Imagine a Christmas murder mystery story, passed through the distorting lens of Rob Shearman's mind, and set in the Doctor Who universe. That, in all it's delightful, frightening and engrossing glory is exactly what you get from the Chimes of Midnight.

This story was voted the best adventure of the year when it was released. Its almost universal acclaim as one of the best Doctor Who stories ever, not just of the Big Finish range, makes it quite a challenge to review. There is the tendency to just concentrate on the good parts. But when it comes down to it, that's pretty much the whole production anyway.

Paul McGann strides about the story as confident and comfortable as the Doctor as anyone who has ever played the role. We still get, in the early stages of the play, the delightful wander lust and excitement in discovery that makes the 8th Doctor so charming. And yet, he is beginning to realise the severity of the consequences of his actions in Storm Warning. After the confusion and seeming madness of the situation he and Charlie have entered, he realises that there are times when stark choices are all that are left, and he knows where his allegiances now lie.

Charlie Pollard continues to grow as one of the Doctor's most beloved of companions. It's even possible to claim that we start to see the emotional bond between the Doctor and Charlie build in this story. Even before the new television series tried the romantic angle with Rose, Big Finish had already been exploring the teritory. With writers of the caliber of Rob Shearman, it's handled beautifully, without overshadowing the core theme.

The supporting cast are wonderful. They begin as caricatures of themselves, and soon develop in both distressing and frightening ways. Yet over the top of the death that pervades the mystery, there is always that sheen of humour that we have come to rely upon from Rob Shearman. As each of the characters is chalenged about the events surrounding them, their reactions become more peculiar and even ridiculous. Frederick's confusion about what year it was, based on the make of car he drives, or the bizarre manner of the deaths of Edith, Mrs Baddeley and Frederick each has their own element of humour. But all of the staff leave us feeling that there is something horrible going on which they are powerless to influence.

The Chimes of Midnight features some of the best music and sound work to date. Russell Stone's musical arrangements blend into the Edwardian Christmas theme so well. Both the danger and mystery are heightened with some eerie and dramatic tones, as well as blending into the sound effects. Right from the ticking of the clock in the opening sequence, there is a seemless blend of sound to paint all the pictures the listener could want.

If you're looking for a Christmas present, or just something to listen to on those long, dark winter nights, then this is perfect. But don't feel you have to wait for Christmas to enjoy it. I've just finished listening to it for the umpteenth time at the end of August, and it's still as enjoyable as it was the last time. Barnaby Edwards' deirection has given this production a long lease of life, and I anticipate a fascinating director's podlet about it before too long.

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All the best,

David

This is one of my favourites, definitely in my top 5.
I feel, therefore, I must post something to this thread to tell how much I enjoy this story!
Here I run into a quandary, as David has so eloquently reviewed it already :-)


But here is my two pennies worth!
Both Paul McGann and India Fisher now truly settled into their respective roles; McGann portraying the Doctor with great enthusiasm, as if he had never been away from the role.


I feel that this story does mark the start of the emotional bond between Charley and the Doctor.
Starting with his reaction when she cut herself on the jam jar, going right through to his speech when trying to stop her from following Edith’s path.

It is also clear, as David says, that the Doctor is beginning to understand the severity of the choice he made in Storm Warning. However he clearly does not want to face it at this point, illustrated by his refusal to explain to Charley her memory of dying and it’s consequences.

The supporting cast are indeed all superb; however special mention for Louise Rolfe as Edith.

Cheers

Gen

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"I was wondering when the monster was going to show up!" Charley -- Doctor Who #63 'Caerdroia'

I'm pretty new to Big Finish's DW range (actually I'm pretty new to audio plays full stop!) but one of the ones I heard most about as I began listening to the Eighth Doctor stories, was "The Chimes of Midnight". When I finally caught up with it, I could see why everyone raved about it so much. It's now going to be joining my annual reading of D-icken's "A Christmas Carol" as one of the things I do at Christmas. (Huh, Charles' last name gets censored? That's very silly!)

And Rob Shearman is by far my favourite BF writer. I haven't quite managed to listen to all his stories yet, but I've listened to most and loved them all.

This and The Holy Terror remain my favourite stories by Rob Shearman for the main range (and Deadline is equally recommended, as part of the Unbound range). It is easy to see why it is so loved - happily, it is one story where everything works perfectly. Acting, pace, music, the unravelling of the mystery is all beautifully done.
For once, the Doctor is just as puzzled by events as the listener. He and Charley do everything right to figure the situation out, but time and again, get absolutely nowhere.

This and Water on a Stone (BF's Sapphire and Steel story) are perfect Christmas listening.