Doctor Who News

The Grandfather Infestation - illustrated edition

Saturday, 1 July 2023 - Reported by Chuck Foster

Candy Jar Books has announced a very special book for 2023, the hardback illustrated edition of The Grandfather Infestation by John Peel.

Like the illustrated edition of Beast of Fang Rock, this book has been inspired by the illustrated Doctor Who Target books from the early 1970s, combined with the popularity of the Lethbridge-Stewart Colouring Book, which was made available via Amazon and good retailers last month with four brand new images.

In 2016 Range Editor Andy Frankham-Allen compared The Grandfather Infestation with the work of John Wyndham in 2016. He said:

I’ve always been a huge fan of his work, and I knew I wanted something in a similar vein. I asked John to give us something Triffid-esque and he did exactly that. He’s created a nice blend of genres, mixing the best elements of storytelling that you’d find in the works of Robert Banks Stewart and Wyndham, giving it Peel’s own distinctive twist. And John is no stranger to twisting tales, make no mistake. He’s been writing prose fiction beyond Doctor Who continuously for over twenty-five years, and you don’t do that without being good.

The book has a brand new cover, but the actual look of the Grandfathers has not been changed. Martin Baines opted to keep Colin Howard’s original design:

Colin is a Doctor Who demi-god and I wouldn’t have felt comfortable changing his work. His realisation of the Grandfathers was perfect. Like all his Doctor Who artwork, Colin really understand what makes a good monster.

Martin has also provided internal illustrations for the book. He continued:

Like the Beast of Fang Rock, I read the book and choose my favourite scenes. I was excited to discover that The Grandfather Infestation is a jam-packed full of action, so it made illustrating it very fun indeed.

This release comes with a free postcard, as well as a brand new Lucy Wilson Mysteries book The Grandfather Club written by John Peel. Shaun Russell, head of publishing at Candy Jar, felt that the time was right return to the Grandfathers. He said:

John’s first ever Lethbridge-Stewart book was The Grandfather Infestation. And what a book it is! And, over the years we’ve always tremendous feedback about it, receiving so many requests to release a new edition. But instead of doing a paperback with a new cover, we decided to do something a little more special. Like Beast of Fang Rock, Martin’s artwork really helps to bring this exciting book alive. And the Lucy story is the cherry on the cake, allowing us to introduce the alien Grandfathers to a new audience.

The Grandfather Infestation is now available for pre-order directly from Candy Jar Books..

All of the school clubs have been cancelled, effective immediately. All except one…

Lucy and Hobo can’t understand why everyone at school has joined the gardening club. They also can’t understand why no one is doing any gardening!

Why are the students constructing a gigantic greenhouse? And why does it need such a powerful heating system? But, more to the point, what sort of plants will this greenhouse be the home to?

Will Lucy and Hobo be able to solve this mystery or have the seeds of destruction already been sown?

The Grandfather Infestation - illustrated edition

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