📖 Overview
Simon Messingham is a British author who primarily writes science fiction novels and scripts. He gained recognition through his work on Doctor Who tie-in fiction, having written several novels for the BBC Books range.
A graduate of the University of East Anglia's Creative Writing program, Messingham published his first Doctor Who novel "Strange England" in 1994. He went on to write additional Doctor Who titles including "The Face-Eater" and "The Infinity Race."
Beyond the Doctor Who universe, Messingham has authored original science fiction works and television scripts. His novel "Someone Else's War" explored themes of identity and conflict in a military science fiction setting.
Messingham has also contributed to other media tie-in properties and continues to work in both original fiction and franchise-based storytelling. His writing style often incorporates elements of horror and psychological suspense within science fiction frameworks.
👀 Reviews
Simon Messingham has a dedicated following among Doctor Who tie-in novel readers but hasn't achieved broad recognition outside that niche.
Readers appreciate his ability to capture the darker elements of the Doctor Who universe and his complex character development, particularly in works like "The Face-Eater" and "Strange England." Several reviews note his skill at building tension and atmosphere.
Common criticisms include uneven pacing, convoluted plots that don't resolve satisfyingly, and occasional difficulty distinguishing between multiple character perspectives. Some readers find his writing style too dense.
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads average: 3.4/5 (across all works)
- The Face-Eater: 3.6/5
- Strange England: 3.2/5
- Zeta Major: 3.3/5
Amazon average: 3.5/5
One recurring reader comment sums up the consensus: "Great ideas and strong concepts, but the execution doesn't always live up to the premise." (Goodreads review)
📚 Books by Simon Messingham
Strange England
A Doctor Who novel where the Seventh Doctor and companions find themselves in a warped version of an English village hiding dark secrets.
The Day of the Troll An audio-exclusive Doctor Who story featuring the Tenth Doctor investigating disappearances in a remote research facility.
The Doctor Trap A Tenth Doctor adventure where the Time Lord faces an adversary who collects different versions of him across time and space.
The Face-Eater A Doctor Who novel following the Eighth Doctor on a colony world where inhabitants are being replaced by mysterious entities.
The Indestructible Man A Doctor Who novel featuring Captain Jack Harkness in a story about immortality and its consequences.
The Infinity Race A Second Doctor novel dealing with an interplanetary racing competition that masks a deeper conspiracy.
Tomb of Valdemar A Fourth Doctor adventure exploring an ancient alien tomb and the dangers of awakening its occupant.
The Day of the Troll An audio-exclusive Doctor Who story featuring the Tenth Doctor investigating disappearances in a remote research facility.
The Doctor Trap A Tenth Doctor adventure where the Time Lord faces an adversary who collects different versions of him across time and space.
The Face-Eater A Doctor Who novel following the Eighth Doctor on a colony world where inhabitants are being replaced by mysterious entities.
The Indestructible Man A Doctor Who novel featuring Captain Jack Harkness in a story about immortality and its consequences.
The Infinity Race A Second Doctor novel dealing with an interplanetary racing competition that masks a deeper conspiracy.
Tomb of Valdemar A Fourth Doctor adventure exploring an ancient alien tomb and the dangers of awakening its occupant.
👥 Similar authors
Ben Aaronovitch wrote Doctor Who novels before creating the Rivers of London series about a police constable who investigates supernatural crimes. His work combines police procedural elements with science fiction and fantasy concepts similar to Messingham's cross-genre approach.
Paul Cornell established himself writing Doctor Who fiction and television episodes before expanding into original novels and comics. His work features the same blend of British science fiction and horror elements that characterize Messingham's stories.
Kate Orman authored multiple Doctor Who novels that explore psychological themes and character development within science fiction frameworks. She incorporates similar elements of suspense and horror into her science fiction narratives.
Lance Parkin writes both tie-in fiction and original works with a focus on complex plotting and world-building. His Doctor Who novels demonstrate comparable attention to psychological detail and military science fiction elements found in Messingham's work.
Justin Richards has written extensively in the Doctor Who universe and other tie-in properties while developing original science fiction series. His output spans similar territory to Messingham's with work in both franchise and original science fiction storytelling.
Paul Cornell established himself writing Doctor Who fiction and television episodes before expanding into original novels and comics. His work features the same blend of British science fiction and horror elements that characterize Messingham's stories.
Kate Orman authored multiple Doctor Who novels that explore psychological themes and character development within science fiction frameworks. She incorporates similar elements of suspense and horror into her science fiction narratives.
Lance Parkin writes both tie-in fiction and original works with a focus on complex plotting and world-building. His Doctor Who novels demonstrate comparable attention to psychological detail and military science fiction elements found in Messingham's work.
Justin Richards has written extensively in the Doctor Who universe and other tie-in properties while developing original science fiction series. His output spans similar territory to Messingham's with work in both franchise and original science fiction storytelling.