The Sands of Time (novel)

The Sands of Time
Doctor:	[[doctor::Fifth Doctor]]
Companion(s):	Nyssa, Tegan
Main enemy:	Nephthys
Main setting:	Nepthys' Pyramid: Four Thousand Years Ago Nepthys' Pyramid: September, 1896 Nepthys' Pyramid: 1996 Cranleigh Hall, Oxfordshire: 1926 The British Museum, London: 1896 The British Museum, London: 1996 The Great Pyramid, Egypt: 1996 James Norris's House: 1996 Kenilworth House: November, 1896 Kenilworth House: 1996
Key crew
Publisher:	[[publisher::Virgin Books]]
Writer:	Justin Richards
Release details
Release number:	22
Release date:	May, 1996
Format:	Paperback Book, ? Pages
ISBN:	ISBN 0-426-20472-7

Publisher's Summary

'If Sutekh had escaped, no power in the universe could have stopped him wreaking havoc and destruction. This time, it’s worse.'

Arriving in Victorian London, the Doctor, Nyssa and Tegan run straight into trouble: Nyssa is kidnapped in the British Museum by Egyptian religous fanatics; the Doctor and Tegan are greeted by a stranger who knows more about them than he should and invited to a very strange party.

Why are rooms already booked for the Doctor at the Savoy? How can Lord Kenilworth’s butler Atkins be in Egypt and London at the same time? What is the history of the ancient mummy to be unwrapped at Kenilworth’s house? And what has all this got to do with Nyssa?

The Doctor’s quest for answers leads him across continents and time as an ancient Egyptian prophecy threatens 1990s England. While the Doctor attempts to unravel the plans of the mysterious Sadan Rassul, mummies stalk the night and an ancient terror stirs in its tomb.

Characters

• The Doctor
• Tegan Jovanka
• Nyssa
• Lady Ann Cranleigh

References

• Further history of the Osirans, first encountered in Pyramids of Mars, is provided.
• The Doctor makes a passing reference to Scaroth, the antagonist of City of Death, and his involvement in the construction of the Pyramids of Giza.
• Adric's death is discussed several times by Teagan and the Doctor, specifically why the Doctor can't use the TARDIS to save him, and the emotional impact it has had on them.

Notes

• The phenomenon of the web of time, and the Doctor's inability to change history despite his limitless ability to travel in time, is central to the novel, and is discussed several times by the Doctor and Teagan. The Doctor does mention that he has seen history changed, but that it requires "fantastic power" and is often disastrous.

• Despite this, Teagan attempts to change history in a minor way. However, events end up not being changed at all - something that doesn't surprise the Doctor at all.

Continuity

• This is a sequel to DW: Pyramids of Mars.
• The Doctor and co first met Ann Cranleigh in DW: Black Orchid.

Timeline

• The Sands of Time occurs after: DW: Arc of Infinity
• The Sands of Time occurs before: DW: Snakedance

External Links

• The Doctor Who Reference Guide detailed synopsis of The Sands of Time
• Whoniverse Discontinuity Guide entry for The Sands of Time
• Official BBC eBook of The Sands of Time