Written by Paul Leonard

Originally released : September 1997

Read: April-May 2025

Context: not much to add here, other than pleased to be back with the 8th Doctor and Sam. I have only a vague recollection of reading this in 1997 (I know I did and I recalled Jo Grant was in it) although thats about all I can recall. I had seen some reviews of this a while ago that were not that positive, however I attempted to put that to the back of my mind as I embarked on this one, always trying to enjoy the ride.

THE REVIEW

What I thought: this was ok, not amazing but an interesting contrast to the previous book and although it’s a pretty grim concept (literal Genocide) it is an interesting idea to explore in a Who book, which often in fact does contain Genocide now i come to think of it, what’s the Doctors murder count by now?!? I suppose this is the EDA flirting with darkness, which the other books thus far don’t quite embrace as much as this one does. There is a grim version of Jo, battered from life in general, an alternative Tracttie species and an environmental mentalist intent on wiping out humanity. Topical, and to be fair on Paul Leonard is probably even more relevant today as it was when this was written 20 odd years ago.

The story is fairly limited in some respects once the general charterers are introduced and the jeopardy begins. It’s enetarttining enough though and it gives an awful lot for the 8th doctor to do and allows ho character to breathe a bit, which is really nice. I really quite liked the horse-y tractities and Sam is also given lots to do for this one. I quite liked her in this one, I think she gets a bad press in general but at the moment I really like her. So a solid story, not sure what the problem is some fans have with this one as I enjoyed this (too dark re Jo perhaps?)

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Horseshoes – at times this was a difficult one to like as its pretty grim, its call Genocide after all. Its nice to have Jo back but this is a pretty grim version of future Joe, pretty different from BF Jo…it kinda all works out at the end but only for some characters, for the alternate Tractites it is literally Genocide! Some good characterisation of the early 8th doctor here for me being a highlight.

What I felt: satisfied with this adventure and looking forward to what is to come

What am I left thinking?

• How do I resolve my head cannon conflict re: Jo!

Memorable bits

• The return of Jo Grant and Unit, albeit the latter fairly briefly (nice to see Benton again though!)
• Nice mention of Bambara…as well as some of Jo’s adventures with the 3rd Doctor are mentioned