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Lethbridge-Stewart #1.3
Lethbridge-Stewart: Beast of Fang Rock
"There's always death on the rock when the Beast's about."Fang Rock has always had a bad reputation. Since 1955 the lighthouse has been out of commission, shut down because of fire that gutted the entire tower. But now, finally updated and fully renovated, the island and lighthouse is once again about to be brought back into service.Students have gathered on Fang Rock to celebrate the opening of the 'most haunted lighthouse of the British Isles', but they get more than they bargained for when the ghosts of long-dead men return, accompanied by a falling star.Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart is brought in to investigate what he believes to be signs of alien involvement. But it is not only Lethbridge-Stewart who has an interest in Fang Rock. Anne Travers is called to her family solicitor's, who have in their possession a letter from Archibald Goff, the paranormal investigator who once visited Fang Rock back in the 1820s, and along with it a piece of alien technology.What connects a shooting star, ghosts of men killed in 1902 and the beast that roamed Fang Rock in 1823? Lethbridge-Stewart and Anne Travers are about to discover the answer first hand...
300 pages, Paperback
First published October 29, 2015
8 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Andy Frankham-Allen
65 books46 followersWelsh-born Andy Frankham-Allen's passion for writing began with a love of Doctor Who. He's been writing since as far back as he can remember, and, although unsuccessful, he wrote a Doctor Who novel for BBC Books in 1996 after an accident caused him to be out of work for four months. Following that writing fell back into a hobby until 2001 when he began an ongoing fan-fiction series called Doctor Who: The Legacy, which carried on until 2006.
He has been writing professionally since 2004, through several official Doctor Who short stories, and since 2010 with horror shorts of Untreed Reads Publishing. March 2011 saw the release of his novel, 'Seeker', the first book in The Garden Saga, published in print by Hirst Publishing and in all digital formats by Untreed Reads.
He has been writing professionally since 2004, through several official Doctor Who short stories, and since 2010 with horror shorts of Untreed Reads Publishing. March 2011 saw the release of his novel, 'Seeker', the first book in The Garden Saga, published in print by Hirst Publishing and in all digital formats by Untreed Reads.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 15, 2018
The third book in the 'Lethbridge Stewart' range which is set between the character's two meetings with The Second Doctor, from being a Colonel in The Web of Fear to Brigadier of UNIT in The Invasion.
This story also serves as an excellent sequel to the Fourth Doctor Story 'The Horror of Fang Rock'.
This has been my favorite story to date, the fact that the author has wonderful blended both eras of the show seamlessly whilst being a clever and engaging tale.
The story mainly focuses on Anne Travers, a character that's only appeared in one TV story emphasizes the scope that these books can achieve.
As there's only a few year separating Lethbridge-Stewards two encounters with the cosmic hobo, I'm quite glad that the series is exploring other characters backgrounds, as this gives the range more of a chance to expand.
These are must reads for any Doctor Who fans!
This story also serves as an excellent sequel to the Fourth Doctor Story 'The Horror of Fang Rock'.
This has been my favorite story to date, the fact that the author has wonderful blended both eras of the show seamlessly whilst being a clever and engaging tale.
The story mainly focuses on Anne Travers, a character that's only appeared in one TV story emphasizes the scope that these books can achieve.
As there's only a few year separating Lethbridge-Stewards two encounters with the cosmic hobo, I'm quite glad that the series is exploring other characters backgrounds, as this gives the range more of a chance to expand.
These are must reads for any Doctor Who fans!
March 13, 2016
I LOVED this book! I've enjoyed the Lethbridge-Stewart series so far, but for some reason, this one seemed to grab me the most. I live that this series gives us a chance to look at the personal histories of characters from Doctor Who that aren't main companions, but still memorable in their own way. Anne Travers is one of those characters. I loved seeing her story and getting more of her character and personality. The story itself is very clever and full of great twists that are difficult to talk about without spoiling the story for others who haven't read it - which if you haven't and you're any kind of classic Doctor Who fan, you really need to!
In the Thanks section at the end of the book, author Andy Frankham-Allen jokes about the pressure of writing a sort-of sequel to one of the most beloved Doctor Who stories ever. Well, Andy - I think you met the challenge beautifully! I look forward to more :)
In the Thanks section at the end of the book, author Andy Frankham-Allen jokes about the pressure of writing a sort-of sequel to one of the most beloved Doctor Who stories ever. Well, Andy - I think you met the challenge beautifully! I look forward to more :)
April 8, 2018
42 WORD REVIEW:
Workmanlike at best, Frankham-Allen weaves a convoluted story around Doctor Who’s favourite lighthouse (cf. ‘The Horror of Fang Rock’), sending Lethbridge-Stewart and Anne Travers into a paradox that may have seemed diverting in the planning stages but falls flat in the telling.
Workmanlike at best, Frankham-Allen weaves a convoluted story around Doctor Who’s favourite lighthouse (cf. ‘The Horror of Fang Rock’), sending Lethbridge-Stewart and Anne Travers into a paradox that may have seemed diverting in the planning stages but falls flat in the telling.
December 11, 2015
With its combination of the early days of Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart in his post Web Of Ear but pre-UNIT days with sci-fi thriller plots that revisit elements from the Doctor Who canon, the Lethbridge-Stewart series of novels seems to be off to a strong start. Continuing in very much that vein is this third entry in the series, Beast Of Fang Rock, written by series editor Andy Frankham-Allen from a story by Terrance Dicks. It's a tale that mixes one of the most highly regarded stories of Classic Who with a plot straight out of the New Series with smashing results.
Much of the novel's success comes to its mixing of elements from across not just televised Doctor Who but its spin-off media as well. As the title may suggest, the story uses elements from the 1977 story Horror Of Fang Rock, namely the lighthouse at the titular location that served as the setting of that story. More than seventy years after the events of that story, Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart gets drawn into events, as does Anne Travers who know works at the Vault (introduced by Gary Russell in the Virgin Missing Adventure novel Scales Of Injustice) who has come across a century and a half year old later than leads her to the newly renovated lighthouse. Tying in elements from Dicks' original story, elements introduced in Wilderness Era novels as well as characters introduced in earlier novels of the series of the series sets up a plot that ties together large parts of the show's history.
Where the New Series influence kicks in is the plot. Andy Frankham-Allen has crafted a story of time travel, alien invasion and paradoxes that could give Steven Moffat a run for his money while also successfully telling a coherent story. Without the presence of the Doctor (or should I say the Cosmic Hobo?) and his TARDIS, the novel nevertheless finds a way of tying the pre-UNIT Lethbridge-Stewart with not just the events of Horror Of Fang Rock but also the back story of the lighthouse mentioned in that TV story. Even better, it does so without creating large plot holes or confusion at the novel's end about what has happened and why. It's a triumph of plotting and my hat is off to Frankham-Allen for his accomplishment.
Of course, there's more to the novel than that. There's the character for one thing though, if I have any major niggle with the novel, it is the fact that Lethbridge-Stewart ends up being relegated somewhat though he is the major character who anchors the 1969 portion of the novel's plot. Instead the star of this particular work is Anne Travers, the proto-Liz Shaw character from Web Of Fear. It's Anne who sets much of the plot in motion including the time travel elements and once that happens we're introduced to her ancestors who are on Fang Rock in 1823. Elsewhere, Frankham-Allen's prose is well suited to the tale with a slight a breezy style that evokes Dicks best Target and Virgin prose while also dealing with the complexities of the plot.
Beast Of Fang Rock then is a success. It ties together elements from across Doctor Who's large canon together in a story that never feels superfluous in its references but instead creates an engaging tale of time travel and alien invasion. Like earlier novels in the Lethbridge-Stewart series, it both harkens back to the Who novels of old while also being more grown-up at the same time, as a result of that mixing of elements. It also leaves the reader eager for more and builds up to the finale of this first run of novels in the series Mutually Assured Destruction and the return of another of the Doctor's old foes...
(Thanks to Candy Jar Books for supplying Warped Factor with an advance copy of the novel in return for an honest review.)
Much of the novel's success comes to its mixing of elements from across not just televised Doctor Who but its spin-off media as well. As the title may suggest, the story uses elements from the 1977 story Horror Of Fang Rock, namely the lighthouse at the titular location that served as the setting of that story. More than seventy years after the events of that story, Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart gets drawn into events, as does Anne Travers who know works at the Vault (introduced by Gary Russell in the Virgin Missing Adventure novel Scales Of Injustice) who has come across a century and a half year old later than leads her to the newly renovated lighthouse. Tying in elements from Dicks' original story, elements introduced in Wilderness Era novels as well as characters introduced in earlier novels of the series of the series sets up a plot that ties together large parts of the show's history.
Where the New Series influence kicks in is the plot. Andy Frankham-Allen has crafted a story of time travel, alien invasion and paradoxes that could give Steven Moffat a run for his money while also successfully telling a coherent story. Without the presence of the Doctor (or should I say the Cosmic Hobo?) and his TARDIS, the novel nevertheless finds a way of tying the pre-UNIT Lethbridge-Stewart with not just the events of Horror Of Fang Rock but also the back story of the lighthouse mentioned in that TV story. Even better, it does so without creating large plot holes or confusion at the novel's end about what has happened and why. It's a triumph of plotting and my hat is off to Frankham-Allen for his accomplishment.
Of course, there's more to the novel than that. There's the character for one thing though, if I have any major niggle with the novel, it is the fact that Lethbridge-Stewart ends up being relegated somewhat though he is the major character who anchors the 1969 portion of the novel's plot. Instead the star of this particular work is Anne Travers, the proto-Liz Shaw character from Web Of Fear. It's Anne who sets much of the plot in motion including the time travel elements and once that happens we're introduced to her ancestors who are on Fang Rock in 1823. Elsewhere, Frankham-Allen's prose is well suited to the tale with a slight a breezy style that evokes Dicks best Target and Virgin prose while also dealing with the complexities of the plot.
Beast Of Fang Rock then is a success. It ties together elements from across Doctor Who's large canon together in a story that never feels superfluous in its references but instead creates an engaging tale of time travel and alien invasion. Like earlier novels in the Lethbridge-Stewart series, it both harkens back to the Who novels of old while also being more grown-up at the same time, as a result of that mixing of elements. It also leaves the reader eager for more and builds up to the finale of this first run of novels in the series Mutually Assured Destruction and the return of another of the Doctor's old foes...
(Thanks to Candy Jar Books for supplying Warped Factor with an advance copy of the novel in return for an honest review.)
December 28, 2015
This is both the third main book in the Lethbridge-Stewart series, following the Brigadier before he was the Brigadier, and also a sequel to the excellent Fourth Doctor TV story 'Horror of Fang Rock'.
There's been sightings of ghosts and a UFO at Fang Rock so Lethbridge-Stewart goes to investigate. He calls upon Anne Travers for assistance and she ends up in the middle of a timey-wimey adventure.
This isn't really a Lethbridge-Stewart book, it's an Ann Travers book. She's the star here and she continues to be the strong female scientist ahead of her time that she was in The Web of Fear. She's so well portrayed here and you can't help but like her as a character.
The plot is more to with complicated time travel than it is alien attacks but the Rutans do make an appearance. It's largely independent of the original TV story, using that more as inspiration. There's lots of Doctor Who references here which is always fun and I can only admire the way the author swerved around copyright issues.
There are still a few problems though. Lethbridge-Stewart really should have had more to do as he is the star of the series. There's the inclusion of a werewolf which I didn't think really added much to the story. And several times the narrative re-writes itself. I felt the plot needed ironing out generally.
Another good addition to a series which has really found it's feet now.
There's been sightings of ghosts and a UFO at Fang Rock so Lethbridge-Stewart goes to investigate. He calls upon Anne Travers for assistance and she ends up in the middle of a timey-wimey adventure.
This isn't really a Lethbridge-Stewart book, it's an Ann Travers book. She's the star here and she continues to be the strong female scientist ahead of her time that she was in The Web of Fear. She's so well portrayed here and you can't help but like her as a character.
The plot is more to with complicated time travel than it is alien attacks but the Rutans do make an appearance. It's largely independent of the original TV story, using that more as inspiration. There's lots of Doctor Who references here which is always fun and I can only admire the way the author swerved around copyright issues.
There are still a few problems though. Lethbridge-Stewart really should have had more to do as he is the star of the series. There's the inclusion of a werewolf which I didn't think really added much to the story. And several times the narrative re-writes itself. I felt the plot needed ironing out generally.
Another good addition to a series which has really found it's feet now.
February 5, 2021
Thanks to Shaun, Will and Keren at Candy Jar for a review copy.
‘Beast of Fang Rock’ is the third novel in the first season of Lethbridge-Stewart novels and serves as both a prequel and a sequel to the Doctor Who television story ‘Horror of Fang Rock’ featuring the fourth Doctor played by Tom Baker with his companion Leela played by Louise Jameson.
The book credits Terrance Dicks with the idea for the story and it certainly features some of his trademarks. Dicks was never one to miss the opportunity to revisit locations or reuse characters and this is no exception. His entirely standalone TV story is here embedded into a much larger framework with part of the novel taking place prior to the events seen on TV and the rest set in the late 1960s (which is the present day for Lethbridge-Stewart at this point in his career).
Given Dicks’ involvement and the chance to revisit and expand on a very popular TV story I had high hopes for this novel and I was not disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment.
Andy Frankham-Allen has written a fun and exciting tale with action taking place in three time zones but the clarity of Dicks’ storyline ensures that it is easy to follow and totally coherent. One cannot help but feel slightly sorry for the Colonel who is discovering that his scepticism about time travel and aliens is being totally undermined by the events that he sees with his own eyes. Although initially he can shore up his sceptical point of view by blaming some of what he experiences on the traces of drugs still in his system from the events of the previous novel, eventually he has to admit that he was wrong and that these things are real. This novel therefore marks the turning point from where the army Colonel from ‘The Web of Fear’ really starts his journey to becoming the Brigadier, in charge of UNIT and taking all things alien in his stride. When we first see Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart on TV in ‘The Invasion’ it is clear that a lot has happened to the character since the attack on the London Underground and it is wonderful to have some of these events novelised.
As with the previous novels in the series this builds upon the others so it is almost essential to read the books in order, as each references and builds upon characters and events that have been described earlier.
The thrust of the story involves a version of the Bootstrap Paradox and there is perhaps a little too much exposition at the end to make it all work but that does not detract at all from the fun of the story.
In addition to the exciting and entertaining action on Fang Rock this novel also starts to explore the background of the Travers family. Anne is featured as a main character but we are also introduced to some of her ancestors on both sides of the family thanks to time travel technology and a strange flower with some very potent effects. This fleshing out of characters and their families is a welcome trait which arguably started with the revival of the TV series in 2005 and the baton has been taken up by both Candy Jar and Big Finish. We also meet a new character who promises Anne that they will meet again, a reunion to which I very much look forward. It is also a neat little trick to make the lighthouse keeper Ben from the original TV series (in which his surname was never revealed) into a Travers!
Many offhand comments ensure that the Doctor (always referred to in the novel by his code name of ‘Cosmic Hobo’) is never forgotten and there are even a couple of scenes where the TARDIS is seen and the Doctor’s voice is heard. This is a nice touch, delicately handled by Andy Frankham-Allen which prevents the novel being bogged down in continuity but still being faithful to its parent series.
There are also more links that start to be forged with the wider Dr Who universe. The top secret location known as ‘The Vault’ to which Anne Travers has been seconded was first introduced in a novel called ‘Scales of Injustice’ written by Gary Russell and published in the Missing Adventures range in 1996. It also features in a number of Big Finish audio dramas though knowledge of these is not needed to enjoy this book. At the end we are led to expect a meeting between Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart and Group Captain Gilmore of the Counter-Measures Team, introduced in the classic TV serial ‘Remembrance of the Daleks’ and given an independent series of audio dramas, again by Big Finish. The flower which Anne requests from her colleague at The Vault is first mentioned in Paul Leonard’s 1999 Eighth Doctor story ‘Revolution Man’ (which was also referred to in the previous Lethbridge-Stewart novel.) It is obvious that these novels are intended to be firmly bound to the vastly larger array of stories and characters from the Worlds of Doctor Who.
However it is not (thankfully) necessary to follow every strand leading into the enormous web of Dr Who related stories which are available. I promised in my review for ‘The Forgotten Son’ that I would suggest essential Dr Who stories for readers who want to enjoy the Lethbridge-Stewart books with minimal reference to their parent series. For this novel the only story which I would consider essential is ‘Horror of Fang Rock’ which is available in full on DVD. Alternatively the story was novelised in the Target range by Terrance Dicks; second-hand paperback versions of this can be found easily or there is also an audiobook beautifully read by the Louise Jameson. I would suggest anyone unfamiliar with the story view (or read) it before this Lethbridge-Stewart novel as it will put the story here in more context.
Although it is by no means strictly necessary to enjoyment of the Lethbridge-Stewart book, the TV serial ‘The Time Warrior’ featuring Jon Pertwee as the Doctor introduces us to the Sontarans who are mortal enemies of the Rutan Host featured in ‘Horror of Fang Rock.’ It is also the first story to mention an osmic projector as a device which can be used for travelling through time. This story is also available on DVD, as well as in paperback and audiobook versions. Personally I would recommend the novelisation over the TV serial for the introduction alone – a scene not featured in the TV serial, but which introduces the alien races in an unforgettable way.
‘Beast of Fang Rock’ is the third novel in the first season of Lethbridge-Stewart novels and serves as both a prequel and a sequel to the Doctor Who television story ‘Horror of Fang Rock’ featuring the fourth Doctor played by Tom Baker with his companion Leela played by Louise Jameson.
The book credits Terrance Dicks with the idea for the story and it certainly features some of his trademarks. Dicks was never one to miss the opportunity to revisit locations or reuse characters and this is no exception. His entirely standalone TV story is here embedded into a much larger framework with part of the novel taking place prior to the events seen on TV and the rest set in the late 1960s (which is the present day for Lethbridge-Stewart at this point in his career).
Given Dicks’ involvement and the chance to revisit and expand on a very popular TV story I had high hopes for this novel and I was not disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment.
Andy Frankham-Allen has written a fun and exciting tale with action taking place in three time zones but the clarity of Dicks’ storyline ensures that it is easy to follow and totally coherent. One cannot help but feel slightly sorry for the Colonel who is discovering that his scepticism about time travel and aliens is being totally undermined by the events that he sees with his own eyes. Although initially he can shore up his sceptical point of view by blaming some of what he experiences on the traces of drugs still in his system from the events of the previous novel, eventually he has to admit that he was wrong and that these things are real. This novel therefore marks the turning point from where the army Colonel from ‘The Web of Fear’ really starts his journey to becoming the Brigadier, in charge of UNIT and taking all things alien in his stride. When we first see Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart on TV in ‘The Invasion’ it is clear that a lot has happened to the character since the attack on the London Underground and it is wonderful to have some of these events novelised.
As with the previous novels in the series this builds upon the others so it is almost essential to read the books in order, as each references and builds upon characters and events that have been described earlier.
The thrust of the story involves a version of the Bootstrap Paradox and there is perhaps a little too much exposition at the end to make it all work but that does not detract at all from the fun of the story.
In addition to the exciting and entertaining action on Fang Rock this novel also starts to explore the background of the Travers family. Anne is featured as a main character but we are also introduced to some of her ancestors on both sides of the family thanks to time travel technology and a strange flower with some very potent effects. This fleshing out of characters and their families is a welcome trait which arguably started with the revival of the TV series in 2005 and the baton has been taken up by both Candy Jar and Big Finish. We also meet a new character who promises Anne that they will meet again, a reunion to which I very much look forward. It is also a neat little trick to make the lighthouse keeper Ben from the original TV series (in which his surname was never revealed) into a Travers!
Many offhand comments ensure that the Doctor (always referred to in the novel by his code name of ‘Cosmic Hobo’) is never forgotten and there are even a couple of scenes where the TARDIS is seen and the Doctor’s voice is heard. This is a nice touch, delicately handled by Andy Frankham-Allen which prevents the novel being bogged down in continuity but still being faithful to its parent series.
There are also more links that start to be forged with the wider Dr Who universe. The top secret location known as ‘The Vault’ to which Anne Travers has been seconded was first introduced in a novel called ‘Scales of Injustice’ written by Gary Russell and published in the Missing Adventures range in 1996. It also features in a number of Big Finish audio dramas though knowledge of these is not needed to enjoy this book. At the end we are led to expect a meeting between Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart and Group Captain Gilmore of the Counter-Measures Team, introduced in the classic TV serial ‘Remembrance of the Daleks’ and given an independent series of audio dramas, again by Big Finish. The flower which Anne requests from her colleague at The Vault is first mentioned in Paul Leonard’s 1999 Eighth Doctor story ‘Revolution Man’ (which was also referred to in the previous Lethbridge-Stewart novel.) It is obvious that these novels are intended to be firmly bound to the vastly larger array of stories and characters from the Worlds of Doctor Who.
However it is not (thankfully) necessary to follow every strand leading into the enormous web of Dr Who related stories which are available. I promised in my review for ‘The Forgotten Son’ that I would suggest essential Dr Who stories for readers who want to enjoy the Lethbridge-Stewart books with minimal reference to their parent series. For this novel the only story which I would consider essential is ‘Horror of Fang Rock’ which is available in full on DVD. Alternatively the story was novelised in the Target range by Terrance Dicks; second-hand paperback versions of this can be found easily or there is also an audiobook beautifully read by the Louise Jameson. I would suggest anyone unfamiliar with the story view (or read) it before this Lethbridge-Stewart novel as it will put the story here in more context.
Although it is by no means strictly necessary to enjoyment of the Lethbridge-Stewart book, the TV serial ‘The Time Warrior’ featuring Jon Pertwee as the Doctor introduces us to the Sontarans who are mortal enemies of the Rutan Host featured in ‘Horror of Fang Rock.’ It is also the first story to mention an osmic projector as a device which can be used for travelling through time. This story is also available on DVD, as well as in paperback and audiobook versions. Personally I would recommend the novelisation over the TV serial for the introduction alone – a scene not featured in the TV serial, but which introduces the alien races in an unforgettable way.
November 9, 2015
Perhaps it's my love of lighthouses and lighthouse culture, perhaps it's my overwhelming nostalga for the original televised story Horror Of Fang Rock, perhaps it's just the amazing talent that is Andy Frankham-Allen. Perhaps all three. Whatever it is, Beast Of Fang Rock is a return to form for the Lethbridge-Stewart series. It manages to be a Scooby-Doo style mystery, a classic base under siege story, and an intricate time travel tale simultaneously, not to mention an all-around great yarn. These characters are fully formed and fleshed out, and each brings something marvelous to the party. (And makes one wonder if Frankham-Allen has some sort of inside track to the BBC, what with season 9 episodes turning out to have similar threads!)
My only complaint (and it's a small one) is the Brigadier himself is pushed back so slightly in this one in favor of Anne Travers. But, thats as it should be. This is her story, her time to shine, and Lethbridge-Stewart seems content to back her characterization until he's needed to be the man of action during the thrilling third act. As I said, its a SMALL complaint.
Definitely give this one a read kids!
My only complaint (and it's a small one) is the Brigadier himself is pushed back so slightly in this one in favor of Anne Travers. But, thats as it should be. This is her story, her time to shine, and Lethbridge-Stewart seems content to back her characterization until he's needed to be the man of action during the thrilling third act. As I said, its a SMALL complaint.
Definitely give this one a read kids!
July 29, 2016
A series of novels focusing on the Brigadier, probably my favourite Dr Who character, and with covers in the classic Target style, is a fantastic idea. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this one all that much.
The fault is partly mine: there's a big cast of characters, and I started in the middle of the series, so I wasn't quite sure who was who. But there's also a lot of exposition, some clunky scene changes, and not a lot of action until three-quarters of the way through the book. On the plus side, the Brigadier is characterised well (although he doesn't get a lot of screen time, or much to do) and I liked the little details that emphasised the 1960s setting.
There are multiple authors on this series, and I'm keen to try one by another.
The fault is partly mine: there's a big cast of characters, and I started in the middle of the series, so I wasn't quite sure who was who. But there's also a lot of exposition, some clunky scene changes, and not a lot of action until three-quarters of the way through the book. On the plus side, the Brigadier is characterised well (although he doesn't get a lot of screen time, or much to do) and I liked the little details that emphasised the 1960s setting.
There are multiple authors on this series, and I'm keen to try one by another.
December 8, 2015
Beast of Fang Rock sees us return to the lighthouse that caused the Doctor and Leela so much trouble. Mr. Frankham-Allen did a spectacular job of taking us back to Fang Rock. I spent every available moment reading this story, even stealing extra time away from sleep. I gave this story five stars, and it earned each one.
November 25, 2015
Another really good adventure. I like how it both ties into the television story, and the previous Lethbridge-Stewart book. Looking forward to the next one!
November 27, 2015
Very well written, keeps you thinking, and plenty of little nods to the huge history around the show, and the books, and the audios... highly recommended!
December 9, 2021
Beast of Fang Rock is set between two Doctor Who stories: The Web of Fear (where the Second Doctor confronts the Great Intelligence) and The Horror of Fang Rock (where the Fourth Doctor confronts the Rutan). It features Letherbridge-Stewart (still a Colonel at this point in his career) and Anne Travers (who featured prominently in The Web of Fear).
Anne, now working in a secret government agency called the Vault, gets a letter written to her by an ancestor, passing on a strange piece of equipment. Lethbridge-Stewart, meanwhile, has been asked to investigate a UFO sighting at Fang Rock, and brings Anne along. Anne travels back to 1823, meeting her ancestor and dealing with the first strange murders at Fang Rock, while Lethbridge-Stewart deals in present day (1969). The murders of 1902 (dealt with in the Doctor Who story) are only eluded to, such that this story brackets that one.
This was a fun, light read. It was enjoyable, though not enough so to make me rush out for another Lethbridge-Stewart novel, though if I find one on sale I may pick it up.
Anne, now working in a secret government agency called the Vault, gets a letter written to her by an ancestor, passing on a strange piece of equipment. Lethbridge-Stewart, meanwhile, has been asked to investigate a UFO sighting at Fang Rock, and brings Anne along. Anne travels back to 1823, meeting her ancestor and dealing with the first strange murders at Fang Rock, while Lethbridge-Stewart deals in present day (1969). The murders of 1902 (dealt with in the Doctor Who story) are only eluded to, such that this story brackets that one.
This was a fun, light read. It was enjoyable, though not enough so to make me rush out for another Lethbridge-Stewart novel, though if I find one on sale I may pick it up.
August 10, 2020
Rating 3
Not really sure how I feel about this book.
The basic story linking to a well liked Doctor Who story could be termed brave or perhaps foolhardy.
It also attempts to tell a story in 2 time zones which works okay but the execution was lacking for me.
The initial problem was simply the way that the 2 time zones are not clearly delineated on the page - not that I found it difficult to read but - it would have been better I feel to either have split the time zones between chapters, or have the simple expedient of ‘then’ & ‘now’ before each change. In some cases the view points switch every paragraph and that does make for a very disjointed story telling.
By the end of the book the overall thought was potential good idea let down by poor execution.
I have read a number of the books in this series, not in order, and I have all had similar thoughts about the majority of them.
Not really sure how I feel about this book.
The basic story linking to a well liked Doctor Who story could be termed brave or perhaps foolhardy.
It also attempts to tell a story in 2 time zones which works okay but the execution was lacking for me.
The initial problem was simply the way that the 2 time zones are not clearly delineated on the page - not that I found it difficult to read but - it would have been better I feel to either have split the time zones between chapters, or have the simple expedient of ‘then’ & ‘now’ before each change. In some cases the view points switch every paragraph and that does make for a very disjointed story telling.
By the end of the book the overall thought was potential good idea let down by poor execution.
I have read a number of the books in this series, not in order, and I have all had similar thoughts about the majority of them.
October 27, 2017
Always a touch suspicious of prequels (or inter-quels?) and this one didn't do too much to change my mind. Good but there wasn't a lot of Lethbridge-Stewart in it and there was tons of time travel and hanging out with a chatty Rutan which doesn't sit as well with me. If Alistair had gone through so much interdimensional travel and alien encounters and weirdness prior to Spearhead from Space, I think he'd be a very different character. I was looking forward to a more grounded series and this is pretty out there. Still good and written by people who 100% know their Who
September 23, 2018
Beast of Fang Rock ist leider nur bessere Fanfiction. Der Schreibstil ist ganz gut, aber der Aufbau des Buches ist einfach fürchterlich. Die erste Hälfte ist ein konfuses Hin-und-her-Gespringe und macht wirklich wenig Spaß zu lesen. Die zweite Hälfte bessert sich dann etwas und die Geschichte wird wesentlich übersichtlicher. Insgesamt wirkt die Geschichte aber sehr arg konstruiert und so manche Teile die über viele Kapitel groß in Szene gesetzt werden, werden am Ende fast in einem Nebensatz erklärt. Hier hatte sich Andy Frankham-Allen definitiv zu viel vorgenommen.
November 24, 2023
A wonderful sequel to the tv story of 'Horror of Fang Rock'. I had considered giving this 5, but it mentions the previous book so much it only just manages to be a stand-alone novel. Both Lethbridge Stewart and Anne Travers are brilliantly captured, and the other characters are also well-written. There's a sprinkling of references to other Doctor Who stories as you'd expect, but the one for Remembrance of the Daleks made me smile most, I think. Definitely worth tracking this book down, and I'm glad I have several more of this set on my t.r pile.
April 20, 2020
This is my favourite of the three Lethbridge-Stewart stories so far. We go to Fang Rock in 1969. A place already steeped in mystery and myth. Anne Travers from The Web of Fear is alongside Lethbridge-Stewart in this PRE-UNIT story. A peach of a scifi Spin-off read. Great stuff!
September 15, 2024
Poorly written, tension free with absurd exposition dumps about other Doctor Who stories.
September 3, 2019
Workmanlike.
January 25, 2024
Book 122 - Andy Frankham-Allen - The Beast of Fang Rock
Another journey into the extended world of Doctor Who. I have tried to limit my science fiction ramblings as am very aware it is a very niche genre.
This is a sequel to an early Fourth Doctor story ‘The Horror of Fang Rock’ which has been the only TV appearance of the Sontarans enemy the Rutans. Yeah…I know…my geekiness is showing.
Time travel…werewolves…aliens…the most famous non Doctor Who character in the series’ history Lethbridge-Stewart…soon to be Brigadier… all have starring roles.
A wonderful piece of nostalgia that delves in to the family history of several minor Doctor Who characters. Not to everyone’s taste…but I enjoyed it…a great piece of old fashioned hokum.
Another journey into the extended world of Doctor Who. I have tried to limit my science fiction ramblings as am very aware it is a very niche genre.
This is a sequel to an early Fourth Doctor story ‘The Horror of Fang Rock’ which has been the only TV appearance of the Sontarans enemy the Rutans. Yeah…I know…my geekiness is showing.
Time travel…werewolves…aliens…the most famous non Doctor Who character in the series’ history Lethbridge-Stewart…soon to be Brigadier… all have starring roles.
A wonderful piece of nostalgia that delves in to the family history of several minor Doctor Who characters. Not to everyone’s taste…but I enjoyed it…a great piece of old fashioned hokum.
March 9, 2017
Dr Anne Travers takes centre stage in this great installment from the wider world of Colonel Lethbridge Stewart, although our Brig-to-be is still very much in the thick of it. The narrative serves cleverly as both a sequel AND a prequel to Horror of Fang Rock, and of course Terry Molloy's multi-character narration is on top form. I particularly liked the exploration of what meeting a fairly distant ancestor would feel like
February 27, 2017
Good story, tying into a long lost TV episode.
But all the back and forth in time was confusing.
But all the back and forth in time was confusing.
December 11, 2016
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/2696847.html
Allow me once again to boost this series of novels about the life of Alastair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart in the year(s) between his encounter with Yeti in the underground and the foundation of UNIT in time to deal with the Cyberman invasion. Here he and Ann Travers are sent to investigate strange goings-on at Fang Rock, the lighthouse which saw a set of mysterious deaths at the turn of the century which themselves followed previous odd happenings decades earlier. It turns out that the Travers family has a connection to events, and that the timelines of the three periods are intertwined in unexpected ways.
It's very daring of Frankham-Allan to take this approach, with the Brigadier and Ann turning into the Rosencrantz and Guildenstern of Horror of Fang Rock (with the important difference that they were not actually in the original story). But he pulls it off, giving depth and background to the lighthouse, the Rutans and the human protagonists. These books are going to become hidden gems of Who lore. The one problem with this one is that Frankham-Allan, as both author and editor of the series as a whole, seems not to have proofed it as closely as other volumes - I caught a number of silly slips, including a South American llama in Tibet.
Allow me once again to boost this series of novels about the life of Alastair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart in the year(s) between his encounter with Yeti in the underground and the foundation of UNIT in time to deal with the Cyberman invasion. Here he and Ann Travers are sent to investigate strange goings-on at Fang Rock, the lighthouse which saw a set of mysterious deaths at the turn of the century which themselves followed previous odd happenings decades earlier. It turns out that the Travers family has a connection to events, and that the timelines of the three periods are intertwined in unexpected ways.
It's very daring of Frankham-Allan to take this approach, with the Brigadier and Ann turning into the Rosencrantz and Guildenstern of Horror of Fang Rock (with the important difference that they were not actually in the original story). But he pulls it off, giving depth and background to the lighthouse, the Rutans and the human protagonists. These books are going to become hidden gems of Who lore. The one problem with this one is that Frankham-Allan, as both author and editor of the series as a whole, seems not to have proofed it as closely as other volumes - I caught a number of silly slips, including a South American llama in Tibet.
April 8, 2016
A great sequel to a fantastic Doctor Who story. The author skilfully invokes all that was brilliant in "The Horror of Fang Rock" but adds in new twists and concepts to keep this story fresh. Anne Travers, a character originally from "The Web of Fear", gets the chance to shine here as she investigates the mysterious circumstances on Fang Rock and how they are connected to members of her family who she had no knowledge of. This range of spin-off novels continues to get better and better.
December 27, 2016
This series continues to pleasantly surprise with solid storytelling and interesting heroes in the person of Lethbridge-Stewart and Anne Travers. This one manages to extend the claustrophobic original story really well and fleshes out the Rutans better than I've seen before. Really looking forward to reading another Brig novel.
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