The Good Doctor is a book about dogma, exploring the ways in which religion is used, by some, as a way to “justify” violence and oppression. Another key theme is misinterpretation, with entire belief systems being based on misunderstandings or even deliberate lies concocted by corrupt authority figures to further their own agenda. With the added framework of time travel and the context of the Doctor Who universe as a whole, this all makes for a very interesting concept.

What I liked the most was how in-character the Doctor and her companions were throughout. I often found myself smiling just because the Doctor had done something very Doctor-ish or Graham had said something in a particularly Graham-y way. This is made all the more impressive when you consider that this book was written before Series 11 aired, so this uncanny characterisation was based on some brief character notes and a few script extracts.

I appreciated the meta-commentary regarding the misogyny the Doctor is targeted with now that she’s a woman. The Good Doctor was the first NSA novel to feature the Thirteenth Doctor, so it’s good to see this issue addressed straight away – by a trans woman, no less. On the other hand, I’m not sure how I feel about the Loba being anthropomorphic dogs given their role in the story as a race allegory. It’s strange seeing them being dehumanised and described as animals when they literally are animals, albeit sapient ones.

Some points felt a little belaboured, while others weren’t explored in depth – or at least not as thoroughly as I would have liked. It’s worth noting that the story is fairly slow in the first half, though it does pick up around the midpoint.

I’m giving this book four stars out of five. I enjoyed it overall, and I would recommend it to any fans of the Thirteenth Doctor/“Team TARDIS” era of the show.