The Drosten's Curse (novel)

The Drosten's Curse
Adapted from:	The Death Pit
Doctor:	Fourth Doctor
Main enemy:	The Bah-Sokhar
Main setting:	2–6 June 1978
Key crew
Publisher:	BBC Books
Writer:	A. L. Kennedy
Read by:	Clare Corbett
Release details
Release date:	16 July 2015
Format:	Hardback, 368 pages
ISBN:	ISBN 978-1-84990-826-9
(informally) BBC Books past Doctor novels
← Previous	Harvest of Time
Next →	In the Blood

The Drosten's Curse was a 2015 Fourth Doctor novel, and unusual for being a Fourth Doctor novel published while the BBC Wales television series featured another incumbent Doctor. It was an extended and expanded version of the Time Trips short story The Death Pit, originally released in 2013.

Publisher's summary

Isn't life terrible? Isn't it all going to end in tears? Won't it be good to just give up and let something else run my mind, my life?

Something distinctly odd is going on in Arbroath. It could be to do with golfers being dragged down into the bunkers at the Fetch Brothers' Golf Spa Hotel, never to be seen again. It might be related to the strange twin grandchildren of the equally strange Mrs Fetch — owner of the hotel and fascinated with octopuses. It could be the fact that people in the surrounding area suddenly know what others are thinking, without anyone saying a word.

Whatever it is, the Doctor is most at home when faced with the distinctly odd. With the help of Fetch Brothers' Junior Receptionist Bryony, he'll get to the bottom of things. Just so long as he does so in time to save Bryony from quite literally losing her mind, and the entire world from destruction.

Because something huge, ancient and alien lies hidden beneath the ground – and it's starting to wake up...

Plot

to be added

Characters

• Fourth Doctor
• Bryony Mailer
• Putta Pattershaun 5 (aka Ian Patterson)
• David Agnew
• Xavier Fetch
• Honor Fetch
• Julia Fetch
• Kevin Mangold
• Paul Harris
• Paul Cluny
• Martha Cluny
• Paul Cluny Junior
• Agnes Findlater
• Mr Gillespie
• Bobby Christie
• Callum Smith
• Miss Pitcairn
• Jim Palmer
• Barry McGee

References

• The Doctor mentions Maillindian Fever Beans.
• The Doctor was trying to visit Chicago.
• The Doctor eats jelly babies.
• A golf cart reminds the Doctor of "a dog he knows".
• While in the stomach of the Bah-Sokhar, fears from the Doctor's memories are manifested, including Davros, a Cyberman, a Sontaran warrior, an Auton, and a Giant Spider.
• In the TARDIS, Bryony sees a pink striped pair of overalls reminding her of Andy Pandy. She later puts them on.

Notes

• This story takes place after The Deadly Assassin when the Fourth Doctor is without a companion.

Continuity

The Doctor mentions he was recently in a virtual jungle. (TV: The Deadly Assassin)

External links

• The Discontinuity Guide to: The Drosten's Curse at The Whoniverse