The Doctor and Ruby travel to meet Shirley Jackson after detecting a mysterious signal, only to discover a sinister figure wielding a chaos-inducing box that manipulates people's emotions and incites violence. Together with Jackson, they must uncover the box's origins and confront its dangerous power, blending science fiction with themes of influence, fear, and the enduring impact of storytelling.

Reader Review Summary

Set within the Doctor Who universe, this book follows the Doctor and companion Ruby as they respond to a mysterious signal that leads them to the home of American author Shirley Jackson. The plot centers on a sinister figure wielding a glowing box that incites chaos and violence among a crowd, with the Doctor and Shirley Jackson working together to uncover the box's origins and its dangerous influence. The story is set in Jackson's era, specifically 1937 America, and incorporates references to her famous story 'The Lottery,' with the TARDIS transporting the characters through time as they attempt to resolve the crisis. The book is relatively short, described by some readers as more of a short story, and is part of a series featuring the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby Sunday. Readers noted that the book is set before the Doctor Who episode 'Boom.'

Readers appreciated the book's accessible and straightforward storytelling, with several noting that it serves as an effective introduction to Shirley Jackson for those unfamiliar with her work. The characterization of the Doctor and Ruby was highlighted as accurate and well-executed, with one reviewer specifically mentioning that the characters felt true to their television counterparts. The story was also praised for its potential to inspire younger readers to learn more about Shirley Jackson and her writing. Some readers found the plot engaging, particularly the collaboration between the Doctor, Ruby, and Shirley Jackson to confront the chaos caused by the alien box.

Some readers expressed dissatisfaction with the book's length, describing it as more of a short story than a full novel, and noting that much of the page count was taken up by blank pages. Criticism was also directed at the book's handling of spoilers, with one reviewer objecting to the explicit discussion of the ending of 'The Lottery' within the narrative. There were comments about the lack of historical realism, particularly regarding the absence of racist remarks when a Black character visits 1937 America. Additionally, one reader felt that the story broke established rules of the Doctor Who universe.

The book has an average reader rating of 3.41 out of 5, based on 29 ratings and 4 full reviews. It is scheduled for publication on June 12, 2025, and is categorized under Doctor Who and Science Fiction genres. The author is Kalynn Bayron. The book is positioned as part of a series featuring the Fifteenth Doctor and companion Ruby Sunday, and is intended to appeal to both Doctor Who fans and those interested in Shirley Jackson.