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The Man in the Moss
Though dead for two millennia, he remains perfectly preserved in black peat. The Man in the Moss is one of the most fascinating finds of the century.
But, for the isolated Pennine community of Bridelow, his removal is a sinister sign. A danger to the ancient spiritual tradition maintained, curiously, by the Mothers' Union.
In the weeks approaching Samhain - the Celtic feast of the dead - tragedy strikes again in Bridelow. Scottish folk singer Moira Cairns and American film producer Mungo Macbeth discover their Celtic roots are deeper and darker than they imagined. And, as fundamentalist zealots of both Christian and satanic persuasions challenge an older, gentler faith, the village faces a natural disaster unknown since the reign of Henry VIII.
But, for the isolated Pennine community of Bridelow, his removal is a sinister sign. A danger to the ancient spiritual tradition maintained, curiously, by the Mothers' Union.
In the weeks approaching Samhain - the Celtic feast of the dead - tragedy strikes again in Bridelow. Scottish folk singer Moira Cairns and American film producer Mungo Macbeth discover their Celtic roots are deeper and darker than they imagined. And, as fundamentalist zealots of both Christian and satanic persuasions challenge an older, gentler faith, the village faces a natural disaster unknown since the reign of Henry VIII.
617 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1994
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1018 people want to read
About the author
Phil Rickman
58 books805 followersPhil Rickman, also known under the pen names Thom Madley and Will Kingdom, was a British author of supernatural and mystery novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
October 20, 2024
The Lurking Menace...
THE MAN IN THE MOSS
by Phil Rickman
No spoilers. 4 stars. A cold winter fog lay on the moss like a quilt on the black mattress of peat. Nothing moved...
A ragged alley of graves staggered drunkenly where the churchyard overhung the bog's edge...
This was the largest surviving peatbog in the north of England. The peat was dead, but its acids had the power to preserve anything falling into its depths...
The piper on the moss...
... was playing his bagpipes. This was unusual. The piper was never heard in winter. The village of Bridelow was eerie with atmosphere, anger, and...
Lurking menace...
A number of legends are attached to the moss, and Bridelow moss by moonlight was as stark and white as crow-picked bones.
Its true self...
The bogman was discovered by a road crew and was promptly taken from Bridelow by a museum...
... the old seer of the village, Ma Wagstaff, said he needed to be returned...
Immediately...
... or bad things would happen to Bridelow...
If you're looking for a good atmospheric story to settle into, this is a multilayered tale of the little village of Bridelow and its townsfolk. This novel is rather long at a little over 600 pages, and it has a few slow patches (for which I removed a star), but you can't beat Phil Rickman for character development and atmosphere.
THE MAN IN THE MOSS
by Phil Rickman
No spoilers. 4 stars. A cold winter fog lay on the moss like a quilt on the black mattress of peat. Nothing moved...
A ragged alley of graves staggered drunkenly where the churchyard overhung the bog's edge...
This was the largest surviving peatbog in the north of England. The peat was dead, but its acids had the power to preserve anything falling into its depths...
The piper on the moss...
... was playing his bagpipes. This was unusual. The piper was never heard in winter. The village of Bridelow was eerie with atmosphere, anger, and...
Lurking menace...
A number of legends are attached to the moss, and Bridelow moss by moonlight was as stark and white as crow-picked bones.
Its true self...
The bogman was discovered by a road crew and was promptly taken from Bridelow by a museum...
... the old seer of the village, Ma Wagstaff, said he needed to be returned...
Immediately...
... or bad things would happen to Bridelow...
If you're looking for a good atmospheric story to settle into, this is a multilayered tale of the little village of Bridelow and its townsfolk. This novel is rather long at a little over 600 pages, and it has a few slow patches (for which I removed a star), but you can't beat Phil Rickman for character development and atmosphere.
December 7, 2010
Things are about to change in the ancient village of Bridelow, in western England. Folks here are Christian, but have always adhered to their Celtic roots, and the Mother holds as much power here as the Christ. First, the brewery, producer of Bridelow Black, the famous local bitter, is sold, throwing most of the locals out of work. Then the Anglican priest, who well understands the need to coexist in this place, falls ill, and is replaced by a born again preacher who views Bridelow as an evil, pagan, abomination of a place. The final blow connects when an ancient bog body is discovered in the Moss, the huge peat bog through which the village is accessed. Revered wise woman, Ma Wagstaff, knows something's afoot, and the signals are not beneficent. Little does she realize.....
There are many interesting and colorful characters in Man, just as there are in all of Rickman's work. The three central ones are Moira Cairns, a folk singer, Matt Castle, the Celtic musician who gave Moira her start, and Mungo Macbeth (really!), an American film maker in search of his roots. They will all play crucial roles in a diabolical plot planned by Bridelow's "bad boy", exiled years ago but dying to return.
Rickman's strengths lie in his ability to conjure a sense of time, place, and psyche. His shadings and subtleties are dense and evocative, his characters real and true, whether good or evil. The Man in the Moss is categorized as horror, but it is much, much more.
There are many interesting and colorful characters in Man, just as there are in all of Rickman's work. The three central ones are Moira Cairns, a folk singer, Matt Castle, the Celtic musician who gave Moira her start, and Mungo Macbeth (really!), an American film maker in search of his roots. They will all play crucial roles in a diabolical plot planned by Bridelow's "bad boy", exiled years ago but dying to return.
Rickman's strengths lie in his ability to conjure a sense of time, place, and psyche. His shadings and subtleties are dense and evocative, his characters real and true, whether good or evil. The Man in the Moss is categorized as horror, but it is much, much more.
November 13, 2016
The discovery of a body in the bog beside an isolated Northern village triggers a series of events with more than a tinge of the supernatural to them. Phil Rickman populates his story with well-drawn characters with a gritty humour and no-nonsense outlook on what are rather outlandish occurrences. This is Twin Peaks meets The League of Gentlemen with something of The Wicker Man chucked in for good measure. The dialogue is naturalistic and funny; Rickman adds a sense of mystery by often not revealing who is speaking/thinking until well into a scene, a technique that allows him to surprise and shock us as needs be. With themes of old and new, tradition and revolution, the story is unerringly intriguing and the story-telling absorbing, atmospheric and vivid.
Recommended.
Recommended.
March 16, 2016
3.5 stars.
Firstly, I would describe this book as 'folk horror' rather than just straightforward horror because there's a lot more going on here than just the typical horror yarn.
Set in fictional northern English town of Bridelow (ah, feels like home), surrounded by bleak peat moss, the body of a 'bog man' is found during the construction of a road. When archeologists and other 'interested parties' take him away, things begin to go awry in Bridelow, including the replacing of the very tolerant Reverend who, in the words of one of the village elders promoted an outlook where 'a practical Paganism and humble Christianity have comfortably linked hands for so long'.
There are lots of tangled strings of story here including a Scottish folk singer, a banished village bad boy and Goddess worship, which I found combined to make this a rather long read. It does, however, all come together in the end - eventually.
I did enjoy the strong sense of place, though; the gloomy dark moors and peat, the little English village with its Post Office and Mother's Union (not the typical Mother's Union, I might add), the strong local traditions that everyone follows, even if they don't know why, and the northern accent. And of course, if you've ever seen any of the well-known 'bog men' in the news you'll appreciate the spookiness of their existence. I'm in sympathy with one of the characters who opines that such things are unnatural, things are meant to rot, to fade away. How wonderfully eerie it must be to come face to face with someone who died over a thousand years ago!
Firstly, I would describe this book as 'folk horror' rather than just straightforward horror because there's a lot more going on here than just the typical horror yarn.
Set in fictional northern English town of Bridelow (ah, feels like home), surrounded by bleak peat moss, the body of a 'bog man' is found during the construction of a road. When archeologists and other 'interested parties' take him away, things begin to go awry in Bridelow, including the replacing of the very tolerant Reverend who, in the words of one of the village elders promoted an outlook where 'a practical Paganism and humble Christianity have comfortably linked hands for so long'.
There are lots of tangled strings of story here including a Scottish folk singer, a banished village bad boy and Goddess worship, which I found combined to make this a rather long read. It does, however, all come together in the end - eventually.
I did enjoy the strong sense of place, though; the gloomy dark moors and peat, the little English village with its Post Office and Mother's Union (not the typical Mother's Union, I might add), the strong local traditions that everyone follows, even if they don't know why, and the northern accent. And of course, if you've ever seen any of the well-known 'bog men' in the news you'll appreciate the spookiness of their existence. I'm in sympathy with one of the characters who opines that such things are unnatural, things are meant to rot, to fade away. How wonderfully eerie it must be to come face to face with someone who died over a thousand years ago!
May 12, 2018
Of all the Phil Rickman novels I have read, this is the darkest. It deals with conflicting beliefs about the unseen world in a small, isolated community in Scotland. The town of Bridlow is located on the edge of a large peat bog called "the moss", and the story revolves around the death of a musician who was obsessed with the ancient, preserved body of a man that had been unearthed from the peat bog a year earlier.
Several different groups of people are after the bog man, each having a different agenda. For one group, the body offers a glimpse into ancient British society; for another, it represents a link to Celtic traditions; for another, it possesses magic power; and for still another, it is a portent of doom for the town's delicate spiritual equilibrium. In telling the story, the author artfully depicts the various perspectives of the characters, weaving together an intricate fabric of faith and superstition, bigotry and compassion. The landscape and shifting weather conditions are beautifully rendered, and the looming threat of societal destruction is present from beginning to end.
I listened to the audio production of the book which is skilfully performed by a talented narrator who clearly knows the accents and cadences of the north country language. As I said, the novel was dark and sometimes disturbing, but it made a deep impression on me, opening my eyes to the multiple perspectives people have on religious traditions of the past. It certainly doesn't attempt to present a clear message about good and evil, but rather invites the reader to consider angles that were previously unexamined and to rethink dogma that may, through ignorance, lead to the collapse of otherwise stable and harmonious communities.
Several different groups of people are after the bog man, each having a different agenda. For one group, the body offers a glimpse into ancient British society; for another, it represents a link to Celtic traditions; for another, it possesses magic power; and for still another, it is a portent of doom for the town's delicate spiritual equilibrium. In telling the story, the author artfully depicts the various perspectives of the characters, weaving together an intricate fabric of faith and superstition, bigotry and compassion. The landscape and shifting weather conditions are beautifully rendered, and the looming threat of societal destruction is present from beginning to end.
I listened to the audio production of the book which is skilfully performed by a talented narrator who clearly knows the accents and cadences of the north country language. As I said, the novel was dark and sometimes disturbing, but it made a deep impression on me, opening my eyes to the multiple perspectives people have on religious traditions of the past. It certainly doesn't attempt to present a clear message about good and evil, but rather invites the reader to consider angles that were previously unexamined and to rethink dogma that may, through ignorance, lead to the collapse of otherwise stable and harmonious communities.
November 9, 2017
Evokes the uncertainty of the definition of good and evil and the wonder and force of nature. I could taste the peat.
July 1, 2009
Ignoring the Merrily Watkins stories, Mr. Rickman displays an extremely vast knowledge of Celtic folklore. The book "December" is one terrifying read!! "The Man in the Moss" explores a field rarely touched, Celtic folklore still existing in the North of England (as opposed to Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Cornwall)
June 20, 2022
I’m not sure about this one. Maybe rounding up from a 2.75. It was a bit of a slog for me. I really enjoy folk horror, but this was just… a lot. I didn’t care for any of the characters, I could barely follow the plot… but the environment and folklore was very rich.
July 5, 2009
Phil Rickman's books are difficult to find, and one buys them when one can. This was one of his earlier ones, which we hadn't read. Many of his other books have characters that appear again, but this one is in a different setting, with different characters.
The characters are not as convincing as those in some of his other books. It is more tinged with horror and dark and evil forces. His later novels, especially in the Merrily Watkins series, turn out to be more like whodunits, and one misses the supernatural chills.
In many ways I should not have liked it as much as I did. And I think the reason I liked it is that I have been in the kind of situations he describes. He gets the relationship between Christianity and paganism better aligned in his later books -- the kind of situation he portrays in The man in the moss has been shown to be historically inaccurate in England. But it is in many ways true to life in parts of Africa. It may be wrong in its setting, but move it to another setting, and it becomes true to life.
The characters are not as convincing as those in some of his other books. It is more tinged with horror and dark and evil forces. His later novels, especially in the Merrily Watkins series, turn out to be more like whodunits, and one misses the supernatural chills.
In many ways I should not have liked it as much as I did. And I think the reason I liked it is that I have been in the kind of situations he describes. He gets the relationship between Christianity and paganism better aligned in his later books -- the kind of situation he portrays in The man in the moss has been shown to be historically inaccurate in England. But it is in many ways true to life in parts of Africa. It may be wrong in its setting, but move it to another setting, and it becomes true to life.
February 12, 2018
I just finished reading/listening to Phil Rickman's The Man in the Moss. Must give this one a five. It is chilling, in parts horrifying, supernatural. I am tempted to call it sprawling. An overlay of Goddess Worship and Christianity shield the town of Bridelow, until a malignant person brings to bear evil forces that have been years in the making.
Rickman is more known for his Merrily Watkins mysteries, but Man is one of his stand-alone titles. It is the best novel I have read in quite a long time. If you don't shiver when the rain pounds down and the glow is over the moss, you're not doing it right.
Rickman is more known for his Merrily Watkins mysteries, but Man is one of his stand-alone titles. It is the best novel I have read in quite a long time. If you don't shiver when the rain pounds down and the glow is over the moss, you're not doing it right.
February 19, 2018
I found this a very entertaining read. There is so much in it - evil, good, mystery, realism, magic of all hues etc.etc.
It was brilliantly atmospheric and I love that. I could hear the rain and really imagine the peat and the moors and the whole lot. I have to say that our emotions are played with somewhat up and down and up again.
I think you have to be willing to simply let yourself go along with this one, don't question too deeply but just enjoy and as for the Mother's Union - Well, ooo'd a thowt it !!!
It was brilliantly atmospheric and I love that. I could hear the rain and really imagine the peat and the moors and the whole lot. I have to say that our emotions are played with somewhat up and down and up again.
I think you have to be willing to simply let yourself go along with this one, don't question too deeply but just enjoy and as for the Mother's Union - Well, ooo'd a thowt it !!!
August 1, 2016
How is it that I have gone this long without ever reading, or even hearing about, Phil Rickman? This book was first published in 1994. I stumbled across a Kindle edition at my library, thought it looked interesting, and gave it a whirl. It was fantastic. I have so many good things to say about this novel that I don't know where to begin, and don't really think I am going to try to do any more than hit the highlights and try to avoid spoilers.
In this novel, Rickman creates a robust setting and group of characters that seem all to real. The story is not exactly linear, jumping around in time a little, which for me just added to the depth and realism, as if you were living in Bridelow with the characters of the novel and learning of events first hand, and then later getting a little backstory. Really well done. I almost felt like I was there and part of the story.
I really like the juxtaposition of Christianity, with the old Celtic Pagan undercurrent, that was so subtle in the first half of the book as to be almost unnoticeable, but picked up its voice in the latter half of the novel, in fact driving the story the rest of the way home. That being said, I think I liked the subtle undercurrent better, and thus enjoyed the first half of the book better than the second , but that is hardly a criticism. The book was just a joy to read from beginning to end and I can't wait for my next Rickman novel. Fortunately there are many, and if they are at least half as good as this one I have a few good years of reading pleasure ahead of me.
In this novel, Rickman creates a robust setting and group of characters that seem all to real. The story is not exactly linear, jumping around in time a little, which for me just added to the depth and realism, as if you were living in Bridelow with the characters of the novel and learning of events first hand, and then later getting a little backstory. Really well done. I almost felt like I was there and part of the story.
I really like the juxtaposition of Christianity, with the old Celtic Pagan undercurrent, that was so subtle in the first half of the book as to be almost unnoticeable, but picked up its voice in the latter half of the novel, in fact driving the story the rest of the way home. That being said, I think I liked the subtle undercurrent better, and thus enjoyed the first half of the book better than the second , but that is hardly a criticism. The book was just a joy to read from beginning to end and I can't wait for my next Rickman novel. Fortunately there are many, and if they are at least half as good as this one I have a few good years of reading pleasure ahead of me.
November 26, 2009
Pretty good book.Better than his other horror books.The story is interesting and all the history of the Celtic people I found facinating.
It also has a satisfying ending which I find in most of the books that I really like.
I won't go into the plot because others have but the main protagonists are believable and endearing.I found that I really cared about what was happening to them.
Anyone who is a born again christian may have a problem with the book though because of the way it paints extremests.I found that satisfying though.
This book is definutely worth reading and maybe in one setting.The pace keeps you guessing what will happen next.
People who want to read other books by him may be steered to his supernatural mysteries.The series starts with The Wine of Angels and it's about a female priest in England and her 'supernatural' challenges.
I am trying to let other people know about his Merrily Watkin's series because it really is one of the best series out there.
It also has a satisfying ending which I find in most of the books that I really like.
I won't go into the plot because others have but the main protagonists are believable and endearing.I found that I really cared about what was happening to them.
Anyone who is a born again christian may have a problem with the book though because of the way it paints extremests.I found that satisfying though.
This book is definutely worth reading and maybe in one setting.The pace keeps you guessing what will happen next.
People who want to read other books by him may be steered to his supernatural mysteries.The series starts with The Wine of Angels and it's about a female priest in England and her 'supernatural' challenges.
I am trying to let other people know about his Merrily Watkin's series because it really is one of the best series out there.
March 29, 2019
The small tight community village of Bridelow is isolated in the Pennines. Samhain is approaching. With The Man in the Moss being unearthed after lying in the peat for years things in the village start to change.
This is another superbly imagined community under weird threat novel from Phil Rickman.At times it reminded me of a straight faced version of an old Ealing comedy, such as Whiskey Galore, which is actually referenced. Anybody who has read his Merrily Watkins novels will know what to expect, although this is a lot more siniter. Folk and rock music play an integral part, as does the rich folklore of England, becoming a vivid part of the plot,all wrapped up in a very satisfying mystery.
This is another superbly imagined community under weird threat novel from Phil Rickman.At times it reminded me of a straight faced version of an old Ealing comedy, such as Whiskey Galore, which is actually referenced. Anybody who has read his Merrily Watkins novels will know what to expect, although this is a lot more siniter. Folk and rock music play an integral part, as does the rich folklore of England, becoming a vivid part of the plot,all wrapped up in a very satisfying mystery.
July 31, 2007
I almost literally could NOT put this book down. He does an excellent job of pulling you into the story and showing the thought and behavior patterns of the characters while telling 1 story entertwined with a few smaller ones and tying them all together.
January 5, 2008
Phil Rickman, for my money, is THE best guy out there right now at doing supernatural thrillers. This one scared the heck out of me, and the writing is thoughtful and well informed. Rickman is a BBC reporter. :)
August 4, 2010
A dead man can be creepily alive! And I wonder how many other missing people are 'buried' in bogs!
March 12, 2021
I tagged this as horror, but only because it's the closest tag I have; this didn't really feel scary, more like a paranormal thriller.
I liked it, I liked the atmosphere of the story, the strong sense of place; the way in which conflicting beliefs are presented and the way in which they affect people in small communities. I also liked that we were given different perspectives but, in the end, that became more of a nuisance. The constant switch of POVs intrudes in the story's flow, at least in my opinion. And there were so many characters that I was unable to really get invested in their fate.
But the storyline is very interesting and very intriguing and I really liked Seán Barrett's narration. A good story, particularly for those interested in folklore and old beliefs.
I liked it, I liked the atmosphere of the story, the strong sense of place; the way in which conflicting beliefs are presented and the way in which they affect people in small communities. I also liked that we were given different perspectives but, in the end, that became more of a nuisance. The constant switch of POVs intrudes in the story's flow, at least in my opinion. And there were so many characters that I was unable to really get invested in their fate.
But the storyline is very interesting and very intriguing and I really liked Seán Barrett's narration. A good story, particularly for those interested in folklore and old beliefs.
June 16, 2020
Another good stand-alone novel by Phil Rickman. I love the plot and the character of Moira Cairns. Also love the atmosphere and the village wise woman, Ma Wagstaff. I wish Rickman didn't push the entire plot resolution into the latter bits of his books. They tend to feel rushed as he ties up all the loose ends. And I agree with another review who said the constant POV switches is annoying - I really disliked it when, in the middle of an exciting part, he switched to the historian's book. It dampened the action and detracted from the book. All in all a good read and worthwhile for horror enthusiasts.
November 21, 2021
I had high hopes of this after a recommendation and the fact that I’ve really enjoyed other Phil Rickman novels but this was pretty dreadful. The concept for the story was interesting and the description and atmosphere o f the location was well established but the narrative was very disjointed. The constant skipping from one paragraph to another meant the plot was confused and difficult to follow. None of the characters were in any way endearing enough to care about and it was way too long. Had it finished 300 pages sooner it might have been less boring.
October 3, 2019
This is not a Watkins book, though it does feature a supporting character who eventually appears in the book.
The plot in the story at first seems like two plots - one the discover of a bog man who is unburied, and the other is the far out of a musician's death.
The book makes great use of old belief and tradition, as well as the idea of co-opting such for one's own history. While I didn't like it as much as some of the Watkins, as always Rickman writes excellent women.
The plot in the story at first seems like two plots - one the discover of a bog man who is unburied, and the other is the far out of a musician's death.
The book makes great use of old belief and tradition, as well as the idea of co-opting such for one's own history. While I didn't like it as much as some of the Watkins, as always Rickman writes excellent women.
October 27, 2017
This book is classed as 'horror' although I didn't find it particularly scary - very readable though, quite a page-turner.
December 2, 2015
Another amazing ride by this author!!
March 27, 2025
The small tight community village of Bridelow is isolated in the Pennines. Samhain is approaching. With The Man in the Moss being unearthed after lying in the peat for years things in the village start to change.
I've read the first Merrily Watkins book which I enjoyed, the second I struggled with. I attempted Night after Night which I found boring and gave up. This stand alone novel appealed because of the lead up to Halloween and with it just around the corner I thought I would give it a go.
The trouble for me with books by Phil Rickman is the length. I start at the beginning with the understanding I'm in it for a long haul. Long haul it was too. For most of the book I was hooked but at times I was plodding through and wanting to it to be over.
What I do love is the small village with its superstitions and its quirks. Lots of characters too which can be bit too much, and having to keep up with whats going on.
Overall I liked the story. What I didn't enjoy was the books length with at times not a lot happening. This doesn't put me off at all reading more by this author, but I think I need to be prepared to be with the characters a little while. Perhaps one hundred pages too much.
I've read the first Merrily Watkins book which I enjoyed, the second I struggled with. I attempted Night after Night which I found boring and gave up. This stand alone novel appealed because of the lead up to Halloween and with it just around the corner I thought I would give it a go.
The trouble for me with books by Phil Rickman is the length. I start at the beginning with the understanding I'm in it for a long haul. Long haul it was too. For most of the book I was hooked but at times I was plodding through and wanting to it to be over.
What I do love is the small village with its superstitions and its quirks. Lots of characters too which can be bit too much, and having to keep up with whats going on.
Overall I liked the story. What I didn't enjoy was the books length with at times not a lot happening. This doesn't put me off at all reading more by this author, but I think I need to be prepared to be with the characters a little while. Perhaps one hundred pages too much.
June 3, 2021
Many of Phil Rickman's books take place in Wales or the Welsh borders, with folklore and superstitions that are vaguely familiar to me. So I found this exploration of English Celtic folklore an interesting twist and entirely new and equally fascinating.
Phil Rickman does sense of place so well and always has a striking sense of the visual in his novels. Despite the forbidding moss, Bridelow came across as warm and vibrant, with its traditions of low impact goddess worship while being ostensibly Christian and priestesses that are also members of the Mothers' Union.
As always, imbalance and evil in this story was carefully plotted and slowly revealed for maximum impact. I enjoy how a few characters cross over from other of his novels giving a sense of the story universe.
A thrilling and fascinating read.
Phil Rickman does sense of place so well and always has a striking sense of the visual in his novels. Despite the forbidding moss, Bridelow came across as warm and vibrant, with its traditions of low impact goddess worship while being ostensibly Christian and priestesses that are also members of the Mothers' Union.
As always, imbalance and evil in this story was carefully plotted and slowly revealed for maximum impact. I enjoy how a few characters cross over from other of his novels giving a sense of the story universe.
A thrilling and fascinating read.
March 22, 2022
The mystery and horror slowly unfold as the repercussions of removing the Iron Age body from the bog make themselves known. There’s so much going on as each group vie for the body and to forward their own agenda: the Celtic religion practiced by the villagers, the fundamental Christianity being forced by their new pastor, and the unknown aims of the mysterious man who seems to appear out of nowhere. These threads slowly intertwine as the story is brought to a conclusion.
I loved so many of the characters: the singer, Moira Cairns and the film producer who finds love at first sight (and where to Rickman dig up that name?) Ma Wagstaff, who leads the village in their fight. Ernie Dawber, the village historian, and so many more.
If you’re at all into horror, I think this would be the book for you.
I loved so many of the characters: the singer, Moira Cairns and the film producer who finds love at first sight (and where to Rickman dig up that name?) Ma Wagstaff, who leads the village in their fight. Ernie Dawber, the village historian, and so many more.
If you’re at all into horror, I think this would be the book for you.
August 4, 2025
Unfortunately, this one just didn’t land for me. I went in with high hopes because I’ve really enjoyed Phil Rickman’s other books — and as someone who loves folk horror, I was expecting something dark, atmospheric, and compelling. But The Man in the Moss felt muddled from the start.
There were too many characters introduced too quickly, with several plot threads or backstories only half explained. I often found myself confused about what had happened, or why certain things mattered. Instead of building suspense, it just felt disjointed and a bit frustrating.
It’s a shame, because Rickman usually nails this genre — he’s brilliant at weaving folklore into modern settings. But this one didn’t have the clarity or cohesion I was hoping for. Maybe it just wasn’t for me.
There were too many characters introduced too quickly, with several plot threads or backstories only half explained. I often found myself confused about what had happened, or why certain things mattered. Instead of building suspense, it just felt disjointed and a bit frustrating.
It’s a shame, because Rickman usually nails this genre — he’s brilliant at weaving folklore into modern settings. But this one didn’t have the clarity or cohesion I was hoping for. Maybe it just wasn’t for me.
July 31, 2020
I thought this was a pretty fun book that encompassed many issues that rural England was dealing with in the late 80s-early 90s. Celticness, the discovery of well-preserved bog bodies, born again Christianity, the loss of small-town life and the consolidation of English breweries. The story gets pretty bleak before giving the reader any respite, which I found quite frustrating. But I enjoyed it overall and all of the elements. I am a sucker for the very specific subgenre of archaeological horror and I think this just kind of skims it but is a good story. I am sure some of the information is outdated/exaggerated/misinterpreted, but there were enough fun historical and cultural elements.
September 11, 2019
The Man in the Moss
This is a fantastic book by Phil Rickman.
Without giving too much away it all starts when a body is found in the bog at Bridelow, and this discovery changes the village and others drawn to it forever.
The story moves quickly and is tense and gripping. The characters seem to jump from the pages they are that real.
I found the book hard to put down and the story will stay with me for sometime to come.
This is a fantastic book by Phil Rickman.
Without giving too much away it all starts when a body is found in the bog at Bridelow, and this discovery changes the village and others drawn to it forever.
The story moves quickly and is tense and gripping. The characters seem to jump from the pages they are that real.
I found the book hard to put down and the story will stay with me for sometime to come.
November 14, 2022
Another great Phil Rickman novel!! I think this one is my favorite in his stand alone stories. I love Moira's character - she pops up in other stories and she has always intrigued me. This story is all Moira and so much Celtic mystery. It's Celtic music, and land, and customs, culture, religion and those who wish to destroy it out of ignorance. All pulled together in a fast paced, wonderfully engaging yarn. I hope Phil is busy writing another novel, because I have now read them all!!
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