About the Book
This volume collects novellas three and four of Martha Wells's Murderbot Diaries series, Rogue Protocol and Exit Strategy, in a single audiobook. Both stories follow Murderbot, a part-organic, part-mechanical security unit that has hacked its own governor module and is trying very hard to be left alone. It mostly fails at that.
In Rogue Protocol, Murderbot is working a side mission to gather evidence against GrayCris Corporation while quietly hoping no one notices it's gone rogue. The situation gets complicated when it gets attached to a small group of humans and a robot it definitely does not care about. In Exit Strategy, Murderbot turns around and heads back to help Dr. Mensah, the scientist who briefly owned it and who it may, against its better judgment, consider a friend. The problem is that showing up to rescue someone tends to involve being noticed.
If you haven't read the earlier volumes, this one won't work as a starting point. The novellas build directly on the events of the first two, and the emotional weight of both stories depends on context established earlier in the series. Volumes one through four are relatively short, so catching up doesn't take long.
Narration & Audio Performance
Kevin R. Free has been the voice of Murderbot across all the novellas, and at this point the performance is well-settled. His delivery captures the character's flat, slightly detached internal voice without making it monotonous, which is a real challenge given how much of the story is told through Murderbot's dry, self-deprecating narration. He handles the shifts between action sequences and quieter emotional beats without overplaying either.
Character differentiation is clear enough to follow in conversation-heavy scenes, though Free doesn't do dramatically distinct voices for each character. The tone stays consistent with the series, which is what the material needs. Listeners who have already heard Volume 1 via Kevin R. Free will find this a seamless continuation.
Production quality is standard Tordotcom fare, clean audio, no distracting effects, no full-cast framing. The focus is entirely on the narration, which suits the first-person perspective of the source material.
The Audible Verdict
If you're already invested in the series, this is an easy recommendation. Kevin R. Free's narration is consistent and well-matched to the material, and both novellas are paced well for audio. The reason this lands at free trial rather than paid credit is that it's a continuation volume, its value depends entirely on whether you're already in the series. For new listeners, this is the wrong place to start. For anyone who enjoyed Volumes 1 and 2 in audio form, it's a straightforward next step.
Listen on AudibleIs This Book a Good Fit for Audio?
The Murderbot Diaries novellas are well-suited to audio. They're linear, first-person narratives driven by Murderbot's internal voice, exactly the kind of material that benefits from a consistent narrator who can carry that perspective across hours of listening. There are no charts, no footnotes, no structural gimmicks that depend on the page.
The action sequences are clear and easy to follow aurally, and the emotional undercurrent of the stories, Murderbot's reluctant connection to the humans around it, comes through in narration without needing visual cues. The novellas are also short enough that each one fits comfortably in a few listening sessions, which makes the format feel natural rather than demanding.
The one mild limitation is that Murderbot's internal monologue is dense with deadpan commentary, and if your attention drifts during a listening session you can miss beats that matter. This is less a format problem and more a property of the writing itself, it rewards attention.
Popular Listener Questions
Do I need to listen to Volume 1 before this?
Yes. This volume covers novellas three and four of the series, and both stories reference events and relationships from the earlier installments. Starting here will spoil earlier entries and reduce the impact of key moments.
Is this the same narrator as the earlier Murderbot audiobooks?
Yes. Kevin R. Free narrates across the Murderbot Diaries series, so listeners who enjoyed his performance in the earlier volumes will find the same voice and delivery here.
How many novellas are included in this volume?
Two, Rogue Protocol and Exit Strategy, which are the third and fourth entries in the Murderbot Diaries.
Is this a good fit for commute or background listening?
It works well for commute listening. The pacing is steady and the action-to-dialogue ratio keeps things moving. Background listening is less ideal, the first-person narration rewards attention.
Similar Audiobooks
The Murderbot Diaries Vol. 1
The first collected volume, novellas one and two, is the correct starting point for the series and features Kevin R. Free in the same role.
Network Effect
The first full-length Murderbot novel, continuing the story beyond the novellas. Same voice, longer format.
All Systems Red
The first standalone novella in the series, the best place to start if you haven't begun Murderbot yet.
First-person science fiction with a protagonist navigating complex politics and identity questions. Comparable pacing and introspective voice.
Another science fiction series centered on an artificial intelligence-adjacent narrator working through questions of identity and loyalty. Appeals to the same readership.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
Found-family dynamics, ensemble cast aboard a spacecraft, and a similar balance of warmth and action. Likely to appeal to Murderbot readers.
Audiobook Details
| Title | The Murderbot Diaries Vol. 2 |
|---|---|
| Author | Martha Wells |
| Narrator | Kevin R. Free |
| Genre | Science Fiction |
| Year | 2025 |
| Publisher | Tordotcom |
| Abridged | Unabridged |
| Cast | Single narrator |
| Author-narrated | No |
Ready to listen?
This audiobook is available on Audible and is a reasonable use of a free trial credit if you're already following the series with Kevin R. Free's narration.
Open on Audible