In a short list of favorite DW novels, Lance Parkin's Father Time would be included on it every time. It's a wonderful, character-driven story that features a very outrageous idea and makes it very special.

I bring this up because Trading Futures is nothing like that. It's a James Bond movie in page form, featuring The Doctor, Fitz and Anji. An all-out action piece filled with globetrotting chases, some very obvious nods - character and chapter tiles - to the Bond World, and alien Rhinos. Yes, alien Rhinos.

Its outrageous....... and it works.

It's pretty obvious that Parkin is not interested in repeating himself. He is interested in telling a story, full stop. This time, he uses the Bond staple ideas and gives them some fun and subtle (and not so subtle) twists.

Among the fun bits: Anji is the bikini-clad dangerous beauty, Fitz actually gets to be the Doctor, and lots of chases, fights, explosions and last minute escapes. Character is nowhere as deep as it was in Father Time, and it doesn't need to be. The archetypal characters are all in place, and Parkin winds them up and lets them loose.

The Plot is twisty and convoluted, like a James Bond film. We have multiple baddies with multiple agendas, all chasing about for the secret of time travel. It's similar to Anacrophobia, but instead of going for Horror, Parkin gives it a fresh spin.

Trading Futures is a good, fun read. Like Mad Dogs and Englishmen to The Adventuress of Henrietta Street, it's a perfect counterbalance to the previous book of the line. It's a great rollercoaster ride, sit back and enjoy it.