'The Algebra of Ice' by Llyod Rose

A genius maths nerd, a weird webzine publisher, and the Doctor's old ally, the Brigadier find themselves helping the Doctor and Ace solve what should be a simple puzzle: the appearance of a crop circle in the Kentish countryside.

Hardly uncommon. But there are some peculiar features. It's not a circle but a series of square-sided shapes. It's filled with ice. And it draws the Doctor and Ace into a confrontation with a reality right next to zero.


Publication Date:
September 2004

Notes:
*Featuring the Seventh Doctor, Ace and the Brigadier

*A BBC Books 'Past Doctor Adventures' novel

*Time-placing: this one is a nightmare of conflicting info! Ace mentions that she and the Doctor have only just left Totter’s Yard, suggesting that this occurs immediately after ‘Remembrance of the Daleks’; however, Ace also recalls Fenric, which takes place a season later; she also seems familiar with the Doctor’s House in Allen Road, Kent, which is introduced much later in the novel ‘Cat's Cradle: Warhead’. The Doctor is wearing a cream-coloured suit, which places this after ‘White Darkness’, a time when Ace was no longer travelling with him. Then, in the final chapter, the Doctor mentions that a year has passed since ‘Algebra’s’ main story took place, and that the events of ‘Timewyrn: Revelation’ have just occurred. I’m going to take a wild guess, and place this after ‘Search Out Science’, at the beginning of season 26a. If anyone has a better idea, please let me know!