The English Way of Death (novel)

The English Way of Death was the twentieth novel in the Virgin Missing Adventures series. It featured the Fourth Doctor, Romana II and K9 Mark II.

Publisher's summary

 * "He plans to destroy the world, next Tuesday."
 * "How vulgar," replied the Doctor. "Nobody does anything of importance on a Tuesday."

It's the sweltering summer of 1930, and Londoners are enjoying the heatwave. The Doctor, Romana and K9 plan to take a rest after their recent adventures, but the TARDIS warns them of time pollution in the locality.

What connects the isolated Sussex resort of Nutchurch with the secret society run by the eccentric Percy Closed? Why has millionaire Hepworth Stackhouse dismissed his staff and hired assassin Julia Orlostro? And what is the truth behind the infernal vapour known only as Zodaal?

The Doctor's tribulations as he attempts to answer these questions will excite and enthral discerning readers throughout the land.

Chapter Titles

 * Prologue: The Episode of the Impossible Bathing-Hut
 * 1) Let's All Go Down the Strand
 * 2) Tea is Interrupted
 * 3) The Infernal Vapour
 * 4) The Ultimate Obscenity
 * 5) Pursued by Orlick
 * 6) Escape through Time
 * 7) The Domain of Zodaal
 * 8) 'I Must Feed on Your Brain'
 * 9) Return to Peril
 * 10) Reunions
 * 11) Apotheosis
 * 12) As We Were

Plot
to be added

Characters

 * Fourth Doctor
 * Romana
 * K9
 * Alfred Woodrow
 * Felicia Chater
 * Harriet Kipps
 * Heath Porteous
 * Hepworth Stackhouse
 * Julia Orlostro
 * Orlick
 * Percy Closed
 * Radlett
 * Zodaal

The Doctor

 * The Doctor visited Okushiri in 1720, Peru in 1910, met Hannibal and Sir Thomas Cubitt and played bridge with Cleopatra.
 * He has not painted since 1749.

Individuals

 * Professor Marius registered K9 Mark I as a data patent on 3 October 4998.

TARDIS

 * 39% is the highest mean efficiency grading achieved by the TARDIS in the last seventeen years.

Locations

 * London absorbed Nutchurch in 2415.

Continuity

 * The Doctor mentions that he was present for the eruption of Krakatoa in August 1883 during either his first or second incarnation. (TV: Inferno) During his ninth incarnation, he would once again be present for the eruption. (TV: Rose)
 * The Doctor is seen to read with incredible speed. (TV: Rose)