Minuet in Hell

"The legends of Gallifrey speak of a world where everything is horror. Horror and pain. A world from where there is no escape from the creatures who crawl on the crust of the land."

Writer: Alan W. Lear (with Gary Russell)
Format: Audio
Released: April 2001
Series: Main Range 19

Featuring: Eighth Doctor, Charley, Brigadier

Synopsis

The twenty-first century has just begun, and Malebolgia is enjoying its status as the newest state in America. After his successful involvement with Scotland's devolution, Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart has been invited over to Malebolgia to offer some of his experiences and expertise.

There he encounters the charismatic Brigham Elisha Dashwood III, an evangelical statesman running for Governor who may not be quite as clean-cut and wholesome as he makes out. One of Dashwood's other roles in society is a patron of a new medical institute, concentrating on curing the ills of the human mind. One of the patients there interests the Brigadier - someone who claims he travels through space and time in something called a TARDIS.

Charley, however, has more than a few problems of her own. Amnesiac, she is working as a hostess at the local chapter of the Hell Fire Club, populated by local dignitaries who have summoned forth the demon Marchosias. And the leader of the Club? None other than Dashwood, who seems determined to achieve congressional power by the most malevolent means at his disposal...

Verdict

Minuet in Hell was a fantastic audio adventure that sees the meeting of the Eighth Doctor with an old friend, the wonderful Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart. I was particularly looking forward to the relationship between the two, especially after it was the highlight with the Sixth Doctor in The Spectre of Lanyon Moor. However, I had to wait nearly 2 hours for them to finally bump into each other in the final part. It was a rather rushed hello and any adventure featuring the Brigadier with an incarnation after the Fourth Doctor, especially one whom the Brig has never met, the greeting and banter filled relationship is an instant highlight. The plot itself was very good and I liked the idea of the story jumping straight into a terrible situation with the Doctor and Charley split up, and none of them knowing anything. Literally, barely nothing. It was all mysterious and I liked how gradually through the audio that things began to click and memories started to return. The Brigadier's role in the new state of Malebolgia was excellent and I adore the idea of, despite retired, the Brig is still being used as a spy, showing he's still a major asset to any company or organisation. Dashwood was a good character as were most of the guest cast, but the standout was Gideon Crane in my opinion. I really liked how he knew so much more about the Doctor and his past, than the Doctor himself (who was suffering heavily from amnesia)! The explanation as to how Gideon thought he actually was the Doctor was very good. Dale was again a terrific character. The cliffhangers were all very good, particularly the one at the end of part two. The references to many companions such as Ace, Evelyn and Susan was nice to hear, as references to past stories and characters are something I always love! The unfolding of the plot was good and the aspects of the PSI regenerator would rewrite human history, but it seemed that it was in the wrong hands and certainly wouldn't help the insane. The many references to hell were something I disliked, due to my Atheist beliefs, I just dislike anything and everything associated to religion! But the climax was enjoyable and overall the story was good. The exit of Ramsay, showing his true colours now, and the continued mystery behind Charley - the girl who should be dead, all added to the storyline. Very good!

Rating: 8/10