When I heard that Joe Jameson and Carl Prekopp were returning to narrate the audiobook of Four Worlds of Bertie Cavendish, I almost exploded with excitement.

I first read this when it was released back in 2021 and absolutely loved it. I've always wanted more books set in the Extracted universe, and this was exactly that. It felt like catching up with old friends, with Ben Ryder, Safa Patel and Mad Harry Madden all making a welcome return.

Like any self-respecting fan, I had the audiobook pre-ordered and was genuinely excited to wake up on 25 June and find it sitting in my Audible library, patiently waiting for me.

Because it's been a few years since I first read it, I'd forgotten most of the story.

And that's never a bad thing.

I've always said the best way to enjoy a book or a film is to know as little about it as possible. You only get one chance to experience those twists for the first time.

Fight Club was ruined for me by a friend, who I'll never forgive. Thankfully, years later I got to experience it again through my son's eyes, who had absolutely no idea what was coming. Watching someone discover a great twist for the first time is almost as good as seeing it yourself.

As Colin Morgan narrated the Worldship Humility books, hearing Yassy and Sam voiced by Carl Prekopp came as a surprise. Thankfully, he absolutely smashed it. In fact, every narrator brings something different to the characters, and it works brilliantly.

RR Haywood has mentioned on his Facebook page that WF Howes don't normally produce audiobooks with multiple narrators, so this was something new for them.

They absolutely smashed it.

This is one of those rare occasions where I'd actually recommend the audiobook over the printed book. Not because the novel isn't fantastic, but because the performances add another layer to the story that you simply don't get on the page.

Joe Jameson and Carl Prekopp don't just read the story.

They perform it.

By the end, it felt less like listening to an audiobook and more like watching a film with my ears.

Is it too soon for a re-listen?

Absolutely not.

Click. Click. Motherf***er.

Mike Humber is back.

After the events of Huntington House, all the poor bloke wants is a quiet life, a bit of work and somewhere to stay while he earns some money.

Naturally, being Mike Humber, that’s not what happens.

This time he takes a job as a night watchman at a fish processing plant and private dockyard. Which sounds simple enough. Keep an eye on things, earn a wage and try not to get involved in anything too dramatic.

Unfortunately, Mike Humber has the same relationship with trouble that magnets have with metal.

In true Humber fashion, he finds himself dragged, seemingly against his will, into some very dodgy business. Or does he?

One of the things I love about RR Haywood’s books is that you’re never entirely sure what’s really going on. Every time you think you’ve got things figured out, another clue appears and sends you back to square one.

After reading Huntington House, I spent most of this book on edge. RR Haywood had already taught me not to trust my own theories, so I found myself questioning everything and everyone.

The clues are there throughout the story. You can see them if you’re paying attention. The problem is working out which clues matter and which ones are there to make you look silly.

Then, in true RR Haywood fashion, everything comes together.

And suddenly all those little details that seemed unimportant don’t seem quite so unimportant after all.

I won’t spoil anything, but if you’re a fan of Mike Humber or RR Haywood’s knack for pulling the rug out from under you, you’re in for a treat.

Just don’t trust anybody.

Especially the fish. 5/5