Isaac Steele and the Best Idea in the Universe

Isaac Steele #2

by Daniel Rigby (Author, Narrator)

6 hours and 17 minutes

Brought to you by Its Majesty's Government. Greatest Britain: For a Global Universe.

Strap yourself in and maybe put on a crash helmet, Agent Isaac Steele has another case to crack.

The theft of the Best Idea in the Universe from Thresia's Intergalactic Bank of Ideas plunges the Discovered Universe into chaos. With a robotic partner who’s not the machine he fell in love with and a mind as cool and measured as a forest fire, Isaac must unravel a cosmic conspiracy that stretches further than the reaches of even his depraved imagination.

Earth and Thresia teeter on the brink of war as the race to recover the Best Idea intensifies. Yet in this bizarre Universe, truth proves stranger - and far more perilous - than fiction.

So put on that helmet and possibly add kneepads actually for a mind-bending journey through space, time, and the occasional bar in this latest adventure from the brilliantly warped mind of BAFTA winner Daniel Rigby.

Available in Dolby Atmos

Genres: Science Fiction, Audiobook, Humor, Fiction, Comedy, Mystery, Detective

7 pages, Audible Audio

Published October 31, 2024

Reviews

[Kiara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not even exaggerating when I say that finding out this books was released was one of my happiest moments. Not even one week ago I was thinking of re reading the first book cause I missed the plot,humour, and characters so much.

This series is so exactly my brand of sci-fi.

This was a great follow up that had everything I loved and we learn more of the villain guy and the universe. Now I really can’t wait for the third book.

[Alex Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isaac Steele, Doctor Timothy Stevens, and the Department of Clarification return in a continuation of absurdity, crassness, and bloody funny style.

An Audible only audiobook, I listened to the first instalment earlier in the year on a whim and it was one of the most hilarious and british-esque mad-hat humorous experiences I've had.

Daniel Rigby once again brings a thoroughly enjoyable plot, and importantly for audio-first, performance to his drug-addled, addicted, yet roguishly handsome (his words, not mine) Agent of Clarification.

Best Idea in the Universe admittedly did not have as many laugh out loud moments as the first instalment, and it did feel as though some of the "charm" and shock-value brought about in The Forever Man waned a little.

I'm not quite sure I can put my finger on why - whether it was because I already knew the universe, and to an extent expected some of the outlandish buffoonery, or whether it was because the plot and more serious elements of the story, and subjugation were more present.

Regardless, it was a superb continuation of the story, and I had a fantastic time.

For a 6 and a half hour audio entry (similar to the first), I implore you to give them a go if you want a funny, laughable , and mad-hat ride through the mind of what can only be described as a lunatic.

3.75/5.0

[Wee Lassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is without a doubt one of the most bizarre books I’ve ever read - and I’ve read Flatland. Still the action grabs you from the get go, the main character is incredibly likeable and the plot is undoubtedly intriguing. Would recommend, five out of five ⭐️🌟✨

[slp · Rating 5 out of 5]

started on book 2 accidentally but don't regret it.
stellar wry wit in the writing, stellar performance by the narrator, nice blend of humor, interesting plot, acerbic observations on humanity/capitalism/culture/bureaucracy, and some genuine emotion.

if you like Murderbot--and if you don't, I'll never understand you--you might like this.

[Shuaibu Ibrahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weirdest Awesomeness. It's a darn fantastic satire that I couldn't get enough of. It's an improvement on a great first instalment. "My eye big," do I see a 3rd book coming soon?

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good sequel - unheard of!! Honestly this audio book is so fun - I laughed so hard, it’s great fun and excellently paced. All the same beloved characters but it doesn’t feel stale or played out. I immediately finished and went back and listened to the first one again!

[Karina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun book. The author narrates well. The sound effects were terrible though, imo. In the precious book they were fairly subtle. This time, we need to be told what’s dialogue and what’s not by a change in volume. As I often listen to books in one ear (the other being on the pillow), this did not make for a comfy listen.

[Adam Molzahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent sequel to a great first tale. Was it "the best idea in the universe" to read this straight after the first one? I guess that depends on how long it is until we get to meet Issac Steele again.

My rating? 4.234 out of 5 stars.

[Dylan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4

A big drop off from the first but remains enjoyable. Still some absolutely laugh out loud moments, but the plot becomes pretty nonsensical and not in the funny way.

[Kieran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst still quite a funny sci-fi adventure I think the first one had a much stronger story.

Afterall galivanting around the universe after an egg didn't make for a particularly engaging main story. However the comedy of Isaac and the crazy descriptions was enough to keep me entertained throughout.

[Max Pike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - not quite as good as the first but not far off! It really added on the world building and really enjoying this universe that Rigby is building. The book finishes on a cliff hangar so I hope there's a third in this series! Rigby's narration is great and the added sound effects and music definitely add to the atmosphere. What I like about this series is the healthy mix of comedy and catch phrases alongside touching on some really deep concepts. Steele's character is an interesting one as unlike in 1984 where Winston's scepticism reaches a boiling point, Steele continues to have a lot of faith in the system and is incredibly engaging listening to a book from the first person of someone who is successfully impacted by propaganda.

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second in a hopefully long series with an excellent neonor flavor. As with the first book in the series my only hesitation is that it fits my taste so well that I wonder if the plot was created by AI analysis of audible listening patterns. It seems like an excellent pastiche of a number of authors I really like. If I am mistaken and it was written by Daniel Rigby himself I sincerely apologize in congratulations on the excellent work sir!

[Pyrokitten Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

another exciting, funny space opera detective story from daniel rigby with more unusual creatures and great voices (all performed by the author). both of his audiobooks are smart, clever, full of adventure, and very funny. highly recommended!

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"I don't have a drinking problem - I have,the solution."
Jkk
With the first book in the series, the Foreverman, I suggested that it could rightfully claim to be following in the footsteps of The Hitchhiker's Guide. Few succeed. Told in the first person, Isaac Steele, is an obnoxious, 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. This time he has to recover the stolen Best Idea in the Universe and again meets up with and faces strange and mostly unpleasant fantastical characters like the pirate captain of the huge
ship Dread Pamela who kept sweet looking fluffy little pets. Yannets. Mistake. Only large quantities of cream could stop their devouring any meat within reach..

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.

Though not quite funny as Isaac Steele and the Forever Man, this is is an enjoyable, lighthearted S.F. and an Audible Original offered free to subscribers of Audible UK. Thank you, again, Audible: a most enjoyable romp.

[Per Erik Løff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't remember reading the first installation of this (the forever man), but I see I have read it. These are audible originals so free with plus membership*.

The book is hilarious. I don't know if the "scenario/the rules of this universe" is described in first book but it seems that new introduction of places/characters is given as it is obvious to the reader.

Anyway, I think this is the closest I have read that can be compared with Douglas Adams (yes, I said it! 🤡). I would recommend to read part one first and you should also know that it ends on a cliffhanger.

Anyway, I would recommend this book to everyone that enjoy Hitchhikers guide. If you for some reason you have not read that, I would ofcourse recommend it of all my heart, but this is about Isaac Steele heh. If you like scifi and are open to mix every aspect of humor satire irony and just plain dry English humor you will enjoy this.

I will (or have) update my profile to explain my ratings and why I don't give all books I review 5 or 1.
4 stars is a book that excel over other books I like but is not up there with my all time favorites. (Dark Tower series, Slaughterhouse 5, Owen Meany/Garp, Sandman (and several other Neil Gaiman) etc etc.

*(which I can't understand if someone is a member of audible don't have (cheaper than a monthly description and access to ALOT of quality books)

[Thais · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is such a wild ride! and I loved it even more than the first book. The audiobook format feels like it was crafted specifically for audio, with sound effects and narration that elevate the experience to another level. The humor is over-the-top cartoonish, yet somehow it meshes perfectly with the pitch-black undertones of the story.

The narration, especially with Daniel Rigby, is absolutely fantastic—his comedic timing and character portrayals are spot-on, making the world feel both absurd and real. The cast is quirky and flawed in the best way, which adds so much to the story. The contrast between the ridiculously funny moments and the darker themes makes it stand out from your typical sci-fi.

I can’t recommend it enough to audiobook lovers. It’s got humor, depth, and a uniquely absurd charm.

[Karl-Mikael Syding · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really should give it 1-star rating. It reads like the result of a bad gen-AI prompt. The characters are flat. The plot is shallow. The attempts at mystery reach about middle school level. The book title itself is a case in point - a futile shot at keeping the reader guessing, while in effect just being poor imagination.

I don't know if the author actually does exist or is an AI. But this is book is sadly a really clear example of formula-based authoring.

HOWEVER, I can't deny its pretty high rating. Here's my hypothesis why people like it: You don't need to pay attention. Just like with Netflix originals. The story arc is laid out according to a formula that is made to engage readers who don't really care about quality. They just want a little action, a challenge, a mystery, a crescendo, some imaginative tech, a weird villain and conflicted protagonist. This is it!

[Tango · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got my wish - a new Isaac Steele audiobook was recently released and although it wasn't quite at the level of close to perfect as the first episode, this was still a thoroughly enjoyable book. In this continuing episode Isaac is working alone without his sidekicks Rue and Dr. Timothy Stevens much of the time. Without the other two to play off of Isaac isn't quite as sardonic and witty as he was the first time around and I found this novel had a more intense and serious feel to it. It was still really good and still free and still ended with the indication that there will be more fun to come for Isaac Steele. Daniel Rigby is just outstanding with his narration.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A return to the far flung future of Greatest Britain, as Isaac Steele deals with the fallout of the first book and the theft of the Best Idea in the Universe.

Daniel Rigby does a great job of capturing the irreverent and absurd comedy that, for me, evokes some of my favourite works by Douglas Adams.

I wasn't initially as taken in by the story as I was with the first, cautious that some of the jokes didn't quite land as well as the first time around and verged on the cringey/forced territory, but the further I got in the more I was hooked with the direction Rigby takes the characters and a genuinely interesting Sci-Fi plot that sets the stage for a thrilling third act.

[Shay Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure if Isaac Steele would be just as enjoyable or a bit old after book 1, but Rigby crushed it with this one. Funny, exciting, and unpredictable -- this book cracked me up. I will have to replay the quote about not shooting oneself in the head when one has psychosis. that was a keeper.

I hope some of these stories come full circle in the next book. I'd like to know what happens with Reesa, and I would like to know what happens next!

[Juanathang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Often a witty, well researched and well written book in a series falls flat in book 2. Sometimes it’s by leaning in on jokes that lost steam, resurrecting old characters that clearly died in book one, or seemingly committing half the effort to the story. This book successfully avoids those pitfalls, by walking the fine line of tastefully recycling and reusing jokes and characters. Hope a book 3 comes soon.

[Bill Philibin · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.0 Stars)

Yes, I know, this is an unpopular opinion... but this just wasn't for me. There were some funny parts, but once again I think it tried too hard, bit off way too much. I didn't hate it... I just didn't find it interesting or cohesive.

The world building was inorganic and nonsensical, and the characters were formed as-is, and didn't change as much as they just did different things.

[Andrés Pérez Camarasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A second part without the second part syndrome.
The story continues the adventures of Isaac Steele (pretty sure the name is a pun with the double vowels) deepening oue knowledge of the crazy Known Unicerse of Greater Britain.
A bit of the shine of the first one is lost, in favor of character development, wich is a plus. And the new aditions are great.
Still super recomendable, and will patiently wait for the third one.

[Sam H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dismayed am I thinking that this was the final part in a two book story only to discover that this is just the beginning and now I am invested in another book series that is as yet unfinished and I will have to wait for follow up books.

The editing in this book addressed the issues I had with the dialogue in the first book, especially with character speaking in different audio channels. Thank you editors.

[Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

No big points for originality here - I usually hate "x meets y" book pitches but this series really is "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy meets The Penumbra Podcast" - but I also tune out of sci-fi very easily and this kept me engaged throughout. Daniel Rigby's performance of his own work is fabulous and I'll certainly come along for the next installment!

[Ann Dewar · Rating 3 out of 5]

So disappointed that this sequel just didn’t do it for me when I’d absolutely loved the first one. The plot and characters just didn’t strike the same chord although there were shining moments of genius, such as the arch-villain spouting Therapy-speak and attempting to be woke.

Hoping that a 3rd will be a return to form.

[Hunter Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uhm, not sure why this doesn't work great for me. A self-destructive protagonist is not always bad but it is written to cater to those who love to drink and do drugs which is a turn off for someone whose family tree is Swiss cheesed by addiction. It's okay, it's sophomoric. There is a set up for more, but I will be stepping off. Rounded up from 2-2.5 stars.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an audible original that's free with membership, and it's really good. Not quite as amazing as book one, but still very funny and entertaining. It's more of an audio play than an audio book - with sound effects. Super clever. It's set in a version of the future with all kinds of absurdity, but of course, plenty of universal themes of xenophobia, racism, etc.

[Stargazer · Rating 4 out of 5]

These audiobooks are excellent, they would be so good as movies but Daniel Rigby narrating is almost as good providing your own internal visuals, i just didn't enjoy this as much as the first one which was probably the best I've heard on audible. I hope there's more to come....

[Zivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't sophisticated Sci-Fi, but Daniel Rigby has a way of playing with the tropes of the genre in a way that makes their most blunt form fun and to the point.

I think the whole Dolby Surround effect could have benefited from multiple narrators, especially for the female parts.