Product Description

The Tardis lands the Doctor and Martha in the Lake District in 1909, where a small village has been terrorised by a giant, scaly monster. The search is on for the elusive "Beast of Westmorland," and explorers, naturalists and hunters from across the country are descending on the fells. King Edward VII himself is on his way to join the search, with a knighthood for whoever finds the Beast. But there is a more sinister presence at work in the Lakes than a mere monster on the rampage, and the Doctor is soon embroiled in the plans of an old and terrifying enemy. And as the hunters become the hunted, a desperate battle of wits begins - with the future of the entire world at stake...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #92708 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

From the Publisher
It's hunt and be hunted for the Doctor and Martha in turn-of-the-century Cumbria – the latest in the bestselling series of Doctor Who novels.

About the Author
Steve Cole:
Born in 1971, Steve Cole spent a happy childhood in rural Bedfordshire being loud and aspiring to amuse. He liked books, and so went to the University of East Anglia to read more of them. Later on he started writing them too, with titles ranging from pre-school poetry to Young Adult thrillers (with more TV and film tie-ins than he cares to admit to along the way). In other careers he has been the editor of Noddy magazine, the voice of a Dalek and an editor of fiction and nonfiction book titles for various publishers.

Customer Reviews

Return of the Zygons...
This seventh in BBC Books series of 10th Doctor novels finds the Doctor and Martha in 1909, battling the shape-shifting alien Zygons and their cybernetic slave creatures the Skarasen. Long-term Doctor Who fans will delight in the return of the Tom Baker-era Zygons, though despite one twist concerning the use of their shape-shifting powers it's fair to say that author Stephen Cole really doesn't bring that many new ideas to the fore, with this being a fairly predictable retread of 'Terror of the Zygons'. This novel is stuffed with plenty of action scenes that will excite younger readers (who, let's face it, are the target audience for these new BBC novels) but beyond that there are precious little interesting concepts or themes to engage any older readers. A fast-paced fun alien action adventure - 'Sting of the Zygons' is a professional but slightly hollow read. By no means a failiure, but neither is this one of the better of the new series novels.

A sting in the tale
Stephen Cole's latest original Doctor Who story, featuring the Tenth Doctor and medical student Martha Jones, sees the return of arguably the TV series' best realised and most grotesque villains; the pear-shaped shape-shifting Zygons. This time the aliens are operating in the Lake District in the early Twentieth Century, and the King himself is offering a reward to whoever can catch the gigantic beast that is terrorising the area. Whilst the story is basically a retread of the 1975 TV story, Stephen Cole brings wit, style and imagination to his rendering, and although pretty predictable for adults, this is perfect for its target audience - children from 8-15.

the deadly sting
An original doctor who novel, featuring the tenth doctor and his companion martha jones. Like all in this range it's an all new story not seen on tv, it's complete in 248 pages, and it can be read by readers of all ages.

this one was published in 2007 and was one of the first batch to feature martha. at the time of the writing the writers wouldn't have seen too much of the character on the screen, but looking at it now that we have the characterisation is fine and recognisable. and the same goes for the tenth doctor.

the story has the doctor and martha land in the lake district in 1909, where the locals are on the hunt for a monster. the monster turns out to be a creature that belongs to a group of zygons. an enemy of the doctor who only appeared once on screen in 1975 they are nonetheless fondly remembered because they were a very successful creation.

what are the zygons up to? and can the doctor stop them?

as a book this does rise above the average by virtue of having a well realised setting and some decent supporting characters. it also doesn't shy away from the realities of the prejudice and attitudes that coloured people like martha faced at the time. added to which the zygon agenda is not immediately apparent, and this is intriguing enough to keep you turning pages. since they're also able to shape shift that does lead to some good surprises with people turning out to be not whom they seem.

nothing special but not a bad read and a little above average for this range