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Blood Drunk by Ben Shepherd

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Blood Drunk

South London Gothic (Related to this series)

Narrator
David John
Publisher
Pan Macmillan
Publish Date
24 September 2026
Run Time
17 hours 1 minute
Format
Audiobook

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What to expect

London is about to be drunk dry.


A gritty pub crawl from the streets of South London to the hallways of vampire royalty. Blood Drunk is a pitch-black urban fantasy for fans of Slow Horses and Jim Butcher's Dresden Files.

Includes an audio exclusive interview with the author Ben Shepherd and the narrator David John.

‘I literally couldn't put it down’
– Catriona Ward, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Last House on Needless Street and Nowhere Burning


Freddie Burns just wants ten pints, a fight, and to take over his uncle's fading gangland empire.

But when a routine hit goes wrong, Freddie stumbles into a secret London – one where vampires are real, monsters hide in plain sight and a ruthless power broker keeps it all buried. Good thing he has a talent for giving vampires a good kicking. Them, and anyone else who looks at him funny.

Freddie’s ability to rip magical strength from the death of living things makes him the most dangerous man in any room – and the most useful. From the blood-soaked streets of South London to the dark halls of vampire royalty, everyone wants him on their side, but no one trusts him. And he doesn’t trust himself.

Too bad it might be up to Freddie to save the world – or at least not wreck it entirely. He just needs a drink first.

* * *

‘Dark, violent, intelligent and quick. Ben Shepherd is one to watch’ – Jim Butcher, author of The Dresden Files series

‘Grimy, gritty and a huge amount of fun’ – RJ Barker, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Bone Ships and Mortedant's Peril

Critics Review

  • Blood Drunk scratches at the belly of a magical underground and doesn't stop until it's ripped its guts out. Grimy, gritty and a huge amount of fun

    RJ Barker, Sunday Times bestselling author of Mortedant's Peril and The Bone Ships

  • Sordid, grubby, violent – unusual compliments for an unusual novel. In a world crowded with high-concept vampire stories, Blood Drunk really stands out for its raw and refreshing approach. Highly recommended

    Dan Abnett, author of The Horus Heresy series

  • Gripping from the first page to the last. Shepherd's gritty London with its vampires and magic feels fresh and real

    T. L. Huchu, author of The Edinburgh Nights series

  • London-based, gritty and real otherworldly shenanigans, with magic, vampires and the most unusual protagonist you’ll ever find. If Guy Ritchie did Supernatural – smart and utterly gripping

    A Fantasy Hive ‘Top Pick’

See more reviews
  • Dark, violent, intelligent and quick. Ben Shepherd is one to watch

    Jim Butcher, author of The Dresden Files series

  • Blood Drunk is a very special book that leaps the boundaries of genre and takes the reader in a chokehold. Visceral, lyrical and entirely consuming. I literally couldn't put it down

    Catriona Ward, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Last House on Needless Street and Nowhere Burning

  • A masterclass in dislikable characters and manipulation

    The Debut Digest

User Reviews

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Details

Author
Ben Shepherd
Narrator
David John
Duration
17 hours 1 minute
Release Date
24 September 2026
ISBN
9781035083879
Format
Audiobook
Publisher
Pan Macmillan
Genre
Urban fantasy, Dark fantasy, Contemporary fantasy / Low fantasy, Horror, ghost stories and supernatural fiction, Thriller: organised crime / gangland crime, Narrative theme: coming of age, Narrative theme: interior life / psychological fiction, Mythical creatures: Vampires, werewolves and other shapeshifters

Synopsis

London is about to be drunk dry.A gritty pub crawl from the streets of South London to the hallways of vampire royalty. Blood Drunk is a pitch-black urban fantasy for fans of Slow Horses and Jim Butcher's Dresden Files.Includes an audio exclusive interview with the author Ben Shepherd and the narrator David John.‘I literally couldn't put it down’– Catriona Ward, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Last House on Needless Street and Nowhere BurningFreddie Burns just wants ten pints, a fight, and to take over his uncle's fading gangland empire.But when a routine hit goes wrong, Freddie stumbles into a secret London – one where vampires are real, monsters hide in plain sight and a ruthless power broker keeps it all buried. Good thing he has a talent for giving vampires a good kicking. Them, and anyone else who looks at him funny.Freddie’s ability to rip magical strength from the death of living things makes him the most dangerous man in any room – and the most useful. From the blood-soaked streets of South London to the dark halls of vampire royalty, everyone wants him on their side, but no one trusts him. And he doesn’t trust himself.Too bad it might be up to Freddie to save the world – or at least not wreck it entirely. He just needs a drink first.* * *‘Dark, violent, intelligent and quick. Ben Shepherd is one to watch’ – Jim Butcher, author of The Dresden Files series‘Grimy, gritty and a huge amount of fun’ – RJ Barker, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Bone Ships and Mortedant's Peril

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