| FOREIGN DEVILS by Andrew Cartmel |
| Story 5 Synopsis: The TARDIS materialises in China in 1800. After a few minutes, Jamie and Zoe disappear into a 'Spirit Gate'. The Doctor follows the path of the Gate in the TARDIS, arriving in 1900. He inveigles himself as a guest of Pemberton Upcott, who is hosting a soiree, where the guests of honour are a psychic detective called Carnacki, and a medium named Celandine. Zoe has been forced to pose as a maid in Upcott's house. Jamie is AWOL. Lightning strikes during a seance, and the body of Pemberton's ancestor, Roderick, vanishes. Guests begin to get murdered, although they are all of the Upcott lineage. Pemberton chooses to kill his wife and make it seem part of the other murders, although the Doctor and Carnacki see through this. The house is found to have somehow become uprooted, and travelling through space. Jamie is found in the arboretum, and it is revealed that Celandine is being manipulated by a old Chinese astrologer, who has cursed the Upcotts for peddling opium. Pemberton dies, and the house returns to Earth. The Doctor destroys the Spirit Gate, ending the curse. |
| Review:- Another novella, this time featuring a master of the McCoy era tackling a Troughton. It's quite a tidy little tale, perhaps a little predictable, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The struggle of the Upcotts is the backdrop for Cartmel's usage of the Carnacki character, who manages to share the detection burden with the Doctor, to the benefit of both. Zoe's role as maid allows for a little development, and some humour along the way. Jamie's absence is less organised, and seems a pretty thin excuse to keep him indisposed. But it works. Elder-main, the butler who knows more than he lets on, and Celandine, the unfortunate medium whose gift is abused, are also well-rounded supporting characters. On the whole, I found this an engaging and straightforward read. |
| Disclaimer: I have a copy of the novella. |