Hardback by BBC Books, £16.99
Something a little different for a Doctor Who novel. This one we have seen before.
Last year we had the short story collection ‘Time Trips’ for which Scottish author A L Kennedy contributed the Fourth Doctor story ‘The Death Pit’.
The author was so inspired that she decided to expand it into a full-length novel and this is the result.
At the Fetch Brothers Golf Spa Hotel near Arbroath in 1978. strange things are happening; guests keep disappearing and people can hear other peoples’ thoughts.
The receptionist, Bryony, is very inquisitive and when a tall man with loads of teeth, a mop of unruly curly hair and an impossibly long scarf turns up, she feels that she can rely on him to sort things out.
They team up with an inept guest – Ian Patterson, and discover that one of the bunkers is actually eating the guests who have disappeared.
There is something huge and ancient lurking under the golf course which is in the process of waking up and the Doctor plus his new friends must stop it.
But what is the connection between all this and the octopus-obsessed owner, Mrs Fetch and her creepy grandchildren.
Plus, is Mr Patterson all that he seems to be?
A L Kennedy has turned a very good short story into an excellent full-length novel as the original story left lots of questions that have now been answered.
Her fandom of Doctor Who is readily apparent as she has Tom Baker’s Doctor off to a tee (no pun intended).
The narrative rattles along at a great pace and would have been a great television adventure.
And if you ever want to know what it feels like to be eaten by a golf bunker – this is the book for you.
