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Doctor Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts #10
The Mystery of the Haunted Cottage
When the TARDIS lands on a planet that looks identical to Earth, the Tenth Doctor and Martha are amazed to find it packed with fictional characters from her childhood. But who has the power to create an entire world out of books and why? The Doctor and Martha must solve the mystery before their story ends!
Eleven Doctors, eleven months, eleven stories: a year-long celebration of Doctor Who! The most exciting names in children's fiction each create their own unique adventure about the time-travelling Time Lord.
Eleven Doctors, eleven months, eleven stories: a year-long celebration of Doctor Who! The most exciting names in children's fiction each create their own unique adventure about the time-travelling Time Lord.
54 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 23, 2013
About the author
Derek Landy
263 books5,346 followersDerek Landy is an Irish writer and screenwriter. In addition to the bestselling children's/YA series of Skulduggery Pleasant books, a supernatural mystery series starring Skulduggery Pleasant, a skeleton detective, and Valkyrie Cain, a young female magician, he has written two screenplays that have been made into films: the IFTA award winning "Dead Bodies" and the IFTA nominated "Boy Eats Girl". Landy himself was nominated for an IFTA for Best Script.
He doesn’t like to brag about all the awards he’s won, such as the Irish Book of the Decade, or the Red House in the UK, or all the other awards that he humbly displays on his mantelpiece. He is also far too modest to mention things like the first book being a Publisher’s Weekly Best Book of the Year, but would like to extend an invitation to Oprah to pop around one day for tea, in thanks for selecting his book for the Oprah’s Book Club Kids Reading List.
Derek plays too many video games, reads too many comics, and watches too many movies. He lives in Ireland with too many cats. Occasionally he talks to real people, but only when he absolutely has to.
He doesn’t like to brag about all the awards he’s won, such as the Irish Book of the Decade, or the Red House in the UK, or all the other awards that he humbly displays on his mantelpiece. He is also far too modest to mention things like the first book being a Publisher’s Weekly Best Book of the Year, but would like to extend an invitation to Oprah to pop around one day for tea, in thanks for selecting his book for the Oprah’s Book Club Kids Reading List.
Derek plays too many video games, reads too many comics, and watches too many movies. He lives in Ireland with too many cats. Occasionally he talks to real people, but only when he absolutely has to.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
October 2, 2022
This is a short story that is based on the television series. This one has The Tenth Doctor along with Martha as his companion. In this one, The Doctor and Martha visit a planet that is ripped right from a childhood book that Martha read. All is not right on this planet.
This was so much fun. I recently read a Doctor Who book that dealt with the Land of Fiction. This short story is really reminiscent of that aspect. In fact the Land of Fiction was mentioned several times. This one takes on what is reality and what is fiction. Although this is primarily set in the setting of Martha's childhood read we touch upon several famous books and I loved this. We have everything from famous fantasy series to an infamous haunted setting from what is probably one of the most famous contemporary authors. I am trying to not spoil it for you. I loved this little mentions and each one put a smile on my face. With a media tie-in story we need the characters to be true to themselves. For the most part I thought they were. Martha was fine. I did think at times the author nailed the portrayal of The Tenth Doctor but at other times he seemed to be more The Eleventh Doctor. As for the story it works within this universe.
I enjoyed this short story as it put a smile on my face throughout. The only flaw was that is was too quick. I am being selfish here. I want this to be a full featured novel or even better. An episode of the show. This would be so much fun and have provided laughs if this was an episode. This was a fantastic short read for fans of this universe.
This was so much fun. I recently read a Doctor Who book that dealt with the Land of Fiction. This short story is really reminiscent of that aspect. In fact the Land of Fiction was mentioned several times. This one takes on what is reality and what is fiction. Although this is primarily set in the setting of Martha's childhood read we touch upon several famous books and I loved this. We have everything from famous fantasy series to an infamous haunted setting from what is probably one of the most famous contemporary authors. I am trying to not spoil it for you. I loved this little mentions and each one put a smile on my face. With a media tie-in story we need the characters to be true to themselves. For the most part I thought they were. Martha was fine. I did think at times the author nailed the portrayal of The Tenth Doctor but at other times he seemed to be more The Eleventh Doctor. As for the story it works within this universe.
I enjoyed this short story as it put a smile on my face throughout. The only flaw was that is was too quick. I am being selfish here. I want this to be a full featured novel or even better. An episode of the show. This would be so much fun and have provided laughs if this was an episode. This was a fantastic short read for fans of this universe.
January 6, 2016
This is the tenth book in the 50th Anniversary event of eleven short stories featuring the eleven doctors along with eleven different companions. Now, it's the turn of the Tenth Doctor and his companion is Martha Jones.
The Good
Everything!!! If you can't read all the eleven stories and you just can read one single short story of this event, this is the one! If you like the Tenth Doctor and/or Doctor Who franchise in general, you will love to read this book. And also, even if you aren't particularly very "into" Doctor Who stuff but you love to read books (and I'm sure you do), you will love to read this fantastic short story.
The Tenth Doctor is brilliant here and Derek Landy, the author, masterfully brings back a concept of the "classic" era but with a totally new and fresh twist. Even the Tenth Doctor obviously comments that he faced something similar in The Mind Robber storyline however this is a totally different threat and when the things will get more complicated you will even love more this wonderful tale.
Martha Jones is a great companion for the Tenth Doctor here and the interaction between the two are priceless.
While not totally clear, it's very likely that this short story is set after the TV episode 42 but before of Human Nature.
Again, this is easily the best adventure of the entire collection of this short story event. And it's not because the rest are bad, no, there are two stories that I didn't like but in general, I loved to read the rest of the short stories, however, this one is the crown jewel of the collection.
The Bad
Nothing! I told you! This short story rocks!!!
The Odd
Many things but in this particular case is a compliment to the wonderful plot and its development.
The Good
Everything!!! If you can't read all the eleven stories and you just can read one single short story of this event, this is the one! If you like the Tenth Doctor and/or Doctor Who franchise in general, you will love to read this book. And also, even if you aren't particularly very "into" Doctor Who stuff but you love to read books (and I'm sure you do), you will love to read this fantastic short story.
The Tenth Doctor is brilliant here and Derek Landy, the author, masterfully brings back a concept of the "classic" era but with a totally new and fresh twist. Even the Tenth Doctor obviously comments that he faced something similar in The Mind Robber storyline however this is a totally different threat and when the things will get more complicated you will even love more this wonderful tale.
Martha Jones is a great companion for the Tenth Doctor here and the interaction between the two are priceless.
While not totally clear, it's very likely that this short story is set after the TV episode 42 but before of Human Nature.
Again, this is easily the best adventure of the entire collection of this short story event. And it's not because the rest are bad, no, there are two stories that I didn't like but in general, I loved to read the rest of the short stories, however, this one is the crown jewel of the collection.
The Bad
Nothing! I told you! This short story rocks!!!
The Odd
Many things but in this particular case is a compliment to the wonderful plot and its development.
July 27, 2022
This is just bad. The eleventh Doctor got a terrific five-star story by Neil Gaiman that I think anyone would enjoy. And Ten (also soon to be 14 la la la yay) -- Ten, the most popular of modern doctors, got a twee, rambling, nonsensical story based on fairytales that wouldn't appeal to those who aren't familiar with the show and didn't appeal to at least one who is. Perhaps kids might enjoy it but my inner child is an outie, I didn't and I think most kids are too clever for this drivel.
October 29, 2013
In 1969 the classic Patrick Troughton story ‘The Mind Robber’s was broadcast. For those of you who haven’t pored over DVDs of old black & white episodes, it sees The Doctor, Jamie and Zoe trapped in The Land of Fiction, where they meet Gulliver, Rapunzel, D’Artagnan, Blackbeard and Cyrano D’Bergerac. It’s a classic adventure, a welcome change from the many base under siege stories of the Troughton era. And it clearly made a great impression on Derek Landy as here we are not quite revisiting to the land of fiction to itself, but instead visiting the concept – cleaning it up and taking it around the park to stretch its legs.
The Doctor and Martha end up in a set of Blyton-eque children’s books called The Troubleseekers. It’s a famous five/secret seven knock-off and The Doctor’s view is that they’re rubbish, but they were big favourites with Martha as a child. (I’m going to take a wild stab in the dark and say that copyright issues probably stopped this being a visit to the actual secret seven/famous five). The jolly hockey-sticks nature of that kind of English children’s fiction is well captured, with The Doctor and Martha making their way through the world and solving the skulduggerish mystery at the heart of it. However resolution in this made-up world force the walls of the reality start collapsing and suddenly Hogwarts, Dracula, Miss Haversham and Chitty Chitty Bang-Bang (with a reference to Stephen King’s ‘Christine’ to boot) are breaking through into this reality
As you may have guessed it’s a romp, but it fun while it lasts and amusing in an utterly inconsequential way. And okay, the bad guy may turn out to be the kind of entity that 1960’s Star Trek is sometimes mocked for using again and again, but that’s almost a link to the Troughton’s times too.
The Doctor and Martha end up in a set of Blyton-eque children’s books called The Troubleseekers. It’s a famous five/secret seven knock-off and The Doctor’s view is that they’re rubbish, but they were big favourites with Martha as a child. (I’m going to take a wild stab in the dark and say that copyright issues probably stopped this being a visit to the actual secret seven/famous five). The jolly hockey-sticks nature of that kind of English children’s fiction is well captured, with The Doctor and Martha making their way through the world and solving the skulduggerish mystery at the heart of it. However resolution in this made-up world force the walls of the reality start collapsing and suddenly Hogwarts, Dracula, Miss Haversham and Chitty Chitty Bang-Bang (with a reference to Stephen King’s ‘Christine’ to boot) are breaking through into this reality
As you may have guessed it’s a romp, but it fun while it lasts and amusing in an utterly inconsequential way. And okay, the bad guy may turn out to be the kind of entity that 1960’s Star Trek is sometimes mocked for using again and again, but that’s almost a link to the Troughton’s times too.
August 13, 2016
This was surprisingly enjoyable, considering I am not a huge Martha Jones fan. I guess it is because I was so attached to Rose.
I just always found Martha to be so desperate. However, Martha was at her best in this story.
Another thing going against this story is its length, I think it is difficult to write a good DW story in such a short space because you usually have to create and present entire new worlds and characters. However, this story managed to create a very interesting world by using familiar settings and characters in a strange and interesting way. Martha and the Doctor find themselves in a 1950's children's book that is part of a series Martha enjoyed as a children, the Troubleseekers. The Troubleseekers are much like the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew and even a little like Scooby Doo.
It is a fun set up and I absolutely loved how the Doctor figured out the fictional mystery immediately.
Of course we are also chased through various other books from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone to The Shining and we even meet up with Rapunzel.
Overall, this was a very well done short story, and definitely the best Martha story I have read so far. Book worms with love all of the literary references. Very fun!
I just always found Martha to be so desperate. However, Martha was at her best in this story.
Another thing going against this story is its length, I think it is difficult to write a good DW story in such a short space because you usually have to create and present entire new worlds and characters. However, this story managed to create a very interesting world by using familiar settings and characters in a strange and interesting way. Martha and the Doctor find themselves in a 1950's children's book that is part of a series Martha enjoyed as a children, the Troubleseekers. The Troubleseekers are much like the Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew and even a little like Scooby Doo.
It is a fun set up and I absolutely loved how the Doctor figured out the fictional mystery immediately.
Of course we are also chased through various other books from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone to The Shining and we even meet up with Rapunzel.
Overall, this was a very well done short story, and definitely the best Martha story I have read so far. Book worms with love all of the literary references. Very fun!
June 27, 2016
I've read the 1st, 3rd, 6th and 10th now from this series so far, though this was a re read - I enjoyed it every bit as much as the first. Ten was written so canon, though Martha not so much. But nonetheless, a fabulous short that made me laugh and smile throughout :)
January 27, 2020
I am a bookworm and Doctor Who fan so this was a good choice for me to read. The Tenth Doctor and Martha visit a world where everyone they meet is a character from books that Martha has read. In short, this seems like a book lover's dream. But as always with the Doctor, it's not that simple. This was a good, quick, humourous read and the characters of Martha and the Doctor were portrayed similarly to their televised counterparts. I particularly liked the Doctor's sarcastic manner and the links to other Doctor Who episodes. When I read the Enid Blyton reference, I immediately thought of Donna Noble asking if Noddy was real. The only criticism I have is that it was a bit short and so there was not much chance of development. Definitely worth a read though.
January 10, 2024
It may be shocking to some, but Ten was not my favorite NuWho Doctor at the time -- I was actually quite ready for him to go by the end (unlike him). (And yes, there is an irony to my now being overjoyed that Tennant has basically become the Forever Doctor -- but isn't it a rare relief to come to like something more with time, and not less? Fuck yes.) However, Martha was always my favorite Ten-era companion, so I love that this is not only a Tenth Doctor story, but also a Martha Jones story.
And it's pretty much everything I want a Doctor Who story to be: a fun adventure with some interesting ideas, with a few juicy hints of backstory/character development thrown in. Landy seizes every good opportunity to have something interesting or weird happen; Martha even gets a badass action sequence!
Are the Skulduggery Pleasant books, like, good? Should I have been reading them??
And it's pretty much everything I want a Doctor Who story to be: a fun adventure with some interesting ideas, with a few juicy hints of backstory/character development thrown in. Landy seizes every good opportunity to have something interesting or weird happen; Martha even gets a badass action sequence!
Are the Skulduggery Pleasant books, like, good? Should I have been reading them??
October 23, 2013
I'm a little hesitant about the "it was amazing!" description of a five star rating on Goodreads - if I had to use words, I'd go with "I really liked it!" - but I did enjoy this story more than any of the others in this set of Doctor Who anniversary short stories, so, well, relative to the others, five stars it is.
I expected to like it, of course - it's Derek Landy, who is, after all, my current absolute top favourite author, and I'd read the phone book if he wrote it. (I would, too. It would probably be full of hilarious little notes and comments, or the names and phone numbers would somehow manage to be funny all by themselves.)
On the other hand, Ten is my least favourite incarnation of the Doctor (sorry, Derek!) - but on the third hand, I've always enjoyed Ten in written works more than Ten on screen. And on the fourth hand (paw?), I liked Martha very much, so there's that. And on the fifth hand (okay, this is getting ridiculous, but I'm just going with it now), the moment I first saw the blurb, I happily cried out "this makes me think of The Mind Robber!" and The Mind Robber is my favourite Second Doctor story, so there's that, too.
Anyway - all that said, I ended up enjoying it thoroughly. It was funny (some bits had me guffaw - and with stuff going on in my life recently, I really needed that). I felt Ten was very much in character (even if I felt tempted, especially towards the beginning, to replace him with Skulduggery Pleasant in my head - they do share some similar traits, except that Skul is hot and awesome and Ten is, well, Ten) and Martha struck me as just right, too.
And most importantly, the one thing I've been complaining about with almost every other short story in this series, the pacing felt right. There was no drawn-out introduction; the Doctor and Martha jumped right into the story. The ending was, perhaps, a little hurried; the resolution a little too simple - but not by much, if at all, truly.
All in all, as I said, my favourite of the lot. Whoever writes Eleven's story will have to work really hard to change that.
I expected to like it, of course - it's Derek Landy, who is, after all, my current absolute top favourite author, and I'd read the phone book if he wrote it. (I would, too. It would probably be full of hilarious little notes and comments, or the names and phone numbers would somehow manage to be funny all by themselves.)
On the other hand, Ten is my least favourite incarnation of the Doctor (sorry, Derek!) - but on the third hand, I've always enjoyed Ten in written works more than Ten on screen. And on the fourth hand (paw?), I liked Martha very much, so there's that. And on the fifth hand (okay, this is getting ridiculous, but I'm just going with it now), the moment I first saw the blurb, I happily cried out "this makes me think of The Mind Robber!" and The Mind Robber is my favourite Second Doctor story, so there's that, too.
Anyway - all that said, I ended up enjoying it thoroughly. It was funny (some bits had me guffaw - and with stuff going on in my life recently, I really needed that). I felt Ten was very much in character (even if I felt tempted, especially towards the beginning, to replace him with Skulduggery Pleasant in my head - they do share some similar traits, except that Skul is hot and awesome and Ten is, well, Ten) and Martha struck me as just right, too.
And most importantly, the one thing I've been complaining about with almost every other short story in this series, the pacing felt right. There was no drawn-out introduction; the Doctor and Martha jumped right into the story. The ending was, perhaps, a little hurried; the resolution a little too simple - but not by much, if at all, truly.
All in all, as I said, my favourite of the lot. Whoever writes Eleven's story will have to work really hard to change that.
October 28, 2013
This is the e-short for the Tenth Doctor and sees him travelling with Martha Jones. From what I could gather from the references it is set somewhere towards the end of Series 3. In it the Doctor and Martha arrive in a place that looks strangely familiar to Martha, and she soon realises that is because it looks like the setting for a book she read as a child. It seems the Doctor and Martha are in a land of fiction- although not the Land of Fiction that the Second Doctor visited!
This is not the strongest of the e-shorts, largely as the plot feels a bit rushed, but it does everything these e-shorts should do- good characterisation of the Doctor and companion and a few cheeky references to the Doctor's era (here we get a quote from "Blink" and a nod to "The Shakespeare Code").
A good effort from Derek Landy for this e-short with a Famous Five-style start and a modern version of "The Mind Robber" to finish but one of the weaker ones of the series.
This is not the strongest of the e-shorts, largely as the plot feels a bit rushed, but it does everything these e-shorts should do- good characterisation of the Doctor and companion and a few cheeky references to the Doctor's era (here we get a quote from "Blink" and a nod to "The Shakespeare Code").
A good effort from Derek Landy for this e-short with a Famous Five-style start and a modern version of "The Mind Robber" to finish but one of the weaker ones of the series.
January 25, 2016
This addition to the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Collection was, at least by me, highly expected: it stars none other than the fan favorite Tenth Doctor and my personal best companion ever - Martha Jones (thank you so much, Mr. Landy, for picking her up).
This time, Landy has provided us with an enticing, and genuinely lighthearted at that, episode to the Tenth Doctor adventures that comes up as entirely compatible to the stories produced and written by previous showrunner Russel T. Davies. The reader can easily imagine the situations and dialogues happening in front of her as if she were watching the show, which I always find quite amusing.
So, this is a simple piece of work, fairly successful in what it proposes and, what's best, easily lovable for the non-pretentiousness Landy transpires on his writing.
This time, Landy has provided us with an enticing, and genuinely lighthearted at that, episode to the Tenth Doctor adventures that comes up as entirely compatible to the stories produced and written by previous showrunner Russel T. Davies. The reader can easily imagine the situations and dialogues happening in front of her as if she were watching the show, which I always find quite amusing.
So, this is a simple piece of work, fairly successful in what it proposes and, what's best, easily lovable for the non-pretentiousness Landy transpires on his writing.
October 24, 2013
After reading: Well, that was . . . what's the word I'm looking for? Bad. Yes, that's it. Everything felt forced. The characters, the dialogue, the plot . . . everything. And worse, it was boring. And for the worst of these stories yet to be with Ten, that's just cruel, Universe. What did I ever do to you.
Before reading: Seriously side-eyeing this whole project now. Been looking forward to seeing who would get Ten since December and it's . . . this guy? I have no idea who he is. (Not that he's not lovely, I'm sure.)
(That makes me sound like an asshole, I do realize.)
Heh, they got Ten's hair right on the cover, though. Makes my heart happy.
Before reading: Seriously side-eyeing this whole project now. Been looking forward to seeing who would get Ten since December and it's . . . this guy? I have no idea who he is. (Not that he's not lovely, I'm sure.)
(That makes me sound like an asshole, I do realize.)
Heh, they got Ten's hair right on the cover, though. Makes my heart happy.
June 25, 2016
". . . Tell me, Doctor, what does every story require of its reader?"
"The willing suspension of disbelief."
"Exactly. You have no idea the power generated each time somebody is told a story. When a conscious, sentient mind willingly ignores what is real, what is facr, and instead chooses to invest in people and places that never existed. . . It is magnificent. It amounts to nothing less than a rejection of reality. And when reality is pushed away, no matter how briefly, it leaves a gap, crackling with potential, with what-might-be."
Of the three I've read of this set, this one has to be my absolute favorite, and not just because it's with 10. :)
"The willing suspension of disbelief."
"Exactly. You have no idea the power generated each time somebody is told a story. When a conscious, sentient mind willingly ignores what is real, what is facr, and instead chooses to invest in people and places that never existed. . . It is magnificent. It amounts to nothing less than a rejection of reality. And when reality is pushed away, no matter how briefly, it leaves a gap, crackling with potential, with what-might-be."
Of the three I've read of this set, this one has to be my absolute favorite, and not just because it's with 10. :)
December 12, 2015
My son and I read this at bedtime over several days/weeks. It was very enjoyable for both of us. Many laugh out loud moments and the tenth Doctor came back to life for us on the pages with his witty and often hilarious dialogue and actions. Even Martha Jones (my personal least favourite companion) didn't ruin the fun story, and actually even made it a bit funnier because the Doctor here seemed to feel much the same about her as we do, often (good humouredly) mocking her. Ha.
I've bought more from this author since, and look forward to reading it.
I've bought more from this author since, and look forward to reading it.
January 25, 2015
Maybe even a 3.5
August 15, 2020
The 10th Doctor is my favourite, AND this story also has my favourite companion, Martha Jones! Delightful! Laugh-out-loud funny in places, but also with a typically Whovian message about it not being right to manipulate and harm others. The writing perfectly captures the dialogue of both characters and the way they relate to each other. The story, which has the characters exploring and getting chased through various fictional settings, would’ve been a fabulous episode of the show.
December 30, 2021
This novel was written by Derek Landy, who wrote the Skullduggery Pleasant series. Not to be missed on audio as it is spectacular! This novel about Doctor Who is definitely on par with the canon stories and timeline. I really enjoyed this one and hope to read all of these new ones that are being released by these fantastic authors.
February 1, 2021
never have i read anything so derek landyish as this here derek landy
March 14, 2022
3.75// probably best one in this series
November 7, 2013
Well... that was peculiar!
The tenth doctor, David Tennant, on duty here, and Derek Landy having a stab at getting the character right. The companion Martha Jones is also very much present.
He sort of succeeds at getting their characters right; possibly to the point of caricature. The doctor is witty and knowingly arrogant, and Martha is somewhat sarcastic and puts up with the doctor's eccentricities well. Both of them are armed with a range of grins for all purposes. It feels a little added for purpose, but not so much so that it becomes annoying.
The story is very odd indeed. Notably because it's somewhat unreal, by Doctor Who standards that's saying something, being set in a land where stories from books are made flesh. Because of the comic nature of Doctor Who from this era, the effect is that this story reads like a parody of a certain vein of mid-twentieth century children's stories, swinging to traditional/19th century faerie stories parody. To start off with I thought it was a terrible idea, but it did start to work slightly somewhere near the middle and ended satisfactorily, so I've forgiven the author my initial concerns.
I was reminded at the end of the final "battle" in the "The Return of Optimus Prime" with the matrix. The latter two doctors are very keen on techniques of that type.
The tenth doctor, David Tennant, on duty here, and Derek Landy having a stab at getting the character right. The companion Martha Jones is also very much present.
He sort of succeeds at getting their characters right; possibly to the point of caricature. The doctor is witty and knowingly arrogant, and Martha is somewhat sarcastic and puts up with the doctor's eccentricities well. Both of them are armed with a range of grins for all purposes. It feels a little added for purpose, but not so much so that it becomes annoying.
The story is very odd indeed. Notably because it's somewhat unreal, by Doctor Who standards that's saying something, being set in a land where stories from books are made flesh. Because of the comic nature of Doctor Who from this era, the effect is that this story reads like a parody of a certain vein of mid-twentieth century children's stories, swinging to traditional/19th century faerie stories parody. To start off with I thought it was a terrible idea, but it did start to work slightly somewhere near the middle and ended satisfactorily, so I've forgiven the author my initial concerns.
I was reminded at the end of the final "battle" in the "The Return of Optimus Prime" with the matrix. The latter two doctors are very keen on techniques of that type.
September 16, 2021
The Mystery of the Haunted Cottage is a short story written by Derek Landy and is a part of the year-long celebration for the fiftieth anniversary for Doctor Who (2013). This short story is the tenth installment of what would eventually be twelve parts – one for each Doctor. The Mystery of the Haunted Cottage focuses on the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant).
As an aside, I was really hoping that Donna Noble would have been the companion that was featured with the Tenth Doctor – she is perhaps my favorite of all the Tenth Doctor's companions – if not the entire series. However, after reading the story, Donna Noble would have been a disservice to it and was truly and really glad that Martha Jones was chosen. Also the Tenth Doctor is my favorite Doctor (we all have one), but I try not to color this review, because of the fact. Now on to the review, Allons-y!
This short story was wonderfully written, the Tenth Doctor was in short brilliant in this installment and his interaction with Martha Jones is priceless. I liked how Landy brought back classic Doctor Who concepts and used them with a modern twist, while risky, was done very well. The Tenth Doctor and Martha Jones were both written in character, which was appreciative.
All in all, The Mystery of the Haunted Cottage was wonderfully written and was perhaps my favorite short story thus far. However this may or may not be jaded by the fact that the Tenth Doctor is my favorite.
As an aside, I was really hoping that Donna Noble would have been the companion that was featured with the Tenth Doctor – she is perhaps my favorite of all the Tenth Doctor's companions – if not the entire series. However, after reading the story, Donna Noble would have been a disservice to it and was truly and really glad that Martha Jones was chosen. Also the Tenth Doctor is my favorite Doctor (we all have one), but I try not to color this review, because of the fact. Now on to the review, Allons-y!
This short story was wonderfully written, the Tenth Doctor was in short brilliant in this installment and his interaction with Martha Jones is priceless. I liked how Landy brought back classic Doctor Who concepts and used them with a modern twist, while risky, was done very well. The Tenth Doctor and Martha Jones were both written in character, which was appreciative.
All in all, The Mystery of the Haunted Cottage was wonderfully written and was perhaps my favorite short story thus far. However this may or may not be jaded by the fact that the Tenth Doctor is my favorite.
January 10, 2014
Este año me he propuesto, entre otras cosas, leer las historias cortas de Doctor Who que salieron el año pasado por el 50º aniversario. Quizá lo suyo hubiese sido empezar por 1st, pero tengo debilidad por 10th y al final he sucumbido a sus encantos y no me arrepiento de nada.
Esta novela refleja muy bien la personalidad de 10th y la de Martha, además su relación aunque resulta un poco fría siempre cuidan el uno del otro. Leerlo ha sido como ver un capítulo de la serie, pero más breve y cargado de referencias literarias; ay, como hecho de menos estas cosas.
La historia transcurre en un universo bolsillo; al principio el Doctor cree que se encuentran en La tierra de la ficción, entonces empieza a enumerar a algunos de los personajes a los que ha conocido en ella por que ha estado allí antes: Medusa, Gulliver, Rapunzel,...
Pero al igual que sucede en los capítulos de la serie, la trama da un giro inesperado y resulta que no es así y que ahí está pasando algo muy diferente.
Sin embargo, la resolución es igual de satisfactoria, tal vez un poco precipitada; no obstante, me ha gustado tanto el resto que no le he dado tanta importancia a esto.
Creo que The Mistery of the Haunted cottage ha sido un buen comienzo y se lo recomiendo a todos los whovians, y no whovians que tengan un nivel medio de inglés.
A ver si alguna editorial española se anima y nos traen novelas who traducidas.
Esta novela refleja muy bien la personalidad de 10th y la de Martha, además su relación aunque resulta un poco fría siempre cuidan el uno del otro. Leerlo ha sido como ver un capítulo de la serie, pero más breve y cargado de referencias literarias; ay, como hecho de menos estas cosas.
La historia transcurre en un universo bolsillo; al principio el Doctor cree que se encuentran en La tierra de la ficción, entonces empieza a enumerar a algunos de los personajes a los que ha conocido en ella por que ha estado allí antes: Medusa, Gulliver, Rapunzel,...
Pero al igual que sucede en los capítulos de la serie, la trama da un giro inesperado y resulta que no es así y que ahí está pasando algo muy diferente.
Sin embargo, la resolución es igual de satisfactoria, tal vez un poco precipitada; no obstante, me ha gustado tanto el resto que no le he dado tanta importancia a esto.
Creo que The Mistery of the Haunted cottage ha sido un buen comienzo y se lo recomiendo a todos los whovians, y no whovians que tengan un nivel medio de inglés.
A ver si alguna editorial española se anima y nos traen novelas who traducidas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2014
This story was fantastic. It's a spiritual sequel to the classic Who episode The Mind Robber, which was my first 2nd Doctor episode and the one that made me fall in love with him.
I'm probably a bit biased.
The Doctor's meta-commentary of serialized children's stories from the 50's throughout was amazing, if a little judgmental. As somebody who's been studying those books as research for my own stories you could tell Derek Landy has a deep affection for them.
There's a bit of a chase scene towards the end that tickled me to death. Who doesn't want to see the Doctor and Martha running through Hogwarts or fighting Dracula?
There were a ton of great nods to The Mind Robber in here as well, and the events of that episode even factor in to this story's solution.
Out of all of these stories this one felt the most like it was written with me in mind. Yes, I'm a bit biased, but I'd still recommend The Mystery of the Haunted Cottage to any Whovian.
I'm probably a bit biased.
The Doctor's meta-commentary of serialized children's stories from the 50's throughout was amazing, if a little judgmental. As somebody who's been studying those books as research for my own stories you could tell Derek Landy has a deep affection for them.
There's a bit of a chase scene towards the end that tickled me to death. Who doesn't want to see the Doctor and Martha running through Hogwarts or fighting Dracula?
There were a ton of great nods to The Mind Robber in here as well, and the events of that episode even factor in to this story's solution.
Out of all of these stories this one felt the most like it was written with me in mind. Yes, I'm a bit biased, but I'd still recommend The Mystery of the Haunted Cottage to any Whovian.
October 11, 2014
The Mystery of the Haunted Cottage features the tenth Doctor and Martha and is an interesting romp set in a world which models itself on fictional characters and places, a bit like The Mind Robber from the second Doctor’s era. The Doctor and Martha both sound exactly like they do in the television series which is a bonus point for me and the tenth Doctor sounded particularly smug and pleased with himself, something that I never liked about his character. I quite liked some of the references to different fictional characters most of which made sense when you consider that they were taken from the mind of Martha and the frenetic pace of the current television series is also present in this story which means that it truly does represent the era in which the story is set and it is the sort of thing that you can imagine seeing on screen.
January 9, 2014
Acabo de darme cuenta de que no se grabo mi reseña de este relato cuando la escribí, así que voy a pegarle un repaso rápido.
Básicamente se trata de una historia en la que el Doctor cruza los limites entre la ficción y la realidad, visitando un mundo donde los personajes de los libros se convierten en reales. Es una historia divertida, y aunque a veces es excesivo el comportamiento del Doctor, la verdad es que te puedes imaginar perfectamente a Tennant comportándose como se indica en el relato.
Coñas Referenciales: Muchas, la verdad, al presentar personajes de novelas muy conocidas. Genial la referencia a Crepusculo, así como el momento en que el Doctor comenta que conoció a Enid Blyton
Básicamente se trata de una historia en la que el Doctor cruza los limites entre la ficción y la realidad, visitando un mundo donde los personajes de los libros se convierten en reales. Es una historia divertida, y aunque a veces es excesivo el comportamiento del Doctor, la verdad es que te puedes imaginar perfectamente a Tennant comportándose como se indica en el relato.
Coñas Referenciales: Muchas, la verdad, al presentar personajes de novelas muy conocidas. Genial la referencia a Crepusculo, así como el momento en que el Doctor comenta que conoció a Enid Blyton
Read
February 12, 2018Ten was written so well, I read everything with his accent and voice it really was Ten. [weeelll.. weeell..] [did miss allons-y though]. Martha was great too, I love all Tens companions and Martha was great once again. Both of them made me laugh, the way they speak to each other.
The story is about the Doctor and Martha being trapped in a storybook Martha read when she was a kid. It’s about the troubleseekers [which kind of reminded me of Scooby doo]
You’ll find more characters like Rapunzel and Dracula with some Harry Potter scenery. It was a nice read, and for such a tiny book so well worked out. Very nice how the writer fits this whole world with plot and outcome in such a tiny book.
This book gave me a good laugh and I really enjoyed reading it.
The story is about the Doctor and Martha being trapped in a storybook Martha read when she was a kid. It’s about the troubleseekers [which kind of reminded me of Scooby doo]
You’ll find more characters like Rapunzel and Dracula with some Harry Potter scenery. It was a nice read, and for such a tiny book so well worked out. Very nice how the writer fits this whole world with plot and outcome in such a tiny book.
This book gave me a good laugh and I really enjoyed reading it.
November 27, 2014
An amusing and innovative instalment in this series of e-shorts for the 50th anniversary. Landy clearly had a lot of fun having his characters trip lightly through a number of literary worlds representing Martha's reading.
I did wonder if it was feasible that Martha would have been young enough to discover Harry Potter when young . Sure that she would have been a teenager when the first books in the series appeared but maybe she did have some years of non-reading between childhood and the Potter books.
I had to laugh when one pair of characters caused her to say to The Doctor 'don't judge'.
I did wonder if it was feasible that Martha would have been young enough to discover Harry Potter when young . Sure that she would have been a teenager when the first books in the series appeared but maybe she did have some years of non-reading between childhood and the Potter books.
I had to laugh when one pair of characters caused her to say to The Doctor 'don't judge'.
February 6, 2014
Although short, I rather enjoyed this story. The idea behind it is actually quite cool and I'd have been happy to watch this episode in reality.
It felt like a real episode - the only thing that didn't match up was the Doctor's personality. I feel like it was not captured in the writing, although Martha was pretty accurate. He was acting the way he would but it didn't feel like it was him, if that makes sense.
Either way, very enjoyable!
It felt like a real episode - the only thing that didn't match up was the Doctor's personality. I feel like it was not captured in the writing, although Martha was pretty accurate. He was acting the way he would but it didn't feel like it was him, if that makes sense.
Either way, very enjoyable!
April 11, 2019
This is such a brilliant story. I do love a good mystery.
I don't tend to like short stories because most of them can't resolve themselves too quickly. Short stories either leave me disappointed or wanting more. So imagine my surprise when I realized that this book doesn't suck.
Also, Martha is such an underrated companion and her brilliance shines through in this novel.
I don't tend to like short stories because most of them can't resolve themselves too quickly. Short stories either leave me disappointed or wanting more. So imagine my surprise when I realized that this book doesn't suck.
Also, Martha is such an underrated companion and her brilliance shines through in this novel.
July 31, 2014
I felt it really captured the tenth Doctor's energy and mannerisms, but didn't much care for the story. Has great potential and I'd love to visit "The Land of Fiction" with the Doctor in another adventure. It was almost as if the author had this grand idea and remembered this was a short story and rushed the ending.
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