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Ciaphas Cain #Audio Drama
Dead in the Water
When Commissar Ciaphas Cain is sent to a river-world, he must deal with a dangerous enemy, an enemy whose true identity remains unknown.
1 pages, MP3 CD
First published June 7, 2011
4 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Sandy Mitchell
103 books422 followersSandy Mitchell is a pseudonym of Alex Stewart, who has been a full-time writer since the mid nineteen eighties. The majority of his work as Sandy has been tie-in fiction for Games Workshop's Warhammer fantasy and Warhammer 40,000 science fiction lines. The exceptions have been a novelisation of episodes from the high tech thriller series Bugs, for which he also worked as a scriptwriter under his own name, some Warhammer roleplaying game material, and a scattering of short stories and magazine articles.
His hobbies include the martial arts of Aikido and Iaido, miniature wargaming, role-playing games, and pottering about on the family allotment.
He lives in the North Essex village of Earls Colne, with his wife Judith and daughter Hester.
His hobbies include the martial arts of Aikido and Iaido, miniature wargaming, role-playing games, and pottering about on the family allotment.
He lives in the North Essex village of Earls Colne, with his wife Judith and daughter Hester.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 12, 2018
A classic Ciaphas Cain tale of accidental heroism and unsuccessful self interest, as he finds his quiet posting on the backwater world of Archipelaga unwelcomely enlivened when he’s backed into leading a search mission for a missing squad of Vostroyans. In typical fashion, what begins as a simple task quickly turns dangerous for Cain, Jurgen and co.
Ultimately, the story is compelling enough for it not to matter that it isn’t quite so slick and made-for-audio as most recent releases. It’s still a really immersive experience, helped by a script filled with plenty of Mitchell’s trademark wry wit that gives Longworth plenty to get stuck into, and the simple fact that Cain and Jurgen are just such entertaining characters.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2018/01/...
Ultimately, the story is compelling enough for it not to matter that it isn’t quite so slick and made-for-audio as most recent releases. It’s still a really immersive experience, helped by a script filled with plenty of Mitchell’s trademark wry wit that gives Longworth plenty to get stuck into, and the simple fact that Cain and Jurgen are just such entertaining characters.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2018/01/...
September 18, 2017
A Commissar Ciaphas Cain audio drama.
A short fun story of one of the most well regarded and most talented Commissars of the 40K universe. To all, except Ciaphas Cain himself. It is funny and interesting this "cowardly" and "incompetent" commissar kick serious ass and take names left and right. The story itself is a simple if interesting one. Cain is on some backwater waterworld when some troops go missing. Cain being the commissar that his is, "Volunteers" to find out what happened.
In all the story is well done and a good introduction to the character. The production values of the Audiodrame are again top notch.
A short fun story of one of the most well regarded and most talented Commissars of the 40K universe. To all, except Ciaphas Cain himself. It is funny and interesting this "cowardly" and "incompetent" commissar kick serious ass and take names left and right. The story itself is a simple if interesting one. Cain is on some backwater waterworld when some troops go missing. Cain being the commissar that his is, "Volunteers" to find out what happened.
In all the story is well done and a good introduction to the character. The production values of the Audiodrame are again top notch.
January 27, 2020
“I’m never seasick – but I couldn’t say the same for my assistant Jurgen (as he pukes over the side of the boat). What the HELL have you been eating? Oh, and you stink… which isn’t nothing new is it Jurgen!!” – Love Ciaphas Cain.
Commissar Ciaphas Cain is a renowned and revered hero of the Imperium (somewhat roguish), a man who achieves this completely by accident and is probably the comedian of Warhammer 40,000 – His dry wit and can’t—be-asked attitude is always fun to read. Cain has survived some of the vilest creatures the galaxy has to offer – worse so, he has survived the stink of his adjunct Jurgen who smells worse than Slider from Top Gun.
Dead in the Water focuses upon a river-world planet – the enemy are unknown – Cain uncovers the identity of the enemy while traversing the watery planet looking for a band of lost Vostroyan troopers. The interplay between Cain and Jurgen, as always, is rather amusing and his odious retainer clueless as always to the scent emitting from him.
There’s an excellent story here, that’s tense, but wrapped with the humour works so well. There are some very engaging scenes here, including the medicae outpost and the desecrated shrine to the Emperor – the tension is palatable here. The sudden assault by Nurgle’s minion is brilliant described and the descriptive narrative is revoltingly delicious. I got a real feeling of Apocalypse Now - this is generated from the river-world, the fact they are travelling in gunboats and the ’don’t-give-a-shet’ trooper attitudes.
Cain is nothing but a man of caution, carefully weighing up his odds of survival with every move he makes. He is seen as a hero, but really, he just doesn’t care – and would rather avoid the harsh discomfort of front-line action and kick back with a flagon of amasec or 12. This is his appeal, to me anyway. There’s really no other character like him from Black Library. Toby Longworth voice acting (as always) is excellent – I thought I’d be getting deja-vu by now, but that’s not the case with Dead in the Water. The AD does flitter between a much younger Cain and an older version, you can even tell the difference by the more gravily tones. He reminds me of the character from Master and Commander who tells the story of Jack Aubrey – they accent is almost uncannily similar to that of the 19th century character.
Production values are excellent and the varied sound effects and voices are much appreciated, though at times I did feel like I was listening to an audio book rather than a drama. I do hope Black Library offer audio books for all of Ciaphas Cain’s novels in the future. Much love for this dark and lurking story.
Commissar Ciaphas Cain is a renowned and revered hero of the Imperium (somewhat roguish), a man who achieves this completely by accident and is probably the comedian of Warhammer 40,000 – His dry wit and can’t—be-asked attitude is always fun to read. Cain has survived some of the vilest creatures the galaxy has to offer – worse so, he has survived the stink of his adjunct Jurgen who smells worse than Slider from Top Gun.
Dead in the Water focuses upon a river-world planet – the enemy are unknown – Cain uncovers the identity of the enemy while traversing the watery planet looking for a band of lost Vostroyan troopers. The interplay between Cain and Jurgen, as always, is rather amusing and his odious retainer clueless as always to the scent emitting from him.
There’s an excellent story here, that’s tense, but wrapped with the humour works so well. There are some very engaging scenes here, including the medicae outpost and the desecrated shrine to the Emperor – the tension is palatable here. The sudden assault by Nurgle’s minion is brilliant described and the descriptive narrative is revoltingly delicious. I got a real feeling of Apocalypse Now - this is generated from the river-world, the fact they are travelling in gunboats and the ’don’t-give-a-shet’ trooper attitudes.
Cain is nothing but a man of caution, carefully weighing up his odds of survival with every move he makes. He is seen as a hero, but really, he just doesn’t care – and would rather avoid the harsh discomfort of front-line action and kick back with a flagon of amasec or 12. This is his appeal, to me anyway. There’s really no other character like him from Black Library. Toby Longworth voice acting (as always) is excellent – I thought I’d be getting deja-vu by now, but that’s not the case with Dead in the Water. The AD does flitter between a much younger Cain and an older version, you can even tell the difference by the more gravily tones. He reminds me of the character from Master and Commander who tells the story of Jack Aubrey – they accent is almost uncannily similar to that of the 19th century character.
Production values are excellent and the varied sound effects and voices are much appreciated, though at times I did feel like I was listening to an audio book rather than a drama. I do hope Black Library offer audio books for all of Ciaphas Cain’s novels in the future. Much love for this dark and lurking story.
January 23, 2023
Following the same recipe as for the authors earlier Ciaphas Cain novels our "brave" commissar has been stationed on a feral world to help with a local rebellion. Nothing too hard and not too dangerous. Just as Cain would have it, almost like a vacation. Until a unit of guardsmen goes missing, and reports arrive concerning attacks on loyalist and rebels alike. Suspecting rogue guardsmen Cain, his trusted aide and a unit of guardsmen set out to investigate and take care of the problem.
Aaaand there goes Cains vacation.
The story's quite short, but there's still quite a lot going on. Toby Longworth manage to give every character a distinct voice and manner, making it quite easy to tell everybody apart. the sound effects are also very good, not to mention the musical score they use.
The only thing I can complain about is that the ending comes a bit too quick, like almost all other Ciaphas Cain stories. Still it's the better of the two Audio dramas about Cain.
Aaaand there goes Cains vacation.
The story's quite short, but there's still quite a lot going on. Toby Longworth manage to give every character a distinct voice and manner, making it quite easy to tell everybody apart. the sound effects are also very good, not to mention the musical score they use.
The only thing I can complain about is that the ending comes a bit too quick, like almost all other Ciaphas Cain stories. Still it's the better of the two Audio dramas about Cain.
April 26, 2023
Things I liked:
-Ciaphus Cain! *hero of the imperium*
-fun short story; predictable, but still enjoyable
Things I didn't like:
-the sound mixing; a lot of the sound effects (laz fire, impact sounds, screams, etc.) muffled or otherwise obscured the narration/dialogue
-this particular narrator's voice seemed too deep/gravely, and lent to the visualization of a propaganda style poster featuring Cain as a heavily muscled anime hero...which kind of clashes with his overall personality and decision making skills...
-Ciaphus Cain! *hero of the imperium*
-fun short story; predictable, but still enjoyable
Things I didn't like:
-the sound mixing; a lot of the sound effects (laz fire, impact sounds, screams, etc.) muffled or otherwise obscured the narration/dialogue
-this particular narrator's voice seemed too deep/gravely, and lent to the visualization of a propaganda style poster featuring Cain as a heavily muscled anime hero...which kind of clashes with his overall personality and decision making skills...
April 1, 2020
This one was much better than most of the other audio dramas I've listened to in this collection. For the most part, the sound effects actually matched the narrative, though there were parts where this wasn't so, for the most part, it worked well, which is nice. I liked the story too, which made this one of the better books so far from this collection.
Recommended for those who enjoy audio drama, and a bit of horror in your stories.
Recommended for those who enjoy audio drama, and a bit of horror in your stories.
October 31, 2021
It's always difficult to match your internal voice for written characters to the voices used ina dramatisation. I think they do a reasonable job except possibly for Jürgen. The main issue for me with this is that the story doesn't really grip me. I think it's come and gone to far too really immerse yourself in.
January 26, 2019
Ciaphas Cain has never had much appeal to me, and this didn’t change my mind. It wasn’t bad, just not for me. The audiobook was very well produced and the narration was top notch, as is to be expected from Black Library.
April 6, 2023
A well produced audiobook and a fun short story starring Ciaphas Cain. It follows the usual structure of a Ciaphas Cain story of him trying to avoid the worst of the action, only to promptly find himself having to be a hero again.
March 20, 2019
Cain aka snake plisken
March 24, 2020
Listened to the audiobook version of this book. I was very much entertained, Ciaphas Cain is such a brilliant character.
February 6, 2022
I listened to the audiobook performance on Audible. Story is average but the performance is pretty good.
September 3, 2023
Passably engaging but it ended too abruptly to be satisfying, even for a short story.
March 29, 2024
I WANT THAT PIECE OF JUNK OUT OF THE ISLAND
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2024
One guy is not enough to play various cast and the whole thing are mostly calm
February 6, 2025
A fun listen.
February 26, 2012
This is yet another tale by Ciaphas Cain and my opinion of the books mantain. It's neither the best nor the worst book released by BL. I heard it twice and still it doesn't gave anything new or interesting. I have heard four audiobooks from BL and this is the worst yet.
It starts like other books with a prologue or introduction by Amberly Vein and then the tale itself. Commissar Ciaphas Cain is a renowend hero of the imperium and at the same time one of the most cowards commissars in service. The tale begins with the introduction of the setting. A feral river world who needs to be pacified. Of course Ciaphas is on the back of the army and thinking he saw a way out he chooses yet he choose wrong. (Typicall on most books). What a bad decisor guy. The mission is that something is stirring on one of the many islands and he thinks it's easy way out of trouble... By his own words
The part when he travels in a boat is quite good (the sound of Jurgen vomiting and the sound of the boat give someting good) but the battle itself was not that good. There are some parts that make you think/smile (laught is a too strong feeling) like:
"If I had know what I was getting into I would grab my chainsaw and shout "FOR THE EMPEROR" to the nearest enemy fortification".
"Trusting on him on earth but He has more pressing work and he counts only on himself and that's why more pious man are dead and I am writing my memories"
The plot itself is one of the straightforwardest I have ever read on any warhammer or 40k world so nothing suspense there. The reading is quite good and for an non-english native I could understand easily enough. Usually this kind of audio dramas I read them twice (just in case). The voices are good and there is a difference from the older Ciaphas (who is telling the story) and the new ciaphas (who is in the tale) and for that a couple of points.
If you are a long time reader from Black Library and enjoy the warhammer 40k then it is good choice to hear but if you are new I must advice other audio dramas. Thunder from Fenris is a good start.
Unfortunally for me, I prefer books. These audiodramas are acceptable but usually I detest all this modern things. Computer books and such are completly forbidden in my computer. I won't reading it.
It starts like other books with a prologue or introduction by Amberly Vein and then the tale itself. Commissar Ciaphas Cain is a renowend hero of the imperium and at the same time one of the most cowards commissars in service. The tale begins with the introduction of the setting. A feral river world who needs to be pacified. Of course Ciaphas is on the back of the army and thinking he saw a way out he chooses yet he choose wrong. (Typicall on most books). What a bad decisor guy. The mission is that something is stirring on one of the many islands and he thinks it's easy way out of trouble... By his own words
The part when he travels in a boat is quite good (the sound of Jurgen vomiting and the sound of the boat give someting good) but the battle itself was not that good. There are some parts that make you think/smile (laught is a too strong feeling) like:
"If I had know what I was getting into I would grab my chainsaw and shout "FOR THE EMPEROR" to the nearest enemy fortification".
"Trusting on him on earth but He has more pressing work and he counts only on himself and that's why more pious man are dead and I am writing my memories"
The plot itself is one of the straightforwardest I have ever read on any warhammer or 40k world so nothing suspense there. The reading is quite good and for an non-english native I could understand easily enough. Usually this kind of audio dramas I read them twice (just in case). The voices are good and there is a difference from the older Ciaphas (who is telling the story) and the new ciaphas (who is in the tale) and for that a couple of points.
If you are a long time reader from Black Library and enjoy the warhammer 40k then it is good choice to hear but if you are new I must advice other audio dramas. Thunder from Fenris is a good start.
Unfortunally for me, I prefer books. These audiodramas are acceptable but usually I detest all this modern things. Computer books and such are completly forbidden in my computer. I won't reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2019
Anybody who knows the Warhammer 40000 universe is aware that it is a grim dark future vision full of death destruction and futility.
That is why Sandy Mitchell's Ciaphas Cain stories can be so enjoyable. While staying true to the nature of the grim Warhammer universe Cain and his aid Jurgen provide some seriously needed believable humor.
This particular audiobook however is one of the weaker Cain stories.
Extracted from Cains memoirs and edited and presented by Inquisitor Veil this short story finds Cain during his time as a unattached Commissar when he would be sent from conflict to conflict. Finally he has found a war he likes where he can live in comfort avoid most of the serious fighting and always have the advantage when he can't weasel out of fighting.
This story has a decent setting placing Cain in an aquatic setting that has never been used in any of the other stories he features in. Unfortunately the story doesn't make a great deal of use of this unique setting almost all the action happening on land. Also disappointing except from the brief opening there are no interjections by Inquisitor Veil none of the subtle (or not so subtle) pointing out of Cain's blind spots, self deceptions or lies. I truly miss these.
That said this is still a competently executed Cain short story and worth a listen for anyone who enjoys Sandy Mitchells work. Also the voice cast is pretty good.
That is why Sandy Mitchell's Ciaphas Cain stories can be so enjoyable. While staying true to the nature of the grim Warhammer universe Cain and his aid Jurgen provide some seriously needed believable humor.
This particular audiobook however is one of the weaker Cain stories.
Extracted from Cains memoirs and edited and presented by Inquisitor Veil this short story finds Cain during his time as a unattached Commissar when he would be sent from conflict to conflict. Finally he has found a war he likes where he can live in comfort avoid most of the serious fighting and always have the advantage when he can't weasel out of fighting.
This story has a decent setting placing Cain in an aquatic setting that has never been used in any of the other stories he features in. Unfortunately the story doesn't make a great deal of use of this unique setting almost all the action happening on land. Also disappointing except from the brief opening there are no interjections by Inquisitor Veil none of the subtle (or not so subtle) pointing out of Cain's blind spots, self deceptions or lies. I truly miss these.
That said this is still a competently executed Cain short story and worth a listen for anyone who enjoys Sandy Mitchells work. Also the voice cast is pretty good.
September 19, 2012
This is the first book I've listened to about Commissar Ciaphas Cain, and I found him to be quite funny, which is a welcome relief among the other WH40k books / characters. At least, here's something that can crack a smile on his listener's lips.
After a lengthy, detailed buildup, I found that the action got a little compromised near the end of the book. It felt a bit rushed by then. However, Cain's thoughts (are voiced by the narrator, whereas his speaking voice by another voice actor) merit lots of opportunity for surveying all the world's small details, plus the insertion of mild humor. This way, we're given a panoramic perspective of everything he sees and what he thinks of all of it. Being a Commissar (and a good one at that), he does notice a lot.
The plot is tight and concise. The Commissar, along with his aide, band together with a small contingent of Imperial Guardsmen, to investigate a small habitation in a river-world, only to find themselves up to their necks in water, and in trouble. As I've said, Cain's attention to detail supplements the story's "investigation" scenes. There's suspense to be had, and a bit of action near the end.
This is one river ride that's worth diving into. I'm getting the other Cain books as well!
After a lengthy, detailed buildup, I found that the action got a little compromised near the end of the book. It felt a bit rushed by then. However, Cain's thoughts (are voiced by the narrator, whereas his speaking voice by another voice actor) merit lots of opportunity for surveying all the world's small details, plus the insertion of mild humor. This way, we're given a panoramic perspective of everything he sees and what he thinks of all of it. Being a Commissar (and a good one at that), he does notice a lot.
The plot is tight and concise. The Commissar, along with his aide, band together with a small contingent of Imperial Guardsmen, to investigate a small habitation in a river-world, only to find themselves up to their necks in water, and in trouble. As I've said, Cain's attention to detail supplements the story's "investigation" scenes. There's suspense to be had, and a bit of action near the end.
This is one river ride that's worth diving into. I'm getting the other Cain books as well!
January 21, 2017
I don't listen to audio books very often at all, but was looking for something to listen to while painting my Warhammer 40k models and this seemed appropriate and came with a good recommendation. I have read a couple of the Ciaphas Cain stories and really enjoyed them so was looking forward to hearing more about him and his adventures.
I enjoyed the introduction by Amberley Vale, she is one of my favourite reoccurring characters so to hear her pop up in this story however briefly was great.
The story itself wasn't too long and was a short fairly simple mission for Ciaphus. Despite this it managed to include many of the things that you expect from a Ciaphus Cain novel.
Overall, I really enjoyed this audio book and think that I would now be more likely to listen to more in the future.
I enjoyed the introduction by Amberley Vale, she is one of my favourite reoccurring characters so to hear her pop up in this story however briefly was great.
The story itself wasn't too long and was a short fairly simple mission for Ciaphus. Despite this it managed to include many of the things that you expect from a Ciaphus Cain novel.
Overall, I really enjoyed this audio book and think that I would now be more likely to listen to more in the future.
May 22, 2011
Audio drama, so the plot is kept small and tidy. Indeed, it can be summarized in one sentence (maybe two).
But what made this audio drama stand out (contrary to for example the Horus Heresy audio drama's) was the unknown setting and the unknown (for me at least) leading character who was actually quite funny to experience.
His voice-over and his real voice were obviously different, and this served the clear distinction between what the man was saying and what he was thinking.
It was the first warhammer 40K story which actually made me smile, and sometimes even laugh out loud.
If you've got an hour to spare, this is a real recommendation.
But what made this audio drama stand out (contrary to for example the Horus Heresy audio drama's) was the unknown setting and the unknown (for me at least) leading character who was actually quite funny to experience.
His voice-over and his real voice were obviously different, and this served the clear distinction between what the man was saying and what he was thinking.
It was the first warhammer 40K story which actually made me smile, and sometimes even laugh out loud.
If you've got an hour to spare, this is a real recommendation.
August 2, 2015
Yikes. I'm a huge fan of the Caiaphas Cain novels (well, the first two, since they're the only ones I've read), but this was just a big 'so what?' Cain & Jurgen go and fight some people on an island, the end. Usually the Cain short stories are much better than this (Cain vs. Necrons!). Oh well. Nicely written. I wasn't overly fond of the narration, but I got used to it.
November 20, 2015
Ciaphas Cain, the brave commissar, was trying to avoid troubles like always and like always he accidentally ran in to troubles. This time he was dealing with the foe and yes his limits were tested again. Audiodrama is short but worth of listening. The water hid something nasty and the commissar got wet a bit.
January 10, 2013
Short and cluttered story dont bother.
February 28, 2013
Those stupid IG deserve everything they get.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews