The Diary Of River Song: The Orphan Quartet Series 12 by Lou Morgan, James Goss, Tim Foley and Lizzie Hopley (DC review).
This series is all about family. Time and Angels separate River from her parents. She feels the hurt deeply; she must have been feeling it all her life.
The Excise Men, by Lou Morgan
Alex Kingston’s character, River Song, arrives on the tide and narrowly avoids murder by wreckers on the coast. However, the situation worsens when she arrives at the local inn, where everyone is overcome with fear. They are afraid of the excisemen, but these are not the VAT inspectors you’re thinking of. Gradually, River realizes what the village is missing. She knows the price; the people have already paid the excise.
Joseph Milson, the adaptable landlord, and Jade Matthews, his barmaid Wenna, who has all her pint glasses in a row, deliver fine performances.
Harvest of the Krotons, by James Goss
Everyone enjoys pampering themselves, and this spa offers benefits that are not applicable to humans.
Harmony Dubois (Alex Fletcher) is a fading soap star who has found a new income stream. She has some magnificent crystals. They can do wonders for you. If you’re extremely wealthy, you have the option to visit a spa and take as many baths as you like. She has already persuaded many people that this is exactly what they need.
River Song approaches Jackie Tyler (Camille Coduri). She knows Rose is off on her adventures. River understands the agony of being the one left behind. She suggests that Jackie join her at the spa for some indulgence and a little light sleuthing. It will help distract her from her worries.
The partnership of River and Jackie is a powerful concoction. They bounce off each other in an effervescent combination. There’s time for a sweet emotional connection as they defeat those pesky Krotons.
Dead Man Talking by Tim Foley
In an England destroyed by conflict, there are plenty of people to take advantage of the bereaved. Mrs. Prendergast (Carol Royle) has lost her son to the war. The villagers mistrust her attachment to the helmet he died in, but she has Stanley Kim (Irvine Iqbal), a medium who moved in to help her communicate with her dead son.
River arrives in a snowstorm. She has come in an attempt to make things right. She’s not welcome.
This emotional episode delves into the themes of life and loss, featuring an unexpected plot that captivated me.
The Wife of River Song by Lizzie Hopley
A distress call from her sister Brooke (Nina Toussaint-White) means River tries to ride the time rift. She crashes and finds she is expected by her wife.
Due to Madame Kovarian’s DNA snatching, Brooke, River’s sister/daughter, finds herself alone after the extreme containment of a mass virus, unable to pass the security system and reach River.
In situations like these, you truly need your family, even if they are artificial.
‘The Diary of River Song’ consistently reimagines ‘The Orphan Quartet’, highlighting poignant emotional themes and offering thrilling adventures. I enjoy the quiet moments of reflection and the often witty exchanges between characters. Jackie and River are particularly entertaining together. This is the twelfth chapter, and there seem to be plenty of stories left.
Sue Davies
October 2024
(pub: Big Finish, 2024. 4 CDs 305 minute anthology. Price: CD: £34.99 (UK), ISBN: 978-1-80240-146-2. Price: Digital: £29.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-80240-147-9)
cast: Alex Kingston, Nicholas Briggs, Camille Coduri, Derek Elroy, Alex Fletcher, Irvine Iqbal, Jade Matthew, Joseph Millson, Jay Perry, Sarah-Jane Potts, Carol Royle, Sam Stafford and Nina Toussaint-White
check out website: www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/the-diary-of-river-song-series-12-the-orphan-quartet-2844
