Great 1st Doctor book. The history is first rate in this one and the excitement never lets up. Ian Marter was one of the best writers in the Target books. He doesnt pull any punches. If something violent happens he doesnt hold back. Depicts a fascinating part of history during the Terror. All the characters are well developed and it doesnt feel as if it is just a retread of a script. These books are an easy read for the most part and perfect for nothing too thought provoking. Perfect for the ride into work on the train. Can usually finish one or two a week if a read both ways. ( )

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A good novelisation of the six-part story which ended the very first season of Doctor Who back in 1964. It features gruesome implied violence - which Marter is quite subdued in writing up, apart from the historically accurate detail of Robespierre having his jaw blown off just before the end of the story. The whole atmosphere of a Paris living under horrible oppression is well conveyed; as with any Doctor Who story, the main characters get split up to follow different bits of the action, but Marter conveys very well their panic and disorientation in this dangerous environment. Purists will feel robbed that the Doctor's speech about destiny at the end of the last scene has been replaced with some banter between him and Ian Chesterton, but I suspect this may one of those cases where what worked on the screen would not have worked so well on the page. It also has a great cover. ( )