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The Companion Chronicles 


4.12 Solitaire


I was put off the Companion Chronicles after hearing the first few minutes of Frostfire, it really wasn’t my cup of tea. But when I began the Jago and Litefoot series which tied into the Mahogany Murders Companion Chronicles ‘pilot’ it seemed wise to give it a listen, suddenly I was interested. This was one of the audios that was suggested when I asked for recommendations (and since then I’m pretty much making my way through the  lot).


Charlie enters a toyshop, no idea where she is or why, the shop keeper tells her she needs to play the game, but what is the game?


I love the character of Charlie and India Fishers performance. The Toymaker is back, 

David Bailie is great in the role, it is more akin to the Celestial Toymaker version than his appearance in The Giggle. 


Solitaire isn’t narrated, it plays out as a normal adventure, with just the two members of the cast. It works really well, I do think Big Finish are quite good at two handers. You are as invested as Charlie is in wanting to find out what’s going on, what is the game she’s playing? And wondering if she’ll remember the Doctor. The Toymaker is as frustrating as ever giving rather unhelpful answers and riddles.


There is a time limit of the game as well, its intriguing stuff and adds tension to the proceeding. Its two 30 minutes episodes and was just right. 


This story is as good as people said and I’d praise it as much as they have.

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