The Lucy Wilson Mysteries: Curse of the Mirror Clowns
Welsh indie publisher Candy Jar Books is pleased to announce that The Lucy Wilson Mysteries: Curse of the Mirror Clowns by Chris Lynch has been nominated for the prestigious Scribe Awards.
The Scribe Awards, from the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers, acknowledge and celebrate excellence in licensed tie-in novels and audio dramas based on TV shows, movies, and games.
The Lucy Wilson Mysteries is a licensed Doctor Who spin-off novel and features the granddaughter of the Doctor’s best friend, Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart. Based in Ogmore-by-Sea these YA sci-fi books tackle prejudice against differences and promote diversity, self-confidence and acceptance for young people.
Three books have already been published by Sue Hampton (Avatars of the Intelligence), Chris Lynch (Curse of the Mirror Clowns) and John Peel (The Midnight People), with two more on the way by Wink Taylor (The Bandril Invasion) and Tim Gambrell (The Brigadier and the Bledoe Cadets).
Curse of the Mirror Clowns by Cardiff-based film and comic writer Chris Lynch is fighting its corner against some of the biggest TV and film franchises in the world including Star Wars and Small Foot, as well the New York Times bestselling author, Jonathan Maberry. Chris says:
“I was delighted to discover I’d been nominated for this award. I’m certainly in illustrious company! Hopefully my clowns are up to the challenge.”
Originally created by Shaun Russell and Andy Frankham-Allen, the first Lucy Wilson novel was brought to life by YA author Sue Hampton. Shaun says:
“Sue’s instinct with the first book Avatars of the Intelligence was spot-on. She got the characters straight away and delivered a book reminiscent of the popular Sarah Jane Adventures, also based on Doctor Who.”
Sue really enjoyed working on the first book. She says:
“Lucy is dauntless, loyal and whip-smart. She’s a modern girl with strong values and opinions, which means that she feels the injustices in the world even more strongly than most and always stands up for what’s right. I wish Chris good luck with the awards.”
Former Doctor Who star Frazer Hines slates Jodie Whittaker series 11 storylines
Former Doctor Who star Frazer Hines has slated the latest series of the show, hitting out at the storylines for Jodie Whittaker’s debut.
The actor played Jamie McCrimmon on the show between 1966 and 1969, a companion to Patrick Troughton’s Doctor, and seemed to take issue with the show’s more recent politically correct storylines.
“I’m old-fashioned – I don’t want to know about Rosa Parks, I don’t want to know about whether we’d done this we could have changed history and Kennedy might not have been shot,” he said (via The Sun). “I like bug-eyed monsters. Monster of the week, I want.”
He added:
“I loved it when it was episodic. Now it’s all in one – beginning, middle and an end.
“I liked it when it ended on a Saturday night and then Sunday in the park or on Monday in the school playground you’d be like, ‘What is going to happen? Doctor Who was caught there. Is the monster going to get him?’
“Now it’s all wrapped up too quick. Just call me old-fashioned.”
Hines isn’t the only classic Doctor Who star who wasn’t a fan of the latest series, with Anneke Wills – who played companion Polly around the same time – admitting she struggled to adjust to the new episodes.
“I have to be honest… I think Jodie is lovely… [but] I watched most of the first one and then I let go, because it’s not my Doctor Who,” she said.
“It’s new Doctor Who for the new world and I’m not part of it, really, anymore – except if they ask me to be in it!”
Two narrated full-cast TV soundtracks, Galaxy 4 and Destiny of the Daleks, will be available exclusively from independent record shops in the UK on Record Store Day (13th April). Search for shops near you.
Galaxy 4
2LP x 12” Heavyweight Splatter Vinyl
In this classic 4 part lost adventure, first broadcast between September and October 1965, the TARDIS materialises on a doomed planet. The Doctor (William Hartnell), Steven (Peter Purves) and Vicki (Maureen O’Brien) discover two crashed spaceships, their inhabitants locked in battle with each other. In one corner stand the Drahvins, a race of female cloned warriors; in the other the Rills, hideous inhuman space travellers. The Doctor and his friends become pawns in a deadly game of strategy and deception. Will anyone escape with their lives?
Written by William Emms, the story presents a traditional morality tale with a twist. Linking narration is provided by Peter Purves (Steven) and the cast includes Stephanie Bidmead as Maaga. The final episode leads into the prelude to the epic adventure The Daleks’ Master Plan. The film recordings of all but one episode of this story are lost from the BBC archives.
Destiny of the Daleks
2LP x 12” Heavyweight Splatter Vinyl
In this thrilling 4 part adventure, first broadcast in September 1979, the Daleks return to their home planet Skaro, scene of their defeat at the hand of the Doctor (Tom Baker) in Genesis of the Daleks. What — or who — have they returned for? It soon becomes apparent that ruthless scientist Davros, creator of the Daleks, may not be as dead as the Doctor assumed. When Romana (Lalla Ward) falls into the hands of the Daleks themselves, a life and death struggle begins to divert the Doctor’s adversaries from their self-proclaimed destiny.
Written by Terry Nation and script edited by Douglas Adams, this story provides 2 hours of joyful sci-fi entertainment with its sparkling dialogue. Linking narration is provided by Lalla Ward (Romana) and the cast includes David Gooderson as Davros, Tim Barlow as Tyssan, Peter Straker as Commander Sharrel and Suzanne Danielle as Agella.
Both releases are presented across 2 x Heavyweight 180g pieces of splatter vinyl. From the eerie sonics of Ron Grainer & Delia Derbyshire’s theme tune and the familiar ‘wheezing, groaning’ of the TARDIS through to the bass thrum of the Daleks’ headquarters and their clamorous shriek of “Exterminate! Exterminate!”, these stories are alive with weird and wonderful sound.
Galaxy 4 and Destiny of the Daleks, will be available exclusively from independent record shops in the UK on Record Store Day (13th April). Search for shops near you
Candy Jar Books is pleased to announce its latest free-for-download short story. Pirates of the Prime Meridian by Roy Martin sees Lethbridge-Stewart investigate the disappearance of military equipment and, in doing so, discovers that all in the the coastal town of Peacehaven is not quite what it seems.
NV-66 author, Roy Martin, has written this story especially for Candy Jar. He says:
“As I was part of the Doctor Who audience growing up in the ’70s, it was great to have the opportunity to write a short story featuring a fantastic character such as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart. For me it was exciting to adapt my writing style to integrate with a pre-existing universe.
I chose to include pirates in the adventure, because for me, they represent enigmatic and shadowy characters from the murky past of history, epitomising working class entrepreneurs; forging fortunes in life, by their own sweat and guile, not afraid to operate outside of the establishment. Plus, when writing I like to get into character, and who doesn’t like dressing as a pirate for the day?
A word of warning for the unwary, ill prepared traveller of adventures. Never upset a pirate. A scallywag will find themselves dancing the hempen jig soon enough.”
Blurb:
When Spencer is on holiday with his dad in Peacehaven, he is surprised to see that the town is bursting with pirates. Most are typical tourist-friendly types, but several seem slightly more sinister. He tries to tell his dad, but is not believed. It is only when he meets Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart that he discovers that Peacehaven and the pirates have been connected throughout time.
Based on characters created by Mervyn Haisman & Henry Lincoln.
To download Pirates of the Prime Meridian please visit:
Roy is also offering his book NV-66 for free download on Kindle for the next five days. To get this book please visit:
Britain’s Got Talent aims to do what it says on the tin, really: celebrate the talented folk of Britain.
But it appears the 13th series has gone intergalactic, with a visitor from the planet Skaro here to try their luck in front of Simon Cowell and co…
Ron the Dalek takes to the stage of the London Palladium in the first episode of BGT 2019, showing off quite an unusual talent for a being that famously speaks in only one tone.
Wearing a Union Jack bow tie, Ron tells judge Alesha Dixon that his big dream is “to win Britain’s Got Talent” – a change from the Daleks’ previous stated aim of exterminating the human race.
What follows is possibly the most surreal television you’ll see all week. The Dalek launches into singing Bobby McFerrin’s worldwide hit song Don’t Worry Be Happy, complete with the kind of dance moves only a monster who struggles with stairs could perform.
Despite forgetting the words to the fairly simple song, Ron the Dalek manages to keep the judges entertained – though David Walliams does express some concerns.
“I just worry you’re cheating by using a vocoder on your voice,” he says.
“No, this is my actual voice,” Ron responds.
Cowell says that he doesn’t think the song choice was “right” for Ron, but laughingly adds that he believes there “was an audience out there for this.”
Whether he goes through to the live shows remains to be seen, but Ron’s appearance marks the first time we’ve see the Daleks back on screen since the Doctor Who’s New Year’s Day special.
The episode, titled Resolution, featured a significantly less friendly Dalek, of course.
Explaining his decision to bring back the iconic foe, showrunner Chris Chibnall said at the time, “We knew we wanted something big for the end-of-series special, and knowing that we would have no old monsters in the series was really a build-up for the special, so that when the Dalek appears, it’s hopefully exciting and it feels rare and thrilling.
“It’s the first encounter for Jodie [Whittaker] with that iconic monster and we knew we wanted to do that as the climax of the first series, if you like.”
Fingers crossed we see Ron serenading us when Doctor Who returns in 2020…
Michelle Gomez: “I don’t think any fandom can quite compare to the Doctor Who fandom”
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina star Michelle Gomez says that though the Netflix series has developing a large and devoted fanbase in the months since its release, it still has a way to go before it measures up to the Doctor Who fandom.
The actor, who starred as Missy in Doctor Who before appearing in the opening season of Sabrina, says that she loves being part of both fan groups – but that it’s impossible to compare the two.
“I don’t think any fandom can quite compare to the Doctor Who fandom, who I am eternally loyal to and grateful for,” Gomez told RadioTimes.com ahead of her appearance in season two of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
“I mean, that fandom has grown up over 50 years, from generation to generation to generation.
“Sabrina fandom is definitely this generation, because it was born in this generation. It seems to be as passionate as the Doctor Who fans for sure, but you know, it’s just the beginning for Sabrina, and we have a long way to go. We seem to be earning that intense loyalty, but it’s still in its infancy.”
Gomez played the villainous Missy in Doctor Who series eight, nine and ten, before seemingly bowing out for good in the finale. However, she has hinted in the past that she would be open to returning to the series if the offer was extended.
Would she like to face off against Jodie Whitaker’s Doctor?
“Oh gosh yeah of course I would, I’d love to have a little run around with her,” she said. “I don’t know if that’s ever gonna happen but I’m completely open to it, and I’d love to see Missy come back in and just get to play again. I don’t know how that’s going to work but I’m always open to offers.”
But even if that particular confrontation doesn’t happen, it looks like Madam Satan will be converting new legions to the Sabrina fandom for many years to come…
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part 2 is released on Netflix on Friday 5th April 2019
With thanks to Radio Times.
Five ‘lost’ Doctor Who episodes come to audio and more in the latest Doctor Who releases from BBC Audio for Spring 2019
Spring is starting to burst with an array of colourful BBC Audio Doctor Who titles for March and April!
It’s well known that many of the Doctor’s earliest TV adventures are missing as a visual record, but Doctor Who: The Lost TV Episodes Collection Onepresents five of them as narrated audio soundtracks. This popular set has been reissued on CD, and a digital edition is now available for the first time.
The First Doctor takes on WOTAN, a powerful and evil computer, in Doctor Who: The War Machines, novelised by Ian Stuart Black from his own 1966 TV adventure. Read by Anneke Wills — who played Polly, introduced in this story —, it’s notable for its depiction of the Post Office Tower, then a brand new London landmark!
April’s excitement begins with Doctor Who: Warriors’ Gate, a very special “writers’ cut” of the 1982 Target novelisation. Now published for the very first time in its original version, the story is read by the man of many voices, Jon Culshaw.
BBC Audio’s latest Audio Original story, Doctor Who: The Winged Coven, is a spooky tale in present day Hexford, the village scene of many of the Fourth Doctor’s original audio adventures. It’s read by Mrs Wibbsey herself in the definitive curmudgeonly voice of Susan Jameson. In tandem with this new release, Doctor Who: The Nest Cottage Chronicles is also being released in a first-time digital edition, packed with special bonus features.
Here’s a more detailed look at the new Doctor Who audiobooks available to buy on CD and download from BBC Audio in Spring 2019:
Five thrilling soundtrack adventures from the early days of Doctor Who, featuring serials lost from the TV archive.
The pictures may be lost, but each of these stories survive as a soundtrack recording. Remastered and with additional linking narration, they can be enjoyed once more.
In Marco Polo, the famous Venetian explorer plans to give the TARDIS to Kublai Khan – unless the Doctor and his companions can stop him. In The Reign of Terror, the Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Susan are caught up in the bloody events of the French Revolution. In The Crusade, the TARDIS materialises in the middle of a 12th Century holy war between Richard the Lionheart and the Saracen Saladin. In Galaxy 4, the Doctor, Steven and Vicki meet the Drahvins and the Rills on a planet just one day away from destruction. In The Myth Makers, the Doctor is hailed as the Greek god Zeus and forced to help defeat the Trojans. He forms the idea of a wooden horse…
Special linking narration is provided by William Russell, Carole Ann Ford and Peter Purves, who also recall their time making the original episodes in a series of bonus interviews. The CD editions also feature PDF files featuring high quality scans of the original BBC TV camera scripts.
Doctor Who: The Lost TV Episodes Collection One is available on Amazon and Audible now.
Michael Cochrane reads this novelisation of a classic TV adventure featuring the First Doctor.
The TARDIS materialises outside the Post Office Tower in London, 1966. The Doctor senses a powerful and evil force, which he and the ever-curious Dodo track down to scientist Professor Brett and WOTAN, his revolutionary new computer.
Designed as a universal problem solver, WOTAN has suddenly begun to think for itself and has formulated a deadly plan. Using its phenomenal power it will programme humans to build mobile fighting computers, and with these indestructible war machines WOTAN will take over the world. With the help of Dodo, Sir Charles Summers and new friends Ben and Polly, the Doctor must find a way to prevent a global catastrophe.
Michael Cochrane, who has played several roles in the BBC TV series, reads Ian Stuart Black’s novelisation of his original 1966 serial starring William Hartnell as the Doctor.
Doctor Who: The War Machines is available on Amazon and Audible now.
Jon Culshaw reads this iconic novelisation of a Fourth Doctor TV adventure, newly restored and extended by the author.
The Doctor and his companions are trapped in E-Space, struggling to find their way back into their own universe. Arriving at an intersection, the TARDIS is invaded by a refugee of the enslaved Tharil race. With K9 damaged by the Time Winds, the Doctor, Romana and Adric explore the strange white eternity of the Gateway, where past, present and future cross over.
They also meet the crew of the Privateer, led by the embattled Rorvic. As all parties strive to find a way out, the Doctor realises that Rorvic’s ship holds the terrible secret of the Tharils’ history and the means of their liberation.
Jon Culshaw reads Stephen Gallagher’s novelisation (as John Lydecker) of his 1981 TV adventure starring Tom Baker as the Doctor, now newly extended and restored from an unpublished manuscript. John Leeson provides the voice of K9.
Doctor Who: Warriors’ Gate will be available on Amazon and Audible from 4th April.
Susan Jameson reads a brand new original adventure for the Fourth Doctor, Mrs Wibbsey and Mike Yates
When the Doctor returns to Nest Cottage, in the village of Hexford, England, he discovers strange things afoot in the local woods. Together with the redoubtable Mrs Wibbsey he discovers the local postmistress in an almost desiccated state, and witnesses sinister behaviour at the local mini-mart. The old team investigate a new shop that has opened in the village, run by the glamorously beguiling Camilla Cookson. Soon they realise that a secret society has formed in Hexford under their very noses. But what role has Mrs Wibbsey herself unwittingly played in all of this? It may be time for a few confessions to be heard.
Recruiting Mike Yates, Tish Madoc and Deirdre Whatsit to the cause, the Doctor and Mrs Wibbsey set out to penetrate the winged coven – but what they discover at its heart is the greatest horror of all. Read by Susan Jameson, this brand new adventure by Paul Magrs is set after the events of The Nest Cottage Chronicles and The Thing From The Sea.
Doctor Who: The Winged Coven will be available on Amazon and Audible from 4th April.
Available as a digital collection for the first time, Tom Baker stars as the Fourth Doctor in fifteen full-cast audio dramas written by Paul Magrs, plus bonus features exclusive to this edition.
Hornets’ Nest: When former UNIT captain Mike Yates is reunited with a ghost from the past, he and the Doctor are soon united in battle once more, this time against alien insects intent on global domination.
Demon Quest: A key component from the TARDIS disappears, exchanged for a bag containing four curious objects. Each one is a clue, and so the Doctor and Mrs Wibbsey embark on a chase through Time…
Serpent Crest: The Doctor acquires a Skishtari egg, whose powers are both wondrous and deadly. When the village of Hexford comes under attack, Mrs Wibbsey and Mike discover that two Doctors aren’t necessarily better than one…
With Susan Jameson as Mrs Wibbsey and Richard Franklin as Mike Yates, these thrilling adventures also feature Michael Maloney, Rula Lenska, Samuel West, Jan Francis, David Troughton, Michael Jayston, Simon Shepherd, Sophie Ward, Andrew Sachs, Nerys Hughes and many others. Also included in this edition are an exclusive audio interview with Tom Baker, outtakes from the original studio sessions, promotional trailers and a PDF booklet featuring sleeve notes by writer Paul Magrs.
Doctor Who: The Nest Cottage Chronicles will be available on Amazon and Audiblefrom 4th April.
Coming in May and June 2019…
Doctor Who: Ninth Doctor Novels (Ninth Doctor Novels), written by Justin Richards, Stephen Cole and Jacqueline Rayner
Doctor Who: The Faceless Ones (Second Doctor Novelisation), written by Terrance Dicks
Doctor Who and the Armageddon Factor (Fourth Doctor Novelisation), written by Terrance Dicks
Doctor Who and the Pescatons (Fourth Doctor Audio Original) – digital release only, written by Victor Pemberton
All titles are available from Amazon and Audible in March and April. Check back our site soon for an in-depth look at May and June’s releases.
Kate Stewart and Osgood vs River Song – and more Big Finish titles for April!
April sees the release of a range of brand new audio adventures from Big Finish. Here’s a roundup of what’s available to buy on CD and download this month.
It’s Kate Stewart and Osgood vs River Song!
Threats to our planet come in many forms. Some are alien visitations, some lay dormant in Earth itself, and occasionally, danger arrives with a big gun and fantastic hair. As deadly predators focus their attention on Earth, it seems activating the power of River Song could spell the end of everything…
The people on the planet Gokroth live in fear of the monsters in the forest and a strange Scottish Doctor… A Doctor who’s about to receive a visit from an off-worlder. Mags, formerly of the Psychic Circus, is a native of the planet Vulpana… with a monstrous secret of her own.
All the Doctor wanted to do on Venus was learn their aikido. But the TARDIS has been stolen to be a prize in the Venusian Olympics. Jamie and Victoria compete to win the TARDIS back, but soon find themselves in deadlier danger…
Torchwood meets Doctor Who monsters! Many years ago Jo Grant met Professor Clifford Jones, fell in love and saved the world. It all happened in the idyllic Welsh community of Llanfairfach. Now she’s back, falling in love with a handsome stranger, and there’s still something nasty in the mine…
Fighting for their lives against terrifying creatures from the folklore of many worlds, as well as escaping the clutches of more familiar foes, the Doctor, Liv and Helen find themselves making the most unlikely ally.
