MI13’s best investigate savage murders – helped and hindered by American colleague, Diggs…

Catching up with the audios of the past few months has brought me to this latest exploit for The Scarifyers, shortly after the passing of David Warner whose Harry Crow had become such a core part of the series. I don’t know if Tom Crowley’s story was ever intended as a full cast audio but it works extremely well in the audiobook format, due to an excellent performance by Terry Molloy, who captures not just Warner’s vocal tics as Crow, but also the tone, and the way in which we heard other sides to the man when we least expected it. Molloy also gives a very particular intonation to Diggs – which I’m sure is based around a familiar American actor but just can’t place it at the moment! – as well as the various soldiers, barmaids and unearthly creatures…

The title gives a clue as to the nature of the threat Crow and Dunning are facing, although Crowley’s description of the mess that’s left leaves little doubt, and there’s some good interplay between the three agents as they put the pieces together. Mark Hendrick’s sound design ranges from subtle effects (more than once I was convinced the background was where I was, rather than on the audio) to the considerably less so and Evelyn Sykes’ score is put to good use.

It’s worth noting that Bafflegab are giving all the proceeds of the sales of this to the Disasters Emergency Committee to give aid in Ukraine – so you’re helping out while getting a terrific new tale.

Verdict: It’s always a pleasure to return to MI13, and our heroes face peril in their accustomed style! 9/10

Paul Simpson

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