Lethbridge-Stewart: The HAVOC Files 4

Wednesday, 28 June 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Lethbridge-Stewart: The HAVOC Files 4 (Credit: Candy Jar Books)Candy Jar Books has announce its latest volume of The HAVOC Files, collecting short stories from early 2017 (in print for the first time) and brand new exclusive material.

This volume contains three short stories previously available in digital format and released early 2017, plus five brand new stories, including the final episode of the three-part novella, The Lost Skin by Andy Frankham-Allen (episodes one and two of which were published in The HAVOC Files 2 and 3).

  • The Contented Mind by Wink Taylor
  • The Runaway Bomb by Nick Walters (previous digital release)
  • United in Blood by Mark Jones (previous digital release)
  • The Cruel Oil by Harry Draper
  • All the King’s Men by Alyson Leeds
  • The Great Magician and the Spirits of the Vasty Deep by Gareth Madgwick
  • The Slow Invasion by Andrew Allen
  • The Two Brigadiers by Jonathan Macho (previous digital release)
  • The Lost Skin: Episode Three by Andy Frankham-Allen

Range Editor Andy Frankham-Allen says:
This is probably our most exciting volume yet, because it features five stories that are a direct result of our recent open submission period. We had such an amazing response and received so many varied ideas, most of which made it as far as the one-page outline stage. Many of those led to a commission, and HAVOC 4 presents the first five of those commissions, all by authors new to the range and, some, completely new to profesionally published fiction.

Among the authors new to range are Andrew Allen, who is a Brighton-based writer, actor, director and workshop leader, as well as the co-founder and Artistic Director of Cast Iron Theatre. This collection also introduces to the range, Wink Taylor, who was a writer/actor for both Sooty and Basil Brush, as well as creator of the popular childrens’ character Theo the Mouse. He is also well-known for his voice impersonations of various Doctor Who characters, notably the Third Doctor and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart.

The cover has been designed by Richard Young:
Shaun (Russell, Head of Publishing) had promised me The HAVOC Files cover since book two came out, so I was over the moon when he said that I was doing book four. I've always had the idea of using the Brig and a filing cabinet, but my initial ideas just weren’t working for me. I then came up with another idea, but it was felt that this new idea was too similar to another cover I had done. Shaun and I then bounced several other concepts back and forth, trying to make the ‘4’ the main element, and after some very minor adjustments just to tighten things up, we had something we both liked.

Like the previous volumes, The HAVOC Files 4 is only available direct from the Candy Jar Store, and is a strictly limited-print run.

HAVOC 1, 2 and 3 are also all available for digital download on Kindle.



Candy Jar is also pleased to announce that the upcoming Lethbridge-Stewart Quiz Book will contain an exclusive story written by Tim Gambrell: "Lethbridge-Stewart is called back to Bledoe to help an old friend he barely remembers, and memories of quiz night with the Bledoe Cadets soon surface..."





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

Lethbridge-Stewart: The Dreamer's Lament

Thursday, 22 June 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Candy Jar Books have announced the next in their range of Lethbridge-Stewart novels:

Lethbridge-Stewart: The Dreamer's Lament (Credit: Candy Jar Books)The Dreamer's Lament
Written by Benjamin Burford-Jones
Cover by Martin Baines


While visiting his mother, Lethbridge-Stewart is a little perturbed when Harold Chorley calls to ask for his help. A train has gone missing near Bristol, and Chorley is convinced it has something to do with the Keynsham Triangle, where over fifty people have vanished without trace since the early 1800s.

Elsewhere, Anne Travers is coming to terms with a loss in her family, and sets about preparing for a funeral. However, news reaches her that both Lethbridge-Stewart and Chorley have gone missing, and her help is required to find them. And, hopefully, solve the mystery of the Keynsham Triangle.

What connects the missing train to the Triangle, what has it got to do with a Wren from World War II, and just why does it appear that Lethbridge-Stewart and Chorley are in the village of Keynsham in 1815?

The answers lie in the Dreamer’s Lament, and a strange being called the Loa.

The Dreamer’s Lament is written by newcomer to the range, Benjamin Burford-Jones, who previously wrote the children’s novel Beware of the Mirror Man for Candy Jar Books. It originates from an unpublished Second Doctor novel Ben wrote several years earlier, and was an early contender in the Lethbridge-Stewart series, as range editor Andy Frankham-Allen elaborates:
Shaun (Russell, head of publishing) brought the story to me during the early days of the series, but it took me a while to get to it. I was impressed by the core story, and realised that an almost page-one rewrite would be needed, but there were enough key elements contained in the original story for me to see how it would fit Lethbridge-Stewart. The hardest part to work out was the time travel aspect.
Ben was more than happy to rework the story:
When I was asked to adapt my unpublished book, how could I resist the challenge? It was an honour to add to the continuing adventures of Lethbridge-Stewart. Of course, I couldn’t resist setting the adventure in my home town of Keynsham.

When I first saw the wonderful artwork, I was over the moon. The cover sums up the story perfectly. It was almost as if Martin had read my mind.
The cover art in question is by Martin Baines, creating his second piece of Lethbridge-Stewart work after last year’s Times Squared. Martin says:
I really wanted to do justice to such imaginative story. The mixture of voodoo and time travel, plus zombie animals makes this a story a gift for a cover artist. Coming from an advertising background I usually draw cute dogs and cats, so I found that the main focal point of the cover was a real test for me having to make them as horrific as possible.
The Dreamer’s Lament has a foreword by Shaun:
I’ve known Ben for thirty-two years, after a chance meeting at a Bristol sci-fi shop. Alongside Doctor Who, Ben has always had an interest in all things zombie. He has even made his own zombie puppet. It seems quite natural for him to combine his two loves in this book.

The novel is available for pre-order now, individually, as part of the discounted UK bundle, or as an international bundle. It is also available as part of a yearly subscription offer - full details can be found via Candy Jar's website.



In addition, Candy Jar is launching its very first Summer Bumper Sale. Deals include:
  • 2 for 1 on selected Lethbridge-Stewart novels
  • 2 for £10 on selected Candy Jar titles
  • Low-low discounts on selected other books
  • Plus a couple of freebies available too!
For more information please visit their website.




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

Dr. Tenth: Christmas Surprise!

Wednesday, 21 June 2017 - Reported by Marcus
Dr. Tenth: Christmas Surprise! (Credit: Penguin Random House UK)
The cover image for a seasonal edition of the Hargreaves Dr series, Dr. Tenth: Christmas Surprise! has been released.

The new book features Adam Hargreaves' take on David Tennant's Tenth Doctor, seen here for the first time in his iconic Mr Men style!

Continuing the greatest mash-up in the Whoniverse with a Christmas adventure, the Tenth Doctor stars alongside much-loved companion Donna.

Dr. Tenth: Christmas Suprise will be published on 17th October 2017 and is now available for pre-order from Amazon




FILTER: - Books - Tenth Doctor

New Comics Out This Week

Tuesday, 20 June 2017 - Reported by Marcus
This Wednesday, June 21, sees the release of two new Comics from Titan, the latest installment from the Twelfth Doctor and the start of a brand-new arc from the Tenth Doctor featuring a special ​team-up

D​octor Who: The Tenth Doctor Year 3 #6​

Writer: D​octor Who: The Tenth Doctor Year 3 #6​ Page 5 (Credit: Titan)
Artist: Giorgia Sposito, Arianna Florean
Cover A: Antonio Fuso ​Cover B: ​PHOTO By Will Brooks ​Cover C: ​Blair Shedd ​Cover D: ​Andy Walker

After defeating the Red Jade General in Ancient China, with the help of hundreds of Cindy’s clones,​ ​Gabby took a personal moment to reflect upon an old trip to London the Doctor took her on. She learned then that the Doctor has dark hidden depths, and as the team say goodbye to Cindy’s ‘children,’​ ​the TARDIS team may have to come to terms with those hidden depths once more...
D​octor Who: The Tenth Doctor Year 3 #6​ Cover A (Credit: Titan / Antonio Fuso)D​octor Who: The Tenth Doctor Year 3 #6​ Cover B (Credit: Titan / Will Brooks)D​octor Who: The Tenth Doctor Year 3 #6​ Cover C (Credit: Titan / Blair Shedd)D​octor Who: The Tenth Doctor Year 3 #6​ Cover D (Credit: Titan / Andy Walker)D​octor Who: The Tenth Doctor Year 3 #6​ Page 1 (Credit: Titan)D​octor Who: The Tenth Doctor Year 3 #6​ Page 2 (Credit: Titan)D​octor Who: The Tenth Doctor Year 3 #6​ Page 3 (Credit: Titan)D​octor Who: The Tenth Doctor Year 3 #6​ Page 4 (Credit: Titan)D​octor Who: The Tenth Doctor Year 3 #6​ Page 5 (Credit: Titan)


Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor Year 3 #4​

Writer: Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor Year 3 #4​ - Page 4 (Credit: Titan )
Artist: Mariano Laclaustra
Cover A: Simon Myers Cover B: Photo - Will Brooks Cover C: Adrianna Florian Cover D: Raine Szramski

The conclusion to the Twelfth Doctor's "BENEATH THE WAVES" arc!
Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor Year 3 #4​ - Cover A (Credit: Titan / Simon Myers )Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor Year 3 #4​ - Cover B (Credit: Titan / Will Brooks )Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor Year 3 #4​ - Cover C (Credit: Titan / Adrianna Florian )Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor Year 3 #4​ - Cover D (Credit: Titan / Raine Szramski)Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor Year 3 #4​ - Page 1 (Credit: Titan )Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor Year 3 #4​ - Page 2 (Credit: Titan )Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor Year 3 #4​ - Page 3 (Credit: Titan )Doctor Who: Twelfth Doctor Year 3 #4​ - Page 4 (Credit: Titan )





FILTER: - Twelfth Doctor

Delia Derbyshire honoured with Blue Plaque

Friday, 16 June 2017 - Reported by Marcus
A blue plaque has been unveiled at the childhood home of the woman who realized the original Doctor Who theme music, Delia Derbyshire.

The mark of respect is one of 47 Blue Plaques unveiled as part of BBC Music Day, to commemorate people or places that have influenced the UK’s musical landscape. Those honored include singers, musicians, songwriters, producers, and broadcasters, as well as significant locations that played a major role in the UK's musical heritage.

People commemorated include John Peel and David Bowie, while places getting a plaque include the Brighton venue where Abba won the Eurovision Song Contest.

The final list was selected from BBC Local Radio listeners’ suggestions, as well as those of a committee including music industry experts and BBC representatives.

David Holdsworth, Controller of BBC English Regions, said:
It is hugely prestigious to receive a British Plaque Trust Blue Plaque, as usually only around two are awarded each year. To mark BBC Music Day across BBC Local Radio with 47 blue plaques is a fitting way to commemorate our listeners’ passion and pride for where they live and to celebrate our musical heritage.
The plaque honouring Delia Derbyshire was unveiled by Sixth Doctor Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant who played Peri, who joined BBC Coventry & Warwickshire's Vic Minett to officially perform the ceremony.





FILTER: - Classic Series - Music - Sixth Doctor

New Eleventh Doctor Comic

Tuesday, 13 June 2017 - Reported by Marcus
The latest Eleventh Doctor comic is published by Titan this Wednesday.

DOCTOR WHO: ELEVENTH DOCTOR YEAR 3 #6

Writer: George Mann
Artist: I.N.J. Culbard
Cover A: Wellington Diaz Cover B: Photo - Will Brooks Cover C: Simon Myers

New story arc! "The Memory Feast" begins with the Eleventh Doctor - as played by Matt Smith!
Eleventh_Doctor_3_6_Cover_A (Credit: Titan)Eleventh_Doctor_3_6_Cover_B (Credit: Titan)Eleventh_Doctor_3_6_Cover_C (Credit: Titan)Eleventh_Doctor_3_6_Cover_D (Credit: Titan)Eleventh_Doctor_3_6_Page 1 (Credit: Titan)Eleventh_Doctor_3_6_Page 2 (Credit: Titan)Eleventh_Doctor_3_6_Page 3 (Credit: Titan)Eleventh_Doctor_3_6_Page 4 (Credit: Titan)





FILTER: - Comics - Eleventh Doctor

New Ninth and Tenth Doctor Comics

Tuesday, 6 June 2017 - Reported by Marcus
The final chapter of year two of the critically acclaimed Tenth Doctor Comic series is now available from Titan, along with the latest adventures of the Ninth Doctor.

DOCTOR WHO NINTH DOCTOR #13

Writer: Cavan Scott
Artist: Cris Bolson
COVER A: Wellington Diaz COVER B: Photo COVER C: Simon Myers

New Story Arc! From best-selling writer Cavan Scott (Vikings, Doctor Who)! Art by Cris Bolson (Danger Girl, The Shadow)!
DOCTOR WHO NINTH DOCTOR #13  Cover A (Credit: Titan / Wellington Diaz) DOCTOR WHO NINTH DOCTOR #13 Cover B (Credit: Titan) DOCTOR WHO NINTH DOCTOR #13  Cover C  (Credit: Titan / Simon Myers) DOCTOR WHO NINTH DOCTOR #13  (Credit: Titan) DOCTOR WHO NINTH DOCTOR #13  (Credit: Titan) DOCTOR WHO NINTH DOCTOR #13  (Credit: Titan) DOCTOR WHO NINTH DOCTOR #13  (Credit: Titan)


DOCTOR WHO TENTH DOCTOR VOL 07 WAR OF GODS

Writer: Nick Abadzis, James Peaty
Artist: Giorgia Sposito, Warren Pleece


When Cindy, the Doctor, and Gabby battle an ancient Nocturne in New Orleans at the height of the Jazz Age, Cindy faces a deadly challenge that will leave her forever changed! Before they have a chance to digest the fallout from that encounter, the Tenth Doctor TARDIS team are pulled back to face the wrath of Anubis, who's becoming more like his father, Sutekh, every day...!
DOCTOR WHO TENTH DOCTOR VOL 07 WAR OF GODS (Credit: Titan ) DOCTOR WHO TENTH DOCTOR VOL 07 WAR OF GODS (Credit: Titan) DOCTOR WHO TENTH DOCTOR VOL 07 WAR OF GODS (Credit: Titan) DOCTOR WHO TENTH DOCTOR VOL 07 WAR OF GODS (Credit: Titan) DOCTOR WHO TENTH DOCTOR VOL 07 WAR OF GODS (Credit: Titan) DOCTOR WHO TENTH DOCTOR VOL 07 WAR OF GODS (Credit: Titan)





FILTER: - Comics - Ninth Doctor - Tenth Doctor

The Lethbridge-Stewart Quiz Book

Wednesday, 31 May 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Lethbridge-Stewart Quizbook (Credit: Candy Jar Books)Candy Jar Books have announce a new Quiz Book to tie in with fifty years of the character of Lethbridge-Stewart.

Compiled by Mark Jones, author of the recent free story United in Blood, the book collects together trivia from throughout the Brigadier’s on-screen life, plus questions relate to the Target novels, Big Finish and BBC audio stories, comic strips and of course Candy Jar's own Lethbridge-Stewart novels.

Mark said:
When Candy Jar asked me to compile The Lethbridge-Stewart Quiz Book I couldn’t wait to get started. The Brigadier is a character that meant a great deal to me and it gave me the chance to watch the UNIT stories over again.

Shaun Russell, head of publishing at Candy Jar, expressed his excitement about the book:
I remember a trip to Lyme Regis as a boy where I found a copy of the first Doctor Who Quiz Book. For some reason my local WHSmith did not have this book, which made the discovery even more exciting. I don’t think my sister appreciated it though. Asking me questions on the beach about Doctor Who was not her idea of fun.

Revisiting the classic formula of those quiz books, this new version has some 750+ questions split over twelve sections dedicated to the adventures of Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart and UNIT. Examples include:
  • In the television story The Time Monster what was TOMTIT?
  • Who is attempting to penetrate the Earth’s crust in Inferno?
  • What relation is James Lethbridge-Stewart to the Brigadier?
  • What does UNIT stand for?

Mark added:
There’s something for everyone and it’s a book that will provide hours of entertainment and a challenge to the old grey matter. It’s a book for dipping into whenever you feel like challenging yourself or your friends – hopefully without too many arguments.

Full details and how to order can be found via the Candy Jar Books website.




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

Who Talk: The Green Death

Wednesday, 31 May 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Who Talk: The Green Death (Credit: Fantom Audio)Fantom Audio have released the latest in their line of alternative Doctor Who commentaries, Who Talk, which this month focuses on the third Doctor tale The Green Death.

Producer Paul W.T. Ballard said:
This was an important story for us to revisit as we were able to bring a variety of new voices and combinations of guests to a much loved classic.

This is the first time Katy Manning and Stewart Bevan have been brought together to record a commentary for The Green Death, and the experience of hearing the life long friends discuss the series was magical.

Who Talk: The Green Death (Richard Franklin, Mitzi MciKenzie, John Levene and Toby Hadoke) (Credit: Fantom Audio)Katy and Stewart are joined for the commentary by UNIT regulars Richard Franklin and John Levene, plus Mitzi McKenzie (who played Nancy in the story) and director Michael E. Briant. The commentary is hosted by the stalwart Toby Hadoke.

In addition to the regular release, a special signed edition is also available, which as well as the commentary also includes a signature from a member of the cast, plus a free pack of four postcards featuring artwork from the Who Talk series.

Full details and how to order can be found at the Who Talk website.

Please note: these commentaries contain no BBC copyrighted elements and do not feature audio from the episodes themselves - these are designed to be played alongside the official DVD releases.




FILTER: - Audio - Fantom - Third Doctor

Lethbridge-Stewart: The Runaway Bomb

Sunday, 21 May 2017 - Reported by Chuck Foster
Lethbridge-Stewart: The Runaway Bomb (Credit: Candy Jar Books)Candy Jar Books have announced the second free Lethbridge-Stewart short story of 2017, The Runaway Bomb, which accompanies this month's release of Night of the Intelligence.

Range Editor Andy Frankham-Allen explains the story's origins:
At the end of Mutually Assured Domination, Lethbridge-Stewart considered two soldiers for the Fifth – both helped him fight the Dominators in that book – but we’ve not heard from them since. So, this short story shows us a little of how Lethbridge-Stewart recruits new troops for the Corps. Only one of the two will make the grade, and the winner has a guest spot in Night of the Intelligence, the novel for which this short story is the companion.
Author of both the original inspiration and this followup short story is Nick Walters, who says:
Sergeant Bell and (especially) Corporal Stevens originally had bigger roles in Mutually Assured Domination, so I leapt at the chance of fleshing out the characters a bit more. Stevens is a bit of a loose cannon and quite an intimidating character, whilst Bell is quieter and more reserved, so the two make a good pairing. I wanted to put them in a combat situation to see what happens. Bell, especially, went through the wringer in Mutually Assured Domination, so this story, if you like, is his ‘reward’ for all that he suffered – being tied to that chair for hours on end couldn’t have been nice! As for the titular Bomb of the story, it is based on a fondly-remembered episode of The Six Million Dollar Man entitled Death Probe, which really captured my six-year-old imagination. Older readers(?) may remember this!

The Runaway Bomb will be sent out free to everybody who purchases (includes any bundles or subscription featuring...) this month’s release, Night of the Intelligence by Andy Frankham-Allen.


Night of the Intelligence not only opens series four of the range, but also begins the year-long celebration of the Great Intelligence and Professor Travers, characters who first appeared in Doctor Who on September 30 1967 in The Abominable Snowmen by Mervyn Haisman & Henry Lincoln.

Hannah Haisman, Executor of the Haisman Estate, says:
It’s been wonderful seeing the resurgence of respect for my grandfather’s creations in the last few years, and celebrating two of his greatest characters is a moment of pride for me. Grandad would adore what’s happening now, and especially the way Andy (Frankham-Allen) has tied his characters’ histories together. It’s a wonderful time to be a fan of the Great Intelligence and Professor Travers!

Throughout 2017 a further three non-Lethbridge-Stewart titles featuring the Great Intelligence will be released. Shaun Russell, head of publishing, says:
We’re very proud to work alongside some great people during the celebration year, and look forward to sharing further titles and information with you as the year goes on. Great things are coming!


Night of the Intelligence is available for pre-order now, either individually or as part of a discounted UK bundle.

In addition, as part of the celebration Candy Jar are offering a special anniverary bundle – buy the three Great Intelligence novels The Forgotten Son (Andy Frankham-Allen), Times Squared (Rick Cross), and Night of the Intelligence and get The Schizoid Earth (David A McIntee) for free.

See the Candy Jar website for full details.




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