 hours, the rest of which was just excellent. The book itself was gripping and well plotted, you really felt you got to know Bobby Dollar - and he's an engaging character.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
  • M
  • 26-08-14

$Bobby

Tad Williams set himself quite a task writing a detective noir novel set in heaven, but I think he pulls it off quite nicely. The narration is spot on, getting just the right level of humour in the darkness, and the writing is rich with one-liners and smart descriptions. Overall, pretty damn fine - on to the next one ...

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Fast paced fun listen

I loved this audio book, the story is fast paced and kept my attention all the way through.



I know I have enjoyed the book when at the end I wished the book could have been longer.



If like me you enjoy the current crop of urban fantasy then you will enjoy this book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

More, please.

When I started reading this I thought it was going to be a bit like a boring whodunnit, written to a forfmula. I persisted, because I had paid for it! How glad I was. By the time I reached the end, I was searching Audible's store to find a sequel. I hope it's on its way. I can hadly wait.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very pleased I found this

Caught my attention from the first word. Well performed. Looking forward to the next instalment. There is something of the Harry Dresden but with a new and fresh premise.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Worth sticking with it

Despite some early action, the start feels very slow but stick with it. The narrator grows on you and you eventually get sucked into the world. the protagonist is a nice take on your typical hardboiled gumshoe.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A great tale:

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It's fun and surprising.

Who was your favorite character and why?

"Junior". He's the 'real' person in the tale.

Have you listened to any of Joe May’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No but I really enjoyed this performance. His characterisations are detailed and secure.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes. Both.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed it so much I bought the two following books in the series.
2 was a washout; 3 saved it somewhat but neither were as good as this.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Did not live up to what I expected.

Thought this might be a good take on heaven and earth as in the Devil's Detective (which I enjoyed) or be a bit like the Dresden Files which again I enjoyed. This is not a bad story with humour but the main character does not work. He is more like a love struck teenager than a old battle worn warrior of God. The romance with a demon I found cringe worthy and I began to dislike him as much as his awful name. Not for me this one.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Impulse buy, So glad i did

Where does The Dirty Streets of Heaven rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The Dirty Streets of Heaven is up there as one of my favourites definitely top 15

What about Joe May’s performance did you like?

The different character voices were done so well i always knew which character was supposed to be talking

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