Doctor Who: Snake Bite

By: Scott Handcock

Narrated by: Frances Barber

Doctor Elehri Mussurana has spent a lifetime on her work. She's guarded her pet project close to her chest, letting only one person share her secret - her husband and lab partner Ernst Wharner. As their experiment reaches its final, glorious fruition, they watch in awe as sparks fly in a sealed chamber and specks of sapphire light begin to join together into a shining haze. A wormhole in time and space is being created... But then something unexpected appears inside the swirling vortex: a tall blue box with the words 'POLICE PUBLIC CALL BOX' on the side. The TARDIS has arrived in the far future, in a scientific research facility - just as reality is ripped at the seams and the universe tears in two... Written specially for audio by Scott Handcock, Snake Bite features the Doctor, Amy and Rory as played by Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill in the acclaimed BBC TV series. It is read by Frances Barber, who played Madame Kovarian.

Critic reviews

Writer Scott Handcock admirably captures the characters of the TARDIS crew, and weaves a gripping, well-paced narrative which really feels as though it could have been a television episode, it’s that perfectly pitched. To complement the deft scripting is a standout reading by Frances Barber (Matt Adams)

Narrator Frances Barber... has a wonderfully rich voice and provides some great characterisations. Like Tom Baker, she has the kind of voice that could make a reading of the telephone directory engaging. (Ian McArdell)

Finally Fixed! This is Snake Bite!

Any additional comments?

The audio book is finally fixed and is the correct story. (At least when I re-downloaded it yesterday.)

Frances Barber does a good job of imitating both the Doctor (Matt Smith) and Rory (Arthur Darvill), and as thus far done the best imitation of Amy (Karen Gillan) that I've heard with any of the 11th Doctor audio books.

The story is very well written and beautiful read by Barber, several of the scenes made my skin crawl as I was listening to it. Everyone is written in character and it feels like a Doctor Who story.

The only complaint I have was the story felt to be lacking something. At times it feels too rushed while other times seem to be longer than they need too. If the story could have been allowed to take it's time and be more in-depth than it was, possibly doing a two disc story, this could easily be one of my favorites.

Average story

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not really.

Did Frances Barber do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

She did, I could tell the difference between the characters.

Did Doctor Who: Snake Bite inspire you to do anything?

No.

Any additional comments?

This was really average--not terrible, not great. I'll listen to it again, just not soon. I think it could have had more suspense or more humor or more something, anything. It was just average. That's really all I can say about it.

Oh where oh where has snake bite gone!

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

When will snake bite be fixed. I already have Angel's Kiss. I paid for a book and got one i already have.

This is not the right book

What disappointed you about Doctor Who: Snake Bite?

This is Miss Malone, read by the woman who plays Dr Song. It has nothing to do with Dr Who and snakes.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Hopefully the actual book I paid for.

What didn’t you like about Frances Barber’s performance?

Wasn't her. Don't know.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Um, no.

Any additional comments?

Wrong book. I will read reviews from now on. Same thing in iTunes with this particular title.

THIS IS NOT SNAKE BITE

Any additional comments?

This is NOT Snake Bite - it is Doctor Who: The Angel's Kiss. The Preview that plays is correct, but when downloaded, the audiobook is for The Angel's Kiss. :-(