A.L. Kennedy’s novel, featuring a lone Fourth Doctor, is an expanded version of ‘The Death Pit’, first published as an eBook in 2013 and then again as part of this year’s ‘Time Trips’ short story collection.
To be honest, the original rather failed to grab our attention in a collection alongside rather smart tales from Jenny Colgan and Joanne Harris. Thankfully BBC Books felt differently as, in its full glory, Kennedy’s tale is a far more involving and satisfying affair.
Arriving in Arbroath in 1978, the Doctor becomes embroiled in the mystery surrounding a carnivorous golf bunker, while at the same time attempting to fight off the effects of a strong telepathic force.
He is not the only alien on the scene though, as the strikingly inept Putta Pattershaun 5 is also on the case. More harm than help, he is bedevilled with confidence issues and utterly besotted by Bryony Mailer, the Fetch Brother’s Golf Spa Hotel’s Junior Day Receptionist.
Bryony steps up well to deal with the revelation of an alien threat, taking the role of pseudo-companion for the story, and little seems to faze her. Unfulfilled in her job, she is just the sort of character we expect the Doctor to call upon with her quick thinking and practical manner.
From the aged, octopus-obsessed Mrs Fetch, to her unusual grandchildren; the setting provides a colourful set of characters. Top marks too for David Agnew, a name familiar to a certain vintage of fan as the one deployed on occasions when the show’s production staff performed heavy re-writes on a script and BBC rules did not allow them a writer’s credit.
The TARDIS plays a central role in the story, and it was a pleasure to see the old girl through the eyes of newcomer Bryony, whose perspective is as important as the Doctor’s during the tale. We get to explore some new rooms and enjoy a sense of how the ship looks after its guests.
As the tale widens out there is a sense of scale that put us in mind of the modern show; we see the impact of alien influence on a whole town and a link to the Pictish carved Drosten Stone which resides in the local village church.
Kennedy’s wit and whimsical style is well-matched to the era; capturing the ebullient spirit of Tom Baker’s performance perfectly while the story treads the delicate balance of horror and humour. She clearly knows her Doctor Who too, peppering the tale with references to other stories, especially as the Doctor’s mental defences are besieged.
We hope she will be back for more.
Published on 15 July 2015 by BBC Books.
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