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Doctor Who Target Books (Numerical Order) #113
Doctor Who: Black Orchid
On a lazy June afternoon in 1925 the TARDIS materialises at the tiny railway station of Cranleigh Halt. Warmly welcomed by the local gentry, the Fifth Doctor, together with Tegan, Adric and Nyssa, is invited to the splendid masked ball by Lady Cranleigh and her son, Charles.
But a dark menace haunts the secret corridors of Cranleigh Hall. And before the ball is over, the quiet summer will be shattered by the shocking discovery of a brutal murder...
But a dark menace haunts the secret corridors of Cranleigh Hall. And before the ball is over, the quiet summer will be shattered by the shocking discovery of a brutal murder...
143 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
1 person is currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Terence Dudley
13 books1 followerTerence Dudley joined the BBC in 1958 and worked with them throughout his life in various capacities.
He was a producer on the SF-flavoured The Big Pull, Doomwatch (working alongside Kit Pedler and Gerry Davis) and Survivors (the mid-seventies post-apocalyptic drama created by Terry Nation, although the two did not see eye-to-eye on how the series should evolve).
He directed episodes of Out of the Unknown, Doomwatch, Softly, Softly, Detective, Colditz, Survivors, To Serve Them All My Days, Secret Army, All Creatures Great and Small and Doctor Who (Meglos).
He wrote for Doomwatch, the Wednesday Play (A Piece of Resistance, 1966), Survivors and Doctor Who (Four to Doomsday, Black Orchid, The King's Demons), and the pilot of Who-spin-off K9 and Company.
He was a producer on the SF-flavoured The Big Pull, Doomwatch (working alongside Kit Pedler and Gerry Davis) and Survivors (the mid-seventies post-apocalyptic drama created by Terry Nation, although the two did not see eye-to-eye on how the series should evolve).
He directed episodes of Out of the Unknown, Doomwatch, Softly, Softly, Detective, Colditz, Survivors, To Serve Them All My Days, Secret Army, All Creatures Great and Small and Doctor Who (Meglos).
He wrote for Doomwatch, the Wednesday Play (A Piece of Resistance, 1966), Survivors and Doctor Who (Four to Doomsday, Black Orchid, The King's Demons), and the pilot of Who-spin-off K9 and Company.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 14, 2021
Black Orchid was the fifth serial of the nineteenth season of Doctor Who, and this novelization was adapted by Terrence Dudley from his own teleplay. It was broadcast in March of 1982 and starred the fifth iteration of The Doctor accompanied by his trio of companions, Tegan, Adric, and Nyssa. It was a short serial, one of the rare two-parters, and Dudley fleshed the story out to novel length with extra descriptions of the surroundings and the masquerade, and detail about the game of cricket. (I still didn't really get it.) It was the first straight-historical story that had been done for several years, as there is no science-fiction content beyond the arrival of the TARDIS team. Set in 1925, it's an Agatha Christie mystery homage that sees a murder investigation, a case of mistaken identity, and high-class hi-jinks with a masked ball and cricket. Surprisingly, Nyssa stands out as the star; the Doctor does dress as a clown and play cricket, while Adric mostly stays out of the way and Tegan has a good time. It's a fun story, and was something of a refreshing change of pace.
November 13, 2008
When I first read Terrence Dudley's novelization of his two-part "Doctor Who" story more years ago than I care to count, I was struck by how Dudley took a simple, two-part story and added something to it. In many ways, "Black Orchid" as a novelizations as pre-cursor to what the Target range would later become--a chance to really expand "Doctor Who" stories beyond the small screen. A chance to fill in gaps, flesh out charcters, fully realize details. It's a novelization I have very fond memories of reading and always one I cite as one of the better novels of the Target range.
So, when I heard it was coming out on audio CD, I was eager to revisit it.
Only to find the memory can and does cheat.
It's not to say "Black Orchid" is a bad novel. It's still a splendid little book and it does a lot of justice to the Dudley's two-part script. But a lot of what I recall as expanding the story really boils down to extended sequences playing cricket (which I appreciate the attempt to explain the game more, though I really still don't grasp it) and the Doctor wandering along corridors for endless sequences.
Part of it is that "Black Orchid" is an interesting little Doctor Who story. It's a hybrid of a lot of various elements from the series past and it works well enough on-screen when you can buy that there are lots of doubles floating around. On-screen, it's easier to buy the mix-up of who is who with the dopplegangers of Nyssa and Anne. In the novel, Dudley has to work harder to keep the fun going, allowing the reader to know who is who while other various character aren't quite sure. Also, the visual tell of Anne having a mole that Nyssa doesn't really doesn't translate as well to the printed page or its audio version.
As I listened this time, I found that Dudley had expanded things, but maybe not enough. The novel assumes the reader hasn't seen the TV version and that works both for and against the story. Dudley doesn't give away the central mystery in the story until the exact right moment, though if you're paying attention it's not terribly difficult to pick up what's going on. But in a story where it's assumed most readers have seen the televised version, it might have been more interesting to hear more about George's trip up the Amazon and the discovery that led to his downfall. Or to hear more about how Lady Cranleigh reacted upon his return and the news of what happened to him.
I guess part of it is being spoiled by the New Adventures where sidetrips like this were allowed and encouraged. It seems like that despite all the pluses for this novel (and there are enough to keep it as head and shoulders above a lot of the Target line, though not in the elite class of novels like "Ghost Light" or "Remembrance of the Daleks"), there are still some missed opportunties in the story.
Not a bad telling of the story. Just not as great as it was in my memory.
So, when I heard it was coming out on audio CD, I was eager to revisit it.
Only to find the memory can and does cheat.
It's not to say "Black Orchid" is a bad novel. It's still a splendid little book and it does a lot of justice to the Dudley's two-part script. But a lot of what I recall as expanding the story really boils down to extended sequences playing cricket (which I appreciate the attempt to explain the game more, though I really still don't grasp it) and the Doctor wandering along corridors for endless sequences.
Part of it is that "Black Orchid" is an interesting little Doctor Who story. It's a hybrid of a lot of various elements from the series past and it works well enough on-screen when you can buy that there are lots of doubles floating around. On-screen, it's easier to buy the mix-up of who is who with the dopplegangers of Nyssa and Anne. In the novel, Dudley has to work harder to keep the fun going, allowing the reader to know who is who while other various character aren't quite sure. Also, the visual tell of Anne having a mole that Nyssa doesn't really doesn't translate as well to the printed page or its audio version.
As I listened this time, I found that Dudley had expanded things, but maybe not enough. The novel assumes the reader hasn't seen the TV version and that works both for and against the story. Dudley doesn't give away the central mystery in the story until the exact right moment, though if you're paying attention it's not terribly difficult to pick up what's going on. But in a story where it's assumed most readers have seen the televised version, it might have been more interesting to hear more about George's trip up the Amazon and the discovery that led to his downfall. Or to hear more about how Lady Cranleigh reacted upon his return and the news of what happened to him.
I guess part of it is being spoiled by the New Adventures where sidetrips like this were allowed and encouraged. It seems like that despite all the pluses for this novel (and there are enough to keep it as head and shoulders above a lot of the Target line, though not in the elite class of novels like "Ghost Light" or "Remembrance of the Daleks"), there are still some missed opportunties in the story.
Not a bad telling of the story. Just not as great as it was in my memory.
July 30, 2024
Despite quite enjoying the story on tv/ bluray, the book just doesn't do the same for me. The added bits about cricket makes it rather dull, honestly. The biggest joy of the show is having identical characters and seeing Sarah Sutton in 2 roles - this just doesn't come off in print. A good attempt by Terence Dudley, but it's not one of the best adaptations.
August 19, 2023
In my notes for the televised Black Orchid, I surmised - "Not memorable by any stretch, and the story demanded more development to really engage with, but decent enough." Dudley, in adapting his own story, has rather proven me right. Some of my issues still stand - the identity of the murderer feels only slightly more believable than it did on television, namely - but it's improved by the runtime, no doubt about it. The Doctor's finding of the secret room, for instance, is elevated in text form. The descriptions of the air quality, the minute cracks of light, that scene is a shining example of how to novelise an audio-visual story. Characters too - Tthe 'Indian', as Amazonian tribesman Latoni is so vaguely named here again and again, is the real star of the adaptation. He feels much less of a novelty this time around. His connections with the household are explored in more depth and he is awarded more closure to his character arc than he was on television.
At other times, Dudley seems to have felt the pinch of extending a plot built around a two-episode structure. Whenever there isn't much to be going on, things can get rather drawn out, and that makes the opening of the book rather an ordeal. I'm sure The Doctor playing cricket is fun for those who care for the game, but for someone whose extent of sport appreciation is watching a two-week sumo tournament every other month, I got rather tired of both the actual game and the companions' running commentary. Adric's plotline of indulging in the buffet, which was introduced because of Matthew Waterhouse's inability to dance, should have been struck from the record but is instead elaborated upon. It isn't very fun to read about a man stuffing his face over and over!
I can't really make too much amendments to my notes of Black Orchid, in the end. Certainly it's made more engaging by the added development, but it's little more memorable now than it was the first time around, and I can at most upgrade it from 'decent enough' to 'pretty good'. Black Orchid is simply a flawed script built around too much gimmicky elements and to make any serious improvements would be to stray too far from the expectations of what a novelisation entails.
At other times, Dudley seems to have felt the pinch of extending a plot built around a two-episode structure. Whenever there isn't much to be going on, things can get rather drawn out, and that makes the opening of the book rather an ordeal. I'm sure The Doctor playing cricket is fun for those who care for the game, but for someone whose extent of sport appreciation is watching a two-week sumo tournament every other month, I got rather tired of both the actual game and the companions' running commentary. Adric's plotline of indulging in the buffet, which was introduced because of Matthew Waterhouse's inability to dance, should have been struck from the record but is instead elaborated upon. It isn't very fun to read about a man stuffing his face over and over!
I can't really make too much amendments to my notes of Black Orchid, in the end. Certainly it's made more engaging by the added development, but it's little more memorable now than it was the first time around, and I can at most upgrade it from 'decent enough' to 'pretty good'. Black Orchid is simply a flawed script built around too much gimmicky elements and to make any serious improvements would be to stray too far from the expectations of what a novelisation entails.
July 20, 2024
What a fun adventure! This story takes place on an English estate in the early 20th century, the Doctor is mistaken for another man and is brought to Cranleigh Hall to take part in a game of cricket. But the game is being watched by a mysterious native from Venezuela, a creature is stalking the halls and is after Lord Cranleigh’s finance Ann who bares a striking resemblance to the Doctor’s companion Nyssa.
This was such a fun and interesting story, was a bit apprehensive about tackling this book as the episode is a forgotten 5th Doctor story that is only 2 parts. Was interested to find that this story works so much better as a mystery novel than a 50 minute long serial.
This has solidified that Doc 5, Nyssa, Tegan and Adric as my favourite TARDIS team. They are just fun to follow. Tegan and Adric getting a lot of laughs from me as they bicker, Adric’s sudden obsession with with food hilarious and Nyssa being mistaken for the Lord’s Fiance and having a wonderful time with her in the process is heartwarming.
The mystery is passed really well and has a satisfying conclusion. The Target novelisations I read get better with each novel but I think this one will take some beating. It takes the story and elevates it and makes it an absolute must read in the Target collection.
This was such a fun and interesting story, was a bit apprehensive about tackling this book as the episode is a forgotten 5th Doctor story that is only 2 parts. Was interested to find that this story works so much better as a mystery novel than a 50 minute long serial.
This has solidified that Doc 5, Nyssa, Tegan and Adric as my favourite TARDIS team. They are just fun to follow. Tegan and Adric getting a lot of laughs from me as they bicker, Adric’s sudden obsession with with food hilarious and Nyssa being mistaken for the Lord’s Fiance and having a wonderful time with her in the process is heartwarming.
The mystery is passed really well and has a satisfying conclusion. The Target novelisations I read get better with each novel but I think this one will take some beating. It takes the story and elevates it and makes it an absolute must read in the Target collection.
November 24, 2017
Terence Dudley's novelization of his own teleplay is actually better than the original episode. This episode was a two-parter that felt truncated at two parts. The novel format allows Dudley to fill in some gaps and add some depth to the character. The story itself is a typical 1920s mystery/adventure, with The Doctor mistaken for a Cricket player, taken to a stately mansion in the countryside and becoming the chief suspect in a murder. Yet, something's not right at Cranleigh Hall. Add to this a bit double-trouble when Nyssa and the current Lord Cranleigh's fiancée are nearly identical, one South American native with a deformed lip, a masquerade ball, and one get all the elements typical of the genre. In this, Dudley has perhaps gone a bit overboard. There are some clumsy bits of foreshadowing of the "little did he know that in the very near future he would be in deep trouble" variety. It's light and fun and not much else.
March 21, 2021
My favorite Doctor Who novelization. I reread it many times.
March 19, 2025
The last time I looked at a novelization by Terence Dudley, I kept things intentionally short because Dudley stretched a two-episode serial into a five-hour audiobook. Going into Black Orchid, I was hoping that Dudley had learned from those mistakes. Black Orchid’s audiobook is 5 hours and 12 minutes. Now, it isn’t as bad as The King’s Demons, but then again, Black Orchid on television is a stronger story anyway. But it is far from a good story and once again has Terence Dudley largely misunderstand how to construct a narrative and adapt a script to a novel form. Take for instance the extended play by play of Part One’s cricket match, something that takes up quite a lot of time without actually moving the plot forward, and barely establishing characterization.
Dudley as a writer clearly knows that anyone picking this up would already like Doctor Who, so he doesn’t seem to think of a need to really give any of the characters an introduction or characterization. Compound this with a writing style that substitutes synonyms without any sense of sentence structure, plus repeating plot points and the communication of plot points between characters, you have a recipe for an incredibly padded novel. There is a specific moment in the novel where Dudley actively references The King’s Demons and opens the novel with Tegan happily traveling with the Doctor and company, even though this is right near the end of her tumultuous time on the show as combative towards not getting home. The sense is that the TARDIS team in Black Orchid just kind of hates each other, Adric in particular is always referred to in terms of being almost unhygienic and always stuffing his face. It’s very possible that this is where Gary Russell got his idea for characterization of Adric in Divided Loyalties. Tegan is generally fed up with having to explain Earth concepts to Adric and especially Nyssa which the latter has no basis in how the characters were portrayed on television. Yes, Nyssa has always been weakly characterized in her television appearances, but here Dudley makes her kind of helpless and unable to navigate any sort of situation without looking for an out.
The Doctor is also particularly out of character, coming across as almost pro-colonialist in places. Black Orchid on television has always had this undercurrent of ableism and racism, the villain is someone who was disfigured and his mind has snapped, while there is an indigenous character generally made out to be in service to the white British aristocracy. The novelization makes the Cranleigh’s have a higher aristocratic status, and Dudley’s prose rarely refers to George as George, he is almost exclusively described in terms of being grotesque and inhuman. He is placed in the situation of monster and the Doctor in the novel just doesn’t question it, there is a poor lampshading of the Cranleighs thinking hiding him is better than sending him to an asylum, but that is one line in a full novel. Latoni is also referred to rarely by name but as ‘the Indian’ and is given a deeper characterization of mysticism and the idea of worshipping vengeful gods because that is apparently all indigenous people are to Terence Dudley. The Doctor barely acknowledges the humanity of either character, really leaving a bad taste in my mouth throughout.
Overall, Black Orchid is just another example of how Terence Dudley is not a good writer nor is he really a fit for writing Doctor Who. The book is so stretched that it makes a novelization that is in prose less than 200 pages take over five hours for the audiobook to be read without adding any substance. But hey, there’s cricket, and the aristocracy. 3/10.
Dudley as a writer clearly knows that anyone picking this up would already like Doctor Who, so he doesn’t seem to think of a need to really give any of the characters an introduction or characterization. Compound this with a writing style that substitutes synonyms without any sense of sentence structure, plus repeating plot points and the communication of plot points between characters, you have a recipe for an incredibly padded novel. There is a specific moment in the novel where Dudley actively references The King’s Demons and opens the novel with Tegan happily traveling with the Doctor and company, even though this is right near the end of her tumultuous time on the show as combative towards not getting home. The sense is that the TARDIS team in Black Orchid just kind of hates each other, Adric in particular is always referred to in terms of being almost unhygienic and always stuffing his face. It’s very possible that this is where Gary Russell got his idea for characterization of Adric in Divided Loyalties. Tegan is generally fed up with having to explain Earth concepts to Adric and especially Nyssa which the latter has no basis in how the characters were portrayed on television. Yes, Nyssa has always been weakly characterized in her television appearances, but here Dudley makes her kind of helpless and unable to navigate any sort of situation without looking for an out.
The Doctor is also particularly out of character, coming across as almost pro-colonialist in places. Black Orchid on television has always had this undercurrent of ableism and racism, the villain is someone who was disfigured and his mind has snapped, while there is an indigenous character generally made out to be in service to the white British aristocracy. The novelization makes the Cranleigh’s have a higher aristocratic status, and Dudley’s prose rarely refers to George as George, he is almost exclusively described in terms of being grotesque and inhuman. He is placed in the situation of monster and the Doctor in the novel just doesn’t question it, there is a poor lampshading of the Cranleighs thinking hiding him is better than sending him to an asylum, but that is one line in a full novel. Latoni is also referred to rarely by name but as ‘the Indian’ and is given a deeper characterization of mysticism and the idea of worshipping vengeful gods because that is apparently all indigenous people are to Terence Dudley. The Doctor barely acknowledges the humanity of either character, really leaving a bad taste in my mouth throughout.
Overall, Black Orchid is just another example of how Terence Dudley is not a good writer nor is he really a fit for writing Doctor Who. The book is so stretched that it makes a novelization that is in prose less than 200 pages take over five hours for the audiobook to be read without adding any substance. But hey, there’s cricket, and the aristocracy. 3/10.
June 8, 2021
While not a stellar story, still one I quite enjoy, thanks to being a big cricket fan - the Fifth Doctor playing a great game of cricket - what's not to like? Even outside that though, is an interesting tale, with no real sci-fi elements in for the first time in quite a while.
The Doctor gets some great moments, though I didn't necessarily like how willing he was to give one of the one off characters the benefit of the doubt here, when there was nothing portrayed in the story to that point to suggest that is fair.
A fun story for Nyssa as well, getting a bit more to do than has been the case recently, and nice to see all the companions just having fun, not something we see too much of. Adric isn't annoying like he had been in previous stories, and Tegan fits into the setting quite well.
The one off characters are quite good too, quite mixed in personalities and combining well with the Doctor and his companions.
Another story showing the strength of being able to have the same page count as other novelisations, but only covering 2 episodes, allowing a lot to be expanded upon.
All round, an enjoyable read.
The Doctor gets some great moments, though I didn't necessarily like how willing he was to give one of the one off characters the benefit of the doubt here, when there was nothing portrayed in the story to that point to suggest that is fair.
A fun story for Nyssa as well, getting a bit more to do than has been the case recently, and nice to see all the companions just having fun, not something we see too much of. Adric isn't annoying like he had been in previous stories, and Tegan fits into the setting quite well.
The one off characters are quite good too, quite mixed in personalities and combining well with the Doctor and his companions.
Another story showing the strength of being able to have the same page count as other novelisations, but only covering 2 episodes, allowing a lot to be expanded upon.
All round, an enjoyable read.
September 11, 2023
Doctor Who : The Black Orchid (1986) by Terence Dudley is the novelisation of the fifth serial of season nineteen of Doctor Who.
The Doctor, Tegan, Nyssa and Adric take the overcrowded TARDIS to a train station platform. The Doctor is mistaken for a doctor and goes and plays cricket for the local gentry. They then go to a fancy dress party at the residence of the aristocrat running the cricket team. There something is amiss and a servant has been killed. Nyssa meets a young lady who is her double. It all proceeds toward a murder mystery.
It’s nice for the Doctor to have a break from saving the world or the universe to be plonked into a short serial remembling an Agatha Christie book. The serial manages to keep all three companions busy.
It’s quite reasonable and a short readable adventure.
The Doctor, Tegan, Nyssa and Adric take the overcrowded TARDIS to a train station platform. The Doctor is mistaken for a doctor and goes and plays cricket for the local gentry. They then go to a fancy dress party at the residence of the aristocrat running the cricket team. There something is amiss and a servant has been killed. Nyssa meets a young lady who is her double. It all proceeds toward a murder mystery.
It’s nice for the Doctor to have a break from saving the world or the universe to be plonked into a short serial remembling an Agatha Christie book. The serial manages to keep all three companions busy.
It’s quite reasonable and a short readable adventure.
October 28, 2021
An excellent novelisation of the Fifth Doctor serial. Agatha Christie meets Doctor Who. I found this a very relaxing read/listen.
I both read the book and listened to the audio book read splendidly by Michael Cochrane and written equally well by Terence Dudley. The music and sound effects really suited the story and added to the experience.
I very much enjoyed the book, especially the additions made by Dudley which helped to enhance what in my opinion is something of a truncated serial.
I both read the book and listened to the audio book read splendidly by Michael Cochrane and written equally well by Terence Dudley. The music and sound effects really suited the story and added to the experience.
I very much enjoyed the book, especially the additions made by Dudley which helped to enhance what in my opinion is something of a truncated serial.
May 3, 2025
This is a lovely expansion of a rather slight story. All the characters are given a moment to shine though Tegan contributes very little to the plot and Adric is reduced to comic relief and some introspection. It glosses over some details like the conclusion and the cricket match but it is lovely for the rest of the book, taking care to expand the subplot of Ann and Nyssa and describes the main plot and the house beautifully.
February 10, 2022
I am so excited about the discovery of all the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary shorts which are done by all the authors I already love. It's like the perfect match. I have really enjoyed the variety of worlds and troubles that these adventures explore. I hope to read them all one day.
This retro story was definitely retro and not my favorite.
This retro story was definitely retro and not my favorite.
January 20, 2025
pdf 150 pages
A charming if slightly macabre story. The Doctor grandstands at cricket, is accused of murder - and a family mystery is unravelled, all within two episodes as televised. This allows the writer space in his novelisation to add period detail that may be missed on screen.
Largely fun!
A charming if slightly macabre story. The Doctor grandstands at cricket, is accused of murder - and a family mystery is unravelled, all within two episodes as televised. This allows the writer space in his novelisation to add period detail that may be missed on screen.
Largely fun!
August 24, 2025
I haven’t seen this one since it was first broadcast. But dealing with the story with older eyes, it strikes me that it doesn’t really fit its 1920’s setting. It’s strange arrivals from unknown lands plot feels more like Wilkie Collins than Agatha Christie.
In this audio version, Michael Cochrane confusingly makes The Fifth Doctor sound a lot more like The Third.
In this audio version, Michael Cochrane confusingly makes The Fifth Doctor sound a lot more like The Third.
April 25, 2024
I kind of remember this episode but it was one of the ones my dad didn't have on VHS so I only ever saw it when it came on my local PBS station. Overall, it was just okay and that's even with one of my favorite Tardis teams at the helm.
August 16, 2019
AUDIBLE BOOK
The Doctor attends a masquerade ball that is hiding more than fun
The Doctor attends a masquerade ball that is hiding more than fun
June 4, 2025
A good read adds a little more to the story compared to the TV version I know it's not a fan favourite but I like it.
February 21, 2017
It shouldn't work but it does. A DW story with no aliens, no invasions, nothing supernatural. But I'm rather fond of this story with its suspicious goings-on at a posh 20s mansion. From the engrossing cricket match to Adric's culinary adventures to the final fiery denouement, it's all a jolly hoot. Even Tegan's enjoying herself for a change.
January 14, 2022
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1054675.html#cutid5
Two-part stories give a lot of space to add more to the narrative when it comes time to write the novelisation, and this has been done well (Ian Marter) and badly (Nigel Robinson). This is definitely more at the Marter end of the spectrum. Dudley adds much detail about the cricket match (as incomprehensible to me as to Adric and Nyssa) and roots the story in the class structure of the Britain of the period, the Dowager Marchioness coming across as a particularly memorable personality. He even succeeds in giving Adric a couple of memorable character moments.
It's a good book - my favourite Fifth Doctor novel so far - but let down by lousy proofing: repeated references to "Portugese" and "Venezuala" (and by the way, the first is not actually spoken much in the second); also we have someone dressed as "Marie Antionette". A shame that Target couldn't take more care.
https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3839363.html
Still my favourite Fifth Doctor novelisation, though I like the comics of the era and the later Big Finish audios rather more in general. Dudley came very close to making me understand cricket. (But still did not quite succeed.)
Two-part stories give a lot of space to add more to the narrative when it comes time to write the novelisation, and this has been done well (Ian Marter) and badly (Nigel Robinson). This is definitely more at the Marter end of the spectrum. Dudley adds much detail about the cricket match (as incomprehensible to me as to Adric and Nyssa) and roots the story in the class structure of the Britain of the period, the Dowager Marchioness coming across as a particularly memorable personality. He even succeeds in giving Adric a couple of memorable character moments.
It's a good book - my favourite Fifth Doctor novel so far - but let down by lousy proofing: repeated references to "Portugese" and "Venezuala" (and by the way, the first is not actually spoken much in the second); also we have someone dressed as "Marie Antionette". A shame that Target couldn't take more care.
https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/3839363.html
Still my favourite Fifth Doctor novelisation, though I like the comics of the era and the later Big Finish audios rather more in general. Dudley came very close to making me understand cricket. (But still did not quite succeed.)
October 17, 2025
"Well played Sir"
I decided to read after watching Grantchester 3.2 , where you see Peter Davison in full cricket outfit. Which made me think of a cricket heavy Doctor Who episode and Black Orchid came to mind, one of the first Classic who I remember buying when I was younger.
The 5th Doctor, Nyssa, Tegan ans Adric arrive in 1925 at a railway station, where they end up invited to a cricket match which lead to a masked ball. This story was historical based which made a nice change, felt very Agatha Christie- murder mystery in 1920s and reminded me of New Who episode - 'Unicorn and the Wasp'. It was a very heavy Nyssa story along with her duplicate Ann- In classic Who and audio adventures you see this quite a bit.
I think Dudley did a very good job at flushing the story out further, I quite enjoyed and felt a very english story.
I decided to read after watching Grantchester 3.2 , where you see Peter Davison in full cricket outfit. Which made me think of a cricket heavy Doctor Who episode and Black Orchid came to mind, one of the first Classic who I remember buying when I was younger.
The 5th Doctor, Nyssa, Tegan ans Adric arrive in 1925 at a railway station, where they end up invited to a cricket match which lead to a masked ball. This story was historical based which made a nice change, felt very Agatha Christie- murder mystery in 1920s and reminded me of New Who episode - 'Unicorn and the Wasp'. It was a very heavy Nyssa story along with her duplicate Ann- In classic Who and audio adventures you see this quite a bit.
I think Dudley did a very good job at flushing the story out further, I quite enjoyed and felt a very english story.
November 17, 2008
A fun little story that tries to fit the Tardis crew into an Agatha Christe style old fashioned mystery.
Bit light weight, but a nice change of pace from the usual fate of the universe stories or the other Doctor Who historicals where they cross paths with a major historical figure.
Only gripe is the first half of the story moves at such a leisurely pace that the second half feels rushed, once the mystery is introduced. Think it would have worked better if the book was longer.
Bit light weight, but a nice change of pace from the usual fate of the universe stories or the other Doctor Who historicals where they cross paths with a major historical figure.
Only gripe is the first half of the story moves at such a leisurely pace that the second half feels rushed, once the mystery is introduced. Think it would have worked better if the book was longer.
January 22, 2011
A brilliantly expanded story. "Black Orchid" was a delightful breath of fresh air, and Terence Dudley takes his simple little story and adds brilliant layers, from a hilariously expanded cricket match to the backstory of the ill-fated 1st Lord Cranleigh. These are real characters in this book, and they resonate with charm, greed, suspicion, amazement, and sadness. No cardboard cutouts need apply.
October 6, 2014
This installment of Doctor Who had a different feel to it; part gothic horror story, part mystery, part love story, it was less sci-fi and more Jane Eyre. I did find the mystery to be very predictable, and the first two chapters dragged on interminably (honestly, two chapters about a game of cricket?!), but I still found the story to be engrossing. Once we got past those cricket chapters, all I really wanted to do was spend the rest of the day listening to this story!
April 15, 2013
Novelization of the Dr. Who episode of the same name starring Peter Davidson. A rather interesting story having no alien or supernatural element whatsoever, it plays out like an Agatha Christie episode, (it's set in 1925 in a Stately home.) It manages to be really creepy. The cricket game goes on a bit, otherwise not bad at all.
April 15, 2015
I watched this episode many years ago and felt it was a very predictable plot. I read the book version and found that some of the plot points were a bit more fleshed out than a two part television episode could allow for. Not much background is provided. So, the book presumes you know the show and characters.
January 27, 2016
The Unicorn and the Wasp remind me of this book.
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