The Necropolis Express

"You will not harm it, it's dead already."

Writer: Mark Morris

Format: Audio

Released: January 2011

Series: Jago & Litefoot 2.02

Featuring: Jago, Litefoot

Synopsis 

Strange things are happening in the pauper's graveyard at Charnel's End. There are hideous creatures in the undergrowth, a mysterious light emanating from the church, and something deadly beneath the ground itself. Someone from Litefoot's past has come back to haunt him, and things may never be the same again...

Verdict

Litefoot and Sanders was an excellent episode to continue my way through the second series of Jago & Litefoot! This was a sublime follow up to Litefoot and Sanders and following on from the cliffhanger with Ellie being murdered at the hands of Gabriel Sanders and his vampire doings, Litefoot was already on the case to ensure that the trusty barmaid was going to stay dead and not return as a terrorising vampire from beyond the grave. That was such a dark premise for an audio adventure but it worked well and was really good in capturing reality. Litefoot was no stranger to dealing with the dead given his profession, so he was able to see past Ellie being a friendly companion and realised the importance of her staying dead. The science behind trying to get her buried in consecrated ground was excellent and it was just lovely, despite the uncomfortable surroundings, to hear Jago and Litefoot back as a team investigation infernal instances. They’re so good and I’m so glad I’ve delved into this spin-off range now as it’s quickly becoming a favourite of mine. The titular necropolis express was very eery and I loved that it wasn’t an official train. Litefoot had pulled some strings to get them on board, but this was no train with first class seating. They had to just stand amongst the corpses and find Ellie themselves. That was a pretty daunting prospect! It was brilliant to hear them rummage through the express though and I was impressed with how chilling the atmosphere was created. It felt like the night and with me listening at 7am this morning following an early walk, that was a fine achievement! Sibelius Crow was a fantastic villain for this episode and I loved that he had history with Litefoot having attended university with him. It was nice to explore some of that background for his education and there was definitely a sense of rivalry and respect between both. Crow was up to something pretty dastardly though as he hoped to use the dead arriving on the necropolis express to bring them back to life and stock the British’s man power! He wanted them as resources amidst the ever expanding British Empire which was just horrifying, but something I loved! It was unique and just an incredible aim that really fitted in with the Victorian era. Of course, the feasibility is more than sketchy but I could get past that. The connection with Sanders was unexpected but I loved keeping that continuity. He was set up by Gabriel to do his work and given what came at the end in the tavern, Sibelius was right to almost mock Litefoot for suggesting Sanders was dead! Ellie’s return to life with vampirism was really done well and it was lovely to have her in a more prominent role. I hope that happens more moving forward as she certainly seems to be able to offer more than pouring a drink! She was very much taken aback at the episode’s conclusion though as a burned and almost deformed Gabriel Sanders made an emphatic return! I didn’t see him surviving being engulfed in flames, but alas here he is and I’m hugely excited for what comes next! Overall, a brilliant story to continue the series.

Rating: 9/10