The Greatest Show in the Galaxy (novelisation)

Novelisation

 * This novelisation is based on the original television serial (DW): The Greatest Show in the Galaxy which was shown from 14th December 1988 and written by Stephen Wyatt
 * The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel and featured the artwork of Alister Pearson. (See below for information on other UK and international editions which published with a different cover).
 * The title of this story carries a certain irony as this novelisation was the first to be published after the broadcast of the final episode of the original 1963-89 TV series.

1989 edition
CREEPY. That’s what Ace thinks of clowns. But the Doctor insists on entering the talent contest at the Psychic Circus, the self-proclaimed Greatest Show in the Galaxy, on the planet Segonax. What has reduced Segonax to an arid wasteland? Why have the happy-go-lucky circus folk stayed here for so long? And why are they no longer happy? Above all, what is the dreadful truth about the Ringmaster and his robot clowns? The Doctor and Ace need all their death-defying skills in the big top to uncover a brooding, ancient evil that has broken the spirit of the Circus and demanded the sacrifice of so many lives.

Illustrations

 * None

Deviations from televised story
To be added

Writing and publishing notes

 * To be added

Publishing History (UK)
First Publication: Paperback (December 1989) Re-issues: (December 1991)
 * Target / W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. One single paperback edition, estimated print run: 22,000,  priced £1.99 (UK).
 * Target / Virgin Publishing. One single paperback edition, priced £2.99 (UK).

International Editions
To be added

External Sources

 * The Target Book by David J Howe (Telos Publishing 2007)
 * On Target a comprehensive guide to the Target novelisations by Tim Neal