Doctor Who: The Lagoon Monsters: 10th Doctor Audio Original Audio CD – Unabridged, 19 October 2023

A new Doctor Who talking book from the BBC. This features an all new story for the Tenth Doctor and Martha, which hasn't appeared in any other medium before.It's basically one long episode. Running for seventy two mins. The only breaks being the usual cd chapter ones.Minimal sleeve notes give copyright info and mention other BBC Doctor Who product.As ever with these, one actor reads the narration and does all the character voices. In this case it's an actor called Sean Carlsen. Who I wasn't familiar before. He is a good reader though. Adopting a tone that sounds somewhat like Alexander Armstrong. It's good to listen to. His Tenth Doctor I did find a little grating at times. But that's only a minor complaint. It doesn't need to be a direct impression or mimic job of the character.The story sees the TARDIS land on an eighteenth century sailing ship. Which is in the pacific. Headed for Luna Puesta. 'The Land where the moon has set.' It has been chartered by a professor who is sure he will make a major discovery when he gets there.He, and nobody else onboard, will not be prepared for what they find...I think this is by and large one of the best from this range. There's just something about the writing and the narration that goes together to make it a really good listen. It does solid characterisation with the TARDIS crew, with it all seen through Martha's eyes. It takes it's time to establish the setting and supporting characters. This never drags at all.The captain of the ship and the scientist who chartered it do get more attention than the crew, but they are slightly more major characters than the latter, so that works. The former two do get some depth. Particularly the scientist. The other crew members it does tell you about when required. They might not all stick in the mind. But as characters they are fine.Whilst there's not really a sense of threat to it, there's a great sense of discovery. And waiting to find out what will happen does really keep you hooked. It does get into some interesting areas with one character beliefs. These all pay off satisfactory.The last quarter wraps it all up nicely. It's not a finale with a lot of drama and excitement to it, but it still handles everything really well to bring a satisfactory conclusion. And does have a very memorable last scene.A really good one of these indeed. Well worth a listen.