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River Song
THE 30TH NOVEL FROM AUSTRALIA'S FAVOURITE STORYTELLER DI MORRISSEY - A STORY ABOUT FRIENDSHIP AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN DREAMS COME TRUE...
The arrival of a hotshot New York composer brings a rare touch of glamour and excitement to the peaceful country town of Fig Tree River. For Leonie, Madison, Sarita and Chrissie, four women involved in the local musical theatre, it's a welcome distraction from the pressures of daily life.
Then a lottery ticket, bought together on impulse, changes everything.
The winnings, shared between the four friends, are all they ever hoped for ... and all they ever feared, bringing dreams, dilemmas and disaster.
When their new lives start to fall apart, will the women have the strength to find the song inside their hearts once more?
The arrival of a hotshot New York composer brings a rare touch of glamour and excitement to the peaceful country town of Fig Tree River. For Leonie, Madison, Sarita and Chrissie, four women involved in the local musical theatre, it's a welcome distraction from the pressures of daily life.
Then a lottery ticket, bought together on impulse, changes everything.
The winnings, shared between the four friends, are all they ever hoped for ... and all they ever feared, bringing dreams, dilemmas and disaster.
When their new lives start to fall apart, will the women have the strength to find the song inside their hearts once more?
- GenresFiction
432 pages, Hardcover
Published October 8, 2024
60 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Di Morrissey
77 books379 followersDi Morrissey (born 18 March 1943 in Wingham, New South Wales) is one of Australia's most popular female novelists. She grew up in the remote surrounds of Pittwater, north of Sydney, Australia.
Growing up she counted famous Australian actor Chips Rafferty as a close mentor and friend who helped provide for her and her mother after the death of her father as a child, sending them overseas to California to live with family.
In her later years, Di went on to become a journalist on London's Fleet Street, and worked for CBS in Honolulu, where she lived with her husband who was in the foreign service, and even had a small role in the series Hawaii Five-0, a guest role in season three, episode seven, 1970 starring as 'Alicia Anderson'.
After moving back to Australia, Di published her first book 'Heart of the Dreaming' which instantly became a bestseller. Since then Di has published another 17 bestsellers, her latest being 'The Silent Country'.
Growing up she counted famous Australian actor Chips Rafferty as a close mentor and friend who helped provide for her and her mother after the death of her father as a child, sending them overseas to California to live with family.
In her later years, Di went on to become a journalist on London's Fleet Street, and worked for CBS in Honolulu, where she lived with her husband who was in the foreign service, and even had a small role in the series Hawaii Five-0, a guest role in season three, episode seven, 1970 starring as 'Alicia Anderson'.
After moving back to Australia, Di published her first book 'Heart of the Dreaming' which instantly became a bestseller. Since then Di has published another 17 bestsellers, her latest being 'The Silent Country'.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 2, 2024
There are many topics discussed in this book such as
1/ Money
Winning money or coming into money can change everything in ones life , circumstances , relationship breakdowns. Money can complicate things rather than make it easier.
2/ Environmental issues
It discusses climate change, habitat, off the grid, sacred aboriginal sites, heritage buildings.
This book is all about luck, love , friendships, and moving on. One of my sayings in life is everything happens for a reason. This comes across very strongly. It does discuss the topic of domestic violence but does so in a respectful way.
1/ Money
Winning money or coming into money can change everything in ones life , circumstances , relationship breakdowns. Money can complicate things rather than make it easier.
2/ Environmental issues
It discusses climate change, habitat, off the grid, sacred aboriginal sites, heritage buildings.
This book is all about luck, love , friendships, and moving on. One of my sayings in life is everything happens for a reason. This comes across very strongly. It does discuss the topic of domestic violence but does so in a respectful way.
November 7, 2024
Big thanks to Pan Macmillan for sending us a copy to read and review.
Destination fiction guru Di Morrissey has just released her 30th book.
A long time in the publishing world, she has written a bountiful of bestsellers.
Di chooses a hotspot location and creates her fictitious project around this.
River Song is her latest adventure.
Fig Tree River, a little town with a close knit neighbourhood who enjoy community musical theatre.
The arrival of a reputable New York composer adds excitement to all.
Madison, Chrissie, Sarita and Leonie enjoy the past time and with a new guest their ordinary lives cause elation.
Then a winning lottery ticket purchased by the four brings wealth, dreams and happiness but also problems, greed and chaos.
Needing no introduction, Di has captured a worthy read about four women in a small community who receive a windfall and come together.
A glorious story with picturesque scenery, a classy plot, a selection of delightful characters and this is an additional inclusion in an already impressive collection of books.
Another enjoyable tale from Australia’s favourite storyteller.
Destination fiction guru Di Morrissey has just released her 30th book.
A long time in the publishing world, she has written a bountiful of bestsellers.
Di chooses a hotspot location and creates her fictitious project around this.
River Song is her latest adventure.
Fig Tree River, a little town with a close knit neighbourhood who enjoy community musical theatre.
The arrival of a reputable New York composer adds excitement to all.
Madison, Chrissie, Sarita and Leonie enjoy the past time and with a new guest their ordinary lives cause elation.
Then a winning lottery ticket purchased by the four brings wealth, dreams and happiness but also problems, greed and chaos.
Needing no introduction, Di has captured a worthy read about four women in a small community who receive a windfall and come together.
A glorious story with picturesque scenery, a classy plot, a selection of delightful characters and this is an additional inclusion in an already impressive collection of books.
Another enjoyable tale from Australia’s favourite storyteller.
February 7, 2025
River Song by Di Morrissey celebrates her 30th novel.
Set on Fig Tree River in the orchards we meet four different women whose lives all intertwine with the common interest of where they all live and a 'chance' purchase of a lottery ticket.
What would happen to all their lives if the syndicate won? Would it change for better or worse? Who would you tell if you won? Maybe, it's best to keep it quiet.
Read it and see in this new novel, River Song by Di Morrissey.
This novel is also dedicated to Percy Grainger, the Australian pianist and composer ~ there will never be another.
I escaped on holidays to Fiji through the pages of the book and the snowy sidewalks of New York.
Fiji holds a 'special' place in my heart. In this book, I could reminisce and picture myself there once again, sipping on a coconut drink, in a sarong, having a crab curry and experiencing a lovo feast, exploring The Garden of Sleeping Giants, visiting the local markets, the reef and the vast beauty of Fiji which I've seen myself four times.
Hear about The Riverside Playhouse and heritage architecture, restoration, proposals, protecting wildlife and so much more in this brand new novel, River Song by Di Morrissey.
This novel comes in a beautiful 'bright blue' hardback edition with a scenic paper cover which I was lucky to find under my Christmas Tree.
Congratulations to Di Morrissey on the release of her 30th novel, River Song.
Note: Don't forget to listen to the song at the end of the book, On the River by Goldheist
Set on Fig Tree River in the orchards we meet four different women whose lives all intertwine with the common interest of where they all live and a 'chance' purchase of a lottery ticket.
What would happen to all their lives if the syndicate won? Would it change for better or worse? Who would you tell if you won? Maybe, it's best to keep it quiet.
Read it and see in this new novel, River Song by Di Morrissey.
This novel is also dedicated to Percy Grainger, the Australian pianist and composer ~ there will never be another.
I escaped on holidays to Fiji through the pages of the book and the snowy sidewalks of New York.
Fiji holds a 'special' place in my heart. In this book, I could reminisce and picture myself there once again, sipping on a coconut drink, in a sarong, having a crab curry and experiencing a lovo feast, exploring The Garden of Sleeping Giants, visiting the local markets, the reef and the vast beauty of Fiji which I've seen myself four times.
Hear about The Riverside Playhouse and heritage architecture, restoration, proposals, protecting wildlife and so much more in this brand new novel, River Song by Di Morrissey.
This novel comes in a beautiful 'bright blue' hardback edition with a scenic paper cover which I was lucky to find under my Christmas Tree.
Congratulations to Di Morrissey on the release of her 30th novel, River Song.
Note: Don't forget to listen to the song at the end of the book, On the River by Goldheist
February 16, 2025
I love Di Morrissey’s stories. They are rich with characters, location and captivating storylines. Whilst I enjoyed River Song, this story felt a little lacking. There were a lot of characters and because of that it felt like the story skated across the surface, revealing a little about each of them, rather than going deeper. The ending, wrapping everything up neatly in the last chapter, was also disappointing.
December 1, 2024
This would be my favourite Di Morrissey book, as the plot and characters are well drawn as with all her books, but the life and times of Percy Grainger are the focus and this sets it apart.
It is set by a country river in rural Australia and has a cast largely comprised of women who all work together on annual musicals in the Riverside Playhouse. Fleur is the visitor from America who stays locally to work out her plan to stage a show about Percy Grainger, his music and personal life with Ella his wife. Leonie is the director and organiser, a widow with a son, who manages the family farm since the death of her husband. Sarita makes the costumes . Cassie does the sets, and lives with her husband and children. Maddie is a local girl who sings and composes music who is recruited by Fleur to play Ella opposite Julian, a colourful character, in the short show produced locally. Charlie is the local photographer who films the production.
The initial run-through is well received locally, and Fleur returns to pursue the project in America, but the Playhouse faces sale and demolition which Leonie is keen to prevent.
The four local women buy a raffle ticket which wins them enough to realise their dreams. There are many twists and turns, some disasters and people aiming to gain from the women, with domestic violence marring Cassie's new found wealth and weather causing distress to Sarita's desire to return to her native Fiji. Maddie achieves success in writing and performing music and the work of Percy Grainger becomes known through Fleur's promotion.
This added a really interesting theme for me, and Di Morrissey's interest in his work and her knowledge shone through. It's an interesting read and a good one to demonstrate the positive work of women together.
Highly recommended
It is set by a country river in rural Australia and has a cast largely comprised of women who all work together on annual musicals in the Riverside Playhouse. Fleur is the visitor from America who stays locally to work out her plan to stage a show about Percy Grainger, his music and personal life with Ella his wife. Leonie is the director and organiser, a widow with a son, who manages the family farm since the death of her husband. Sarita makes the costumes . Cassie does the sets, and lives with her husband and children. Maddie is a local girl who sings and composes music who is recruited by Fleur to play Ella opposite Julian, a colourful character, in the short show produced locally. Charlie is the local photographer who films the production.
The initial run-through is well received locally, and Fleur returns to pursue the project in America, but the Playhouse faces sale and demolition which Leonie is keen to prevent.
The four local women buy a raffle ticket which wins them enough to realise their dreams. There are many twists and turns, some disasters and people aiming to gain from the women, with domestic violence marring Cassie's new found wealth and weather causing distress to Sarita's desire to return to her native Fiji. Maddie achieves success in writing and performing music and the work of Percy Grainger becomes known through Fleur's promotion.
This added a really interesting theme for me, and Di Morrissey's interest in his work and her knowledge shone through. It's an interesting read and a good one to demonstrate the positive work of women together.
Highly recommended
October 12, 2024
The arrival of a hotshot New York composer brings a rare touch of glamour and excitement to the peaceful country town of Fig Tree River. For Leonie, Madison, Sarita and Chrissie, four women involved in the local musical theatre, it's a welcome distraction from the pressures of daily life.
Then a lottery ticket, bought together on impulse, changes everything.
The winnings, shared between the four friends, are all they ever hoped for ... and all they ever feared, bringing dreams, dilemmas and disaster.
.
From the first page, I could tell I was reading a seasoned authors words- having not read any of Di Morrissey’s other books, I was excited to dive into this one. At times when you meet a number of main characters it can be hard to keep track of who is who- however this was approached very well and easy to follow. I loved following each woman’s story and how they came together to create the theatre performance. The pace switches once they win the lottery, and more complex themes and challenges are introduced - I was surprised by how invested I was, and thought it was so interesting to base a story around how your life changes when you become instantly wealthy (it isn’t all that great!). I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more from Morrissey.
From the first page, I could tell I was reading a seasoned authors words- having not read any of Di Morrissey’s other books, I was excited to dive into this one. At times when you meet a number of main characters it can be hard to keep track of who is who- however this was approached very well and easy to follow. I loved following each woman’s story and how they came together to create the theatre performance. The pace switches once they win the lottery, and more complex themes and challenges are introduced - I was surprised by how invested I was, and thought it was so interesting to base a story around how your life changes when you become instantly wealthy (it isn’t all that great!). I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more from Morrissey.
December 6, 2024
For a Di Morrissey book (and I love a lot of her books) that I wasn't thinking would be 'exotic' enough in its setting to keep me enthralled - this one exceeded all those expectations and defied my preconceived ideas about it.
Set in the fictional town of Fig Tree River in northern NSW, River Song is the story of a group of friends brought together by an American theatrical entrepreneur and an old heritage theatre that is under threat.
Each of the women who make up the core group of friends has her own issues outside the collective, and Morrissey manages to make them all worth reading - and knowing. A wonderful cast of diverse characters.
The setting strays widely - from New York to Fiji and other places - yet Fig Tree River is the shared heritage that creates an unbreakable bond between the women, their families, their friends, and their passions.
I loved this book.
Set in the fictional town of Fig Tree River in northern NSW, River Song is the story of a group of friends brought together by an American theatrical entrepreneur and an old heritage theatre that is under threat.
Each of the women who make up the core group of friends has her own issues outside the collective, and Morrissey manages to make them all worth reading - and knowing. A wonderful cast of diverse characters.
The setting strays widely - from New York to Fiji and other places - yet Fig Tree River is the shared heritage that creates an unbreakable bond between the women, their families, their friends, and their passions.
I loved this book.
November 25, 2024
3.5 ⭐️⭐️ Four women, Leonie, Chrissie, Maddie (Madison) and Sarita become involved together in the local musical theatre when Fleur, a New York composer, arrives in Fig Tree River, a small town not too far from Sydney, New South Wales. Fleur has been working on a musical about Percy Grainger and his wife, Ella Strom. On impulse the four Australians buy a lottery ticket and the winnings change everything about their daily life, not all for the better. There are themes of DV, environmental concerns, both in Fig Tree River and Fiji, single parenting, the benefits of farm regeneration, assistance with safe housing for DV victims, con men, the preservation of local heritage buildings, music and following your dreams. This was an easy read with important themes.
May 14, 2025
The rural community of Fig Tree River is the setting for Di Morrissey’s latest novel. The story centres around four women who are involved with the local musical theatre. On impulse one day, the four women buy a lottery ticket - a winning ticket with a huge prize money that changes lives changed forever. Whilst dreams can be fulfilled their luck also brings fear, greed, and disaster. A thoroughly good read.
January 24, 2025
Di Morrissey, one of my favourite authors. I have read all her books and enjoyed them all, always well researched. I enjoy the fact that almost all her books are written in different areas of Australia.
This book has a more complicated storey line, following the lives of four women. How their lives change after they buy a lottery ticket. I enjoyed the read.
This book has a more complicated storey line, following the lives of four women. How their lives change after they buy a lottery ticket. I enjoyed the read.
February 11, 2025
A low 3 stars - the initial theme seemed interesting - a musical about a famous Australian musician. However, the book quickly veered off onto other story lines including the environment, spouse abuse, the effect of lottery winnings and in happy fashion everything was resolved by the end of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2025
An interesting book, so many different stories within this book.
I feel Ms Morrissey used her own home town as the setting for this book.
This book also weaves part of the true story of Percy Grainger an Australian-born American composer, pianist, and conductor within the story. I really enjoyed this part of the story.
I feel Ms Morrissey used her own home town as the setting for this book.
This book also weaves part of the true story of Percy Grainger an Australian-born American composer, pianist, and conductor within the story. I really enjoyed this part of the story.
November 5, 2024
Entertaining story, some good themes, but some saccharine moments as well. Everything got resolved pretty easily. But it was great to read about the impact of a big win that proved that money isn’t everything!
November 17, 2024
I couldn’t finish it. I haven’t enjoyed her last few books. They are all so same same. New person moves to the community, makes friends, etc etc etc Her new books are a far cry from her older work. I won’t be reading any more.
March 10, 2025
I struggled with this book. I was looking for a light easy read which this started off as but became very vanilla. Nearly didn’t finish it but pushed through. Not much substance to it, wouldn’t recommend
October 15, 2024
As always a great read Di Morrissey never fails to entertain 👍
November 9, 2024
It is a really good story about a town and the lives of the people who live there. An American lady who visits
and a play is produced. With lots of drama.
and a play is produced. With lots of drama.
November 14, 2024
I haven't read a book by Di Morrissey for such a long time it seems. This one was definitely well worth the read. A great read and loved the whole storyline. Thoroughly enjoyable.
December 3, 2024
I struggled with this book.Nearly DNF but I persisted... It was just ok
December 28, 2024
A good read. Now listening to Goldheist as a bonus
January 10, 2025
One of the best by this author I have read for awhile. More of today’s world and problems of everyday ladies.
April 4, 2025
The moral of the story is what can happen when you win the lottery.
April 18, 2025
Sweet,formulaic with a decent sense of place.
May 5, 2025
One of the most boring books I’ve ever read. Bizarre plot - if you can call it that - and totally flat characters.
July 7, 2025
I wasn’t overly impressed with this book which is unusual as I love her books. This just didn’t hold my interest at all
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August 22, 2025Audiobook
August 24, 2025
As always another great story. Read this book in 3 days. Loved how the characters blended.
August 27, 2025
Good read with great outcomes for all four women who win $90m!
October 5, 2025
Continuing my Di Morrissey love affair
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews