Doctor Who and the Masque of Mandragora (novelisation)

Novelisation

 * This novelisation is based on the original television serial (DW):  The Masque of Mandragora, written by Louis Marks and shown from 4 September 1976.
 * The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel. It featured the artwork of Mike Little. (See below for information on editions with different covers).

1977 Target edition
Forced off course by the Mandragora Helix, the Tardis lands in the province of San Martino in fifteenth-century Italy. Here, the court astrologer, Hieronymous, has been taken over by the Mandragora energy-form – Hieronymous and the other members of his star-worshiping black magic cult will be used as a bridgehead, enabling the Mandragora Helix to conquer the Earth and rule it through their chosen servants.

The Doctor has to defeat not only the Mandragora energy, but the evil schemes of the murderous Count Frederico who plans to usurp the place of his nephew, the rightful ruler of the province.

1979 Pinnacle edition
IN 1492, DOCTOR WHO CAME OUT OF THE BLUE

It is the Italian Renaissance during the corrupt reign of the powerful Medicis. Doctor Who, angry because he was forced to land on Earth by the incredible Mandragora Helix, walks right into a Machiavellian plot. The unscrupulous Count Frederico plans to usurp the rightful rule of his naive nephew. This, with the help of Hieronymous, influential court astrologer and secret cult member.

Intent on righting all wrongs, Doctor Who studies their political manoeuvres. He uncovers a larger, even more malevalent plot - a plot to rule not only San Martino Province, but the entire world! Hieronymous has been taken over - both in mind and body - by the Mandragora energy ball, an alien, but all-powerful intelligence. Using Hieronymous and his cult members as a bridgehead, the Mandragora Helix intends to conquer Earth and dominate its people!

The question is, will Doctor Who provide a true Renaissance man? Will he be able to drain the Mandragora of its power and foil the Count as well?

Doctor Who is a mysterious, zany, and very mature Time Lord (750 years mature to be exact) who hurries through time in a stolen Time Machine. Since three's a problem with the steering, he never lands exactly when or where he plans to. This, along with his desperate desire to bring law and order to the galaxy, and his insatiable curiosity, consistently places him in weird and often wild circumstances.

The Incredible Space Fantasy Now a Hit Television Series

Illustrations

 * None

Deviations from televised story
To be added

Writing and publishing notes

 * To be added

British publication history
To be added

First Publication:
 * Hardback
 * W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK


 * Paperback
 * Target

Re-issues:

Editions published outside Britain

 * Pinnacle Books, 1979. Includes the essay "Introducing Doctor Who" by Harlan Ellison, and an unusual addendum to the back cover blurb that suggests that the TV series is brand new!