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Past Doctor Adventures #41
Doctor Who: The Shadow in the Glass
When a squadron of RAF Hurricanes shoots down an unidentified aircraft over Turelhampton, the village is immediately evacuated. But why is the village still guarded by troops in 2001? When a television documentary crew break through the cordon looking for a story, they find they've recorded more than they'd bargained for.
Caught up in both a deadly conspiracy and a historical mystery, retired Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart calls upon his old friend the Doctor. Half-glimpsed demons watch from the shadows as the Doctor and the Brigadier travel back in time to discover the last, and deadliest, secret of the Second World War.
An adventure set partly in the Second World War, featuring the Sixth Doctor as played by Colin Baker and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart.
Caught up in both a deadly conspiracy and a historical mystery, retired Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart calls upon his old friend the Doctor. Half-glimpsed demons watch from the shadows as the Doctor and the Brigadier travel back in time to discover the last, and deadliest, secret of the Second World War.
An adventure set partly in the Second World War, featuring the Sixth Doctor as played by Colin Baker and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart.
286 pages, Paperback
First published August 2, 2001
12 people are currently reading
392 people want to read
About the author
Justin Richards
330 books241 followersJustin Richards is a British writer. He has written many spin off novels based on the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who, and he is Creative Director for the BBC Books range. He has also written for television, contributing to Five's soap opera Family Affairs. He is also the author of a series of crime novels for children about the Invisible Detective, and novels for older children. His Doctor Who novel The Burning was placed sixth in the Top 10 of SFX magazine's "Best SF/Fantasy novelisation or TV tie-in novel" category of 2000.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 7, 2025
Back in 2001, the Past Doctor Adventures were in a bit of trouble; Gary Russell needed more time to work on 'Instruments of Darkness', which left Justin Richards in a bit of a pickle for a 6th Doctor book, so he and Stephen Cole came together and discussed what they could write in its place and so 'The Shadow in The Glass' was born. A lot of fans consider this to be one of the best PDA's and I won't lie, it's definitely been one of my most anticipated.
In May 1944, the villagers of Turelhampton had to be evacuated after an unknown craft crash-landed on their village after being shot down. Now, many years later, the regular army is keeping close surveillance on the village, but why, what are they hiding? Meanwhile, in Cornwall, Claire's friend is a witness to a terrifying cult of Nazis and what appears to be the reincarnation of Adolf Hitler himself. What on earth is going on? What are the shadows hiding in the darkness? Did Adolf Hitler survive the Second World War and achieve immortality? The Brigadier has called for The Doctor, and together they must solve a mystery that conspiracy theorists have been trying to unravel for decades.
Despite the short amount of time, Justin Richards and Stephen Cole managed to put together one of the most exciting Doctor Who novels I've ever read. It's a story with a thrilling mystery, timey-wimey elements, moments of fan service, plenty of terror and gruesome depictions of violence. It's a bleak story that explores the world of conspiracy theories and puts them together in a very Doctor Who fashion. The ending to this novel is by far one of the grimmest Doctor Who has ever had.
Overall: One of the best Doctor Who novels I've ever read, an incredibly dark and exciting novel that will have you on the edge of your seat. 10/10
In May 1944, the villagers of Turelhampton had to be evacuated after an unknown craft crash-landed on their village after being shot down. Now, many years later, the regular army is keeping close surveillance on the village, but why, what are they hiding? Meanwhile, in Cornwall, Claire's friend is a witness to a terrifying cult of Nazis and what appears to be the reincarnation of Adolf Hitler himself. What on earth is going on? What are the shadows hiding in the darkness? Did Adolf Hitler survive the Second World War and achieve immortality? The Brigadier has called for The Doctor, and together they must solve a mystery that conspiracy theorists have been trying to unravel for decades.
Despite the short amount of time, Justin Richards and Stephen Cole managed to put together one of the most exciting Doctor Who novels I've ever read. It's a story with a thrilling mystery, timey-wimey elements, moments of fan service, plenty of terror and gruesome depictions of violence. It's a bleak story that explores the world of conspiracy theories and puts them together in a very Doctor Who fashion. The ending to this novel is by far one of the grimmest Doctor Who has ever had.
Overall: One of the best Doctor Who novels I've ever read, an incredibly dark and exciting novel that will have you on the edge of your seat. 10/10
November 27, 2024
A retired Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart gives life to this 6th Doctor story.
November 21, 2022
Another solid addition to Sixie's novel universe. Yes, the concept is a little silly, and yes, it does require you to get on board with the 'Hitler survived past WWII' conspiracy theory, but we're talking about a series where an alien time travels. You'll have fun if you just go along for the ride. Sixie is his good old brash, arrogant self, crashing cars, stuffing his face and not caring what anyone thinks about his attitude or his garish coat. Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart serves as his companion, and it's great fun. Good old Brigadier both grounds the Doctor and trusts him along with his crazy schemes. There's not too many subplots to get stuck on here, and everything is relevant, unlike other DW installments where it feels like other characters are added in just to fill pages. The TARDIS gets used quite a bit, even giving Brigadier and sidekick Claire a few rides; which is refreshing, because most times it is indisposed or used to collect dust. Six travels through time to follow a Scrying glass, an alien artifact from a crashed ship in 1944, which is connected to the rise of the fourth Reich and the possible fuhrer himself. There's a little bit of history, a lot of license, and a few twists at the end which I really appreciated. It was interesting throughout, and quite a ride. Final score: 3.5 rounded up to a 4, for the twists and the Brigadier himself, of course.
September 12, 2015
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/2524784.html
uniting the Sixth Doctor and the Brigadier in investigating the true facts of alien involvement in the death of Adolf Hitler. It's generally well-researched, but there is a little bit of a sense of historical box-ticking, and a particularly egregious fridging at the end.
uniting the Sixth Doctor and the Brigadier in investigating the true facts of alien involvement in the death of Adolf Hitler. It's generally well-researched, but there is a little bit of a sense of historical box-ticking, and a particularly egregious fridging at the end.
December 30, 2020
I'm not sure what first piqued my interest in this book when I saw it as a History Collection reprint in 2017 or thereabouts. Was it the Sixth Doctor? Or the blurb on the back, and any number of words it contained ("Brigadier" and "World War 2", maybe)? The vague, earthly title? Whatever it was, something got me hook, line, and sinker, and I dropped $13 USD on it.
The plot of Shadow in the Glass is a bit odd, because it takes place over quite a few locations, and includes a boatload of subplots which tie together by the end. As someone who writes Doctor Who fiction, I have a rule of never using more than 3 plots, and a complementary rule of never using more than 2 locations not in the same general area (i.e. Earth and Venus and Mars may be confusing to readers, while Germany, America, and Japan is acceptable due to their relative proximity on the same planet.) While this book did not break the location rule, it exceeded the plot limit in ways I still have trouble vocalizing, despite having carefully read the novel multiple times.
I have summarized the plot(s) into "Doctor Who Plot Generator" material (Made by Badwolf42 of Deviantart), but with some tweaks of my own; BEWARE OF SPOILERS:
For those of you not reading the spoilers, that was five subplots, and one main plot which branches off into subplots. That's... a lot. Perhaps too much. A quick mental count reminds me there's at least 15(!) important characters to keep track of in this book; that's a lot of motives to understand. The fact that not everyone is well-versed in WW2 obviously doesn't help.
Despite this? The book was amazing. I keep coming back to read it, keep thinking about it, and keep feeling inspired to write because of it. How the two authors threw this together instead of another Who book they were to be writing, is beyond me, because it is like someone threw random buckets of paint onto a canvas and made a picture of Madonna and child. Despite the randomness and insanity of the book, it turns out perfectly at the end.
This book is a wonderful example of Whovian literature; the words are artistic and flowing, the sentences meaningful, the descriptions in third-person-omniscient of the character's experiences are divine insight into the minds of 15+ living beings (At least, living in the minds of the authors, that is.) Despite a wonderful amount of sub-surface fan-service (i.e. Claire and the Brig's friendship- wouldn't we all love to be her, just on that account?), and amazing characterization of classic and loveable characters, I do have one gripe...
SPOILERS AHEAD
Should you read this book? Yes! The beginning is a bit slow and confusing, but you will get to the meat soon enough. The intentional lack of meat in certain chapters leaves you eagerly waiting for another course in the meal that is this novel. I think the amount of potatoes here during aforementioned chapters is more than sufficient, although some of them were almost better than the meat (i.e. [Sorry, Nick...].) But the alien invasion portion of the meal was like McDonald's french fries- typical, expected, a bit too salty in places.
In conclusion, this book is so all over the place, that so is my review. It's hard to form a coherent, straight train of thought on it. However, it's extraordinarily enjoyable, and it comes highly recommended- at least from me :)
The plot of Shadow in the Glass is a bit odd, because it takes place over quite a few locations, and includes a boatload of subplots which tie together by the end. As someone who writes Doctor Who fiction, I have a rule of never using more than 3 plots, and a complementary rule of never using more than 2 locations not in the same general area (i.e. Earth and Venus and Mars may be confusing to readers, while Germany, America, and Japan is acceptable due to their relative proximity on the same planet.) While this book did not break the location rule, it exceeded the plot limit in ways I still have trouble vocalizing, despite having carefully read the novel multiple times.
I have summarized the plot(s) into "Doctor Who Plot Generator" material (Made by Badwolf42 of Deviantart), but with some tweaks of my own; BEWARE OF SPOILERS:
For those of you not reading the spoilers, that was five subplots, and one main plot which branches off into subplots. That's... a lot. Perhaps too much. A quick mental count reminds me there's at least 15(!) important characters to keep track of in this book; that's a lot of motives to understand. The fact that not everyone is well-versed in WW2 obviously doesn't help.
Despite this? The book was amazing. I keep coming back to read it, keep thinking about it, and keep feeling inspired to write because of it. How the two authors threw this together instead of another Who book they were to be writing, is beyond me, because it is like someone threw random buckets of paint onto a canvas and made a picture of Madonna and child. Despite the randomness and insanity of the book, it turns out perfectly at the end.
This book is a wonderful example of Whovian literature; the words are artistic and flowing, the sentences meaningful, the descriptions in third-person-omniscient of the character's experiences are divine insight into the minds of 15+ living beings (At least, living in the minds of the authors, that is.) Despite a wonderful amount of sub-surface fan-service (i.e. Claire and the Brig's friendship- wouldn't we all love to be her, just on that account?), and amazing characterization of classic and loveable characters, I do have one gripe...
SPOILERS AHEAD
Should you read this book? Yes! The beginning is a bit slow and confusing, but you will get to the meat soon enough. The intentional lack of meat in certain chapters leaves you eagerly waiting for another course in the meal that is this novel. I think the amount of potatoes here during aforementioned chapters is more than sufficient, although some of them were almost better than the meat (i.e. [Sorry, Nick...].) But the alien invasion portion of the meal was like McDonald's french fries- typical, expected, a bit too salty in places.
In conclusion, this book is so all over the place, that so is my review. It's hard to form a coherent, straight train of thought on it. However, it's extraordinarily enjoyable, and it comes highly recommended- at least from me :)
February 28, 2025
The dedication and author’s note will give the alert reader a hint as to why The Shadow In The Glass even exists – it’s a child of circumstance, a last minute replacement to fill a sudden gap in the ravenous two book per month schedule Doctor Who books were on. Essentially it doesn’t exist out of a burning desire to tell a story but to keep the schedule churning over.
Given those circumstances it’s more successful than it has any right to be. It’s Doctor Who does The Boys From Brazil, with all sorts of time travelling shenanigans. Cole and Richards, old hands by this point, keep enough fresh elements and plot twists coming to ensure the reader doesn’t notice the novel’s rushed genesis. It’s also fun to see the Brigadier encounter the one Doctor to that point that he’d never met onscreen, even if their roles in the plot are fairly generic. The big twist at the end’s somewhat contrived but (literally) well executed. It doesn’t dazzle with originality but as an energetic adventure it’s a good baseline for a Doctor Who novel.
Given those circumstances it’s more successful than it has any right to be. It’s Doctor Who does The Boys From Brazil, with all sorts of time travelling shenanigans. Cole and Richards, old hands by this point, keep enough fresh elements and plot twists coming to ensure the reader doesn’t notice the novel’s rushed genesis. It’s also fun to see the Brigadier encounter the one Doctor to that point that he’d never met onscreen, even if their roles in the plot are fairly generic. The big twist at the end’s somewhat contrived but (literally) well executed. It doesn’t dazzle with originality but as an energetic adventure it’s a good baseline for a Doctor Who novel.
October 6, 2009
There's a neo-nazi group using alien technology, so the Brigadeer gets the Sixth Doctor to help him.
Aside from the fun of the Sixth Doctor getting to work with the Brig and lots of nice scenes between them, this is fairly blah story with only the occasional clever bit to keep you reading.
Aside from the fun of the Sixth Doctor getting to work with the Brig and lots of nice scenes between them, this is fairly blah story with only the occasional clever bit to keep you reading.
July 21, 2022
The Shadow in the Glass is a book which should not be good. It’s Doctor Who tackling post-World War II conspiracies involving the survival and lineage of Adolf Hitler, yes Adolf Hitler survival conspiracies are the main drive of this book. Justin Richards and Stephen Cole also only had a limited time to write the novel after Gary Russell’s Instruments of Darkness was delayed and they needed a Sixth Doctor book to fill the slot stat. This is kind of indicative of the issues at BBC Books, if this were Virgin Publishing there would have been a delay a la So Vile a Sin and the slot would have been essentially skipped over that month. Because this is the BBC and they are pushing out a lot of Doctor Who content in the early 2000s, with 2 books a month, the final VHS’s and by this point the growing DVD range, there seems to be no time to stop and let a release just deal with the delay. Now having Richards and Cole cowriting this actually helps with the compressed writing time, the ideas are allowed to bounce off one another and the novel is wrapped around a fairly simple idea: an alien craft shot down during World War II near the British coast cause a legacy of military occupation guarding a secret which involves a conspiracy about the Hitler lineage surviving the apparent suicide in the bunker somehow. The book has the Doctor being called in by Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart to help investigate and eventually unravel the conspiracy, culminating in a climax that travels to the bunker to see how it is done. It's very much a novel going from point A to point B with little subplots or diversions, except the alien aspect which is perhaps where the book fails. The alien threat is such a non-entity that despite often being brought up it leaves the reader’s mind quite quickly as the historical elements from Richards and Cole are far more interesting.
This is also hyped up as one of the best of the Past Doctor Adventures, and while it is very good, it still is a book that underutilizes its science fiction elements, though that is buffered by coating it in mysticism almost in parallel to Terrance Dicks’ Timewyrm: Exodus. There’s also the more egregious example of essentially fridging the main and essentially only female character of note, Claire Aldwych, a journalist who serves the role of companion. She is a wonderful character who honestly could have been a perfect match for the Sixth Doctor had the decision been made to keep her on, but her death is essentially the wrap up of the novel so Adolf Hitler Jr. can exist…or possibly not exist as it implies history is rewritten. She is shot and her body burned to be the body double for Hitler’s wife and lover, no seriously. This is a plot point that Richards and Cole try to treat with severity, but as it comes at the end outside of some genuinely painful reactions from the Doctor and the Brigadier, the ramifications of the death just aren’t dealt with and literally the entire plot, a plot involving almost exclusively other male characters, is hung on this brutal death. It’s an added shame as the climax itself is excellent, there is some brilliant tension work as the Doctor, Brigadier, and Claire figure out some of the conspiracies before liaisons with Winston Churchill and Soviet forces, and having Hitler Jr. brought back in time (who could have easily been the body double as he is quickly shot by his father).
Overall, The Shadow in the Glass is a book with some genuinely shocking elements, some terrible uses of fridging, and a Doctor Who book with Adolf Hitler on the cover (luckily completely redesigned for the 2015 reprint). It’s also a book that genuinely works at telling a good story from writers who were on a terribly short deadline but managed to include a lot of researched history, something Richards happened to be doing at the time, and tries to take some care with the subject matter. It’s also a book that somehow manages to be leagues ahead of the previous Past Doctor Adventure, Rags, which is somehow more offensive than the one that literally features the son of Hitler so it’s weird that I actually recommend this as at least an interesting and really fun read. 8/10.
This is also hyped up as one of the best of the Past Doctor Adventures, and while it is very good, it still is a book that underutilizes its science fiction elements, though that is buffered by coating it in mysticism almost in parallel to Terrance Dicks’ Timewyrm: Exodus. There’s also the more egregious example of essentially fridging the main and essentially only female character of note, Claire Aldwych, a journalist who serves the role of companion. She is a wonderful character who honestly could have been a perfect match for the Sixth Doctor had the decision been made to keep her on, but her death is essentially the wrap up of the novel so Adolf Hitler Jr. can exist…or possibly not exist as it implies history is rewritten. She is shot and her body burned to be the body double for Hitler’s wife and lover, no seriously. This is a plot point that Richards and Cole try to treat with severity, but as it comes at the end outside of some genuinely painful reactions from the Doctor and the Brigadier, the ramifications of the death just aren’t dealt with and literally the entire plot, a plot involving almost exclusively other male characters, is hung on this brutal death. It’s an added shame as the climax itself is excellent, there is some brilliant tension work as the Doctor, Brigadier, and Claire figure out some of the conspiracies before liaisons with Winston Churchill and Soviet forces, and having Hitler Jr. brought back in time (who could have easily been the body double as he is quickly shot by his father).
Overall, The Shadow in the Glass is a book with some genuinely shocking elements, some terrible uses of fridging, and a Doctor Who book with Adolf Hitler on the cover (luckily completely redesigned for the 2015 reprint). It’s also a book that genuinely works at telling a good story from writers who were on a terribly short deadline but managed to include a lot of researched history, something Richards happened to be doing at the time, and tries to take some care with the subject matter. It’s also a book that somehow manages to be leagues ahead of the previous Past Doctor Adventure, Rags, which is somehow more offensive than the one that literally features the son of Hitler so it’s weird that I actually recommend this as at least an interesting and really fun read. 8/10.
January 11, 2022
The Sixth Doctor era on TV never quite gelled with me as a fan, and I have to confess I had the realization around 2013 or so that if I wanted a story with Colin Baker's Doctor, I was far more inclined to get out one of his Big Finish audios. Yet the Sixth Doctor renaissance had its origins in the various spin-off novels of the Wilderness Era. The Shadow in the Glass, published in 2001 just as the Big Finish audios were taking off, is a neat example of the literary Sixth Doctor in a different setting.
That's something owed in no small part to the story that authors Stephen Cole and Justin Richards tell between its covers. Doctor Who has built a reputation for pastiching other genres, and The Shadow in the Glass takes on the World War II mystery-thriller genre, perhaps best exemplified by the likes of Jack Higgins. One that starts in the (then) present-day of 2001 before sending the Doctor and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart across Europe and eventually back in time toward the final days of the war as a threat from the past raises its head in the present. Those with a knowledge of the conspiracy theories around the Nazis, from Hitler's alleged escape to supposed secret bases and alien tech, will find plenty to recognize and enjoy in this fast-paced adventure laced with historical details.
Of course, this is a Doctor Who story and a Sixth Doctor one, in particular. What Cole and Richards accomplish is to mash up a Jack Higgins style thriller with Who elements, including time travel and the presence of aliens. The resulting novel fits neatly into the Whovian sub-genre known as the pseudo-historical, something that this Doctor had only a single smattering of during his screen tenure. The darker feel of that era neatly fits into such a story, and there are moments when Cole and Richards perfectly capture it in prose. Perhaps no more so than in their finale, which perhaps goes a tad too far but is nonetheless a powerful read even two decades on from its publication.
Not to mention that, for a novel written in something of a hurry as the forward of this latest edition of it alludes to, far better than it has any right to be.
That's something owed in no small part to the story that authors Stephen Cole and Justin Richards tell between its covers. Doctor Who has built a reputation for pastiching other genres, and The Shadow in the Glass takes on the World War II mystery-thriller genre, perhaps best exemplified by the likes of Jack Higgins. One that starts in the (then) present-day of 2001 before sending the Doctor and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart across Europe and eventually back in time toward the final days of the war as a threat from the past raises its head in the present. Those with a knowledge of the conspiracy theories around the Nazis, from Hitler's alleged escape to supposed secret bases and alien tech, will find plenty to recognize and enjoy in this fast-paced adventure laced with historical details.
Of course, this is a Doctor Who story and a Sixth Doctor one, in particular. What Cole and Richards accomplish is to mash up a Jack Higgins style thriller with Who elements, including time travel and the presence of aliens. The resulting novel fits neatly into the Whovian sub-genre known as the pseudo-historical, something that this Doctor had only a single smattering of during his screen tenure. The darker feel of that era neatly fits into such a story, and there are moments when Cole and Richards perfectly capture it in prose. Perhaps no more so than in their finale, which perhaps goes a tad too far but is nonetheless a powerful read even two decades on from its publication.
Not to mention that, for a novel written in something of a hurry as the forward of this latest edition of it alludes to, far better than it has any right to be.
September 22, 2020
This is my all time favourite Doctor Who book. A wonderful story that mixes fact and fiction to perfection.
A reporter find something creepy going on in an abandoned village. A village taken over by the military just before D Day!
I love the Brigadier in this book. An older and wiser Brig. He is called in by an ex subordinate when the modern UNIT leader doesn't want to know and the big man at the MOD is acting suspiciously!
At a loose end while is wife is on a girls week away he decides to call in the Doctor to see if he can help solve the problem.
The relationship between the Brigadier and the 6th Doctor is wonderful.
Claire, the reporter, makes an excellent 3rd member of their team (but beware the ending is not a happy one!)
This is a solid story that moves at a good pace! The Doctor and the Brigadier are a perfect fit for the TV versions. You can almost hear Colin Baker and Nicholas Courtney saying the lines. The other characters a very well developed!
A great read!
A reporter find something creepy going on in an abandoned village. A village taken over by the military just before D Day!
I love the Brigadier in this book. An older and wiser Brig. He is called in by an ex subordinate when the modern UNIT leader doesn't want to know and the big man at the MOD is acting suspiciously!
At a loose end while is wife is on a girls week away he decides to call in the Doctor to see if he can help solve the problem.
The relationship between the Brigadier and the 6th Doctor is wonderful.
Claire, the reporter, makes an excellent 3rd member of their team (but beware the ending is not a happy one!)
This is a solid story that moves at a good pace! The Doctor and the Brigadier are a perfect fit for the TV versions. You can almost hear Colin Baker and Nicholas Courtney saying the lines. The other characters a very well developed!
A great read!
January 14, 2017
Why can't all Doctor Who books be like Shadow in the Glass??
Much like Festival of Death, Shadow in the Glass is timey-wimey in all the best possible ways, its twists do not disappoint, and its characters act in a way that are consistent with what we expect from these characters.
Except for maybe The Doctor, who, to be honest, is one of the least important elements of this story. The Sixth Doctor is irascible, and often cowardly, and annoyingly pompous. But The Doctor that is written here by Lyons and Richards, is calm, and funny, and brave...which...doesn't make me picture Colin Baker very vividly. The story works better if you envision The Doctor as Peter Davison, or even David Tennant (for NuWho fans).
Regardless, Shadow in the Glass is damn near perfect.
Much like Festival of Death, Shadow in the Glass is timey-wimey in all the best possible ways, its twists do not disappoint, and its characters act in a way that are consistent with what we expect from these characters.
Except for maybe The Doctor, who, to be honest, is one of the least important elements of this story. The Sixth Doctor is irascible, and often cowardly, and annoyingly pompous. But The Doctor that is written here by Lyons and Richards, is calm, and funny, and brave...which...doesn't make me picture Colin Baker very vividly. The story works better if you envision The Doctor as Peter Davison, or even David Tennant (for NuWho fans).
Regardless, Shadow in the Glass is damn near perfect.
April 26, 2020
This is an unusual yet fascinating Doctor Who novel that begins with a reporter for a conspiracy TV show investigating strange goings on at a village that has been sealed off since World War II. She finds herself drawn into a massive mystery involving the fate of Adolf Hitler and whether he may have somehow survived and returned decades later to lead a new reich.
This story is just a good thriller. Even without the specific Doctor Who elements (such as time travel), it displays emaculate research, and delves well into the mystery of what happened. The story features the Brigadier and he's superbly written as is Colin Baker's Sixth Doctor.
India Fisher is a fantastic reader and does a great job keeping you in the story. While I've primarily heard her doing Charlotte Pollard-related short trips, she's a phenomenal narrator and does a great job creating all these characters she never played.
If I had one complaint (other than the poor way the CDs are separated) is that the back story and all the details often meant a lot of talking and limited action. However, the last part of the book makes up for this.
This story is just a good thriller. Even without the specific Doctor Who elements (such as time travel), it displays emaculate research, and delves well into the mystery of what happened. The story features the Brigadier and he's superbly written as is Colin Baker's Sixth Doctor.
India Fisher is a fantastic reader and does a great job keeping you in the story. While I've primarily heard her doing Charlotte Pollard-related short trips, she's a phenomenal narrator and does a great job creating all these characters she never played.
If I had one complaint (other than the poor way the CDs are separated) is that the back story and all the details often meant a lot of talking and limited action. However, the last part of the book makes up for this.
June 10, 2020
An alternate subtitle to this book should've been the Doctor vs. the Nazi's. I really was not prepared for quite so much of the Doctor and Brigadier's involvement with the 3rd Reich. I originally picked up the book because the Brigadier is one of my all time favorite Doctor Who characters so I was intrigued to read about his and the Sixth Doctor's adventure. Although I could've done without the rather lengthy history lesson in the middle that seemed to go on and on about the final days of Hitler. It seemed a bit too long and unneeded honestly. Also just FYI this one is a bit darker then most Doctor Who stories, I was definitely surprised by some of the events that ended up happening. Overall though it was an interesting and well written story.
July 22, 2021
I am very confused as to how I feel about this book. There are some elements I liked, e.g. Claire, the Brigadier, references to how terrible the Doctor’s outfit is, the dynamic between 6 and the Brigadier. However, there were parts of the book that significantly hindered my enjoyment of the book; why did it keep jumping around in time without saying when it was?; it felt weird to read from a Nazi perspective (wasn’t really a fan of that); it threw me for a loop a few times and I didn’t enjoy any of them.
I loved this book, but I also hated it, so 2.5 / 5
I would recommend this book to someone, particularly one of those World War 2 obsessed boys.
I loved this book, but I also hated it, so 2.5 / 5
I would recommend this book to someone, particularly one of those World War 2 obsessed boys.
February 19, 2021
The Sixth Doctor and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart have to keep the contents --and the passengers--of a wrecked alien starship out of the hands of a Neo-Nazi group, an effort that sends them back to the last days of World War II. There are a lot of things to like here, including some clever use of the known facts surrounding Adolf Hitler's death and some good interaction between the Doctor and the Brig. I wish Colin Baker's TV adventures had been this good.
February 23, 2022
This is a good novel, with some engaging characters (the Sixth Doctor is his usual spiky-but-charming self, and the Brigadier is the solid dependable force he always has been). Very interesting plot, with some twists and turns along the way. Be warned that this novel probably isn't suitable for younger children, as it does include a few swearwords and some scenes of serious violence (nothing to give a grown adult nightmares, of course, but maybe a little too much for the young'uns).
November 2, 2017
I really enjoyed this book, perhaps because it was the first bit of fiction I'd read for a couple of months. But some lovely weaving of conspiracy theories into a sci-fi plot, even if the sci-fi element was a bit shakey (the focus of the plot seemed very much on keeping it consistent with what is know of Hitler's last days).
August 26, 2022
A clever plot weaving fact and fiction to great effect and nice to see the Brigadier once again. I even quite liked the Doctor - who was on of my least favourite incarnations. The story ran at a good pace but left you a bit unsatisfied at the end, despite the multiple threads coming together very well.
January 30, 2024
I enjoyed this alt-history conspiracy tale.
There's surprisingly little Doctor in it ... he doesn't even appear until 60 pages into the book. That's fine, the Doctor is in the story, but the story stands on its own.
The Brigadier is always welcome, and plays well with a rather understated, even dark, Colin Baker.
There's surprisingly little Doctor in it ... he doesn't even appear until 60 pages into the book. That's fine, the Doctor is in the story, but the story stands on its own.
The Brigadier is always welcome, and plays well with a rather understated, even dark, Colin Baker.
September 15, 2018
An absolutely absurd book about Hitler, Eva Braun, Aliens, the Occult, Hitler and the Doctor. Seems right that the Brigadier is with the Doctor on this adventure & it’s fun hokum all the way. Rooted in some research by the authors
August 5, 2018
The 6th Doctor meets Hitler...
Great characterisation- loved six and the Brigadier - well worth a read! Interesting blend of history and sci-fi. Great read!
Great characterisation- loved six and the Brigadier - well worth a read! Interesting blend of history and sci-fi. Great read!
November 11, 2018
I did a non-spoiler-y review for our Doctor Who podcast "Time & Space" here - https://www.thenerdparty.com/timeands...
October 14, 2020
a pretty good doctor who story coming from the dark ages but nicely updated
December 7, 2021
Not bad, not what I expected and not my favorite Doctor but I enjoy any adventure with the Brigadier.
March 3, 2017
The 6th Doctor meets with the Brigadier and has to solve a mystery. This mystery involves Hitler, a crashed spaceship and an unusual cult.
This is a clever story with some very unforeseen twists in the plot. The brigadier as always, is a highlight of the novel, and its nice to see how he works with the 6th Doctor. The Hitler plot is very well done and does not turn out how you would think.
A very good read.
This is a clever story with some very unforeseen twists in the plot. The brigadier as always, is a highlight of the novel, and its nice to see how he works with the 6th Doctor. The Hitler plot is very well done and does not turn out how you would think.
A very good read.
September 24, 2016
A strong entry in the series that posits a range of mysteries to do with what happened to Adolf Hitler at the end of the war, and did he somehow survive? After reading of how this book was a last minute replacement to fill the schedule I am very suitably impressed how wholesome and well-written this novel is despite its short gestation period. The authors do a grand job of fleshing out the main characters of the Sixth Doctor, the Brigadier and Claire, and even the supporting characters get some good moments too. All in all an enjoyable read with enough plot twists and changes of location to keep this feeling fresh all the way through. Top Notch
July 19, 2024
*My Doctor Who reviews are also available at https://tardis.guide/
"I asked Hitler, "For whom do we fight for now?" and to that Hitler said in a monotone "The coming man"
Heinz Linge
This is also hyped up as one of the best of the Past Doctor Adventures, and it almost meets that standard.
A spaceship's downfall during WWII raises questions about the possibility of Hitler's survival and return to conquer the world with dark forces, causing an emotional journey for the Doctor and Brigadier.
Capturing the essence of the 6th Doctor, Cole and Richards skillfully balance his arrogance with sensitive moments. They showcase the best of Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart, who, despite his somberness, has a likable warmth and intelligence.
The final twist is expertly teased into the plot, with our one-off companion Claire believing that t her story will mark her in history. The Scrying Glass is an imaginative and entertaining way of relaying information. However, the alien threat is such a non-entity that despite often being brought up, it leaves the reader’s mind quite quickly, as the historical elements from Richards and Cole are far more interesting.
This book delivers a superb conspiracy tale with well-researched and tightly written characters. The plot construction is meticulous, culminating in a devastating twist. Memorable scenes, such as the Doctor's fight in the crater and the Brig's encounter with Hitler, enhance the novel's emotional impact. This intelligent and emotional read is a highlight of the range.
"I asked Hitler, "For whom do we fight for now?" and to that Hitler said in a monotone "The coming man"
Heinz Linge
This is also hyped up as one of the best of the Past Doctor Adventures, and it almost meets that standard.
A spaceship's downfall during WWII raises questions about the possibility of Hitler's survival and return to conquer the world with dark forces, causing an emotional journey for the Doctor and Brigadier.
Capturing the essence of the 6th Doctor, Cole and Richards skillfully balance his arrogance with sensitive moments. They showcase the best of Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart, who, despite his somberness, has a likable warmth and intelligence.
The final twist is expertly teased into the plot, with our one-off companion Claire believing that t her story will mark her in history. The Scrying Glass is an imaginative and entertaining way of relaying information. However, the alien threat is such a non-entity that despite often being brought up, it leaves the reader’s mind quite quickly, as the historical elements from Richards and Cole are far more interesting.
This book delivers a superb conspiracy tale with well-researched and tightly written characters. The plot construction is meticulous, culminating in a devastating twist. Memorable scenes, such as the Doctor's fight in the crater and the Brig's encounter with Hitler, enhance the novel's emotional impact. This intelligent and emotional read is a highlight of the range.
February 4, 2013
Not fond of the initial opening chapters, with the mix of documentary and the paranormal "ghost hunters" aspect with the imps in the video footage. Did enjoy the conspiracy aspects of the story and the way time travel was used as a means of investigating some of the plot. I also loved the fact that UNIT is treated as an investigative force. This give the Brigadier a reason for being involved in the development of the story, he also has an excellent foil in journalist Claire Aldwych. Having these two work together makes up for the absence of the Doctor at various points. It's also interesting to note that both Churchill and Hitler have heard of the Doctor, which helps the Doctor to investigate events once he goes back to the WWII era in the Tardis. I also appreciated the chapter at the end about the historical context of the fictious events in the novel.
October 11, 2015
I enjoyed probably the last 75 pages of this book and that's it.. Really, that's when the story actually gets going and becomes interesting. The rest is an interminably long set-up that didn't feel necessary. This book could easily have been a novella and not a full-on novel. The Doctor was barely in it until the middle, which knocks it down even more. So, five stars for the final 3-5 chapters, and one star for the first 5/8 of the book for not being a very good Doctor Who novel (it's a great story about the conspiracies surrounding Hitler's death - but the Doctor doesn't become relevant until the end, and I'm not here for that).
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