Author: Craig Hinton

Originally published: November 1994

Read: June- September 2025

Context: My DW reading has been much slower of late, with this book somewhat to blame, I am afraid (more on that later). I am very late with the review of this one as well, lost my Who Mojo a little (possibly a result of my disappointment with series 2 and the whole RTD2 debacle). But, i am back on my BF listening and who book reading and am loving it again…a blessed relief from the shadow of grief (more on that in another day).

THE REVIEW

What I thought:

Although I am Mr Positive when it comes to my reviews, I may struggle a little with this one. From the outset, this felt like a mess, too many characters and a confusing plot had me questioning my life goals for a while. The TARDIS team of Tegan, Turlough and Kamelion is an interesting one, a team I haven’t spent an awful lot of time with, and looked forward to reading about them, however, Turlough gets sidelined very early on, the Doctor gets sucked away (ooo matron) and Teegan gets paired with a character I can’t even recall now. The idea of a time-travelling restaurant is pretty cool, especially with the Doctor as the ‘owner’ key investor is a great idea. I think if the plot could have been simplified a little, this could have been a winner, but by jove, just too much here I am afraid. I like the idea of War-ing couples being at the centre of this, and Kamelion does some cool stuff at the end. This was a little painful to finish I must admit. It’s an interesting idea, but not for me.

What I felt?

Confused, mildly annoyed at times and irked at my slowness at getting this one finished. Nice to read a bit of Kamelion though, a companion I never really ‘got’; this book helps.

Rating: 2 out of 5 amuse-bouchés: not hugely good but some interesting ideas, and the end is quite exciting.

What am I left thinking?

• I am really hoping the next 5th Doctor VMA is better than this
• If we get anymore Kamelion across the many Who book ranges?

Memorable bits

• The Maitre-de is an amusing character
• The Doctors 50 odd year sojourn into the restaurant business
• Kamelon turning into various odd (and massive) aliens