Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion ( novelisation ) After the successful reprinting of three novelisations dating back to 1964 and 1965 , the Target Books novelisations line began in earnest with Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion , the first original Target novelisation to be published . Despite it being an adaption of " Spearhead from Space " , the opening chapter of the book also partially adapts episode 10 of the preceding story , " The War Games " . With this book , Target continued the practice , introduced with " Doctor Who and the Daleks " , of using titles substantially different from the original TV serial . This practice would continue off - and - on before being mostly abandoned by the mid - 1970s , although the title format " Doctor Who and the . . . " and variations therefore would continue to be used until the early 1980s . Publisher ' s summary . 1974 Target edition . In this , the first adventure of his third ` incarnation ' , DOCTOR WHO , Liz Shaw , and the Brigadier grapple with the nightmarish invasion of the AUTONS — living , giant - sized , plastic - modelled ` humans ' with no hair and sightless eyes ; waxwork replicas and tailor ' s dummies whose murderous behaviour is directed by the NESTENE CONSCIOUSNESS — a malignant , squid - like monster of cosmic proportions and indescribably hideous appearance . “ This DOCTOR WHO adventure ( televised as ' Spearhead from Space ' ) wins my vote as the best in the lifetime of this series so far . ' Mathew Coady , The Daily Mirror “ DOCTOR WHO , the children ' s own programme which adults adore . . . ” Gerard Garrett , The Daily Sketch 1991 Target edition . " You will be exiled to Earth in the Twentieth Century Time Zone . You will remain there for as long as we think proper . And for that time the secret of the TARDIS will be taken from you . " Found guilty by his fellow Time Lord s of interference in the affairs of other planets , the Doctor is forced to undergo his second regeneration and is exiled to Earth . But strange meteorites are landing in Essex and Brigadier Lethbridge - Stewart of UNIT has reason to believe that they were deliberately aimed at the Earth ' s surface . In order to avert a possible catastrophie the Doctor joins forces with UNIT and battles with the sinister Auton s - creatures whose murderous behaviour is directed by the Nestene Consciousness , a hideous entity of cosmic proportions . This story was written by Robert Holmes and broadcast under the title The Spearhead from Space ( " sic . " ) . It was the first programme to feature Jon Pertwee in the role of the Doctor and marks the beginning of his Earth - bound adventures . " Doctor Who " - " The Spearhead from Space " has recently been broadcast on BSB television . 2011 BBC edition . " Here at UNIT we deal with the odd - the unexplained . We ' re prepared to tackle anything on Earth . Or even from beyond the Earth , if necessary . " Put on trial by the Time Lords , and found guilty of interfering in the affairs of other worlds , the Doctor is exiled to Earth in the 20th century , his appearance once again changed . His arrival coincides with a meteorite shower . But these are no ordinary meteorites . The Nestene Consciousness has began its first attempt to invade Earth using killer Autons and Deadly window shop dummies . Only the Doctor and UNIT can stop the attack . But the Doctor is recovering in hospital , and his old friend the Brigadier doesn ' t even recognise him . Can the Doctor recover and win UNIT ' s trust before the invasion begins ? " This novel is based on " Spearhead From Space " , a Doctor Who story which was originally broadcast from 3 January - 24 January 1970 . " " Featuring the Third Doctor as played by Jon Pertwee , his companion Liz Shaw and the UNIT organisation commanded by Brigadier Lethbridge - Stewart " " Standing towering over them was the most nightmarish creature Liz had ever seen . A huge , many tentacled monster something between spider , crab and octopus . The nutrient fluids from the tank were still streaming downs its sides . At the front of its glistening body a single huge eye glared at them , blazing with alien intelligence and hatred . " British publication history . First publication : Re - issues : Editions published outside Britain . " The Auton Invasion " is one of five novelisations translated into Japanese , published by Hayakawa Publishing in 1980 . The cover depicts a radically different Auton to the ones who appear in the story , with much more humanoid features . Likewise the cover of the Finnish translation features a radically different interpretation of the Autons , it is one of two Finnish novelisation translations the other being " Doctor Who and the Cave - Monsters " . Audiobook . This Target Book was released complete and unabridged by BBC Audio and read by Caroline John who played Liz Shaw . The audio set of 4 CDs with an ISBN 1 - 405 - ? was released in June 2008 priced £13 . 99 ( UK ) The cover blurb and thumbnail illustrations were retained in the accompanying booklet with sleevenotes by David J . Howe . Music and sound effects by Simon Power It was later reissued as an MP3 - CD alongside action figures of the Eleventh Doctor and Roman Auton as part of Character Options ' Panodrica wave . External links . " to be added "