Doctor Who: At Childhood’s End: Thirteenth Doctor Novel

Sophie Aldred

Feb 2020 · BBC Digital Audio · Narrated by Sophie Aldred

About this audiobook

Past, present and future collide as the Thirteenth Doctor meets classic Doctor Who companion Ace, in an epic novel written and read by Sophie Aldred.

Once, a girl called Ace travelled the universe with the Doctor – until, in the wake of a terrible tragedy they parted company. Now, decades on, she is known as Dorothy McShane, the reclusive millionaire philanthropist who heads the global organisation A Charitable Earth.

But Dorothy is being haunted by terrible nightmares in which she’s abducted to an alien world. Nightmares that begin just as scores of young runaways are vanishing from the dark alleyways of London. Could the disappearances be linked to sightings of sinister creatures – part man, part rat – lurking in the city shadows? Why has an alien satellite entered a secret orbit around the Moon? And how has Dorothy become a target for the victors in an interstellar war?

Investigating the satellite with Ryan, Graham and Yaz, the Doctor is thrown together with Ace once more. Together they must unravel a malevolent plot that will cost of thousands of lives. But can the Doctor atone for her past incarnation’s behaviour – and how much must Ace sacrifice to win victory not only for herself, but for the Earth?

Sophie Aldred, who played Ace in the BBC TV serial, reads her own thrilling novel.

Written by Sophie Aldred with Steve Cole and Mike Tucker
Storyline by Sophie Aldred, Steve Cole and Mike Tucker
Text copyright © Sophie Aldred 2020
Reading produced by Neil Gardner Recorded at Ladbroke Audio Ltd
Sound design by Simon Power for Meon Sound
Executive producer: Michael Stevens

Ratings and reviews

Sophie Aldred's tale of wonder and delights. If you are a fan of the character and remember her from Dragonfire. From humble beginnings on Ice World to her massive growth by the end with Suvival. No stranger to developing the role in audio books and narrations in between both BBC Audio and Big Finish. A true blend of Modern and Classic Who. Sophie brings to life Ace in her mid-life reuniting with her Professor but not the one she was expecting. Bravo, 10/10.

An exceptionally well produced audiobook and a great Dr. Who story. Recommended!

brilliant. loved the story. loved the reading. absolutely brilliant!

About the author

Sophie Aldred (Author, Reader)
Sophie Aldred has been working as a professional actress, singer and director in theatre, TV, film and audio for the last 35 years. She is best known as the Seventh Doctor's companion, Ace, who beat up a Dalek with a baseball bat. She has presented a huge variety of programmes on TV and radio, and provides many voices for animations including Tree Fu Tom, Bananas in Pyjamas, Peter Rabbit and Dennis the Menace. Sophie lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and two sons.