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"THE BIG SLEEP – VASTRA, DINOSAURS, AND A DEADLY COUNTDOWN TO HIBERNATION"

In The Big Sleep, Dave Rudden gives us something quite rare in the Doctor Who universe: a Vastra-led tale set entirely in prehistoric Earth, before she ever met the Doctor. It’s a bold and thoughtful story of murder, justice, and extinction, taking place against the ticking clock of a civilisation about to go into slumber for millions of years. But while the premise is fresh and the world-building ambitious, the execution occasionally struggles under the weight of its own lore.

MURDER AT THE END OF THE WORLD

Rudden’s decision to explore Vastra’s origins in the time of the Silurians and dinosaurs is inspired. Here, the world is lush and dangerous, and the Silurian society is at its height—elegant, hierarchical, and facing an apocalyptic threat. It’s a setting bursting with detail, where the grandeur of civilisation is met with the looming certainty of planetary doom. There’s something deeply compelling about a murder mystery set in a city shutting down for the end of time.

At the centre of this tale is Vastra, young but resolute, a Silurian detective unwilling to abandon justice even as her people prepare to sleep through the oncoming extinction event. It’s a great angle on her character: her refusal to look away from injustice, her determination to bring murderers to justice, and her sense of duty even when others are prioritising survival. Her clash with her superiors—who would rather let crimes go unsolved than delay hibernation—adds tension, even if the stakes never quite reach a boiling point.

DINOSAURS, DEATH, AND DECEPTION

One of the highlights of the story is a thrilling confrontation between Vastra and a Deinonychus—a scene that injects a jolt of action and reminds us that, yes, this is a world of dinosaurs. More than just a fun set piece, it underscores the physical danger Vastra faces, reinforcing her bravery and skill as a warrior long before she became the poised detective of Victorian London.

The other standout character is High Priest Acracan, Vastra’s wise and humble mentor. His decision to enter stasis among the common people rather than claim privilege feels both noble and quietly radical. It makes the eventual twist—that Acracan is the murderer, killing off criminals to prevent them from joining the new world—land with real weight. It’s a classic twist, but it works well here precisely because he’s so likeable. His motivation, while extreme, is rooted in his desire to shape a better future.

WORLD-BUILDING FATIGUE

Rudden’s attempt to create a fully realised Silurian culture is admirable. He populates the world with alien customs, unfamiliar terminology, and a deep sense of history. But the sheer volume of invented vocabulary and dense exposition can feel overwhelming at times. It sometimes pulls the reader out of the narrative, especially when the core mystery could have used more pace and urgency. While it’s intellectually interesting, it’s not always emotionally gripping.

The central murder mystery, while solid, doesn’t quite crackle with suspense. There's a sense of inevitability about it all—perhaps a reflection of the hibernation countdown—but it robs the story of narrative energy in places. It’s less of a thrilling whodunnit and more of a quiet, respectful farewell to an era. That’s not inherently a flaw, but those expecting a fast-paced detective yarn may find it a little sedate.

📝THE BOTTOM LINE:

The Big Sleep is an atmospheric and thoughtful glimpse into Vastra’s past, filled with unique world-building and a compelling central conflict. While it occasionally buckles under the weight of its own lore and lacks a real spark of danger, the character work—especially between Vastra and Acracan—shines through. As an origin tale, it succeeds in showing the roots of Vastra’s unshakeable moral compass. It's not the most exciting story in the collection, but it’s certainly one of the most original.

6/10