📖 Overview
Andrew Cartmel is a British author and screenwriter best known for his work as script editor on Doctor Who during its final years of its original run from 1987-1989.
Beyond television, Cartmel has written multiple novel series including the Vinyl Detective mysteries and the Rupert Hood thrillers. His Vinyl Detective books follow a record collector who solves mysteries, while maintaining detailed authenticity about vinyl collecting and jazz music.
During his time on Doctor Who, Cartmel developed what fans called "The Cartmel Masterplan" - a story arc meant to restore mystery to the Doctor's character. He has also written several Doctor Who novels and comic strips continuing the themes he developed for the television series.
After leaving television, Cartmel worked extensively in theatre and continued writing across multiple mediums including comics, audio dramas and non-fiction. His non-fiction work includes Script Doctor, a memoir about his time working on Doctor Who, and Through Time: An Unauthorised and Unofficial History of Doctor Who.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Cartmel's work as Doctor Who script editor in the late 1980s, with fans crediting him for adding complexity and darker themes to the show during Sylvester McCoy's era.
His Vinyl Detective mystery novels receive praise for their integration of music knowledge and record collecting details. Readers highlight the authentic portrayal of vinyl culture and quirky supporting characters. Several reviews mention the dry humor and witty dialogue.
Common criticisms include pacing issues, particularly in the middle sections of novels. Some readers find the technical music details excessive. A portion of reviews note that the female characters can feel underdeveloped.
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads averages:
- Written in Dead Wax: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings)
- The Run-Out Groove: 4.1/5 (1,400+ ratings)
- Victory Disc: 4.2/5 (900+ ratings)
Amazon averages:
- Written in Dead Wax: 4.3/5
- The Run-Out Groove: 4.4/5
- Victory Disc: 4.4/5
📚 Books by Andrew Cartmel
The Vinyl Detective: Written in Dead Wax
A record collector becomes entangled in a dangerous search for a rare jazz recording while navigating London's vinyl scene.
The Vinyl Detective: The Run-Out Groove The vinyl detective investigates the mysterious death of a 1960s rock singer and the disappearance of her child.
The Vinyl Detective: Victory Disc A search for a World War II-era jazz recording leads to uncovering long-buried secrets and murder.
The Vinyl Detective: Flip Back The protagonist hunts for a valuable folk record while dealing with dangerous collectors and old rivalries.
The Vinyl Detective: Low Action A quest to find a heavy metal record draws the detective into a web of music industry corruption.
Operation Sussex A Cold War thriller following British intelligence agent Rupert Hood in 1960s Berlin.
Atom Bomb Blues A Doctor Who novel set during the Manhattan Project, featuring the Seventh Doctor.
Cat's Cradle: Warhead A Doctor Who novel exploring environmental themes in a cyberpunk future.
Foreign Devils A Doctor Who novel set in 1920s China featuring the Second Doctor.
Through Time: An Unofficial and Unauthorized History of Doctor Who A comprehensive examination of Doctor Who's development and cultural impact.
Script Doctor: The Inside Story of Doctor Who 1986-89 A memoir detailing Cartmel's experiences as script editor on Doctor Who.
The Vinyl Detective: The Run-Out Groove The vinyl detective investigates the mysterious death of a 1960s rock singer and the disappearance of her child.
The Vinyl Detective: Victory Disc A search for a World War II-era jazz recording leads to uncovering long-buried secrets and murder.
The Vinyl Detective: Flip Back The protagonist hunts for a valuable folk record while dealing with dangerous collectors and old rivalries.
The Vinyl Detective: Low Action A quest to find a heavy metal record draws the detective into a web of music industry corruption.
Operation Sussex A Cold War thriller following British intelligence agent Rupert Hood in 1960s Berlin.
Atom Bomb Blues A Doctor Who novel set during the Manhattan Project, featuring the Seventh Doctor.
Cat's Cradle: Warhead A Doctor Who novel exploring environmental themes in a cyberpunk future.
Foreign Devils A Doctor Who novel set in 1920s China featuring the Second Doctor.
Through Time: An Unofficial and Unauthorized History of Doctor Who A comprehensive examination of Doctor Who's development and cultural impact.
Script Doctor: The Inside Story of Doctor Who 1986-89 A memoir detailing Cartmel's experiences as script editor on Doctor Who.
👥 Similar authors
Ben Aaronovitch writes the Rivers of London series mixing police procedural with urban fantasy in London settings. His experience as a Doctor Who writer during the same era as Cartmel gives his work a similar sensibility, and he incorporates deep knowledge of specific subjects like London geography and police procedure.
Christopher Fowler created the Bryant & May detective series featuring deep dives into London history and obscure knowledge. His mysteries combine intricate plots with detailed research about specific topics, similar to how Cartmel explores vinyl collecting and jazz.
Paul Cornell writes both Doctor Who fiction and original urban fantasy novels with complex mystery elements. He bridges similar territory between genre and crime fiction while maintaining connections to British television writing traditions.
Jonathan L. Howard authors the Johannes Cabal series mixing detective elements with supernatural themes and dry humor. His work features protagonists with specific expertise and obsessions, structured around solving intricate mysteries.
Daniel Friedman writes the Buck Schatz detective series about an elderly Memphis cop, incorporating deep knowledge of specific times and places. His mysteries emphasize authentic historical and cultural details while building complex plots around specialized knowledge.
Christopher Fowler created the Bryant & May detective series featuring deep dives into London history and obscure knowledge. His mysteries combine intricate plots with detailed research about specific topics, similar to how Cartmel explores vinyl collecting and jazz.
Paul Cornell writes both Doctor Who fiction and original urban fantasy novels with complex mystery elements. He bridges similar territory between genre and crime fiction while maintaining connections to British television writing traditions.
Jonathan L. Howard authors the Johannes Cabal series mixing detective elements with supernatural themes and dry humor. His work features protagonists with specific expertise and obsessions, structured around solving intricate mysteries.
Daniel Friedman writes the Buck Schatz detective series about an elderly Memphis cop, incorporating deep knowledge of specific times and places. His mysteries emphasize authentic historical and cultural details while building complex plots around specialized knowledge.