Listen free for 30 days

Listen with offer

Preview
  • The Shadows of London

  • By: Andrew Taylor
  • Narrated by: Leighton Pugh
  • Length: 12 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (99 ratings)

£0.00 for first 30 days

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

The Shadows of London

By: Andrew Taylor
Narrated by: Leighton Pugh
Try for £0.00

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £12.99

Buy Now for £12.99

Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.

Summary

Over 1 Million Andrew Taylor Novels Sold!A Times Historical Crime Novel of the year

‘An absolute delight in a series that goes from strength to strength’ S. G. McLean, prize-winning author of the Seeker series

‘This is Taylor at his unassailable bestFinancial Times

London 1671

The damage caused by the Great Fire still overshadows the capital.

The disfigured body of a man is unearthed in the ruins of the old almshouse, forcing architect Cat Hakesby to stop restoration work. It is clear he has been murdered, and Whitehall secretary James Marwood is ordered to investigate.

When the man’s identity is revealed, it’s clear that there are larger forces at play, and Marwood comes under serious pressure to solve the case. But an old adversary is attempting to stop him.

As Cat and Marwood follow the threads of corruption into the heart of government, the king himself is being distracted from affairs of state. A young, impoverished Frenchwoman has caught his eye – a quiet affair that will have monumental consequences.

©2023 Andrew Taylor (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2
activate_samplebutton_t1

Listeners also enjoyed...

An Air That Kills cover art
The American Boy cover art
The Seeker cover art
Bleeding Heart Square cover art
The Lock and Key Library: Classic Mystery and Detective Stories: Modern English cover art
City of Vengeance cover art
Blessop's Wife cover art
An Honourable Thief cover art
The Unquiet Bones cover art
A Rustle of Silk cover art
Legacy cover art
The Bookseller of Inverness cover art
Gathering Storm cover art
The Hanover Square Affair cover art
Cathedral of Bones cover art
The Wolves of Savernake cover art

Critic reviews

'Another brilliantly realised historical mystery' A Waterstones Best Books of 2023: Crime and Thriller

‘Andrew Taylor has brought the sights, smells and sounds of the Great Fire and its aftermath brilliantly to life’ Daily Express

‘With a mixture of real and fictional characters, this tale of intrigue and power imbalance is well up to standard in a series that has set a benchmark for historical mystery fiction.’ Guardian

‘With their complex characters, clever plots, political intrigue and vivid depictions of London just after the Great Fire of 1666, Andrew Taylor’s books about troubled civil servant James Marwood and prickly architect Cat Lovett are historical crime fiction at its finest.’ Irish Times’ 25 Great Holiday Books

‘Some of the most enjoyable historical thrillers of recent years have been Andrew Taylor’s novels set in Restoration England … Taylor weaves together all the varying threads of his plot with his customary skill, but fans of the series will be sorry to learn that this is the last hurrah for Cat and Marwood’ Sunday Times

‘Another sophisticated 17th-century mystery abounding in page-turning twists and period detail’ Waterstones

‘Taylor’s storytelling brio is on full display.’ The Sunday Times Historical Fiction Book of the Month

‘Sheer brilliance … Truly, this is breathtaking. The combination of emotional literacy, with beautiful language and an utterly immersive sense of time and place is perfect.’ Manda Scott

‘Andrew Taylor offers us a completely convincing portrait of life in the city and at court in Restoration LondonAn absolute delight in a series that goes from strength to strengthS. G. McLean, prize-winning author of the Seeker series

‘This is Taylor at his unassailable best.’ Financial Times

What listeners say about The Shadows of London

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    82
  • 4 Stars
    13
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    76
  • 4 Stars
    7
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    67
  • 4 Stars
    15
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0

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

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another strong story in the series

I’ve enjoyed all the books in this series, this one particularly so. Great ending, but it makes me wonder if this is the end of the series.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Feels authentic to it’s time & also current themes

These books have just a little more depth/ historical info than some medieval ‘who dunnits’. I have been impressed with all the novels of Andrew Taylor’s that I have heard so far. I always learn a little something of everyday life from the past but also I am reminded of different manners, beliefs & customs & in this novel, how difficult life must have been & can still be for women.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

A perfect ending

Excellent in every way. The whole series has been a joy, perfect narration, brilliant characters. What more could anyone want.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

A slow beginning a good ending

I felt the story took some time to get going, after the initial set up the middle part of the story tended to drag a little. The ending however contains a couple of twists that sets the next book in the series (when it’s published) up nicely.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Best yet

This is the best one yet.
I hope there are more to come in this series

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Another superb book!

Have loved all the books in this series and this is no exception. I can’t wait for the next one!

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Not sure

I have read all the previous books in the series and enjoyed them but this is the first time I’ve listened and I’m not sure I would again as I kept getting lost and wasn’t alway sure who’s voice we were supposed to be hearing - this could just be me of course!

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Historical research

The background of this story, is of the mid 17th century. Having done a little of the same, albeit with a different angle in mind, the anecdotes contained therein are completely plausible. The language used by the writer is fulsome and accurate and it is a pleasure to read. For anyone who has an ear to the 1600s, I can recommend this book unreservedly.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

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

Great story, read well

Found this by chance, surprisingly good and very listenable. Would definitely recommend to anyone interested in historical fiction.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

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

Fantastic

This series gets better and better . Lots of intrigue at court . Some evil doers get their deserts while others escape punishment for now !
Can’t wait to find out what happens next .

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!