A new Doctor Who quick reads book. Quick reads are books aimed primarily at those who don't read often. If at all. Because being short and not very complicated they are ideal reading those who want something short and sweet and easy to get through.
This runs for one hundred and ten pages. It has eleven chapters and an epilogue. And large and easy to read print.
At the same time though these are good for those who do read regularly and are also looking for something short and sweet because it makes for a nice quick read.
The story features the Eleventh Doctor plus his companions Amy and Rory, and is a completely original piece of work that tells a tale which hasn't appeared in any other form before.
It sees the Doctor and friends trying to have a relaxing holiday in present day London. And getting chucked out of most places they visit as a result. When they go to a magic show at a theatre involving a magician called Sammy Star - whose career was previously going nowhere but has now suddenly seem him become a sensation, thanks to the closing part of his act - they find there's more to it than meets the eye.
Becuase there are lots of posters of missing girls all over the city.
Two residents of an old age people's home have had their memories jogged.
And there's a Weeping Angel in the city.
Can the Doctor save the day? And make sure nobody else vanishes?
As ever with these books it does have the characterisation of the three main characters down perfectly, and you can easily imagine the actors saying the dialogue. But there's a lot more to delight on the way. The Doctor has some great moments, including some genuinely funny dialogue that should make you laugh out loud. The plot is well worked out, managing to keep surprises and developments coming at just the right pace. It has a go at reality tv shows and a few other things from present day life in a manner that makes the reader think about them.
Plus the characterisation of the old ladies allows for some powerfully poignant moments.
There is some playing around with the notion of time travel here, the ubiquitious phrase 'timey wimey' springing to mind, but in addition to being pretty clever it's also not too complicated, so the plotting shouldn't leave anyone in the aforementioned former category of reader out of their depth.
Whether you never read these, or whether you do, it's a fun read for anyone in either category.
