Doctor Who: The Witchfinders · Target Collection

'I am an expert on witchcraft, Doctor, but I wish to learn more. Before you die, I want answers.'

The TARDIS lands in the Lancashire village of Bilehurst Cragg in the 17th century, and the Doctor, Ryan, Graham and Yaz soon become embroiled in a witch trial run by the local landowner. Fear stalks the land, and the arrival of King James I only serves to intensify the witch hunt.

But the Doctor soon realises there is something more sinister than paranoia and superstition at work. Tendrils of living mud stir in the ground and the dead lurch back to horrifying life as an evil alien presence begins to revive. The Doctor and her friends must save not only the people of Bilehurst Cragg from the wakening forces, but the entire world.

The Thirteenth Doctor #13

'The Witchfinders' (2021) from Target Books.

Again another nice entry into the modern Target novelisations. These two Thirteen novelisations may be my favourite of the nine I've read thus far. Perhaps it's because it's been a couple of years since I saw the episodes, rather than only 6-12 months like for Fourteen and Fifteen. But still, great stuff here. I enjoy all of the additions to the original story and I feel like significant time has been spent with almost each companion.

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Review last edited on 10-02-25

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This review contains spoilers!

This Target novelisation veers pretty close to the televised episode overall, albeit with a lovely new ending where Willa ends up with Clara and Me. It's beautifully written, and expands on the characters' thought processes, but it would have been nice to have seen a few more new additions to the original story.