Doctor Who: Quantum of Axos (Tenth Doctor, Classic Companions)
by Roy Gill (Big Finish, 2022)
The story isn’t particularly gripping but there’s a good dose of ‘new nostalgia’ in hearing the Tenth Doctor meet up with Ace (in modern times Dorothy McShane). Ace remains one of the best-developed Doctor Who companions and Sophie Aldred plays her beautifully.
Doctor Who: At Childhood’s End
by Sophie Aldred (BBC, 2020); audiobook read by Sophie Aldred (BBC, 2020)
An unexpectedly proficient debut novel. The prose rarely sparkles but Aldred builds the story well, bridging the 30-year divide between Season 26 (dark manipulations) and Series 12 (sparkly rainbow TARDIS family). Her audiobook reading affords Ace’s journey a further layer of authenticity.
Doctor Who: Lurkers at Sunlight’s Edge
by Marty Ross (Big Finish, 2010)
Although H. P. Lovecraft wouldn’t have been out of place in Doctor Who’s much-vaunted gothic horror run, Lurkers brings precious little originality to the homage. Ace has some nice moments but the guest characters are tired-and-true stereotypes and the plot unbearably cliched.
Dr. Seventh
by Adam Hargreaves (BBC, 2017)
Though drawing a pretty faithful Seventh Doctor (and Ace), Hargreaves manages the almost inconceivable feat of making his Cheetah People less threatening than those of the original serial. In mitigation, the Master’s cameo is era-appropriate in its preening reveal and blustering fizzle.
Doctor Who: The Dark Husband
by David Quantick (Big Finish, 2008)
Whereas humour in Doctor Who has always worked best in moderation, Quantick can’t seem to help himself: the jokes never relent, meaning that the Doctor, Ace and Hex are constantly, frivolously undercutting the drama. Thus a potentially intriguing SF tale is stillborn.