Comic strip companions have come and gone over the years that Doctor Who Magazine has been running, but few have made the 'impact' that Frobisher did!

When the TARDIS lands in a gloomy castle, one of the last things the Doctor and his companion Frobisher are expecting is to be hailed as messengers from the Gods. But with their elevation in status comes a price, and it is a price neither is likely to be willing to pay.

What secrets await down in the crypt? Why is immortality in the kingdom so short lived? And who or what is the real power behind the throne?

To discover the answers, the Doctor and Frobisher must peel back layers of lies and half-truths. But will they be able to survive the full horror of reality?

This is an impressive debut audio play from author Robert Shearman. His previous credits have been for stage plays alone, this is his first dabble in the audio medium. But I think Big Finish have unearthed a winner with him.

Colin Baker gives his usual Big Finish performance, that is to say three notches quieter than on television! While retaining the essential character of his Doctor, he gives a much better and more rounded portrayal with these audio tales. And this time he is ably assisted by Robert Jezek (better known to Who fans as Sergeant Zbrigniev from Battlefield) who makes the part of Frobisher the shape shifter from the DWM comic strips his own.

The guest cast get their moments to shine throughout, though Roberta Taylor is particularly impressive as Berengaria, giving us an over the top character who never descends into parody. But head and shoulders above them all is Sam Kelly as Eugene Tacitus. His talent for comedy in the earlier episodes is spot on, and while I can't say much about his part in later events without giving away spoilers, he shows us another side to his acting that is quite sublime.

The plot twists and turns along its merry and at times not so merry way, surprising and shocking in almost equal measure. The ending is quite amazing for a Doctor Who story, that's all I'll say on that subject.

So, an excellent entry into the Big Finish arena. More from this author, please!