Doctor Who: The Roundheads

A 2nd Doctor novel

By: Mark Gatiss

Narrated by: Anneke Wills

Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

An unabridged reading of Mark Gatiss' novel set in the aftermath of the English Civil War, featuring the Second Doctor as played by Patrick Troughton and his companions Ben, Polly, and Jamie.

With the Civil War won, the Parliamentarians are struggling to hang on to power. But plans are being made to rescue the defeated King Charles from his prison....

With Ben press-ganged and put on board a mysterious ship bound for Amsterdam, Polly becomes an unwitting accomplice in the plot to rescue the King. The Doctor can't help because he and Jamie have been arrested and sent to the Tower of London, charged with conspiracy.

Can the Doctor and Jamie escape, find Ben, and rescue Polly - while making sure that history remains on its proper course?

©2015 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2015 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

A new Second Doctor adventure.

Great novel. Mrs Wills does a great job narrating the story, she does a lot of funny voices for all the characters. This adventure involves the 2 Doctor, Polly, Ben, and Jamie, getting involved in the aftermath of the English civil war.The tardis crew are separated in the beginning of the book and must fight to get back to each other. The Doctor and Jamie get arrested on thump up charges, they meet Oliver Cromwell and must convince him not to kill them. Ben gets pressed-ganged on to ship with a mysterious mission to Amsterdam, and Polly get tricked into helping Royal subjects rescue King Charles. It's very complicated plot involving Pirates, assignations, and the trouble of young lovers. Great story, i hope they release more stories like this.

Modified Sherlock Holmes

Fist fights, sword fights, mediaeval politics, a well performed story in which Dr. Who is a minor character. This reads more like a Sherlock Holmes novel with a few names changed.

Excellent narration

Books don't always work well as audio books. Too many characters, a performer who lacks the ability to do a lot of voices or has an unpleasant voice...a lot of factors can detract from the listener's enjoyment. This historical Doctor Who adventure could have been a disaster, as there are MANY characters and quick a complex story. I was a little worried that Anneke Wills was chosen just because she played Polly originally. Luckily, she did an excellent job reading Mark Gatiss's novel. The books itself is good, with spies, pirates, and lots of political intrigue set in the days preceding the execution of King Charles.

Anneka Wills is excellent

If you could sum up Doctor Who: The Roundheads in three words, what would they be?

Interesting and authentic

What was one of the most memorable moments of Doctor Who: The Roundheads?

The Doctor being confronted with his book by Cromwell's son.

Which scene was your favorite?

Jamie and the Doctor at the ice market

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Anneke Wills was excellent. I kept thinking it was a different person reading dialogue, but it was all her.

What a dud

I assumed that a combination of Mark Gatiss and Anneke Wills would have resulted in a nice tale of the second Doctor. This turned out to be a lengthy disappointment.
The narrator is disappointingly bad. The voice is soft and rather monotonous. Maybe she is hindered by the plodding script. It’s supposed to be a Doctor Who adventure but where is the Doctor?! Perhaps Mr Gatiss thought he was writing a Doctor Watson adventure.