Best Phonograph Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 67 - Stormslayer

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10d ago

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We round off a trilogy of Jonathan Green Fighting Fantasy books with Stormslayer, which follows Bloodbones and Howl of the Werewolf. Is it a case of the third time’s the charm or is this book falling at the final hurdle? With art from experienced illustrator Stephen Player this takes more of a classic fantasy approach than the more horror themed Ho…

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Episode 66: Howl of the Werewolf

19d ago

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We’ve seen a fair amount of Jonathan Green lately and that’s not changing anytime soon as we play Howl of the Werewolf, his 2007 book with artwork by the redoubtable Martin McKenna. We’ve got a distinctly gothic horror vibe on display here as we head into the dark realm of Lupravia in search of the monster that infected us with lycanthropy. What co…

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Bonus Episode - Steam Highwayman 1: Smog and Ambuscade

1M ago

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We’re doing another open world book this episode in the form of the first Steam Highwayman book by Martin Noutch with art by Ben May. It’s a whopper of a Victorian science fiction extravaganza weighing in at over 1000 sections and featuring all manner of systems and a whole host of different plot lines to explore. Is it any good? Listen along to fi…

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Episode 65 - Bloodbones

2M ago

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We’re back on another modern Fighting Fantasy book (2006 was basically last week right?) with Bloodbones by Jonathan Green with art by Tony Hough. This is a book with an interesting history as it was originally supposed to be part of the original run. It’s not often you get to have another go at something in this world but does it land? Listen alon…

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Bonus Episode - Frankenstein

2M ago

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It’s bonus episode time again and we’re playing Dave Morris’s unique take on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. This is a digital gamebook (played on iOS) which always make for an interesting departure from the classic formula. How will Morris’s take on a classic stand up to the original? Listen along to find out.…

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Episode 64: The Eye of the Dragon

3M ago

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Ian Livingstone is back! Eye of the Dragon written in 2005 is the first new Fighting Fantasy book since 1995 and Livingstone’s first book since 1992. We’re in proper old school mode for this extended dungeon crawl which has the added bonus of Martin McKenna’s always exceptional artwork. Will it be able to recapture the magic of the series for a new…

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Bonus Episode - Falcon 2: Mechanon

3M ago

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It’s another thrilling bonus episode of the podcast and this time out we’re meddling in space and time as we take on the role of special time agent Falcon in Mechanon, the second book in the science fiction gamebook series by Mark Smith and Jamie Thomson with art by Nic Weeks and Geoff Senior. Can this be the entry to show me exactly how you write …

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Episode 63 - Sorcery 4: The Crown of Kings

4M ago

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We’ve reached the end of another journey as we play and critically examine The Crown of Kings, book four in the Sorcery series by Steve Jackson with art by the wonderful John Blanche. It’s been an epic quest but now only the fortress of Mampang and its vile archmage stand between us and ultimate success. How does the adventure go? Listen along to f…

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Bonus Episode - Deathtrap Dungeon 3

4M ago

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We’re playing something a little different this episode and we take a look at Deathtrap Dungeon 3, a fan written sequel to Deathtrap Dungeon and Trial of Champions. Those are some pretty big shoes to fill and with multiple authors there’s a lot that could go wrong. How does it land? Listen along to find out. Deathtrap Dungeon 3 was written by Ken B…

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Phonograph - 99% Invisible 49:32

4M ago49:32

49:32

If you're a fan of Anxious Machine, you might enjoy Rob's new show Phonograph, an audio zine about podcasts. On this episode, as the 15th anniversary of 99% Invisible approaches, Rob and his co-host Britta Greene dig into four very different episodes from the first four years of that show's run (as well as the story of the time Rob met Roman Mars b…

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Inventing Motion Pictures with Sound: Thomas Edison, WKL Dixon, and a Broken Cylinder 31:13

5M ago31:13

31:13

The remarkable story of how a stick of Wrigley's chewing gum rescued a priceless piece of cinema history unfolds in this fascinating exploration of Edison, innovation, and overlooked genius. When historian Jack Stanley joins us to discuss a historic photograph from Edison's laboratory, what emerges is an incredible tale of rediscovery and ingenuity…

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Episode 62 - Sorcery 3: The Seven Serpents

5M ago

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The third book of the Sorcery series is in some ways a retread of the first book in that the mission is simply to cross a wilderness. This time however there’s a problem, seven problems in fact, in the shape of seven magic snakes that are carrying news of the mission to the evil arch-mage of Mampang. How does our gallant hero fare in the Baklands a…

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Bonus Episode - What Lies Beneath The Clock Tower

5M ago

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This bonus episode we’re doing something a little different with Margaret Killjoy’s interactive novel What Lies Beneath the Clock Tower, a steampunk infused tale of underground kingdoms, goblins, gnomes, and bloody revolution. It’s a chance to see the breadth of stories you can tell using adventure gamebooks and a welcome chance to talk about anarc…

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These DIY modifications will make your antique phonographs sound incredible again. 46:10

5M ago46:10

46:10

Jack Stanley and Brett Hart reveal a revolutionary method for restoring Edison diamond disc reproducers using coin holders. Their innovative technique transforms the sound quality of century-old phonographs by addressing "reproducer arthritis" and bringing back vibrant audio reproduction that rivals or exceeds the original factory performance. • Co…

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Episode 61 - Sorcery 2: Kharé - Cityport of Traps

6M ago

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Having survived a walking holiday in the Shamutanti Hills we now get to enjoy a citybreak in Kharé, a cityport known for having the most violent and paranoid locals anywhere in the known world. All that needs to happen is to walk from one side of the city to the other. What could possibly go wrong? Listen along to find out.…

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Edison's Diamond Discs: The Acoustic Marvel With Brett Hurt and Jack Stanley 1:20:44

6M ago1:20:44

1:20:44

What happens when the most brilliant mind in sound recording technology insists on controlling every aspect of his creation—including what music deserves to be recorded? The fascinating story of Edison's Diamond Discs reveals both technical genius and commercial tragedy. A conversation with Brett Hurt and Jack Stanley. Developed around 1908-1909, t…

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Bonus Episode - Choose Your Own Adventure: Prisoner of the Ant People Vs Outlaws of Sherwood Forest

6M ago

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We’re on the old school track this episode as we tackle two classic Choose Your Own Adventure books from the mid 1980s, Prisoner of the Ant People by R. A. Montgomery, and Outlaws of Sherwood Forest by Ellen Kushner. But which will be better, the one that sounds like a 50s B-movie or the one that sounds like a 30s swashbuckler? Listen along to find…

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Episode 60 - Sorcery 1: The Shamutanti Hills

7M ago

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We’re taking a break from the mainline Fighting Fantasy books to work through the Sorcery series by Steve Jackson which are Fighting Fantasy books in all but name honestly. We’re starting at the beginning with The Shamutanti Hills. With a fancy new magic system and art by legendary UK illustrator and artist John Blanche this has all the ingredients…

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Bonus Episode - Way of the Tiger: Redeemer!

7M ago

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It’s a bittersweet bonus episode as we bid a fond farewell to the Way of the Tiger series of ninja themed gamebooks. The final volume Redeemer is by David Walters, Mark Smith, and Jamie Thomson with art by a variety of different talents. Can this series bow out strong with a book more than twenty five years in the making? Listen along to find out. …

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Episode 59 - Curse of the Mummy

8M ago

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We’ve made it to the end of the original run of Fighting Fantasy books but are we ending on a high note? With Jonathan Green and Martin McKenna involved the talent is certainly there for a classic but you’ll have to listen along to find out whether they manage to land this final outing.By Fantastic Fights

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Bonus Episode - Way of the Tiger: Inferno!

8M ago

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In a change from the advertised episode we’re playing the penultimate Way of the Tiger gamebook (actually the last one to be released during the original run in the 80s). Our tireless hero has tried their hand at diplomacy, statecraft, and commanding armies in the field. What’s left? Why only a descent into the fabled Rift, also known as The Bowels…

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Preserving History: One Record at a Time: Our Conversation with DJ Mac! 58:58

9M ago58:58

58:58

Time travel exists—and it sounds like a needle dropping on shellac. DJ Mac (Michael Cumella) transports us into the world of antique phonograph collecting, where century-old machines breathe life into forgotten voices from the past. As administrator of the Facebook group "Antique Phonograph Enthusiasts," Mac has created a haven where veteran collec…

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Episode 58 - Revenge of the Vampire

9M ago

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We’re on the penultimate book from the first run of Fighting Fantasy novels and it’s also writer Keith Martin’s swan song after eight books. Revenge of the Vampire is a direct sequel to the excellent Vault of the Vampire and sees Martin re-united with artist Martin McKenna. It’s a great creative pairing but is Revenge of the Vampire on the same lev…

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Bonus Episode - Blood Sword: The Battlepits of Krarth

9M ago

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The Bloodsword series is a set of gamebooks which take place in the world of Dragon Warriors, the classic roleplaying game written by Dave Morris and Oliver Johnson. It’s great that they are available again but do they bring anything fresh to the table? The first book, Battlepits of Krarth, tips its hat to Deathtrap Dungeon and has art by the great…

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From Berliner to Victor: Early Disc Recordings: Part 3 of My Conversation with Jack Stanley 1:35:37

9M ago1:35:37

1:35:37

The scratchy, haunting sounds of early disc recordings transport us to a revolutionary moment in human history when voices and music could be captured and replayed at will. In this deep dive with collector and historian Jack Stanley, we unravel the forgotten story of how the disc record transformed entertainment forever. While Edison's cylinder pho…

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Society and The Phonograph: Part 2 of My Conversation with Jack Stanley. 54:24

10M ago54:24

54:24

Step back in time with our latest podcast episode as we dive into the revolutionary world of the phonograph and how it forever changed society's interaction with sound. Thomas Edison’s invention began as an audacious experiment, sparking skepticism among the public who initially viewed it as a clever trick rather than a genuine technological breakt…

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Episode 57 - Magehunter

10M ago

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We’ve reached book 57 and Magehunter by Paul Mason with art by Russ Nicholson and cover art by Ian Miller. This one has a reputation for being quite the Chinese puzzle box of a gamebook but is that reputation justified? Also will we hunt a mage? Yes. Yes we will. Good job Magehunter on a fully accurate title.…

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Brett Hurt: A Life's Journey Collecting and Preserving Antique Phonographs 52:27

10M ago52:27

52:27

Discover the artistry and dedication behind antique phonograph restoration with our exceptional guest, Bret Hurt, also known as the dyslexic genius. Journey with us into Brett's workshop, where he meticulously breathes new life into these historical audio machines. From a Triumph motor’s intricate reassembly to tales of collecting tools over four d…

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Unveiling Edison, The Man behind the Phonograph: Part 1 of My Conversation with Jack Stanley 1:04:17

10M ago1:04:17

1:04:17

Thomas Edison’s legacy goes beyond the light bulb; his phonograph changed the landscape of music and entertainment. This episode explores Edison's innovations, theatrical approach to invention, and the enduring impact of his work on sound recording. • Edison's multifaceted personality as an inventor and showman • The importance of phonographs in cu…

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Bonus Episode - Way of the Tiger: Warbringer!

10M ago

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We’re back playing Way of the Tiger again. Having dabbled in ruling a city in the previous book we now get to take on military command as our old foe Honoric is back and he’s brought 15,000 close friends with him. Can our hero manage to put together a force to oppose his angry nemesis? Listen along to find out. Also my new book Mutiny Most Merited …

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Episode 56 - Knights of Doom

11M ago

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Book 56 of the Fighting Fantasy series is the sophomore effort from Jonathan Green, Knights of Doom, with art by Tony Hough. Green’s first book was the very enjoyable Spellbreaker but can he manage to escape the curse of the difficult second album? Listen along to find out.By Fantastic Fights

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Bonus Episode - The House on Sentinel Hill

11M ago

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It’s bonus episode time again and we’re entering the terrifying world of the Cthulhu Mythos with Graham Plowman’s The House on Sentinel Hill. Released in 2022 this hefty 585 section adventure gamebook features all manner of monstrous creatures and sanity draining revelations. Art is by Matthew Dewhurst.…

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Episode 55 - Deathmoor

12M ago

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It’s the last podcast of 2024 and we’re looking at Deathmoor by Robin Waterfield with art by Russ Nicholson and cover art by Terry Oakes. I try not to get into meta-commentary on my own work but this episode is genuinely one of my favourites that I’ve recorded in recent months. I had a ton of fun with this one and I hope that you will too. Merry Ch…

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Bonus Episode - Choose Your Own Adventure Special

1y ago

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I’ve been stricken by the plague but podcast schedules are podcast schedules so please enjoy this oddly deep voiced reading of two Choose Your Own Adventure books with a little light analysis of the form. Less laryngeal service will hopefully resume later this month. We’re playing Who Killed Harlowe Thrombey by Edward Packard and The Race Forever b…

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Episode 54 - The Legend of Zagor

1y ago

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Book 54 sees us tackle Zagor, the warlock of Firetop Mountain himself for the third and so far final time. Written by Keith Martin but attributed to Ian Livingstone for some reason it sees us plunge into a new world, Amarillia and search through a magical castle in search of the items that will help us to slay the evil warlock once and for all. Don…

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Bonus Episode - Way of the Tiger 4: Overlord!

1y ago

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It’s another bonus episode as we tackle Overlord!, book 4 in the ninja themed Way of the Tiger series by Mark Smith and Jamie Thomson. Now the ruler of a major city our hero must balance the different competing interests and avoid precipitating another revolution that will surely end badly. Bonus episodes of this podcast are made possible by my pat…

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Episode 53 - Spellbreaker

1y ago

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Book 53 of Fighting Fantasy is here! Spellbreaker is the debut Fighting Fantasy gamebook from Jonathan Green who has gone on to be an important creator in the gamebook sphere. With art, including cover art, by Alan Langford there’s clearly a wealth of talent on display but does that cohere into a good book? Listen along to find out. If you’d like t…

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Bonus Episode: Robin of Sherwood - The King's Demon

1y ago

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It’s another bonus episode as we take a look at The King’s Demon based on the 1980s TV show Robin of Sherwood, an extremely influential retelling of the myth of Robin Hood. The book by Graham Staplehurst and Richard Carpenter (with some help from Paul Mason). Art is by the legendary Russ Nicholson. If you’re enjoying this podcast please consider su…

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Episode 52 - Night Dragon

1y ago

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Book 52 of the Fighting Fantasy series is Night Dragon, the sixth book by regular contributor Keith Martin. Another desperate threat has emerged to menace Allansia in the form of the titular dragon who also looms large over the cover art. Internal art and cover art is by Tony Hough but how will our intrepid adventurer get on? Listen along to find o…

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Bonus Episode - Castle of Lost Souls

1+ y ago

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It’s bonus time again and this episode I’m playing The Castle of Lost Souls by Dave Morris with art by Leo Hartas. This is part of the Golden Dragon series of gamebooks released by Grafton Books in the 1980s and is based on a Dungeons and Dragons adventure Dave Morris and Yve Newnham serialised in early White Dwarf. This is re-release as a print on…

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Episode 51: Island of the Undead

1+ y ago

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It’s book 51. It’s Island of the Undead. It’s Keith Martin and Russ Nicholson. How will our intrepid hero get on and just how many sections will be hidden behind mystery numbers? Listen to find out. Also I have a new album of melancholy Dungeon Synth out. Baroque Funereal Dirges by Sorrow Tree presents 6 tracks of lo-fi dark ambient music suitable …

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Bonus Episode - Way of the Tiger 3: Usurper!

1+ y ago

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It’s bonus episode time again and this instalment sees us continue to explore the Way of the Tiger series by Mark Smith and Jamie Thomson (with kind thanks to Stuart Lloyd for the loan of the book). Usurper, book 3 in the series, sees our ninja hero embark on a new adventure as they seek to take back a crown that is rightfully theirs under the dubi…

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Episode 50 - Return to Firetop Mountain

1+ y ago

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We hit a big milestone in the history of Fighting Fantasy as this episode covers Return to Firetop Mountain, book fifty in the wildly successful series. Ian Livingstone returns to the start of the series and the provides us with another chance to delve into the secrets of Firetop Mountain where the titular warlock has returned once more to bedevil …

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Bonus Episode - Asterix: The Meeting of the Chieftains

1+ y ago

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It’s bonus episode time again and we’re delving into a gamebook based on one of the most successful comic books in the world, Asterix the Gaul. Meeting of the Chieftains is a full colour, magazine sized gamebook based in the madcap world of Gaul in the first century BCE. The original comic books are stone cold classics but how will the property sur…

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Episode 49 - Siege of Sardath

1+ y ago

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Siege of Sardath is the only book written for the Fighting Fantasy series by Keith P Phillips which means that we’ll either be sad or relieved that there’s no sequel. We’re in classic Fighting Fantasy plot territory with a mysterious evil oppressing the city of Sardath and a journey to be taken through a spider haunted forest in order to find out w…

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Bonus Episode - A Day in the Life

1+ y ago

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It’s another special bonus episode as I play A Day in the Life, the second gamebook written for me by my husband as a birthday present. Have you ever wanted to be a cat? Now is you chance in this unique gamebook experience. This book is available now for all my lovely patrons as a thank you for their continued support. You can join them and gain ac…

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Episode 48 - Moonrunner

1+ y ago

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It’s the third and final Fighting Fantasy gamebook written by Stephen Hand (with art by Martin McKenna). Will this be an exciting cap to his trilogy of books or did he use up all his good ideas on Dead of Night and Legend of the Shadow Warriors? Listen along to find out. Don’t forget you can get a parcel of gaming materials and access to the regula…

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Bonus Episode - Way of the Tiger: Assassin!

1+ y ago

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Bonus episode time again as we continue to throw shuriken, cobra strike, and garotte our way through the Way of the Tiger series by Mark Smith and Jamie Thomson. The second book in a series is often a difficult one, how to build on the successes of the first book and still break new ground. Listen along to find out how they manage it.…

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Episode 47 - The Crimson Tide

1+ y ago

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The Crimson Tide is this month’s Fighting Fantasy book. This curious and convoluted book is a solo outing from Paul Mason who previously gave us Slaves to the Abyss and Black Vein Prophecy with his writing partner Steve Williams. With Terry Oakes providing art and a chance to show us his own vision for what a Fighting Fantasy book looks like can Pa…

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Bonus Episode - Way of the Tiger: Avenger!

1+ y ago

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It’s another bonus episode and another foray into the world of Orb with Way of the Tiger: Avenger by Mark Smith and Jamie Thomson. Having survived the trials of Ninja our hero is now sent on a mission to save the world and take revenge on the man who killed their father figure. How will HJDoom do on this quest, badly or very badly? Listen along to …