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Doctor Who Target Books (Numerical Order) #30
Doctor Who and the Hand of Fear
Eldrad was once hailed as the saviour of the world of Kastria. He erected force-barriers around the planet, preventing its imminent destruction. However, when the Kastrians refused to submit to his dictatorship, he removed his force-fields, condemning an entire civilisation to a slow and agonising death. For this, the mightiest of crimes, the people of Kastria sentenced Eldrad to obliteration.
Millions of years later, the Doctor's TARDIS materialises in an English quarry. A freak accident traps the Doctor's young friend, Sarah Jane Smith, under tons of rock. When she is rescued, she is frantically clinging to a large stone hand. Taken to a local hospital, it soon becomes clear that Sarah has been possessed.
After she goes missing - still clutching the hand - the Doctor follows the trail of death and destruction to a nearby atomic power station.
What strange power does the hand have over Sarah? Why has she fought her way to the very core of the nuclear reactor? How can she possibly survive the normally lethal radiation? To answer these questions, the Doctor must travel across the galaxy to a long-dead world - after which, life will never be quite the same again...
Millions of years later, the Doctor's TARDIS materialises in an English quarry. A freak accident traps the Doctor's young friend, Sarah Jane Smith, under tons of rock. When she is rescued, she is frantically clinging to a large stone hand. Taken to a local hospital, it soon becomes clear that Sarah has been possessed.
After she goes missing - still clutching the hand - the Doctor follows the trail of death and destruction to a nearby atomic power station.
What strange power does the hand have over Sarah? Why has she fought her way to the very core of the nuclear reactor? How can she possibly survive the normally lethal radiation? To answer these questions, the Doctor must travel across the galaxy to a long-dead world - after which, life will never be quite the same again...
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
1 person is currently reading
276 people want to read
About the author
Terrance Dicks
327 books220 followersTerrance Dicks was an English author, screenwriter, script editor, and producer best known for his extensive contributions to Doctor Who. Serving as the show's script editor from 1968 to 1974, he helped shape many core elements of the series, including the concept of regeneration, the development of the Time Lords, and the naming of the Doctor’s home planet, Gallifrey. His tenure coincided with major thematic expansions, and he worked closely with producer Barry Letts to bring a socially aware tone to the show. Dicks later wrote several Doctor Who serials, including Robot, Horror of Fang Rock, and The Five Doctors, the 20th-anniversary special.
In parallel with his television work, Dicks became one of the most prolific writers of Doctor Who novelisations for Target Books, authoring over 60 titles and serving as the de facto editor of the range. These adaptations introduced a generation of young readers to the franchise. Beyond Doctor Who, he also wrote original novels, including children’s horror and adventure series such as The Baker Street Irregulars, Star Quest, and The Adventures of Goliath.
Dicks also worked on other television programmes including The Avengers, Moonbase 3, and various BBC literary adaptations. His later work included audio dramas and novels tied to Doctor Who. Widely respected for his clarity, imagination, and dedication to storytelling, he remained a central figure in Doctor Who fandom until his death in 2019, leaving behind a vast legacy in television and children's literature.
In parallel with his television work, Dicks became one of the most prolific writers of Doctor Who novelisations for Target Books, authoring over 60 titles and serving as the de facto editor of the range. These adaptations introduced a generation of young readers to the franchise. Beyond Doctor Who, he also wrote original novels, including children’s horror and adventure series such as The Baker Street Irregulars, Star Quest, and The Adventures of Goliath.
Dicks also worked on other television programmes including The Avengers, Moonbase 3, and various BBC literary adaptations. His later work included audio dramas and novels tied to Doctor Who. Widely respected for his clarity, imagination, and dedication to storytelling, he remained a central figure in Doctor Who fandom until his death in 2019, leaving behind a vast legacy in television and children's literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 11, 2021
A fairly faithful novelisation of a pretty standard run of the mill adventure which really holds significance due to this being popular companion Sarah Jane Smith's departure story.
Actress Elisabeth Sladen indeed asked for a low key exit and that sums this serial up perfectly.
There's still some nice moments including the fun opening where the TARDIS lands in an actual quarry (rather than one disguised as an alien world).
The discovery of a fossilised hand that controls Sarah in an attempt to use radiation for regeneration is probably my favourite parts of the story.
The scenes in the nuclear power plant are quite memorable, especially the plant directors phone call home being quite impactful.
The plot unfortunately starts to fizzle out once the TARDIS travels to Kastria, the home planet of the certainly intresting baddie of the story - that is until the final farewell chapter.
Actress Elisabeth Sladen indeed asked for a low key exit and that sums this serial up perfectly.
There's still some nice moments including the fun opening where the TARDIS lands in an actual quarry (rather than one disguised as an alien world).
The discovery of a fossilised hand that controls Sarah in an attempt to use radiation for regeneration is probably my favourite parts of the story.
The scenes in the nuclear power plant are quite memorable, especially the plant directors phone call home being quite impactful.
The plot unfortunately starts to fizzle out once the TARDIS travels to Kastria, the home planet of the certainly intresting baddie of the story - that is until the final farewell chapter.
October 5, 2021
This is a novelization of the second serial of the fourteenth season of Doctor Who, which was broadcast in October of 1976. Terrance Dicks wrote the adaptation based on the teleplay by Bob Baker and Dave Martin, and it's a pretty strict translation from one form to the other. The fourth Doctor is the star, accompanied for the last time by one of his most popular companions, plucky journalist Sarah Jane Smith. The story opens with the TARDIS materializing in a quarry and Sarah Jane being injured in an explosion where she comes under the control of an ancient ring on the fossilized hand of condemned criminal Eldrad from the planet Kastria. Eldrad regenerates thanks to some handy nuclear energy, they have to visit Kastria (millions of years after the initial crime), and find it destroyed, so Eldrad sets his/her (there's a deception thing) sights on Earth, but the Doctor prevails. Sarah elects to stay behind in her proper time and place, just as The Doctor gets a telepathic summons to Gallifrey, where he can't bring her, and there's an amusing who-dumped-who bit before we find that Sarah's been let off nowhere near where she needed to be. It's a nice low-key exit for Sarah, and the high-point of the rather run of the mill adventure.
September 14, 2020
This is another decent example of a Uncle Terrance target novelisation and they were perfect back in the days before video releases or streaming sites when the only way to experience these stories again and again was reading this novelisations and for that reason along these have to be applauded. They don't really stand up on their own really as a lot of them are fairly light and can be read in hardly an time at all, certainly shorter than the story itself in the case of this one. As this was a fairly decent story then this is a fairly decent novelisation. In general though though with this story when you read the novelisation you realise how much the atmsosphere and feel of the story came from the performances and the direction.
June 18, 2017
Actual rating 3.75
Guys I only have two of these left and I will have read every Doctor Who novella I own. It is a miracle haha.
That aside overall this was a pretty straight forward novelization. The episode it is based on always gives me feels and this, while not as intensely, gave me quite a few feels as well. Sarah Jane will always be one of my top companions. She is just queen.
Guys I only have two of these left and I will have read every Doctor Who novella I own. It is a miracle haha.
That aside overall this was a pretty straight forward novelization. The episode it is based on always gives me feels and this, while not as intensely, gave me quite a few feels as well. Sarah Jane will always be one of my top companions. She is just queen.
January 24, 2016
Goodbye my Sarah Jane
This story is known more for the departure of Sarah Jane, then anything. With this, the last ties to the Third Doctor are severed. However, even though in the end Sarah Jane leaves, that is one small portion of the story.
The overall plot involves an alien trying to resurrect itself. We are given the usual technobabble on how this is done, yet for it is unique. To add to it, we even have the Doctor trying to help an alien he barely knows. The reason to protect Earth.
As with other Target books, and Doctor Who televised stories, there is a small set of characters. This does bring the story down a bit, as it reduces the scope. If this was written during the Virgin and/or BBC books time period the scope probably would have been expended and have helped flesh it out more.
It is a Target book, and we can speculate on what could have been. Even with the limited scope I did enjoy this story. It is a refresher from other recent stories as we see the Doctor more at trying to prevent death. In addition the type of alien is new as well, we have not seen something like it before, which is always refreshing.
Of course the other part of the story is Sarah Jane's farewell. How can you give her a way out. You can't. Which is why her departure is an add on and not tied to the events of the story. So alas the Doctor just has to dump her in South Croydon, though as we learn later Aberdeen. It is still touching though, and not the last we will see of her.
In the end not a bad Target novelization. It is a quick read and is an enjoyable distraction. Technically 3 1/2 starts, rounded up to 4.
This story is known more for the departure of Sarah Jane, then anything. With this, the last ties to the Third Doctor are severed. However, even though in the end Sarah Jane leaves, that is one small portion of the story.
The overall plot involves an alien trying to resurrect itself. We are given the usual technobabble on how this is done, yet for it is unique. To add to it, we even have the Doctor trying to help an alien he barely knows. The reason to protect Earth.
As with other Target books, and Doctor Who televised stories, there is a small set of characters. This does bring the story down a bit, as it reduces the scope. If this was written during the Virgin and/or BBC books time period the scope probably would have been expended and have helped flesh it out more.
It is a Target book, and we can speculate on what could have been. Even with the limited scope I did enjoy this story. It is a refresher from other recent stories as we see the Doctor more at trying to prevent death. In addition the type of alien is new as well, we have not seen something like it before, which is always refreshing.
Of course the other part of the story is Sarah Jane's farewell. How can you give her a way out. You can't. Which is why her departure is an add on and not tied to the events of the story. So alas the Doctor just has to dump her in South Croydon, though as we learn later Aberdeen. It is still touching though, and not the last we will see of her.
In the end not a bad Target novelization. It is a quick read and is an enjoyable distraction. Technically 3 1/2 starts, rounded up to 4.
April 26, 2021
A pretty solid book, that could have been 5 stars but let down somewhat by the end. Some great ideas here, with silicon based lifeforms, and a bit of mystery surrounding what exactly happened to lead to the hand being on Earth, and who were the good guys / bad guys.
The one off characters were pretty good for the most part, and I was quite worried about some of the people working at the nuclear power plant, especially as it seemed like false hope to begin with, but the call home by the person in charge was quite a powerful scene I felt.
The Doctor was in pretty good form throughout, trying to avoid jumping to conclusions and letting it all play out, when others were quick to arrive at certainty.
The antagonist was a lot more interesting when female, but once became male, became very one dimensional, leading to a somewhat disappointing end after the strong build up up until then.
Some interesting moments for Sarah, but not sure it felt that strongly a reason for her to want to go through the motions of leaving at least, let alone ending up leaving - albeit not really her choice in the end though. Her actual leaving scene, while has a bit of bittersweetness to it, does feel overly abrupt, and not an ideal send off compared to what Jo Grant had at least.
On that point, given the differences during Sarah's time (initially her and the 3rd Doctor plus UNIT appearing in and out, then her and the 4th Doctor and Harry, then just her and the 4th Doctor), seemed more like with Jamie, where her leaving didn't feel as emotional, as it did with Ian and Barbara, or with Jo, though whether the scene itself also helped lead to that, I don't know.
I think first 3/4 of book were very strong, but it fell away at the end, leading to just 4 stars :)
The one off characters were pretty good for the most part, and I was quite worried about some of the people working at the nuclear power plant, especially as it seemed like false hope to begin with, but the call home by the person in charge was quite a powerful scene I felt.
The Doctor was in pretty good form throughout, trying to avoid jumping to conclusions and letting it all play out, when others were quick to arrive at certainty.
The antagonist was a lot more interesting when female, but once became male, became very one dimensional, leading to a somewhat disappointing end after the strong build up up until then.
Some interesting moments for Sarah, but not sure it felt that strongly a reason for her to want to go through the motions of leaving at least, let alone ending up leaving - albeit not really her choice in the end though. Her actual leaving scene, while has a bit of bittersweetness to it, does feel overly abrupt, and not an ideal send off compared to what Jo Grant had at least.
On that point, given the differences during Sarah's time (initially her and the 3rd Doctor plus UNIT appearing in and out, then her and the 4th Doctor and Harry, then just her and the 4th Doctor), seemed more like with Jamie, where her leaving didn't feel as emotional, as it did with Ian and Barbara, or with Jo, though whether the scene itself also helped lead to that, I don't know.
I think first 3/4 of book were very strong, but it fell away at the end, leading to just 4 stars :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2021
This was a weird little story that has its fair share of good things and things.
The core premise of a mysterious silicon-based lifeform able to regenerate itself from its hand along makes for a compelling story hook. Having Sarah Jane Smith getting hypnotized at essentially the very beginning of the adventure was a little sad as a narrative choice, but sort of reflective of the time of its release.
The adventure has some great plot points and shifts throughout the story as they first have to discover that people are under the control of Eldrad through the hand alone and later how to deal with Eldrad herself (or himself ). The Doctor still manages to find a solution to things that reinforces his belief in the good in most sentient lifeforms, whether warranted or not. And that helps the story continue to ring true in the grand tradition of these classic stories.
The ending felt a little abrupt, but I guess makes sense as a setup for the next big story. Sarah Jane's story feels very unfinished at this point, but we do know that they get around to addressing that.
The core premise of a mysterious silicon-based lifeform able to regenerate itself from its hand along makes for a compelling story hook. Having Sarah Jane Smith getting hypnotized at essentially the very beginning of the adventure was a little sad as a narrative choice, but sort of reflective of the time of its release.
The adventure has some great plot points and shifts throughout the story as they first have to discover that people are under the control of Eldrad through the hand alone and later how to deal with Eldrad herself (or himself ). The Doctor still manages to find a solution to things that reinforces his belief in the good in most sentient lifeforms, whether warranted or not. And that helps the story continue to ring true in the grand tradition of these classic stories.
The ending felt a little abrupt, but I guess makes sense as a setup for the next big story. Sarah Jane's story feels very unfinished at this point, but we do know that they get around to addressing that.
August 28, 2025
There are two types of a Terrince dicks target book. One that's got some great depth to it and some expansions. The other is a very quick but faithful adaption of the tv story. The hand of fear is the second one. Which is fine. You have to understand that these target books we're for fans to relive and experience stories way before catch up, videos and dvds was a thing. But nowadays its an exciting thing to read extra details on stories we've seen many times. But when there are too close and short to the orginal like this one, it makes the book rather pointless to own. It's an item only worth having for collection sakes or if your a fan of the story.
Having said that, the book is fine. It's a good retelling and doesn't really drag as much as the 4 parter does. It's criminal we get no expansion on the goodbye to sarah but the added scene of Eldrads execution was very cool. Its a fun quick read.
Having said that, the book is fine. It's a good retelling and doesn't really drag as much as the 4 parter does. It's criminal we get no expansion on the goodbye to sarah but the added scene of Eldrads execution was very cool. Its a fun quick read.
April 1, 2023
Originally, The Hand of Fear would have featured the death of the Brigadier (this was scrapped because of Nicholas Courtney being unavailable). This probably would have been a very unpopular story beat.
The Hand of Fear is perhaps most notable for Eldrad - Doctor Who's first genderfluid antagonist. Eldrad is one of the few Doctor Who antagonists whose plan largely works (the other one that comes to mind being Meglos). If it weren't for the Kastrians sacrificing themselves, Eldrad would have succeeded completely.
Overall, The Hand of Fear is a solid story.
The Hand of Fear is perhaps most notable for Eldrad - Doctor Who's first genderfluid antagonist. Eldrad is one of the few Doctor Who antagonists whose plan largely works (the other one that comes to mind being Meglos). If it weren't for the Kastrians sacrificing themselves, Eldrad would have succeeded completely.
Overall, The Hand of Fear is a solid story.
July 11, 2023
Doctor Who and the Hand of Fear (1979) by Terrance Dicks is the novelisation of the second serial of the fifteenth season of Doctor Who.
Sarah Jane requests to return home. The Doctor brings her to roughly the right coordinates but discovers that they have materialised in a quarry where a detonation is about to take place. The Doctor and Sarah have to hide quickly to avoid the explosion and Sarah is recovered clutching a mysterious stone hand.
The serial is mostly notable as Sarah Jane’s final appearance in Doctor Who.
Doctor Who and the Hand of Fear is quite a good serial.
Sarah Jane requests to return home. The Doctor brings her to roughly the right coordinates but discovers that they have materialised in a quarry where a detonation is about to take place. The Doctor and Sarah have to hide quickly to avoid the explosion and Sarah is recovered clutching a mysterious stone hand.
The serial is mostly notable as Sarah Jane’s final appearance in Doctor Who.
Doctor Who and the Hand of Fear is quite a good serial.
September 27, 2024
A fast-paced and lively recount of a fairly ordinary adventure. We get a brief but concise account of the villain’s backstory as well as some extra depth into some of the supporting characters but it all goes way too fast, sacrificing atmosphere for brevity.
October 7, 2025
It’s never been a favourite story, possibly because it’s the last one with Sarah. But it’s also 2 mini-stories, the Earth one and the Kastria one. Eldrad is present in both stories, but they don’t cross-relate to each other. None of the events or characters from the nuclear reactor have any bearing on the feud between Eldrad and Rokon, and vice versa.
And Terrance’s writing is thin in this novelisation. There’s very little extra depth or motivation provided, it’s all action and dialogue. The section on Kastria is slightly better, but is also much shorter only being the last quarter of the book.
That’s not to say it’s a bad book. It’s just very average. Terrance has done much better novelisations.
And Terrance’s writing is thin in this novelisation. There’s very little extra depth or motivation provided, it’s all action and dialogue. The section on Kastria is slightly better, but is also much shorter only being the last quarter of the book.
That’s not to say it’s a bad book. It’s just very average. Terrance has done much better novelisations.
January 3, 2019
This novelisation of one of the Fourth Doctor’s serials is well written, I could see the episodes playing out in my head as I read the story.
January 20, 2019
The last appearence of Sarah Jane Smith and not before time. An 89 page target book with very little plot and definatly no resemblence to anything remotely true.
March 10, 2019
Eldrad must live!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2019
In this story Doctor Who and the Hand of Fear, there was no real excitement for me. Very well written Who story. The story is much better when watched on video.
November 9, 2019
Exciting Fourth Doctor adventure ably adapted by Terrance Dicks that moves at a cracking pace.
August 11, 2020
pdf, 104 pages
A rather bland retelling of an episode that is rather thin - and the padding shows. Notable mostly for the low-key departure of Sarah-Jane Smith...
A rather bland retelling of an episode that is rather thin - and the padding shows. Notable mostly for the low-key departure of Sarah-Jane Smith...
August 29, 2024
The literature equivalent of chewing gum. I chewed most of this one in a comedy club while I waited for the show to start.
November 16, 2025
I read this a month ago and I remember nothing about it, either good or bad.
March 2, 2021
Really enjoyed this book okay it's not the best send off for Sarah, but it's still a good book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2024
"Goodbye, Doctor. Don't forget me."
"Goodbye, Sarah. Don't you forget me either."
Sarah Jane gets possessed by a hand that has the ability to soak up radiation. Once it has enough energy it is able to generate a new body for itself.
The novel like a typical Terrance novel sticks very well to the actual episode with a couple additional scenes and moments.
I wished Terrance included the line about Sarah Jane saying how traveling broadening the mind. It is a well known scene, seeing the departure of the well loved Elisabeth Sladen. But Terrance still handled it very well and I still get teary reading and watching that scene. From the episode I loved Sarah Jane's outfit. It was one of my favourites.
"Goodbye, Sarah. Till we meet again."
"Goodbye, Sarah. Don't you forget me either."
Sarah Jane gets possessed by a hand that has the ability to soak up radiation. Once it has enough energy it is able to generate a new body for itself.
The novel like a typical Terrance novel sticks very well to the actual episode with a couple additional scenes and moments.
I wished Terrance included the line about Sarah Jane saying how traveling broadening the mind. It is a well known scene, seeing the departure of the well loved Elisabeth Sladen. But Terrance still handled it very well and I still get teary reading and watching that scene. From the episode I loved Sarah Jane's outfit. It was one of my favourites.
"Goodbye, Sarah. Till we meet again."
January 7, 2024
http://nhw.livejournal.com/1046178.html#cutid8
A pretty standard retelling of the TV original, without much added or taken away. The story line seemed slightly clearer on paper, but maybe I just was not concentrating sufficiently when I watched it. On the other hand, Dicks does not quite do justice to Sarah Jane's farewell scene.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-hand-of-fear-tv-novelisation-black-archive-also-eldrad-must-die-also-eldrad-must-live/
I think that’s not quite fair; as the co-creator of the UNIT years, Dicks does add a bit more material to link The Hand of Fear with continuity. But basically this is a book to reassure you that you can re-experience the TV serial, in an age before video recorders.
A pretty standard retelling of the TV original, without much added or taken away. The story line seemed slightly clearer on paper, but maybe I just was not concentrating sufficiently when I watched it. On the other hand, Dicks does not quite do justice to Sarah Jane's farewell scene.
https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-hand-of-fear-tv-novelisation-black-archive-also-eldrad-must-die-also-eldrad-must-live/
I think that’s not quite fair; as the co-creator of the UNIT years, Dicks does add a bit more material to link The Hand of Fear with continuity. But basically this is a book to reassure you that you can re-experience the TV serial, in an age before video recorders.
January 25, 2016
This is a story from Doctor Who, featuring the Tom Baker doctor and his Sarah Jane companion. It starts with something in a spaceship that is blown up, a piece falling to Earth. The Doctor and Sarah Jane are caught in a fall of rock, and Sarah Jane accidentally touches the hand, which then takes her over mentally.
The creature the hand is from needs Sarah Jane to take it to an atomic reactor where it can absorb the energy and regenerate itself. The Doctor needs to save here, and then they both work together to eliminate the threat of the regenerated hand.
At the end, the Doctor receives a call from Gallifrey, and he has to return Sarah Jane to the earth. A fairly neat story in the series.
The creature the hand is from needs Sarah Jane to take it to an atomic reactor where it can absorb the energy and regenerate itself. The Doctor needs to save here, and then they both work together to eliminate the threat of the regenerated hand.
At the end, the Doctor receives a call from Gallifrey, and he has to return Sarah Jane to the earth. A fairly neat story in the series.
June 6, 2012
The Doctor halfheartedly tries to bring his companion Sarah Jane Smith back to her hometown on Earth, but of course, lands in a remote quarry instead! There they find a strange stone hand that leads them to adventures in a nuclear energy plant and a distant planet. Then at the end, he really tries to bring Sarah home to South Croydon because he receives a call to his home planet Gallifrey, and he can't bring Sarah there. He lets her out of the TARDIS, and takes off, but of course, he got it wrong again! In the episode School Reunion in the new series of Doctor Who, we find out that it was actually Aberdeen!
July 1, 2008
A classic TV episode that starts in a rock quarry in england and then takes us to the fringes of the universe.
The alien bad guy is interesting enough to distract you from a pretty uninspiring story. She would have made an interesting companion.
The parts on earth are better than when we travel to the alien world. Once we get there everything is explained, but all the Doctor and Sarah do is run and hide from the bad guy a lot.
The alien bad guy is interesting enough to distract you from a pretty uninspiring story. She would have made an interesting companion.
The parts on earth are better than when we travel to the alien world. Once we get there everything is explained, but all the Doctor and Sarah do is run and hide from the bad guy a lot.
November 6, 2016
A golden oldie from my childhood -- this is one of the first Target novels I ever read, in hardcover, courtesy of the local bookmobile. I'm happy to say that it still holds up, 30 years after my first reading. Another classic example of Terrance Dicks managing to do so much in a concise page count. There is action, emotion, and a few touches added by the author, while the original TV story remains sacrosanct within these pages. The icing on the cake is one hell of a cover.
April 14, 2008
Sarah Jane Smith is possessed by a silicon hand, which soaks up radiation until it gathers enough power to generate an entire body for itself. The Doctor takes the silicon being back to its home planet--but millenia have passed since it left, and all its old enemies are dead.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews