Thursday, July 10, 2025

The Lowlife, by Alexander Baron

Cover of The Lowlife by Alexander Baron, showing illustration of three racing greyhounds
Harryboy Boas is a working-class gambler in Hackney. While his sister has married well and moved to Finchley, Harryboy still haunts the streets he knew as a kid, where hopscotch  is still played in the same place, for all that the squares have been rechalked, sometimes on new tarmac. We feel the thrill of his addiction to gambling, and the shame of it, too. But he presents a good front to the woman he pays for sex, and to the uptight family that have just taken rooms in the shabby house he’s renting.

Then, almost 100 pages in, we learn something else about Harry that helps explain what makes him tick. Before the war, he lived in Paris with a girl there. He thought about marrying her but when war broke out he went home to London. Only later, much too late, did he receive a letter saying she was pregnant. He and she are Jewish — and we never learn her fate.

So, he stalks the streets of London haunted by the Holocaust. He takes each day, each bet, as it comes, and tries not to get involved in anything more complex. But the little boy in the room downstairs has taken a shine to him…

The foreword to this edition is by Iain Sinclair, who — with filmmaker Chris Petit — visited Baron at home in Golders Green in 1992:

“The elderly author, unpublished since 1979, when his Spanish novel, Franco is Dying, met with the indifference that seems to be the lot of any awkward cuss who refuses to step aside when his humber’s up” (p. vi).

Characters in the novel might well speak of protagonist Harryboy as an “awkward cuss”, but we’re privy to his rich inner life, his passions for gambling, books and women, his strong survival instinct paired with a self-sacrificing moral core. He’s a loner in many ways, and one reason is because he is bookish.

“Among the uneducated (which frankly is what you would call the general population where I live) the serious reader is a lonely person. He goes about among the crowds with his thoughts stuffed inside him. He probably dare not even mention them to his nearest pals for fear of being thought a schmo. There’s a hunger in his eyes for someone to talk to.” (pp. 63-64)

Harryboy reads a great range of books. “Chandler and Hammett are my favourites,” he tells us (p. 63), at a time he’s working through everything by Zola. He holds forth on Upton Sinclair, HG Wells and George Simenon, and later on Nat Gould, Edgar Wallace and Damon Runyon. On p. 148, he’s reading Theodore Dreiser, on p. 211 he cites a poem by John Masefield. There are women writers, too:

“We were both at that time searching out psychological thrillers at the library, the kind the Americans do well, Vera Caspary, Patrica Highsmith and so on.” (p. 134).

It’s a diverse list of names but I wonder if they’re united by a naturalistic style, a focus on — or unwillingness to avoid — the grit and dirt of life.

That’s the kind of view we get of post-war London, particularly in all the stuff about the short-term investment in renting squalid building, which the council will surely soon condemn, to the new waves of immigrants. Sinclair says in his introduction that “Baron foresees Peter Rachman”, who died in 1962 — the year before The Lowlife was published — but became notorious as a slumlord after his death as the Profumo scandal broke. That makes the book exactly of its moment.

But I’m not sure this is a social realist or kitchen sink novel. It’s more of a thriller, the stakes every building against Harryboy, caught against his will in different, conflicting loyalties. There’s a theft, a chase and a violent punch-up, We really think at one point he is going to lose an eye.

And yet for all its an adventure, it feels very real — and is full of shrewdly observed detail. Many Londoners, Harryboy included, take the changing demographics of London in their stride, but Baron is good on the prejudice, too. It’s most directly seen in snobby neighbour Evelyn Deaner. At one point, we catch her horrified by the hats on women in the Daily Mirror.

“Can you imagine me wearing one? I think they must design these hats for exhibitionists.”

Then, from nowhere, she is “fighting for breath” in fury that their landlord let a room to a black couple.

“‘You know’ — she turned to me — ‘there’s only one water-closet in this house.’” (p. 125)

Later, she’s sure, on no grounds at all, that this couple eat “tinned cats’ mean” (p. 147) and mean to serve it to her son.

When Evelyn’s husband Vic tries to quell what Baron calls these “spasms of hate”, Evelyn tells him he doesn’t know what he’s talking about because he’s out of work all day.

“Suppose that man cam home early. Eh? Have you thought of that?” 

And then, almost immediately:

“Please don’t tell me now that I’m prejudiced. I know there are good and bad. … What do you think I am — one of those colour-bar people? [But] this man is a labourer.” (p. 126)

It’s all unfounded and in her head; she’s conscious of it being unfair; it’s about class as much as ethnicity. There’s a lot bubbling up here, and Harryboy then makes his own connection:

“Sure, I nearly added, and these haters of life, they can even murder babies. Because that moment brought back to me like a twitch of pain in the head my fear that a little son of mine might have been packed into a dark, suffocating, sealed trunk for five days and nights and sent to the furnaces.” (p. 133).

It’s the mechanics of prejudice observed and relayed by a Jewish veteran of the war. The connection haunts him, and it haunt us, too.

I'm now reading Baron's autobiography, more of which anon...

Wednesday, July 09, 2025

My Baby Box, by Dr Debbie Challis

The Dr has made available online the full text of her memoir, My Baby Box, which deals with her (our) experience of infertility, the death of our eldest daughter and a whole loads of things beside.  

Blurb as follows:

A portrait of Queen Victoria’s baby. Statistics on the fertility of educated women. Tokens left at the Foundling Hospital. Sunken headstones in a suburban cemetery. Tiny 4,000 year-old beads. A hippo amulet. The bones of a newly born child… 

These are some of the things in My Baby Box, a memoir about my double loss. The loss after a diagnosis of infertility and the loss after the death of my unexpected baby.

It is also about my double love. The love found through adopting a child and then having a second baby who lived. It is about trying to become a mother through fertility treatment, approval from committees, getting to full-term pregnancy and giving birth safely, as well as what I have learnt about the historical context of what I went through. It is my account of trying to become a mother in early twenty-first century Britain and how I came to understand what happened to me through the things belonging to those who had been there before me, whether in Victorian Wigan or Ancient Egypt.

I've previously posted here about infertility and the loss of Emily

Friday, July 04, 2025

Learning to Think, by Tracy King

Covering of Learning to Think by Tracy King, showing photo of small, smiling girlI’ve been blown away by this extraordinary, powerfully moving book, having met the author briefly at an event earlier this year. The subtitle says it’s “A memoir about” and then there are a series of crossed-out words: hardship, education, hellfire and family before it settles for “a way to break free.”

The blurb tells us more:

“Tracy King grew up on an ordinary council estate outside Birmingham. Her home life was filled with creativity, curiosity and love, but it was also marked by her father’s alcoholism and her mother’s agoraphobia.

“By the time she turned twelve her father had been killed, her sister taken into care and her mother ensnared by the promises of born-again Christianity.”

Roughly the first half of the book covers the author’s childhood and this series of traumas as she felt and understood them at the time. She’s very good on telling detail about people and place, so we know these individuals, we like them. We share their joys and small victories, we root for them, and feel their suffering and loss as awful things unfold. We are appalled by what happens in the trial of the people involved in killing her father.

In the second half of the book, we see the effect his death and these other things then have over the following years. It all casts an oppressive shadow but something else is also going on: the combined impacts of a love of reading and an interest in computers (both instilled by her late father), the opportunities offered by libraries and college, and then a rewarding job. At a key moment, she stumbles on a second-hand copy of The Demon-Haunted World by the astronomer Carl Sagan and it lights something inside her: a way of seeing and tackling the world that I think Sagan would call science but Tracy calls critical thinking.  

Then, in the last, enthralling part of the book, Tracy applies critical thinking to that key trauma in her past life: the death of her beloved father. She reads the police report and dares to seek out and interview people involved, including the man who killed him. The result is suspenseful, brave, compassionate — and quite brilliant. 

There’s no single, definitive account of what happened that night — not, as she says, without CCTV or her having being there herself — but she sifts the sometimes conflicting evidence and collates the most probable version. This is more than a coldly logical process; it’s driven by empathy and understanding. I’m reminded of something I was once told at school, that “courage” literally means “of the heart”.

Much of what she describes here — not just about her father but other things such as the way education authorities treated her and her sister — is gruelling, often shocking. Yet the book is about her coming to terms with this stuff and the sense at the end is that the process brings her some peace.

At one point, she probes accounts of her father’s last moments, and whether he died instantly or not. She’s haunted by the suggestion of people there watching and doing nothing to help.

“There was nothing anyone could have done to save his life, Does it matter that a dead person was left alone for ten minutes? Is there dignity after death? Without a soul, a spirit, a ghost, does it matter whether anyone was with him while he lay on the cold concrete in the rain?

Of course it matters.

We can bear witness to his death now, through thee pages. Every reader is there with him. We outnumber the bystanders.” (p. 280).

What a privilege it has been to stand with her, to be part of that congregation.

In the epilogue, she links her past experience to the situation now, with school “refusal” (a term she critiques), increasing levels of poverty, and the closure of libraries and other kinds of support and opportunities that were so crucial to her. For all this is a memoir, it’s a book about how we move forward from where we are now. I urge you to read it.

Monday, June 30, 2025

List of books by Terrance Dicks

Here is what I hope is a definitive list of the 236 books written by the prolific Terrance Dicks. The Doctor Who books are well attested; working out where everything else fits has been a challenge. Hence me scouring the listings in the Bookseller, which provide month and year of publication.

Terrance tended to write in series, so here is my own key to some of them in the list below:

  • DWs = Doctor Who specials [non-fiction]
  • DWn = Doctor Who novelisations of TV stories
  • DWo = Doctor Who original novels
  • BSI = The Baker Street Irregulars
  • Goliath = The Adventures of Goliath aka The Adventures of David and Goliath
Where a hardback and paperback edition were published at the same time, I've listed the version cited first in the Bookseller. On that basis, here are Terrance's published works in order of publication:

  1. 08 Apr 1972: [DWs #01] The Making of Doctor Who by Malcolm Hulke and Terrance Dicks, C8 120pp, 25p, Piccolo Books (Pan), Children's, ISBN 330 23203 7, listed in Bookseller 8 Apr 1972, p. 1,893.
    Cover: photo of Jon Pertwee and a Sea Devil in the Doctor Who TV story The Sea Devils

    16 Dec 1976: Revised second edition, now credited to Terrance Dicks and Malcolm Hulke, 128pp, 60p, Target Books (Tandem), Children's, ISBN 0 426 11615 1, cover art by Chris Achilleos showing Fourth Doctor in Target logo.

    20 Mar 1983: Reprinted second edition, Target Books (WH Allen), £1.80, ISBN 0 426 11615 1

  2. 17 Jan 1974: [DWn #01] Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion, sC8 176pp, 25p, Target Books (Tandem), Children's, ISBN 426 10313 0, listed in Bookseller 16 Mar 1974, p. 1,572. 

  3. 18 Mar 1974: [DWn #02] Doctor Who and the Day of the Daleks, sC8 160pp, 30p, Target Books (Tandem), Children's, ISBN 426 10380 7, listed in Bookseller 30 Mar 1974, p. 1,805.

  4. 21 Nov 1974, [DWn #03] Doctor Who and the Abominable Snowmen, sc8, ??pp, 30p, Target Books (Tandem), Children's, ISBN 426 10583 4, listed in Bookseller 2 Nov 1974, p. 2,522.

  5. 13 Mar 1975, [DWn #04] Doctor Who and the Giant Robot, sC8 128pp, 35p, Target Books (Tandem), Children's, ISBN 426 10858 2, listed in Bookseller 29 Mar 1975, p. 1,952.

  6. 15 May 1975, [DWn #05] Doctor Who and the Terror of the Autons, sC8 128pp, 35p, Target Books (Tandem), Children's, ISBN 426 10639 3, listed in Bookseller 24 May 1975, p. 2,646.

  7. 16 Oct 1975, [DWn #06] Doctor Who and the Planet of the Spiders, sC8 128pp, 35p, Target Books (Tandem), Children's, ISBN 426 10655 5, listed in Bookseller 18 Dec 1976, p. 2,811.

  8. 20 Nov 1975, [DWn #07] Doctor Who and the Three Doctors, sC8 128pp, 35p, Target Books (Tandem), Children's, ISBN 426 10938 4, listed in Bookseller 18 Dec 1976, p. 2,811.

  9. 20 Nov 1975, [DWs #02] The Doctor Who Monster Book, Imp8 64pp, 50p, Target Books (Tandem), Children's, ISBN 426 11447 7, listed in Bookseller 17 Jan 1976, p. 195.

  10. 15 Jan 1976, [DWn #08] Doctor Who and the Loch Ness Monster, IC8 127pp, £2.25, Allan Wingate, Children's, ISBN 85523 054 1, listed in Bookseller 17 Jan 1976, p. 195.

    Paperback edition, sC8, 40p, Target Books (Tandem), ISBN 426 11041 2, listed in Bookseller 31 Jan 1976, p. 364.

  11. 28 Jan 1976, The Mounties #01 — The Great March West, IC8 128pp, £2.25, Allan Wingate, Children's, ISBN 85523 063 0, listed in Bookseller 17 Jan 1976, p. 195.

  12. ?? Apr 1976, The Mounties #02  Massacre in the Hills, D8 128pp, £2.25, Allan Wingate, Children's, ISBN 85523 067 3, listed in Bookseller 10 Apr 1976, p. 1,960.

    ?? Apr 1976, paperback edition, sC8 128pp, Target Books (Tandem), Fiction (Western), ISBN 426 11105 2, listed in Bookseller 18 Dec 1976, p. 2,811.

  13. 20 May 1976, [DWn #09] Doctor Who and the Revenge of the Cybermen, sC8 128pp, 40p, Target Books (Tandem), Children's, ISBN 426 10997 X, listed in Bookseller 18 Dec 1976, p. 2,811.

  14. 12 Jul 1976, The Mounties #03  War Drums of the Blackfoot, D8 125pp, £2.25, Allan Wingate, Children's, ISBN 85523 068 1, listed in Bookseller 17 Jul 1976, p. 231.

  15. 22 Jul 1976, [DWn #10] Doctor Who and the Genesis of the Daleks, D8 140pp, £2.25, Allan Wingate, Children's, ISBN 85523 072 X, listed in Bookseller 17 Jul 1976, p. 231.

  16. 19 Aug 1976, [DWn #11] Doctor Who and the Web of Fear, D8 127pp, £2.25, Allan Wingate, Children's, ISBN 85523 073 8, listed in Bookseller 14 Aug 1976, p. 1,348.

  17. 21 Oct 1976, [DWn #12] Doctor Who and the Planet of the Daleks, IC8 125pp, £2.50, Allan Wingate, Children's ISBN 85523 076 2, listed in Bookseller 25 Sep 1976, p. 1,950.

  18. 16 Dec 1976, [DWn #13] Doctor Who and the Pyramids of Mars, IC8 128pp, £2.50, Allan Wingate, Children's 85523 141 6, listed in Bookseller 22 Jan 1977, p. 262.

  19. 16 Dec 1976, [DWs #03] The Doctor Who Dinosaur Book, 64pp, 75p, Target Books (Tandem), Children's, ISBN  0 426 11842 1.

  20. 20 Jan 1977, [DWn #14] Doctor Who and the Carnival of Monsters, IC8 128pp, £2.50, Allan Wingate, Children's, ISBN 85523 151 3, listed in Bookseller 22 Jan 1977, p. 262.

  21. 24 Mar 1977, [DWn #15] Doctor Who and the Dalek Invasion of Earth, D8 144pp, £2.50, Allan Wingate, Children's, ISBN 85523 171 8, listed in Bookseller 26 Mar 1977, p. 1,878.

  22. 21 Apr 1977, [DWn #16] Doctor Who and the Claws of Axos, sC8 144pp, 50p, Target Books (Tandem), Children's, ISBN 426 11703 4, listed in Bookseller 23 Apr 1977, p. 2,191.

  23. 19 May 1977, [DWn #17] Doctor Who and the Brain of Morbius, IC8 139pp, £2.95, Allan Wingate, Children's, ISBN 85523 201 3, listed in Bookseller 28 May 1977, p. 2,635.

  24. 21 Jul 1977, [DWn #18] Doctor Who and the Planet of Evil, IC8 126pp, £2.95. Allan Wingate, Children's, ISBN 85523 231 5, listed in Bookseller 30 Jul 1977, p. 500.

  25. 29 Sep 1977, [DWn #19] Doctor Who and the Mutants, sC8 128pp, 60p, Target Books (Tandem), Children's, ISBN 426 11690 9, listed in Bookseller 1 Oct 1977, p. 2,325.

  26. 20 Oct 1977, [DWn #20] Doctor Who and the Deadly Assassin, IC8 121pp, £2.95, Allan Wingate, Children's, ISBN 85523 120 3, listed in Bookseller22 Oct 1977, p. 2,586.

  27. 20 Oct 1977, [DWs #04] The Second Doctor Who Monster Book, Imp8 64pp, 70p, Target Books (Tandem), Children's, ISBN 426 20001 2, listed in Bookseller 22 Oct 1977, p. 2,586.

  28. 17 Nov 1977, [DWn #21] Doctor Who and the Talons of Weng-Chiang, sC8 128pp, 60p, Target Books (Tandem), Children's, ISBN 426 11973 8, listed in Bookseller 26 Nov 1977, p. 2,996.

  29. 19 Jan 1978, [DWn #22] Doctor Who and the Face of Evil, 126pp, 60p, Target Books (Tandem), ISBN 0 426 20006 3, listed in Bookseller 28 Jan 1978, p. 377.

  30. 30 Mar 1978, [DWn #23] Doctor Who and the Horror of Fang Rock, 126pp, £2.95, ISBN 0 491 02252 2. [No Bookseller listing found.]

  31. ?? May 1978, [BSI #01] The Case of the Missing Masterpiece, sD8 128pp, £2.95, Blackie, Children's, ISBN 216 90456 0, listed in Bookseller 27 May 1978, p. 2,934.

  32. 18 May 1978, [DWn #24] Doctor Who and the Time Warrior, IC8 144pp, £2.95, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 491 02413 4, listed in Bookseller 27 May 1978, p. 2,934.

  33. 20 Jul 1978, [DWn #25] Doctor Who — Death to the Daleks, IC8 128pp, £3.25, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 491 02433 9, listed in Bookseller 26 Aug 1978, p. 1,870.

  34. 23 Oct 1978, Star Quest #01 — Spacejack, IC8 111pp, £3.25, WH Allen, Fiction (Science Fiction), ISBN 491 02415 0, listed in Bookseller 4 Nov 1978, p. 3,019.

  35. ?? Nov 1978, [BSI #02] The Case of the Fagin File, IC8 128pp, £2.95, Blackie, Children's, ISBN 216 90645 8, listed in Bookseller 16 Dec 1978, p. 3,593.

  36. 16 Nov 1978, [DWn #26] Doctor Who and the Android Invasion, IC8 126pp, £3.25, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 491 02026 0, listed in Bookseller 18 Nov 1978, p. 3,206.

  37. 18 Jan 1979, [DWn #27] Doctor Who and the Hand of Fear, IC8 128pp, £3.25, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 491 02256 5, listed in Bookseller 27 Jan 1979, p. 432.

  38. 01 Mar 1979, Star Quest #02 — Roboworld, IC8 112pp, £3.25, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 491 02336 7, listed in Bookseller 24 Mar 1979, p. 1,433.

  39. 29 Mar 1979, [DWn #28] Doctor Who and the Invisible Enemy, IC8 112pp, £3.25, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 491 02437 1, listed in Bookseller 24 Mar 1979, p. 1,433.

  40. 24 May 1979, [DWn #29] Doctor Who and the Robots of Death, £3.50, WH Allen,  ISBN 0 491 02436 3. [No Bookseller listing found.]

  41. 26 Jul 1979, [DWn #30] Doctor Who and the Image of the Fendahl, IC8 112pp, £3.50, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 491 02127 5, listed in Bookseller 28 Jul 1979, p. 462.

  42. 25 Sep 1979, [DWs #05] The Adventures of K9 and Other Mechanical Creatures, sC8 96pp, £85p, Tandem, Children's, ISBN 426 20067 5, listed in Bookseller 29 Sep 1979, p. 1,586.

  43. 25 Oct 1979, [DWs #06] Terry Nation's Dalek Special, C8 64pp, 95p, Target Books, Children's, ISBN 426 20094 2, listed in Bookseller 20 Dec 1980, p. 2,380.

  44. 22 Nov 1979, [DWn #31] Doctor Who and the Destiny of the Daleks, IC8 112pp, £3.50, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 491 02640 4, listed in Bookseller 17 Nov 1979, p. 2,304.

  45. ?? ??? 1979 [BSI #03] The Case of the Blackmail Boys, Blackie. [No Bookseller listing found.]

  46. 24 Jan 1980, [DWn #32] Doctor Who and the Underworld, IC8 128pp, £3.75, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 491 02229 8, listed in Bookseller 26 Jan 1980, p. 394.

  47. 21 Feb 1980. [DWn #33] Doctor Who and the Invasion of Time, IC8 128pp, £3.75, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 491 02439 8, listed in Bookseller 23 Feb 1980, p. 850.

  48. 20 Mar 1980, [DWn #34] Doctor Who and the Stones of Blood, IC8 128pp, £3.75, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 491 02680 3, listed in Bookseller 29 Mar 1980, p. 1,472.

  49. 24 Apr 1980, [DWn #35] Doctor Who and the Androids of Tara, IC8 128pp, £3.75, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 491 02651 X, listed in Bookseller 26 Apr 1980, p. 1,895.

  50. ?? May 1980, [BSI #04] The Case of the Cinema Swindle, IC8 128pp, £3.50, Blackie, Children's, ISBN 216 90887 6, listed in Bookseller 24 May 1980, p. 2,231.

  51. 29 May 1980, [DWn #36] Doctor Who and the Power of Kroll, IC8 128 pp, £3.95, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 491 02721 4, listed in Bookseller 24 May 1980, p. 2,231.

  52. 26 Jun 1980, [DWn #37] Doctor Who and the Armageddon Factor, IC8 128pp, £3.95, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 491 02660 9, listed in Bookseller 28 Jun 1980, p. 2,724.

  53. 21 Aug 1980, [DWn #38] Doctor Who and the Nightmare of Eden, sC8 112pp, 85p, Target Books, Children's, ISBN 426 20130 2, listed in Bookseller 20 Dec 1980, p. 2,381.

  54. ?? Oct 1980, [BSI #05] The Case of the Ghost Grabbers, C8 128pp, £3.95, Blackie, Children's, ISBN 216 90888 4, listed in Bookseller 4 Oct 1980, p. 1,515.

  55. 16 Oct 1980, [DWn #39] Doctor Who and the Horns of Nimon, IC8 112pp, £3.95, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 491 02278 6, listed in Bookseller 25 Oct 1980, p. 1,770.

  56. 20 Nov 1980, [DWn #40] Doctor Who and the Monster of Peladon, IC8 128pp, £3.95, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 491 02823 7, listed in Bookseller 15 Nov 1980, p. 2,000.

  57. ?? Apr 1981, [BSI #06] The Case of the Cop Catchers, C8 128pp, £4.50, Blackie, Children's, ISBN 216 91062 5, listed in Bookseller 2 May 1981, p. 1,604.

    (?? Jun 1981, audiobook version of Doctor Who — State of Decayread by Tom Baker, single audio cassette, £2,.25, Pickwick Talking Books. Abridged version of the novelisation, released ahead of its publication; see 17 Sep, below.)

  58. 20 Aug 1981, Star Quest #03 — Terrorsaur, IC8 128pp, £4.50, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 491 02701 X, listed in Bookseller 22 Aug 1981, p. 679.

  59. 17 Sep 1981, [DWn #41] Doctor Who and the State of Decay, IC8 128pp, £4.50, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 491 02953 5, listed in Bookseller 19 Sep 1981, p. 1,084.

  60. 15 Oct 1981, [DWn #42] Doctor Who and An Unearthly Child, sC8 128pp, £1.25, Target Books, Children's, ISBN 426 20144 2, listed in Bookseller 17 Oct 1981, p. 1,433.

  61. ?? Oct 1981, [Monsters #01] Cry Vampire!, C8 128pp, £5.25, Blackie, Children's, ISBN 216 91126 5, listed in Bookseller 24 Oct 1981, p. 1,488.

  62. ?? Mar 1982, [Monsters #02] Marvin's Monster, D8 122pp, £5.25, Blackie, Children's, ISBN 216 91179 6, listed in Bookseller 27 Mar 1982, p. 1,246.

  63. 20 May 1982, [DWn #43] Doctor Who and the Keeper of Traken, sC8 128pp, Target Books, Children's, ISBN 426 20148 5, listed in Bookseller 22 May 1982, p. 1,964.

  64. ?? Jul 1982, Ask Oliver #01 — The Mystery of the Missing Diamond, D8 56pp, £3.95, Pepper Press, Children's, ISBN 237 45636 2, listed in Bookseller 21 Aug 1982, p. 725.

  65. 14 Oct 1982, [Monsters #03] Wereboy!, C8, 120pp, £5.95, Blackie, Children's, ISBN 216 91308 X, listed in Bookseller 23 Oct 1982, p. 1,567.

  66. ?? Oct 1982, Ask Oliver #02 — The Mystery of the Haunted Hospital, D8 60pp, £3.95, Pepper Press, Children's, ISBN 0 237 45643 5, listed in Bookseller 5 Mar 1983, p. 870.

  67. 18 Nov 1982, [DWn #44] Doctor Who and the Sunmakers, sC8 128pp, £1.25, Target Books, Children's, ISBN 426 20059 4, listed in Bookseller 20 Nov 1982, p. 1,929.

  68. 17 Feb 1983, [DWn 45] Doctor Who — Meglos, C8 126pp, £5.25, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 0 491 03150 5, listed in Bookseller 26 Feb 1983, p. 758.

  69. 28 Feb 1983, Ask Oliver #03 — The Mystery of the Smuggler’s Treasure, D8 160pp, £3.95, Pepper Press, Children's, ISBN 0 237 45663 X, listed in Bookseller 5 Mar 1983, p. 870.

  70. 24 Mar 1983, [Monsters #04] Demon of the Dark, C8 120pp, £5.95, Blackie, Children's, ISBN 0 216 91360 8, listed in Bookseller 26 Mar 1983, p. 1,182.

  71. 14 Apr 1983, [DWn #46] Doctor Who — Four to Doomsday, C8 128, £5.95, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 0 491 03450 4, listed in Bookseller 23 Apr 1983, p. 1,541.

  72. 21 Jul 1983, [DWn #47] Doctor Who — Arc of Infinity, IC8 128, £5.50, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 0 491 03061 4, listed in Bookseller 23 Jul 1983, p. 419.

  73. ?? Oct 1983, [Monsters #05] War of the Witches, C8 112pp, £5.95, Blackie, Children's, ISBN 0 216 91471 X, listed in Bookseller 5 Nov 1983, p. 1,927.

  74. 24 Nov 1983, [DWn #48] Doctor Who — The Five Doctors, sC8 128, £1.50, Target Books, Children's, ISBN 0 426 19510 8, listed in Bookseller 26 Nov 1983, p. 2,180.

  75. 08 Dec 1983, [DWn #49] Doctor Who — Kinda, C8 128pp, £5.95, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 0 491 03121 1, listed in Bookseller 10 Dec 1983, p. 2,387.

  76. 21 Jan 1984, [DWn #50] Doctor Who — Snakedance, C8 128pp, £5.95, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 0 491 03151 3, listed in Bookseller 14 Jan 1984, p. 162.

  77. ?? Feb 1984, Ask Oliver #04 — The Mystery of the Missing Train, D8 56pp, illustrated by Valerie Littlewood, £4.50, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 0 946826 03 X, listed in Bookseller 25 Feb 1984, p. 841.

  78. ?? Feb 1984, [Goliath #01] Goliath and the Burglar, D8 56pp, illustrated by Valerie Littlewood, £4.50, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 0 946826 00 5, listed in Bookseller 25 Feb 1984, p. 841.

  79. 24 May 1984, [DWn #51] Doctor Who — Warriors of the Deep, IC8 128pp, £5.95, WH Allen, Children's, ISBN 0 491 03302 8, listed in Bookseller 19 May 1984, p. 2,104.

  80. ?? May 1984, [Goliath #02] Goliath and the Buried Treasure, C8 64pp, £4.50, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 0 946826 25 0, listed in Bookseller 19 May 1984, p. 2,104.

  81. 16 Jul 1984, Ask Oliver #05 — The Fireworks Mystery, C8 64pp, £4.50, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 0 946826 20 X, listed in Bookseller 21 Jul 1984, p. 318.

  82. 19 Jul 1984, [DWn #52] Doctor Who — Inferno, C8 128pp, £5.95, WH Allen, Fiction (science-fiction), ISBN 0 491 03143 2, listed in Bookseller 21 Jul 1984, p. 318.

  83. 27 Sep 1984, [Goliath #03] Goliath and the Dognappers, C8 64pp, £4.50, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 0 946826 50 1, listed in Bookseller 29 Sep 1984, p. 1,445.

  84. ?? Oct 1984, [Monsters #06] Ghosts of Gallows Cross, C8 112pp, £6.50, Blackie, Children's, ISBN 0 216 91643 7, listed in Bookseller 20 Oct 1984, p. 1,719.

  85. 15 Nov 1984, [DWn #53] Doctor Who — The Caves of Androzani, C8 144pp, £5.95, WH Allen, Fiction (science-fiction), ISBN 0 491 03483 0, listed in Bookseller 17 Nov 1984, p. 2,071.

  86. ?? Jan 1985, T.R. Bear #01 — Enter T.R.!, IC8 64pp, £4.50, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 0 946826 16 1, listed in Bookseller 2 Feb 1985, p. 479.

  87. ?? Feb 1985, Ask Oliver #06 — Vicky's Victory, C8 64pp, £4.75, Piccadilly Press, Children's ISBN 0 946826 26 9, listed in Bookseller 23 Feb 1985, p. 787.

  88. 21 Mar 1985, [DWn #54] Doctor Who — The Mind of Evil, C8 144pp, £5.95, WH Allen, Fiction (science-fiction), ISBN 0 491 03333 8, listed in Bookseller 23 Mar 1985, p. 1,318.

  89. ?? Mar 1985, [Goliath #04] Goliath on Holiday, C8 64pp, £4.95, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 0 946826 36 6, listed in 23 Mar 1985, p. 1,318.

  90. 12 Jun 1985, [DWn #55] Doctor Who — The Krotons, C8 128pp, £6.25, WH Allen, Fiction (science-fiction), ISBN 0 491 03550 0, listed in Bookseller 22 Jun 1985, p. 2,568.

  91. ?? Jun 1985, T.R. Bear #02 — T.R. Goes to School, C8 64pp, £4.95, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 0 946826 41 2, listed in Bookseller 22 Jun 1985, p. 2,568.

  92. 12 Sep 1985, [DWn #56] Doctor Who — The Time Monster, IC8 144pp, £6.25, WH Allen, Fiction (science-fiction), ISBN 0 491 03870 4, listed in Bookseller 21 Sep 1985, p. 1,281.

  93. 12 Sep 1985, Ask Oliver #07 — Gupta’s Christmas, £4.95, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 0 946826 19 6, partially listed in Bookseller 5 Oct 1985, p. 1,480.

  94. ?? Oct 1985, T.R. Bear #03 — T.R.'s Day Out, C8 64pp, £4.95, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 0 946826 17 X, listed in Bookseller 12 Oct 1985, p. 1,572.

  95. ?? Feb 1986, [BSI #07] The Disappearing Diplomat, C8 128pp, £6.50, Blackie, Children's, ISBN 0 216 91895 2, listed in Bookseller 22 Feb 1986, p. 769.

  96. ?? Feb 1986, [Goliath #05] Goliath at the Dog Show, C8 64pp, £4.95, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 0 946828 24 2, listed in Bookseller 19 Dec 1986, p. 2,461.

  97. ?? Mar 1986,  T.R. Bear #04 — T. R. Afloat, C8 64pp, illustrated by Susan Hellard, £4.95, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 0 946826 28 5, listed in Bookseller 22 Mar 1986, p. 1,239.

  98. 15 May 1986, Camden Street Kids #01 — In the Money, C8 72pp, illustrated by Ruth Benton, £4.95, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 0 946826 33 1, listed in Bookseller 17 May 1986, p. 1,981.

  99. 17 Jul 1986, [DWn #57]  Doctor Who — The Seeds of Death, C8 160pp, £6.95, WH Allen, Fiction (science-fiction), ISBN 0 491 03662 0, listed in Bookseller 19 Jul 1986, p. 294.

  100. 21 Aug 1986, Camden Street Kids #02 — On TV, sD8 72pp, illustrated by Ruth Benton, £4.95, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 0 946827 44 7, listed in Bookseller 23 Aug 1986, p. 830.

  101. ?? Sep 1986, [BSI #08] The Comic Crooks, C8 128pp, £6.50, Blackie, Children's, ISBN 0 216 91942 8, listed in Bookseller 26 Sep 1985, p. 1,351.

  102. ?? Sep 1986, T.R. Bear #05 — T. R.'s Halloween, C8 64pp, £4.95, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 0 946826 49 8, listed in Bookseller 26 Sep 1985, p. 1,351.

  103. 09 Oct 1986, [Goliath #06] Goliath's Christmas, C8 64pp, £4.95, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 0 946826 57 9, listed in Bookseller 10 Oct 1986, p. 1,542.

  104. 11 Dec 1986, [DWn #58] Doctor Who — The Faceless Ones, IC8 144pp, £7.25, WH Allen, Fiction (science-fiction), ISBN 0 491 03692 2, listed in Bookseller 5 Dec 1986, p. 2,286.

  105. 26 Feb 1987, Camden Street Kids #03 — By the Sea, C8 72pp, illustrated by Ruth Benton, £4.95, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 0 946826 68 4, listed in Bookseller 27 Feb 1987, p. 801.

  106. ?? Apr 1987, T.R. Bear #06 — T. R.'s Festival, C8 64pp, illustrated by Susan Hellard, £?, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 0 946826 73 0.

    This ISBN is listed with the title T.R.'s Big Game in Bookseller 10 Apr 1987, p. 1,464. But three months later, the Bookseller of 26 June 1987, p. 2,411 lists two separate titles: T. R.'s Festival (with this ISBN, 0 946826 73 0) and T. R.'s Big Game (ISBN 0 946826 88 9). The larger number suggests Big Game was pushed back in the schedule and published after T. R's Festival, so my guess is Festival in April and Big Game in June. 

  107. ?? Apr 1987, [BSI #09] The Haunted Holiday, IC8 112pp, £6.95, Blackie, Children's, ISBN 0 216 92101 5, listed in Bookseller 17 Apr 1987, p. 1,555.

  108. ?? Apr 1987, [Goliath #07] Goliath's Easter Parade, C8 60pp, illustrated by Valerie Littlewood, £4.95, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 0 946826 79 X, listed in Bookseller 24 Apr 1987, p. 1,633.

  109. 21 May 1987, [DWn #59] Doctor Who — The Ambassadors of Death, C8 144pp, £7.50, WH Allen, Fiction (science-fiction), ISBN 0 491 03712 0, listed in Bookseller 22 May 1987, p. 1,993.

  110. ?? Jun 1987, T.R. Bear #07 — T. R.'s Big Game, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 0 946826 88 9, as cited in Bookseller 26 June 1987, p. 2411; but see note above re T. R.'s Festival (April 1987).

  111. 20 Aug 1987, Camden Street Kids #04 — School Fair, C8 65pp, £4.95, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 0 946826 87 0, listed in Bookseller 21 Aug 1987, p. 826.

  112. 17 Sep 1987, Sally Ann #01 — On Her Own, C8 54pp, illustrated by Deborah van der Beek, £4.95, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 0 946826 94 3, listed in Bookseller 18 Sep 1987, p. 1,246.

  113. ?? Sep 1987, [BSI #10] The Criminal Computer, Post8 112pp, £6.95, Blackie, Children's, ISBN 0 216 92310 7, listed in Bookseller 25 Sep 1987, p. 1,333.

  114. 12 Nov 1987, [Goliath #08] Goliath Goes to Summer School, IC8 64pp, £4.95, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 0 946826 92 7, listed in Bookseller 13 Nov 1987, p. 1,984.

  115. 19 Nov 1987, [DWn #60] Doctor Who — The Mysterious Planet, C8 144pp, £7.95, WH Allen, Fiction (science-fiction), ISBN 0 491 03096 7, listed in Bookseller 20 Nov 1987, p. 2,064.

  116. 21 Jan 1988, The Adventures of Buster and Betsy #01 — A New Beginning, C8 64, £5.25, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 001 7, listed in Bookseller 22 Jan 1988, p. 284.

  117. 17 Mar 1988, [DWn #61] Doctor Who — The Wheel in Space, sC8 144pp, £7.95, WH Allen, Fiction (science-fiction), ISBN 0 491 03356 7, listed in Bookseller 18 Mar 1988, p. 1,188.

  118. ?? Mar 1988, Sally Ann #02 — Sally Ann's School Play, C8 64pp, £5.25, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 008 4, listed in Bookseller 18 Mar 1988, p. 1,188.

    Published in the US as Sally Ann's School Show.

  119. ?? Apr 1988, T. R. Bear #08 — T. R. Goes to Hollywood, C8 64pp, £5.25, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 004 1, listed in Bookseller 15 Apr 1988, p. 1,565.

  120. ?? May 1988, The Adventures of Buster and Betsy #02 — In Trouble, C8 64pp, £5.25, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 013 0, listed in Bookseller 27 May 1988, p. 2,103.

  121. ?? May 1988, Jonathan's Ghost, C8 80pp, £5.25, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 011 4, listing in Bookseller 27 May 1988, p. 2,103.

    When this became the first in the Jonathan's Ghost trilogy, it was renamed The School Spirit.

  122. 16 Jun 1988, [DWn #62] Doctor Who — The Smugglers, Target Books, ISBN 0 426 20328 3, no Bookseller listing found.

  123. 23 Jun 1988, [Goliath #09] Goliath at the Seaside, C8 64pp, £5.25, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 015 7, listed in Bookseller 1 Jul 1988, p. 52.

  124. ?? Aug 1988, Sally Ann #03 — Sally Ann's Picnic, IC8 64pp, £5.25, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 017 3, listed in Bookseller 5 Aug 1988, p. 571.

    Published in the US as Sally Ann and the Mystery Picnic.

  125. ?? Oct 1988, T. R. Bear #09 — T. R. Bear Goes Skiing, C8 64pp, £5.25, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 028 9, listed in Bookseller 14 Oct 1988, p. 1,555.

  126. 10 Nov 1988, Sally Ann #04 — Sally Ann Goes to Hospital, C8 64pp, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 035 1, listed in Bookseller 11 Nov 1988, p. 1,956.

    Published in the US as Nurse Sally Ann.

  127. ?? Jan 1989, Jonathan's Ghost #02 — Spitfire Summer, 20cm 64pp, £5.25, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 033 5, listed in Bookseller 27 Jan 1989, p. 326.

  128. ?? Feb 1989, [Goliath #10] Sports Day, 20cm 64pp, £5.25, Piccadilly Press, Children's, 1 85340 041 6, listed in Bookseller 31 Mar 1989, p. 1,193.

  129. 13 Apr 1989,  A Cat Called Max #01 Magnificent Max, 20cm 64pp, £5.25, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 039 4, listed in Bookseller 14 Apr 1989, p. 1,345.

  130. ?? May 1989, T. R. Bear #10 — T. R. Bear Down Under, 20cm 64pp, £5.25, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 042 4, listed in Bookseller 26 May 1989, p. 1,812.

  131. 13 July 1989, The Adventures of Buster and Betsy #03 — The River Rats, Piccadilly Press, no Bookseller listing found.

  132. 24 Aug 1989,  T. R. Bear #11 — T. R. Bear in New York, Piccadilly Press, no Bookseller listing found.

  133. 24 Aug 1989, Sally Ann #05 — At the Ballet, Piccadilly Press, no Bookseller listing found.

  134. 05 Oct 1989, [Goliath #11] Goliath and the Cub Scouts, Piccadilly Press, no Bookseller listing found.

  135. 18 Jan 1990, [DWn #63] Doctor Who — Planet of Giants, Target Books, no Bookseller listing found.

  136. 25 Jan 1990, A Cat Called Max #02 — Max and the Quiz Kids, 13cm 64pp, £5.25, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 84340 058 0, listed in Bookseller 26 Jan 1990, p. 301.

  137. 15 Mar 1990, [DWn #64] Doctor Who — The Space Pirates, 18cm 144pp, £2.50, Target Books, Fiction (science-fiction), ISBN 0 426 20346 1, listed in Bookseller 16 Mar 1990, p. 902.

  138. 22 Mar 1990, Meet the Macmagics, 20cm 96pp, £6.95, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 070 X, listed in Bookseller 23 Mar 1990, p. 1,024.

  139. 22 Mar 1990, Sally Ann #06 — The Pony, 20cm 64pp, £5.95, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 071 8, listed in Bookseller 23 Mar 1990, p. 1,024.

  140. 19 Apr 1990,  T. R. Bear #12 — T. R. Bear at the Zoo, Piccadilly Press, no Bookseller listing found.

  141. ?? May 1990, [Goliath #12] Goliath's Birthday, 20cm 64pp, £5.95, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 075 0, listed in Bookseller 18 May 1990, p. 1,609.

  142. ?? May 1990, Prisoners of War, 20cm 128pp, Methuen Children's Books, Children's, ISBN 0 416 15052 7, listed in Bookseller 25 May 1990, p. 1,674.

  143. ?? ??? 1990, A Cat Called Max #03 — Majestic Max, 64pp, illustrated by Toni Goffe, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 078 5. No Bookseller listing found, position in list based on ISBNs of other Piccadilly titles.

  144. ?? ??? 1990, The Macmagics #02 — My Brother the Vampire, illustrated by Celia Canning, 91pp, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 080 7. No Bookseller listing found, position in list based on ISBNs of other Piccadilly titles.

  145. 20 Sep 1990, Sally Ann #07 — Stella's Wedding, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 098 X no Bookseller listing found.

  146. ?? Nov 1990, [Goliath #13] Teacher's Pet, Piccadilly Press, no Bookseller listing found.

  147. ?? Dec 1990, MY Book #01 — My Day at the Zoo, illustrated by Hanan Kaminiski, ages 2-5, MY Book Ltd.

    The (Dublin) Evening Herald, 1 December 1990, p. 31, explains that the "MY Book series of ten adventure yarns ... you can see your name in print, or your family or friends and even your pet cat or dog if you wish. ... Each title caters for a different age group between the 2-10 range. ... You can choose from five languages — English, French, Spanish, German and Italian — and I'm told an Irish version is on the way." The piece cites four titles, all by Dicks and Kaminski (though the last was actually illustrated by Gale Pitt).

  148. ?? Dec 1990, MY Book #02  The Man in the Moon and Me, illustrated by Hannan Kaminski, ages 2-4, MY Book Ltd.
     
  149. ?? Dec 1990, MY Book #03 — The Day We Saved the Circus, illustrated by Hanan Kaminiski, ages 4-9, MY Book Ltd.

  150. ?? Dec 1990, MY Book #04 — My Secret Planet, illustrated by Gale Pitt, ages 5-10, MY Book Ltd.

    The following year, there were 11 MY Book titles advertised in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle (19 Nov 1991, p 22): it cited The Day We Saved the Circus and The Man in the Moon and Me as above, plus My Birthday and My Best Christmas Ever.

    By 1993, there were 14 titles in the range (Uxbridge and West Drayton Gazette, 8 Sep 1993, p. 17), and Terrance Dicks is cited as "one of the authors". So, we can be reasonably sure he wrote 10 of these books in 1990, and then other authors contributed to the range. I've found Terrance's name on two further titles:

  151. ?? Dec 1990, MY Book #05  How We Caught the Wicked Witch, illustrated by Hanan Kaminski, MY Book Ltd.

  152. ?? Dec 1990, MY Book #06  The Great Elephant Rescue, illustrated by Gale Pitt, MY Book Ltd.

    My guess is that Terrance was also the author of:

  153. ?? Dec 1990, MY Book #07 —  My Trip Over London in a Balloon, ages 4-10, MY Book Ltd.

    And that means he probably wrote three of the following: My Best Christmas Ever; How I Saved Christmas, ages 2-5; Our Day on the Farm, ages 2-5; My Camping Adventure, ages 3-8; My Birthday; The Rainbow Adventure; Football story, title unknown. For the moment I'll list these as:

  154. ?? Dec 1990, MY Book #08, details unknown
  155. ?? Dec 1990, MY Book #09, details unknown
  156. ?? Dec 1990, MY Book #10, details unknown

  157. ?? Jan 1991 [Goliath #15] On Their Own, illustrated by Valerie Littlewood, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 132 3. No Bookseller listing found, position in list based on ISBNs of other Piccadilly titles.

  158. ?? Feb 1991, A Cat Called Max #04 — Max's Amazing Summer, 13cm 64pp, £5.95, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 140 4, listed in Bookseller 22 Feb 1991, p. 548.

  159. 08 Mar 1991, Winjin' Pom by Terrance Dicks and Richard Carpenter [written by the former, based on TV scripts by the latter], 128pp, Piper (Macmillan Children's Books), ISBN 0330320890. No Bookseller listing found.

  160. 28 Mar 1991, What's Going on William?, 21cm 32pp, illustrated by Adriano Gon, £6.95, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 135 8, listed in Bookseller 29 Mar 1991, p. 992.

  161. ?? Apr 19991,  The Macmagics #03 — A Spell for My Sister, 20cm 64pp, £5.95, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 155 2, listed in Bookseller 26 Apr 1991, p. 1,250.

  162. 30 May 1991, [Goliath #13] The Big Match, 20cm 64pp, £5.95, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 175 7, listed in Bookseller 10 May 1991, p. 1,393.

  163. ?? Jun 1991, Jonathan's Ghost #03 —Jonathan and the Superstar, 20cm 96pp, £6.95, Piccadilly Press, Children's, listed in Bookseller 28 Jun 1991, p. 284.

  164. 15 Aug 1991, [DWo #01] Doctor Who — Timewyrm: Exodus, 18cm 240pp, £3.50, Target Books [says Bookseller], Fiction (science-fiction), ISBN 0 426 20357 7, listed in Bookseller 16 Aug 1991, p. 420.

  165. ?? ???? 1991, Blackie Bears #01 — Lost Property, Blackie, ISBN 0 216 92926 1. No Bookseller listing found, but ISBN is lower than that for other books in Blackie Bears series so was surely published first.

  166. ?? Aug 1991, Blackie Bears #02  George and the Dragon, illustrated by R Geary, 20cm 48pp, £3.50, Blackie, Children's, ISBN 0 216 93116 9, listed in Bookseller 11 Oct 1991, p. 1,065. 

  167. ?? Oct 1991, Europe United, illustrated by Ray Jelliffe, 23cm 144pp, £9.95, Piccadilly Press, Children's [non-fiction], ISBN 1 85340 141 2, listed in Bookseller 1 Nov 1991, p. 1,320.

  168. ?? Nov 1991, [Goliath #14] Goliath Gets a Job, 20cm 64pp, £5.95, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 166 8, listed in Bookseller 29 Nov 1991, p. 1,603.

  169. 28 Feb 1992, A Cat Called Max #05 — Max and the Cat Burglar, illustrated by Toni Goffe, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 176 5. No Bookseller listing found and note that the ISBN number is larger than the Max book published in October.

  170. 04 Jun 1992, Knightschool, illustrated by Merlin Currie, 78pp, Knight paperback, ISBN 978 0340562437. No Bookseller listing found.

  171. 16 Jul 1992, A Riot of Writers — A Romp Through Literature, illustrated by Ray Jelliffe, 160pp, Piccadilly, ISBN 9781853401428. No Bookseller listing found.

  172. 24 Sep 1992, A Riot of Irish Writers: A Romp Through Irish Literature, illustrated by Ray Jelliffe, 20 cm 64pp, £6.99, Piccadilly Press, Humour [non-fiction], ISBN 1 85340 184 6, listed in Bookseller 25 Sep 1992, p. 940.

  173. 29 Oct 1992, A Cat Called Max #06  Max and the Missing Megastar, illustrated by Toni Goffe, 20cm 64pp, £6.99, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 103 X, listed in Bookseller 30 Oct 1992, p. 1,338.

  174. ?? Nov 1992, Blackie Bears #03  Steaming Sam, 20cm 48pp, £3.99, Blackie, Children's, ISBN 0 216 93299 8, listed in Bookseller 27 Nov 1992, p. 1,632.

    ?? ??? 1992, The Comic Capers 
    I've seen several references to this book but can't trace any details beyond the title and year of publication. It may be an alternative title for a previous book, perhaps a US edition of [BSI #08] The Comic Crooks, first published in Sep 1986. Until I can find out more, I've left it off the count.

  175. 01 Jul 1993, Uproar in the House — 700 Years of Lies, Scandal and Politics, illustrated by Richard Robinson, introduction by Lord Weatherill, 165pp, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 230 2. No Bookseller listing found. Book launch held in House of Commons, 30 June 1993, as reported in The Times on 1 Jul, p. 16.

  176. 29 Jul 1993, The Littlest Dinosaur, illustrated by Bethan Matthews, 19cm 48pp, £3.99, Gazelle Books (Hamish Hamilton), Children's, ISBN 0 241 13382 3, listed in Bookseller 30 Jul 1993, p. 72.

  177. ?? Aug 1993, [Goliath #16] Goliath and the School Bully, illustrated by Paul McCaffrey, 20cm 64pp, £6.99, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 201 X, listed in Bookseller 27 Aug 1993, p. 64.

  178. ?? Sep 1993, A Cat Called Max #07  Max's Old-fashioned Christmas, illustrated by Toni Goffe, 20cm 64pp, £6.99, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 236 2, listed in Bookseller 1 Oct 1993, p. 58.

  179. 31 Mar 1994, Chronicles of a Computer Game Addict #01— The Ultimate Game, illustrated by Laura Beaumont, 20cm 64pp, £6.99, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 272 9, listed in Bookseller 1 Apr 1994, p. 39.

  180. 31 Mar 1994, Cold Blood vol. 2: Killing Time, 168pp, Puffin, ISBN 0140904017. No Bookseller listing found. [Published the same day as vol. 1, Final Act by Robin Campbell; vol. 3 Nightmare Rave by Alan Durant and vol. 4 Terminal Agreement by Richard Tate both published 26 May.]

  181. 26 May 1994, The Littlest Dinosaur #02  Littlest on Guard, illustrated by Bethan Matthews, 19cm 48pp, £4.50, Gazelle Books (Hamish Hamilton), Children's, ISBN 0 241 13383 1, listed in Bookseller 27 May 1994, p. 51.

  182. 23 Jun 1994, A Right Royal History — A Thousand Years of Mixed-Up Monarchs, illustrated by Kathryn Lamb, 26cm 176pp, £10.99, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 248 6, listed in Bookseller 1 Jul 1994, p. 66.

  183. 21 Jul 1994, [DWo #02] Doctor Who — Blood Harvest, 18cm 272pp, £4.99, Doctor Who Books (Virgin), Fiction (science-fiction), ISBN 0 426 20417 4, listed in Bookseller 22 Jul 1994, p. 50.

  184. 03 Nov 1994, Woof! The Never Ending Tale, 20c, 144pp, £3.50, Puffin Books, Children's, ISBN 0 14 037244 X, listed in Bookseller 4 Nov 1994, p. 55.

  185. 24 Nov 1994, Chronicles of a Computer Game Addict #02 — Cyberspace Adventure, illustrated by Laura Beaumont, 20cm 96pp, £7.99, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 279 6, listed in Bookseller 25 Nov 1994, p. 55.

  186. ?? ??? 1994, Terror in the Swamp, Carol Publishing Corporation, ISBN 9785551147428. No Bookseller listing found.

  187. 06 Mar 1995, Escape from Everytown, illustrated by Chris Priestley, 19cm 95pp, £2.75, Longman Book Project (Pearson Education), School textbooks, ISBN 0 582 12202 3, listed in Bookseller 24 Mar 1995, p. 80.

  188. 01 Apr 1995, Horrorscopes — Aries: Blood Storm as by “Maria Palmer”, aka Terrance Dicks, 130pp, £2.99, Mammoth, ISBN 0 7497 1860 9. One of series of 12 young-adult horror books all by “Maria Palmer”, aka JH Brennan, Theresa Breslin, Paul Cornell, Anthony Masters, Dave Morris, Alick Rowe, Ian C Strachan, Lisa Tuttle; see Locus Index to Science-Fiction: 1984-1988.

  189. 29 Jun 1995, The Littlest Dinosaur #03 —Littlest Disappears, illustrated by Bethan Matthews, 55pp, Hamish Hamilton, ISBN 9780241135198. No Bookseller listing found.

  190. 01 Jul 1995, The Good, the Bad and the Ghastly #01— World War Two, illustrated by Kathryn Lamb, 23cm 176pp, £10.99, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 395 4, listed in Bookseller 14 Jul 1995, p. 45.

  191. 31 Aug 1995, Harvey #01 — Harvey to the Rescue, illustrated by Susan Hellard, 20cm 64pp, £6.99, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 375 X, listed in Bookseller 1 Sep 1995, p. 41.

  192. 16 Nov 1995, Chronicles of a Computer Game Addict #03 — Virtual Unreality, illustrated by Laura Beaumont, 20cm 96pp, £7.99, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 321 0, listed in Bookseller 24 Nov 1995, p. 41.

  193. 07 Dec 1995, [DWo #03] Doctor Who — Shakedown, 18cm 272pp, £4.99, Doctor Who Books (Virgin), Fiction (science-fiction), ISBN 0 426 20459 X, listed in Bookseller 8 Dec 1995, p. 52.

  194. ?? Feb 1996, Harvey #02 — Harvey on Holiday, illustrated by Susan Hellard, 20cm 64pp, £6.99, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 366 0, listed in Bookseller 2 Feb 1996, p. 49.

  195. 01 May 1996, The Good, the Bad & the Ghastly #02 — The Wild West, illustrated by Kathryn Lamb, 20cm 192pp, £10.99, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 304 0, listed in Bookseller 31 May 1996, p. 44.

  196. 01 May 1996, The Good, the Bad & the Ghastly #03 — World War One, illustrated by Kathryn Lamb, 176pp, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 312 5. No Bookseller listing found. 

  197. 02 May 1996, Who Wrote That? An Instant Guide to Literature, illustrated by Ray Jelliffe, 18cm, £3.99, Red Fox, Children's, ISBN 0 09 963311 6, listed in Bookseller 3 May 1996, p. 45. This may be a revised version of A Riot of Writers (Piccadilly, 16 Jul 1992). 

  198. 27 Jun 1996, Harvey #03 — Harvey and the Beast of Bodmin, illustrated by Susan Hellard, 20cm 64pp, £6.99, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 393 8, listed in Bookseller 28 Jun 1996, p. 50.

  199. 27 Jun 1996, Murder on the Net — Discover the Internet Through and Exciting Murder Mystery Game by Julian Ellison and Terrance Dicks, 23cm 224pp plus disk, £16.99, BBC, Fiction (mystery), ISBN 0 563 37199 4, listed in Bookseller 28 June 1996, p. 60.

  200. 01 Oct 1996, The Unexplained #01 — The Wollagong Incident, 20cm 96pp, £8.99, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 415 2, listed in Bookseller 25 Oct 1996, p. 53.

  201. 06 Feb 1997,  Harvey #04 — Harvey Goes to School, illustrated by Susan Hellard, 20cm 64pp, £8.99, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 480 2, listed in Bookseller 28 February 1997, p. 44.

  202. 27 Feb 1997, True Stories — Horror (30 short stories), 20 cm 352pp, £4.99, Robinson Publishing, Children's, ISBN 1 85487 457 8, listed in Bookseller 28 Feb 1997, p. 44.

  203. 24 Apr 1997, The Unexplained #02 — The Bermuda Triangle Incident, 20cm 96pp, £8.99, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 446 2, listed in Bookseller 25 April 1997, p. 57.

  204. 02 Jun 1997, [DWo #04] Doctor Who — The Eight Doctors, 18cm 288pp, £4.99, BBC Books, Fiction (science-fiction), ISBN 0 563 40563 5, listed in Bookseller 6 Jun 1997, p. 53.

  205. 23 Oct 1997, The Unexplained #03 — The Circle of Death Incident, 20cm 96pp, £9.99, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 467 5, listed in Bookseller 24 Oct 1997, p. 52.

  206. 13 Nov 1997, Harvey #05 — Harvey and the Swindlers, illustrated by Susan Hellard, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 448 1. No Bookseller listing found.

  207. 01 Dec 1997, [DWo #05] Mean Streets, 18cm 272pp, £4.99, Virgin Books, Fiction (science-fiction), ISBN 0 426 20519 7, listed in Bookseller 5 Dec 1997, p. 48. [Although it doesn't feature the Doctor, this is set in the same universe as other books in the range and includes TV monsters the Ogrons.]

  208. 19 Mar 1998, Chronicles of a Computer Game Addict #04 — Internet Danger, 20cm 80pp, £8.99, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 540 X, listed in Bookseller 27 Mar 1998, p. 46.

  209. 05 May 1998, [DWo #06] Doctor Who — Catastrophea, 18cm 288pp, £4.99, BBC Books, Fiction (science-fiction), ISBN 0 563 40584 8, listed in Bookseller 9 May 1998, p. 47.

  210. 11 Jun 1998, The Unexplained #04 — The Borley Rectory Incident, 20cm 96pp, £9.99, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 535 3, listed in Bookseller 26 June 1998, p. 54.

  211. 01 Oct 1998, The Unexplained #05 — The Transylvanian Incident, 20cm 96pp, £9.99, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 469 1, listed in Bookseller 30 Oct 1998, p. 57.

  212. ?? Oct 1998, Changing Universe #01 — SS World, 20cm 128pp, £9.99, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 531 0, listed in Bookseller 30 Oct 1998, p. 57.

  213. ?? Mar 1999,  The Unexplained #06 — The Easter Island Incident, 20cm 96pp, £9.99, Piccadilly Press, Children's, ISBN 1 85340 508 6, listed in Bookseller 26 Mar 1999, p. 75.

  214. 06 April 1999, [DWo #07] Doctor Who — Players, 18cm 288pp, BBC Books, ISBN 0 563 55573 4.

  215. 18 Jun 1999, Sam the Detective, illustrated by Judith Lawton, 65pp, Barrington Stoke, ISBN 1 90226 019 8.

  216. 01 Jul 1999, Changing Universe #02 — Eco Crash, 157pp, Piccadilly Press,  ISBN 1 85340 507 5.

  217. 26 Aug 1999, The Unexplained #07 — The Pyramid Incident, 94pp, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 599 0.

  218. 25 Nov 1999, The Unexplained #08 — The Mafia Incident, 96pp, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 670 6.

  219. 02 Mar 2000, Changing Universe #03 — The Mars Project, 153pp, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 584 6.

  220. 01 May 2000, The Unexplained #09 — The Chinese Ghost Incident, 96pp. Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 611 9.

  221. 14 Sep 2000, Second Sight #01 — Cassie and the Devil’s Charm, 120pp, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 637 9.

  222. 20 Oct 2000, Sci-fi Danger, set of six 32pp books “selected by David Orme”, written by Helen Bird, Martin Davies, Terrance Dicks, Maureen Lewis, David Orme and Gareth Prices respectively, for Pelican Guided Reading and Writing (Longman), ISBN 978-0582433328.

  223. 06 Nov 2000, [DWo #08] Doctor Who — Endgame, BBC Books, ISBN 0 563 53822 8.

  224. 11 Jan 2001, The Unexplained #10 — The Nazi Dagger Incident, 94pp, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 647 8.

  225. 01 Mar 2001, Second Sight #02— Cassie and the Conway Curse, 128pp, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 613 3.

  226. 31 Mar 2001,  The Unexplained #11 — The Inca Alien Incident, 96pp, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 663 8.

  227. 29 Aug 2001, Second Sight #03— Cassie and the Cornish Ghost, 127pp, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 683 6.

  228. 06 Sep 2001, The Unexplained #12 — The Bombay Deaths Incident, 96pp, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 730 7.

  229. 31 Jan 2002, Second Sight #04— Cassie and the Riviera Crime, 128pp, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 735 2.

  230. 06 May 2002, [DWo #09] Doctor Who — Warmonger, 288pp. BBC Books, ISBN 0 563 53852 X.

  231. 06 Jun 2002, Nikki and the Drugs Queen Murder, Piccadilly Press, ISBN 1 85340 716 X.

  232. 03 Nov 2003, [DWo #10] Doctor Who — Deadly Reunion by Terrance Dicks and Barry Letts, 288pp, BBC, ISBN 0 563 48610 4.

  233. 06 Oct 2005, [DWo #11] Doctor Who — World Game, 288pp, BBC Books, ISBN 0 563 48636 8.

  234. 01 Mar 2007, [DWo #12] Doctor Who — Made of Steel, 99pp, BBC Books/Quick Reads, ISBN 978 1 84607 204 8.

  235. 01 Nov 2007, [DWn #65] The Sarah Jane Adventures — Invasion of the Bane, 119pp, Penguin Character Books, ISBN 978 1 4059 0397 4.

  236. 24 Feb 2008, [DWo #13] Doctor Who — Revenge of the Judoon, 102pp, BBC Books/Quick Reads, ISBN 1 84607 372 3.

Sunday, June 29, 2025

Things Are Not Always What They Seem, by Michael Herbert

“This individual is a poseur and a professed agnostic with an exaggerated idea of his own importance.”

Special Branch report on Mac Hulke, 1 March 1948, cited p. 35.

The subtitle of this book is, “The writing and politics of Malcolm Hulke”, an author probably best known for his work on The Avengers and Doctor Who. Hulke knew and worked with David Whitaker, and when I was researching my biography of Whitaker, I swapped notes with Michael Herbert as he was working on this, which he’s been kind enough to acknowledge in the end notes. 

The first, 66-page chapter gives an overview of Hulke’s life, which is often extraordinary. He was apparently born on 21 November 1924, a year and 10 months after the death of his supposed father, Colonel Walter Backhouse Hulke — though there’s no record of Malcolm Hulke’s birth beyond what his mother told him. Indeed, when he applied for citizenship in 1948, “the most exhaustive enquiry and search” by Special Branch could find no record of him at all and succeeded only in casting doubt on the details he provided. It also noted his late mother’s two convictions for larceny (see p. 37).

The latter case, in 1926, involved Elsie Hulke distracting a shop assistant at a draper’s in Deal while her partner, Winifred Boot, hid “two cardigans down her [own] skirt” (p. 16). Herbert tells us that “Elsie teamed up with Winifred”, and that they lived together from 1929 until Elsie’s death in 1943, but doesn’t speculate further on their relationship. Yet Hulke’s former neighbour, Lauraine Palmeri, recalls that Hulke was,

“brought up by a much-detested Aunt whom he called ‘Miss Boot’. When he had to turn out her house after she died, he was still full of bitterness [and] at one time he was having sessions with a psychiatrist … learning to heal and rewrite his childhood to replace some of what had happened with happier memories” (pp. 45-46).

Even so, right up until Miss Boot’s death in 1967, Hulke lived round the corner from her and managed the house she rented out — which is how Hulke met and ending up working with my current subject of research, Terrance Dicks: a tenant from 1962. Years later, Miss Boot continued to cast some shadow over Hulke and his romantic relationships, such as when he mentioned the hypothetical prospect of marriage in a letter to a friend:

“Maybe I could at last do it. Bootie’s been dead a long, long time now and my super-conscience is fading a little.” (Letter to Jean Tate, 29 October 1974, p. 49)

What hold did she have over him?

After this overview, there are then chapters on specific periods of Hulke’s career: his relatively brief membership of the Communist Party; his time with the left-leaning Unity Theatre in an administrative role; his relatively late start as a writer in the 1950s, in TV, film and the stage; his nine episodes of The Avengers (four co-written with Terrance Dicks); his work on Doctor Who 1963-1969; his other work in TV 1964-75; Doctor Who 1970-74; his spat with the TUC 1967-70; and the books and short stories he wrote. An appendix gives details of his radio plays. Much of these later chapters comprise synopses of TV episodes, with quotations from dialogue and screengrabs. 

Bits of this stuff I knew; I detail the spat with the TUC in my biography of David Whitaker, based on the same sources, though I see it quite differently from what’s described here. To me, it seems extraordinary that Hulke fought for and won full payment for a script he never even wrote, based on a first-draft outline co-written with Gerry Davis that did not meet the original brief, as Whitaker later said candidly to Hulke, having been with him in that initial meeting. Hulke was certainly tenacious in the matter but I suspect won himself few friends.

The real treasure here is the information and direct quotations from 40 letters Hulke wrote to his friend Jean Tate between August 1974 and January 1977, providing insights into his thoughts, feelings, health and work. He makes light of his heart attack in January 1975; he’s furious that the editor of the book Doctor Who and the Dinosaur Invasion has seen fit to, er, edit it.

There are lots of other fascinatingly odd things. For example, Herbert says Hulke’s first Crossroads novel — based on the creaky but popular tea-time soap opera — features some “surprisingly explicit” sex (p. 420), while the second novel involves Meg being involved in a plane crash, ending up in a Victorian mansion that is “cut off from the rest of the world” and then taking a teenage boy from there back to the motel, “to integrate him into the modern world”. Herbert says this seems to have been lifted from James Hilton’s 1933 novel Lost Horizon, which Hulke had already adapted for BBC radio in 1966.

I’m especially delighted by Hulke’s novel Roger Moore and the Crime Fighters — The Siege (1977), which features a dog called Dalek and a would-be assassin pretending to be an extra on Doctor Who until his deception is spotted by Roger Moore, “who informs the police” and so foils the plot. I wonder how that conversation went.

“Look, chief inspector, I’m telling you this man wasn’t Pat Gorman, Max Faulkner or Terry Walsh. There’s only one explanation: an attempt to kill the President of Walinga.”

I’m glad I wasn’t Hulke’s editor.