Candy Jar Books is pleased to announce the second free Lethbridge-Stewart short story of 2017.

Hot on the heels of last month’s United in Blood, comes a brand new story from Nick Walters, The Runway Bomb!

Nick Walters is no stranger to the worlds of Doctor Who, having written for BBC Books in the 1990s, and penning two spin-off novels, one for the Bernice Summerfield series, and one for Lethbridge-Stewart back in 2015.

It was a hanging thread from Nick’s Lethbridge-Stewart novel that inspired The Runaway Bomb, as Range Editor Andy Frankham-Allen explains: “At the end of Mutually Assured Domination, Lethbridge-Stewart considered two soldiers for the Fifth – both helped him fight the Dominators in that book – but we’ve not heard from them since. So, this short story shows us a little of how Lethbridge-Stewart recruits new troops for the Corps. Only one of the two will make the grade, and the winner has a guest spot in Night of the Intelligence, the novel for which this short story is the companion.”

Nick says: “Sergeant Bell and (especially) Corporal Stevens originally had bigger roles in Mutually Assured Domination, so I leapt at the chance of fleshing out the characters a bit more. Stevens is a bit of a loose cannon and quite an intimidating character, whilst Bell is quieter and more reserved, so the two make a good pairing. I wanted to put them in a combat situation to see what happens. Bell, especially, went through the wringer in Mutually Assured Domination, so this story, if you like, is his ‘reward’ for all that he suffered – being tied to that chair for hours on end couldn’t have been nice!  As for the titular Bomb of the story, it is based on a fondly-remembered episode of The Six Million Dollar Man entitled Death Probe, which really captured my six-year-old imagination. Older readers (?) may remember this!”

The Runaway Bomb will be sent out free to everybody who purchases (includes any bundles or subscription featuring…) this month’s release, Night of the Intelligence by Andy Frankham-Allen.

Night of the Intelligence not only opens seires four of the range, but also begins the year-long celebration of the Great Intelligence and Professor Travers, characters who first appeared in Doctor Who on September 30 1967 in The Abominable Snowmen by Mervyn Haisman & Henry Lincoln. The celebration continues with a special anniverary bundle – all of which act as prequels to Night of the Intelligence. Buy Candy Jar’s three Great Intelligence novels (The Forgotten Son by Andy Frankham-Allen, Times Squared by Rick Cross, and Night of the Intelligence) and get The Schizoid Earth by David A McIntee for free. So that’s four books for the price of three!

Hannah Haisman, Executor of the Haisman Estate, says: “It’s been wonderful seeing the resurgence of respect for my grandfather’s creations in the last few years, and celebrating two of his greatest characters is a moment of pride for me. Grandad would adore what’s happening now, and especially the way Andy (Frankham-Allen) has tied his characters’ histories together. It’s a wonderful time to be a fan of the Great Intelligence and Professor Travers!”

Throughout 2017 a further three non-Lethbridge-Stewart titles featuring the Great Intelligence will be released. Shaun Russell, head of publishing, says: “We’re very proud to work alongside some great people during the celebration year, and look forward to sharing further titles and information with you as the year goes on. Great things are coming!”

The foreword is written by United in Blood’s Mark Jones. Mark Jones was co-creator of the Jon Pertwee and Patrick Troughton TV project Starwatch.

Night of the Intelligence is available for pre-order now, for £8.99 (+ p&p). You can pre-order it individually or as part of the discounted UK bundle for only £26.25 (including postage), saving £9.72, or an international bundle for only £37.00 (excluding postage), saving £5.97.

The Anniversary Intelligence bundle can be ordered now, for £26.25 (including postage), saving £21.71, or an international bundle for only £47.00 (excluding postage), saving £12.96.