The Stones of Blood had the prominence of been the 100th Doctor Who adventure when it was broadcast on television screens just short of the series 15th anniversary in 1978. It is therefore interesting that the audiobook release of this story should also be significant in that it is the first such title in the Doctor Who audiobook series to be completely rewritten from its original novelisation.
David Fisher, who originally wrote the story for television, did not write the Target book novelisation when it was originally presented in 1980. Writing duties on that occasion given to writer Terrance Dicks. However when given the opportunity to re-imagine the classic Doctor Who tale for the audiobook market , David has presented an excellent re-working and at times spine-tingling version of the original tale.
Doctor Who - The Stones Of Blood - A Brief Synopsis
Doctor Who - The Stones of Blood finds The Doctor, Romana and K9 on their continuing quest to recover the six segments of The Key to Time.
The TARDIS brings the trio to Earth and to strange events at the stone circle of Bodcombe Tor, in the South West of England. The circle which stands in tribute to the druid goddess of war and magic the Caeilleach has six huge monoliths arranged in a half circle, centred with an alter stone. However; recent events observed by Professor Rumford who is studying the stones have seen the six stones became nine.
The Doctor, Romana and K9 meet Professor Rumford and her friend Vivien Fay and learn from them the history of the stones, and of the druidic sect lead by Leonard de Vries, who inhabits the nearby manor house. Drawn into the events surrounding a deadly deception involving the Caeilleach, The Doctor finds himself facing a formidable foe in the Ogri - powerful blood drinking stone creatures that rampage the moor.
Susan Engel Gives A Spell-Binding reading Of Doctor Who - The Stones Of Blood
Susan Engel, who played Vivien Fay in the 1978 BBC TV serial, gives a suitably spell-binding reading of David Fisher’s new adaptation, frequently giving an air of mystery and an occasional chill in her presentation. Suitably John Leeson - who recently read Doctor Who and The Ribos Operation - returns once more to provide the voice of K9, making a welcome guest appearance between Susan Engel’s rich narrative.
With its gothic flavoured theme, Doctor Who - The Stones of Blood is frequently an overlooked gem from Tom Baker’s tenure as the Doctor. This excellent audiobook production helps redress the balance to a degree that it stands out well on its own as an individual story as well as part of an ongoing story arc to the Key to Time series.
Doctor Who Audiobooks are available to download direct to iPod
With a running time of four and a half hours, Doctor Who - The Stones of Blood is available as a four CD set from AudioGO or alternatively can be downloaded from AudioGO or iTunes.
The audiobook makes suitable listening while on the go and enhanced with suitable sound effects makes an atmospheric listening experience particular on personal MP3 players or iPod equivalents.
Sources:
- David Fisher, Doctor Who - The Stones Of Blood, AudioGO, 2011
- David J Howe & Stephen James Walker, Doctor Who – The Television Companion, BBC Books, 1998
