- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: BBC Books; paperback / softback edition (5 Jun 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0563538082
- ISBN-13: 978-0563538080
- Product Dimensions: 17.3 x 10.7 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 546,648 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The Banquo Legacy is a Doctor Who remix of an Agatha Christie or Hercule Poirot mystery which more resembles a BBC period drama directed by George Romero than a slice of genuine Who.
The book is narrated by two of its protagonists, Inspector Ian Stratford, sent in 1898 by the Met to investigate the death of Gordon Seavers, philanthopist and scientist, and lawyer John Hopkinson, a friend of Seavers, invited to his home along with a motley group of others only to find their host dead. Before long there is another death, that of Richard Harries, another scientist, which seems to be the result of someone tampering with an electrical experiment. Then there's the butler Simpson who seems to know more than he should, and the unexpected arrival of two observers: Herr Kreiner and Doctor Friedlander.
Of course Kreiner and Friedlander are Fitz and the Doctor, and Compassion, through a massive plot contrivance, has had to merge her outer shell with one of the humans meaning that she cannot help the time travellers to escape. The scene is set
It is disappointing that the Doctor, Fitz, and especially Compassion are sidelined. As the book is told wholly from the viewpoints of Stratford and Hopkinson, we get slightly different versions of the same events, and, strangely, the Doctor and Fitz's occasional technobabble discussions related accurately. The plot, what there is of it, is quite neat, if simplistic, and the book seems designed to pass some time before the Time Lords catch up with Compassion following the events of several books back.
It is a shame that Compassion's developing character has been so severely curtailed. This, though, is the problem with introducing an all-powerful element into any series of fiction--the writers have to come up with ever more imaginative ways to nullify or prevent the powers from being used. The Banquo Legacy is very much an experimental book, neither wholly engrossing or particularly entertaining, but which contains some graphic descriptions, and a memorable zombie. --David J Howe
Product Description
Middletown in 1889 is a small mining village -- but the local mine is about to be closed down. In an attempt to avoid this catastrophe, the owner, Lord Urton built a huge dam across the river to reduce flooding in a promising area of the mine, but to no avail.
However, little does he realise that the construction of the dam has disturbed something that was lying dormant in the earth. Something that is now stirring into life...
Strange events are afoot, with local deaths that appear to be caused by lightning strikes. Except that the soles of the victims' feet are burned black.
It's up to the Doctor to find out what mysterious forces have been unleashed. Perhaps the stranger in town, Nepath, who wants to buy the mine from Lord Urton, can shed some light on the matter...
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This original Doctor Who novel features the Eighth Doctor as played by Paul McGann in the TV Movie and a number of Big Finish audio dramas. His companions are Fitz Kreiner and Compassion; the former a young man from Earth in the 1960s, and the latter a being constructed from the memories of one of her race - The Remote - encountered by The Doctor in a previous story.
The story is a great Gothic mystery, however it often feels like The Doctor Who aspect has been stuck on, and the Sci-fi aspects seem to have been chucked in just to make this fit the genre. A good read but unsatisfying in terms of The Doctor's involvement.
The story is a great Gothic mystery, however it often feels like The Doctor Who aspect has been stuck on, and the Sci-fi aspects seem to have been chucked in just to make this fit the genre. A good read but unsatisfying in terms of The Doctor's involvement.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What starts out as an excellent idea of having most of the plot told from 2 different people, turns into something confusing and difficult to follow. in the hands of say, Lawerence miles, who has done a complete book in the form of an diary entry quite brilleintly.
Again this a book in which fitz appears annoying and cynical, it seems only paul magrs can make him witty and insinutive without making him annoying.
Again this is another of the novels in which compassion doesn't feature nearly enough. The only book I feel to 'use her' to full extent is the taking of planet 5. It seems only simon butcher-jones can get a handle.
As I mentioned earlyier, the book starts promisingly, but stalls towrads the middle where things of no realevence are given heavy coverage, which has resulted in a 'wurlwind' finish that is both confusing and unforfilling.
With most books reading it a second time clears up all grey areas, this however appears to have fundamental errors in it.
Not justin richards best.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am a complete sucker for stories set in the 1890's. The 8th Doctor fits in so well into this time - a time for inventors, eccentrics, strange experiments. And so I bought and read The Banquo Legacy, my first 8th Doctor book for a year (since the enjoyable The Taint).
This contained it all. A dark, stately home, complete with secret passages, rooms galore and a Cellar. Strange experiments are taking place concerning Electricity, an assortment of personalities descend upon Banquo Manor. The Doctor, Fitz and Compassion are amongst them. Inspector Stratford wants to find out more about the strange goings-on. John Hopkinson, a solicitor, has his own reasons for being there. The Wallaces and their scientist friend Harries welcome them.
The story is written from the perspective of Hopkinson and Stratford. Did Lane and Richard take 1 personality each? However they did it, it is superbly written and always involving. The entries are written like a dairy with each man alternating his prose throughout the whole book. This works extremely well - never moreso than when the story reaches a climax.
From its macabre cover, to the personal reminisces of Stratford and Hopkinson - this is gothic Dr Who at its very best. Lane and Richards have taken all the aspects of gothic Who and grafted it into a story rich in interest and excitement.
Classic Who
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
a very pleasant surprise
i've recently come back to the bbc novels of the eighth doctor - ridiculous, as i'm now having to search for them second hand online when i remember them being released, quite... Read more
Published 24 months ago by Mr. Ag Edens
Wow!!!
I havent written a review for the 8th dr adventures sinec Parallel 59 but i had to write one for The Banquo Legacy. Read more
Published on 26 Sep 2008 by Tim Allan
Excellent period set yarn
This book builds up the tension as a whodunit investigation. It creates an atmosphere of suspense and make the reader want to read on. Read more
Published on 1 Jan 2001
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