Spoilers for CoE! And then spoilers in review for the audioplay.I am so, so torn about reviewing this one. I love that we get one more look at Ianto's past and get 'the' moment between Jack and Ianto. It was sweet and sad and made me cry... and yet... the plot holes to keep Ianto dead were just so huge. I know they didn't want to bring him back but they could have. Why, oh, why did they need anyone to remain back with those rocks? They could could have just left them and ran... Five stars for great emotional moments and adding some great info on Ianto's past. Four stars given because, if Goss wasn't mandated to keep Ianto dead by the powers that be we could have had Ianto back. “The House of the Dead” is one of the most iconic, beloved and in some ways crucial installments to the Doctor Who/Torchwood universe outside the filmed material. James Goss is always reliable in bringing innovative stories to the beloved franchise, and this is definitely one of his finest works.Featuring Jack, Ianto and Gwen, the story takes us to a mysterious if potentially clichéd setting: an old pub where a allegedly psychic woman holds sessions where she can resurrect the dead. What is actually going on and why is Jack acting so strange?The story is told from Ianto’s point of view, and is rich in tone and engrossing in its perfect pacing. The book is indeed haunted in so many meanings of the word, chillingly suspenseful and meaningfully sad. If there is a must-read for a Torchwood fan not into reading all of the books, then this is it. Believe me, it will make the whole series look just a bit different, in a good way.
What do You think about The House Of The Dead (2011)?
Great Jack/Ianto moments and teamness. Unexpected revelation at the end, and sad too.
—Bulu
A story whose sub-title could be, 'Ianto's better ending'.
—Cat09
Typical scary and memorable Torchwood fare.
—mariavirginia
