The paperback edition of the first novel by River Song herself, Alex Kingston, will be arriving on 3rd of February
In February, BBC Books will be publishing the paperback of a stylish Doctor Who sci-fi noir adventure by Alex Kingston. The Ruby’s Curse features her time-travelling archaeologist River Song and River’s alter ego, private detective Melody Malone.
Alex Kingston said: “Having absolutely no idea of the journey I would be taking with River Song when I first uttered those words, ‘Hello Sweetie’, I cannot begin to express how excited I am to be able to continue not only River, but Melody’s adventures on the written page. A sassy private detective and a time travelling archaeologist joining forces to solve a mystery? What’s not to love!?”
Albert DePetrillo, BBC Books’ Publishing Director, said: “Working with Alex on this highly original new story has been such a delight, and we couldn’t be happier to be publishing her first Doctor Who novel. River Song is such an iconic character, and I think Alex’s many fans will be thrilled and amazed with what she’s come up with.”

Doctor Who: The Ruby’s Curse
She’s got ice in her heart and kiss on her lips… 1939, New York. Private Eye, Melody Malone, is hired to find a stolen ruby, the Eye of Horus. The ruby might hold the secret to the location of Cleopatra’s tomb – but everyone who comes into contact with it dies. Can Melody escape the ruby’s curse? 1939, New York. River Song, author of the Melody Malone Mysteries, is forced to find a reality altering weapon, the Eye of Horus. River doesn’t believe in curses – but is she wrong?
From the top-security confines of Stormcage to the barbarism of first-century Egypt, River battles to find the Eye of Horus before its powers are used to transform the universe. To succeed, she must team up with a most unlikely ally – her own fictional alter ego, Melody. And together they must solve another mystery: Is fiction changing into fact – or is fact changing into fiction?