The Mahogany Murderers

"Your climactic moment was better."

Writer: Andy Lane

Format: Audio

Released: May 2009

Series: Companion Chronicles 3.11

Featuring: Jago, Litefoot

Synopsis

Professor George Litefoot: the eminent pathologist who advises the police in some of their grisliest cases. Henry Gordon Jago: the master of ceremonies at the Alhambra Theatre. These are two very different men from contrasting strata in society who become from friends and collaborators after their adventure with the Doctor and Leela battling the evil Weng-Chiang. 

Some years later, Jago and Litefoot have defeated dangerous denizens of the daemonic darkness together. They have stood side by side against threats to the British Empire. But when a body is found on the banks of the River Thames and Litefoot's post mortar reveals that it is actually a highly detailed wooden mannequin, their most dangerous adventure begins. 

Dr Tulp has masterminded a deadly scheme, Jack Yeovil and his murderous gang plan to live forever, and only Jago and Litefoot can stop them...

Verdict

The Mahogany Murderers was an outstanding Companion Chronicles audio adventure! Following my recent viewing of The Talons of Weng-Chiang, I couldn't help but finally delve into this story and whilst it is part of the Companion Chronicles range, it's more so a pilot for the Jago and Litefoot spinoff series which I am now incredibly excited to finally delve into! I thought the characters of Jago and Litefoot were tremendous in their only on screen appearance alongside the Fourth Doctor and Leela, and they just work so well as a pairing here. I was intrigued that there seems to have been something of a small time jump since encountering Weng-Chiang and they stayed acquainted and haven't been far from dealing in the detective and mystery. I'd love for one of the many Jago and Litefoot series to explore that, but for now it was just wonderful to hear both men coming to the pub and catching up. Lisa Bowerman as the barmaid Ellie was fun and hearing her put on a thick Cockney accent was delightful and a long cry away from the more familiar Bernice Summerfield. The incorporation of the Chronicles format was outstanding with the pair recounting a recent event that turned out to be linked quite delightfully. They recalled their respective events over a couple of pints and time stamped each part of the tale really nicely. I liked the comedy that came with Jago going a bit over the top with his storytelling which was a great use of his theatre background, and him even giving advice to Litefoot despite them admitting there was no audience hanging on their every word was so much fun. I really could just sit and listen to them telling stories all day. They're a delightful pair. I was intrigued to know that Jago was in a little bit of financial difficulty so it was nice for Litefoot to be fitting the bills, especially with Jago wracking up quite a tab! The mystery of a mannequin being mistaken for a dead body was excellent and the impressive nature of its work was something Litefoot admired. His comments about the police were amusing as he didn't seem to be too king to their investigative abilities, but the story unraveled from there as we learned about Dr Tulp and the gang of Jack Yeovil. Litefoot recalling how Yeovil had died three weeks previously was brilliant as that seemed impossible for Jago to have had an encounter with him, but Tulp was in the business of providing souls to wooden mannequins! Hearing how members of the gang even preferred their wooden bodies was slightly disturbing! The use of a Victorian gang is great and seems well fitted to the era. I absolutely adored the cliffhanger with Jago building to a climactic moment where a rock fell on his head whilst Litefoot concluded the first act with the wooden mannequin coming to life. The comment from Jago about the climactic moment being better before the credits hit was golden. I thought the ending was strong and I liked how events linked up with mahogany mannequin whilst leaving things open ended for the spinoff series to come as Dr Tulp is still out there with a whole organisation for Jago and Litefoot to defeat. Overall, a magnificent story! 

Rating: 10/10