Three Fantoms and a Ghost Ship

A treasured collection

It's been a while since I posted a book review, so I thought it was about time I put that right. Recently I have been reading a selection of books from Fantom Publishing, reprinting some novelizations of children's drama serials from my childhood days. It's funny but I don't actually recall them, and the stranger part of that is the subject matter would have wholeheartedly appealed to me then, and still does.

So how did I miss them? Maybe they clashed with something else at the time and I just didn't get to know they were on, remember this was the dark ages of TV when if you missed it, you missed it. There was no catch up, DVDs or even home videos. I have attempted to track them down now on DVD but delivery has been a problem, they have yet to arrive so I can't comment on the original dramas just yet.

But the books make for excellent reading, all very enjoyable.
So what were they?

My Good Reads rating *****

Children of the Stones 
by Jeremy Burnham & Trevor Ray

Based on their HTV TV series from 1977

The first of two fantasy series written by Jeremy Burnham and Trevor Ray for HTV. Matthew and his father Adam Brake arrive in Milbury so that Adam can perform a study of the standing stones and the stone circle that surrounds the village. Very soon they become aware that all is not as it should be in the village, but the nature of their concerns is hard to fathom since the villagers all appear to ‘happy’. Only a few newcomers to the village are not in on the greeting ‘Happy Day.’

A wonderful blend of science and superstition make this a haunting adventure that will keep you enthralled to the end, assuming they are ever allowed to escape the stones.

http://www.fantomfilms.co.uk/books/childrenstones.htm

Raven by Jeremy Burnham & Trevor Ray

Based on their ATV TV series from 1977

The second offering to children’s drama from Jeremy Burnham & Trevor Ray. This time the focus is on an underground cave system that the government are planning to take control of and use to store nuclear waste.  Raven is a young man with a troubled background, fostered to Professor Young and his wife, who are leading a campaign to prevent the development as the cave system has unusual markings and legends that go back to the time of King Arthur.

Drawing more on the concerns of the day this adventure, still full of mystery and suspense does lose some of the fantasy element with the inclusion of the nuclear factor. This time astrology sits alongside the science which muddles the fantasy elements a bit.

http://www.fantomfilms.co.uk/books/raven.htm

The Moon Stallion by Brain Hayles

Based on his BBC TV series from 1978

It seems that King Arthur and sites of ancient superstitious belief formed the backbone of children’s drama back in the 70s. It is 1906 and the Purwell family arrive in the Berkshire Hills at the invitation of Sir George Mortenhurze so that Professor Purwell can research the sites of the legends of King Arthur. On their way there Paul and his blind sister Diana encounter the Moon Stallion, a beast that has its own myths and legends surrounding it. Mortenhurze has his own reasons to search out the Moon Stallion and along with his horse master, Todman, have other plans for night of Beltain that will put them all in danger.

The original drama and the novelization were written by Brian Hayles famous for creating the Celestial Toymaker and the Ice Warriors for Doctor Who. Although that is not the only Doctor Who link, as Diana was played by a young Sarah Sutton who was to go on to play Nyssa of Traken in the series.

Another captivating and entertaining read, which again lifts from known legends and mythology but presents them with a new twist giving a setting to an exciting adventure which proves that writing for a young audience can be both original and inspiring.   

http://www.fantomfilms.co.uk/books/brianhayles_themoonstallion.html

I will certainly be looking up Fantom’s other books in this range, Sky and Return to the Stones. Look out for reviews of them in the not too distant future.

A view of my own stone circle that features heavily in my writing and games

And finally, proving that I’m not easily pleased....

The Ghost of the Mary Celeste
By Valerie Martin
Published by Nan A. Talese

The book description promised adventure at sea, a ship without a crew, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle writing about the mysterious ship and a spiritualist medium.  What it actually delivered was a mishmash of short stories that barely had the legendary ship as a passing focus. It was difficult to see how the initial account of the Briggs family, which suggested a very promising and engaging start to the novel, drifted off course like the ship itself into a sea of disjointed ideas. Unfortunately this has to be one of the most disappointing books that I’ve read in recent years.

That just leaves me to sign off this blog post by saying, "Happy day".

* This post has been updated to correct the fact that "Raven" was produced by ATV rather than HTV that produced "Children from the Stones" after viewing the Network release of the original series.

Where has all the time gone?

"Oh My Giddy Aunt," as the Second Doctor was heard to say a few times. It’s nearly half past May and this blog is looking sparser than a, well a 1976 reservoir. 

Sorry, sorry I had planned and intended to be far better this year, but time, tide and stuff...

I’ve been so absorbed in getting the final part of Karl’s trilogy finished everything else has gone by the wayside. No model work has been done, no book reviews written. Although I have been reading and here is the pile of books waiting for the reviews to be penned.

There are a couple in the pile I really want to rave about so I might just cherry pick them out first.

As far as model making goes, that mystery model is still cluttering up the kitchen. I did try to turn my attention to it the other day and went in search of the putty stuff to make some stone walls and it was hard as rock. I couldn't even chisel any off.

However, all does not appear to be lost, I’ve left it soaking for a few days and it appears to be coming back to life. So you never know, I might just get round to it one day soon. But not this bank holiday, this coming bank holiday my attention has to go to getting the garden fence fixed. Grrrrr!!!

So, Karl. First draft is done. I say first draft; it’s the first draft I let my read through team see. It’s more like a third draft. The first always hand written – call me old fashioned but pencil to paper is still the best way for me to get those initial ideas out of my head. Draft two comes when that gobbledegook and illegible scrawl is typed up. The third follows a complete read through and the attack of the red pen. Then others get to see and comment.

Let’s just say I’m already working on the fourth draft...

If you want to know more about what is happening with the books then pop over to Karl’s Facebook page, give it a like and the more likes we get then the more we can do with the page.

https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/KarlAxilionTrilogy

Or if you prefer the little blue Twitter bird then give me and/or Karl a follow @djkettlety  for my general weird grumblings or @karlaxilion for book news and Karl’s own occasional messages from Miltonburg.

Catch you soon, and that’s a promise.

Derek

Book review November & December 2013

A little late but never-the-less the last of last year's book reviews.

The Clone Rebellion - Republic (Book 1)
ISBN: 9781781167137

The Clone Rebellion - Rogue (Book 2)  
ISBN: 9781781167168

By Steven L Kent

The first two novels in the Clone Rebellion series follow the struggles of Private first-class Wayson Harris as he climbs the ranks of the military which now uses cloned troops for most of the grunt work. 

It is the year 2508 and humans now occupy six arms of Milky Way but it is not all peace and harmony. Rebellion appears to come from many quarters and Harris has to decide which side if any he is on.

The second book takes the story in a new direction, however where as the first made me want to move straight on to the second, by the time I reached the conclusion of that I felt the need to take a break before seeking out the third part.

I felt a bit removed from the characters by the end of the second. This may have been deliberate since the story is told in the first person and Harris is very suited as a loner character that when any suggestion of a relationship might arise it feels very alien.

http://titanbooks.com/search/?search=The+Clone+Rebellion&x=40&y=5

Doctor Who: Summer Falls and Other Stories

Credited Authors: Amelia Williams, Melody Malone, Justin Richards

ISBN 9781849907231

Summer Falls by Amelia Williams

(Inspired by the Doctor Who episode 'The Bells of Saint John')

The Angel's Kiss by Melody Malone

(Inspired by the Doctor Who episode, 'The Angels Take Manhattan')

Devil in the Smoke, as recounted by Mr Justin Richards

(Inspired by the Doctor Who episode, 'The Snowmen')

  

Three very different stories, none of which explicitly feature the Doctor although that is not to say he doesn't make an appearance possibly incognito. The first two stories are stories suggested to have been written by characters in the series both 'ghost written' by two well established voices of Doctor Who literature. Here James Goss writes for Amelia Williams and Justin Richards for Melody Malone. All three give very different styled entertaining reads. The Angel's Kiss by Melody Malone is rich with innuendo that the joke might be lost on younger readers but it is impossible not to hear the great Alex Kingston's voice in your head as you read this story in voice of Riversong.

http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/editions/doctor-who-summer-falls-and-other-stories/9781849907231

Book review September & October 2013

Australian Ghost Stories

(Tales of Mystery & the Supernatural)

selected by and includes an exclusive Introduction by James Doig.

ISBN-13: 978-1840226416

A collection of short stories with an Australian connection, whether by settlers or their decedents. Across this collection there are a couple of stories that draw on mythology for Australia, like The Bunyip, but the others are very general and do not draw on what could have been offered by the history and culture of the island. . For the low cover price on these books it is worth a read.

Titan Books

Sherlock Holmes - The Stuff of Nightmares

James Lovegrove

ISBN-13: 978-1781165416

In the autumn of 1890 a strange figure haunts the streets of London, this strange figure is the scourge of the crime world, but Holmes does not believe he is all that he seems, so when he is called in by Mycroft to investigate a series of bombings in the capital Sherlock's attention is directed at the new apparent champion of the people. A story more in the steam puck nature of the Rodney Downey Jr style Holmes than the Jeremy Brett TV adaptations of the original Conan Doyle stories.

Tales of Mystery & the Supernatural 

- Wordsworth Editions Ltd

The Tangled Skein

By David Stuart Davies

ISBN-13: 978-1840225273

I usually have some doubts when there is a merging of different characters from different works come together but fortunately this does keep the voice of Dr Watson. Holmes takes a lot of convincing when Van Helsing arrives with an account that Dracular is on the prowl. Holmes's investigations return him then to Dartmoor, the setting for Hound of the Baskervilles. An enjoyable read.

Sherlock Holmes and the Hentzau Affair

By David Stuart Davies

ISBN-13: 978-1840225488

This one is the Sherlock Holmes equivalent of the Prisoner of Zenda with Holmes pulled into a story of  royal inheritance, love and betrayal in the Ruritanian court. A pacy and exciting tale one Dr Watson would have been proud of. 

Book review July / August 2013

After reading the original Frankenstein a couple of months back, this period I turned my attention to two ‘sequels’ .

The Revenge of Frankenstein

By Shaun Hutson

Published by  Hammer House of Horror

978-0-099-55623-7

The first is an actual sequel, picking up after the original story as originally adapted by the Hammer House of Horror group into a film. This was their sequel to their film with Dr Frankenstein awaiting execution for his crimes. Somehow he manages to escape, we he would otherwise there would be no story that’s not really a spoiler. He then relocates and begins to rebuild his experiments with terrifying results.  This story does not try to be anything that it’s not, it was made a commercial follow up to a successful film, and I actually enjoyed it.

Monster (A Novel of Frankenstein)

By Dave Zeltserman

Published by Duckworth Overlook 

978-0-715-64509-3

The second book also takes up the story of Dr Frankenstein but this time attempts to reconstruct the original story this time from the monster’s point of view. I admit this book started off for me on the wrong foot, by setting out to announce that Mary Shelly got it wrong, turning Mary Shelly almost into a fictional character who narrated her own book.  Let’s face it, if Mary Shelly had not written the book you would not have anything to work with – so don’t be so arrogant to begin with. It also attempts to accuse the original as depicting the creature created by Frankenstein as being nothing more than a monster but the original certainly gave the creature far more character than I expected.

Towards the middle I started to warm to the book but overall I felt it did not enrich the mythology for me.

Two more autobiographies this period, one a well known Doctor Who companion and the other a much loved actress from Blake’s 7 and a Doctor Who guest star. Both books very revealing.

Fantom Films Limited

From Byfleet to the Bush

By Jacqueline Pearce

978-1-906263-87-4

Jacqueline Pearce will always be known for playing the Federation’s President in the popular cult series Blakes’ 7. Servalan had the glamour and the screen presence but as you read Jac’s own personal account of this period of her life, she neither enjoyed the recognition she deserved as an actress nor the glamour either. This is a very personal and very emotional account of somebody who never really knew who they were because of parental issues so very early in life and never fully found her feet until more by chance as the title implies, she swaps everything for a life looking after monkeys in the South African Bush. Here you will not find funny anecdotes of life on Blake’s 7 but you will find a very personal life exposed.   

http://www.fantomfilms.co.uk/books/jacqueline_pearce.htm

Hines Sight

By Frazer Hines

978-1-84583-997-0

Previously published as Films, Farms and Fillies by Boxtree in 1997

Frazer was not only Jamie in Doctor Who, and Joe Sugden in Emmerdale Farm (Yes it was about a farming community at one time) but he is also a qualified Jockey, and has quite a claim to fame on the cricket pitch as well.  Ok it’s quite well known Mr Hines has an eye for the ladies, and he does not deny it, but here you get to see the other side of the story and the lessons he learnt regarding relationships along the way. Nice one Frazer.

 http://www.frazerhines.com/

The Best British Fantasy 2013

Series Editor Steve Haynes

Published by Salt Publishing 

978-1-907773-35-8

A curious collection of short stories paraded as the best of British fantasy, the introduction admits to being quite loose with the definition of fantasy but I feel it was also been quite loose with the definition of British and Best.

I did enjoy a few of the stories in the collection, but there were several that I found it very hard to care for at all. Stories like ‘The Last Osama’ have me wondering what they are doing in this collection as it certainly does not represent the British aspect of the suggested offering. In other cases I would question dark, being used for 'poor taste'.

The highlight of this collection for me was ‘The Scariest Place in the World’, a clever twist on the ghost story and it is probably no surprise why this story stood out above the rest, having been written by Mark Morris whose Doctor Who novels and audio dramas have entertained for many years. I would recommend those who like Mark’s work to track this little gem down outside of this collection.

Tales of Mystery & The Supernatural

Dracula's Guest & Other Stories               

By Bram Stoker

Published by Wordsworth Editions

978-1-84022-627-0

I read Dracula earlier in the year, this edition was a bumper double book not only containing the original masterpiece of Bram Stoker but the previously publish separate collection of short stories. Now I’m turning my attention to the Dracula’s Guest and Other Stories.

Dracular’s Guest is presented as a separate short story but one that was lifted out of the original due to making Dracula too long, and being too much of a distraction to the original. Some have tried to work out where it would fit into the original story, but as a separate story it returns anyone who has read Dracula back into the Count’s dark world with ease.

The other stories in the collection go on to show an even darker side to Bram Stoker, and the fact the even then he did not pander to delivering a story necessarily for moralistic value. The Dualitists is not a supernatural story but certainly shows Stoker at his more darker side with his protagonists progressing from wanton destruction of property to vicious coldblooded murder and being praised and awarded for their deceit, certainly a story that should be read with great warning still today.

Finally I’m going to finish this review with another audio book. Having raved previously about the Mervyn Stone books by Nev Fountain I was delighted when Big Finished released a new adventure for our reluctant detective.

The Mervyn Stone Mysteries
The Axeman Cometh 
By Nev Fountain
Published by Big Finish Productions

The Axeman Cometh takes Mervyn into the recording studio for an audio re-launch of the drama ‘Vixens from the Void’.  Nothing goes to plan for Meryn’s new script, and that is only the start of things, as he has been warned by ‘a friend’ that to prevent a murder he must attend the recording. Let’s just hope this really isn’t Mervyn’s Last Adventure.

This drama comes over as a full cast audio drama, but with the two leads played by John Banks and Nicola Bryant with other parts played by members of the cast it is really a two hander that give these two performers a chance to really shine and prove what they can do. Listen to it; you would not believe that just two people provide 99% of the voices. The only additional voice comes from Big Finish production but I’ll leave you to spot that.

More details and to order visit the Big Finish website http://www.bigfinish.com/releases/addtobasket/the-axeman-cometh-908

Book review May / June 2013

My pick of the blog this month comes from a Kindle edition, now not owning one of these I had to read the book using the downloaded app, you can get it for iphone, ipads and computers. This is the first e-book I’ve actually read. Although, call me old fashioned if you like, still prefer the physical book I’m sure I’ll be reading others in the future.

Jack and the Lad
By Mickey Mayhew
Kindle Books

Meet Jack and Jamie, the Woodfield twins, although you would not think it to look at them, brothers yes but Jack you would assume was the much older brother. Jack is fit, muscular and well educated doing his degree, Jamie is slight, more immature and struggles to read and sells second hand books on the market.  Neither really gets on. The Woodfields are a large, old family that date back to the days when witchcraft was rife. Set in Barking, Essex and the surrounding area the story pulls a lot from the history of the area, some artistic licence, as well as the modern day setting. As a local to the area I found it particularly entertaining. 

If all the family issues aren’t enough, and the Woodfields are a large colourful family, then the cloud that hangs over the alpha male of the family in the guise of a sex crazed spirit gives the moments of comedy a much darker twist especially as the book rides to the dramatic cliff-hanger in this supernatural romance that spans generations.

Come on Mr Mayhew, don’t make us wait too long for the next part.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jack-Barrow-Boys-Barking-ebook/dp/B00C4D8CCE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366974247&sr=8-1&keywords=jack+and+the+lad

 

Hammer House of Horror -

Countess Dracula

By Guy Adams

978-0-09-955386-1

This Hammer’s take on the legend of the woman who became known as Countess Dracula from the middle ages who bathed in virgin blood to maintain her youth.

Lifted to Hollywood, where a failing former silent film star tries to regain her youth and career, well you can practically guess the rest.

Wordsworth Classics -

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, The Merry Men & Other  Stories

By R.L. Stevenson

978-1-85326-061-2

The main story in this collection I remember very well as I had an abridged LP recording read by Tom Baker when I was very much younger, and from the moment I read the opening line, ‘Mr Utterson the lawyer was a man of rugged countenance...’ I could hear Tom’s voice in my head as I read the full story.  This is another of the timeless tales that gets reinvented from time to time, dramatised in many ways leaving you thinking you know the story but not quite. It is only when you read the original do you truly get the despair of Doctor Jekyll and the addiction that Mr Hyde became.

Robert Louise Stephenson investigated the dark side of human nature in some of the other stories in this collection, two of which are very heavy in dialect making them difficult to read. For me none of the other tales came close to Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde in this collection.

http://www.wordsworth-editions.com

Bernice Summerfield

from Big Finish  

             

The Weather on Versimmon

By Matthew Griffiths

978-1-84435-618-8

The Slender-Fingered Cats of Bubastis

By Xanna Eve Chown     

978-1-84435-635-5

Filthy Lucre

By James Parsons & Andrew Stirling-Brown

978-1-78178-114-2

These three novels are designed to accompany some of the recent audio adventure releases, fitting in between box sets. This is the 2011 reboot of the Bernice range, the four available box sets being  Epoch (Sept 2011), Road Trip (Feb 2012), Legion (Sept 2012) & New Frontiers (April 2013).

I listened to the audios before reading the books, so I was already aware of some things before starting the books, however that did not really matter the books can be ready separately, although some understanding of the characters from the audios is recommended.

For me the first was no so inspiring, I felt the The Weather on Versimmon was a story that had been done before and better. An ancient collection of cultural significance is buried on Versimmon, there are those that want it opened up and those that don’t.  The result a lot of running around trying to work out who are the good guys and who aren’t.

The Slender-Fingered Cats of Bubastis that some say can be seem from space however told quite a different story and here the characters from the audio came back to life. I could hear Lisa Bowerman’s voice as I read Bernice’s quips. Indeed here the main players Bernice, Ruth and Jack all capture the audio characters a lot better.  The story has the right amount of craziness that fits a Summerfield adventure along with the suspense to keep you wanting to know just if they really can pull it off. The library of the future says Bernice will write a book of poetry and have it published in a week’s time, but first she must find a missing girl, and possibly save a site of historic significance from the scariest so called archaeologist of all time.

Filthy Lucre – Once again Bernice is in trouble, but then it wouldn’t be an adventure if she wasn’t. This one is slightly more complicated in that you’re not quite certain about the sequence of events until the end, as the chapters start to jump back and forth between what you think is the current time with Bernice and co in trouble on a hijacked freighter to periods she spends with the tycoon of the new vegetable crispy chips company and his passion for archaeology. A good rendition of the characters, including Brax, again you can hear the original voices as you read. I don’t mind stories that switch time period, I do it myself, but I would like to be able to know clearly which order events take place in, which are flash backs and which are current.

Where they fit in:

The Slender-Fingered Cats of Bubastis accompanies Legion

Filthy Lucre accompanies New Frontiers

http://www.bigfinish.com/hubs/v/bernice-summerfield

Afternoon tea with Miss Marple

The Complete Miss Marple Radio Dramas

By Agatha Christie

Staring June Whitfield as Miss Marple & Cast

978-1-4084-6849-4

BBC Audio Go

http://www.audiogo.com/uk/browse-categories/crime-thrillers-mystery/agatha-christie/miss-marple

June Whitfield stars as the interfering busy body Miss Marple, the old girl with a taste for murder, as created by Agatha Christie in these radio adaptations originally produced for BBC Radio. A full supporting cast brings each of the twelve adapted stories to life and keeps you hooked as the mystery becomes all the more perplexing and all the while Miss Marple is determined to keep it simple.

I’ve never actually read any of the books myself, I really should do. The police come of worse that the Yard do in Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, for their complete bewilderment and often bumble around being told to clear off by some of those they want to question – that is if a doctor has not got there first and administered a sedative to keep the suspect from being questioned.

Oh, and if anyone offers you a drink say no, there is bound to be cyanide in there.

Book review March / April 2013

Bone Quill

John & Carole E. Barrowman

Published by: Buster

978-1-78055-031-2

The second the in the series of Hollow Earth books aimed at a younger audience from the Barrowman family. Having enjoyed the first I was eager to know whether the children’s missing mother would finally turn up again. I’m not going to say, but the adventure continues well as they try to go behind the adult’s backs to find their mother landing them in all sorts of bother and unleashing something from the past that should really have stayed there. The sortie to Victorian England felt slightly drawn out, but over all a fun read and I’m looking forward to the next installment.

http://www.johnbarrowman.com/fanzone/books/bonequill.shtml

 Doctor Who - The Coming of the Terraphiles

Michael Moorcock

Published by: BBC Books                             

978-1-849-90140-6

I’ve had this one on the book shelf for some time, and finally got round to reading it. I had been warned off by several people, so it struggled to find its place at the top of the ‘to read’ pile.  But if I’m to maintain my goal of having read all Doctor Who novels it had to be done.

Unfortunately the warnings were correct, and I found it nothing but a load of over indulgent twaddle.  Very little happened in the story, the Doctor and Amy play some abysmal mashed up version of sorts and games whilst trying to find out who had attempted to steal a hat.

The wittering tangents that drifted from the narrative left me gasping for sanity.

Sherlock Holmes - The Army of Dr Moreau

Guy Adams

Published by: Titan Books

978-0-8576-8937-7

This was light relief after the Terraphiles, and the second of Guy Adams’ new Sherlock Holmes adventures that I have read. Like before there is a slight over loading of characters taken from other literature including Conan Doyle’s own Professor Challenger. The story unfolds with mutilated bodies turning up in the river, and the suspicion from Mycroft Holmes that work of the late Dr Moreau has been resurrected.

A good extension to the world of the detective from 221B Baker Street.

 

Doctor Who - The Silurian Gift

Mike Tucker

Published by: Quick Reads

978-1-849-90558-9

One of the regular releases aimed to encourage the less frequent reader to pick up a book.  This time the Silurians are back, and offering mankind a super energy, but it takes the Doctor to realise all is not well with the deal. 

A fun read that will help pass a train journey.

Moon Boots & Dinner Suits

Jon Pertwee

Published by: Fantom Films Limited

978-1-78196-079-0

A book I’ve wanted to read for years, but it has been out of print for so long. Finally the boys at Fantom Films have returned this gem to circulation, with a new ‘Forward’ from Ingeborg Pertwee written specially for this edition.

This is Jon Pertwee in his own words, telling the early years of his life and career from being expelled from drama school to waking up in a morgue during the war. It covers a period up to the Navy Lark so does not cover anything to do with Time Lords or scarecrows, but was well worth waiting for.

http://fantomfilms.co.uk/books/jon_pertwee.htm