When a Thal platoon arrive on a hostile planet investigating reports that Dalek artefacts have been detected, they are unprepared for what they find. In an underground room is a stranger, a Professor, or so he claims, with no memory of who he is or why he is there.

With death and horror their only companions, the Thals make their way with the Professor into the heart of a crumbling Dalek citadel in search of answers … only to find that the Daleks are the least of the horrors they must face.

Background information:

Telos Publishing presents the Fifteenth, and final novella, in our series of original Doctor Who Novellas, The Dalek Factor, a story written by award-winning horror and dark fantasy author Simon Clark.

The Dalek Factor features the Daleks as you've never seen them before. 'We wanted to end Telos' range of Doctor Who Novellas with a real bang,' said Telos' David J Howe, 'and what better way than to feature one of the most iconic images from the twentieth century. The last time the Daleks were featured in print was back in 1998, and after five years away, we felt it was about time they were brought back into the spotlight.'

Simon Clark, described by SFX magazine as 'one of the most exciting British horror writers around', is the author of numerous horror novels, including The Fall, Darker and Blood Crazy. His short story 'Goblin City Lights' won the British Fantasy Award, as did his novel, Night of the Triffids, which continued where John Wyndham's original novel left off. His new novel, Vampyrric Rites, is released in July by Hodder and Stoughton in the UK.

'I grew up watching Doctor Who,' says Clark. 'I never missed Doctor Who. Not even on my wedding day. Doctor Who fuelled my imagination and my appetite for the fantastic as a child. To get the opportunity to work on a Doctor Who story is a dream come true. The Telos range of books are just beautiful. I'm proud to be part of that stable.'

Being able to work with the Daleks is also a large part of the appeal. 'Like total eclipses, the chance to write a Dalek story only happens once in a blue moon. There was no way I could turn down something like that. But, darn it, I knew if I was going to tackle The Dalek Factor, it would be my mission to make the Daleks frightening again. I want them to be menacing. I want them to be the essence of evil. No more 'stairs' jokes. I'm determined to write a dark, disturbing story where even to catch a glimpse of a Dalek makes the palms sweat, and triggers waves of revulsion and fear.

'Think back to the time when you were last frightened by a Doctor Who episode. My personal quest in writing this novella is to pull that fear trigger again. The Dalek Factor is going to be a journey into the heart of darkness. Not everyone on that journey's going to come back in one piece.'

The book was available in two superb editions: a standard hardback with cloth-effect cover and foil-stamped logo and title; and a signed and numbered limited edition deluxe hardback.

Both editions featured a special foreword by Christopher Fowler, the deluxe edition also included a specially commissioned frontispiece illustration by Graham Humphreys.

All copies of the limited edition deluxe version came individually signed by the author, frontispiece artist and foreword writer.

The Dalek Factor was published in March 2004