The Greatest Show in the Galaxy (novelisation)

Novelisation

 * This novelisation is based on the original television serial (TV): The Greatest Show in the Galaxy, written by Stephen Wyatt and shown from 14 December 1988.
 * The cover and information on the right are for the original Target edition. It featured the artwork of Alister Pearson. (See below for information on editions with different covers).
 * 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.

Chapter Titles
Overture

1. Beginners

2. Welcome to Segonax

3. Captain Cook

4. The Hippy Bus

5. The Psychic Circus

6. Nord's Finest Hour

7. The Well

8. The End of Bellboy's Dream

9. That Old Devil Moon

10. Kingpin

11. The Gods of Ragnarok

12. Positively Last Performance

Coda

Deviations from televised story
To be added

Writing and publishing notes

 * To be added

British publication history
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).

Editions published outside Britain
To be added