Vanishing Point

Stephen Cole

for the defence: He co-wrote both Parallel 59 (EDA) and The Ancestor Cell (EDA).

for the prosecution: We-ell, he was previously the editor for the BBC books range, so he ought to take some of the blame for The Scarlet Empress...

On an un-named planet in an unspecified timezone God exists - and that is not an opinion, that is a solid fact! It turns out that the planet was originally a prison cum rehabilitation centre for criminal souls (and I mean 'souls' literally) but the smooth-running of the place was long ago interrupted by interference from a maverick traveller. And for once, it wasn't the Doctor!

Without getting arty-farty, this is almost a "real" science-fiction novel. Rather than an 'invading monsters' tale, the book explores the intriguing idea that the soul can be genetically identified, just as we can pinpoint which genes dictate hair colour, etc. These souls are 'imprisoned' in the bodies of the people on this world, awaiting God's verdict when they die. It also triumphs with its characterisation, giving us a well-rounded set of guest characters that we care about, but not at the expense of the regulars, who are also well-served. A solidly enjoyable book, which knows exactly what it's doing.

Tough on continuity, tough on the causes of continuity! Or something like that... There's very little in this book, a trait that continues to be rather refreshing.

There are references to Anji's Dave, and also to Fitz's Mother (who appeared, and died, in his debut story The Taint).

Maybe rather obscure, but on page 137 Anji is following the Doctor, and refers to this by saying "You've got a shadow." The Doctor responds to this by looking anxious... I suspect that this is a very sly nod to the Faction Paradox arc of stories, during which one of the symptoms of the Doctor's 'infection' was his losing his shadow. And no, that doesn't actually make any sense...

And, although it isn't strictly continuity, I feel somehow bound to report that Fitz gets involved (again). The implication at the end of the book is that his latest paramour (a 'mutant' by the name of Vettul) may be pregnant. I'd like to see the CSA track him down...

Well there's nothing especially memorable, but equally he is clearly The Doctor throughout. Whether standing up to authority, or inspiring a motley band of doubting-priests and illegal mutants, or morally and physically confronting the villain of the piece, we know exactly where we stand with him here. This is a man who just happens to have amnesia, rather than being just an amnesiac, and there's a definite difference.

This Book: £3.20 for a brand-new copy via eBay, plus 90p p&p. That makes a saving of £1.89.

Running Score: £24.64 against RRP