The Adventures of K9 and Other Mechanical Creatures (Target Book) by Terrance Dicks (25-Sep-1979) Paperback

by Terrance Dicks

Hello! This is the Doctor.Here's a book all about my faithful friend, K9. As you know, K9 is a kind of robot dog — though he'd sooner be described as a completely-mobile, self-powered computer with multi-sensory circuits and built-in defensive capabilities!I'll also be telling you about some other amazing mechanical creatures I've encountered on my travels through Space and Time — some have been surprisingly friendly, but others were very dangerous indeed...

Genres: Doctor Who, Science Fiction

Paperback

First published September 25, 1979

About the author

Terrance Dicks was an English author, screenwriter, script editor, and producer best known for his extensive contributions to Doctor Who. Serving as the show's script editor from 1968 to 1974, he helped shape many core elements of the series, including the concept of regeneration, the development of the Time Lords, and the naming of the Doctor’s home planet, Gallifrey. His tenure coincided with major thematic expansions, and he worked closely with producer Barry Letts to bring a socially aware tone to the show. Dicks later wrote several Doctor Who serials, including Robot, Horror of Fang Rock, and The Five Doctors, the 20th-anniversary special.
In parallel with his television work, Dicks became one of the most prolific writers of Doctor Who novelisations for Target Books, authoring over 60 titles and serving as the de facto editor of the range. These adaptations introduced a generation of young readers to the franchise. Beyond Doctor Who, he also wrote original novels, including children’s horror and adventure series such as The Baker Street Irregulars, Star Quest, and The Adventures of Goliath.
Dicks also worked on other television programmes including The Avengers, Moonbase 3, and various BBC literary adaptations. His later work included audio dramas and novels tied to Doctor Who. Widely respected for his clarity, imagination, and dedication to storytelling, he remained a central figure in Doctor Who fandom until his death in 2019, leaving behind a vast legacy in television and children's literature.

Reviews

[Jason Arbuckle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 341 - Terrance Dicks - K9 and Other Mechanical Creatures

Short, simple but wonderfully put together. Written by the maestro himself Terrance Dicks. An overview of all of K9’s early stories and simple descriptions of mechanical monstrosities told from the point of view of the Doctor and K9 himself.

Add to that a dose of wonderful photos and we have a magnificent book, full of nostalgia… full of memories of my youth. Brilliant.

[Nicholas Whyte]

http://nhw.livejournal.com/1073468.html#cutid2[return][return]The first half of it is a summary of (most of) the stories between The Invisible Enemy and The Armageddon Factor, as narrated very briefly by the Doctor in rather twee first person. The second half mixes a rather context-free listing of the other robotic creatures encountered by the Doctor (going from the Ice Soldiers in The Keys of Marinus to the eponymous Androids of Tara, though in somewhat jumbled order) with puzzles, quizzes, and a cut-out K9 for you to make at home.