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  • The Severed Streets

  • The Shadow Police, Book Two
  • By: Paul Cornell
  • Narrated by: Damian Lynch
  • Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (937 ratings)
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The Severed Streets cover art

The Severed Streets

By: Paul Cornell
Narrated by: Damian Lynch
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Summary

Summer in London: a city in turmoil. The vicious murder of a well-known MP is like a match to tinder but Detective Inspector James Quill and his team know that it's not a run-of-the-mill homicide. Still coming to terms with their new-found second sight, they soon discover that what is invisible to others - the killer - is visible to them. Even if they have no idea who it is.

Then there are more deaths. The bodies of rich, white men are found in circumstances similar to those that set the streets of London awash with fear during the late 1800s: the Whitechapel murders. Even with their abilities to see the supernatural, accepting that Jack the Ripper is back from the dead is a tough ask for Quill's team. As they try to get to grips with their abilities and a case that's spiralling out of control, Quill realizes that they have to understand more about this shadowy London, a world of underground meetings, bizarre and fantastical auctions, and objects that are 'get out of hell free' cards.

But the team's unlikely guide, a bestselling author, can't offer them much insight - and their other option, the Rat King, speaks only in riddles.

Relying on old-fashioned police work and improvising with their new skills only lands them in deeper water, and they soon realize that the investigation is going to hell - literally. And if they're not careful, they may be going with it . . .

The Severed Streets is the second urban fantasy by bestselling Doctor Who writer, Paul Cornell.

©2014 Paul Cornell (P)2014 Audible Studios

Critic reviews

"An irresistible blend of guns, gangsters, cops and monsters that grabs you by the eyeballs and never lets go. Start this book early in the day people, because you ain't going to get no sleep until it's done" (Ben Aaronovitch)
"Paul Cornell is a triple threat, the kind of writer other writers hate. He writes award-winning short stories. He writes epic television episodes for all your favourite BBC shows. He writes kickass comic books and graphic novels... now he's gone and written a novel too!" (George R. R. Martin)
"I think it is absolutely magnificent. I loved it... I'm not sure I've been that gripped by a novel in... well, decades" (Russell T. Davies)
"A much grittier vision of a gothic, fantasy London, well balanced between its depiction of the city's criminal underworld and a horrifying fantasy reality that for most of the novel lurks just at the edges of sight... Cornell's undercover coppers and plain-clothes detectives are a thoroughly seedy bunch of reprobates" ( Guardian)

What listeners say about The Severed Streets

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Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

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

London is going to hell, again

I liked the first book so much that I got this straight away and binge listened. The team are still investigating inexplicable crime and trying to understand how they can fight it. We learn more about each character and what motivates them. They aren't always particularly sympathetic but that's fine too. I really liked the idea of this book's main villain; their motivations and actions are only too believable.

There's a major cameo from a real person. I hadn't been spoiled by knowledge of it and at first the person is just described and I just thought it was just going to be one for the fans but then they take a bigger and utterly unexpected role. I'm glad I didn't know in advance as it certainly added to my pleasure in the book.

Usual caveat - this is the second book in a series. Read the first one first as that is how book series work best (except for Narnia obviously)

Damian Lynch continues to be excellent.

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18 people found this helpful

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

Good listen

This is a good book but needs to be listened to closely as the plot tends to be complex and at times very dark. Narration is excellent and over all is a very good book.

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8 people found this helpful

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

Gripping

Couldn't switch it off. Sorry it's finished. Hope there's a book 3. Crazy 'out there' ideas

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5 people found this helpful

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

Brilliant second book in series

I am visiting London at the time of listening to this book and last night happened upon a 'Jack the Ripper Tour' in a tiny alley near Whitechapel while listening - reality and fiction suddenly blurred and I spent the next 20 minutes hoping for Quill, Sefton, Ross or Costan to fall into step beside me!
Excellent story, plot, character development and suspense. The use of 'real' people adds an interesting dimension. So believable that I had to talk myself out of it as reality 😉
Make sure that you read/listen to the first book 'London Falling' before this one as, although this would work on its own, you'll lose a lot of story if you don't.
Enjoy it - I certainly did ☺️

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5 people found this helpful

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

needs six stars

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

Great satisfying book. Very morish. I was sorry when it was over and look forward to the next installment.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Quill is so Gene Hunt he balances out the spiritual themes.

What about Damian Lynch’s performance did you like?

I loves the way he did Quill. Also without using spoilers I enjoyed his impression of the cameo character very much.

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4 people found this helpful

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

Excellent story and brilliantly read

The story takes you places you don't expect. I don't think I'd be able to read this book as it can be difficult to follow but the narrator brings it to life with his amazing voices.

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4 people found this helpful

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

Excellent novel well read

Damian Lynch read it just right! Bringing all the characters to life.

He does really terrible things to them which is just fantastic.

Can't wait for the next one.

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3 people found this helpful

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

Contemporary, gritty with Neil Gaiman

It's a post-Olympic, post Leverson, London that's still in the grip of riots, occupy, and the Anonymous group. Our team have waded into tempestuous political waters as they finally get a case that needs their specialized expertise and dive into occult London.

The main surprise was the role of Neil Gaiman - whose cameo I had been aware of from an article. Keeping the spoilers away it did add a shock factor that was hard to get any other way but also felt wrong - like the author has stripped something away from me. It's obvious who some of the other characters are meant to be in the real world and I thought it being a person would add refeshing honesty. However, I apparently really enjoy the if-you-know-who-I-mean-nod-nod-wink-wink aspect of allegorical fiction.

The narrator was good - didn't quite get Neil but it was a valiant attempt. The characters seemed realistic and distinct.

It's the gritty end of crime/urban fantasy and does take care to avoid some of the big cliches of both genres but it still hit on a few that made me groan a bit. The satirical elements felt over-done. Very over-done in parts but it was still good fun, well paced, and with a large diverse cast of characters that really came into their own.

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3 people found this helpful

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

Just as good as the first..

What did you like most about The Severed Streets?

The strength of the characters and the multiple plot lines

What does Damian Lynch bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Damien has a fabulous range of characterisations that he brings to the story, I just want to listen to him all evening...

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not moved .... Enthralled as the story evolves

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3 people found this helpful

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

Don't be in a rush...

Is there a reason why there are no pauses between sentences and more importantly paragraphs? Either the talent or editors fault.

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2 people found this helpful