MrsK Books: Doctor Who: Silhouette by Justin Richards

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Doctor Who: Silhouette by Justin Richards

http://images.randomhouse.com/cover/9780804140881?width=125&alt=no_cover_b4b.gif

ISBN: 9780804140881

Publisher's Synopsis:

"Vastra and Strax and Jenny? Oh no, we don't need to bother them. Trust me."

Marlowe Hapworth is found dead in his locked study, killed by an unknown assailant. This is a case for the Great Detective, Madame Vastra.

Rick Bellamy, bare-knuckle boxer, has the life drawn out of him by a figure dressed as an undertaker. This angers Strax the Sontaran.

The Carnival of Curiosities, a collection of bizarre and fascinating sideshows and performers. This is where Jenny Flint looks for answers.

How are these things connected? And what does Orestes Milton, rich industrialist, have to do with it all? This is where the Doctor and Clara come in. The Doctor and his friends find themselves thrust into a world where nothing and no one are what they seem. Can they unravel the truth before the most dangerous weapon ever developed is unleashed on London?

MrsK's review:

Dr. Who? Who doesn't know Dr. Who would be a better question. Fans of Dr. Who (Whovians) or Comic-Con enthusiasts all have had marathon moments with the Doctor. Even though I may have been in front of the t.v. (way back when), it wasn't until my children began (forcing) me into their Dr. Who marathon weekends that I began an involvement with the Doctor.

Science fiction has always had an alluring aspect for readers and Sci-Fi "nerds." There is guaranteed gadgets, odd personalities, some form of techie travel, and other-worldly experiences. So when the newest Dr. Who book was ready for preview, well I knew I had to read it. What I wasn't prepared for was the amount of enjoyment I would experience reading Silhouette. Not only are the characters so quick-witted, you can "see" their expressive "tells" during the dialogue. The "unfolding" storyline keeps you turning the pages, way past your bedtime. Of course the nemesis will have unfair advantage, at least for awhile. The Doctor will need a "dose" of humility before he can conqueor the villainous scheme. The world will need the Doctor to end the threat of a mind-altering crystal.

In the beginning you will meet Marlowe Hapworth, a very extraordinary-ordinary man who happens upon the Frost Fair along the Thames. Why would this insignificant man be of value to the Carnival of Curiosities? What in the world could possibly tie Marlowe to an eccentric industrialist? Madame Vastra will need all of her "charm" to outwit the evil that is taking control of so many around her.

Are you wondering what allures the Doctor to this time period? Even though Clara was hoping to visit with King Arthur, an unknown power spike in the late 19th century set the Doctor on edge. There should not be any post-nuclear power supplies in the middle of London during that time period. Madame Vastra or even Strax would not be so careless, so the Doctor must bring the Tartus back to London... again!

"I have never been more embarrassed in my entire life," Clara told him as they walked away...."

"Yes you have."
"Yes I have,' she admitted. 'But I was probably with you at the time."

So readers, here is your quest... you will need to discover what the power source is? You must discover why a master puppeteer would be so valuable to a man who can buy anything he wants. Why was Hapworth so interested in a paper crane when he died? What is the attraction for Madame Vastra that might cause her demise? Could a series of coincidences lead to the failing of the Doctor's intelligence?

If you know someone who is a friend of Dr. Who's... well this is a perfect bit of travel for them,
MrsK

Great moments for all... especially if you are waiting for the next Dr. Who installment!

JUSTIN RICHARDS has written for stage and screen as well as writing novels and graphic novels. He has also co-written several action thrillers for older children with the acknowledged master of the genre Jack Higgins. Justin acts as Creative Consultant to BBC Books' range of Doctor Who titles, as well as writing quite a few himself. Married with two children (both boys), Justin lives and works in Warwick, within sight of one of Britain's best-preserved castles.

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

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MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)