Book review
Edited by Simon Guerrier
Big Finish hardback
Release date Out now

A selection of short stories, each with the theme of how an alien time traveller can inspire humanity to change for the better…

This collection of brief tales, all winners of a short story competition and all first time writers, is as heartwarming as it is creative. Ignoring the recent revival of the series and, perhaps more bravely, ignoring any classic monsters or villains, a lot is asked of the fledgling writers. Luckily they are up to the challenge with few - if any - misfires.

‘Swamp of Horrors (1957) – Viewing Notes’ is a particularly creative tale, playing with the structure of the form as the sixth Doctor and Mel take part in a battle against mutant animals.

‘Those Left Behind’, by Violet Addison, is a charming tale that sees the fourth Doctor encounter a schoolgirl looking for Susan Foreman in Totters Lane. An exception to the general nature of the stories (most tales don’t look back on the show in quite the same way), it’s a poignant entry and even packs in a sweet payoff that is enough to make a grown fan cry.

The book also acts as a set of guidelines as to the kind of story that Big Finish are looking for in submissions, so it will be fascinating to see what the next breed of fan writers will come up with. The bar has certainly been set very high indeed. Jonathan Wilkins

VERDICT: 9/10
A fantastic collection of original stories that are as fun as they are creative.