What do you think?
Rate this book
Big Finish Torchwood #9
Torchwood: Ghost Mission
Sergeant Andy Davidson has always wanted to join Torchwood. And now he finally gets his chance.
Under the strict observation of his Torchwood Assessor, Andy sets out to prove he's got what it takes. When a chemical spill turns out to have serious consequences, when monsters roam the Bay, and when an ancient entity awakes, Andy decides he could do with a helping hand. The problem is his Torchwood Assessor doesn't have any hands. Norton Folgate is a ghost.
Torchwood contains adult material and may not be suitable for younger listeners
Under the strict observation of his Torchwood Assessor, Andy sets out to prove he's got what it takes. When a chemical spill turns out to have serious consequences, when monsters roam the Bay, and when an ancient entity awakes, Andy decides he could do with a helping hand. The problem is his Torchwood Assessor doesn't have any hands. Norton Folgate is a ghost.
Torchwood contains adult material and may not be suitable for younger listeners
Audiobook
First published May 1, 2016
About the author
James Goss
231 books183 followersJames Goss has written two Torchwood novels and a radio play, as well as a Being Human book. His Doctor Who audiobook Dead Air won Best Audiobook 2010. James also spent seven years working on the BBC's official Doctor Who website and co-wrote the website for Torchwood Series One. In 2007, he won the Best Adaptation category in the annual LA Weekly Theatre Awards for his version of Douglas Adams' novel Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 18, 2023
PC, now Sgt., Andy is back and he’s finally got his chance to join Torchwood. That’s if he can survive long enough to give his assessor, Norton, a good impression. Can I say that this was two tons of fun? Because it was two ton barrels-full-of-monkeys fun (and let say, that’s just got to be a frelling lot of fun). And if the weird time-out-of-sync bromance between Andy and Norton wasn’t enough, the bonus interview with them was off-the-wall hilarious. Clearly, these guys need more lines of dialogue. Like barrels-full-of-monkeys amount of dialogue. Lines and lines of dialogue, just to keep them both out of trouble. But don’t think it was just laughs, there was plenty of that gross Torchwood spine-shivering freaky time to keep the fans entertained as well. This was a fun, frantic, fright fest that keep me in shakes and shivers way past my bedtime.
June 24, 2026
The 150 Prompt Doctor Who Reading Challenge - Sixth Doctor Companions - 2) Frobisher: Echoes Of Empire And Ice - Read a book that features a non human protagonists, or a detective with a twist
I think I'm in the minority here, but I really wasn't a fan of this story. I found it really boring, and quite a weak addition to the Committee plot era of the Torchwood audios. It's only an hour long, and numerous times I had to check how much longer was left because I was that bored with it.
I think I'm in the minority here, but I really wasn't a fan of this story. I found it really boring, and quite a weak addition to the Committee plot era of the Torchwood audios. It's only an hour long, and numerous times I had to check how much longer was left because I was that bored with it.
February 23, 2026
andy watching a man get dissolved into a puddle: crikey! : (
the homosexual freak from outbreak and our lovely glup shitto andy are back and unfortunately their time together is just okay.
the homosexual freak from outbreak and our lovely glup shitto andy are back and unfortunately their time together is just okay.
September 16, 2019
The audio series once again focuses on a minor character from the TV show, in this case, Sgt Andy. He receives a call-up to Torchwood, and has to demonstrate his skills by hunting down the source of a strange alien goo. The story features a standard mix of Torchwood tropes, with alien tech, a monster, and a glimpse of some of the poorer areas of Cardiff. Aside from this, while not bad, it's not particularly notable taken on its own.
What's more significant is Andy himself, and the Torchwood "assessor" he is paired with. Goss makes good use of Andy's particular skills, differentiating him from Gwen, let alone the other members of the team (none of whom are in this, of course). Tom Price is excellent as someone who is eager to help, calm in certain sorts of crisis, and yet out of his depth in others. In this respect, the story builds on what little we've previously seen of the character, consistent with what we know, but able to show much more in a story in which he is the focus.
The other main character in the story is Norton, the hologram of a Torchwood agent from the 1950s. He is obviously camp, and uses Polari at a couple of points, in amidst other '50s references, so that's another trope being honoured here. He's presumably being set up as a recurring character, and has some potential in this direction, contrasting with the more serious tone of most of his fellows - some of the banter with Andy is great.
The story is left open at the end, likely all tying into the running plot arc in most of these releases, although it's just another piece of the jigsaw, rather than obviously moving that along. Really, it's the characterisation that makes this another audio episode that's very much worth listening to for fans of the show.
What's more significant is Andy himself, and the Torchwood "assessor" he is paired with. Goss makes good use of Andy's particular skills, differentiating him from Gwen, let alone the other members of the team (none of whom are in this, of course). Tom Price is excellent as someone who is eager to help, calm in certain sorts of crisis, and yet out of his depth in others. In this respect, the story builds on what little we've previously seen of the character, consistent with what we know, but able to show much more in a story in which he is the focus.
The other main character in the story is Norton, the hologram of a Torchwood agent from the 1950s. He is obviously camp, and uses Polari at a couple of points, in amidst other '50s references, so that's another trope being honoured here. He's presumably being set up as a recurring character, and has some potential in this direction, contrasting with the more serious tone of most of his fellows - some of the banter with Andy is great.
The story is left open at the end, likely all tying into the running plot arc in most of these releases, although it's just another piece of the jigsaw, rather than obviously moving that along. Really, it's the characterisation that makes this another audio episode that's very much worth listening to for fans of the show.
October 4, 2016
I like Andy, but this one was not for me
January 7, 2025
Ghost Mission really made for the perfect pairing of the beloved awkward PC Andy Davidson, and the camp, enigmatic Norton Folgate. This is the first original character created for the Big Finish Torchwood range, and this was the perfect story to introduce him. It’s a story heavy on comedy and that is what makes it so enjoyable, a fun romp with lots of puns, chaos, and innuendo. Very, very Torchwood. My only criticism really is that there is a bit too much exposition and set up for the Committee storyline. Quite a lot of the story is either hidden motivations and hints, but then some of it is just pure exposition. It’s definitely necessary given the upcoming content will require some set up, but it’s not subtly done and if anything parallels some Dr Who stories which are effectively a character reading exposition to camera.
With that being my only criticism, I can really get to all the many positives of this story. I’m really glad that Andy is a character who is being developed and featured in the Torchwood range, so was delighted when this was announced. He is written perfectly, with all the same awkwardness and naivety, that just gives him his charm. This works so well when matched up with Norton played by the incredible Samuel Barnett who plays a comedic character so straight that it works perfectly. He is played very gay and I loved that, no mysterious moody guy, just someone who fires off innuendo and double entendres every 30 seconds. Obviously poor Andy thinks he’s being assessed to work for Torchwood when actually being manipulated, Norton only there in his hologram form to get Andy to inadvertently do his dirty work.
This story really leaves you wanting more of the two characters together, and thankfully there was plenty to come. Moving past all this exposition, we really get a fun comedy adventure and I was so thankful that the Torchwood range continued to fire off inventive stories. It makes the most of the adult targeted audience to give the story it’s maturely immature comedy, and relies on the characters rather than high concept sci-fi nonsense.
With that being my only criticism, I can really get to all the many positives of this story. I’m really glad that Andy is a character who is being developed and featured in the Torchwood range, so was delighted when this was announced. He is written perfectly, with all the same awkwardness and naivety, that just gives him his charm. This works so well when matched up with Norton played by the incredible Samuel Barnett who plays a comedic character so straight that it works perfectly. He is played very gay and I loved that, no mysterious moody guy, just someone who fires off innuendo and double entendres every 30 seconds. Obviously poor Andy thinks he’s being assessed to work for Torchwood when actually being manipulated, Norton only there in his hologram form to get Andy to inadvertently do his dirty work.
This story really leaves you wanting more of the two characters together, and thankfully there was plenty to come. Moving past all this exposition, we really get a fun comedy adventure and I was so thankful that the Torchwood range continued to fire off inventive stories. It makes the most of the adult targeted audience to give the story it’s maturely immature comedy, and relies on the characters rather than high concept sci-fi nonsense.
July 7, 2024
Always loved PC Andy (now sergeant!) and the time has finally come, for him to see if he has what it takes to join the Torchwood Team. Although frankly, it sounds like the interview from hell…
An assessor from the 1950’s appears as a ghost to see if he has what it takes. From there commences alien biogel and clone goop, ancient entities and monsters, I mean, typical day in Torchwood to be honest.
First time meeting Norton Folgate and have to admit, loved him! The dynamic between him and Andy was so entertaining and it was such an enjoyable episode. Up there amongst my Torchwood bigfinish favourites.
An assessor from the 1950’s appears as a ghost to see if he has what it takes. From there commences alien biogel and clone goop, ancient entities and monsters, I mean, typical day in Torchwood to be honest.
First time meeting Norton Folgate and have to admit, loved him! The dynamic between him and Andy was so entertaining and it was such an enjoyable episode. Up there amongst my Torchwood bigfinish favourites.
September 7, 2020
Un épisode bien tourné comme comédie, je ne suis pas nécessairement fan du personnage d'Andy Davidson, mais il est bien utilisé ici et sert de parallèle intéressant avec Gwen de par la manière dont il aborde certaines situations pour la première fois, mais avec sa propre touche. Adoré l'ample utilisation du polari un peu partout dans l'épisode qui aidait vraiment dans la construction du personnage de Norton Folgate. Des personnages et situation qui me donne vraiment envie d'en entendre davantage sur eux.
November 23, 2019
This is an audio story exploring one of the side characters from the first few seasons of Torchwood, Andy Davison, and it has him go on a mission with a whole new character, Norton Folgate, who has accidentally become one of my all-time favourite Torchwood characters. I love the humour, the suspense, and the great banter between Andy and Norton, and I've listened to the whole thing multiple times. So, so good!
November 7, 2020
I always loved Andy on the show and he has such a nice voice, so it was a no-brainer to get "Ghost Mission" on CD. But I did NOT expect this be so great! So much fun, I kept laughing out loud throught. And I can't believe how great Norton Folgate is I cannot WAIT to get the other Big Finish releases he participates in. Such a great character! Aside from the fun alien hunting story... the ending was very mysterious. Cannot wait to find out what's going on.
October 18, 2022
I loved the idea of giving Andy a shot at Torchwood. However, I was not sure James Goss portrayed Andy like the character from the show. Ultimately, this was another link in the mystery about the committee and, in the end, it appears that Andy knows he was dupped.
February 14, 2018
Call me a sucker, but I've always liked Andy and it was great to see him get an adventure of his own.
May 23, 2017
PC Andy finally in action! Gwen's former colleague goes on a mission with a ghost assessor from Torchwood HR. Hilarious to boot. Furthermore, it was a nice surprise to hear Samuel Barnett.
April 19, 2018
Good story, I've missed PC Andy, bless his heart.
November 27, 2018
These two should do every audio book together from now on! Their chemistry and banter was fantastic!
July 24, 2021
Great duo! I hope to hear more of these two together!
April 25, 2022
I kept getting the voices mixed up from time to time.
September 5, 2022
(4.5 stars)
June 18, 2023
Fun, funny, smart writing, excellent acting, nice twist at the end. My second favorite Torchwood audio drama so far.
November 18, 2023
Very fun! Lovely to see Andy as part of these audio drama and I’m looking forward to possibly seeing more of Norton folgate!
December 14, 2018
Honestly, it was worth the cost of the download just to hear Samuel Barnett utter the phrase, "well, bend me over like it's V-E Day!"
June 13, 2016
Сержант Энди заработал отдельную историю, где ему блестяще удается «спасти мир» и получить воображаемую медальку. Динамика ого-го, некоторые моменты мне приходилось переслушивать (старость – не радость, внимание рассеивается на раз-два). Острых моментов море, некоторые кажутся настолько надуманными, что Энди превращается в британского Кэпа Америку. Если в двух спойлерах: сержант умудрился облажаться по-крупному, но ни разу у него не возникло подозрений, что что-то идет не так. Как таких олухов берут в полицию? Эта лопоухость очаровательна только до того момента, как его действия приводят к развитию возможной катастрофы (которую я со страшной силой вангую к концу 2 сезона). В ранних его появлениях присутствовало желание спасти мир от пришельцев, пускай неуклюже и на ограниченный манер, но баланс разумности сохранялся. После стольких лет, проведенных бок о бок с Гвен и Торчвудом, сержант должен был прошариться настолько, что любой намек на обманку засигналил бы за километр. Но вместо этого (вследствие многолетней фрустации?) прогрессирует тупость мозга. Убавить бы градус смехотворности происходящего, и я бы поверила, что это мой любимый мрачняковый Торчвуд.
annikeh.net
annikeh.net
June 27, 2016
Per il terzo episodio della seconda serie di Torchwood (via Big Finish) ci ritroviamo Tom Price nei panni del Sergente Andy Davidson, ex collega ed amico di Gwen Cooper.
Da sempre invidioso della carriera di Gwen all'interno di Torchwood, ad Andy viene data la possibilità di vivere una tipica giornata tipo di un agente, per valutare se abile o meno al reclutamento .
Il suo supervisore è Norton Folgate (Samuel Barnett), che arriva dal 1950 ed è una sorta di fantasma.
Lo scopo della missione, alla fine, sembra quello di creare un collegamento col solito Comitato e con l'avventura precedente con Tosh.
Senza infamia e senza lode, risulta gradevole per la buona interazione tra i protagonisti.
Per i fan di Andy... se ce ne sono...
Da sempre invidioso della carriera di Gwen all'interno di Torchwood, ad Andy viene data la possibilità di vivere una tipica giornata tipo di un agente, per valutare se abile o meno al reclutamento .
Il suo supervisore è Norton Folgate (Samuel Barnett), che arriva dal 1950 ed è una sorta di fantasma.
Lo scopo della missione, alla fine, sembra quello di creare un collegamento col solito Comitato e con l'avventura precedente con Tosh.
Senza infamia e senza lode, risulta gradevole per la buona interazione tra i protagonisti.
Per i fan di Andy... se ce ne sono...
February 5, 2017
Enjoyed PC Andy on his solo outing, particularly the way he uses the same skills to calm down drunk valley girls and rampaging monsters. Kept thinking that his co-star sounded a lot like TV's Dirk Gently but that was because Samuel Barnett played both!
January 18, 2022
A fairly fun story with alien goo and ghosts and a man from the past assessing Andy to see what he's got to be a member of Torchwood. Overall a story with good performances and plenty of humor with an introduction of a fun character Norton Folgate! 6/10
June 10, 2016
All I love about Andy in one story, I'm glad they made it :D plus the "ghost" idea was new and therefore enjoyable
July 11, 2016
I like Andy. He's the good guy, not because he believes in his own uniqueness, but because he's trying his best.
I might be getting tired of the Committee plot. You just made me angry at the end.
I might be getting tired of the Committee plot. You just made me angry at the end.
October 25, 2016
A little disappointing, but it was fun to have Andy in a more action type episode. I thought that it was easy to guess where this was going.
November 20, 2016
Excellent script give supporting character a chance to grow.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews