Sci-Fi Bulletin: Exploring the Universes of SF, Fantasy, Horror and Spy-fi!

What does the Doctor fear? That’s a question that would have been answered in a Doctor Who big screen movie, penned by Tom Baker and Ian Marter, that never got out of development hell. But now Baker has penned his first Doctor Who novel, bringing the story to life – and BBC Books will be publishing it in January 2019.

The Doctor, Harry and Sarah Jane Smith arrive at a remote Scottish island, when their holiday is cut short by the appearance of strange creatures – hideous scarecrows, preying on the local population. The islanders are living in fear, and the Doctor vows to save them all. But it doesn’t go to plan – the time travellers have fallen into a trap, and Scratchman is coming for them.

With the fate of the universe hanging in the balance, the Doctor must battle an ancient force from another dimension, one who claims to be the Devil.

Scratchman wants to know what the Doctor is most afraid of. And the Doctor’s worst nightmares are coming out to play…

“I love the improbability of Doctor Who. Reason plays no part at all. As in religion, the overriding thing is faith. It may be improbable, but just believe in it and it’ll all come right,” Baker says. “When I was approached about the book, I thought, ‘Why not?’ I’m always on the lookout for a novelty. I’m very enthusiastic as I get close to darkness.”