The Clockwise Man

Review: The Doctor and Rose step back in time.

If the Ninth Doctor hasn't yet found his feet in print, he's certainly found his mouth.

The Clockwise Man is a charming 1920s period piece by Justin Richards, with the Doctor and Rose encountering masked ladies, clockwork assassins and mysterious cats while solving a fiendish plot of political intrigue. Or thereabouts.

Richards has turned in a strong tale similar to his great Invisible Detective children's range - strong, straightforward characters, a beginning, middle and an end, and a sympathetic child at the centre of the action.

A lot of effort's gone into recreating The Doctor and Rose in this setting, and it shows on the page. Sometimes painfully so. It's really hard capturing many of the Doctor/Companion line ups in print - and it's nearly impossible if all you're going on are scripts, and rushes, with the firm hand of Doctor Who (^TM © BBC 2005) to guide you every step of the way. That Richards succeeds in making The Doctor charming, and Rose rather fun is no mean achievement - but sometimes a forced one, with the two occasionally disappearing under a barrage of "yeah", "nope" and "best mate" chumminess.

They arrive, have adventures, go to parties, get to stay for free in five star luxury, and everyone's rather decent. And, after a bit of token "they did have famous people, then, right?" banter from Rose, the fact that it's the 1920s is swiftly forgotten by her.

The Doctor is just as blithe. While this works fantastically onscreen, on the page, it does begin to grate. In sharp contrast to Richards' intriguing supporting cast, who end up doing most of the work, these two float around in a cloud of fluffy backchat, never really rowing or delivering any sucker punch one-liners. It's slightly like being lost in time with Des and Mel.

Perhaps it's that the setting is so familiar from traditional Doctor Who, lacking some of the bizarre vibrancy and lunatic threats we've come to associate with the new TV series.

While it may be a near miss, it's an entertaining, solid one. You'll enjoy it, and frequently smile - but you can't help suspecting that another Doctor and companion would have enjoyed it more.

Send us your comment now. We'll publish the best on this page.

julia
I really liked this book. i read it on holiday ,and instead of playing games etc,i was reading!

rose tyler
i love this book because doctor who is the best thing in the world!!!!!!!

Queen Victoria
This book is one of the best ones of the lot.the discription was great and the action was superb!!! Overall the book was great and I would give it A+++++!

Jack bool
This who book was the greatest one yet. I loved this book like a brother. After I read this. Justin Richards became my favourite author. 10 out of 10

Ethan
I think this is a rather interesting book filled with plot twists, suspense and mystery. Though I havent read any of the 9th doctor books I believe this is better than the older Doctor Who books ive read. With that said good job Mr.Richards.

Zac
I read this book at school and I couldn't put it down it was a brilliant plot and really funny especially as it's set in the 1920's where london is different.

Laura
I read this on coach on a school trip around London and I kept it by my bed. I think it annoyed my friends when I'd suddenly look serious with my nose in the book. My friend even got me to read bits to him. I'm wary of my cat now, wondering what it's trying to do when it stares at me, and ticking makes me nervous now, but a really great book with a brilliant plot. Can't wait to read another.

Adam Woodward
I thought it was fantastic! It was really good because, as well has going to see the Empire Exebition, the Doctor and Rose have to solve a mistery. First, it's "Who attacked Dickson?" then it's "Who killed that man behind the Dustbin?" It all ends up getting solved, but my favioute bit is when the plot comes together at the end and Melissa Heart taking her mask off, how Justin Richards had discribed it was really good and scary!

jack and chris
This book was fantastic as the Doctor would say.We could NOT put it down.

Will Taylor
I thought that this was my favourite out of the first three books, i enjoyed it and it kept me in suspence, reading until 3:30 am, it was a great ending with lots of twists

dannii rose
i have just started reading this for the third or maybe fourth time this morning 'and can't grab myself away from it 'cause it is so gripping, so well done Justin for writing such an excellant novel.i give you 10/5 for thrill and adventure.

Laura Scott
I have nearly fineshed reading The Clockwise Man and I'm looking forward to getting Winner Takes all and The Monsters inside as a reward for doing well in my exams. I love Doctor who and think that it is the best TV programme on the planet. I can't wait to see the Christmas special and Series 2. I am Doctor Whos number 1 fan.

TARDIS 101
I absolutely LOVED this book. I couldn't put it down! It has a very twisty plot and you need to keep up with !!!!

Thomas
I prefered the more spacey stories but I still enjoyed it all the same. In fact I haven't even finished it, so don't tell me the ending!! P.S. I can't imagine the Doctor without his jacket!!

Imogen (12)
I loved this book! I thought it was a very good story and and it really sounded like The Doctor and Rose (you could picture it well). I would like to read more of the novels because these new adventures are filling the gap between now and the next series! It was also really good because of the Bad Wolf reference.. ;-)

Julez
Great book, not sure what it would be like but when i read it was great i cant wait to read the other doctor who books.

Andy
Only on my third chapter so no idea if my view will count, but I'm loving it so fair! I'm itching to get back to it! How on earth the Doctor lose the TARDIS and his coat (which he seems more upset about) is unnevreing but great! Are these book really for children? I'm surprised, there's an adult tone to it which makes it better! Must say this is (like most of us) my first Doctor Who book and I can't wait to finish it and get my hands on either Monsters Inside or future novels!

Matthew Laskey
I think this book just gets better the more you read it. The ending couldn't be more tense, the plot is daring and dramatic, with a new twist at every turn. I especially like when the cat jumps on Wyse and says "Got you" that is soooooo good!!!

Eposina
I love this book, I didn't want to put it down. I'm still suprised that the Doctor lost his jacket and the TARDIS!

Mark Walsh
As with the Monsters Inside this Book is an excellent read. Justin Richards has captured the Doctor and Rose perfectly. The story has so many twists and turns and colourful characters that you really do find yourself engrossed in the story and totally unable to put the book down. It is so common with a lot of books to work out the plot as soon as you pass the first chapter but with this book you truely are left guessing to the very end! As the Doctor would say 'FANTASTIC!'

who
i have nearly read all the book and the plot is so intense i hope that justin richards will make many more dr who books

Charlotte {12]
Yet another reference to 'Bad Wolf' made when Mellisa says the doctor keeps turning up 'like a bad wolf'. Something seriously big must be about to happen, as these two words are popping up everywhere. Personally, I prefered the Monsters Inside, as there seemed to be something missing from this book. Maybe it was weird aliens.

Matthew Sharpe
I have now read the book and it was brilliant! Justin Richards is a wonderful author for Doctor Who. I never expected the twists there were at all.

Matthew Laskey
I think this book is weird. It would be good to see the painted lady's face on TV. Everyone claims to be Shade Vassily- looks suicidal from where I'm standing

Nathan
Brilliant! Only in the first chapter but already the plot is thickening! I can just tell this book will be a hit and a bestseller! Justin Richards has really captured Ecclestons character he must watch the TV series! Great book! Will probably read all over again when finished!!!!

Matthew Sharpe
I have only read the first four chapters and so far it is brilliant. Well Done Justin Richards. This is definitely a good story and I can't wait to see how the story turns out.

Gareth Stafford
Move over Potter - the Ninth Doctor is here to save the world in style!

Charlie Keeble
I have only started to read the first three chapters and it's a startling and extremely compelling story. Justin Richards has made an impact with the Ninth Doctor in print as unique as Eccelston's performance. (Lovely cover by the way)

Michael Sky
Two words: Tom Baker. This just isn't cut for the Ninth Doctor, and some more serious and involving writing would have been welcome. In the event, it feels like the humour has been thought out far too much - good witty humour should come straight out from the pen, or the keys if a computer is used. Enjoyable, but not particularly engaging.

Jason
Doctor Who was a kid's show; the problem with many of the past novels was that they got away from that, bringing in too many adult themes. Truth is, that spoiled it. They were good books, just not quite Doctor Who. It is a relief to see the books aimed at the younger audience again. Feels more like the old days, ironically.

Andrew Foxley
'The Clockwise Man' is a good, fun adventure novel at its heart - and there's nothing wrong with that. It should appeal to children without talking down to them at all, and appeal to adults looking for a bit of good, solid 'Doctor Who', 2005-style.

Thomas Tyrrell
It's nice to have Doctor Who books aimed at my age groups again, but doesn't this sound rather similar to Jonathan Morris' Anachrophobia?

Dom
I've picked up a copy of winner takes all early, and it is fantastic! i can't wait to read the clockwise man!!!!

Luke Spillane
I have finshed reading "The Monsters Inside" and "Winner Takes All" and have just started "The Clockwise Man". So far it is brilliant. Justin Richards and all the other authors have captured Chris and Billie's on screen characters so well on the page, down to a capital T. The Clockwise Man is a perfect setting for the ninth Doctor and Rose and proves yet another exhilirating adventure.

Connor
The tv series is cool so the novels must be even better, though im still addicted to the eight doctor books.

Alice Rivers
I love the book. I think it would make a good film, The Doctor is so funny, even when Rose is hostage he remains calm. This book and The Monsters Inside are two of the best books i have ever read. I am going to buy Winner Takes All and Monsters and Villians soon, I hope they are as good.

Richard
I thought this book was great, personally. It doesn't suffer from being aimed more at children than the regular Who novels, containing a relatively complex plot and some great debates on morality and the like; certainly the kind of issues Doctor Who should be presenting the kids with. The Doctor and Rose are captured exactly as the seem on screen, I thought. All the issues that the official site's review raises about the character are also present in their on screen incarnations; maybe the reviewer just found them to be more horribly blatant on the page? All-in-all, though, I think this book is definitely the kind of thing that will appeal to more casual fans & readers, whilst also working for fans (as evidenced by the reviews & comments on other fan sites). Recommended.

Darren Allen
I think that this novel works very well; a good intriguing plot with some nice twists and well-written characters. I felt that it perfectly captured the characterisation of the Doctor and Rose from the TV series, whilst thankfully steering clear of the more 'soapy' elements of having Rose's family turn up every other week!

Faiz
Interesting review, looking forward to how this new book series will develop. I think the reviewer hit the nail on the head - what comes across as great dialogue on screen really can grate in print. The current comic strip in DWM is another example - it really distracts from the story to repeatedly read dialogue that seems like it's been put in to make the characters sound like their tv counterparts.

Matthew Sharpe
I personally am going to buy this book to see if it is as good as the tv series before I give my final verdict. I am sure that I will enjoy it as it is an historical book and I prefer them to the sci-fi ones.

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