Doctor Who: The Missing Adventures, the Romance of Crime

This is everything a Doctor Who novel should be. Gareth Roberts is a magician: he follows the formula for '70s-era Doctor Who so perfectly that one can immediately picture the actors from the series saying his dialogue. However, the steel-trap plot remains unpredictable to the very end, and the villains--even while giggling maniacally or declaiming on their nefarious plans with mustache-twirling abandon--are colorful and multi-dimensional. In particular, the supreme murderess Xais is given a genuinely wrenching "origin" story which provides real motivation for her actions. If you are a fan of the TV episodes written by Robert Holmes (Caves of Androzani, The Talons of Weng Chiang, etc.), _The Romance of Crime_ is the perfect entry point for the novel range. And like Mr. Holmes before him, Mr. Roberts is now penning scripts for the TV series itself--a well-deserved career promotion. Snatch this little treasure up while it is still affordable.

Hugely entertaining, fast-moving and well plotted with some wonderful characters (especially eccentric 'artist of death' Menlove Stokes) and great villains in the Nisbett brothers, the welcome return of the Ogrons and the sinister all-powerful Xais. Gareth Roberts effortlessly recreates the fourth Doctor and second Romana era and this book features the very best of that combination. Great stuff! The editorial review above is completely wrong though, sounds more like 'The Plotters' also by Mr Roberts.

The TARDIS arrives at the Rock of Judgment, an asteroid that combines the functions of court, prison and place of execution. Here they are drawn into a series of events including a crime committed with the modus operandi of a criminal some three years dead, the peculiar art of Menlove Stokes, and the operations of the Nisbett brothers and their Ogron thugs.This novel is written with a very light hand, and flows wonderfully. Gareth Roberts captures the characters of the Doctor and Romana brilliantly, and Menlove Stokes, who returns in 'The Well-Mannered War' is a great supporting character. The plot line unfolds very neatly, and should have sufficient twists that you won't know how it will end.