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Doctor Who Target Books (Numerical Order) #59
Doctor Who and the Stones of Blood
Chanting, hooded figures gather inside a ring of ancient stones, using rituals of blood sacrifice to awaken the sleeping evil of the Ogri.
The Doctor and Romana go from the countryside Of Present Day England to a deep space cruiser trapped in hyperspace in their attempt to track down an alien criminal, and unravel the mystery of The Stones Of Blood.
Luckily they have the help of the faithful K9.
The Doctor and Romana go from the countryside Of Present Day England to a deep space cruiser trapped in hyperspace in their attempt to track down an alien criminal, and unravel the mystery of The Stones Of Blood.
Luckily they have the help of the faithful K9.
124 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
3 people are currently reading
268 people want to read
About the author
Terrance Dicks
327 books220 followersTerrance 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 19, 2022
This is a novelization of the third serial from the sixteenth season of Doctor Who, which was broadcast in October and November of 1978. Terrance Dicks adapted David Fisher's original screenplay for this book in 1980, though I've heard that Fisher later did a different novelization that I've not read. This is one of the classic Key of Time episodes from the fourth Doctor's time, along with the second iteration of his Time Lady companion Romanadvoratrelundar and their trusty robotic K9 the canine. I thought Dicks did his usual fine job of translating the story to print, incorporating all off the important details of the plot, providing good descriptions of the settings and characters, and adding a few good background polishes and flourishes. The episode was one of my two favorites of all the many, many I've watched (the other being Pyramids of Mars, in case you were wondering), so I can't be completely objective about the novelization. The Hammer-esque Gothic setting contrasts wonderfully with the spaceship scenes, the aliens are creepy and convincing, and the by-play of Romana and The Doctor is delightful. A few years ago, I got to visit the megalithic Rollright Stones in Oxfordshire where much of the episode was filmed, and it was the highlight of our vacation for me.
November 18, 2020
Read this as part of the house cup challenge. It is a Doctor story, what can I say. They are simply escape literature. We are lucky when the plot is actually really good and not super prescriptive. This one was borderline better than others. Just enjoy them for what they are. If you are a whovian then you will enjoy this one just like the others. This one had some unique elements around Stonehenge like setting but otherwise pretty typical.
June 29, 2008
A fun adventure. This is part of the 'Key to Time' series, and has the Doctor, Rommana and K-9 on earth.
We get to learn the truth about Stonehenge, encounter some new aliens as well as an older professor supporting character who would have made a fun companion.
A good TV show that makes a good book, as the monsters don't come across as clunky because a book doesn't have to worry about a special effects budget.
anybody else still waiting for somebody to do a story where those justice machine robots finally catch up to the Doctor?
We get to learn the truth about Stonehenge, encounter some new aliens as well as an older professor supporting character who would have made a fun companion.
A good TV show that makes a good book, as the monsters don't come across as clunky because a book doesn't have to worry about a special effects budget.
anybody else still waiting for somebody to do a story where those justice machine robots finally catch up to the Doctor?
February 28, 2020
Perhaps the archetypal Terrance Dicks novelisation from the late 1970s: a concise adaptation, no major additions, a few characters flourishes, no disastrous choices. Simple, effective, if unremarkable.
April 25, 2025
This was a fun one love K9 so always good to see the Doctor interact with them and he loves a good court case doesn’t he?!
April 13, 2015
Today was quite stressful so I needed something Very comforting and the novelisation of Stones of Blood was perfect. Terance Dicks is not a great writer but when he writes a Doctor Who novel it's just like watching the episode. This is one of my favorite stories and made a very enjoyable read.
I also loved the description of Beatrix, "The woman was quite old, though her back was straight, her eyes clear and alert. Her straggly hair was a snowy white, her face a mass of lines and wrinkles. It was the face of a woman of formidable character".
I also loved the description of Beatrix, "The woman was quite old, though her back was straight, her eyes clear and alert. Her straggly hair was a snowy white, her face a mass of lines and wrinkles. It was the face of a woman of formidable character".
October 1, 2023
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-stone-of-blood-by-katrin-thier-and-david-fisher-and-terrance-dicks/
A standard Dicks write-what's-on-the-screen treatment, somewhat flattening a rather good story. I did think Dicks handled the climax of the story with some finesse, but the rest is pretty thin.
A standard Dicks write-what's-on-the-screen treatment, somewhat flattening a rather good story. I did think Dicks handled the climax of the story with some finesse, but the rest is pretty thin.
September 13, 2021
My secondhand Target Doctor Who book acquisitions have resulted in me reading the different parts of the 6-part Key of Time serial in a haphazard order. But this book, the second in the larger arc, is definitely one of the strong ones.
We have the Doctor and Romana continuing their search for the different parts of the key of time, and this brings them a point in Earth's past. There they explore some standing stones that seem to trigger their Tracer, thus indicating that the key fragment is somewhere nearby. But they can't seem to find it.
And there's the story of unusual activities in the night such as those who still follow druidic rites including some potentially dark rituals at night. But there's more to all this than what it seems to be on the surface, as is often the case when the Doctor is involved. And this is where the adventure really begins.
As much as these different stories feel like one-offs with limited connection to the next adventure for the key, this story felt pretty solid. And we had a lot of great adventures for everyone, even K9 had some stellar moments. It's not the best Doctor Who adventure of all time, but it's a great one that showcases a lot of the reasons why the Fourth Doctor's run was so delightful.
We have the Doctor and Romana continuing their search for the different parts of the key of time, and this brings them a point in Earth's past. There they explore some standing stones that seem to trigger their Tracer, thus indicating that the key fragment is somewhere nearby. But they can't seem to find it.
And there's the story of unusual activities in the night such as those who still follow druidic rites including some potentially dark rituals at night. But there's more to all this than what it seems to be on the surface, as is often the case when the Doctor is involved. And this is where the adventure really begins.
As much as these different stories feel like one-offs with limited connection to the next adventure for the key, this story felt pretty solid. And we had a lot of great adventures for everyone, even K9 had some stellar moments. It's not the best Doctor Who adventure of all time, but it's a great one that showcases a lot of the reasons why the Fourth Doctor's run was so delightful.
December 21, 2025
This is one of my favourite story’s as I have a love of archaeology. Amelia Rumford is a brilliant character who was expertly played by Beatrix Lehmann on screen. And Stone Circles are such fascinating things. I love how the myths and history surrounding them were tied in with aliens. It would be great to have an aftermath story where Prof Rumford has to explain to the authorities how a heritage listed site was rearranged overnight without evidence of heavy machinery being used.
This is Dicks at his best. Totally faithful to the broadcast episodes. Scene by scene and line by line. I was able to visualise each scene as if I was actually watching my DVD.
Comparison with the recent David Fisher version.
It’s difficult to make a direct comparison between the 2 books as the Fisher version is 50% longer, but telling the same story. Both are excellent, but for different reasons. The Fisher has a much more researched and detailed background. But it devolves into farce in too many expanded scenes for my liking. The TV story has a certain amount of comedic style, but he’s taken it too far in the book. So for that reason my money is on the Dicks version as the better, but only marginally.
This is Dicks at his best. Totally faithful to the broadcast episodes. Scene by scene and line by line. I was able to visualise each scene as if I was actually watching my DVD.
Comparison with the recent David Fisher version.
It’s difficult to make a direct comparison between the 2 books as the Fisher version is 50% longer, but telling the same story. Both are excellent, but for different reasons. The Fisher has a much more researched and detailed background. But it devolves into farce in too many expanded scenes for my liking. The TV story has a certain amount of comedic style, but he’s taken it too far in the book. So for that reason my money is on the Dicks version as the better, but only marginally.
February 24, 2019
Werepenguin Productions Remarks:
The story is a middle of the road Doctor Who story but still enjoyable.
Content Description:
Keywords: 4th Doctor, Romana, K9, Key to Time, Occult, Outlogic the Robot(s), Earth-presentish
Violence and Gore: minor realistic (blood from cuts, nosebleeds, split lips, bruises, etc.), animal sacrifice and human sacrifice are referenced/described.
Profanity: PG Language
Sex and Nudity: None
Content descriptions are provided without value judgments. We want to maximize the fun and success rates of finding a new fandom. Since audiences vary in age, culture, and comfort levels we want to help people connect with something they’ll enjoy the most. To learn more about our content description writing process click here.
https://www.werepenguinproductions.or...
The story is a middle of the road Doctor Who story but still enjoyable.
Content Description:
Keywords: 4th Doctor, Romana, K9, Key to Time, Occult, Outlogic the Robot(s), Earth-presentish
Violence and Gore: minor realistic (blood from cuts, nosebleeds, split lips, bruises, etc.), animal sacrifice and human sacrifice are referenced/described.
Profanity: PG Language
Sex and Nudity: None
Content descriptions are provided without value judgments. We want to maximize the fun and success rates of finding a new fandom. Since audiences vary in age, culture, and comfort levels we want to help people connect with something they’ll enjoy the most. To learn more about our content description writing process click here.
https://www.werepenguinproductions.or...
May 4, 2021
After the slower pace of Ribos Operation, back into a faster paced story here (I don't as yet have Pirate Planet so unable to read that as yet) with Terrance Dicks again the author.
K9's treatment is somewhat similar to Ribos Operation, not being involved initially but brought into the plot later, but Romana and the Doctor get plenty of screen time as such here, albeit Romana has a couple of moments of being a Damsel in Distress, rather than being on equal terms with the Doctor.
The one off characters are quite well fleshed out here, with a range of characters and motivations, and eventual fates, shown here. A good twist in the tale as well, though I felt the later part of the book didn't quite match the heights of earlier in the piece, though plenty of tension in the later part.
All round a good, pretty quick read.
K9's treatment is somewhat similar to Ribos Operation, not being involved initially but brought into the plot later, but Romana and the Doctor get plenty of screen time as such here, albeit Romana has a couple of moments of being a Damsel in Distress, rather than being on equal terms with the Doctor.
The one off characters are quite well fleshed out here, with a range of characters and motivations, and eventual fates, shown here. A good twist in the tale as well, though I felt the later part of the book didn't quite match the heights of earlier in the piece, though plenty of tension in the later part.
All round a good, pretty quick read.
August 6, 2023
Doctor Who and the Stones of Blood (1980) by Terrance Dicks is the novelisation of the third serial of season sixteen of Doctor Who.
The Doctor, Romana and K9 continue their search for pieces of the Key to Time. They encounter a strange almost druid group who have blood sacrifices that are mysteriously absorbed by stones. They worship a Cailleach. The segment of the key of time appears to be within the stone circle, but it is not to be found in the circle. They meet Professor Emilia Rumford and her friend Vivien Fay. Rumford is a fun Doctor Who character of an English Professor.
Doctor Who and the Stones of Blood is a good Doctor Who serial and will entertain fans. The Key to Time episodes are fun.
The Doctor, Romana and K9 continue their search for pieces of the Key to Time. They encounter a strange almost druid group who have blood sacrifices that are mysteriously absorbed by stones. They worship a Cailleach. The segment of the key of time appears to be within the stone circle, but it is not to be found in the circle. They meet Professor Emilia Rumford and her friend Vivien Fay. Rumford is a fun Doctor Who character of an English Professor.
Doctor Who and the Stones of Blood is a good Doctor Who serial and will entertain fans. The Key to Time episodes are fun.
October 18, 2020
I have always preferred early episodes of the 4th Doctor with Sarah Jane Smith and Leela rather then the later with either Romana, so I was unsure if I would like this story. I don't remember if I have ever seen this episode but I found it pretty entertaining. I liked the plot. Doctor who has always been good at telling a story that starts off like it is going to be horror before it segues into sci-fi. Overall an alright Who story.
December 20, 2025
I love The Stones of Blood and sometimes my love of a script can carry me through even a mediocre novelisation a bit more than this, but aside from about two paragraphs of character background there's absolutely nothing here. No wonder the audiobooks range was keen to get a new adaptation from David Fisher rather than record this one.
January 1, 2024
This is another quick and faithful adaptation by Dicks. As usual, the short page count gives him little room for embellishments thiugh he does put a few in here and there. Worth reading fir a few hours entertainment.
December 29, 2024
A competent and fast-paced retelling of a loved story. Dicks gives us some background details to characters and creates a brooding atmosphere in which the story takes place. Emilia Rumford is a wonderful creation, by the way.
March 19, 2019
Another great Fourth Doctor story from Terrance Dicks.
March 23, 2024
7/10 I enjoyed this - probably more than I thought I would.
February 24, 2021
pdf, 105 pages
Not one of Uncle Terrance's finest efforts....
Not one of Uncle Terrance's finest efforts....
February 17, 2021
Doctor Who and the Stones of Blood, by Terrance Dicks. Target, 1980. Number 59 in the Doctor Who Library. 124 pages, paperback. ISBN 0-426-20099-3. Original script by David Fisher. BBC 1978.
This adventure features the 4th Doctor, Romana I, and K9.
SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.
SUMMARY
Having obtained two of the segments of the Key to Time, the quest for the third takes the Doctor, Romana, and K9 to Earth. Landing in the moorland on the outskirts a small town, they meet an remarkable older lady archeologist, Amilia Rumford, and her assistant, the oddly aloof Vivian Fay. The pair are surveying a circle of stones which seems to have changed the number of stones that make up the circle periodically throughout its history.
Vivian Fay isn't who she appears but is rather Cessair of Diplos, who has trapped a prison ship in hyperspace – in the same space as the circle but in a different dimension. She has brought three Ogri, silicon based life forms who happen to look like the stones that make up the circle to the moor. They feed on blood so it suites her fancy to pose as a Celtic goddess as a local group of modern Druids perform sacrifices to her.
Fay traps Romana first and then the Doctor on the ship. The Doctor has to outwit the Megara, biomechanoid law machines that he accidentally sets free when he breaks the seal on their compartment, the penalty for which is death. He outwits them again to reveal that Fay, who follows with the Ogri, is Cessair. He and Romana return to the circle. Cessair's punishment for her list of crimes, which includes stealing the Seal of Diplos, a pendant capable of transmutation, among other things, is to be turned into a stone in the circle. Before sentence in passed, the Doctor takes the Seal, which happens to be the third segment to the Key to Time.
OPINION
I like the Key to Time season. The Stones of Blood has some good world-building and solid storytelling. Amelia Rumford is among the many favorite secondary characters. It has nice pace and Terrance Dicks works the cliffhangers into the chapter endings. Not as comic as The Ribos Operation and it doesn't have a larger than life character like the Captain the The Pirate Planet, The Stones of Blood is simply good Doctor Who.
This adventure features the 4th Doctor, Romana I, and K9.
SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.
SUMMARY
Having obtained two of the segments of the Key to Time, the quest for the third takes the Doctor, Romana, and K9 to Earth. Landing in the moorland on the outskirts a small town, they meet an remarkable older lady archeologist, Amilia Rumford, and her assistant, the oddly aloof Vivian Fay. The pair are surveying a circle of stones which seems to have changed the number of stones that make up the circle periodically throughout its history.
Vivian Fay isn't who she appears but is rather Cessair of Diplos, who has trapped a prison ship in hyperspace – in the same space as the circle but in a different dimension. She has brought three Ogri, silicon based life forms who happen to look like the stones that make up the circle to the moor. They feed on blood so it suites her fancy to pose as a Celtic goddess as a local group of modern Druids perform sacrifices to her.
Fay traps Romana first and then the Doctor on the ship. The Doctor has to outwit the Megara, biomechanoid law machines that he accidentally sets free when he breaks the seal on their compartment, the penalty for which is death. He outwits them again to reveal that Fay, who follows with the Ogri, is Cessair. He and Romana return to the circle. Cessair's punishment for her list of crimes, which includes stealing the Seal of Diplos, a pendant capable of transmutation, among other things, is to be turned into a stone in the circle. Before sentence in passed, the Doctor takes the Seal, which happens to be the third segment to the Key to Time.
OPINION
I like the Key to Time season. The Stones of Blood has some good world-building and solid storytelling. Amelia Rumford is among the many favorite secondary characters. It has nice pace and Terrance Dicks works the cliffhangers into the chapter endings. Not as comic as The Ribos Operation and it doesn't have a larger than life character like the Captain the The Pirate Planet, The Stones of Blood is simply good Doctor Who.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2008
Romana, the Doctor and K-9 begin their adventure on Earth, where blood sacrifices are being made to huge stones. The huge stones walk around and kill people sometimes, but that's not the weird bit--all of this is part of an escape plan of an evil alien trapped in a hyperspace prison. The Doctor must prove the alien guilty while simultaneously proving his innocence to the artificial intelligences that serve as prison guards.
June 29, 2016
There are few things more comforting than a breezy, knockabout Terrance Dicks Target novelisation. This one is lovely, one of the first I watched on TV and it's got all the right ingredients: Romana, K9, floppy broad-brimmed hat, many-sided console, a spooky moor, a stone circle, two officious robots, creaky manor house.
October 2, 2021
Better than the TV version the Ogri read better on the page than visualised.
But as with most target books they are wrapped up very quickly.
Also not a nice way to go out being turned into stone for an eternity.
But as with most target books they are wrapped up very quickly.
Also not a nice way to go out being turned into stone for an eternity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
August 23, 2008isbn,original
December 10, 2010
See i knew Stonehenge wasn't a calendar!
October 29, 2024
"Doctor, is Earth always like that? 'asked Romana wonderingly.
'No, no, Earth's a very varied planet. Sometimes it can be quite exciting!"
'No, no, Earth's a very varied planet. Sometimes it can be quite exciting!"
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews