Mrs Wibbsey can’t help herself sometimes – being the housekeeper to the Doctor does give her access to all sorts of useful things…

The latest addition to the Nest Cottage Chronicles from Paul Magrs is once again a new adventure for Mrs Wibbsey, and her companions Mike Yates and the Doctor. Narrated by Susan Jameson as the redoubtable housekeeper (with her usual flair and a habit of noting the Doctor looks appalled at things), it’s very much in keeping with the previous stories, although there’s a definite bias towards Fenella Wibsey herself as the focus of attention – she’s quite clearly the heroine of her own adventures!

As usual, Magrs has fun with the adventure (and there’s a wonderful reference to a certain renowned Doctor Who-themed advertisement towards the end), with the eccentric inhabitants of the small Sussex village in which the Doctor has kept his cottage having their lives overturned once more thanks to the presence (or indeed in this case, the absence) of the Time Lord. Mike has retired there too – giving cause to hope that Richard Franklin might be persuaded to tell one of the stories from his, or the Captain’s, viewpoint in future – and there’s all sorts of weird goings on that you really want to go into unspoiled.

Verdict: Some quite unpleasant imagery is brought to mind, offsetting the “genteel” nature of the environs in which this is told. An enjoyable return. 8/10

Paul Simpson