The Lucy Wilson MysteriesBookmark and Share

Saturday, 26 August 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Candy Jar Books is to publish a new series of novels, The Lucy Wilson Mysteries, a spin-off from their Lethbridge-Stewart range:

The Lucy Wilson Mysteries: Avatars of the Intelligence (Credit: Candy Jar Books)The Lucy Wilson Mysteries:
Avatars of the Intelligence


Written by Sue Hampton
Cover art by Steve Beckett


Lucy Wilson doesn't want to move from London to sleepy south Wales. But when she arrives at her new seaside home, it doesn't appear to be as boring as she expected.

Ogmore-by-Sea seems to be under the control of a mysterious and powerful force. But why is Lucy its target? And why, when students at her new school start to disappear, does no one seem to care?

With the help of her new friend Hobo, Lucy Wilson must assume the mantle of her grandfather, the legendary Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, and defeat an invisible enemy before it's too late.



The Lucy Wilson Mysteries is a Lethbridge-Stewart spin-off adventure and features licensed characters created for Doctor Who by Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln.

Up until now the Lethbridge-Stewart series has continued on from the BBC’s The Web of Fear, taking place in the 1970s period known as Doctor Who’s "classic era". But three years into the series, Shaun Russell, head of publishing, thought the time was right to broaden the Brig’s horizons:

The great thing about Doctor Who is that it appeals to adults and children alike. There’s something for everybody to explore, from The Sarah Jane Adventures for the very young, to Torchwood for those a bit older. Lethbridge-Stewart’s last appearance in any Doctor Who media was, in fact, in The Sarah Jane Adventures. I’m sure that sent a lot of kids back to the classic series to see what all the fuss about. And once you’re a fan of that, you’re generally a fan for life.

The Brig is such a fundamental part of classic Doctor Who, but after Nicholas Courtney’s death, he’s naturally become less a part of the ongoing programme. We thought that, with the Lucy Wilson series, we could ensure his legacy continues into the modern day – at the same time hopefully sending young fans back to the classics! This is why we have decided to pit Lucy up against the iconic Great Intelligence.

Lucy's character is described as "a modern girl with strong values and opinions, she’s dauntless, loyal and whip smart – qualities long embodied by the Doctor". The announcement of Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor has spotlighted the positive example the character provides young viewers, a tradition Candy Jar wanted to continue with its own contributions to the Who universe.

Sue Hampton, author of two previous Lethbridge-Stewart stories, says
I’m sure that the new Doctor will defeat her enemies with smarts and ingenuity – and with the help of her friends. It’s great for kids to have someone like this as their role model. They’re the values of the show. And while she’s very much her own girl, we see Lucy as embodying similar traits. We hope young readers will find her just as inspiring.

The book has been endorsed by Eggheads presenter and Radio 2 DJ Jeremy Vine. He says:
A great read – brilliant characters and a plot that keeps surprising you. Sue Hampton writes in three dimensions! Avatars of the Intelligence draws you in from the very first page.

The cover art is by Steve Beckett, a freelance writer and illustrator who has contributed artwork for the UK's longest running children's weekly comic The Beano, including The Bash Street Kids, General Jumbo and Bully Beef and Chips. He says:
I am very excited to have contributed to the expanding Lethbridge-Stewart universe. Shaun contacted me because he was familiar with my work for The Beano. He wanted something that could appeal to the young and adults alike. Hopefully I have achieved this. I have certainly grown quite fond of the characters and I look forward to hopefully drawing them again very soon.


Avatars of the Intelligence by Sue Hampton is available for pre-order exclusively for fans via the Candy Jar website until the end of September, with dispatch shortly thereafter. The commercial release of the book will be early next year.




FILTER: - Books - Candy Jar Books - Lethbridge-Stewart