2 episodes. Approx. 138 minutes. Written by: Mike Tucker. Produced by: Kate Thomas. Read by: Anthony Head.
THE PLOT
Nightmares have come to life in the Welsh village of Ynys Du. Every night, as soon as the children begin to sleep, the monsters come out - hideous creations which stalk the woods and the coast near the disused lighthouse on Black Island. The villagers shut themselves in their homes or the local pub in each night, waiting for daylight to grant them sanctuary.
Mutterings from the locals lead the Doctor and Rose to the private nursing home of Nathaniel Morton, an old recluse who does not take kindly to questions from strangers. Morton and his nurse, Peyne, bar them from the home - but not before they get a glimpse of several slumbering figures, all attached to machinery that is clearly alien.
As the night draws close, the monsters begin to emerge once more - and with the plans of Peyne and Morton nearing completion, this may just be the final night for Ynys Du!
CHARACTERS
The Doctor: Anthony Head does a terrific job of capturing the 10th Doctor's enthusiasm, and he does it without compromising the Doctor's inherent intelligence. His voice may not be anything like David Tennant's, but he gets the intonations just right. This makes it very easy to "hear" Tennant in the reader's line deliveries.
Rose: Head does a fantastic Rose, capturing her personality even better than Tennant did in his three audio readings. The story is a strong one for Rose, with writer Mike Tucker splitting her up from the Doctor and giving her a strong role with a young companion of her own. The bond Rose develops with Ali Hardy, a genuinely well-written child character, is one of the freshest and most enjoyable parts of the book.
THOUGHTS
The Nightmare of Black Island is one of many (too many) new series audiobooks that feels like something straight out of the classic series. Its setting, a sleepy Welsh fishing village with a nearby lighthouse, with aliens hiding in the home of a wealthy recluse, would fit right in with the Jon Pertwee/early Tom Baker period of the show. With only the most minor touch-ups, you could replace a few character names and seamlessly place this same book anywhere between Seasons 8 and 15. In fact, it feels more like something that belongs there than with the new series.
It also happens to be a good story.
Mike Tucker's story may follow a familiar template, but he writes it well. He takes the trouble to address the usual logic gaffes of such tales. Why don't the villagers get help? Or take their families and get out? It turns out there is an explanation which makes sense within the story. The Doctor's psychic paper gets him into Morton's home once... but when he clearly isn't acting the part, he doesn't get to stay for long and doesn't fool anyone into thinking that he actually is whoever the paper claims him to be.
Characterizations are above average for a Who novel, with well-drawn backstories for critical guest characters. Nathaniel Morton's background is largely delivered in one chunk of exposition. This could be deadly - but the story infuses enough emotion into it that it becomes arguably the best scene in the book, transforming a one-note villain into a fully formed character. Bronwyn, a local eccentric who helps the Doctor, has a backstory that is revealed in more gradual bits and pieces. Her story is also infused with emotion, and linked to Morton's in a way that lifts both characters' tales.
A well-written book, seamlessly abridged for audio and given a terrific reading by Anthony Head. It's not in the top ranks of the new series Who books, its formulaic storytelling and over-easy resolution working against its best elements. Still, it's well above average for the range. Well worth a listen.
Overall Rating: 7/10.
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10th Doctor Audio Review Index
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