Merrily's Border

by Phil Rickman, John Mason (Illustrator)

What TS Eliot did for Canterbury Cathedral Rickman does for Hereford' - Jane Jakeman Merrily's Border explores the real world of Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkins series. The novels are all set in actual locations - mostly in Herefordshire, but also in Shropshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and over the border into a region that remains one of Britain's best-kept secrets. This new and extended edition includes the settings of The House of Susan Lulham, Friends of the Dusk, All of a Winter's Night and For the Hell of It. With their uniquely authentic blend of crime and the paranormal, Phil Rickman's addictive Merrily Watkins novels, about the diocesan exorcist for Hereford, have virtually established a new fictional genre. But the fiction is never far from an often surprising and sometimes disturbing reality. Revealing the sources and inspiration, Merrily's Border takes readers into a land where ancient mystery is never far below the the Knights Templar and the Green Man; the secret lore of apples; the lair of the real Hound of the Baskervilles; a pentagram of churches; a serial killer's dark legacy; the unchronicled links between the composer Edward Elgar and Alfred Watkins, discoverer of ley-lines. Phil Rickman is the acclaimed author of 15 Merrily Watkins thrillers and 11 other novels. He was born in Lancashire, but has spent most of his adult life in Wales and the Marches, and now lives near Hay-on-Wye. John Mason has worked with Phil Rickman over the years to produce cover images for his books, and is noted for his atmospheric photographs of haunted Britain and use of infra-red photography.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mystery

144 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2009

About the author

Phil Rickman, also known under the pen names Thom Madley and Will Kingdom, was a British author of supernatural and mystery novels.

Reviews

[Shauna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very much a book or a gift for fans of the Merrily Watkins series. There are some stunning photographs and some explanatory text about the settings for each book but nowhere near enough. I understand that the author did not want to give away any plot lines but considering the cover price I felt that readers were sold short.

[Damaskcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must have book for anyone who is a fan of Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkins series. Full of atmospheric photographs of the various locations of the books in the series. This edition includes the locations of the Secrets of Pain and The Magus of Hay. There was an earlier edition which didn't include these two books.

The text provides insights into how the books came to be written and explores some of the background to the series. A selected bibliography for those who want to read more about the locations and the history of the Border region is included. Reading this book and studying the photographs really brought an extra dimension to the series for me. I can now visualise the places mentioned in the books.

[Alison S ☯️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable tour of the locations, history and folklore for each of the books in the Merrily Watkins series. It was interesting and easy to read, and the photographs really brought the series to life.

[Christia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A companion guide to Phil Rickman's wonderful Merrily Watkins series, and a must for Rickman fans. If you've ever wondered what Ledwardine looks like (or any other scene/location in the series, for that matter) this is the book for you. John Mason's photography of Wales, Herefordshire, and the surrounding areas is simply stunning, and Rickman does a wonderful job of introducing the key characters and components of his books without actually giving the plots away. I've been debating about purchasing this for months. It was well worth the effort (you can only order it online). I just wish it was a little longer. It is worth reading for the photography alone. It really brings the Wakins series to life though.

[Christopher Roden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great background to the Merrily Watkins series. I get a name check, too.

[Kerry Hennigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merrily’s Border is the perfect companion and visual reference guide for fans of Phil Rickman’s Merrily Watkins’ mystery novels.

Atmospheric black and white and colour photographs illustrate the landscapes of the novels; brooding hills, half-timbered Elizabethan homes, manor houses, ruined Medieval castles, old churches and prehistoric standing stones.

The accompanying text relates some of the history of the subject depicted in John Mason’s photos as well as the role said subject played in Rickman’s novels.

My personal favourites of these are Ludlow Castle, central to “The Smile of a Ghost” and Whiteleafed Oak, depicted on the cover of my favourite Rickman novel of all, “The Remains of an Altar”.

With the focus here on fact rather than fiction, Rickman’s text and Mason’s photographs provide plenty of incentive for further exploration and discovery by the reader - and the traveler.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully illustrated. Each chapter centers around a book. You get information about the folklore and history of the plot as well as tidbits about Rickman's process.

Though, I have to say that while I have long known that Merrily does not look like Dawn French, she will always look like Dawn French to me.

Enjoyable, particularly the chapter on Hay. I like the incorporation of modern life and the changes it brings.

[James Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent background material for readers of Phil Rickman’s Merrily Watkins series. Lavish photography of the many places mentioned in the series with information about the many places named. This is also good for anyone reading books that take place in Southern England.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent pictorial companion to the series by Phil Rickman. His end notes in each novel are also worth pursuing.

[Pollymoore3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost as good as reading the novels. What a fascinating and little-known area. Wonderful atmospheric photographs too.

[S.C. Skillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book ideal for those who love Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkins series of supernatural mysteries - and I am one of those. Not only that, living in Warwickshire as I do, I am not far from the Wales/England border country of which he writes; and the Malvern Hills are a favourite destination for me. So I loved this book, which is a mixture of a travel book and a companion volume for Merrily Watkins fans. It is packed with atmospheric photos, and Phil Rickman is our travel guide, with his unerring eye for the mysterious, strange and evocative. As I read the book I can imagine him looking out over that border country with its ruined churches, standing stones, strange earthworks, hills and mounds. And arising from that landscape he discerns something of the struggles, the ill deeds, the follies and hope and fancies and longings of the people who have shaped it over the centuries, and filled it with their long-forgotten spirits. But not forgotten, not for those who look for signs in the landscape with a seer's eye, a strong imagination, and a keen appetite for enquiry.

[Lc · Rating 5 out of 5]

For fans of the Merrily Series, this book is a must-have! It would also be a wonderful book for anyone interested in the Wales border. It is a series of stunning and atmospheric photos of the prominent sites in the mystery series, often featuring old churches or standing stones that are important to the series. There is also enough text to go along to give readers both a sense of the history of the sites, but also a bit of a teaser about how they fit into the stories (no spoilers here!). This would be a lovely gift for those who love this series, but it also would work to get someone's interest piqued into reading the Merrily series, as it tells you just enough to leave you wanting more.

Highly recommended, and the latest edition of this book, available from the press, also includes photos from locations in The Secrets of Pain and The Magus of Hay.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent companion to Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkins series of books. Each chapter deals with a location of a Merrily book and features athmospheric photos by John Mason. It's a must-have for Merrily fans, but for those who have never read a Merrily book it would serve as a good introduction.

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. First the writing style was informative but very entertaining bordering on funny at times. I got to see Merrily's world for real and at the same time learn of places I had not been.

Also it was interesting to read words like "Phillip Carr-Gom" and "druid blood rituals".

I should mention that this is the updated version and not the 2009 one

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome photos, folklore, and connections to the Merrifly Watkins books. BIG NOTE: Don't make the same mistake I did and order Merrily's Border: The Marches Share Their Secrets Except for the cover it is identical to this one. I'm not so happy about that!

[Bethnoir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great to read the background to Phil Rickman's books and see photos. I have several new places I want to visit in 2015 now!

[Soo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book, which is a must have for anyone who has enjoyed Phil Rickman's, Merrily Watkins books.

[Merilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent companion to the Merrily Watkins series. Really enjoying these books. Worth checking out.