Doctor Who: Hornets' Nest - The Complete Series [Audio CD]

Paul Magrs (Author), Tom Baker (Reader), Richard Franklin (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 9, 2010

Tom Baker reprises the role of the Fourth Doctor in five thrilling brand new exclusive audio adventures, with Richard Franklin as Mike Yates. Episodes include: The Stuff of Nightmares—The Doctor and Mike are again on the brink of an enormous adventure. As the Doctor relates his recent escapades, it becomes clear to Mike that they - and the Earth at large - are facing an enemy of unimaginable power and horrific intent. The nightmare is only just beginning. Features Susan Jameson as Mrs. Wibbsey and Daniel Hill as Percy Noggins. The Dead Shoes—Visiting the English seaside town of Cromer in the summer of 1932, the Doctor happens upon the strange world of the Cromer Palace of Curios. The young Ernestina Scott is unusually beguiled by one of the museum's exhibits, and when the Doctor befriends her, they unwittingly embark upon a terrifying escapade. Circus of Doom—In Blandford, 1832, ringmaster Antonio exerts a strange influence on the townsfolk. When the Doctor steps into the ring, he discovers that Antonio has some familiar demons of his own. Sting in the Tale—In a bleak midwinter, an order of nuns protect their Mother Superior from ravaging dogs. But something is very wrong here indeed - and the Doctor is about to get badly stung. Hive of Horror—The Doctor and Mike must face their enemy in a final battle. They have an unwilling accomplice - and loyalties are about to be tested to the limit.
This attractive set comes in five jewel cases, with full liner notes and a sturdy slipcase.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The British actor Tom Baker, best known as the fourth incarnation of The Doctor, was born in 1934 in Liverpool, England. At age 15, Baker left school to become a monk with the Brothers of Ploermel on the island of Jersey. Six years later, he abandoned the monastic life and performed his National Service in the Royal Army Medical Corps, where he became interested in acting. He attended Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama in Kent, England, on scholarship. Baker acted in repertory theaters around Britain until the late 1960s when he joined up with the National Theatre. Baker was working as a laborer at a building site when he landed the role of the main character in the popular, long-running British television series Doctor Who (1963), which brought him international fame and popularity.

--This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

From AudioFile

Fans will jump for joy to hear Tom Baker's resonant, sly voice back where it belongs, as Doctor Who. In this first of five new episodes written exclusively for Baker and BBC Audio, the good Doctor invites an old friend, Captain Mike Yates, to an out-of-the-way English country cottage and regales him with a chilling tale of museum taxidermy gone wild. The unique mix of Doctor Who humor, fantasy, and adventure is all here and sounds smoother and better written than ever. Baker and Richard Franklin, as the Captain, are so familiar and so at ease with their characters that listeners will feel like they're part of the conversation. A new monster aims to destroy the universe, and only the Doctor can save us. Hooray for Doctor Who! B.P. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America (February 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1602838267
• ISBN-13: 978-1602838260
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 5 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #264,447 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tom Baker as the Doctor again., April 22, 2010

By 

Kortick (Providence, RI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Doctor Who: Hornets' Nest - The Complete Series (Audio CD)

The audio production is excellent. The story is odd and compelling.
Tom Bakers voice while recognisable, does not sound like the 4th doctor.
this is because he narrates as well as playing the part of the doctor, so
at times his dialogue as the doctor has the monotone of the narrator, instead
of the manic quality of the 4th doctor. Richard Franklin as Yates sounds quite old,
(as he has aged since the 70s)but the charecter is on. But I do highly recommend it
as the story and production are good, and Tom is still the Doctor.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 5 Good titles in an inexpensive package, April 10, 2010

By 

Peter Ingemi (Worcester County, Massachusetts United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Doctor Who: Hornets' Nest - The Complete Series (Audio CD)

For those who were willing to wait the Hornet's Nest Boxed Provides the fan with a saving and a nice box to keep the five parts of Tom Baker's Return to the Role of the Doctor.

For those expecting the Full Big Finish style audios al-la The Eight Truths (Doctor Who: The New Eighth Doctor Adventures) they will be a bit disappointed.

It does have the live interaction but it is more of a mixture of the Big finish regular line and the companion chronicles such as Doctor Who Empathy Games Chronicles CD (Dr Who Companion) style.

The First episode creates the frame for the Doctor as he invites Capt. Yates into the house where he is staying with his undead menagerie. The middle three episodes chronicle the Doctor's trips into the past and reduces the retired Captain to a background character as he encounters a plethora of situations where the hive is making their move.

We conclude with the final episode climaxing with the confrontation between the Queen of the Hive against The Doctor, Capt. Yates and the Doctor's Housekeeper Mrs. Wibbsey who he brought back from the 30's and plays excellent counterweight to the heavies.

The stories and the plots seem to improve as they go along although I thought the final resolution was too pat. Baker at first seems tentative but improves and really gets into the role again taking even the knowledge of his future incarnations in stride.

Franklin manages the role well, of course he had practice in The Magician's Oath (Doctor Who: The Companion Chronicles) to bring him back up to speed in the role. The individual actors and characters in the various spots do the trick making each part enjoyable.

The quality doesn't in my opinion match the best of the Big Finish line like The Bride of Peladon (Doctor Who) but it easily matches the majority of the line. If Baker chooses to do this again lets hope he goes whole hog.

What Doctor Who fan can be without it?

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tom's Terrific Take'll Tantalize True Who-vians, September 7, 2010

By 

Erik Runnels "Bessie" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Doctor Who: Hornets' Nest - The Complete Series (Audio CD)

I won't go into too much detail here as I don't want to reveal any plot points. That said, I loved this production. I agree with one of the other reviewers that Baker takes just a bit to warm up, but once he settles back into the roll (somewhere around the middle of disc 2), it feels like it's just been far too long since I've "heard" those wacky facial expressions of his.

And I think the story's great! I mean, I couldn't help thinking whilst listening that this could've probably been done as a serial back in his hey-day. It wouldn't require fancy special effects and just seems eminently doable.

In short, I loved it. You should invest and encourage the old codger to do more!