About.com Rating

This Doctor Who spin off short is the best sort of tie-in: it features fan-favorite side characters in a fun, fast-paced story.

Publication Information

• Full Title: Doctor Who: Devil in the Smoke
• Author: Justin Richards
• Publisher: BBC Digital
• Publication Date: December 2012
• ISBN: 9781448141470 (ebook), B00APKG5LI (Kindle)

Tie-In or Spin-Off

I've never really been a fan of tie-in (or spin-off) books, even when I've adored a particular movie or TV series.

I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I associate tie-in books with novelizations, and the novelizations I've read (none very recently, mind you) have either simplified the original story too much, or else added extra detail that just didn't seem to fit.

But the retro look of the cover of Doctor Who: Devil in the Smoke caught my eye, and once I saw that it featured my favorite character from the show (aside from the Doctor himself, of course), I figured I'd give it a try. Plus, I'm a sucker for a good Victorian mystery-adventure tale (even though they are sometimes a little disappointing). After reading this short e-book -- longer than a short story, but maybe not quite as long as a novella -- I may have to change my whole perspective on tie-in books in general, or at least keep a more open mind when I see one.

First off, even though the first part of the title is "Doctor Who," the Doctor doesn't make an appearance. In fact, I don't think he's even mentioned. Instead, Madame Vastra -- a Silurian warrior woman and old friend of the Doctor, and also a green lizard in humanoid shape -- takes center stage, along with her maidservant and friend Jenny Flint, and the Sontaran warrior Strax.

Essentially, you have a member of an ancient Earth species, a human, and an alien from a distant planet, living in Victorian London, solving crimes. It may sound confusing, but honestly, it's not. Author Justin Richards deftly works in the necessary information without overloading the reader. The focus is squarely on the mystery, and the alien nature of the characters is primarily used to add flavor. The publisher could have left "Doctor Who" off the cover, and readers would not have felt anything lacking, which is to say, you don't need to be a fan or even familiar with the TV series to enjoy this book (though if you are, it will add to your enjoyment).

Mad Victorian Adventure

The plot is pure Doctor Who/Victorian Adventure silliness. A crazy gentleman in a top hat has found a way to conquer the world, and Madame Vastra and her friends, including a boy named Harry who stumbles into the story by accident, have to figure out what is happening and stop it. The writing is crisp and manages a perfect blend of Victorian adventure pastiche and a more approachable contemporary style. The dialogue is especially clever, and had me laughing out loud more than once.

For any fan of steampunk or retro-style stories, even if they're not familiar with Doctor Who, Devil in the Smoke is a quick, fun read. It has me re-thinking my anti-tie-in position, and I'll definitely be looking for other work from this author. In fact, he's got another Doctor Who tie-featuring Melody Malone (aka River Song, for fans of the show)...

E-Book Only

As far as I can tell Doctor Who: Devil in the Smoke is an e-book only release, so look for it wherever you usually buy your electronic reading. And if you're hankering for more retro-Victorian adventure, try Peregrine Harker and the Black Death or The Hunchback Assignments. Or, if you like your adventure with romance, The Girl in the Steel Corset is excellent.