Doctor Who: The Lagoon Monsters by Gary Russell (CD audio review)

A life on the ocean wave is another unexpected bonus of travelling with the Doctor and luckily Dr. Martha Jones is ready for anything. Landing in the cargo hold of the Blue Groper, the pair talk their way into becoming guests of Captain Sadler. They meet Professor James Tomlinson, who’s looking for the missing link of evolution. He’s hoping to prove that the dinosaurs and man co-existed and therefore reconcile Darwinism with the story of Genesis in the Bible.

With the Doctor and Martha onboard, it’s highly unlikely that any ‘link’ will be terrestrial. They journey on as Martha learns about the crew and overcomes the inevitable prejudice against women on board. The Doctor as ever is highly excitable and, occasionally, just to alien for Martha. Sometimes, he is a little too cold when met with death and far more interested in the scientific possibilities.

This audio is presented very well and the reader, Sean Carlson, obviously does far more than just read it. Just like your Dad or maybe rather like a very well-trained actor that he is, Sean does all the characters and brings them vividly to life in your ears. Audio books continue to be an amazing way to enjoy many different books and it’s critical to get the narrator just right. Sean has a background in Big Finish audios and shows his versatility here. He’s notably been the devious Narvin in the ‘Gallifrey Chronicles’ and is immersed in all things Doctor Who.

This story is aimed at the younger listener and, as I’m younger than the Doctor, I enjoyed it immensely.

Sue Davies

November 2023

(pub: BBC Digital Audio/Penguin, 2023. 1 CD 73 minutes. Price: £11.00 (UK). ISBN:‎ 978-1529908169)

read by Sean Carlson

check out website: www.penguin.co.uk/books/456139/doctor-who-the-lagoon-monsters-by-russell-gary/9781529907971