Doctor Who and the Talons of Weng-Chiang (novelisation)

Novelisation

 * This novelisation is based on the original television serial (DW): The Talons of Weng-Chiang which was shown from 26th February 1977 and written by Robert Holmes
 * The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel and featured the artwork of Jeff Cummins. (See below for information on other UK and international editions which published with a different cover).

1977 edition
Stepping out of the TARDIS into Victorian London, Leela and the Doctor are confronted by menacing, diabolical horrors shrouded within the swirling London fog – a man's death cry, an attack by Chinese Tong hatchet men, giant rats roaming the sewers, young women mysteriously disappearing ... The hideously deformed Magnus Greel, conducting a desperate search for the lost Time Cabinet, is the instigator of all this evil. Posing as the Chinese god, Weng-Chiang, Greel uses the crafty Li H'sen Chang, and the midget Manikin, Mr Sin, to achieve his terrifying objectives. The Doctor must use all his skill, energy and intelligence to escape the talons of Weng-Chiang.

Illustrations

 * None

Deviations from televised story
To be added

Writing and publishing notes

 * This was the first cover illustrated by Jeff Cummins who replaced Chris Archilleos. Jeff was also asked to supply covers for Doctor Who and the Mutants and Doctor Who and the Tomb of the Cybermen but his submission for Doctor Who and the Mutants fell through at short notice.
 * This was the last title to be reprinted by Target Books in March 1994, and the last book to carry the Target Books logo on the cover.

Publishing History (UK)
To be added

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


 * Paperback
 * Target

Re-issues:

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