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Merrily Watkins #8
The Remains of an Altar
In 1934, the dying composer Sir Edward Elgar feebly whistled to a friend the theme from his Cello Concerto and said, "If you're walking on the Malvern Hills and hear that, don't be frightened. It's only me." Seventy years later, Merrily Watkins—parish priest and Deliverance Consultant to the Diocese of Hereford—is called in to investigate an alleged paranormal dimension in a spate of road accidents in the Malvern village of Wychehill. There, Merrily discovers new tensions in Elgar's countryside. The proposed takeover of a local pub by a nightclub owner with a criminal reputation has become the battleground between the defenders of Olde Englande and the hard men of the drug world—with extreme and sinister elements on both sides. And as the choral society prepares to stage an open-air performance of Elgar's Caractacus at a prehistoric hill fort, the deaths begin…Another spellbinding thriller in Phil Rickman's lauded occult mystery series.
544 pages, Hardcover
First published October 19, 2006
54 people are currently reading
575 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 93 reviews
November 9, 2025
Merrily is called on to investigate a series of road accidents, could they have been caused by the ghost of Edward Elgar? Meanwhile, Jane becomes obsessed with druidism, and is horrified when she discovers plans to build an estate of luxury homes on meadow containing an important ley line. Lol is struggling with his difficult 2nd album and Gomer? well he just takes it all his stride, dishing out sage wisdom while smoking a roll up and mashing up cars with his massive digger.
A bit mad to be fair. There's a lot going on, maybe too much, and the bones of the story (the ghost of Elgar) gets a little lost amongst the sub plots of drug running, raves, choirs, trees, council back handers and murder. But, as always, great writing for Rickman even if the plot is a little all over the place. Loved the return on Anthea White who manages to steal show despite only appearing for about 5 pages.
When I rate these I am comparing them to the previous Merrily books, and this one is great but there are better ones.
A bit mad to be fair. There's a lot going on, maybe too much, and the bones of the story (the ghost of Elgar) gets a little lost amongst the sub plots of drug running, raves, choirs, trees, council back handers and murder. But, as always, great writing for Rickman even if the plot is a little all over the place. Loved the return on Anthea White who manages to steal show despite only appearing for about 5 pages.
When I rate these I am comparing them to the previous Merrily books, and this one is great but there are better ones.
December 24, 2025
(review to come, all being well)
January 11, 2020
Not the best of the series. There is something a bit off, maybe because Lol and Gomer aren't as present. But Rickman does tap into the fear of development and tourism as well as how ghost stories are seen by different people in the same area. That's what makes it a good read. And it's always nice to spend time with Merrily who is one of the best written characters in the world.
December 25, 2017
I love this series, but this one felt a bit formulaic and as though I'd read it before. Maybe I've just read too many of the series. Still enjoyed it though, and it's head and shoulders above most mystery/crime novels.
May 19, 2012
A mystical, social & psychological tale of intrigue leading to a crescendo of horror,I was fascinated to find so many disparate elements drawn together in Rickman's novel: horror, religion, New Age mysticism, violence, English landscape,classical music,ghost haunting and social problems. There were almost too many elements for me to fully grasp in one story; which is why I have given this otherwise excellent book only 4 stars. Although I have a strong interest in each individual element and concede that Rickman's plotting wove them together ingeniously, this was a book I couldn't pick up again easily after I'd put it down. On a personal level, I found Rickman's range of interests akin to my own; the beauty of the Malvern hills; the sublime music composed by Edward Elgar in his Dream of Gerontius; paganism & earth mysteries, the Music of the Spheres, religion and ghost hauntings; woman priests and the Diocesan Deliverance Ministry. But now I have found Phil Rickman I will definitely read more of his Merrily Watkins mysteries and have already bought Wine of Angels.
January 7, 2013
This is the seventh Merrily Watkins mystery for me, and I admit my interest in her and her "deliverance counseling" began to flag upon reading this book. The reasons are primarily two:
1) Lack of spookiness. If Merrily's main job is diocesan exorcist, then her mysteries should have some spooky aspect, even if it's explained away at the end. There's none of that in this book.
2) Edward Elgar. I know Elgar's music has been enjoying a revival, and that he has many fans worldwide. Call me a crank, but despite his popularity, an entire book revolving around him and his works is way too much Elgar.
On the other hand, what I consider the "Jane problem" (i.e., a teenage character too sophisticated to be believed) is not so problematic in this book. Jane does daring/stupid things that are perfectly in line with her being a high school junior. It's clear that Rickman is giving signals that Jane will be around Ledwardine to help and hinder Merrily after she gets out of high school. Maybe she'll be going to Hereford Community College.
However, I am not all that motivated to find out what happens next to Merrily and Jane. I've run out of gas (petrol?) on this series and need to take a hiatus, perhaps a permanent one. I suppose that's a problem with many novels in series--running out of ideas as the number increases. The 10th Merrily mystery is due out on April Fool's Day 2013. I won't be waiting in line to buy it.
1) Lack of spookiness. If Merrily's main job is diocesan exorcist, then her mysteries should have some spooky aspect, even if it's explained away at the end. There's none of that in this book.
2) Edward Elgar. I know Elgar's music has been enjoying a revival, and that he has many fans worldwide. Call me a crank, but despite his popularity, an entire book revolving around him and his works is way too much Elgar.
On the other hand, what I consider the "Jane problem" (i.e., a teenage character too sophisticated to be believed) is not so problematic in this book. Jane does daring/stupid things that are perfectly in line with her being a high school junior. It's clear that Rickman is giving signals that Jane will be around Ledwardine to help and hinder Merrily after she gets out of high school. Maybe she'll be going to Hereford Community College.
However, I am not all that motivated to find out what happens next to Merrily and Jane. I've run out of gas (petrol?) on this series and need to take a hiatus, perhaps a permanent one. I suppose that's a problem with many novels in series--running out of ideas as the number increases. The 10th Merrily mystery is due out on April Fool's Day 2013. I won't be waiting in line to buy it.
May 26, 2024
I will always love this series but this one was a bit off track.
November 10, 2014
3.5 stars. Not my favorite of the Merrily books, but still a good read. I love the characters and the setting and Rickman’s prose.
The ghost of English composer Edward Elgar is possibly haunting a village in the Malvern Hills, and Merrily is summoned, reluctantly, by the local priest. She gets an earful of the local grievances, chief amongst them the fact that an historic local pub called The Royal Oaks has been purchased by a shady Islamic businessman and converted into a raucous dance club called “Inn Ya Face”. The locals are unamused, and the cops have grown cynical. Is the club owner an entrepreneur fighting racial discrimination? Or is he a criminal using political correctness as a shield? Disappointingly, this controversial plot is dropped without resolution.
There is plenty of other drama - the locals are sleeping around, some of them are a little crazy, and someone finally turns murderous. There are some interesting tidbits about Elgar and his musical ambitions. As usual, the book offers a slightly paranormal twist to largely mundane hanky-panky. Also as usual, Merrily does very little except drive around and talk to people and feel inadequate. (It’s surprising how compelling this is.)
Meanwhile Merrily’s teenaged daughter Jane is stirring up the Ledwardine local council, objecting to new development on a piece of land that she believes is an ancient sacred site. This kind of thing is usually right up Jane’s alley, but she is strangely nervous and reticent in this book.
There is not enough of Lol or Gomer Parry, but I’ll take what I can get.
Looking forward to the next one of these!
The ghost of English composer Edward Elgar is possibly haunting a village in the Malvern Hills, and Merrily is summoned, reluctantly, by the local priest. She gets an earful of the local grievances, chief amongst them the fact that an historic local pub called The Royal Oaks has been purchased by a shady Islamic businessman and converted into a raucous dance club called “Inn Ya Face”. The locals are unamused, and the cops have grown cynical. Is the club owner an entrepreneur fighting racial discrimination? Or is he a criminal using political correctness as a shield? Disappointingly, this controversial plot is dropped without resolution.
There is plenty of other drama - the locals are sleeping around, some of them are a little crazy, and someone finally turns murderous. There are some interesting tidbits about Elgar and his musical ambitions. As usual, the book offers a slightly paranormal twist to largely mundane hanky-panky. Also as usual, Merrily does very little except drive around and talk to people and feel inadequate. (It’s surprising how compelling this is.)
Meanwhile Merrily’s teenaged daughter Jane is stirring up the Ledwardine local council, objecting to new development on a piece of land that she believes is an ancient sacred site. This kind of thing is usually right up Jane’s alley, but she is strangely nervous and reticent in this book.
There is not enough of Lol or Gomer Parry, but I’ll take what I can get.
Looking forward to the next one of these!
July 24, 2017
Merrily goes to investigate a possible haunting in Wychehill, after reports of a ghost cyclist causing accidents is reported. Meanwhile Jane looks into trying to save a local meadow, which could be of historical interest, from developers.
It sounded more interesting than it actually was. The story was rather meandering and could have been about 100 pages shorter. Jane was plain annoying - I know she is only a teenager but she still rushes in without taking two minutes to think things through. I would only rate this one so-so.
It sounded more interesting than it actually was. The story was rather meandering and could have been about 100 pages shorter. Jane was plain annoying - I know she is only a teenager but she still rushes in without taking two minutes to think things through. I would only rate this one so-so.
December 9, 2012
I'm not sure what to think of this book. It's very English. The characters are either muted (adults) or hysterical (adolescents). It's a bit of a muddle, at least to me. I'm not sure who killed whom or why. I was particularly annoyed by the fact that everyone carried cell phones, but nobody ever answered them. Seemed pointless. Lots and lots of exposition revealed in pages and pages of dialogue with no action. I hope this isn't Rickman's best book, but I won't be finding out.
March 14, 2017
As others have said, this is not the strongest book in the series; however, this review concerns the American Kindle version.
I now have all of the Merrily Watkins novels on my Kindle and am re-reading my way through them in order. It took me several pages to figure out what was different about this story until I realized that the conversations were enclosed by double quotation marks instead of the single quotes used in the other Kindle editions as well as all of the hardbound versions. Kind of weird for a Phil Rickman book, but OK. BUT -- Merrily is described by everyone, including Jane, as being Jane's "Mom", not her "Mum". Colours have become colors. And Gomer Parry owns an "equipment-for-hire" company. Really? That's not what is printed on my sweatshirt...er, fleece. It clearly advertises Gomer Parry Plant Hire.
Whose idea was it to make these silly changes? This novel wasn't broken until someone tried to fix it by meddling with it. I hope that "The Remains of an Altar" is the only one of Mr. Rickman's books to have received this treatment.
I now have all of the Merrily Watkins novels on my Kindle and am re-reading my way through them in order. It took me several pages to figure out what was different about this story until I realized that the conversations were enclosed by double quotation marks instead of the single quotes used in the other Kindle editions as well as all of the hardbound versions. Kind of weird for a Phil Rickman book, but OK. BUT -- Merrily is described by everyone, including Jane, as being Jane's "Mom", not her "Mum". Colours have become colors. And Gomer Parry owns an "equipment-for-hire" company. Really? That's not what is printed on my sweatshirt...er, fleece. It clearly advertises Gomer Parry Plant Hire.
Whose idea was it to make these silly changes? This novel wasn't broken until someone tried to fix it by meddling with it. I hope that "The Remains of an Altar" is the only one of Mr. Rickman's books to have received this treatment.
February 18, 2013
This is book 8 in the Merrily Watkins series. Merrily is a parish priest for the Church of England, and also serves as the area's deliverance (read exorcist) minister. This book was as good as any in the series so far. I love the characters and the location. Merrily is juggling her more mundane vicar duties with her deliverance duties. On top of that she is single mother to a teenage daughter, Jane, who is having some crises of her own.
The Remains of an Altar again delves into paganism and established church, and if they really are so different. Daughter Jane again is pulled toward pagan tendencies when she discovers an obvious Ley line running through a meadow behind her mom's church. Meanwhile, Merrily is called to deal with a possible ghost causing auto accidents in a small village. Merrily's boyfriend Lol, is trying to write songs for his sophomore comeback album and acting as go-between for Merrily and Jane, who have become passing ships.
Merrily is thrown a hiccup when many locals believe their ghost is Edward Elger, famous composer who had lived in the area. Some locals aren't keen on getting rid of a famous ghost, auto accidents or not. Many are more concerned with the old pub that has turned into more of a nightclub and attracting the "wrong" crowd.
Jane's hiccup is in the form of the village council who want to build executive homes in the ley line meadow. So, Jane is introduced to local politics.
I really love this series, the characters and village and surrounding areas are interesting. The mysteries are well-written and the books often have a fantastic gothic vibe.
I highly recommend this series, and of course, The Remains of an Altar, book 8 in the series.
The Remains of an Altar again delves into paganism and established church, and if they really are so different. Daughter Jane again is pulled toward pagan tendencies when she discovers an obvious Ley line running through a meadow behind her mom's church. Meanwhile, Merrily is called to deal with a possible ghost causing auto accidents in a small village. Merrily's boyfriend Lol, is trying to write songs for his sophomore comeback album and acting as go-between for Merrily and Jane, who have become passing ships.
Merrily is thrown a hiccup when many locals believe their ghost is Edward Elger, famous composer who had lived in the area. Some locals aren't keen on getting rid of a famous ghost, auto accidents or not. Many are more concerned with the old pub that has turned into more of a nightclub and attracting the "wrong" crowd.
Jane's hiccup is in the form of the village council who want to build executive homes in the ley line meadow. So, Jane is introduced to local politics.
I really love this series, the characters and village and surrounding areas are interesting. The mysteries are well-written and the books often have a fantastic gothic vibe.
I highly recommend this series, and of course, The Remains of an Altar, book 8 in the series.
October 4, 2015
Another enthralling Merrily Watkins mystery from Phil Rickman.
This time we find Merrily caught up in the midst of a mystery potentially involving the ghost of Elgar in the village of Wychehill in the Malvern Hills. Merrily is called to investigate a possible supernatural cause of a spate of road accidents in the village. Instead she finds herself opening a can of worms, as the spiritual legacy of Elgar comes face to face with harsh 20th century realities of drugs and crime. A ritualistic murder and a local priest who is ex-SAS add to the dynamics as Merrily attempts to negotiate her way to the truth of the matter, and it takes Merrily away from home for days at a time and away from Jane.
Meanwhile Jane makes an exciting discovery about possible ley lines through Ledwardine, only to be appalled to discover that a new housing estate is to be built upon them. Without Merrily to act as a voice of reason, Jane reacts like a bull to a red rag and ends up in so much trouble that her seemingly indomitable spirit is cowed.
The mystery and supernatural elements are perfectly entwined in this story. Merrily's developing relationship with Lol is an integral part of the story and it's good to see Lol there to support Merrily in situations where she would once have been completely on her own. Merrily did seem to be a bit lacking as a mother in this book, but when you're fighting evil I guess sometimes that must take priority over your children. And Jane came through this in the end and is developing into a really compelling character in her own right.
Phil Rickman continues to deliver in this highly enjoyable series.
This time we find Merrily caught up in the midst of a mystery potentially involving the ghost of Elgar in the village of Wychehill in the Malvern Hills. Merrily is called to investigate a possible supernatural cause of a spate of road accidents in the village. Instead she finds herself opening a can of worms, as the spiritual legacy of Elgar comes face to face with harsh 20th century realities of drugs and crime. A ritualistic murder and a local priest who is ex-SAS add to the dynamics as Merrily attempts to negotiate her way to the truth of the matter, and it takes Merrily away from home for days at a time and away from Jane.
Meanwhile Jane makes an exciting discovery about possible ley lines through Ledwardine, only to be appalled to discover that a new housing estate is to be built upon them. Without Merrily to act as a voice of reason, Jane reacts like a bull to a red rag and ends up in so much trouble that her seemingly indomitable spirit is cowed.
The mystery and supernatural elements are perfectly entwined in this story. Merrily's developing relationship with Lol is an integral part of the story and it's good to see Lol there to support Merrily in situations where she would once have been completely on her own. Merrily did seem to be a bit lacking as a mother in this book, but when you're fighting evil I guess sometimes that must take priority over your children. And Jane came through this in the end and is developing into a really compelling character in her own right.
Phil Rickman continues to deliver in this highly enjoyable series.
December 25, 2015
Merrily Watkins - Deliverance Consultant to the Diocese of Hereford - is asked to visit a small village where a stretch of road has been the scene of several accidents, some fatal. Is there something more going on than simple bad luck?
Several people claim to have seen someone in the road and swerved to avoid them. Syd Spicer - the local rector - seems to know more than he his telling but he invites her to a public meeting in the parish. While Merrily is talking to villagers, Jane, her teenage daughter, is getting herself into hot water with the local pillars of the community over a controversial planning application.
Can Merrily balance the conflicting demands of her various roles when all demand her attention at the same time? Fortunately Lol Robinson and Gomer Parry are there to keep an eye on things and Frannie Bliss, Merrily's detective friend is still around.
When a man is found dead in the Malvern Hills not far from the village where Merrily is investigating the ghostly happenings the stakes are suddenly much higher. This is a fascinating and enthralling story which will keep you on tenterhooks until the last page. I found the background about Elgar and his life and music fascinating as well.
All the books in this intriguing series are well written and many layered with excellent plots and I thoroughly recommend them to anyone who likes something a bit different.
Several people claim to have seen someone in the road and swerved to avoid them. Syd Spicer - the local rector - seems to know more than he his telling but he invites her to a public meeting in the parish. While Merrily is talking to villagers, Jane, her teenage daughter, is getting herself into hot water with the local pillars of the community over a controversial planning application.
Can Merrily balance the conflicting demands of her various roles when all demand her attention at the same time? Fortunately Lol Robinson and Gomer Parry are there to keep an eye on things and Frannie Bliss, Merrily's detective friend is still around.
When a man is found dead in the Malvern Hills not far from the village where Merrily is investigating the ghostly happenings the stakes are suddenly much higher. This is a fascinating and enthralling story which will keep you on tenterhooks until the last page. I found the background about Elgar and his life and music fascinating as well.
All the books in this intriguing series are well written and many layered with excellent plots and I thoroughly recommend them to anyone who likes something a bit different.
May 14, 2012
Unfortunately, this was not the series’ strongest addition. The beginning really dragged on for a long time, and the new characters that were introduced just did not have the same charm and realism that I’ve come to expect from Rickman. The supernatural element was very low-key, here and the overall plot simply was not as complex or unpredictable as those found in previous installments in the series.
The sections revolving around Jane, however, were particularly riveting - and much more exciting than the more dominant Merrily sections (especially by the end - I am interested to see how much of a role this Neil Cooper will play in the later books in the series, particularly because of that medium’s prediction). Gomer’s role fit perfectly, and I was so pleased to finally see Athena again!
While this was far from my favorite book in the series, I am quite sad that I am nearing the published end of the series! There are only a few books that are already published that I have yet to read before I join the publication wait!
The sections revolving around Jane, however, were particularly riveting - and much more exciting than the more dominant Merrily sections (especially by the end - I am interested to see how much of a role this Neil Cooper will play in the later books in the series, particularly because of that medium’s prediction). Gomer’s role fit perfectly, and I was so pleased to finally see Athena again!
While this was far from my favorite book in the series, I am quite sad that I am nearing the published end of the series! There are only a few books that are already published that I have yet to read before I join the publication wait!
July 8, 2011
One of my favorite series by far and this book didn't disappoint although less "otherworldly" than Rickman's previous books (more down and dirty with the plagues of current day: drugs and dealers, shady developers and protectionism and racism). I love the characters of Merrily and her daughter Jane. Both are so complex and multiple-faceted. Having a daughter Jane's age really helps me relate to Merrily's angst in sitting on that fine line between over-mothering and allowing the freedom for children to grow and make their own choices. Supporting characters: Lol and Gomer are also fabulous. I like seeing how Lol becomes more of an active participant in life with each new book that comes out. The character of Syd Spicer in this book was extremely interesting: former SAS agent, trained to kill in hand-to-hand combat and now turned priest in the C of E. I look forward to reading the next book in this excellent series.
January 3, 2023
Just love this series, Phil Rickman is such a good writer, I am in love with Merrily, Jane, Lol and good old Gomer.
The Remains of an Altar starts with Merrily investigating some road traffic accidents, the accidents are believed to be being caused by lights in the road and other strange phenomenon. However as Merrily soon discovers the village of Wychehill is harboring other secrets and when an apparent drug dealer is murdered in what appears to be a ritualistic killing everything is up for questioning.
Another great title in the series, I enjoyed the second story to which followed Jane and her search for preservation of a lay line. Also learnt the history of Elgar from this book. All in all another great edition to the series and I am now in the process of devouring book 9. Having bought all the other books I cannot see anything stopping me from reading them all! Great series!!
The Remains of an Altar starts with Merrily investigating some road traffic accidents, the accidents are believed to be being caused by lights in the road and other strange phenomenon. However as Merrily soon discovers the village of Wychehill is harboring other secrets and when an apparent drug dealer is murdered in what appears to be a ritualistic killing everything is up for questioning.
Another great title in the series, I enjoyed the second story to which followed Jane and her search for preservation of a lay line. Also learnt the history of Elgar from this book. All in all another great edition to the series and I am now in the process of devouring book 9. Having bought all the other books I cannot see anything stopping me from reading them all! Great series!!
August 7, 2014
There are always at least two separate plots in play in a Merrily Watkins book. In some senses the challenge of each book is not in working out what is going on in terms of the supernatural and the criminal but just following the intersections of the plot. I don't think this stands out as a particular Merrily classic. I think it needed more of the woo woo stuff and less of the mundane secular violence of drugs. If I was more musical I think I would have enjoyed the Elgar aspects of the plot more but, on the plus side, Jane is growing up and is significantly less annoying than she has been in past books. At this rate she may end up joining the clergy!
March 3, 2023
I struggled to finish this book. I felt that the story could have been told in a much more interesting way with fewer words. I find Jane an annoying character at the best of times but was particularly annoying in this book. Lol had a greater part to play in this book, but his exploits at the white oak seemed long and drawn out because of the switching back to the activities of the other characters at other sites. It could be that I just didn't like this particular story so I will go on to the next in the series after a decent break.
November 9, 2013
A bit of a stretch this Rev Watkins episode! The plot line is a bit dodgy - the composer Elgar and ancient ley lines. As always it's the characters and the description of the Welsh border Marches that provides the reading pleasure.
December 4, 2017
Not Merrily’s best outing but still very exciting towards the end which saved it from being a poor book to one that was quite enjoyable. In a series this good I think the odd duff offering is definitely allowed. I will still happily read the next in the series.
May 5, 2015
Enjoyed this . I listened to it as an audio book and thoroughly enjoyed it. Great characters and enough twists and turns to keep me guessing.
July 17, 2015
Love this series. Will probably reread it. So complex, excellent dialogue, characters you really care about, mysteries and spiritualism, and historical fiction. Wonderful stuff.
September 8, 2021
What to say. This investigation differs in style from the last couple books. As a novel, I think its a lot more intellectually focussed wrt to its Elgar and his celtic (Druidic religious) inspirations and much od what Phil writes seems to be based around a series of current day thinking in those parts of the academics community that's lets say alternative (as opposed to the lot that s more pseudoscientific - let lines are energy lines or ghost paths) as opposed to potentially real man made (or man designed based on natural occurrences) alignments reflecting aspects of their religious or cultural understanding long lost to us, which can do no more than think about as ideas and concepts (Mike Parker-Pearson's Woodhenge/Stonehenge and the River Avon being a more scientifically identified equivalent).
At the end, the only thing I really dignity buy into was the murder's motives for the crime. The motivation was there, but how it was explained (rural anger rather than greed) didn't work for me. A small natter in the context of a long interesting book. The other thing I really didn't like - my prejudice here - is the reinvention of Jane as the second story line in the book and her reversion to new ageism. Perhaps that makes sense, but I often find both Jane and Merrily's lack of self confidence and guilty self doubting angst off putting. Jane as a teenager, perhaps but Merrily less so than a few years earlier in her timeline. However, like Lol, she slowly moves towards a personal growth (just too slowly for me).
I'd like to know what the author really thinks about rural life these days. He writes quite tellingly about the change in agricultural life in the 21st century UK and the increasing pettiness and stupidity of Govt interference (which particular rings a big bell with me after the last 2 years or so).
At the end, the only thing I really dignity buy into was the murder's motives for the crime. The motivation was there, but how it was explained (rural anger rather than greed) didn't work for me. A small natter in the context of a long interesting book. The other thing I really didn't like - my prejudice here - is the reinvention of Jane as the second story line in the book and her reversion to new ageism. Perhaps that makes sense, but I often find both Jane and Merrily's lack of self confidence and guilty self doubting angst off putting. Jane as a teenager, perhaps but Merrily less so than a few years earlier in her timeline. However, like Lol, she slowly moves towards a personal growth (just too slowly for me).
I'd like to know what the author really thinks about rural life these days. He writes quite tellingly about the change in agricultural life in the 21st century UK and the increasing pettiness and stupidity of Govt interference (which particular rings a big bell with me after the last 2 years or so).
December 2, 2019
Merrily's daughter, Jane, has taken up a project to save Ledwardine, or at least the part that has a Ley line running through it. Jane, who is 17, runs into village politics and some very ugly repercussions - she has skipped school to talk to the Councilman who lives near the Ley line and is involved in building luxury houses there - but he has visitors, one of whom is a school board member. As Jane and her boyfriend try to find ways to keep the housing off the Ley line, they fall deeper and deeper into a dark game. Meanwhile, Merrily has been called to a small village (very small) where people have claimed to see a light and a man on a bicycle just before they end up in a car crash. Two people died in the last one, and Merrily has been asked if she can help. Of course, once she gets there and starts talking to people, it is obvious that there is much more to this that she was led to believe. And as she tries to unravel the whole thing, she finds her daughter in hot water and people from her village turned on her, as well. Merrily does solve the story, but it is human evil and greed, not evil spirits (but there is a supernatural element). Jayne does end up saving the Ley Line with some unforeseen help (the spirit of Lucy watching over her!) Fast, lots of twists and turns, and in the end, Merrily and Jane still have to deal with some hostility in their village.
September 24, 2021
This is the first book in the series I’ve had to buy. The rest I’ve got from the library. I read some of the reviews and wondered if I was wasting my money as the general consensus seems that this isn’t as good as previous books. I’m so pleased I took a chance. In my view this is his best so far. I loved what I learned about Elgar and music development and ancient religious forms of worship and it was a good plot as well.
I have a curious relationship with this series. I think it’s one of those series which never gets the fame and readership it deserves. But sometimes when I reading I feel a bit guilty as if it’s somehow a bit downmarket though I can’t put my finger on why. Having said that, I am going to continue reading the series, paying for the next instalments and loving what I read. B
I have a curious relationship with this series. I think it’s one of those series which never gets the fame and readership it deserves. But sometimes when I reading I feel a bit guilty as if it’s somehow a bit downmarket though I can’t put my finger on why. Having said that, I am going to continue reading the series, paying for the next instalments and loving what I read. B
September 6, 2023
“Alfred Watkins had found several leys passing through here, connecting it with country churches and unexcavated burial mounds and the remains of a medieval castle on an ancient hilltop site at Snodhill.”
A Merrily Watkins mystery. She's Deliverance Consultant, AKA Exorcist, for the Diocese of Hereford. Like DC Peter Grant in the Rivers of London novels she’s called in to deal with ‘weird stuff’. Traffic accidents on a country lane are blamed on a ghost, reputed to be that of Edward Elgar, the composer. While Merrily investigates the ghost, her daughter Jane campaigns against a planned housing estate that will block a ley line she’s discovered.
A very good read, well-researched and interesting. A later book in the series, The Fever of the World, deals with the connection of Wordsworth with the area. This is better.
A Merrily Watkins mystery. She's Deliverance Consultant, AKA Exorcist, for the Diocese of Hereford. Like DC Peter Grant in the Rivers of London novels she’s called in to deal with ‘weird stuff’. Traffic accidents on a country lane are blamed on a ghost, reputed to be that of Edward Elgar, the composer. While Merrily investigates the ghost, her daughter Jane campaigns against a planned housing estate that will block a ley line she’s discovered.
A very good read, well-researched and interesting. A later book in the series, The Fever of the World, deals with the connection of Wordsworth with the area. This is better.
November 21, 2019
Just keeps getting better and better
Merrily Watkins has been called in by another vicar after a series of road accidents in his village. People are saying they saw something before each accident. Some are going scratches saying it is the ghost of Edward Elgar.
Meanwhile Jane Watkins has found what she believes is a ley running through a meadow in Ledwardine. Unfortunately the local Council want to build new homes on the site.
Phil Rickman really is now taking each new book in the series to a new level, as the series gets better and better. In The Remains of An Altar he has created a really interesting character in the form of Syd Spicer ex SAS turned vicar.
The story held me from the outset to the very end.
Recommended.
Merrily Watkins has been called in by another vicar after a series of road accidents in his village. People are saying they saw something before each accident. Some are going scratches saying it is the ghost of Edward Elgar.
Meanwhile Jane Watkins has found what she believes is a ley running through a meadow in Ledwardine. Unfortunately the local Council want to build new homes on the site.
Phil Rickman really is now taking each new book in the series to a new level, as the series gets better and better. In The Remains of An Altar he has created a really interesting character in the form of Syd Spicer ex SAS turned vicar.
The story held me from the outset to the very end.
Recommended.
July 25, 2018
I'm enjoying the Merrily Watkins Mysteries, but this one is by far my favourite so far. Its set in the Malvern Hills and on British Camp, one of my favourite places in England, such familiar ground really struck a chord with me. An enjoyable read, with talk of the ghost of Edward Elgar, earth mysteries, and the discovery of a neolithic stone circle in the area. Makes me want to go back and read Alfred Watkins whose The Old Straight Track is referenced constantly in this novel, and which plays such an important role in the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2021
A page-turner as ever, with a quite complicated set of interweaving plots and unexpected crimes. I didn't fully understand the details of the music theme but it didn't spoil the story. A few loose ends were not tied up, but I suspect the author does that on purpose to keep us guessing. It is hard enough for the characters to know what is supernatural and what is psychological, so how are we readers meant to tell?! Again, the relationships between Merrily and Lol and Jane and Eirion don't move on much, but this doesn't detract from the exciting storyline.
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