Review by Daniel Mansfield

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Come gather by the fire as Derek Jacobi’s War Master narrates four chilling tales of horror, dread, and betrayal in Future Phantoms. Drawing inspiration from the likes of M.R. James, Charles Dickens, and Nigel Kneale, this collection is perfect listening for those long, cold nights as winter draws in.

Jonathan Barnes‘ opener is a Russian doll of a script, telling the story of a demon conjured up by a school headmaster through three nested narratives. It’s an effective way to start the set, establishing well the tone the writers are going for here, but it does feel a little overlong and overcomplicated with all the different perspectives.

Much better is James Goss‘s The Foxglove Cylinders, another Dark Academia-infused tale that tells the story of a young academic who discovers an ancient, and possibly very dangerous, relic. This episode feels somewhat different to the others in the set because there’s minimal narration and this, I feel, is very much to its benefit. Jason Hogan steals the show as Merton, a man slowly descending into madness and obsession, while Celine Buckens does a lot with the comparatively small part of Amanda. An engaging story that leaves a lasting impression.

Lizzie Hopley‘s The Sitter is the best story in the set, following a community plagued by the apparition of a man sitting silently in their homes in the dead of the night. Maya Saroya gives an excellent central performance as Dr Marina Khatri, while Who stalwart Annette Badland chills the bones as haunted pensioner Dorothy Stubbs. Hopley masterfully (no pun intended!) weaves together suspense and psychological horror to give us this standout story.

Finally, Tim Foley‘s Signal and I’ll Come to You is a languidly-paced affair with some forgettable characters but gorgeous, haunting imagery. The final twist, which reveals the Master’s true motivations for sharing these stories, is well-executed and concludes things in a very a satisfying way.

Overall, Future Phantoms is an eerie and atmospheric collection of stories, perfect for fans of classic horror tales. While far from the best entry in the War Master series, it delivers solid chills and showcases some standout storytelling, especially in The Sitter and The Foxglove Cylinders. A worthy listen for the season.

Future Phantoms is available on CD or as a download from http://www.bigfinish.com