The Face of the Enemy

The Face of the Enemy is a Doctor Who novel set in 1970s England, featuring UNIT (United Nations Intelligence Taskforce) and characters from the television series. The book takes place during a period when the Third Doctor was exiled to Earth, though he does not appear as a main character. The story follows UNIT personnel, including Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart and Captain Mike Yates, as they investigate mysterious disappearances and signs of alien activity. Former companion Ian Chesterton becomes involved in the investigation, bringing his scientific expertise to bear on the unusual circumstances. UNIT must coordinate with other government agencies while racing to uncover the truth behind events that threaten national security. The investigation leads them through London's criminal underworld and into confrontations with both earthly and extraterrestrial adversaries. The novel explores themes of loyalty, institutional power, and the blurred lines between friend and foe in a cold war context. It captures the paranoid atmosphere of 1970s spy fiction while maintaining the science fiction elements central to the Doctor Who universe.

Readers found this to be an engaging Doctor Who novel that effectively captures the Third Doctor era's tone and style. Most highlighted the book's treatment of The Master character and appreciated how it explored his relationship with UNIT. Positives from reviews: - Authentic portrayal of Roger Delgado's Master - Strong military/espionage elements fitting the UNIT timeframe - Well-paced action sequences - Good character development for Jo Grant Common criticisms: - Some found the plot overly complex - Multiple storylines can be hard to follow - Takes time to get going in first chapters Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (137 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (24 reviews) Notable reader quote: "McIntee nails the Master's voice - I could hear Delgado delivering every line." - Goodreads reviewer Another reader noted: "The spy thriller aspects mesh perfectly with the Who universe, though the parallel plots require concentration to track."

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🔷 Although published as part of the Doctor Who franchise, this novel uniquely features both UNIT (United Nations Intelligence Taskforce) and Torchwood, bridging different eras of the series' mythology. 🔷 Author David A. McIntee wrote this novel while also working as a martial arts instructor, which influenced his detailed descriptions of combat scenes. 🔷 The book explores the Chinese Tong societies of the 1970s, mixing historical criminal organizations with science fiction elements. 🔷 This was the first Doctor Who novel to feature Jo Grant without the Third Doctor as her main companion character. 🔷 The story connects to actual historical events, incorporating the real-world 1972 power cuts and industrial strikes in Britain as part of its plot.