Trying to get Tegan back to Heathrow in 1981, the Doctor brings the TARDIS to the right place, but over 300 years early in 1666. They are not the only visitors as Death stalks the local woods, complete with cloak, scythe and a skull-like face.

In fact, Death is an android brought by a group of alien Terileptils whose spaceship has crashed. Criminals and fugitives from their own race, they now plan to take over Earth. With Adric and Tegan captured, the Doctor and Nyssa try to deal with the deadly android, and a group of local villagers under the control of the Terileptils.

But even if they succeed, can they prevent the Terileptils from unleashing an even more deadly from of the Black Death?

This novel is based on a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 1523 February 1982.

Featuring the Fifth Doctor as played by Peter Davison with his companions Adric, Nyssa, and Tegan

Born in 1944, Eric Saward worked initially as an estate agent. After a short period living in Holland, Saward returned to Britain and worked in various roles within the publishing industry, and as a sales assistant in a bookshop. From this he moved into teaching and while working as an English teacher had his radio drama script The Fall and Fall of David Moore accepted. Giving up teaching in order to write full-time, Saward took various other jobs to supplement his income, including working in theatre. Recommended to Doctor Whos script editor Christopher H. Bidmead because of the quality of his radio work, Saward was commissioned to write The Visitation for Peter Davisons first season as the Doctor. On the strength of this script, Saward was appointed Bidmeads successor as the programmes script editor. Since leaving Doctor Who in 1986, Saward has continued to work as a freelance writer.