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Isaac Steele #1
Isaac Steele and the Forever Man
Brought to you by Its Majesty’s Government. Greatest Britain: For a Global Universe.
Agent Isaac Steele has problems. He spends all his splibs on drink and drugs. He has some deep-seated and very much unresolved issues with his parents. And his robotic partner at Greatest Britain’s Department of Clarification, Dr Timothy Stephens, is ruled more by his heart than his hard drive.
But all these issues take a back seat when Isaac stumbles upon a case involving the most sensitive information in the cosmos - a Never File, inaccessible to all except those with the highest clearance. He is expressly forbidden to involve himself. So naturally he does.
So begins an investigation that will take him across the Discovered Universe, into the path of the mysterious Forever Man, and eventually to answers about his past. Along the way, he will have to contend with aliens, robots, monsters, bureaucrats and, perhaps most deadly of all, his own numerous flaws.
Written and narrated by Daniel Rigby (Flowers, Black Mirror), not since The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy have listeners been offered such a joyful, anarchic and insightful universe.
Contains strong language
Agent Isaac Steele has problems. He spends all his splibs on drink and drugs. He has some deep-seated and very much unresolved issues with his parents. And his robotic partner at Greatest Britain’s Department of Clarification, Dr Timothy Stephens, is ruled more by his heart than his hard drive.
But all these issues take a back seat when Isaac stumbles upon a case involving the most sensitive information in the cosmos - a Never File, inaccessible to all except those with the highest clearance. He is expressly forbidden to involve himself. So naturally he does.
So begins an investigation that will take him across the Discovered Universe, into the path of the mysterious Forever Man, and eventually to answers about his past. Along the way, he will have to contend with aliens, robots, monsters, bureaucrats and, perhaps most deadly of all, his own numerous flaws.
Written and narrated by Daniel Rigby (Flowers, Black Mirror), not since The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy have listeners been offered such a joyful, anarchic and insightful universe.
Contains strong language
8 pages, Audible Audio
First published September 9, 2021
37 people are currently reading
585 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
January 4, 2022
I don’t write reviews.
And this isn’t a book. It’s only available as an audio narration with some cool sound effects. The writer narrates his own story to good effect. Someone unfamiliar with the story wouldn’t have hit the tone and jokes as well.
The story is very much old-school goofy sci-fi. TekWar meets Dead Jack. I saw another comment that it’s like Yahtzee Croshaw so I looked up his stuff and that’s true.
The story was fast-paced and made me giggle. However there was one major thing that wasn’t tied up. I was looking around to see if anyone else noticed, but no one mentioned it. I guess it’s ok since there will probably be a sequel which I will definitely check out.
And this isn’t a book. It’s only available as an audio narration with some cool sound effects. The writer narrates his own story to good effect. Someone unfamiliar with the story wouldn’t have hit the tone and jokes as well.
The story is very much old-school goofy sci-fi. TekWar meets Dead Jack. I saw another comment that it’s like Yahtzee Croshaw so I looked up his stuff and that’s true.
The story was fast-paced and made me giggle. However there was one major thing that wasn’t tied up. I was looking around to see if anyone else noticed, but no one mentioned it. I guess it’s ok since there will probably be a sequel which I will definitely check out.
October 20, 2021
Just what the doctor ordered. This is a tongue-in-cheek sci-fi entry with great narration. For no obvious reason, the narrator saying “‘Make my eye go big’ I said, and my eye went big” made me laugh out loud whenever it came up in the story.
Lots of madcap characters and cross-species romance. The plot is slightly confusing in parts but it doesn’t really matter and there are some totally hilarious moments, like the village council who trade information for ‘yum yums’ in one of the worst examples of negotiation and hubris ever recorded. Loved it!
Lots of madcap characters and cross-species romance. The plot is slightly confusing in parts but it doesn’t really matter and there are some totally hilarious moments, like the village council who trade information for ‘yum yums’ in one of the worst examples of negotiation and hubris ever recorded. Loved it!
February 10, 2023
I think Daniel Rigby is an excellent actor, and after hearing him narrating a TV show the other week, it occurred to me that he may narrate audio books too. Of course he has, and has even written this one.
It's very funny, and brilliantly read by the author. I also became emotionally invested in our messed-up hero, who is unlikeable, arrogant, troubled, traumatised by an undeniably brutal childhood(initially it felt, perhaps is, a bit of a parody, but got pretty dark as the book unfolded), with the ability to speak and understand all languages, which makes him invaluable, indispensable, and perhaps too important, meaning his behaviour is rather shoddy. Yet I still mostly liked him. I hope there is a sequel, as I had so much fun listening to this, and I want to know what happens next!
It's very funny, and brilliantly read by the author. I also became emotionally invested in our messed-up hero, who is unlikeable, arrogant, troubled, traumatised by an undeniably brutal childhood(initially it felt, perhaps is, a bit of a parody, but got pretty dark as the book unfolded), with the ability to speak and understand all languages, which makes him invaluable, indispensable, and perhaps too important, meaning his behaviour is rather shoddy. Yet I still mostly liked him. I hope there is a sequel, as I had so much fun listening to this, and I want to know what happens next!
September 14, 2021
( Format : Audiobook )
"Everything is going to be probably alright."
There have been numerous claims for science fiction books to be following in the footsteps of The Hitchhikers Guide. Few succeed. This book does. Isaac Steele is an obnoctious, self obsessed, deliberately rude drink and narcotics user, but with a gift: he knows and can speak any language in the universe. And since he's the only one with this ability, he is employed by the Office of Clarification in the Government of Greatest Britain, the centre of the known Universe. When ripped apart bodies start emerging, he is tasked with finding, and stopping, the perpetrator soon to be known as the Forever Man.
Told in first person through the eyes of Steele, so the reader gets every nuance of his thoughts, not only is the story one of incredible characters, delicious names such as Wagwazzle, Vilderchat, splatterblobs, Barnabus Shattershaff, and Patrick, the inoffensive building, and with frequent action, it actually has a decent plot line, too. The narrator, also author, Daniel Rigby, interprets Steele to perfection with just the right amount of sarcastic nuance, as well as giving excellent voicing to all the other weird and wonderful protagonists. An excellent performance which is further backed up with occasional background sound effects and music.
Isaac Steele and the Forever Man is an enjoyable, lighthearted S.F. Audible Original offered free to subscribers of Audible UK. Thank you, Audible: a most enjoyable romp. I hope there will be a follow-up. Recommended.
"Everything is going to be probably alright."
There have been numerous claims for science fiction books to be following in the footsteps of The Hitchhikers Guide. Few succeed. This book does. Isaac Steele is an obnoctious, self obsessed, deliberately rude drink and narcotics user, but with a gift: he knows and can speak any language in the universe. And since he's the only one with this ability, he is employed by the Office of Clarification in the Government of Greatest Britain, the centre of the known Universe. When ripped apart bodies start emerging, he is tasked with finding, and stopping, the perpetrator soon to be known as the Forever Man.
Told in first person through the eyes of Steele, so the reader gets every nuance of his thoughts, not only is the story one of incredible characters, delicious names such as Wagwazzle, Vilderchat, splatterblobs, Barnabus Shattershaff, and Patrick, the inoffensive building, and with frequent action, it actually has a decent plot line, too. The narrator, also author, Daniel Rigby, interprets Steele to perfection with just the right amount of sarcastic nuance, as well as giving excellent voicing to all the other weird and wonderful protagonists. An excellent performance which is further backed up with occasional background sound effects and music.
Isaac Steele and the Forever Man is an enjoyable, lighthearted S.F. Audible Original offered free to subscribers of Audible UK. Thank you, Audible: a most enjoyable romp. I hope there will be a follow-up. Recommended.
February 14, 2025
I'll only give it 5 stars if there's a sequel and Isaac and Timothy are endgame
April 19, 2023
1/5
I don’t get it. Raymond Chandler writing Men In Black? Not quite. But I thought we are practically done with tough-man MC with childhood trauma, hard drug and alcohol consumption during work cuz “it helps me think” and bad attitude to everyone (flashing all HR red flag), yet somehow not fired cuz they are the only one suitable for the job.
The whole thing reeks arrogance to the point that I can only hope it’s ironic. Things like “we are human the smartest species of the universe” or this douchebag MC being the one and only saving the universe. MEGA Paris of The Greatest Britain (unless I heard it wrong) was laughable. And the Forever Man more like the Forgettable Man.
And why is there repeatedly this sentence: "‘Make my eye go big’ and my eye goes big”, which I definitely did not hear wrong cuz it was there like 10 times in exact same words? If this draft goes through a Turnitin, it would be flagged as self-plagiarism.
Anyway, only finishing this cuz it’s free in the Plus Catalog and I need something to bridge my physical TBR.
I don’t get it. Raymond Chandler writing Men In Black? Not quite. But I thought we are practically done with tough-man MC with childhood trauma, hard drug and alcohol consumption during work cuz “it helps me think” and bad attitude to everyone (flashing all HR red flag), yet somehow not fired cuz they are the only one suitable for the job.
The whole thing reeks arrogance to the point that I can only hope it’s ironic. Things like “we are human the smartest species of the universe” or this douchebag MC being the one and only saving the universe. MEGA Paris of The Greatest Britain (unless I heard it wrong) was laughable. And the Forever Man more like the Forgettable Man.
And why is there repeatedly this sentence: "‘Make my eye go big’ and my eye goes big”, which I definitely did not hear wrong cuz it was there like 10 times in exact same words? If this draft goes through a Turnitin, it would be flagged as self-plagiarism.
Anyway, only finishing this cuz it’s free in the Plus Catalog and I need something to bridge my physical TBR.
July 16, 2024
It feels weird logging an audiobook on here without it having a hard-copy counterpart but my god that was such a fun and enjoyable experience.
A sci-fi comedy centred around a hard-assed, wise-cracking, crack-smoking non-nonsense Clarifier (detective) Isaac Steele and his robo-moustached-companion Dr Timothy Stephens.
If you’re a fan of stupid, deadpan British humour I could not recommend this enough. There were multiple laugh out loud moments and I genuinely had such a fun time listening to it.
My only disappointment was the favouring of plot and character development at the lack of humour in the final third. Understandable, but wish it had kept some of the left-field and downright ridiculousness that I warmed to.
Notable quotes:
“This case was stranger than a weekend in a dog.”
“Make my eye go big I said and my eye went big.”
“Reality bent around us. Take that reality you piece of shit.”
“He immediately fell to the floor like a sack of hinges.”
4.2/5 fantastic listen
A sci-fi comedy centred around a hard-assed, wise-cracking, crack-smoking non-nonsense Clarifier (detective) Isaac Steele and his robo-moustached-companion Dr Timothy Stephens.
If you’re a fan of stupid, deadpan British humour I could not recommend this enough. There were multiple laugh out loud moments and I genuinely had such a fun time listening to it.
My only disappointment was the favouring of plot and character development at the lack of humour in the final third. Understandable, but wish it had kept some of the left-field and downright ridiculousness that I warmed to.
Notable quotes:
“This case was stranger than a weekend in a dog.”
“Make my eye go big I said and my eye went big.”
“Reality bent around us. Take that reality you piece of shit.”
“He immediately fell to the floor like a sack of hinges.”
4.2/5 fantastic listen
October 1, 2022
A wildly absurd and very funny comedy sci-fi adventure in which Daniel Rigby seems to have thrown together every wild idea he could come up with about humans, robots and aliens in his story about a genetically enhanced, alcoholic, junkie detective on the hunt for an especially splashy murderer. There's some genuinely tremendous wordplay, puns and wacky concepts and plenty of genuinely laugh out loud moments. Rigby's narration is lively and his writing is great fun. This was well worth my Audible subscription for the month.
January 19, 2024
Well, this has been an absolute delight. The narration, done by the author himself, is superb I tell you, SUPERB. So funny, witty, amazing sound effects, dark, and above all, hilarious. Fantastic sci-fi.
February 13, 2025
More Steele stories please!
October 6, 2021
2.5 stars rounded up. Overall this was fun and I enjoyed the quippy humour and narration. There were a few characters I really enjoyed and I felt absorbed in parts.
Unfortunately though, I did feel flung into a world that wasn't quite explained, so I had to make a lot of assumptions. I understand the layers of a world in sci fi will be revealed slowly, but in this instance I felt I wasn't getting a clear picture.
The story also felt weirdly paced - we dived straight in and yet at times I wondered what on earth the main character was doing; he seemed to be wandering from scene to scene getting involved in antics but I couldn't work out how everything pulled together. It did improve at the end, although again it tried to tie things up incredibly quickly and I was left unsatisfied.
Unfortunately though, I did feel flung into a world that wasn't quite explained, so I had to make a lot of assumptions. I understand the layers of a world in sci fi will be revealed slowly, but in this instance I felt I wasn't getting a clear picture.
The story also felt weirdly paced - we dived straight in and yet at times I wondered what on earth the main character was doing; he seemed to be wandering from scene to scene getting involved in antics but I couldn't work out how everything pulled together. It did improve at the end, although again it tried to tie things up incredibly quickly and I was left unsatisfied.
November 17, 2021
Honestly it's fantastic. I really enjoyed the way it was written, the author does a great job narrating, as he really understands the story and delivers the lines brilliantly.
It's sort of a Red Dwarf/Hitch-hikers type of sci-fi which is just laugh out loud funny.
I'm looking forward to Daniel Rigby's next book.
It's sort of a Red Dwarf/Hitch-hikers type of sci-fi which is just laugh out loud funny.
I'm looking forward to Daniel Rigby's next book.
September 28, 2021
Excellent. Physical version please? Graphic novel?
September 16, 2024
WHO IS THIS GENIUS AND HOW DO WE GET MORE?!?
The wittiest writing I've encountered in years. Fantastic narration, too! 500/10 !!
The wittiest writing I've encountered in years. Fantastic narration, too! 500/10 !!
July 16, 2022
I love a science fiction novel where the author includes all their "crazy ideas", especially when the writing is brisk and economical as Daniel Rigby's. Lots of comedy, interesting characters, a decent plot. Highly recommended, particularly for readers who enjoy British satire.
Full review on my podcast, SFBRP episode #494:
https://www.sfbrp.com/archives/2008
Luke tells Juliane about an Audible Exclusive comedy science fiction audiobook: Isaac Steele and the Forever Man by Daniel Rigby.
Full review on my podcast, SFBRP episode #494:
https://www.sfbrp.com/archives/2008
Luke tells Juliane about an Audible Exclusive comedy science fiction audiobook: Isaac Steele and the Forever Man by Daniel Rigby.
November 26, 2024
One of the funniest sci-fi books I've listened to.
Very Hitchhikers Guide but with heroin usage and a liberal use of the word cunt which I always appreciate
Very Hitchhikers Guide but with heroin usage and a liberal use of the word cunt which I always appreciate
January 17, 2025
One of the funniest books I've read in a while. Definitely some Douglas Adams vibes!
September 7, 2022
I have listened thrice to this affectionate, cross-genre satire of sci-fi and noir crime procedural. The accomplished narration is by the author himself, actor Daniel Rigby, who sets the wry tone, aided by an array of sound effects and background noises. The story is set in a bizarre near-future universe of dystopian Greater Britain, which adheres doggedly to its own wacky customs and logic, with institutions of organised mayhem run by freaked and freaky officials and featuring obscure divisions of government, such as the Departments of Clarification, Enablement and...Never You Mind! The protagonist is a hard-boiled, hard-drinking, drug-taking maverick, a parody of the archetypical gumshoe – but frequenting the mean streets in heels - who is looking into the existential abyss...or could it be the Johnson Chasm? Agent Steele speaks all universal languages F-luently, excelling in facetiousness and biting sarcasm. He's a flawed, antisocial, caped crusader, able to communicate but not connect with a slew of outrageous denizens from the Discovered Universe; aliens, (un)civil servants, monsters, mutants, and rude mechanicals. His robot partner, the patient, modest Dr Timothy Stephens, is the antithesis of Steele, being the quintessence of sensitivity and politeness. The audio story starts with a cliffhanger, followed by a series of baffling murders, which while investigating Agent Steel discovers much more than whodunnit and finishes with the potential for [let's hope] a sequel.
July 15, 2025
This book was laugh out loud funny. I can’t even imagine what the author was thinking when this book was being written. Between the outlandish planetoid creatures that he came up with, and the daily drug use it is almost unimaginable that our main character was able to function. Basically society as a whole has lost its way. Society did not take the Star Trek approach nor the Blade Runner approach. The whole universe is just as loosey-goosey as you can imagine it to be. I will continue the series. It is truly out of this world.
November 4, 2021
I loved this, perhaps even more than Fish & Chips Mushy Peas and a Pint! That’s pretty high praise from me! It’s got it all: a brilliant anti-hero hero! A robot! A fantastic story line. Intrigue and a jelly tot!
Daniel Rigby had me gripped right from the prologue! Witty, clever and entertaining!
A futuristic Sam Spade, if he was the resultant offspring of Hunter S Thompson & Keith Richards following a chance meeting and heavy night at Burning Man.
Really looking forward to the follow up, as my commute to work is about to become considerably less entertaining…. Unless I listen to it again!?!
Daniel Rigby had me gripped right from the prologue! Witty, clever and entertaining!
A futuristic Sam Spade, if he was the resultant offspring of Hunter S Thompson & Keith Richards following a chance meeting and heavy night at Burning Man.
Really looking forward to the follow up, as my commute to work is about to become considerably less entertaining…. Unless I listen to it again!?!
March 19, 2025
The plot is intriguing and it has some good humor and an interesting universe. The narration is also great. Unfortunately, the author decided to make the main character a severe alcoholic and prolific drug user that is in love with a robot. Not necessarily a deal breaker if it’s just background noise but it continuously affects the characters and plot line so it distracts and detracts from the story. Haven’t dropped a book midway in a while but I’ve got plenty in my to-read list and don’t want to waste hours on a bothersome book. Got 33% through. DNF
July 11, 2025
Murder Bot Diaries and Monty Python had a baby which is this book! Daniel Rigby masterfully brings detective Isaac Steele to life to deliver a hilariously outstanding read.
I loved every minute of this book and especially love Isaac. He brings such sarcasm that had me laughing out loud so many times. Every character feels real and not inconsequential which is hard to do. Despite the hilarity this book has a little bit of everything.
I can’t recommend this book enough and look forward to the sequel and hopefully many more to come!
I loved every minute of this book and especially love Isaac. He brings such sarcasm that had me laughing out loud so many times. Every character feels real and not inconsequential which is hard to do. Despite the hilarity this book has a little bit of everything.
I can’t recommend this book enough and look forward to the sequel and hopefully many more to come!
February 13, 2022
Listened to the audible original (if there is a hard copy I’d love to pick it up) it was so funny and weird and kind of noir-ish but not really. The audio production is excellent and more like a radio play. Just like a perfectly odd listen, thoroughly enjoyed it (and hope we get another book in this bizarre universe!)
May 12, 2022
portrays casual hard drug use then throws in random baby talk of every day. objects. not sure if the author was trying to be funny or is just a creepy groomer.
the baby talk is really out of context for what this story is.
the baby talk is really out of context for what this story is.
February 26, 2024
mwah perfection
February 11, 2022
Funnier and darker than I expected.
August 2, 2022
Silly and irreverent Sci-Fi romp. A modern and R-Rated mix of all the best parts of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and Bladerunner.
May 9, 2025
Great fun, brilliant narration. The humour is reminiscent of Hitchikers but the cultural references are bang up to date.
July 17, 2025
Oh Isaac, I just want to wrap you up in a blanket and give you a hug. I mean …. A normal reaction someone would feel for a fictional character. 🤣😁
August 2, 2025
The brit have an incredible sense of humor, in all meaning of the word.
This book is a charming example, freshly written and absolutely irreverent.
It feels like other scifi books of the sort (Hitchhickers is the first one to jump to mind), an absurd universe unfolding crazy ideas, aliens and humans in a barrage that never ends.
Scifi and noir is a combination that works like a charm, and even if the story and characters are all based in cliches, the end result is very intriguing and enjoyable.
I want to read more about agent Steele and his weird Known Universe of the Greater Britain.
This book is a charming example, freshly written and absolutely irreverent.
It feels like other scifi books of the sort (Hitchhickers is the first one to jump to mind), an absurd universe unfolding crazy ideas, aliens and humans in a barrage that never ends.
Scifi and noir is a combination that works like a charm, and even if the story and characters are all based in cliches, the end result is very intriguing and enjoyable.
I want to read more about agent Steele and his weird Known Universe of the Greater Britain.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews