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City of Death

Doctor Who
by Douglas Adams, James Goss
City of Death (Doctor Who) by Douglas Adams, James Goss
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The Doctor takes Romana for a holiday in Paris – a city which, like a fine wine, has a bouquet all its own. Especially if you visit during one of the vintage years. But the TARDIS takes them to 1979, a table-wine year, a year whose vintage is soured by cracks – not in their wine glasses but in the very fabric of time itself.

Soon the Time Lords are embroiled in an audacious alien scheme which encompasses home-made time machines, the theft of the Mona Lisa, the resurrection of the much-feared Jagaroth race, and the beginning (and quite possibly the end) of all life on Earth.

Aided by British private detective Duggan, whose speciality is thumping people, the Doctor and Romana must thwart the machinations of the suave, mysterious Count Scarlioni – all twelve of him – if the human race has any chance of survival.

But then, the Doctor’s holidays tend to turn out a bit like this.

Featuring the Fourth Doctor as played by Tom Baker, City of Death is a novel by James Goss based on the 1979 Doctor Who story written by Douglas Adams under the pen-name David Agnew. City of Death is one of the best-loved serials in the show’s 50-year history and was watched by over 16 million viewers when first broadcast.

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Updated 04/07/2025
Category: Science Fiction, Doctor Who
Release date: May 2015

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Douglas Adams

Douglas Adams

Douglas Adams didn’t just write books—he created entire universes that blur the line between science fiction and satire, turning the most absurd concepts into thoughtful reflections on life, the universe, and everything in between. Best known for his Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, Adams has captivated generations with his wit, his philosophy wrapped in absurdity, and his uncanny ability to make the impossible feel remarkably plausible.

Born in Cambridge, England, in 1952, Adams grew up with an innate curiosity about the world, balanced by a sharp sense of humor. His journey into writing was anything but conventional—he didn’t set out to conquer literature or science fiction; instead, his love for storytelling found an unexpected outlet in the absurdly wonderful, often chaotic, world of radio. It was on BBC Radio 4 where The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was born in 1978 as a radio play, ultimately evolving into one of the most beloved franchises in literary history.

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What sets Adams apart isn’t just the cosmic scope of his work, but his uniquely British blend of humor, satire, and deep existential questions. His writing wasn’t about escapism; it was about confronting the nonsensical and chaotic nature of existence in a way that felt both outlandish and profoundly relatable. His characters, like Arthur Dent and Marvin the Paranoid Android, aren’t mere comedic vehicles but reflections of human absurdity and the existential questions that puzzle us all. The notion that "life, the universe, and everything" might just be an elaborate joke became both a comforting and unsettling thought for readers.

But The Hitchhiker's Guide isn’t the only feather in Adams' cap. His other works, such as Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, push the boundaries of genre even further, blending the detective genre with metaphysical musings, time travel, and absurdity in a way that only Adams could manage. His love for technology and its quirks also shone through in Last Chance to See, where Adams turned his insightful humor toward the planet’s endangered species, showcasing his ability to highlight important causes with wit and heart.

Though Adams passed away in 2001, his influence is as relevant as ever. His impact on modern science fiction and comedic literature is undeniable, and his unique voice continues to resonate with readers, both old and new. As he once famously said, “I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” It’s this combination of unexpected journeys and brilliant, thought-provoking humor that makes Douglas Adams' legacy one of enduring creativity and imagination.

Doctor Who

Doctor Who books have been published from the mid-sixties through to the present day. From 1965 to 1991 the books published were primarily novelised adaptations of broadcast episodes; beginning in 1991 an extensive line of original fiction was launched, the Virgin New Adventures and Virgin Missing Adventures. Since the relaunch of the programme in 2005, a new range of novels have been published by BBC Books, featuring the adventures of the Ninth, Tenth and 11th Doctors. Numerous non-fiction books about the series, including guidebooks and critical studies, have also been published, and a dedicated Doctor Who Magazine with newsstand circulation has been published regularly since 1979. There is also a Doctor Who Adventures magazine published by the BBC. In April 2010 Hub Magazine released a Doctor Who Special (Issue 116) which collected new articles and pieces from various writers associated with both Classic and New Series Doctor Who, including Andrew Cartmel, Paul Magrs, Joseph Lidster, Mark Morris, Simon Clarke and Scott Harrison (who also guest-edited the issue).


Doctor Who consists of 16 total books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

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Related series Doctor Who: The New Adventures - NA
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Related series Doctor Who: The Past Doctor Adventures
Related series Doctor Who Novellas
Related series Doctor Who: Short Trips
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Related series Doctor Who: Time Trips
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The Coming of the Terraphiles (Doctor Who)
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The Silent Stars Go By (Doctor Who)
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Shada (Doctor Who)
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The Wheel of Ice (Doctor Who)
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Harvest of Time (Doctor Who)
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Engines of War (Doctor Who)
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City of Death (Doctor Who)
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Doctor Who: The Pirate Planet (Doctor Who)
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Doctor Who and the Krikkitmen (Doctor Who)
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The Good Doctor (Doctor Who)
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Doctor Who: Scratchman (Doctor Who)
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Resurrection of the Daleks (Doctor Who)
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Revelation of the Daleks (Doctor Who)
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Doctor Who: At Childhood's End (Doctor Who)
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