Audio CD review
Big Finish
Starring the voices of Colin Baker, Eric Loren, Lysette Anthony, Leslie Philips
Release date Out now

The Sixth Doctor and Evelyn encounter their old foe, the time traveller Dr Knox, in 1865 America...

Robert Ross's two previous contributions to the range have been wildly different – Medicinal Purposes introduced Leslie Phillips as an ersatz Dr Knox, actually a time traveller who was interfering with history at the time of Burke and Hare. Pier Pressure was more of a love letter to British music hall comedy star Max Miller with some Doctor Who added on. Assassin manages to combine the two successfully, although the opening episode does leave the listener wondering if there is no joke too awful for the script.

Every time that the Doctor or Evelyn think that they've rectified the situation there's another wrinkle to sort out. Knox isn't what you expect him to be, and Leslie Phillips gets the chance to demonstrate that he can do far more than just the suave cad who goes "Ding Dong!" There's an odd throwaway line in the final episode about the Doctor looking older. It will be interesting to see if Big Finish follow up on this. Patrick Holm

VERDICT: 7/10
Ross ties together themes and characters from both previous stories in what becomes a gripping thriller.