Doctor Who and the Invasion of Time (novelisation)

 was a novelisation based on the 1978 television serial The Invasion of Time.

Publisher's summary
A traitor to the Time Lords?

Can the Fourth Doctor really be in league with the evil Vardans, spearheading a treacherous invasion of his home planet, Gallifrey?

Or is he playing a deadly double game, saving the Time Lords by appearing to betray them?

But the Vardans themselves are only pawns in the game, and the Doctor faces an old and deadly enemy, as he battles to foil the Invasion of Time.

`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

Chapter titles

 * 1) Treaty for Treason
 * 2) The President-Elect
 * 3) Attack from the Matrix
 * 4) The Fugitive
 * 5) The Betrayal
 * 6) The Invasion
 * 7) The Outcasts
 * 8) The Assassin
 * 9) The Vardans
 * 10) False Victory
 * 11) The Sontarans
 * 12) The Key of Rassilon
 * 13) Failsafe
 * 14) The Chase
 * 15) The Wisdom of Rassilon

Deviations from televised story

 * Upon materialisation in the Panopticon, the Vardans are described "three tall, shimmering shapes, cloaked and hooded figures with the vaguest hint of features under the hoods."
 * Additionally, it is revealed that the Doctor first learnt of the Vardans' attempted invasion of Gallifrey via a telepathic warning from the Matrix.
 * Jasko and Ablif are merged into Jablif. Curiously though, both Jasko and Ablif appear as separate characters in earlier scenes.
 * The Vardans appear as hooded ghosts.
 * Stor feels insecurities.
 * Leela's departure is more abrupt than in the televised story.
 * The "search for the Great Key" is a new responsibility because the Master stole it; the Doctor notes it was a fake that didn't have the power of the true Great Key.
 * There are minor dialogue changes. Among the more significant: Instead of unthinkingly relaying the Doctor's order to get K9 to shut her up, Leela repeats it in outrage (and it is made clear K9 only complies because she gives the order). Andred vows to strike back at the president in front of Leela rather than after she's gone.
 * Andred reluctantly returns Leela's knife rather than her snatching it off him.
 * It is mentioned that Kelner has had a new office constructed to replace the more simple affair used by Spandrell (whose name is spelled Spandrel).
 * The bodyguard Kelner assigns to the Doctor is named as Varn.
 * It is mentioned that the hole the Doctor made in the force-field is regenerating itself, explaining the Sontarans' need to shut it down.
 * Nesbin is given back story of being a Time Lord exiled for assaulting a rival. After parting company with Leela at the start of the attack, he is not seen until the Doctor's farewell. Presta is only seen at the Outsiders' camp.
 * The guards attempt to break into the Doctor's office with ceremonial axes.
 * Borusa's attempt to give the Doctor the wrong key is omitted.
 * Some of Andred's loyal guards accompany the Doctor's group to meet Borusa and are killed with Jablif in a skirmish with the Sontarans.
 * It is made clear that Stor's grenade is designed to release the power of the black hole located under the Panopticon rather than destroying Gallifrey on its own.
 * Kelner is not mentioned after his capture.
 * It is stated that Stor's gun will not operate in the TARDIS control room but will in the rest of the ship.
 * Stor removes his helmet on first meeting the Doctor, rather than staying helmeted until near the climax.

Writing and publishing notes

 * to be added

Additional cover images
to be added

British publication history
First publication:
 * Hardback
 * W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK


 * Paperback
 * Target

Audiobook
This Target Book was released 1 September 2016 complete and unabridged by BBC Physical Audio and read by John Leeson.