Mum's Monday: Sick Building (Doctor Who) by Paul Magrs

At the start of this book it is clever to write it from the point of view of a creature in the woods. It is not clear of what type of animal, but her babies are referred to as ‘Cubs’.

Chapter one, it turns out if I had read the paragraph on the back of this book and waited until I had read this chapter, I would have found out that the creature was a ‘Sabre-toothed tiger in the woods, wanting to protect her cubs. This chapter high-lights the importance of focusing and checking outside before venturing out onto a strange planet. Although this could be forgiven as the said planet known as ‘Tiermann’s world’ is about to be eaten within about ‘Thirty-six hours’. There is nothing like a short/tight deadline to ramp up the suspense.

Chapter two, it is interesting that the Doctor can talk to the animals, in this case the sabre-toothed tiger. I also feel a mix of, it is lovely to read that a family is living in luxury with staff, but yet I feel sad for their son Solin, in that he hasn’t had the adventures some people get to have.

Chapter three, it is amusing to read of a ‘Lawnmower’ and a ‘Water cooler’ robots coming across the lawn towards the Doctor, Martha and Solin. They are not the only robots that serve the Tiermann family that live in the ‘Dream house’ under the dome. I feel this chapter has taken a dark turn in that how Mr Tiermann feels about his robots, this is sad to read.

Chapter four, as dinner parties go, the one in this book is a strange and awkward one. you really get the sense of urgency, in the way this book is written, to the situation going on outside the dome. However, by the end of this chapter the Doctor could be in danger inside the dome in the short term.

Chapter five, just what the family and Martha needs on top of everything else, is the robots going ‘Haywire’ and the Craw is getting closer.

Chapter six, in this chapter I am reading about my two favourite characters in this book, Barbara the Vending machine and Toaster the sunbed. Both it is nice to see are friends. It is also nice that Barbara helped the Doctor. It is also lovely to see the Doctor in turn help Toaster. It is amusing yet I have to say, sad, that the kitchen gadgets are ‘Malfunctioning’ and now the shield is down and there is an animal from the outside world to contend with. It is all action and so far I don’t know how everything can be ok as the Doctor has been banished.

Chapter seven, just what they all wanted, to be left behind, it is sad to read, although the upside, if the house isn’t happy with the family then it will surely help the Doctor, Martha and the Doctor’s new friends. Under normal circumstances the thought of a ‘Dishwasher’ going into a fight with an animal would be amusing to read, but sadly, it doesn’t end well. I like the term ‘Soft body’ meaning a human, well not a robot.

Chapter eight, well that was clever not, upsetting the one thing controlling the house. The green flamed computer only wants to protect all by locking everyone in the house.  I don’t want to put this book down.

Chapter nine, by the end of this chapter, it seems the house computer only wants to look after everyone. That would be nice if one, the outside circumstances were different and two, the technique to achieving this wasn’t bad.

Chapter ten, the Doctor and everyone else must get to level twenty. I like how Barbara tried to help Amanda. However, Barbara was helpless against the vacuum cleaners. Sadly, now Barbara’s eyes are turning red, this part wasn’t nice to read.        

Chapter eleven, it is lovely to see the connection between the Doctor and Barbara and yes, I am proud of Barbara too.

Chapter twelve, I don’t like how Ernest assumes that the Doctors hasn’t experienced loss. I do like how Amanda is thinking stronger opinionated thoughts of her own.

Chapter thirteen, the house is back and so are the Tiermann family, I didn’t think they would get away.

Chapter fourteen, it just goes to show ‘Do not upset a woman, dead or alive, especially a wife. A computer might just use that to its advantage. The description is so well done that the image it flashes up is horrific yet pitiful at the same time.

Chapter fifteen, now after everything everyone has been through there are ‘Bat Babies’ to contend with, luckily Toaster the hero is there to help. Intended or not the connectivity in this story is clever.

Chapter sixteen, I knew they would find the Tardis but it was a relief to read that they had and that there were no more obstacles in their way. However now that they are in the Tardis sadly, the computer action has started up again.

Chapter seventeen, I like that the Doctor went back to the ‘Dream house’ sadly, there isn’t much left of it. I can also picture the impending doom as the description is however, simple but effective as I can picture the house then a break away scene to where the Craw is eating.

Chapter eighteen, this book high-lights that you should be careful what or who you create it/they could turn against you. Sadly, this ended in tragedy.

Chapter nineteen, it becomes clear as to why the Doctor’s plan worked and why he got the group to do what they did.

There is a happy ending, as happy as it can be with some loss, but ultimately the world is nice and safe for the sabre-toothed tiger and her cubs again.