The Diary of River Song: I Went to a Marvellous Party

The Diary of River Song #1.2

by Justin Richards

River Song always enjoys a good party, even when she’s not entirely sure where or when the party is taking place. But the party she ends up at is one where not everything – or indeed everyone – is what it seems…

Being River, it doesn’t take her too long to go exploring, and it doesn’t take her too long to get into trouble. The sort of trouble that involves manipulating other civilisations, exploitation, and of course murder.

River is confident she can find the killer. But can she identify them before anyone else – or quite possibly everyone else – gets killed?

Genres: Doctor Who, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery, Adventure, Fiction, Media Tie In

Audio CD

Published December 25, 2015

About the author

Justin Richards is a British writer. He has written many spin off novels based on the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who, and he is Creative Director for the BBC Books range. He has also written for television, contributing to Five's soap opera Family Affairs. He is also the author of a series of crime novels for children about the Invisible Detective, and novels for older children. His Doctor Who novel The Burning was placed sixth in the Top 10 of SFX magazine's "Best SF/Fantasy novelisation or TV tie-in novel" category of 2000.

Reviews

[Kate Sherrod · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty much permanent party (at which River feels underdressed??), a corpse, a kidnapped "primitive", a moral crusade, and hints that her husband (but which one???) is looking for her, all combine to form the perfect River Song story. And she seems to have a fanboi, whose presence seems to link these airy little trifles? I must find out quickly!

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

What could be more fun than a raucous party on a huge space station? A raucous murder mystery party on a huge space station? Yep! Right the first time. And it’s up to Professor River Song to solve the case before anyone else dies. What fun!

[Taksya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seconda storia della serie.
Il mistero si infittisce e lo fa a bordo di una astronave, durante un party senza fine condito con omicidi e ricatti.
River trova il tempo per risolvere misteri, aiutare popoli bisognosi e bere ottimo champagne... quello che ci si immagina faccia mentre non incontra il Dottore.
Cigliegina sulla torta, tra gli ospiti della nave sembra esserci anche suo marito... ma quale sia, soprattutto alla luce dell'ultimo speciale, è ancora tutto da vedere.

Un piccolo crescendo, rispetto al primo episodio, ma il bello deve ancora venire.

[Helene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed River's cunning personality in this episode. The story wasn't very difficult to work out but I love River way too much to complain. I wonder if we will get more scenes with Bertie Potts in the future episodes, they do make a very surprising pair *giggles*.

[Christopher Hatch · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second CD was a step up from the first.

A very enjoyable story.

[Katharine (Ventureadlaxre) · Rating 5 out of 5]

N'aww, he's staring and waving!

[Nicola Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

River remains to be one of my favourite characters so I savour all of these new episode like a fine wine. I’m slowly adding to my collection of BigFinishes and the Diary of River Song stories are amongst my favorites (well, they are my favourite. Shh Don’t tell my other BigFinishes).

If the title isn’t enough to get you intrigued, the murder mystery element definitely will. On a shuttle to an unknown location, River has been invited to a mysterious party. But when a murder is committed, she knows she can get to the bottom of it.

An also, can I just say: AGHH THE ENDING?!!

Alex Kingston always knocks these out of the park and I loved the addition of Alexander Siddig who I previously knew from Primeval. Forever happy that there are new Who stories to consume and after how this one ended, excitement levels = off scale.

[Alejandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una fiesta murder mystery caótica con River enredada sin saber muy bien cómo y teniendo que solucionar la papeleta... pues me habría encantado que hubiera sido la premisa de un episodio de la serie, pero al menos podemos estar agradecidos a Big Finish por darnos más historias de River Song.

Me ha gustado más que la primera historia de este primer volumen, a ver qué deparan las otras dos.

[Nea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A "who-dunnit" set at a strange party, starring River Song in top form, primitives of all sorts and.. oh well, Spoilers. ;)

I enjoyed this one very much. Less of an introduction than the first and more of a proper adventure. Happily moving on to the next one.

[Shaun Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's where things pick up, taking a turn for the interesting as the plot thickens... For our full review, visit http://travelingthevortex.com/?p=8859

[Tria · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Ryk Stanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of Alex Kingston and love River Song. Got this as part of a Humble Bundle and really enjoyed the listen :)

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the River mysteries and the doctor being on the ship with her at the end was a cliffhanger I needed!

[Tammy Secord · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤️

[Marcel Driel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I’m living this series so much! A murder mystery in space. Intrigue and backstabbing and rich people doing bad things behind the scenes. And River Song doing her thing. Loved it.

[cam reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"im sorry is this a private criptic conversation or can anyone join in"

yeah i love this woman ur honour

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

what a twist at the end!

[Clark Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

And some more River....

[Beatrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN MILD SPOILERS ***

So far (still missing the last adventure) this was my favourite story from this box set. I love me some mysterious never-ending party with a dash of murder and a kick-ass archaeologist running about to solve it whilst managing to save the day (in this case... planets) as well.

I realise this was probably one of those stories of "passage," and that's why it probably wasn't very consistent throughout the narration (we have a party, a murder, blackmailing, manipulations of planets and whatnot... all in one bit, but none really developed), but I loved it.

This is the sort of adventures I imagine River to have: fun, rushed, and with a cliffhanger waiting at the end. Amazing!

Absolute favourite quote of the episode:

Bertie Potts: […] Oh, Isabella said your husband was asking for you.
River Song: He can be so insecure. Needs a lot of hand holding.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alright. I know I'm no expert at these Big Finish audio plays. And that I'm a bit partial to Justin Richards writing. But this is my favorite audio play so far!

Just about perfect. Loved, loved, loved this one! From the title you wouldn't expect it to be all that interesting. But Richards crams a great story, including a murder mystery, into the hour long episode, introduces many new very distinctive characters. It's fast paced fun. Exciting and adventuresome.

Can't wait to listen to the next episode which includes River Songs husband....

Squee!!!!

[Gabriel Mero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series. More RIVER!!!!