GALLAGHER, Stephen

(1954-)

   UK scriptwriter and author who first came to prominence with sf scripts, notably the RADIO series "The Last Rose of Summer", which he adapted as his first novel, The Last Rose of Summer (1978) - from which derived Dying of Paradise (1982) and its sequel, The Ice Belt (1983), both as by Stephen Couper - and episodes for DR WHO, two of which he novelized: Doctor Who and Warrior's Gate * (1982) and Doctor Who - Terminus * (1983),both as by John Lydecker. In the 1980s SG began to establish a reputation as one of the UK's most successful HORROR writers, though some of his books have strong sf overtones. Chimera (1982) is a variation on the Frankenstein myth in which the monster is a hybrid apeman (APES ANDCAVEMEN) created by a government research project in DNA manipulation (GENETIC ENGINEERING); it was serialized on UK tv in 1991. Oktober (1988) is about an experimental drug that allows the protagonist to control other people's nightmares. While often lacking originality of ideas, SG's work is marked by strong characterization, good plotting and extensive background detail, particularly when police-procedural material is being presented.

   AC/PR

   Other works: Saturn 3 * (1980), novelizing the movie SATURN 3 (1980), and based on its screenplay by Martin AMIS; Follower (1984); Valley of Lights (1987); Down River (1989); Rain (1990); The Boat House (1991) and Nightmare, With Angel (1992).