Doctor Who and the Stones of Blood (novelisation)

Novelisation

 * This novelisation is based on the original television serial (DW):  The Stones of Blood  which was written by David Fisher and shown from 28th October 1978.
 * The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel. It featured the artwork of Andrew Skilleter. (See below for information on other editions published with different covers).

Publisher's summary
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

Illustrations

 * None

Deviations from televised story
To be added

Writing and publishing notes

 * To be added

Additional cover images
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
To be added

Audio version
In January 2011, AudioGO/BBC Audiobooks announced that an audio version of Doctor Who and the Stones of Blood would be released on 5th May 2011. However, for the first time, AudioGO commissioned a brand-new adaptation of the story, written by its original writer, David Fisher, rather than Dicks' novel.

Fisher's new version goes into far more detail about the history of the stones and surrounding area than Dicks' book or the TV story; indeed, the Doctor and Romana don't even appear until nearly 15 minutes into the story. Among other augmentations, Fisher plays up the fact that this is Romana's first visit to Earth.

The novelisation is read by Susan Engel, who played Vivien Fay in the original TV story, with John Leeson contributing the voice of K-9.