The Wages of Sin

The Wages of Sin is a Doctor Who novel featuring the Third Doctor alongside companions Liz Shaw and Jo Grant. The story takes place in the Doctor Who timeline immediately after the events of "The Three Doctors," marking the restoration of the Doctor's ability to travel through time. The novel represents two significant firsts in the Doctor Who universe: the Third Doctor's initial test flight of the TARDIS after regaining his time-travel capabilities, and Liz Shaw's first journey in the time machine. The narrative brings the characters face-to-face with the historical figure Grigori Rasputin in early 20th century Russia. This BBC Books release combines elements of historical fiction with classic Doctor Who science fiction storytelling. At 250 pages, it explores the complex political and social landscape of pre-revolutionary Russia while maintaining the series' signature blend of adventure and intrigue. The book examines themes of power, manipulation, and the intersection of science and mysticism through its incorporation of both historical events and science fiction elements. David A. McIntee's narrative bridges the gap between documented history and the imaginative world of Doctor Who.

Readers rate The Wages of Sin as an average Doctor Who novel, with most reviews falling in the 3-3.5 star range. Positive comments focus on the historical accuracy and gothic atmosphere of Victorian Edinburgh. Several readers appreciate the depth given to Ace's character development. Reviews note the medical school setting feels authentic and the book captures the dark tone of the McCoy era. Common criticisms include a slow-paced first half and too many secondary characters that blur together. Some readers found the murder mystery elements predictable. A few reviews mention the Doctor has limited page time compared to the companions. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.47/5 (34 ratings) Amazon UK: 3.3/5 (6 reviews) Ratings on fan sites like Gallifrey Base average around 7/10 "Well-researched but drags in places" - Goodreads reviewer "Solid historical but light on sci-fi elements" - Amazon UK review "Takes too long to get going but delivers a satisfying conclusion" - Doctor Who Ratings Guide

The Final Solution by Michael Chabon A detective story set in 1944 England follows an elderly Sherlock Holmes investigating a German refugee boy's missing parrot and coded messages that connect to Nazi secrets.

The List of Seven by Mark Frost In Victorian London, Arthur Conan Doyle teams up with a mysterious government agent to uncover a supernatural conspiracy targeting the British Crown.

The Seven-Per-Cent Solution by Nicholas Meyer Sherlock Holmes confronts his cocaine addiction while pursuing a case that brings him face to face with Sigmund Freud in Vienna.

The Italian Secretary by Caleb Carr Mycroft Holmes summons his brother Sherlock to Edinburgh Castle to investigate murders connected to Mary, Queen of Scots' former royal chamber musician.

The Shadow of Reichenbach Falls by John R. King The final confrontation between Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls intersects with the story of William Hope Hodgson's supernatural detective Carnacki.

🔹 Rasputin, a central figure in the novel, was known as the "Mad Monk" despite never being ordained - he was actually a wandering holy man called a strannik. 🔹 David A. McIntee has written over 30 tie-in novels for franchises including Doctor Who, Star Trek, and Final Destination. 🔹 The Third Doctor era (1970-1974) was unique in that many episodes were Earth-bound due to the Doctor's TARDIS being disabled by the Time Lords as punishment. 🔹 The novel's pre-revolutionary Russian setting coincides with a period when the real Rasputin wielded unprecedented influence over Tsar Nicholas II's family, largely due to his alleged ability to help their hemophiliac son. 🔹 This book represents a rare instance in Doctor Who media where two companions from different eras (Liz Shaw and Jo Grant) are brought together, as they never appeared together in the television series.