Telos has done it again, and blown the dust off Dr. Who with another sparkling novella, this time featuring the fourth Dr. Who (complete with jelly babies, of course). I continue to love the way in which they have subtly updated the Doctor to suit modern tastes, while at the same time left him entirely intact. I feel that if we were lucky enough to still be regaled with his adventures on TV, it would be (hopefully) with stories like these. Following a televised episode when the Doctor goes home and has a run-in with the Master, he is in a somber mood as he lands, and as usual he has no idea where until he opens the TARDIS door. He finds himself on board the Queen Mary in 1963, bound for New York and is soon dealing with a young woman who has seen a ghost in her cabin. The Doctor doesn't believe in ghosts, but soon he finds himself confronted with hosts of ghosts prowling restlessly about the ship as well as hearing scary tales about the dreaded Cabin 672. It is going to be up to him to help put things right - if he can.

Dr. Who narrates this tale, and it is interesting to get a rare glimpse into not only what he is thinking, but also what he is feeling. It makes him more of a person in a way that no amount of third person narratives can ever do. He wrestles with himself as he tries to do his best to help - something he cannot stop doing it seems - but he seems innately unsatisfied with the way his life has turned out, jesting manner notwithstanding. I guessed what was in Cabin 672 and maybe you will too, but haunted ship stories are always compelling and this one has an intelligent denouement that is wholly in keeping with the series. The introduction fits the story neatly in with the existing body (surprisingly not a very large one) of haunted ship films and stories and reminds us that the sea is our own version of space and one that has not hitherto been used much in Dr. Who. One destined for the keeper shelves of many Dr. Who fans.