The Clockwise Man (novel)
The Clockwise Man was the first novel in the BBC New Series Adventures series. It was written by Justin Richards and featured the Ninth Doctor and Rose Tyler.
Publisher's summary
In 1920s London, the Doctor and Rose find themselves caught up in the hunt for a mysterious murderer. But not everything is what it seems. Secrets lie behind locked doors and inhuman killers roam the streets.
Who is the Painted Lady and why is she so interested in the Doctor? How can a cat return from the dead? Can anyone be trusted to tell — or even to know — the truth?
With the faceless killers closing in, the Doctor and Rose must solve the mystery of the Clockwise Man before London itself is destroyed...
Plot
Prologue:
In the shadow of the Crystal Palace, footman Peter Dickson reminisces about his mother's superstitions regarding black cats. He encounters a mysterious black cat with a white patch under its chin, dismissing old tales as he readies himself for the guests at The Great Exhibition.
Inside the TARDIS, Rose Tyler and the Ninth Doctor prepare for their journey to the 1924 British Empire Exhibition. Rose questions the authenticity of her 1920s attire, while the Doctor remains engrossed in TARDIS controls.
The Doctor and Rose materialize in a seemingly ordinary scrapyard in London. Simultaneously, Peter is drawn towards an eerie, mechanical sound emanating from Gibson's Yard, unaware of the lurking danger.
As Peter stands on the brink of an encounter with an enigmatic mechanical menace, the Doctor and Rose intervene, revealing themselves and saving Peter from potential harm. They find themselves at the center of an unfolding mystery.
Chapter One:
Rose sustains minor injuries during the encounter. They discover that Dickson, a servant at Sir George Harding's residence, was attacked after hearing unusual noises and questioned about an upcoming event and its guests.
Upon returning Dickson to the Harding household, Rose and the Doctor meet Sir George and his wife Anna Harding, along with various guests including Colonel Oblonsky, Lord Chitterington, and Anna's relatives, Count Alexander and Countess Nadia Koznyshev. Freddie, Anna's son, secretly guides Rose through hidden passageways to overhear a conversation in the library. They learn of a mysterious "noble cause" and a boy's plight, discussed by Sir George, Repple, and Major Aske.
Rose, after rejoining the guests and making brief introductions, senses a tense atmosphere, feeling that the presence of her and the Doctor is inhibiting the guests. Deciding to leave, they find the gates locked again. Upon unlocking them, they face a shocking realization: the TARDIS has vanished, presumably stolen by the same entity responsible for attacking Dickson.
Chapter Two:
Rose The Ninth Doctor spend considerable time searching the misty, damp streets of London for the missing TARDIS, without success. They speculate about the connection between the TARDIS' disappearance and the attack on Peter Dickson. Eventually, they decide to return to Sir George Harding's house, suspecting a link to the unfolding events.
Upon their return, they meet a new guest, Melissa Heart, known as the Painted Lady, who arrives in a flamboyant manner, wearing a butterfly mask. Dinner at Sir George's house is in progress, with some guests already departed. The Doctor and Rose join the remaining guests, including Melissa, Colonel Oblonsky, Repple, and Major Aske.
The Doctor probes into the reason for their gathering, leading to a revelation about a conspiracy involving Russian expatriates. They discuss restoring a monarchy, with a focus on Freddie, who is revealed to be the rightful Tsar of Russia. The group's plan is to reinstate Freddie to the Russian throne, a cause supported by Repple, who hopes to reclaim his own lost throne in Dastaria.
The evening progresses with discussions about the group's aspirations and the challenges they face. Rose questions Melissa about her reasons for joining the group, to which Melissa replies about the excitement and her social connections in London. Melissa then departs, and the conversation continues in the drawing room, where the group acknowledges the long and challenging journey ahead in their endeavor.
As the night winds down, a mysterious ticking noise captures the Doctor's attention, a sound Dickson recognizes from his attack. The Doctor investigates, but finds nothing immediately.
Chapter Three:
The Doctor and Rose Tyler, accompanied by Edward Repple and Major Aske, arrive at the Imperial Club, a gathering place for dispossessed European nobility. The Doctor is particularly concerned about his missing jacket, which contains his sonic screwdriver. At the club, they meet Lord Wyse, who informally manages the place. Wyse invites them to join him, and they notice a cat with distinctive fur markings.
They discuss the club's role and history, especially its connection to the aftermath of World War I. Lord Wyse then helps them arrange accommodations at the club. They are advised to be quiet as their rooms are located beneath the quarters of Mr. Pooter, the club's benefactor.
A significant revelation emerges when Major Aske confesses that he is not an actual major but a doctor specializing in psychology. He explains that Edward Repple, who claims to be the exiled ruler of Dastaria, is living a delusion. Repple began to believe he was the Elector of Dastaria, a fictional role, after an incident at a pageant, and Aske has been supporting this belief to avoid disrupting his mental state.
Later, Repple visits the Doctor and Rose in private, claiming to be a prisoner under Aske's watch. He expresses a desire to escape and return to his country, although he admits Dastaria does not exist. The encounter leaves the Doctor and Rose questioning the true nature of Repple's situation, especially when they notice the cat's fur pattern resembles a flag mentioned by Repple. The evening concludes and Rose and the Doctor decide to rest before tackling the mystery further.
Chapter Four:
On an icy morning in London, the Ninth Doctor gazes out of his window at the iconic skyline, contemplating the city's historical landmarks. He's particularly fixated on the absence of the Millennium Wheel and the enduring presence of Big Ben and Tower Bridge.
Meanwhile, Rose Tyler is woken up by a maid named Beth, who enters to make up the room. Despite being startled, Rose engages Beth in a conversation, learning about her life and the current state of London. Beth reveals rumors of attacks on service staff in the area, which deeply concerns Rose, especially considering the recent events they've witnessed.
The Doctor, who hasn't slept, joins Rose for breakfast in the club's paneled room, where he's playing chess with Lord Wyse. They discuss the recent attacks in London, and Wyse shares that several staff members in service have been targeted. The conversation leads to speculation about the motives behind these attacks.
During breakfast, Melissa Heart, the enigmatic lady they met the previous night, arrives with the Doctor's missing jacket. She hints at knowing more than she reveals, and there's a tense exchange between her, the Doctor, and Rose. The Doctor retrieves his sonic screwdriver from the jacket, confirming that everything is intact.
After Melissa departs, Rose and the Doctor discuss the odd circumstances surrounding the jacket's return and Melissa's involvement. They ponder over the possibility that Melissa might not have obtained the jacket from Sir George or his wife as she claimed.
The chapter ends with Melissa Heart in a car with a blank-faced companion, discussing the need for absolute certainty in their mysterious mission. She mentions a maid named Beth, who might have valuable information. The chapter closes with the sound of the companion's mechanical ticking, reminiscent of a clock.
Chapter Five:
In the brisk morning air, Lord Wyse enjoys a walk through London but is shaken when he discovers the body of Beth, the maid, in an alley behind the Imperial Club. The scene is distressing, with Beth's throat brutally crushed. Wyse immediately calls for help and insists that the Ninth Doctor be informed about the incident.
The Doctor and Rose Tyler, still at the club, are informed about the tragedy. The Doctor, despite not being a medical doctor, confirms the severity of Beth's injuries and the similarity to the attack on Peter Dickson the previous night. Wyse, visibly disturbed by the incident, emphasizes the urgency of stopping the perpetrator. Rose suggests involving the police, but Wyse doubts their effectiveness.
The Doctor, Rose, and Wyse discuss the situation, with the Doctor asserting the need to be proactive and proposing a visit to the British Empire Exhibition as a distraction for Rose. Despite Rose's initial reluctance, she agrees to go. They also consider inviting Freddie, the young boy they met at Sir George's house.
Upon visiting Sir George's residence, they interact with Dickson, who appears unaffected by the previous night's events. Freddie, intrigued by the visit, descends the stairs unaided, revealing his mobility challenges. He joins the Doctor and Rose, and they discuss his lineage as the potential Tsar of Russia, a fact Freddie seems only vaguely aware of.
Anna, Freddie's mother, enters and, after a brief discussion, agrees to let Freddie accompany the Doctor and Rose in the car to the Exhibition, though she insists on his immediate return afterward. Rose reflects on the situation, likening Freddie to a sheltered child from her time.
The journey to the Exhibition is an eye-opener for Rose, who observes the stark differences in the London of 1924. Freddie enjoys the car ride but becomes quiet as the novelty wears off. The Doctor and Rose discuss the impact of World War I and the Spanish flu on the population and the tragic history of the Romanov family.
At the Exhibition, they explore various pavilions representing the British Empire's colonies and dominions. Rose is both bored and fascinated by the displays, which range from cultural exhibits to sideshows. The Doctor and Rose share a moment reflecting on historical tragedies and their lasting memories.
Rose and the Doctor visit a children's amusement park, followed by the newly built Empire Stadium, known in Rose's time as Wembley Stadium. The Doctor hints at the need to address the mystery of the TARDIS's disappearance.
Chapter Six:
more to be added
Characters
- Ninth Doctor
- Rose Tyler
- Shade Vassily
- Sir George Harding
- Peter Dickson
- Lady Anna
- Freddie
- Edward Repple
- Aske
- Melissa Heart
- Crowther
- Colonel Oblonsky
- Beth
- Matty Black
- Ronald Cheshunt
- Count Alexander Koznyshev
- Countess Nadia Koznyshev
- Lord Chitterington
- Wensleydale
- Ranskill
- Coleridge
- Dilys
Worldbuilding
- The Doctor and Rose are accused of turning up "like a Bad Wolf".
- Wagner and Tchaikovsky are mentioned.
- Shakespearean characters Hamlet, Horatio, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are mentioned.
- The Doctor guesses that the grapes in Sir George Harding's 1921 claret came from a small vineyard just outside Briançon.
Food and Beverages
- The Doctor appreciatively drinks 1921 claret at Sir George's house and later drinks brandy with Wyse.
- Rose has bacon and eggs for breakfast at the Imperial Club.
Technology
- Wyse's ship runs on ion cells that require hydrogen extraction. Hence a large hydrogen supply is needed. One possible way is to ionize water.
Notes
- As the first novel in the BBC New Series Adventures line, this book ushered in a new publication format for BBC Books. It released exclusively this and all future New Series Adventures featuring the Ninth and Tenth Doctors, as well as BBC Torchwood novels in hardcover format. The Quick Reads novellas were paperback releases and some limited-edition promotional paperback issues of Ninth and Tenth Doctor books would occur outside the UK. The Clockwise Man is the first Doctor Who novel to be released in hardcover since Target Books discontinued hardcover editions of its novelisations in the 1980s. It is the first original Doctor Who novel ever issued in the format.
- Later reprints of this book removed the image of Billie Piper from the cover.
- This story was also released as an ebook available from the Amazon Kindle store.
Continuity
- Clockwork men also appear with the Tenth Doctor in TV: The Girl in the Fireplace, the Eighth Doctor in PROSE: Anachrophobia and AUDIO: Time Works, the Second Doctor in TV: The Mind Robber, and the Twelfth Doctor in TV: Deep Breath.
- There is a mention of Rose "dressing up" while the Doctor only has a "new shirt". (TV: The Unquiet Dead)
- Rose has a conversation with one of the servants in the Imperial Club, who makes her think of Gwyneth in TV: The Unquiet Dead.
- In the club, the Doctor looks at a painting of the French Revolution and says, "That's not right." In the first episode of Doctor Who, An Unearthly Child, the Doctor's granddaughter, Susan Foreman, reads a book about the French Revolution and says the same words.
- The Doctor mentions to Rose at the end of the Season 2 episode TV: Tooth and Claw that Queen Victoria's descendants suffered from a condition called Haemophilia. This was also mentioned when the Doctor and Rose visit the British Empire Exhibition.
- The Doctor mentions his second regeneration and his exile to Earth. (TV: The War Games, Spearhead from Space)
- Both the Doctor and Rose note the absence of the London Eye in 1924 and recall their adventure in the area. (TV: Rose)
Additional cover images
Alternate cover without Rose
Editions published outside Britain
- Published in Finland by WSOY in 2006 as a hardback edition.
- Published in Denmark by DR in 2006 as a hardback edition.
- Published in the Netherlands by Memphis Belle in 2006 as a hardback edition.
Finnish edition
Danish edition
Dutch edition
Audiobook
- This novel was released as an audiobook in November 2007 by the RNIB and read by Glen McCready.
- This novel was released again as an audiobook in June 2012 by BBC Audio and read by Nicholas Briggs. The audiobook was exclusive to the AudioGo website before the company went into administration.
Audiobook cover
External links
- Official The Clockwise Man page at Penguin Books
- The Clockwise Man at the Doctor Who Reference Guide
- The Discontinuity Guide to: The Clockwise Man at The Whoniverse
- The Cloister Library: The Clockwise Man
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