The Water Devil

Margaret of Ashbury #3

by Judith Merkle Riley

The final adventure in the beloved and bestselling Margaret of Ashbury trilogy, which began with A Vision of Light and In Pursuit of the Green Lion .

Margaret of Ashbury is ready to settle down; the medieval healer is looking forward to an uneventful life in the country. And, indeed, life with her true love and a brood of rambunctious children is nearly perfect—except for her husband Gregory’s ever-meddling family. Finding himself deep in debt once again, Gregory’s father has plotted to sell Margaret’s daughter off in marriage to save his woodlands from a greedy abbot. In a panic, Margaret turns to her old friend Brother Malachi to help save her daughter by whatever means necessary. The tension within the feuding family rouses an ancient being that dwells in a spring at the center of the disputed woodland. The watery creature has its own plans, and its eye is on Margaret’s infant son.

Favorite characters return, the stakes are high, and the air is thick with intrigue and danger. Written with the historical accuracy, supernatural plot twists, and humor that Riley’s readers have grown to love, The Water Devil is a high-spirited adventure that brings Margaret’s odyssey to a satisfying conclusion.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Medieval, Historical, Fantasy, British Literature, Romance

276 pages, Paperback

First published January 23, 1996

About the author

Judith Astria Merkle was born on January 14, 1942 in Brunswick, Maine and grew up in Livermore, California, U.S.A. Her great-grandfather was a Swiss emigrant, who moved to the United States in 1860. Her uncle-abue was the famous player of baseball Fred Merkle. Her father, Theodore Charles Merkle was contralador of the Project Pluto and her brother Ralph C. Merkle is technological professor in a Computer science School.

Judith Astria Merkle holds a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley and teaches in the Department of Government at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. Married with Mr. Riley, she wrote as Judith Merkle Riley six historical and romance novels.

Reviews

[Saleris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm very sorry this series is finished I loved the first two books. I had a 20 year break between books 2 and 3 simply because I did'nt know until last month that there was a book 3. Book three was just as good as the first two - if not better, and it was like catching up with an old and very interesting friend.

I then came to find out that Judith Merkle Riley died and there'll be no more books at all from her.

A sad time. She was an excellent writer.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

#3 is lighter than the other two books until a point of conflict past the half way point. And much shorter than #2. But I did not find the whole disconnected. As in life, it is not in every year a steady ride. Margaret is wiser and funnier if possible, as well. But often under duress as she has to go back to the country estate for her father-in-law's law case of title to surrounding land and a water location quite near to it that is being contested. She is much happier in her Kendall inherited London place. The Duke is away in France at Calais, but her husband and brother-in-law are present in the castle. A spring, with its surrounding yew and oak trees becomes the core of this next phase of Margaret's development. But several most important under characters once again become center stage to major decisions and futures for all the family members. Madame, the girls' tutor and role model of Lady Chivalry, is perfection in this one. Joys and sorrow and growth! One death in crime and one in nature- but a delightful read and ending for the Margaret of Ashbury saga. Glowing at the ending!

[Kate Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third and last of Riley's books about Margaret of Ashbury; a lighter story with an unexpectedly serious third-act twist. Margaret is happy with her children and her husband Gregory, but once again his tumultuous family raises havoc in her peaceful world. Gregory's irascible father Sir Hubert is in debt again, and pledges Margaret's daughter in marriage to get himself out of trouble. Margaret struggles to extract her daughter and her father-in-law from the situation, hampered by a mischievous and sometimes destructive water sprite. Sir Hubert, long a favorite secondary character from the first two books, gets center stage in this one as he growls, stamps, and shouts like a grizzled old lion. No less funny is a spoiled sister-in-law who requires an exorcism. A delightful conclusion to Margaret's story, and thank goodness it's finally available in English after being published only in German for some years.

[Kilian Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

You think you have in-law problems? They're nothing compared to what Margaret has to contend with. Her sister-in-law is insane. Her father-in-law has decided to sell her 12-year-old daughter in marriage to collect the money. Her brother-in-law is only concerned that he is in the latest fashion, and her husband seems unable to protect Margaret from the worst of them, at least not while the latest poem is uncompleted. With the help of her old friends Brother Malachi and Mother Hilde, she come up with a plan to save the family.

I can't help thinking what a lovely television series these books would make. What with insane in-laws, spirits, ghosts and general hilarity interfering every turn she makes, Margaret simply wants to return to her quiet life in London and settle down as the mistress of her own peaceful home. Boring. Instead we get the benefit the discomfort and chaos surrounding her, until she is forced to take action. At least her husband values her steady common sense, even if her in-laws don't.

This third of the trilogy wraps everything up nicely. For now. Who knows what further adventure would have lain in store for Margaret had Judith Merkle Riley lived to write them?

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last installment in a trilogy about Margaret of Ashford, a woman who has been touched by God and given the power of healing. I read the first book more than 20 years ago and it left a lasting impression. I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good historical fiction read.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Final book of the Margaret of Ashbury series. Boy, these were just great. Really loved the interaction between Margaret and the "demon". I can't recommend these enough!

[Pat · Rating 2 out of 5]

2020: Still not my favorite of the trilogy; it feels added on, rather than being an integral part of Margaret's story. (Though it provides a happy ending for an unexpected character.) Margaret isn't quite the center of the story, as she is in the other two books; it's more about some characters around her. (And Gregory isn't much of a focus, either, possibly because he's already accomplished the character arc Riley planned for him.)

I confess: I skimmed a couple sections, having little interest in the back-and-forth of the legal maneuvering.

Characterwise, I wonder if Riley had Brian Blessed in mind for Hubert, given the CAPITALIZED WORDS used for emphasis. Hugo swings from being amusing to being horrifying; I'm glad Riley didn't try to make him wholly endearing, given our past experiences with him. But, Madame! Yowza! Starting as a fairly stock character--the stodgy stick-in-the-mud--and slowly revealing other layers--she's a fabulous character who's used really well. (And really needed, given the plot.)

The supernatural element is interesting (and Margaret's vision during her fever provides a more satisfactory ending than if she hadn't had it); but I appreciate this kind of element more when it lines up with some recognizable natural phenomenon, which doesn't really happen here. (I don't understand a spring that bubbles only when some gigantic eel is in place.) It is nice to have a reminder of earlier, pagan beliefs; and a water sprite is a believable fit. (And the succubus thing works on a number of levels.)

As I said, not my favorite. All in all, though, it is part of the trilogy, and Madame is a terrific addition to the characters.

[Mei · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book feels a little disconnected from the first and second book. The stakes a lower, the sister-in-law becomes a rather flat villain (and how they deal with her was really not to my liking), there's romance that's feels a bit odd (although the couple do have a nice dynamic and it's the 'opposites attract' trope which is alright, although I don't think the guy could ever deserve a woman like that).

Cecily and Alison are the best, and I really wanted a sequel where grown-up Cecily bullies her intended into submission (she would, no doubt about it!).

The characters are hilarious and lovable as always, and I've read this novel multiple times simply because I can never get enough Margaret and Gilbert.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fine read

I was introduced to Merkle's books while taking a graduate class in Historical Fiction. I am a voracious reader of this genre and thought it was my guilty pleasure. But it is rather a way of understanding history and the present times. And having a good read. The Water Devil continues the story of Margaret who is now wed happily to Gregory, pregnant with their first child. Once again adventures abound, old faithful characters come back and the practical, mystical Margaret takes care of things. I understand this is the final book in the series. I hope not; this is one novel friend I don't want to say goodbye to.

[Susan Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Lovely Read!

I did so love this book, though I genuinely believe it's not quite up to the standard of A Vision of Light and In Pursuit of the Green Dragon. The characters, especially Lord Hubert and Madame, are just so well done, and the reconciliation of paganism and medieval Christianity was deftly handled. I think most of my problem lies with Lady Petronilla, whom I didn't find quite entirely believable. Clinical insanity, check, monster of selfishness, check, but somehow pitifully small, a nasty thin spot in the weave, not a great gaping hole in God's creation like the Comte de St. Medard. Still, a lovely read.

[Mary Ellen Barringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the third and final volume detailing the fictional of the story of Margaret of Ashbury. A medieval novel, it tells the story of Margaret's life from poverty, through two marriages and life as an independent woman when women were not to be independent.

It is also the story of Christianity and pagen forces with mysticism thrown in.

A Vision of Light and Pursuit of the Green Lion are the first two books in the series. We'll worth reading.

[Diana Sandberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book on my shelves (it happens), noted that it is the third in a series, rather rashly assumed I'd read the other two and read it. I had in fact read two *other* books by this author, about 10 years ago. I found them entertaining and so is this. Not terribly deep but not fluff either. Engaging characters, and I will probably go back and read the others in this series when I want a pleasant light read.

[Nightwitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some reason I find it easy to forget about Judith Merkle Riley and her sprightly, immersive medieval historical fiction - maybe it's just that I can't read too many of her books at once. The Water Devil was a delight, with a full cast of characters and some new introductions; it feels like a realistic middle ages but also is just really pleasant to read.

[Rima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, like the first two. Margaret is both rooted in, and ahead of her time in her womanhood. She’s a beautifully crafted character. It would be nice to read about her children. Maybe we’ll get those books one day. I’ve loved everything I’ve read by this author.

[Melissa McQuade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the previous book and LOVED it, so ordered this one. While this one was good, the first book was a much more intense and detailed story. The second book did not seem as well researched but I still enjoyed it very much.

[Sadie McCarley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of humor and wisdom, just like the other books in the series. I had several laugh-out-loud moments with this book. We catch up with most of the characters and wrongs are made right (mostly). I just love Margaret and wish that the series never ended! Guess I’ll have to reread them all!

[Juli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow, the stakes in this one seem lower than in the others - it's not about war, plague or witch trials, it's just a sister-in-law gone mad. But the outcome is bitter sweet, and the book is still very good.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you made it through the first two books then you already know that you want to read this. Is it as satisfying as Light and Green Lion? No. But if you love the characters then you’ll be happy just to be with them a little longer. Still very good.

[Dominique · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m sad this series is over.

As in the previous installments, Judith Merkle Riley does a great job balancing the all of the various elements of life - the mundane bits, the humorous moments, and the darker periods of life into a story that is filled with interesting characters.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t really love the first 3/4’s of this book, but the last 1/4 bumped my rating up to a 3 star rating.

[Kariss · Rating 3 out of 5]

then the next one ... such a wonderful series.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series continues to be delightful.

[Jan Fickeissen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this series

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love her writing

I just love Judith’s writing it is unusual for me to read a series back to back I did this series!

[Peregrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm named after one of the characters in this. Ask my mom.

[Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first, but better than the second book.

[Debbie Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfactory ending to the series!

[Yrsa Anckers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bra avslut på serien

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this series, which I am very late to. Will read all three again.

[Donna LaValley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margaret continues to be a character worth reading about, as does Gilbert and his family - particularly his father. In almost every book written about the Middle Ages where there is a strong female character, she is written as a proto-feminist (am I coining a term here?). That's also true of any historical novel with a woman in it, including books taking place in the 1950's. This has been my experience with books written after 1980.

In this trilogy, not only is Margaret a proto-feminist, she is also a proto-New Ager - her beliefs parallel the modern movement way back in the 1300's. Of course, everything new is old, and everything old is new again eventually, as they say. This is worth mentioning for readers who might, particularly enjoy those aspects of the character.

This is my least favorite of the 3 volumes if only because the plot isn't as fast and far-reaching as the others. It resorts to madness in order to conclude one character, and brings forth an ancient spirit for several to deal with, adding a stronger magical element than found in the other 2 books.

The conflict is mainly within the relationships; Margaret's cares here are mostly for her children. I give it 4 stars like the other 2 books, and recommend it - it was very satisfying to read this trilogy's conclusion, and I would like to have another that follows!