The Avengers: Death in Downing Street

by David Crichton

An action-packed story set in the extraordinary world of the classic English spy show. John Steed, top professional, and his partner Emma Peel, talented amateur, are back to save the Prime Minister from the diabolical masterminds plotting to bring him down.

It's May 1967. Prime Minister Harold Wilson is determined to take the UK into the European Economic Community – a move that's divisive amongst politicians, the trade unions and the man and woman on the street. But there's a After an attempted assassination attempt, Mr Wilson starts exhibiting some very odd behaviour.

With only days to go before the Government's application deadline, the Ministry must call upon two of its most trusted Mr John Steed and Mrs Emma Peel. Together they must find the diabolical masterminds behind the plot to bring down Downing Street and answer the many questions surrounding the

Why does the Prime Minister think he's an eight-year-old boy? Is there a traitor in the Cabinet? And who's to blame for recent the anti-European trade unions or the militant Europhiles?

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 14, 2026

Reviews

[Andrew]

A throughly enjoyable tale, the author has done a fine job of capturing the feel, the fun & the outright bonkers of the tv show.... more please

[Cassandra Elise]

I really wanted to give this book five stars, but my undying devotion and obsession with this television program prevented me.

First the positive:
1. David Crichton absolutely nails the characters of Steed and Mrs. Peel. Everything the characters do or even think seems 100% authentic, and I could easily see Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg acting out the motions. I've read several other "official" books that had absolutely embarrassing characterization that only barely resembled the cast. So this was definitely a step up.
2. The puns, double entendre, and tongue-in-cheek humor is on brand. It was especially reminiscent of the colour seasons of Emma Peel.

So now the negative:
1. The author spends way to much time in the heads of tertiary characters that literally appear for one chapter and then disappear. But by gum, we know exactly how that character feels for the entire ten pages he/she is in the book! This is completely unnecessary, and on more than one occasion brings the action to a screeching halt. It also doesn't feel "Avenger"-ish at all. The Avengers was a low-budget affair, and didn't have 30 guest actors per episode.
2. The plot-line itself is way too political, and Crichton spends copious time explaining said politics to his audience. Once, again, this does not feel like a 1967 episode of the Avengers, which featured episodes about time travel, killer cats, invisible men, and the "Winged Avenger." This storyline would fit much better in the Cathy Gale seasons.

On the whole, I can tell the author is a super fan, and I am very excited that this book was created more than 60 years after the show first premiered. I wouldn't mind seeing more from him.

[Terry]

Mrs Peel, this book needs to be read.

This was really great fun and read like a classic 60's TV episode. Will look out for more to enjoy.

[ANDREW-C-FRASER]

RMSTitanic12

I very much enjoyed this book,being a great fan of the Avengers and of Harold Wilson,I hope Mr Crichton is planning some more Avengers stories,look forward to them