The Man at the End of the Garden

"Every house has its secrets."

Writer: Matthew Sweet

Format: Audio

Released: June 2011 

Printed in: Jago & Litefoot 3.02

Featuring: Jago, Litefoot, Leela

Synopsis 

Strange things are happening in the Naismith household. Eleanor Naismith has vanished, and her daughter Clara is found in odd circumstances... What is the link to Eleanor's book, 'The Man at the End of the Garden'?

Verdict

The Man at the End of the Garden was another really solid adventure to continue my way through the third series of Jago & Litefoot! This was a unique episode of the spin-off and certainly the most different yet which was good because it was a nice break from a jolly Victorian atmosphere. The little girl being interested in stories was a really eery start and I liked the humour of Jago’s latest play the theatre between our main cast as they enjoyed a drink. The time compass kicking into gear to send the story into some direction was good and I liked the continuity there. Time was far from being permanently healed. Eleanor Naismith was a very intriguing character and I liked how she clearly knew something of Quick’s case regarding the strange breaking and entering occurrences for small items like nuts and fruits. Having that come into play with raisins blocking gas pipes really was quite something! I thought Jago taking an interest in the story of a little girl with magic books was great and I liked how he seemed more serious than usual throughout this episode. The format of hearing narration as a story was clever and helped with the creepy feel of the story. Clara being the one to help find the little things that were what had been stolen was expected and the humour that came from Jago trying to break down a door was magnificent. Naismith disappearing inside a locked room was good stuff and it worked well with there being no other possible exit. Litefoot having to investigate in the dark hardly pleased him and I liked that Clara was unaware or what entirely was happening with her mother’s disappearance. Her refusal to believe that she was the Clara in her mum’s stories was a little troubling and hearing the parallels with reality as she was bringing the Little Man what he needed in the story. Hitch was a strong character in looking after Clara and I thought it was fun for Litefoot to be suspecting of Mr Naismith as despite being renowned as dead, his body was never found. It seemed the logical choice! He had been a failed author and the mystery of the masses of mothballs was just creepy! Jago suggesting that it might actually have been fairies that took Naismith was intriguing and a fun suggestion and I loved the revelation that Hitch knew about the man at the end of the garden. Leela had a quiet episode but her return to the fold being on the scent of the mysterious voice telling the story was excellent and I liked how it was blocking the time break. Leela’s deduction that Hitch wasn’t actually afraid despite carnivorous birds attacking was delightful and their dialogue was superb. They challenged each other well. Hitch having a history with the child she was looking after was very interesting and I liked the suggestion that she wasn’t actually her Clara. She was involved in some kind of bargain and the importance of the first book was great as it had power and whatever was written within happened. Only now all of the pages were used up! Naismith thinking the man in the garden was a dream but it not actually being the case was terrific and I liked how he was angered and not being woken up after a year and a day as agreed. He endeavoured to take revenge on Eleanor as a girl and Clara was actually conjured up from the stories! That was excellent. I liked how the story of the man at the end of the garden was told down the generations after finding the true ending and having it read as a warning concluded things nicely. The cliffhanger finish with Leela seeing the needle bouncing meaning death over and over again was exciting and had the feel of a finale, and I loved the idea of the New Regency Theatre actually being the location of the biggest and most ragged hole in time ever found! A fine way to setup the next episode. Overall, a great listen!

Rating: 8/10