I really had fun with this short story.  It's simple but works well for its intention.  We're basically watching Missy being bored while the Twelfth Doctor is spending years with River during the events of The Husbands of River Song.  Like the rest of anthology, writer Dave Rubben shows off his continuity chops as he expertly weaves his stories into the larger narrative.

This is very much Missy being her full evil self.  Not exploiting other evil characters, not being an anti-hero, and certainly not exploring their own redemption like in Series 10.  I quite enjoyed that particular angle.  It felt refreshing, as, though I very much enjoyed Missy's redemption arc, there's some fun to listening to her commit evil for evil's sake.  So she leads this fired police officer around trying to solve a murder that Missy very much is responsible for to begin with, and she ends up just murdering former officer Habitas Frond anyways.  It's delightfully ruthless, and audiobook narrator Sophie Aldred just absolutely nailed of the delivery of this one, too.  She really brought Missy to life in a special way.

Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time! 

"Missing Habitas Frond: A Masterful Whodunit?"

Missing Habitas Frond introduces a private detective in the early 20th century who stumbles upon a mysterious crime that inevitably pulls him into Missy’s web of twisted schemes. The story leans into the style of a classic murder mystery, but beyond Missy’s quirky charm, it doesn’t leave much of a lasting impression.

Missy, as always, is the undeniable highlight. Her playful and chaotic persona brings life to the story, effortlessly stealing the spotlight. She treats Habitas as little more than a toy in her elaborate games, revealing her true, darker intentions only after he uncovers the extent of her guilt in the deaths of multiple humans.

The detective plot serves more as a backdrop for Missy’s antics than a gripping narrative, but it’s hard not to smile at the sheer delight she takes in her villainy. And honestly, isn’t Habitas Frond just the greatest character name ever?

📝Verdict: 5/10