Jago & Litefoot & Patsy

"Everyone pays a price."

Writers: Simon Barnard & Paul Morris

Format: Audio

Released: October 2014

Series: Jago & Litefoot 8.03

Featuring: Jago, Litefoot

Synopsis

When a monster is discovered on the bank of the Thames, Jago and Litefoot team up with the mudlark Patsy to investigate.

Verdict

Jago & Litefoot & Patsy was an excellent episode to continue my way through the eighth series of Jago and Litefoot! This was quite a fun tale and whilst initially I wasn’t much of a fan of Patsy, she certainly grew on me as the episode went on. Patience was definitely required to fully appreciate this story as it did seem a little silly to start with as big fishes in the Thames seemed the main basis of the plot, but it all made sense. Patsy claiming ownership of the giant fish was amusing because it was found on her patch and it was equally funny to hear Quick have to explain why the fish had been confiscated from her possession because of its involvement as evidence in a crime scene. The concept of a hand being found within was quite startling and I really enjoyed that Patsy had taken the pocket watch it was holding because she feared the constabulary would get their hands on that too! Her nature as a mudlark was very good to explore and a fine example of a contemporary Victorian character. Her relationship with Litefoot in particular was intriguing because I thought she would be more suited to Jago’s charms, but alas she was determined to get her just rewards. And that was the fish. I liked that Ellie featured again although not prominently but her continued presence is always welcomed, especially with the Red Tavern forming a base of operations for Jago and Litefoot. The connection to the Thames was excellent and Patsy knowing from one of the stiffs’ markings who the killer was made for a big moment. Her Jeremiah Castle! Hearing about him as the self proclaimed king of Jacob’s Island was brilliant and I really enjoyed the flashback scene where he won Patsy as his wife. He’d taken everything from her previous partner and even when he had no care for putting Patsy up as collateral in a bet, he wanted something that he valued. Like a finger. That was really dark but it was an intriguing look into the world of Victorian gambling. I thought the investigation to the tannery was good and I loved how it was on the former site of Jacob’s Island which had burned down, but not before Castle was hanged and thrown into the Thames. Except now he was back and barely more than a skeleton. That was a disturbing image but a good one. I liked Patsy’s determination as I got the feeling she knew she was out of her depth but felt a little comfortable with Jago and Litefoot by her side. Their efforts to represent Her Majesty’s Police Constabulary were amusing and it didn’t go down well with Mulberry Gride very well at first! His connection with the alien race that definitely were not eels was fascinating and the history of him and the Darkling Facade was great stuff. Them living within amniotic fluid as embryos and the previous big fish gave an indication of just how much of a problem more than one of these would provide. Jeremiah emerging on the scene because someone dared step on his territory was a fitting end and I liked how helpless Gride was. The tannery burning down and Jacob’s Island being consumed by flames for a second time was a fitting end! Overall, a terrific listen. 

Rating: 9/10