Scan barcode
geekwayne's review
3.0
A novella that acts as a prequel to the most recent Doctor Who Christmas special 'The Snowmen.' This novel features Madame Vastra, Jenny and Strax, but is notably missing the Doctor. Set in Victorian England, Madame Vastra is referred to as the Great Detective. Her lizard-like appearance means she wears a veil most of the time.
A couple of young boys build a snowman and discover a dead woman in it. They are chased and one of the boys, Harry, is rescued by Strax, a stocky alien with a mind set on mayhem. Harry is taken to Madame Vastra for help. The mystery is solved, but leads right into where the Christmas special picks up.
I would love a series with these three characters, known as The Paternoster Gang. I'd like more depth, and having them solve crimes in Victorian London would be a lot of fun. This book is a novella, so it gives no more depth to the characters, which is a shame, but it's still a quick, fun read.
A couple of young boys build a snowman and discover a dead woman in it. They are chased and one of the boys, Harry, is rescued by Strax, a stocky alien with a mind set on mayhem. Harry is taken to Madame Vastra for help. The mystery is solved, but leads right into where the Christmas special picks up.
I would love a series with these three characters, known as The Paternoster Gang. I'd like more depth, and having them solve crimes in Victorian London would be a lot of fun. This book is a novella, so it gives no more depth to the characters, which is a shame, but it's still a quick, fun read.
johnbreeden's review
3.0
This story is certainly an introduction for the connecting Doctor Who episode. In that respect, it serves it's purpose. It is also a fair short story. My problem that I feel short changed. There is so much more that could be done with this. Unless there was a strict limit to the size of the story, it could have definitely represented Vastra and the others better.
dantastic's review
4.0
When two boys find a body inside their snowman, unwittingly uncovering a fiendish plot, they run for their lives. One of them, Harry, has the fortune to encounter Madame Vastra, Jenny Flint, and Strax, the Paternoster Gang. Can The Great Detective and her cohorts uncover the mystery of how the woman ended up inside the snowman and who killed her?
This short story features three of my favorite Doctor Who supporting cast members, Madame Vastra, Jenny, and Strax, in an adventure in Victorian London. They are well-written and true to their TV counterparts. Strax is just as unintentionally hilarious as he is on television.
The story proves to be much more complicated than originally suspected but the Great Detective is up to the challenge. More than once, I wished the powers that be would devote a Doctor Who special solely to the Paternoster Gang.
The only fault I can find with Devil in the Smoke is that it was very short. I'd gladly fork over some quid for a full length adventure featuring Madame Vastra and company.
Sontar-Ha! Four out of five stars.
This short story features three of my favorite Doctor Who supporting cast members, Madame Vastra, Jenny, and Strax, in an adventure in Victorian London. They are well-written and true to their TV counterparts. Strax is just as unintentionally hilarious as he is on television.
The story proves to be much more complicated than originally suspected but the Great Detective is up to the challenge. More than once, I wished the powers that be would devote a Doctor Who special solely to the Paternoster Gang.
The only fault I can find with Devil in the Smoke is that it was very short. I'd gladly fork over some quid for a full length adventure featuring Madame Vastra and company.
Sontar-Ha! Four out of five stars.
nanceoir's review
2.0
If "The Angel's Kiss" was Justin Richard's not quite successful attempt at '30s detective fiction, this novella is his really not successful attempt at Victorian... awesome whatever. The writing was distractingly verbose in a really unnatural way, and if that wasn't enough, the story was pretty boring. If I hadn't just gotten a brand new book I want to read pretty much immediately, I think I'd still be plodding my way through this.
I hope other newer Doctor Who stories are better crafted (and better written).
I hope other newer Doctor Who stories are better crafted (and better written).
atlantic_reader_wannabe's review
5.0
Another excellent sorry set in the Doctor's universe! I found this story to be excellent and mysterious and the characters endearing! A must read for any Whovian!
shelbsies's review
3.0
I’ve been rewatching Doctor Who and read this in search of more stories with the Paternoster Row gang. This was a fun bitesized adventure of theirs! The writer definitely understood their characters personalities, which was important to me, although why did he called Jenny and Vastra “good friends.” Anyway, this was like watching a little episode in my head, fun stuff!
invisibleninjacat's review
4.0
Quick read - I love Madame Vastra and Kate, and I wish they got more page time together, but this is too short a read for that, I think.
asylumteaparty's review
4.0
A charming story and a fine, quick read. A nice little break from more substantial literature. Although if you get this book and expect the Doctor to turn up, think again. This book is set in the Doctors universe, but the characters in the book is Madam Vastra, the lizard detective of London.