The Ambassadors of Death (novelisation)

The Ambassadors of Death was the 1987 Target novelisation of the Doctor Who serial of the same name. It was written by Terrance Dicks, based upon a script by David Whitaker.

1987 edition
Seven months after it left Mars there has still been no radio communication with the Probe Seven spacecraft or the astronauts inside it. Back on Earth concern is mounting and eventually a recovery capsule is sent up to rescue the astronauts.

But when the capsule returns to Earth it is found to be empty. As the Doctor and Liz investigate, they discover that the interior of the capsule is highly radioactive: if anyone was inside they would now surely be dead.

Have the astronauts returned to Earth? And if not, who are the sinister space-suited figures who stalk the countryside and whose very touch means instant death?

Illustrations

 * None

Deviations from televised story
To be added

Writing and publishing notes

 * It was the first time for a while that Jon Pertwee's Third Doctor's likeness had been used on the cover and, unhappy with the likeness presented, the cover illustration was redrawn with different lighting so as to bring out Jon Petwee’s “silver” hair.
 * The publication of this title completed the Third Doctor's novelisations. His era was the first to be completely adapted.

British publication history

 * Hardback (May 1987)


 * W.H.Allen & Co. Ltd. UK ISBN:0491037120, copies priced £7.50 (UK))
 * Paperback (October 1987)


 * Target / W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. Single paperback edition, estimated print run: 27,500, priced £1.95 (UK).
 * Paperback (March 1991)


 * Target / Virgin Publishing New cover artwork by Alister Pearson, estimated print run: 5,000,  priced £2.50 (UK).

International Editions
To be added

External Sources

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