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Merrily Watkins #12
The Magus of Hay (12)
An unnatural body, a town steeped in black magic, and maddening isolation—has paranormal advisor Merrily Watkins finally met her match? A man's body is found below a waterfall. It looks like suicide or an accidental drowning—until DI Frannie Bliss enters the dead man's home. What he finds there sends him to Merrily Watkins, the Diocese of Hereford's official advisor on the paranormal. It's been nearly 40 years since Hay was declared an independent state by its self-styled king—a development seen at the time as a joke, a publicity scam. But behind this pastiche a dark design was taking shape, creating a hidden history of murder and ritual-magic, the relics of which are only now becoming horribly visible. It's a situation that will take Merrily Watkins—alone for the first time in years—to the edge of madness.
472 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2013
46 people are currently reading
661 people want to read
About the author
Phil Rickman
58 books806 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 123 reviews
May 30, 2018
I've read most of the Merrily Watkins books (though not in sequence - which remains on my list of things to do stranded on a desert island with plenty of free time and no distractions). I can't think of a living British writer who conjures atmosphere as well as Phil does from descriptions of the countryside, usually in hostile weather. Another strength is his minor characters, who have an impact far beyond the amount of space they're allocated on the page. Plant hire legend Gomer Parry, for example, is a fantastically realised character; funny, entertaining, original and often pivotal to the plot.
Phil has created an imaginary town (or village) in Ledwardine with its own traditions, prejudices and history, and it's beautifully orchestrated and of course, home to Merrily and her sometimes wayward daughter and drug-damaged boyfriend. This one - my personal favourite - takes place mainly though in Hay-on-Wye. It's a compulsive read from the opening page. It's his usual blend of sly humour, scares and suspense - but one in which I think he surpasses himself with the sheer power of the storytelling. I cannot recommend this book strongly enough.
Phil has created an imaginary town (or village) in Ledwardine with its own traditions, prejudices and history, and it's beautifully orchestrated and of course, home to Merrily and her sometimes wayward daughter and drug-damaged boyfriend. This one - my personal favourite - takes place mainly though in Hay-on-Wye. It's a compulsive read from the opening page. It's his usual blend of sly humour, scares and suspense - but one in which I think he surpasses himself with the sheer power of the storytelling. I cannot recommend this book strongly enough.
December 2, 2013
This being the 12th instalment of the Merrily Watkins series, I was a bit reluctant to read this. I had pre ordered it and was pleasantly surprised when it dropped thru my letterbox, but I put it on the shelf for 'later' and actively avoided picking it up when it came time for a new book. Why? Because - let's face it - when someone is on the 12th book in a series, surely it must be 'same old same old'.
How wrong was I? Completely!
From the first pages I was pulled into the story and held there, totally engrossed in the characters and the plights they got themselves into. Every character was well written, to the point that I wasn't sure who was fictional and who was going to be suing Mr Rickman :) How he can write characters and places that are part fictional and part real, weaving them into a wholly believable story, is beyond me. I often found myself wondering if he was writing fact wrapped up in tale, to get away with the telling of it.
This book was started at the beginning of a 7 hour train journey from middle England to northern Scotland, and I didn't see any scenery on the trip, I was too wrapped up in the story.
I was sad not to see Lol, Jane, Irene or Gomer this time round, although they were lurking in the background, but it was nice to see Merrily take control and get the job done proving that she doesn't need 'the team' no matter how much fun they are to have around.
Looking forward to the 13th book, and this time I won't wait to read it. Highly recommended!
How wrong was I? Completely!
From the first pages I was pulled into the story and held there, totally engrossed in the characters and the plights they got themselves into. Every character was well written, to the point that I wasn't sure who was fictional and who was going to be suing Mr Rickman :) How he can write characters and places that are part fictional and part real, weaving them into a wholly believable story, is beyond me. I often found myself wondering if he was writing fact wrapped up in tale, to get away with the telling of it.
This book was started at the beginning of a 7 hour train journey from middle England to northern Scotland, and I didn't see any scenery on the trip, I was too wrapped up in the story.
I was sad not to see Lol, Jane, Irene or Gomer this time round, although they were lurking in the background, but it was nice to see Merrily take control and get the job done proving that she doesn't need 'the team' no matter how much fun they are to have around.
Looking forward to the 13th book, and this time I won't wait to read it. Highly recommended!
January 2, 2016
A new Merrily Watkins mystery is always something I look forward to reading and this one does not disappoint. Merrily is on her own as daughter Jane has gone on an archaeological dig. She had already booked a week’s holiday which now seems a little irrelevant without Jane but she is soon occupied with matters closely connected to her job as Deliverance Consultant to the Diocese of Hereford.
A retired teacher keeps seeing her friend who has recently died; detective Frannie Bliss – newly returned to work after partly recovering from horrendous injuries sustained in the course of his duties, needs her advice and Robin and Betty need her help in clearing the atmosphere in the bookshop they are opening in Hay on Wye.
Readers who follow this series will remember Robin and Betty from ‘Crown of Lights’. But things are due to become very much more complicated than at first appears and there will be many supernatural events and plenty of evil acts from live human beings before the tangled web is smoothed out.
As ever this is a well written and disturbing novel mixing the supernatural with earthly crimes. The characters are well drawn and believable and flawed human beings struggle to come to terms with their own and other people’s problems.
In my opinion this is probably one of the best books in this excellent series and I raced through it – wanting to know what happened but at the same time not wanting the book to end. It could be read as a standalone novel but is best read – in my opinion – as part of the series.
A retired teacher keeps seeing her friend who has recently died; detective Frannie Bliss – newly returned to work after partly recovering from horrendous injuries sustained in the course of his duties, needs her advice and Robin and Betty need her help in clearing the atmosphere in the bookshop they are opening in Hay on Wye.
Readers who follow this series will remember Robin and Betty from ‘Crown of Lights’. But things are due to become very much more complicated than at first appears and there will be many supernatural events and plenty of evil acts from live human beings before the tangled web is smoothed out.
As ever this is a well written and disturbing novel mixing the supernatural with earthly crimes. The characters are well drawn and believable and flawed human beings struggle to come to terms with their own and other people’s problems.
In my opinion this is probably one of the best books in this excellent series and I raced through it – wanting to know what happened but at the same time not wanting the book to end. It could be read as a standalone novel but is best read – in my opinion – as part of the series.
November 8, 2013
After a two year absence Merrily Watkins is back, and boy does she ave a story to tell. For the first time in many years she finds herself alone. Her daughter Jane is away on an archaeology dig, and her boyfriend Lol is on tour. Merrily is supposed to be on a much needed and long overdue holiday. Then she gets a phone-call from that loveable Scouser, Frannie Bliss.
I didn't miss Jane or Lol,as their absence allowed the welcome return of Robin and Betty Thorogood and Gwynn Arthur Jones.
"The Magus of Hay" is easily the best in the Merrily Watkins series. It has replaced "The Cure of Souls" as my personal favorite. Anyone who has read the series will love this book. If you have never read anything by Phil Rickman my advise is get reading. You don't know what you're missing.
I didn't miss Jane or Lol,as their absence allowed the welcome return of Robin and Betty Thorogood and Gwynn Arthur Jones.
"The Magus of Hay" is easily the best in the Merrily Watkins series. It has replaced "The Cure of Souls" as my personal favorite. Anyone who has read the series will love this book. If you have never read anything by Phil Rickman my advise is get reading. You don't know what you're missing.
November 8, 2015
I love the atmosphere of a Merrily Watkins novel, and I saved this for Halloween although it turned out to be less ghostly than I expected. It’s much more of a murder mystery than a spooky story.
It’s set at Hay-on-Wye, which is really neat, but as usual Rickman focuses on the negative impact of modern society on the small town - specifically the struggling used booksellers are bitter about ebooks and internet commerce.
The plot involves “British neo-Nazi pagan factions” and was not terribly believable or compelling. I missed Lol and Jane and Gomer, who were largely absent, but I really like DI Bliss and it was nice to see our favorite benevolent pagans, the Thorogoods, again.
I don’t know where that comment in the blurb about Merrily being on “the edge of madness” comes from. She’s understandably feeling lonely in this book, and as always she struggles with her faith, but she’s not noticeably close to madness.
It’s set at Hay-on-Wye, which is really neat, but as usual Rickman focuses on the negative impact of modern society on the small town - specifically the struggling used booksellers are bitter about ebooks and internet commerce.
The plot involves “British neo-Nazi pagan factions” and was not terribly believable or compelling. I missed Lol and Jane and Gomer, who were largely absent, but I really like DI Bliss and it was nice to see our favorite benevolent pagans, the Thorogoods, again.
I don’t know where that comment in the blurb about Merrily being on “the edge of madness” comes from. She’s understandably feeling lonely in this book, and as always she struggles with her faith, but she’s not noticeably close to madness.
December 24, 2013
Oh, this was fun!
I live in Hay, and I have lived in Cusop Dingle, where part of the action takes place. In fact, the first victim in the book is drowned in my favourite waterfall!
And Phil Rickman gets Hay. He understands what makes the booksellers tick.
For those unfamiliar with Hay-on-Wye, it has been a town full of second-hand bookshops for fifty years, and second hand booksellers are a peculiar breed. The pagan couple are typical of newcomers to the trade, hoping to get their stock from charity shops while selling their own private collection, but Phil Rickman also comments on how the trade is changing because of the internet and Kindles.
He said himself that he had to tone down the eccentricity of the town to make it more believable (even the neo-Nazis have a factual past in the area!). And of all the eccentrics in town, there are none more so than Richard Booth, the King of Hay, who has a minor, but important, part in the story (and about one line, which is "Bugger off!").
For the purposes of the book, he invents a few new bookshops and a bar, including an Indian character who is quite fun - it's pretty hard to include ethnic minorities in Herefordshire, because there just aren't very many of them, but Jeeter makes sense within the neo-Nazi storyline.
I'm a great fan of Jane (Merrily's daughter) and Lol (Merrily's boyfriend) as well - who hardly appear in this book, though Frannie Bliss the policeman has a large part.
The story also goes up to Capel-y-ffin, home of a medieval priory, a Victorian Anglo-Catholic community run by Father Ingnatius (with bonus vision of the Virgin Mary) and Eric Gill the artist and head of a dysfunctional family. It's up in the Black Mountains not far from Hay, and is part of the Vicar of Hay's group of parishes. Father Richard himself gets a mention, though he doesn't meet Merrily (he doesn't approve of women priests, though a man who has a standard poodle called Jimmy the Curate, and welcomes all dogs to his services, can't be all bad. He's even blessed my dog in the street, which she accepted quite happily, though she herself was a Buddhist (long story).
I saw Phil Rickman talk about the book at Hay Castle (which is also mentioned in the book) during the Hay Winter Festival, and he was fascinating and enjoyable as always. I always try to go and see him when he's giving a talk.
I live in Hay, and I have lived in Cusop Dingle, where part of the action takes place. In fact, the first victim in the book is drowned in my favourite waterfall!
And Phil Rickman gets Hay. He understands what makes the booksellers tick.
For those unfamiliar with Hay-on-Wye, it has been a town full of second-hand bookshops for fifty years, and second hand booksellers are a peculiar breed. The pagan couple are typical of newcomers to the trade, hoping to get their stock from charity shops while selling their own private collection, but Phil Rickman also comments on how the trade is changing because of the internet and Kindles.
He said himself that he had to tone down the eccentricity of the town to make it more believable (even the neo-Nazis have a factual past in the area!). And of all the eccentrics in town, there are none more so than Richard Booth, the King of Hay, who has a minor, but important, part in the story (and about one line, which is "Bugger off!").
For the purposes of the book, he invents a few new bookshops and a bar, including an Indian character who is quite fun - it's pretty hard to include ethnic minorities in Herefordshire, because there just aren't very many of them, but Jeeter makes sense within the neo-Nazi storyline.
I'm a great fan of Jane (Merrily's daughter) and Lol (Merrily's boyfriend) as well - who hardly appear in this book, though Frannie Bliss the policeman has a large part.
The story also goes up to Capel-y-ffin, home of a medieval priory, a Victorian Anglo-Catholic community run by Father Ingnatius (with bonus vision of the Virgin Mary) and Eric Gill the artist and head of a dysfunctional family. It's up in the Black Mountains not far from Hay, and is part of the Vicar of Hay's group of parishes. Father Richard himself gets a mention, though he doesn't meet Merrily (he doesn't approve of women priests, though a man who has a standard poodle called Jimmy the Curate, and welcomes all dogs to his services, can't be all bad. He's even blessed my dog in the street, which she accepted quite happily, though she herself was a Buddhist (long story).
I saw Phil Rickman talk about the book at Hay Castle (which is also mentioned in the book) during the Hay Winter Festival, and he was fascinating and enjoyable as always. I always try to go and see him when he's giving a talk.
November 14, 2025
A perfect atmospheric read for gloomy November days.
January 30, 2014
One of the best books in the series, and worth reading! Fans of this series should be happy with this book, even though we are missing some old friends: both Jane and Lol are away, and even Gomer Parry Plant Hire only makes a small appearance. But don't worry--we have Frannie Bliss, still recovering from his injuries in the previous book, to help Merrily, and some other characters from a book further back in the series (and from another Phil Rickman book) show up too.
As always, the writing is strong, and the characters are well developed--it's like catching up with old friends every time I read a book in the series. But the mystery aspect is strong is always, and the backstory--the history of the book selling town of Hay, and some of the darker aspects of ceremonial magic--is also quite well done.
Lovers of this series will find this a strong book, and people who haven't read the series should begin the series, but probably this is not the best book to begin with, as it does help to have an understanding of relationships and characters.
For those looking for intelligent, character driven mysteries with a touch of the supernatural, you can't do better than this series. The books are far better written than the Elizabeth George series, but they share similarities in that they are character driven and complex. And these are in no way "paranormal" books--rather they draw on the mystery of everyday life and Merrily's job (she is a "deliverance consultant," i.e. exorcist), and also tie into the nature of people's beliefs and practices. The supernatural elements are always intelligently integrated and not unbelievable.
As always, the writing is strong, and the characters are well developed--it's like catching up with old friends every time I read a book in the series. But the mystery aspect is strong is always, and the backstory--the history of the book selling town of Hay, and some of the darker aspects of ceremonial magic--is also quite well done.
Lovers of this series will find this a strong book, and people who haven't read the series should begin the series, but probably this is not the best book to begin with, as it does help to have an understanding of relationships and characters.
For those looking for intelligent, character driven mysteries with a touch of the supernatural, you can't do better than this series. The books are far better written than the Elizabeth George series, but they share similarities in that they are character driven and complex. And these are in no way "paranormal" books--rather they draw on the mystery of everyday life and Merrily's job (she is a "deliverance consultant," i.e. exorcist), and also tie into the nature of people's beliefs and practices. The supernatural elements are always intelligently integrated and not unbelievable.
April 2, 2019
I like this series about the Rev. Merrily Watkins, who works for the church as a sort of "exorcist" though she has never actually had to expel demons. The story is set on the border of England and Wales, in and around the town of Hay-on-Wye. A current description in Wikipedia describes it as a town of 20 bookstores. In the past, there were likely many more and it became a mecca for book lovers. In this novel, Hay is in decline, with bookstores being replaced by nail bars, and boutiques.
This part of the Welsh/English border is thought to be a place of special powers by those who believe in "that kind of thing" including pagans, Christians, and hippies etc. There are compelling descriptions of the places that hold power including three small chapels/churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Part of the plot is the existence of secret Nazi groups who engaged in practices involving magical powers connected to dark forces.
This long novel rambles in parts with a wide cast of characters, both appealing and unappealing. By the end when two murders are solved, and the cases of the disappearance of two young women, decades before, I had lost track of some of the details. This was a 3 and a half star read for me. The details about Hay and the border area were the most interesting aspect of the book. I didn't realize Hay-on-Wye was in decline (this book was published in 2013), but will do more reading up on it.
This part of the Welsh/English border is thought to be a place of special powers by those who believe in "that kind of thing" including pagans, Christians, and hippies etc. There are compelling descriptions of the places that hold power including three small chapels/churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Part of the plot is the existence of secret Nazi groups who engaged in practices involving magical powers connected to dark forces.
This long novel rambles in parts with a wide cast of characters, both appealing and unappealing. By the end when two murders are solved, and the cases of the disappearance of two young women, decades before, I had lost track of some of the details. This was a 3 and a half star read for me. The details about Hay and the border area were the most interesting aspect of the book. I didn't realize Hay-on-Wye was in decline (this book was published in 2013), but will do more reading up on it.
May 5, 2024
When a man is found drowned below a waterfall, it looks like it could be either suicide or an accident until the police search the victim's home. What seemed like a simple case becomes a twisted tale involving paganism, magic, & Nazi history. In nearby Hay-on-Wye, Robin & Betty Thorogood decide to open a bookshop in the place famous for its literary festival & plethora of specialist & antiquarian bookshops, & inadvertently rent a haunted home. Meanwhile with her holiday plans spoiled, Merrily is rattling around Ledwardine feeling a bit like a spare part - daughter Jane has gone on an archaeological dig with boyfriend Eirion, whilst Merrily's partner, Lol, is on a music tour.
I found this a better read than the previous book, probably due to the absence of the very-irritating-at-times Jane Watkins. Less of Jane's antics meant that there was more time to concentrate on Merrily & her working relationship with DI Frannie Bliss, plus the return of the Thorogoods from an earlier book. The storyline itself was interesting, teased out very slowly in the way the reader comes to expect from these books.
I found this a better read than the previous book, probably due to the absence of the very-irritating-at-times Jane Watkins. Less of Jane's antics meant that there was more time to concentrate on Merrily & her working relationship with DI Frannie Bliss, plus the return of the Thorogoods from an earlier book. The storyline itself was interesting, teased out very slowly in the way the reader comes to expect from these books.
April 27, 2018
It was somewhat ironic reading this on a kindle considering. I do prefer real books to ebooks. It's an okay story and mystery. A bit Midsome Murders too.
December 27, 2013
It's good to see Rickman's Merrily Watkins return, this time in a mystery that centres on the second hand book capital of the UK, Hay-on-Wye. (The self-referentiality of a supernatural mystery, about books and Hay, written by an author and broadcaster with links to Hay, only adds to the thrill - it's geneuinely difficult to be sure what is real and what is made up here, adding to the atmosphere and the plausibility).
In this book, Merrily is supposedly on holiday. Jane is away on a dig. Lol is off on tour. Even Gomer Parry only makes brief appearances. The Revd Watkins is pretty much alone, when Frannie Bliss calls to ask her advice about a suspicious drowning.
At the same time, Robin and Betty Thoroughgood (who you may remember from A Crown of Lights) are trying to make a new start, setting up an esoteric bookshop in Hay. The shop they choose has a... peculiar... atmosphere, leading them to begin enquiries about its history and previous owners. That atmosphere, and what they discover, seems at odds with the general bookishness of Hay. Could there be a struggle going on for the future of the town - and if so, how does that link to the death Frannie is looking into - of a man regarded locally as a wizard?
The story just tumbles out, eventually involving disappearances, deaths, a vist to Hay by a hippy convoy in the 80s, crazed far right cultists, and a crowd of old friends who have appeared in previous Watkins mysteries. There are many threads in the plot, and a good tip would be to keep careful track of the names, if you want to spot the villain in time. It's great entertainment and time spent with Ms Watkins is never wasted. However I didn't feel it was the very based of the Merrily stories. The absence of Jane and Lol leaves a gap, as does the fact that much of the story - and really all the plot - takes place away from Ledwardine, and doesn't involve Merrily directly (true, a subplot does).
Over the course of the now 12 books, I've built up a sense that there are still mysteries in Ledwardine and I want to see Merrily solving them, assisted (or hampered!) by the usual gang, while trying to keep her parish going. (Full disclosure: my wife is a vicar in the Church of England, so I may be a bit of a nerd on some of this - though not the deliverance stuff!) I think this is really Frannie's book, and while he's a great character, I want more Merrily.
So four, not five, stars - but it's still a great read - especially the relentless conclusion.
In this book, Merrily is supposedly on holiday. Jane is away on a dig. Lol is off on tour. Even Gomer Parry only makes brief appearances. The Revd Watkins is pretty much alone, when Frannie Bliss calls to ask her advice about a suspicious drowning.
At the same time, Robin and Betty Thoroughgood (who you may remember from A Crown of Lights) are trying to make a new start, setting up an esoteric bookshop in Hay. The shop they choose has a... peculiar... atmosphere, leading them to begin enquiries about its history and previous owners. That atmosphere, and what they discover, seems at odds with the general bookishness of Hay. Could there be a struggle going on for the future of the town - and if so, how does that link to the death Frannie is looking into - of a man regarded locally as a wizard?
The story just tumbles out, eventually involving disappearances, deaths, a vist to Hay by a hippy convoy in the 80s, crazed far right cultists, and a crowd of old friends who have appeared in previous Watkins mysteries. There are many threads in the plot, and a good tip would be to keep careful track of the names, if you want to spot the villain in time. It's great entertainment and time spent with Ms Watkins is never wasted. However I didn't feel it was the very based of the Merrily stories. The absence of Jane and Lol leaves a gap, as does the fact that much of the story - and really all the plot - takes place away from Ledwardine, and doesn't involve Merrily directly (true, a subplot does).
Over the course of the now 12 books, I've built up a sense that there are still mysteries in Ledwardine and I want to see Merrily solving them, assisted (or hampered!) by the usual gang, while trying to keep her parish going. (Full disclosure: my wife is a vicar in the Church of England, so I may be a bit of a nerd on some of this - though not the deliverance stuff!) I think this is really Frannie's book, and while he's a great character, I want more Merrily.
So four, not five, stars - but it's still a great read - especially the relentless conclusion.
January 11, 2020
I've now read at least six books of this series, and it became a bit addictive. I guess that's the value, for the writer, of doing a series. I really enjoy the way Rickman explores some aspect of the supernatural or, in this case, magic, in each of the novels. In this book he delves into a disciplined secret meditative practice that relishes gory, ritualized murder as a "spiritual practice," referencing some kind of Nazi spirituality/justification of evil. (apparently a real thing). Yes, the yuk factor is pretty high.
But I've had it with Rickman. My main objection is to the writing style. To say nothing of the shoddy editing, by this, the (umpteenth) novel, he has lapsed into abbreviated sentences that debase the writing to such an extent that it becomes annoying. In much of it he leaves off subject and verb, so that, instead of saying "so and so was standing in front of the church," he'll say "in front of the church" and you have to guess the subject and verb. One sentence like this would be okay, but the whole book is like that.
If you're interested, read the beginning of the Merrily Watkins series. Much better.
And look at Rickman's amazingly creative and unique descriptions of sky at the beginning of chapters. I started highlighting them on my Kindle.
But I've had it with Rickman. My main objection is to the writing style. To say nothing of the shoddy editing, by this, the (umpteenth) novel, he has lapsed into abbreviated sentences that debase the writing to such an extent that it becomes annoying. In much of it he leaves off subject and verb, so that, instead of saying "so and so was standing in front of the church," he'll say "in front of the church" and you have to guess the subject and verb. One sentence like this would be okay, but the whole book is like that.
If you're interested, read the beginning of the Merrily Watkins series. Much better.
And look at Rickman's amazingly creative and unique descriptions of sky at the beginning of chapters. I started highlighting them on my Kindle.
November 9, 2013
Absolutely brilliant Merrily Watkins by Phil Rickman. Once I started reading the book I found it extremely difficult to put down, I just had to carry on until I finished it. I didn't miss the absence of Jane and Lol although I hope that they will be back in the next Merrily book along with Gomer who only made a very brief appearance in Magus. Great to see Robin and Betty back as main characters.
It's been a number of years since I've not felt able to put a book down except to make numerous cups of coffee. 19 hours after downloading the book I'd finished reading it...
One thing I do love about Phil's books is that you can actually follow the action as most of them are set in real places. Google Earth and the little man was useful to view some of the locations although the camera car didn't actually take shots in the centre of Hay-on-Wye.
It's been a number of years since I've not felt able to put a book down except to make numerous cups of coffee. 19 hours after downloading the book I'd finished reading it...
One thing I do love about Phil's books is that you can actually follow the action as most of them are set in real places. Google Earth and the little man was useful to view some of the locations although the camera car didn't actually take shots in the centre of Hay-on-Wye.
May 23, 2014
I have always enjoyed reading the Merrily Watkins stories and look forward to the latest release. The Magus of Hay left me bitterly disappointed, he shoved all the history of Hay into one book with a storyline that lacked substance and with Merrily almost entering as an afterthought.
Apart from knowing Hay as a nearby resident, had it been my first time with one of his books I would never read another one.
Apart from knowing Hay as a nearby resident, had it been my first time with one of his books I would never read another one.
October 1, 2015
Merrily Watkins #12 will be the last one I read/listen to. I have become tired of the genre and had great trouble finishing it. The extremely elliptic style of writing keeps you guessing so much... I simply lost it! Confusion became distaste; not of Merrily, the main character, but of the chosen themes: witchcraft, neo-nazism, satanic cults and paganism. While I enjoyed the originality of the earlier novels, I'm afraid I can't recommend this to any of my Goodread friends.
November 29, 2013
Neo nazis, ghosts and satanists. What's not to like in a mystery novel?
October 26, 2022
One of the stronger books in the series. I did find the last quarter of the book quite confusing though, and a little hard to believe at times: Too many plot threads, and way too many pages of "explanatory" narrative or dialogue. Despite this, I loved the setting of Hay-on-Wye, and all of the usual elements of history, folklore and mythology were really fascinating. This is such a great series, and I'm starting to feel sad that I'll soon reach the end of it and will just be waiting for the next one to be published.
September 23, 2014
I get positively giddy at the thought of a new Phil Rickman novel, anxiously awaiting its release date. Then, when I finally acquire my very own copy, I let it sit on a shelf, afraid to read it, for once I read it, it is over. Each Rickman tome is rich with imagery, rife with whodunnit elements, filled with colorful characters, and chockfull of eerie goings on on the Welsh border. Though Rickman has written other novels that stand alone, he has had great fun with the Merrily Watkins books, she who is the local deliverance minister—the exorcist/vicar. The Magus of Hay is the latest, and it is a goody. This time, Rickman puts us in the town of Hay where his story involves a neo-Nazi cult, a fresh murder, another couple of mysterious deaths, and a crazy old woman, whistling away. Merrily, on holiday without her usual cadre of favorite Rickman characters—her daughter Jane and Jane’s boyfriend Eirion are at an archeological dig, Merrily’s musician boyfriend Lol is on tour, and the most colorful of the steadfast characters, Gomer Parry, appears only once, briefly—is summoned to Hay by her longtime friend police inspector Frannie Bliss who wants help exploring a suspicious death. Rickman’s great skill is his use of the history of a location to infuse his plot. There is always a supernatural element; Merrily, after all, is an exorcist. But rarely does the supernatural truly manifest itself. There is always a murder to solve, and the murdered quite often is involved with the occult. But everything winds down in a satisfying, earthbound way. The Magus of Hay is no different. It is fascinating, has it twists and turns, makes you wonder just who is responsible for the dastardly deed, and unless you are totally housebound, makes you long to go the computer and book a flight to Wales immediately.
November 20, 2013
Phil Rickman’s latest Merrily Watkins novel is a welcome return to top form for the celebrated mystery writer. His previous title in the series, The Secrets of Pain, was one of the more difficult of the Watkins stories to follow, and seemed to lack the kind of esoteric spark that I enjoy in his books.
Not so with The Magus of Hay, in which the body of a very elderly man is found in the Wye River of Hay, setting off a chain of events that reveals a dark and disturbing undercurrent to the town famous for its second-hand book shops.
Merrily’s friend DI Francis Bliss is recovering from injuries sustained in their last joint adventure when the body is found in the river. With the help of a retired former colleague resident in Hay, he attempts to find out whom, if anyone, is responsible for the death of the old man.
His investigation brings him in to contact with some of the colourful and eccentric individuals of Hay, and the newcomers who have taken over an old bookshop in the hope of earning a living selling titles about pagan religion, of which they are adherents.
But the shop has a less than happy history, as quickly becomes evident.
Merrily meantime is coping with the demands of her parishioners as well as with the absence of her boyfriend Lol and her daughter Jane. The novel is the poorer for both being away temporarily pursuing their own careers, leaving Merrily alone with just Ethel the cat for company. And even Ethel gets short shift in this outing.
But, the Magus of Hay certainly grabbed and held my attention for the short period of time it took me to read the book – a welcome interruption to less enthralling reading matter.
Review by Kerry Hennigan
November 20, 2013.
Not so with The Magus of Hay, in which the body of a very elderly man is found in the Wye River of Hay, setting off a chain of events that reveals a dark and disturbing undercurrent to the town famous for its second-hand book shops.
Merrily’s friend DI Francis Bliss is recovering from injuries sustained in their last joint adventure when the body is found in the river. With the help of a retired former colleague resident in Hay, he attempts to find out whom, if anyone, is responsible for the death of the old man.
His investigation brings him in to contact with some of the colourful and eccentric individuals of Hay, and the newcomers who have taken over an old bookshop in the hope of earning a living selling titles about pagan religion, of which they are adherents.
But the shop has a less than happy history, as quickly becomes evident.
Merrily meantime is coping with the demands of her parishioners as well as with the absence of her boyfriend Lol and her daughter Jane. The novel is the poorer for both being away temporarily pursuing their own careers, leaving Merrily alone with just Ethel the cat for company. And even Ethel gets short shift in this outing.
But, the Magus of Hay certainly grabbed and held my attention for the short period of time it took me to read the book – a welcome interruption to less enthralling reading matter.
Review by Kerry Hennigan
November 20, 2013.
April 30, 2014
Phil Rickman continues to fascinate, as he explores the psychology of the border country. This latest story in the Merrily Watkins series makes compulsive reading. I like Merrily herself very much, and several of the other characters, though I was sad not to see Lol or a longed-for resolution of their relationship.
Rickman's combination of interests is guaranteed to provide page-turning stories. Having visited Hay-on-Wye last year I enjoyed reading about it and recognizing the locations the author describes. And of course the ways in which the border country inspires the imagination are numerous. Perhaps it's part of our national consciousness that "weird things happen on the borders". I know that in my own development of ideas for stories my mind has often strayed over the border to Wales as a suitable place for bizarre groups to have their HQ. It must be to do with the psychology of being on "the cusp".
Amongst many other elements of the story, I did enjoy the tension between the police forces of Dyfed-Powys and West Mercia as they wrangle about whose patch the criminal activity has taken place on. And I'm intrigued by Phil Rickman's ability to blend real and fictional subjects and characters; I'd love to know how he gets away with it. I visualize him grabbing one of his interviewees on his radio programme "Phil the Shelf" and saying "By the way, is it OK if I put you in my next novel, in your own identity, as a sinister ritual throat-slasher linked in to a bizarre Nazi occult group in the mountains?"
Rickman's combination of interests is guaranteed to provide page-turning stories. Having visited Hay-on-Wye last year I enjoyed reading about it and recognizing the locations the author describes. And of course the ways in which the border country inspires the imagination are numerous. Perhaps it's part of our national consciousness that "weird things happen on the borders". I know that in my own development of ideas for stories my mind has often strayed over the border to Wales as a suitable place for bizarre groups to have their HQ. It must be to do with the psychology of being on "the cusp".
Amongst many other elements of the story, I did enjoy the tension between the police forces of Dyfed-Powys and West Mercia as they wrangle about whose patch the criminal activity has taken place on. And I'm intrigued by Phil Rickman's ability to blend real and fictional subjects and characters; I'd love to know how he gets away with it. I visualize him grabbing one of his interviewees on his radio programme "Phil the Shelf" and saying "By the way, is it OK if I put you in my next novel, in your own identity, as a sinister ritual throat-slasher linked in to a bizarre Nazi occult group in the mountains?"
September 11, 2016
Merrily on her own. No Lol (on tour), no Jane (on a dig) and only a teeny bit of Gomer. This story was so good I didn't miss them. Besides Frannie Bliss was there and it was fabulous to see Betty and Robin Thorogood and retired policeman Gwyn Arthur Jones returned from their first appearance in Crown of Lights. This was an exceptionally creepy novel. Having Merrily solitarily working through the convoluted evilness in this book made it all the more powerful. Back at Hay on Wye, Merrily is engaged by Frannie to help him sort through the mysterious findings in the home of an elderly man found drowned at the point where the River Wye intersects with Dulas Brook, an apparently anciently spiritual location. While in Hay, Merrily crosses paths with Robin and Betty who are trying to open a pagan bookstore in a building with some definitely creepy undertones. Throw in the mysterious disappearance of a young policewoman and you've got a compelling storyline. Then Gwyn Arthur Jones appears and helps tie all these seemingly disparate pieces into a common thread dating back 30 years ago when two young women mysteriously went missing. Phil Rickman never disappoints and this, the 12th Merrily Watkins novel, is one of the best.
March 10, 2015
The body of a ninety year old man is found drowned in a river near the Booktown of Hay-On-Wye. Did he fall in or is the death rather more sinister? When it transpires that he was living under a false name, was involved with pagan magic practice and had past links with Neo-Nazi groups suspicions become more than aroused.
Is it permitted to describe a novel which focuses on murder, ritual sacrifice, Nazi thugs and a touch of satanism as comfort reading? Yet there is something cosy about Phil Rickman’s Merrily Watkins novels which keeps bringing me back. The huge cast of well-drawn characters mixing and melding from novel to novel, the carefully chosen and evocative settings, the plots which never entirely strain credibility despite the seasoning of the supernatural, all combine to keep this reader hooked. Others have described the series as good summer reads – I actually spent a summer touring the towns and villages where the novels are set. The Magus of Hay is not the best in the series, but I felt satisfied as I read and will certainly continue when another is produced.
Is it permitted to describe a novel which focuses on murder, ritual sacrifice, Nazi thugs and a touch of satanism as comfort reading? Yet there is something cosy about Phil Rickman’s Merrily Watkins novels which keeps bringing me back. The huge cast of well-drawn characters mixing and melding from novel to novel, the carefully chosen and evocative settings, the plots which never entirely strain credibility despite the seasoning of the supernatural, all combine to keep this reader hooked. Others have described the series as good summer reads – I actually spent a summer touring the towns and villages where the novels are set. The Magus of Hay is not the best in the series, but I felt satisfied as I read and will certainly continue when another is produced.
March 10, 2015
The body of a ninety year old man is found drowned in a river near the Booktown of Hay-On-Wye. Did he fall in or is the death rather more sinister? When it transpires that he was living under a false name, was involved with pagan magic practice and had past links with Neo-Nazi groups suspicions become more than aroused.
Is it permitted to describe a novel which focuses on murder, ritual sacrifice, Naziism with a touch of satanism as comfort reading? Yet there is something cosy about Phil Rickman’s Merrily Watkins novels which keeps bringing me back. The huge cast of well-drawn characters mixing and melding from novel to novel, the carefully chosen and evocative settings, the plots which never entirely strain credibility despite the seasoning of the supernatural, all combine to keep this reader hooked. Others have described the series as good summer reads – I actually spent a summer touring the towns and villages where the novels are set. The Magus of Hay is not the best in the series, but I felt satisfied as I read and will certainly continue when another is produced.
Is it permitted to describe a novel which focuses on murder, ritual sacrifice, Naziism with a touch of satanism as comfort reading? Yet there is something cosy about Phil Rickman’s Merrily Watkins novels which keeps bringing me back. The huge cast of well-drawn characters mixing and melding from novel to novel, the carefully chosen and evocative settings, the plots which never entirely strain credibility despite the seasoning of the supernatural, all combine to keep this reader hooked. Others have described the series as good summer reads – I actually spent a summer touring the towns and villages where the novels are set. The Magus of Hay is not the best in the series, but I felt satisfied as I read and will certainly continue when another is produced.
October 7, 2017
I ripped through this, enjoying every minute. It's years since we visited Hay-on-Wye, but it was a delight to be there again in imagination, courtesy of Mr Rickman. Like other reviewers, I missed Jane; Gomer and Lol made only fleeting appearances. However, D.I. Frannie Bliss plays a major part in the story, together with the repercussions of his 'accident' in the last in the series, 'The Secrets of Pain'. Athena White, ex-Secret Service agent, and practitioner of the Old Magic, is confined to her Old People's Residential Home, but is still able to rattle Merrily's cage and contribute scorching dialogue and cryptic comments to the proceedings.
I found this the darkest Merrily Watkins I can remember reading recently; the unfurling of the plot is unsettling and a sense of impending tragedy hangs over the last part of the book. However, fans will not be disappointed and my only regret is that I read this too fast!
I found this the darkest Merrily Watkins I can remember reading recently; the unfurling of the plot is unsettling and a sense of impending tragedy hangs over the last part of the book. However, fans will not be disappointed and my only regret is that I read this too fast!
December 15, 2013
A welcome return to the characters and places of the Merrily Watkins series and in particular, the spirit of the border lands. Phil writes about this with such great understanding and appreciation it is almost another character in the story. Weaving paganism, Christianity, occultism and spirit of place effortlessly and seamlessly into a plot-driven novel is no easy task and yet he does so with extreme skill. This isn't a horror book, although it would be true to say that it is a book that contains certain horrors. It would be a disservice to categorise it within a specific genre; certainly there are elements of the supernatural but this is not really the driving force of the story. This is a tale about people and place and especially how one affects the other.
January 19, 2014
Hmmmm I liked this but I would suggest it's weak compared to other books in this series. This one is focused on the book lovers haven of Hay-on-Wye and a long forgotten mystery there. The main story was about neo-nazis in the borderlands and I think there is a real story there but this didn't really do it justice. It seemed oddly dull, it lacked the sense of menace that the other books have and the usual characters (Lol, Gomer etc) were mostly absent it felt rather like attending a party and your friends haven't shown up. It was OK but it would have better if they were there. The subplots didn't feel particularly well tied in either so overall one for fans of the series but defibately not the place to start.
September 9, 2020
I struggled with this and found it hard going at times. Maybe because three of the regular characters play no, or little part in proceedings. I missed the feisty Jane and Gomer hardly appears either. I didn't miss Lol at all. If Mr Rickman ever conceives to have Lol murdered that would be just fine with me. Or maybe Lol. comes across Gomer and Merrily making love in a just dug grave and drops down dead with a heart attack. That too, would be acceptable. Or if he just buggered off elsewhere after finding that Merrily was a closet tribade would be equally tolerable.
I found the plot hard to follow and did not enjoy this book nearly as much as all the previous books in the series which I'm pretty sure I've given ten 5 star and one 4 star reviews.
I found the plot hard to follow and did not enjoy this book nearly as much as all the previous books in the series which I'm pretty sure I've given ten 5 star and one 4 star reviews.
February 6, 2022
Having looked at some of the other reviews, there was one that stated something like: 'if this had been the first Merrily novel by Rickman, I never would have picked up another'. So... this is my first Rickman book that I've picked up, and I'm in agreement with that reviewer. There were so many oblique references and the language was confusing, but the main thing was the buckshot approach to the story with everything thrown into a cauldron add archaeology, nazis and pagans, and books etc and see what comes out. Would of have been better adding some eye of newt to boot.
November 8, 2021
This series never disappoints. Betty and Robin Thoroughgood ( from Crown of lights) are back and have decided to move to Hay to open a pagan bookshop. Things are never easy and before long Betty needs Merrily’s help as the living space about the shop has a bad feel. Then a body turns up in the water and Frannie Bliss is convinced it’s not as innocent as it seems. Soon it’s all complicated with Nazi Satanists and 3 missing women over 30 years. Very exciting stuff!
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