Doctor Who and the Talons of Weng-Chiang

Nothing but action in this one, as the few of these novilizations I have read so far all seem to be. Not quite so fantastic a plot as those others, in this one the fourth Doctor is off to Victorian London. A talented magician and his animated manikin assistant, both in the employ of a Chinese god, serve as the Doctor's foes in this one. The Doctor's companion is Leela and a local pathologist and theater manager provide the assist. As with the other novilizations the book is focused on plot and does not provide much insight into the characters thoughts. I found it an entertaining read and as it is reasonably short, it can be read in only a couple hours, providing an evening's enjoyable entertainment.

One of the high points in Doctor Who's broadcast history came about in 1977. This serial was quickly adapted into this novel.The TARDIS materialises in Victorian London, with the Doctor decides to show Leela how her ancestors lived. Instead, they get caught up in a Fu Manchu-like story filled with a Tong, a mysterious murderer, trips through the sewers, normal animals grown to unusual sizes, and enough revcognisable elements recast in surprising ways.The story is aided and abetted by wonderful supporting characters, not the least being theatre-owner henry Gordon Jago and police pathologist Professor Litefoot. There are also literary references to Sherlock Holmes, Oscar Wilde, and so on.The story is wonderful, and this book, while it could be better, is still more than acceptable.

Robert Holmes wrote scripts for all of the Doctor on the television series and each and everyone of them is a classic. In this story, Holmes personal favorite, the Doctor and Leela travel to Victorian England. Before long they are involved in a mysterious string of murders and disappearances. Is the culprit Jack the Ripper? A Chinese god? Or a villian from Earth's future? This book also has the two best and most memorable characters Holmes introduced into the series. Professor Litefoot and Henry Gordon Jago.