Episode #44

Melody Malone Mystery #2 Doctor Who:

The Ruby’s Curse By Alex Kingston with Jacqueline Rayner

The Book

This is another book from my To Be Read collection, but it is not as old as the rest. It was first published in 2021 by BBC Books, an imprint of Ebury Publishing, in association with Penguin Books. Although Alex Kingston claims full rights as the book’s author, she had help from Jacqueline Rayner. I believe she may have ghostwritten this story. However, I could be wrong.

The book has 275 pages including acknowledgements. I was lucky to have my copy signed by Mrs Kingston.

What Did I Think

A frustrated writer found that the only way she could make any progress and finish her book was to put herself back in her prison cell at Stormcage in the 51st century.

Even though she enjoys being with her family, they are trapped in the 1930s. She needs some quiet to get her work done.

River Song, a lady, reversed in time from her family. For some background, you may want to watch Matt Smith’s version of The Doctor to get the full story. She is in jail because she killed someone. Someone important. But the jail doesn’t hold her for long, as she disappears on adventures, either: by herself or with her family. For now, she needs to concentrate on the writing. But of course, this leads to meeting someone new and going on another adventure, to search for a dangerous Ruby that is a curse to whoever becomes involved with it.

Two Worlds

The story is split into two sections which slowly intertwine towards the end of the book: The story we follow with Professor Song and the Story she is writing. The continuous adventures of Melody Malone. The Private Dick from 1930s America. Mrs Song writes the character as a version of herself.

With the help of Mrs Kingston, you receive River Song in all her glory. The story doesn’t slow down as we jump through time and space to achieve the plot of the story. And hopefully, save her parents and some others along the way.

Travelling from 1930s America, the 51st Century and back to 30 BCE with Cleopatra, You receive short history lessons from different time periods, which seems to be lacking in the present Doctor Who.

The cross-over between the “real world” and the book world, was a nice touch. Even the journey with the Cat was brilliant.

All in all, I would like to read some more adventures. Maybe I could backtrack and get the first book. But, that is a purely Melody Malone story. I kind of like the mixing of the two worlds. The twist was a nice touch to the end of the story.

Would I Recommend

This book is for any River Song fan. Although, it is set in the Doctor Who universe. This is a solo adventure. And even though there are references to her past and family. You could get away with this as a stand-alone book.

So please, give this book a go.

Would you like to purchase your very own copy?

You could try these online stores: Amazon UK/USA. Waterstones. AbeBooks UK/ USA, Barnes and Noble and eBay UK/ USA.

Alternatively, you could try your local bookshop or even your local library.