Doctor Who and the Stones of Blood (novelisation)

 was a novelisation based on the 1978 television serial The Stones of Blood.

1980 Target Books edition
Chanting hooded figures gather inside a ring of ancient stones, using rituals of blood sacrifice to awaken the sleeping evil of the Ogri.

The Doctor and Romana go from the countryside of present day England to a deep-space cruiser trapped in hyperspace in their attempt to track down an alien criminal, and unravel the mystery of the Stones of Blood.

Luckily they have the help of the faithful K9 ...

`Terrance Dicks is a skilful professional storyteller .... He has deftly recaptured the programme's popular blend of hectic menace and humorous self-mockery' BRITISH BOOK NEWS

2011 AudioGo edition
The stone circle of Bodcombe Tor, in the South West of England, stands in tribute to a mysterious goddess. Long ago, six huge monoliths were arranged in a half circle, with an alter stone in the centre. Then one day, the six stones mysteriously became nine. Stranger still when blood was poured over them it was immediately absorbed...

When the Doctor, Romana and K9 arrive on Bodcombe Moor, they meet the elderly Professor Rumford and her friend Vivien Fay. From them they learn the chequered history of the stones, and of the inhabitants of the nearby manor house - currently one Leonard de Vries, leader of a druidic sect. But all is not as it seems, and soon the Doctor and his companions are enmeshed in a deadly web of deceit. Powerful creatures rampaging across the moor, and the nature of a long family line is called into question. Romana is trapped by a cunning enemy and time is running out for the Doctor and K9...

Chapter titles

 * 1) The Awakening of the Ogri
 * 2) The Circle of Power
 * 3) De Vries
 * 4) The Sacrifice
 * 5) The Ogri Attack
 * 6) The Cailleach
 * 7) The Vanished
 * 8) The Prison Ship
 * 9) The Victims
 * 10) The Trial
 * 11) Surprise Witness
 * 12) Verdict

Deviations from televised story

 * The Doctor keeps the Key to Time in a safe in the TARDIS control room opened by his palm print, rather than in a side room.
 * Rumford believes the Doctor is a scientist named Cornish Fougous, the result of mishearing the on-screen dialogue where she believes he wrote a paper on Cornish fougous.
 * Martha is given back story as a local schoolteacher who joined the Druids because of her friendship with De Vries. She suggests they escape to Plymouth.
 * There is no mention of Vivien Fay having silver skin in hyperspace.
 * The Nine Travellers contains nine stones, at least until three turn out to be Ogri.
 * Rumford agreeing with the Doctor's assessment of Einstein is omitted.
 * The Doctor ruminates on his acquaintances with Julius Caesar and Tacitus.
 * The Megara are described as glowing spheres about the size of footballs. The Doctor dubs them Megara One and Megara Two.
 * Romana attaches the third segment to the rest of the Key at the climax.

Writing and publishing notes

 * to be added

British publication history
First publication:
 * Hardback
 * W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK


 * Paperback
 * Target

Audiobook
A different version of this story, written especially by David Fisher, was released as an audiobook on 5 May 2011 by BBC Audio and read by Susan Engel with K9's voice by John Leeson.

The cover blurb and thumbnail illustrations were retained in the accompanying booklet with sleevenotes by David J. Howe. Music and sound effects by Simon Power.