From TARDIS Index File, the free Doctor Who reference.

Doctor Who and the State of Decay
Series:	Doctor Who- Target Novelisation
Release Number:	58 (given to later editions)
Doctor:	Fourth Doctor
Companions:	Romana II, K-9, Adric
Enemy:	Great Vampire, Three Who Rule
Setting:	Unknown, E-Space, Unknown
Author:	Terrance Dicks
Publisher:	Target Books, W.H. Allen & Co
Publication:	September 1981 (hardcover) January 1982 (paperback)
Format:	Hardcover and paperback editions, 125 Pages
ISBN:	ISBN 0-426-20133-7
Previous Story:	Doctor Who – Full Circle
Following Story:	Doctor Who and Warriors' Gate

Novelisation

• This novelisation is based on the original television serial (DW): State of Decay which was shown from 22nd November 1980 and written by Terrance Dicks
• The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel and featured the artwork of Andrew Skilleter. (See below for information on other UK and international editions which published with a different cover).

Publisher's Cover Blurb

The Doctor, Romana and K9 – and a young stowaway called Adric – are trapped in the alternative universe of E-Space.
Seeking help, they land on an unknown planet – and find a nightmare world where oppressed peasants toil for the Lords who live in the Tower, and where all learning is forbidden – a society in a state of decay.
What is the terrifying secret of the Three Who Rule? What monstrous creature stirs beneath the Tower, waking from its thousand-year sleep?
The Doctor discovers that the oldest and deadliest enemy of the Time Lords is about to spring into horrifying action.

Illustrations

• None

Deviations from the Televised Story

To be added

Author, Writing and Publishing Notes

• Two unused cover sketches by Steve Kyte were submitted for this title before Andrew Skilleter’s cover was used.

Associated Images

To be added

Publishing History (UK)

To be added

First Publication:

• Hardback

W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK

• Paperback

Target

Re-issues:

International Editions

To be added

Audio book

An audio book version of the novel was read by Tom Baker.

External Sources

• The Target Book by David J Howe (Telos Publishing 2007)
• On Target a comprehensive guide to the Target novelisations by Tim Neal