River of Death

👍🏼(7.8) = GOOD!

Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!

John Peel's BBC audio depicts Six and Peri colliding with the Grand Canyon, forcing them to embark on a journey down the valley and further along the river in search of the TARDIS. They eventually join a band of travellers on an expedition, and what follows is a sort of historical Western drama.

It is refreshing to hear another historical adventure without aliens or supernatural phenomena. This is a story focused on the characters and the dangers created by Mother Nature alone.

The exploration of the Grand Canyon and its distinct locations is impressive. The setting also creates a naturally dangerous environment to traverse, which adds to the tension of the story and keeps the narrative flowing. The 19th-century setting also comes alive quite well later on, once we meet the travelling band. A lot of the story centres around capturing the feel of the treacherous setting.

Of particular note is the sequence of the characters riding down the river on the boats, which is very well-written. The third act that follows focuses more on the human drama but lacks the strong hooks of the earlier parts. Peel then closes the story with a morbid finale, which is kind of heartbreaking to listen to.

Peel masterfully portrays the extravagant and temperamental Six, while Nicola Bryant's accurate narration enhances the believable Peri. The portrayal of the relationship between Six and Peri is also excellent, with their bickering playing a significant role in this story.

Bryant narrates with positive energy, which keeps you engaged with the story. I love the American voices she gives to John Wesley Powell and his men.