In Review: Big Finish: Doctor Who: The Seventh Doctor Adventures: The Doctor and Carnacki

Synopsis: Ghost finder Thomas Carnacki deals with many uncanny mysteries that defy explanation. But throughout his life, a stranger keeps appearing.

Whether he is an ally or a rival remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain. When the Doctor and Carnacki cross paths, death and danger are always close.

Review: I hadn’t heard of William Hope Hodgson’s Carnacki the Ghost-Finder. Then, I listened to the Big Finish box set of his stories.

I now listen to that box set annually as a Halloween treat. Of course, the only thing better than those original period stories are the Carnacki crossovers.

Previously, Big Finish paired Carnacki with the Paternoster Gang. Here, listeners got an even more wonderful trilogy of tales involving the Seventh Doctor.

Story

The three authors chosen for this set clearly loved Thomas Carnacki and the universe he inhabited. They gently, respectfully, and seamlessly wove elements from that universe together with the universe of Doctor Who. As a result, listeners would be forgiven for thinking Carnacki had always been one of the Seventh Doctor’s companions.

“The Haunter of the Shore” by AK Benedict reintroduced audiences to young Carnacki. Benedict did a marvelous job playing up Carnacki inexperience and arrogance.

I also really appreciated the world-building and evocative use of haunted house tropes. Most important, however, was Benedict’s explorations of grief and displacement.

“The House” by Georgia Cook provided an unexpectedly fulfilling backstory for Carnacki’s friend Arkright. Once again, I really enjoyed the world-building and use of haunted house tropes throughout.

“The Institute of Forgotten Souls” by Jonathan Barnes was a fitting final chapter in the trilogy. Barnes wrote a tale that honored Hodgson’s death in World War I. However, he also honored what could have been and used Doctor Who lore to do it.

Acting

As ever, Sylvester McCoy delivered a brilliant performance. He was aided throughout by a sterling supporting cast.

That said, this set belonged to Joe Jameson and Dan Starkey as Thomas Carnacki. Allowing both actors to continue in the role spoke to Big Finish’s commitment to internal logic and audience investment.

Overall

Thank you, Big Finish. Doctor Who: The Seventh Doctor Adventures: The Doctor and Carnacki was a lovely way to welcome the darker comforts of autumn.

• You can purchase Doctor Who: The Seventh Doctor Adventures: The Doctor and Carnacki here. 
• You can purchase The Paternoster Gang: Heritage 2 here. 
• You can purchase readings of the original Carnacki the Ghost-Finder stories here.