The third Big Finish audio drama was well worth the wait.  The story picks up where the second left off, with tensions within our favorite dysfunctional family.  They've decided to put aside their differences to celebrate the holidays together.  The actors stepped back into their roles as if only a few years had passed between the original show and its new incarnation.  Newcomer Andrew Collins has settled in nicely, improving with every story.  A new visitor arrives, skillfully played by the talented Toby Longworth.  Mr. Longworth may be familiar to fans of the Judge Dredd audio series (also available from Big Finish).  He's quite frankly, a master of voices.  In fact, on the last CD of the Dredd series, he played all the parts!  His talents are a welcome addition to the DS cast.

The story moves quickly, without neglecting to give us ample interaction between the characters.  Lara Parker and John Karlen are particularly entertaining as Angelique taunts Willie.  I won't say too much about the spectral presence that menaces them.  I'm trying to review this story without resorting to those spoiler shades.  I'll just say that the use of Chrstmas carols as the spirits haunt the denizens of Collinwood is very chilling and effective.

I've decided to wait until tomorrow to hear "The Rage Beneath".  I'd vowed to serialize the rest of the series over the next six days, but I consumed "The Christmas Presence" in one greedy gulp.  Oh well, Christmas is a time for indulgence.  So is the New Year.  I'll trade in the karma I've collected not being tdrunk on the 31st by treating myself to the whole tale tomorrow.

If you've not gotten these stories, YOU ARE MISSING OUT!

I missed the voting, but I'd have voted for David Selby, because he missed the latter part of the story due to his sugery.  If he'd been well enough, I think it would have been nice for him to be included.  I have to admit, though, aside from that reason, Frid, Moltke, Bennett, Edmonds, or Barrett would really have made more sense.  Selby would have sequed the show into the second movie though.  I doubt they'd have gotten anyone who wasn't in the episode though.  They were already paying an army of people, compared with the cast they usually had in an episode.

I would like to speculate about future releases.  In the first scene of "The House of Despair" [spoiler]spoiler-y we encounter a mysterious stranger who seems to know quite a bit about Collinsport.  Quentin also hear's that voice in his head, declaring "vengeance draws near".  Who do you think this mysterious stranger is?  Is he some new character or someone alluded to in the series?  I wonderered if he might be Count Petofi, in a new body.  Judah Zachary also comes to mind.[/spoiler] Any ideas?

And in other areas, I don't really care that the CDs are going to be late. Would I have liked to be informed? Sure. But I'm not pist about it. After all, at least it was mentioned HERE, rather than NOT AT ALL. So kudos to the person who originally brought up the CDs being late.

My sentiments exactly.  The best Christmas present I could get from Big Fiinish is the annoumcement that the series will continue.  That's more important to me than having my CDs on time.  Look at it this way, the post holidays are always a bit of a let down.  This is something to look forward to.

I hope you don't mind that your post was merged into this thread.  But readers can now use the link in the main topic on p. 1 for even better results.  

No, I don't mind.   I think it's more appropriate here.  Thank!

Charles,
I understand your frustration.  From what I've observed of you at the DS fests, you are a knowledgable and dedicated fan of DS.  Perhaps the announcement could have been handled better, but in the end, does it matter?  Ok, so we get our Chrismas CD a bit late.  So what?  I'm more concerned about the future of these releases.  I think we need to stand behind Big Finish and thank them for doing something no one else has done, return the original cast to their roles in a continuing series!   I'm just hoping that there's not some problem that jeopardizes future stories.

Evan, I'd wait a while and get them cheaper from Amazon.  I'm SURE they'll eventually be available through other retailers besides MPI.  Don't give in to their scam of forcing you to join their stupid club to get them. 

I don't think it's such a bad deal, if you are buying the whole package.  On Amazon, individual sets sell for about $44.99 (if memory serves correctly)  That's the price you get if you pre-order.  I believe it goes up if you wait a while.  MPI is selling them for $54.98, significantly more than Amazon, per unit.  If you figure the cost of all six though, Amazon would cost you about $270.  MPI is selling all 6 for the price of 5, which comes to about $275.  Both outfits ship the packages free.  MPI also gives some freebies for buying.  The main reason I'm ordering from them is that I don't want to take a chance that they may not be available long after MPI releases them.  I know it's a longshot, but I"m going for the sure thing.