The First Doctor #14

'The Message of Mystery' (1964) from The Dalek Book.

A very odd little story with no adherence to the chronology of events but the stark difference in the Daleks' behaviour is highly interesting considering the time period. They'd only been in one story so far and weren't so deeply set on being evil incarnate, so seeing them have respect for Susan and even grow fond of her is a strange but unique thing to see.

The Message of Mystery - 1/10

i almost have no words for this story if I’m honest. This was one of the strangest things I’ve ever read and not in a good way.

The whole story is using still images mostly from the tv story ‘The Daleks’ to tell this weird story about Susan borrowing the TARDIS and flying to Skaro at an unknown point in her timeline. Weirder still at a point in this short story a Dalek becomes ‘fond’ of her because she did not show fear? That little plot line goes as far as the Dalek following her out of the city and begging her to stay with it? I mean seriously I know this is a short story in a Dalek annual but that is atrocious. She develops a cipher to decode the ‘message of mystery’ from the story but she runs away before telling the Daleks which does give a little activity for children who bought the book to enjoy.

But overall that was absolutely terrible to say the least and I’m very glad it was as short as it was deary me.

over all funny short story but defiantly unneeded I love the format of this story though very unique