The Clockwise Man by Justin Richards

[a.k.]

Subletting the book review section, if I may?

The Clockwise Man by Justin Richards



Back cover sleaze:

Quote:In 1920s London the Doctor and Rose find themselves caught up in the hunt for a mysterious murderer. But not everyone or everything is what they seem. Secrets lie behind locked doors and inhuman killers roam the streets. Who is the Painted Lady and why is she so interested in the Doctor? How can a cat return from the dead? Can anyone be trusted to tell or even to know the truth? With the faceless killers closing in, the Doctor and Rose must solve the mystery of the Clockwise Man before London itself is destroyed...

Not the worst attempt at a high-tech adventure, 1920's style, but too many exotic spices ruined this dish somewhat.

First of all, the heir of the tzar story - for anyone familiar with Russian literature and/or history, it's really painful to witness such a feeble attempt. The author fails to give the depth and I suppose it was the first time when I felt uncomfortable with the Doctor discussing some historic facts.
Then, of course, these certain remotes - not to give too much away - both camp and over the top even in DW-universe.
Finally, the follow-up (which is usually and normally absent on TV, but rather expected, and common, in the books) here is glaringly omitted. In the end, the Doctor gets metaphorically speaking pulled through the meat-grinder - twice - and it's forgotten the moment they're done with the scene. He got injured, sort of, yeah?

Now it's time to cover my ire with some pluses.
There's plenty of good action and many different characters. Plethora of clockwork.
No more pluses.

[gabbie]

I shouldn't review a book before I finish it. Bad form, but I just wanted to say I am finding the Nine Rose books better than the Ten Rose books. I read or should I say have tried to read Feast of the Drowned and I just can't get through it. It is so confusing. I thought I would take a break from it and start on the Clockwise Man and already I find it a better read. I am really big on the Doctor Who books. I started reading the Target novels a long time go and was hoping the new BBC books would be good too. I will let you know what I thought when I finish it.

[Ness@ChrisEccleston.com]

Thank you for that review a.k. PsiGen has been very busy with the magazine so hasn't been able to do reviews. I am pleased you stepped in. I read this book awhile back and I loved it! I agree with a few of the things you said a.k but I would read over and over again.

Gabbie, I have only read a couple of the Ten/Rose books and I kinda found myself yawning. Maybe I am just in denial. If it doesn't have Chris in it how can it compete?

Again thank you a.k,
Ness

[a.k.]

gabbie Wrote:I shouldn't review a book before I finish it. Bad form, but I just wanted to say I am finding the Nine Rose books better than the Ten Rose books. I read or should I say have tried to read Feast of the Drowned and I just can't get through it. It is so confusing. I thought I would take a break from it and start on the Clockwise Man and already I find it a better read. I am really big on the Doctor Who books. I started reading the Target novels a long time go and was hoping the new BBC books would be good too. I will let you know what I thought when I finish it.

Please write a review when you've done reading.
I've only listened to audio-books of those Ten stories which DT read. Stone Rose, that Feast and something with a lot of mud - can't remember much, quite pedestrian stuff, the last one had centaurs and I suppose was the best.

Ness@ChrisEccleston.com Wrote:Thank you for that review a.k. PsiGen has been very busy with the magazine so hasn't been able to do reviews. I am pleased you stepped in. I read this book awhile back and I loved it! I agree with a few of the things you said a.k but I would read over and over again.

Gabbie, I have only read a couple of the Ten/Rose books and I kinda found myself yawning. Maybe I am just in denial. If it doesn't have Chris in it how can it compete?

Again thank you a.k,
Ness

Welcome, but I'm the local anarchist movement, taking place with my views. I just hope to spark off some reactions from others.

And on this specific book, my opinions are unwholesomely biased.

[gabbie]

Will do. almost finished
I stopped to write my fan faction.

[gabbie]

The Clockwise Man was the best of the books I have read so far. I started with the Feast of the Drowned, a Ten/Rose book and it nearly took me a year to read! It was that bad but as always I am determined to read all the way through.

Clockwise Man does start out a little slow. The Ninth Doctor and Rose are in 1920's London and as usual it starts out with someone being attacked but the mystery is who is doing it and why. The story picks up nicely after the slow beginning and in a clever bit of writing the story turns itself on end so to speak. It has so many twists and turns you never know who is telling the truth and just when you think you have solved the mystery you are completely wrong!

The fascinating thing about this story is that it was written before The Girl in the Fireplace but there you have the clockwork mechanicals that are described in this book. While I was reading the book I imagined they looked like they did in the episode.

The banter between the Doctor and Rose is well written and always an enjoyable pause in the action. This book is adult in tone and may put off some teens who read this. The ending was to me ambiguous, which I won't go into because I don't want to spoil it. The ending was possibly sad, it was just not stated plainly and maybe that is just as well as it would have made the book too sad.

All in all I would recommend this book to any Who or Ninth Doctor fan.
cheers,
gabbie

[PsiGen]

Very Ninth Doctor! I loved this book for all it's plotline plotholes
Thanks for the review AK, I've been away for a while due to family issues.
But the PsiGen is back!!!!

[gabbie]

(08-30-2009 01:02 PM)PsiGen Wrote:  Very Ninth Doctor! I loved this book for all it's plotline plotholes
Thanks for the review AK, I've been away for a while due to family issues.
But the PsiGen is back!!!!

Yay! PsiGen!