by Tom Baker
Narrator: Tom Baker
Length: 8 hours and 40 minutes
Genres: Science Fiction
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4 cups
In his first-ever Doctor Who novel, Tom Baker's incredible imagination is given free rein. A story so epic it was originally intended for the big screen, Scratchman is a gripping, white-knuckle thriller almost 40 years in the making.
The Doctor, Harry and Sarah Jane Smith arrive at a remote Scottish island when their holiday is cut short by the appearance of strange creatures - hideous scarecrows who are preying on the local population. The islanders are living in fear, and the Doctor vows to save them all. But it doesn't go to plan - the time travellers have fallen into a trap, and Scratchman is coming for them.
With the fate of the universe hanging in the balance, the Doctor must battle an ancient force from another dimension, one who claims to be the devil. Scratchman wants to know what the Doctor is most afraid of. And the Doctor's worst nightmares are coming out to play....
Tom Baker himself reads this legendary Doctor Who adventure, a spine-chilling thriller 40 years in the making.
Tom Baker was one of my childhood Doctor and the fourth Doctor Who played by Tom Baker. I remember him with Sarah Jane and Harry Sullivan, so naturally when I saw an ad for Scratchman written and read by Tom Baker I had to listen. A trip down memory lane with a twisted new story that has our threesome facing great danger.
The Doctor, Harry Sullivan and Sarah Jane Smith arrive at a remote Scottish island where they intend to enjoy a picnic lunch, a nap and skip stones. All of that changes when they discover hideous scarecrows are taking over the small village. They will soon be in a fight for their lives as a sinister alien force is at work. As the story progresses we learn The Doctor is on trial on Gallifrey. The Time Lords have questions that must be answered. He is retelling the events of the story to the council.
Since Tom Baker narrated this story, allowing me to close my eyes and imagined this trio, the creepy scarecrows, and the Scratchman. I could see the council, the burned out planet, and creepy crawlies we encountered. It was geektastic. The audio has sound effects present at the beginning of chapters. I enjoyed this little added feature, but was also grateful it wasn’t throughout.
While not perfect, it gave me a sense of nostalgia and felt authentic to their time on the show. I’ve since moved on to other Doctors and will confess that nine and ten will forever be my favorite but I enjoyed the new story and trip down memory lane.
The story over forty years in the making has a seventies vibe and was originally slated for film. It is my understanding both Ian Martin (Harry Sullivan), and James Goss were involved in the writing. Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane), penned a message that is shared in the epilogue. Sadly, she and Martin are no longer with us.
Doctor Who: Scratchman was a delightful listen that recaptured my first doctor.
Scratchman written and read by Tom Baker offered a trip down memory lane with a twisted new story that had our threesome facing great danger. #Whovian #iloveaudiobooks Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
I was never a doctor who fan. This book doesn’t sound bad tho. I will have to check it out.
Mary
Olivia Roach
I am a huge doctor who fan! Do you still watch it? I have actually been really wary of trying the books though, and have never read any of them. I am glad you could enjoy this nostalgic story though and enjoy it 😀
Kimberly
Yes, I have watched every episode. This was my first time reading it, other than Whovian history or trivia books.
Dani Eide
You must of enjoyed listening to Tom Baker as a narrator. I had no idea he wrote a Dr. Who book. David Tennant is my favorite. Thanks Kimberly! ❤️❤️
Stephanie Jane (Literary Flits)
I had no idea Tom Baker had penned a Doctor Who novel! I imagine he is an amazing narrator too.
My era’s Doctor was Peter Davison and I gave up on the programme when Sylvester McCoy took over.
Melanie Simmons
Sounds really good. I do love the Doctor. I started with Christopher Eccleston. David Tennant is still my favorite. I haven’t read any books with the Doctor. I really should try this.
Anne - Books of My Heart
My only watching of Doctor Who was when Tom Baker was the man. It was always about 1am and I think on PBS in those days, like a million years ago. I loved it.
ShootingStarsMag
I love that a former doctor wrote this. Seems like a fun blast to the past, if you will. I LOVE nine though, and then ten too of course. Who doesn’t love David Tennant? I’m in the middle of eleven. I really need to get back into it.
-Lauren
Sophia Rose
Oh hey! One of the old Doctors that I remember watching. This would be a cool walk down memory lane.
Heidi
I am sure it was fun to go back and experience a blast from you past. Sounds fun!
Mary Kirkland
I’ve never watched Doctor Who but this does sound good.
Stormi Johnson
So not a die hard Who fan but I did watch all of the David Tennant ones as I adore him. I was wondering do you have to be a huge fan and watched all the Doctors to be able to get into the books?
Kimberly
Not at all. Enjoy!
Melliane
I don’t watch the show so well not sure the books are for me
Lily
I never saw or read anything Doctor Who but it was awesome that you could get lost in the story and the characters through the audio so easily
Tyler H. Jolley
Believe it or not, I’ve somehow never seen a single Doctor Who episode in my life. But now, I kind want to jump onto the bandwagon. A lot. I’m digging the cover, it feels like a Stephen King book. Happy Wednesday, Kimba!
Debbie S Haupt
Sadly I have never been into Dr. Who but I know you are and some of my other friends too. So I’ll share so they can see xo
Brandee @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
I’m not really a Doctor Who fan *ducks to avoid the object you’ve thrown at my head* but my younger daughter is and I wonder if she’d like this. I recently got her hooked on audiobooks (via the Experiments in Terror series) and this might be right up her alley. Glad you enjoyed your trip down memory lane, Kimberly! 🙂
Ailyn Koay
I am not familiar with the older Doctor Who’s but this sounds romantic (not the lovey dovey kind)