The Dirty Streets of Heaven cover art

The Dirty Streets of Heaven

A Bobby Dollar Novel, Book 1

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 Months Free + £10 Audible voucher

£5.99/mo after 3 months. Cancel monthly.
Get this deal
Offer ends on 5 July 2026 at 11:59 BST.
More purchase options

The Dirty Streets of Heaven

By: Tad Williams
Narrated by: Joe May
Get this deal

£5.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends on 5 July 2026 at 11:59 BST. Cancel monthly.

Buy Now for £15.79

Buy Now for £15.79

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 Epic Fantasy Fantasy Horror Mystery Scary Fiction Paranormal Exciting Suspense
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1

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)
All stars
Most relevant
Whenever someone spoke on a phone in this, they echoed it to make it sound real. It just made it much more indistinct, but apart from that, the story was so-so.



A prosecutor angel is being chased by a big beastie demon whenever he tries to find out who stole the soul of a human. Some good chases, but a bit difficult to follow at times.

Fix the phone part

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Not my usual book choice, but Bobby Dollar and his incredible array of friends, enemies and associates had me captivated. A fast moving story with unbelievable twists kept me enthralled over many otherwise tedious miles.

just bought thel sequel and will probably read the third book too.

Thank you Tad zwilliams for shaking up my reading habits

funny, exciting, gripping

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

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

I would highly recommend this to anyone with an interested in the afterlife (and who has not!)

Who was your favorite character and why?

Bobby Dollar is the reluctant angel questioning his existential existence, and the point of it all.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Narrator did a fine world weary gumshoe and a foxy demon, but I laughed throughout the Sollyhull scene as the Narrator completely failed to do a Birmingham accent! It drifted from scottish to Irish and even Northern. I guess you have to be English to spot that little falw though

Thought provoking heaven n hell gumshoe story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Would you listen to The Dirty Streets of Heaven again? Why?

Loved this book so much. Cant wait for book 2. Bring it on quickly.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Has to be Bobby. Number one Angel.

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

Brilliant " Bobby " made to brilliant to listen. So important to have the right voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. Tend to listen to my books in bed. Didnt want to go to sleep though, loved this book.

Bobby Dollar brilliant

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The story was good, most of the narration was good but either the narrator or the producer should be sacked for using an Irish accent for characters described as being from Birmingham in the west country of England. Lazy on not doing their research and culturally insensitive when the 2 countries have only recently reached a precarious peace agreement.

Never use an Irish accent for an English character.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews