The Case of the Fagin File

Baker Street Irregulars #2

by Terrance Dicks

The Baker Street Irregulars investigate a case of property fraud and arson in the basement storage room of the Rio Cinema theater, whose owner, Peter Pollard, refuses to sell out

109 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 1978

About the author

Terrance 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.

Reviews

[Derelict Space Sheep · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slight, rather hurried volume, even by Dicks’s standards. The narrative chops about more than it did in the first Baker Street Irregulars mystery, and the investigation is something of a doddle. For a middle-grade adventure, though, the stakes are surprisingly adult.

[Sara Platero · Rating 5 out of 5]

En esta serie juvenil de aventuras y misterios 4 jóvenes (3 chicos y 1 chica) se irán topando con diferentes misterios en sus entornos.

Ubicada la acción en Londres guarda un paralelismo con la serie de novelas juveniles americanas de "Alfred Hichtcock y los tres investigadores" en tanto que son una brigada juvenil reducida, disponen de un policía amigable y otro policía brusco dentro de sus historias y los personajes parecen tener papeles claros: el líder que hace las deduciones, el Atlético, el que tiene varios conocimientos (que sería la chica en este caso) y añade un elemento cómico con uno de los personajes un poco más plano y/o patoso que complica la acción.

En esta novela en concreto me ha gustado mucho el juego de dar narrador también a lo que sucede con "el enemigo" para entender mejor la acción.

Creo que es una serie de novelas que sigue la línea de fondo de las novelas juveniles de la época como "Puck" o "Los Hollister" pero, al igual que todas ellas, con elementos diferenciadores que la hacen única y de la que se puede disfrutar la lectura.

[Cherisse · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Fagin" starts a school for delinquent kids, showing them how to rob, pickpocket, steal cars, etc. and is captured by Dan and his friends.