Doctor Who: Scratchman cover art

Doctor Who: Scratchman

4th Doctor Novel

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About this listen

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 forty 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 forty years in the making.

Written by Tom Baker with James Goss Storyline by Tom Baker and Ian Marter Additional voices by Nicholas Briggs

©2019 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2019 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd Science Fiction Time Travel Fiction Thought-Provoking Funny Thriller

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It all starts out on familiar, frightfully amusing ground - then goes full tilt through the looking glass and into the Doctors adventures in Bakerland.

It's best listened to, not so much narrated as performed by the Great Curator himself, features one unwelcome and ear-numbing cameo, and is full of literally laugh out loud moments from start to finish.

In-jokes, irreverent references to incarnations past, present and future, witticisms which meander to a punchline that makes it all make perfect sense suddenly...macabre imagery and breathless access into Bakers vision of his own private TARDIS...including a chilling peek behind the door of the one room the Doctor keeps locked...from himself. It all comes together like clockwork, a heartsfelt, close-up portrait of the Fourth Doctor in the first person, as only he could paint him.

It's a tall story all about fear, told by a man who smiles everytime he delivers bad news, then laughs and holds up a Jelly Baby in the face of danger...and who isn't afraid to pen a familial-love letter to a friend and fellow traveller he, and we, can't help but confess to adore.

Does it all work? Of course not. Would I personally have wanted to miss one word of it?

Not for all the world...or even, perhaps, the next one ;)

Down The Rabbit Hole We Go

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A Fourth Doctor story written by Tom Baker. I feel genuinely grateful that this even exists. As for the story itself - it’s everything and some what than I had expected. Just brilliant - buy it now.

Tom Baker is The Doctor; the definite article you might say.

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Great story plenty of twists and turns, strange happenings and wonderful weirdness, even kind Cybermen.

Tom Baker at his best.

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Written from the prospective of the fourth doctor. Jam packed with Tom Baker character. Compelling story, well written.

Jam packed with Tom Baker character

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Awesome fun, a great adventure with the fourth doctor. amazing to have a new story with one of my favourite doctors ever.

awesome fun and great to hear Tom Baker

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I got the impression that Mr Baker really enjoyed reading this. A little too much in places but he was clearly grinning throughout the reading and that grin, as always, was infectious beyond belief.

Very enjoyable

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How fabulous to hear a new story containing the dream team of the Doctor, Sarah and Harry.
Utterly enthralling

My favourite era of Doctor Who

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Overall an amazing story, quite creepy at times and deservedly so. An 5 star performance by Tom Baker. His narration ensures the Book remains authentic & true to character and captivates the audience. THIS IS TRUE DOCTOR WHO. ...

Doctor Who at its Best

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I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. The narration by Tom Baker and the voices were very entertaining and the story really gripping.

Great listen

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This is pure Tom Baker. A gripping performance and a story that challenges the authority of the time lords themselves.
Sit back and enjoy 👍🏻

The best doctor telling a great story

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