I wish that too would happen more frequently in the new series, but then nowadays there isn’t time for exploration. I also enjoy the TARDIS landing on what seems like Earth but the travelers having no idea where they are.

There was a point half way into the novel where I feared the antagonist would be revealed as supernatural witches, but it soon became clear this uncertainty was Lyons’ intention to make the mass hysteria appear all the more powerful. Vesuvius to erupt, for Shakespeare not to be influenced by witches, etc. I rather miss that format – it would be nice now to see the Doctor travel back in time and not have aliens cause Mt. Doctor Who, up until 1966 or so, featured frequent ‘historicals’ in which the travelers would land in a period of Earth’s history and be the only alien influence seen during the story. The historical setting is the most striking aspect of the novel. It features the First Doctor, Susan, Ian and Barbara and fits between “The Reign of Terror” and “Planet of the Giants” (around 1964). Set in Massachusetts, 1692, the story focuses around the tragic events of the Salem Witch Trials. It was published in 1998 – during what fans consider the ‘wilderness years’ of the show after it had been cancelled in 1989 and before its return in 2005. I was given The Witch Hunters by Steve Lyons about 5 or 6 years ago as a birthday present and decided to read it now. Bound by continuity, unable to make major alterations to the development of characters or stories, I had an image of them as being superficial adventures – as entertaining as these can be. I’ve always considered the Doctor Who novels to be a weaker offshoot of the main television series. Any history buff and/or Whovian can find something to love about this story! Watching the Doctor and his companions experience the passions and the danger of Salem Massachusetts was just enthralling. The setting and people from that time period were lovingly and painstakingly crafted by the author, and the hysteria that grips the town is absolutely accurate. One of the best aspects of Doctor Who, in my opinion, is the way it delves into various historical events, and this book is no exception. But the deeper they all get into the tangles and snarls of history, the harder they find it is to extract themselves. Despite the Doctor's explicit warnings, Susan feels compelled to try and save a woman who is sentenced to die from witchcraft.

When the Doctor and his granddaughter Susan take Barbara and Ian to Salem in the 1600's, they quickly find things spiraling out of control. 'I can't shake off the idea that we're going to wind up separated from the Tardis and in some sort of trouble.'īarbara grinned and linked her arm around Ian's.

Doctor Who by Steve Lyons