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Doctor Who: The Drosten's Curse
Doctor Who: The Drosten's Curse
Jan 13, 2026 6:44 PM

Author:A.L. Kennedy,Clare Corbett

Doctor Who: The Drosten's Curse

An original novel by A.L. Kennedy featuring the Fourth Doctor, as played by Tom Baker in the BBC TV series.

Something distinctly odd is going on in Arbroath. It could be to do with golfers being dragged down into the bunkers at the Fetch Brothers’ Golf Spa Hotel, never to be seen again.

It might be related to the strange twin grandchildren of the equally strange Mrs Fetch – owner of the hotel and fascinated with octopuses. It could be the fact that people in the surrounding area suddenly know what others are

thinking, without anyone saying a word. Whatever it is, the Doctor is most at home when faced with the distinctly odd. With the help of Fetch Brothers’ Junior Receptionist Bryony, he’ll get to the bottom of things. Just so long as he does so in time to save Bryony from quite literally losing her mind, and the entire world from destruction.

Because something huge, ancient and alien lies hidden beneath the ground – and it’s starting to wake up...

Reviews

An enthralling and significant novel, authentic in its gritty documentary detail... This raw honesty, along with Michael Hofmann’s masterly translation... makes the book so contemporary and vital

—— Rory MacLean , Financial Times

An astonishing novel, every bit as astonishing in a different way as Fallada's Alone in Berlin, and deserves to have the same success

—— Scotsman

The characters are engaging, and multidimensional. You care what happens to them

—— Wall Street Journal

Like a karate chop: hard and direct, but true

—— Der Spiegel

A real discovery

—— Literarische Welt

An enjoyable and worthwhile read, which I heartily recommend

—— Mandy Jenkinson , Nudge

not only a good read, but an important piece of literature

—— Fran Slater , Bookmunch

Michael Hofmann’s translation eloquently conveys the pungent fragility of life on the Berlin streets

—— Jane Shilling , New Statesman

The staccato beat of Haffner’s short and concise narrative arches, deftly rendered into English by Michael Hofmann’s typically dexterous translation, is never anything but gripping… Had Blood Brothers been rediscovered earlier, it should have found its rightful place next to Erich Kästner’s Emil and the Detectives and Fritz Lang’s film M: a City Looks for a Murderer.

—— Philip Oltermann , New Statesman

His novel thoroughly deserves its second life.

—— James Smart , Guardian

Told in stark, unsparing detail, Haffner’s story delves into the illicit underworld of Berlin on the eve of Hitler’s rise to power.

—— CGA Magazine

A book for both the new and experienced Murakami reader… There are moments of epiphany gracefully expressed… Reveals another side of Murakami

—— Patti Smith , Scotsman

A fascinating exploration of who we are [and] the delusions necessary to navigate the world around us

—— Irish Independent

A wonderfully imaginative and intimate book

—— Viv Groskop , Red

Infused with emotional generosity and the spirit of forgiveness

—— Ruth Scurr , Times Literary Supplement

Murakami has once again produced a perfect gem

—— Good Book Guide

Murakami weaved his mesmeric story-telling power once again with this new book…but still bearing the unmistakable purity of prose, economy of expression and simplicity of style that characterise his writing

—— Bay

A mysterious story about friendship, heartbreak and confronting the past, this book is surreal, existential and, therefore, classic Murakami

—— Dan Lewis , Travel Guide

The tale is as absorbing as the prose is beautiful

—— Good Book Guide

This is classic Murakami, an isolated character struggling to make his way through a world both deceptively simple and utterly fantastical, his story told through prose infused with all the beauty and meaning of a Kyoto tea ceremony

—— Freya McClements , Irish Times

His versatility and ability to craft a story is spellbinding… Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage is a fine story that held my attention until the end.

—— Yomi Segun Steven , Nudge

Loneliness, sexual ambiguity and emotional repression- the perfect recipe for a novel that put Murakami back on my list of unputdownable authors

—— John Kampfner , Observer

Kafkaesque, unusual and packed with sex and confusion, this is high-end prose… Murakami is remarkably prolific… A weird and very wonderful descent into the madness of contemporary Tokyo.

—— Paul Critcher , Geographical

A haunting and atmospheric coming of age story whose offbeat characters and lyrical prose style beguile the reader from the first page. An arresting & memorable debut

—— Peters Newsletter

The whole package: teenage angst (but of course), broken families, strong friendships, a sprinkle of romance and a lot of mystery

—— Star

An extremely cool and quirky science fiction adventure, stacked full of hilarious and fitting pop culture references. Cline has created a fast paced and engaging story using a perfect blend of humour, futuristic tech and video-game like action sequences.

—— Brit Book Boy

Ernest Cline is a genius in every sense of the word…This was truly wonderful, everything I had hoped it would be, and then heaps and heaps more.

—— Tea and Book Reviews

Release your inner nerd and rejoice!

—— The Fancy Octopus

Armada is a gamer’s fantasy come true.

—— Read at Midnight

thriller-like plotting…immensely readable

—— SFX

It’s a hoot, from beginning to end

—— Christoria

Literally everything I could ask for

—— Emma's Bookery

A highly rewarding journey…thoroughly enjoyable fiction.

—— SF Book

Armada is a journey towards emotional intelligence and understanding, a journey towards some questions answered, others posed – huge questions they are too. Armada’s a good ‘un.

—— Frost

A surprising thriller, a coming of age, space-fighting adventure which will thrill sci-fi fans and gamers alike.

—— Metro

It is often said that the best novels are those that don’t waste any time – the ones that grip the reader from the very first line. Armada does this better than perhaps any other book I’ve read.This book is a love-letter to the science fiction genre. It’s a concentrated shot of sci-fi nerdery that’s definitely worth experiencing.

—— One Giant Read

Armada is fun, so go enjoy it for the first time… or the second.

—— Geekdad
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