A winner by Joe Ford 10/12/03
In a series of new style reviews I have decided to take a look at the collective works of certain Doctor Who authors. Individual books can be vastly different but if you take a look a their output as a whole themes and similarities appear.
Justin Richards has written more Doctor Who (and Doctor Who related) books than any other author (except maybe middling authors David A.McIntee and Chris Bulis) and has quite a reputation for delivering the goods these days. Three years ago he took control of the BBC books from Stephen Cole and has turned their fortunes around, the EDA's in particular have gained a new audience of devoted followers.
Dreams of Empire: An excellent mystery, which
takes a limited setting and explores it thoroughly. This is a book that
would translate well to screen such is Richards ability to capture the
regulars perfectly, his clown-ish, mischievous second Doctor being perhaps
the most accurate to date (he defeats the baddies by improvising!). The
last third is a barrage of brilliant twists that change everything you
have already read.
Verdict: A (Agatha Christie would be proud)
System Shock: Not Richards' best book because the
plot takes a while to get going and the monsters just aren't all that
interesting this still has much to recommend it. The fourth Doctor flies
through the book, hysterical and engaging and Harry and Sarah both make a
striking impression. The action is relentless and the book ends on a
wonderfully ominous note.
Verdict: B minus (Traditional but fun)
Millenium Shock: A genuinely superior sequel and
dazzlingly written in three weeks! The older Harry remains a charming
character being allowed more page space than System
Shock and Tom Baker would be proud to take part in a book that allows
him to drive a tank through deserted London. The technological attacks are
very creepy, Richards at his insidious best and the twists once again
impress.
Verdict: A minus (Techno horror at its best)
The Sands of Time: A book that finally gives the
fifth Doctor some character, he remains the foppish friend he was on
screen but we see first hand just what a clever and witty guy he actually
is. Tegan and Nyssa both translate to print with style, Richards allowing
us to see just how well they could have worked if they had been given more
screen time together. The sheer amount of locations makes this a novel
with much scope and there is no way you will guess the rug-pulling ending.
Verdict: A (One of the best Missing Adventures)
Grave Matter: Oh joy, a sixth Doctor horror that
is steeped in atmosphere and character. Richards enjoys restoring some
twinkle to the sadistic sixth Doctor and helps us to see why he and Peri
travel together. There is one chapter with Peri savaged by zombie animals
as she tries to get help from the mainland that is scary as hell. It is
misdirection all the way where anyone can be the enemy and the grotesque
content makes the book a must read.
Verdict: A minus (Trad Who written to macabre perfection)
The Shadow in the Glass (written with Stephen
Cole): The two BBC book editors team up to fill a gap in the PDA schedule
and end up writing the best of the year. Essentially it's a tragedy,
setting up journalist companion Claire to die horribly but that is the
last, gut-wrenching twist in a thriller that dares to suggest Hitler
survived the war and is setting up a new army. The much anticipated
meeting between the sixth Doctor and the Brigadier does not disappoint and
their individual reaction to Claire's death make riveting drama. It is a
very clever book that thrives on its gritty atmosphere and the compelling
unfolding mystery.
Verdict: A plus (Essential Who reading, the two editors
contributions melting into an effortlessly dramatic book)
Theatre of War: His only contribution to the New
Adventures range is a mixture of pleasing and disappointing. Whilst
spotlighting Bernice (a practice run for his four contributions to her
range later) and her archaeological skills is a superb idea and she is
allowed to take a fun, Doctor like role in the mystery unfolding. Some of
the secondary characters lack Richards' usual focus however and I just
don't like the seventh Doctor or Ace of this period, sorry, no matter who
is writing for them.
Verdict: B minus (An engaging but flawed mystery)
Dragons' Wrath: This is better, a well-plotted
action adventure taking the Benny slogan (Adventuring has never been this
much fun!) to the hilt. Richards opens out the Benny universe for
newcomers and doesn't hang about sight seeing cementing her importance to
the New Adventures. In Richards's capable hands Benny is a fulsome
character, strong, intelligent and breathlessly funny. A captivating
little mystery then with a brilliant, intimidating bad guy.
Verdict: B plus (Not a classic but as close as you can get without
being one)
The Medusa Effect: Supernatural horror that wraps
you up in thrills and chills; this underrated work is split into three
very good sections. Richards' plotting is excellent here; he teases you
into the story slowly with lots of hints and whispers before hitting you
with the revelation that the ship's crew (including Benny) are turning
into the massacred crew. The middle section is as frightening as
Who (or Who related) material has ever been with Benny
witnessing a number of distressing murders.
Verdict: A minus (One third ghostly, One third homicidal, One third
action)
Tears of the Oracle: This highlights Richards'
wonderful ability to take on the drowning aspects of an arc and construct
them into a gripping tale. A much loved book and justifiably so this
concludes the Gods arc with real panache, nobody leaving the book without
losing something precious. The destruction of St Oscars is heartbreaking
and you realise just how much you have come to love the Benny books.
Verdict: A plus (Razor sharp plot twists and striking
characterisation)
The Joy Device: So atypical of Justin Richards'
work it is easy to see this was written in a hurry. No twists, no
character insights, no vivid locations and basic prose... this could have
been a disaster if it weren't for the fact that it is so funny! Benny
sitcom on acid, the jokes come thick and fast (Jason as Proffesor Bloggs
riding over a waterfall with a fat, giggling geriatric!) it takes a simple
idea (Jason making sure Benny has a boring holiday) and taking it to
hysterical extremes. Shallow as hell but a lot of fun.
Verdict: B minus (Probably Richards' weakest book this is still packed
with great stuff)
Option Lock: Richards is most at home writing for
the 8th Doctor and this early winner in the disappointing first few years
for the dashing romantic is a mixture of all the elements Richards has
enjoyed in the past. Technological nightmares (nuclear war on the boil),
cosy Who atmosphere (idyllic estate), hidden secrets (the truth
behind the painting) and getting the companions right (the unpopular Sam
Jones quite fun in this one) all combine to create an exciting, surprising
book. Another familiar trait, the middle section is the best, real page
turning stuff as nuclear seems inevitable.
Verdict: B plus (Slips comfortably into several genres)
Demontage: The one where Richards got to play with
Fitz who is at his funniest in this weird amalgamation of comedy and
horror. It is mercilessly entertaining to follow Fitz, newcomer to all
this deadly danger bit, trip over monsters, hit men and foil dastardly
plots. The Doctor gets to indulge in some gripping gambling and Sam fucks
off for ages... two sterling ingredients. Despite all these strengths the
book does feel inconsequential but manages to make you smile quite a bit.
A real oddity.
Verdict: B minus (It was heaven compared to the trash surrounding it)
The Burning: Richards finally gets to do
something truly innovative with the character and the book range. He is in
charge now and makes his mark with true style, the Doctor having lost his
memory and having turned into a real bastard, unravelling this thrilling
horror with a shocking lack of remorse. Richards writes vividly, period
atmosphere giving the book a stylish edge and despite the predictable
conclusion it remains an absorbing tale, climaxing with the amazing
sequence with the Doctor killing Nepath. Scary monsters too.
Verdict: A (The Caught on Earth arc gets of to a gripping start)
Time Zero: Richards' greatest achievement?
Possibly, a thick text that gathers terrific momentum, demands full
attention and satisfies on every count. Huge, hard SF concepts threaten
to overwhelm but the book thrives on the tear-jerking split between the
Doctor, Fitz and Anji all of which are amazingly characterised throughout.
I just love it, textured prose and exciting moments adding to the ride.
The cliff-hanging ending is the icing on the cake.
Verdict: A plus (EDA magic)
As you may have gathered by these capsule reviews I am a huge fan of Justin Richards' work, even if a book he has written is lacking as an overall package (and only The Joy Device, Theatre of War and Demontage really qualify) there are many individual elements to enjoy. With a Richards book you get the impression the man pours his heart into the work, I have to disagree with Finn Clark and Mike Morris who have suggested that Justin's books are distant and cold, Richards often writes a feast, careful plotting, memorable characters and lots of little moments that make you proud to be a fan. His effort is clear from works such as Tears of the Oracle and Time Zero, books that cover a lot of ground and provide a grand finally for their respective arcs.
I firmly believe his greatest strength as an author is in his plotting. When you read a Justin Richards book you know you are going to be surprised at least once. The man has an expert ability to slip clues into the text without you noticing and leave you slapping your head in confusion as to why you missed it. With Dreams of Empire the clue to the masked man is in the blurb! If Eva Braun is still alive in Shadow in the Glass somebody had get burnt in her place but you never once suspect Claire. The new amnesiac Doctor is introduced in The Burning after three mysterious men, each one of them the reader believing to be the Doctor himself. Who would have guessed it was the butler in The Banquo Legacy? The joy of reading a Richards book often comes during these sneak attacks, when he points out the blatantly obvious after hiding it so well, I often glow at how I have been manipulated and other authors rarely capture that feeling of being duped so entertainingly. And it is not many authors who can claim their works end satisfactorily, the amount of Who books I have read that have started brilliantly and failed to capture me at the end are endless, a feeling I have never had with any of the books above.
Another strength is his ability to get the TARDIS team just right. How many times has the 2nd Doctor come across as daft and pathetic? Not with Richards, he proved how to do it right by including some hysterical physical comedy but mostly by having him work with his brain. So many authors have tried to make the 6th Doctor fun and ended up turning him into a cosmic clown. Richards has him spiky and arrogant but also playing games with children and lost for words when he cannot rescue his 'companion'. Harry benefited much from Richards' characterisation: an older gentleman, still the accident-prone chauvinist but lovably loyal and wiser in later years. His work with Bernice was similarly good because he never forgot she was a professional first a lovesick lush second. In The Medusa Effect and Tears of the Oracle Benny is capable and strong without being forced into the butch action heroine role some of the other authors forced her into, she holds up the books with her strength of character and determination to solve the mystery.
But Richard's piece de resistance when it comes to characterisation comes in the form of the 8th Doctor, unsurprising considering he was responsible for re-vamping his entire character. The new amnesiac Doctor, a product of Richards' superb imagination, has proven a wildly unpredictable character capable of surprising (a sudden violent streak that seems him show no remorse when killing Nepath in The Burning), fighting the good fight against the odds (his rousing "I have never fought anything like this before" in Time Zero) and romanticising (the Richards written scenes in Endgame that sees him in one of many close encounters with members of the fair sex). Needless to say the results are a complete success and as Robert Smith? pointed out in his Trading Futures review the 8th Doctor is a great character to read about these days.
Justin's prose works well for the stories he tells, it switches quite variably between stories and is not easy to pin down. His dips into horror (Grave Matter, The Burning and The Medusa Effect) all contain long, atmospheric passages cramped full of suspense and tension (Benny exploring the haunted Medusa, the Doctor and Peri watching a funeral march, the Doctor surrounding by burning corpses in a mine shaft). His comedy books contain a quick, snappy prose style (Demontage, The Joy Device), the descriptions are lacking but Justin concentrates on the emotions and physical action. Whereas his action thrillers (Time Zero, Tears of the Oracle, Option Lock, Millennium Shock) concentrate on the surroundings, the hardware and the violence, he succeeds in planting you right into the thick of the action. His prose is very good, I have never read a book that felt underwritten and certainly most of his books are packed with wonderful detail, small, indistinguishable moments that make the books feel more real.
Justin Richards has become the most influential writer in the Who universe, no other author has made such a difference. Justin now controls half of the Doctor Who input being released (the other half being Big Finish) and general consensus is that he has done a superb job. Look at the reviews since he has taken over as editor, TV Zone, SFX, Cult Times, this very site have all been extremely positive and full of praise.
If there were a fault to his work it would be that his reputation precedes him and people expect good stuff from him. If he writes a stinker now and with Sometime Never looming ever closer I hope this isn't a portent it would come as a bitter disappointment. Demontage and The Joy Device are only underwhelming because of all the terrific stuff that came before them.
Enjoy his work, he is a very balanced writer who gives his all and his books are extremely rewarding. Seek out The Sands of Time, The Shadow in the Glass, The Banquo Legacy, The Burning, Time Zero... examples of Who at their best.