📖 Overview
Phil Rickman is a British author primarily known for his Merrily Watkins series of supernatural crime novels, which blend elements of mystery, horror and folklore. The series follows Merrily Watkins, a female Anglican priest who serves as the official Diocesan Exorcist (termed "Deliverance Consultant") in rural Herefordshire.
Before focusing on the Merrily Watkins series, Rickman wrote standalone supernatural thrillers including Candlenight, Crybbe (published as Curfew in the US), and December. He has also written historical fiction under his own name and music journalism under various pseudonyms.
Rickman's work is characterized by its strong sense of place, particularly the Welsh Border country, and its integration of contemporary rural issues with folklore and the supernatural. His journalism background is evident in his detailed research and realistic portrayal of modern clerical and police procedures.
The author has additionally written the John Dee papers series, featuring the historical figure of Dr. John Dee, and several standalone novels that explore the intersections of crime, history, and the paranormal in the British countryside.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Rickman's detailed research, authentic portrayal of rural British life, and ability to create atmospheric tension without relying on gore. Many note his skill in blending supernatural elements with realistic crime procedures and church politics. The Merrily Watkins series receives particular recognition for its complex characters and authentic depiction of modern Anglican ministry.
Likes:
- Authentic sense of place in Welsh/English border settings
- Well-researched historical and folkloric elements
- Character development, especially Merrily and Jane Watkins
- Balance of supernatural and procedural elements
Dislikes:
- Some find the pacing slow, especially in early chapters
- Dialect and local terminology can be challenging
- Later books in series become formulaic according to some readers
- Religious elements too prominent for some mystery fans
Ratings:
Goodreads: Merrily Watkins series averages 4.1/5 stars
Amazon UK: Most titles maintain 4.3-4.6/5 stars
Amazon US: Slightly lower at 4.0-4.3/5 stars
Reader quote: "Like Barbara Pym meets Stephen King - but better than that sounds" - Goodreads review
📚 Books by Phil Rickman
Wine of Angels - A newly-appointed woman priest confronts ancient evil in an apple-growing village with a dark history of witchcraft.
Midwinter of the Spirit - Merrily Watkins begins her training as a deliverance consultant while investigating a death connected to dark ritual.
A Crown of Lights - A modern witch moves into a remote cottage, leading to conflict with the church and mysterious deaths.
The Cure of Souls - A haunted house case intertwines with the death of a prominent local musician.
The Lamp of the Wicked - Serial killer connections emerge as Merrily investigates a missing person case in an old mining village.
The Prayer of the Night Shepherd - Ancient evil surfaces at a hotel claiming connections to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Candlenight - A Welsh village harbors deadly secrets when an English woman inherits a local cottage.
Crybbe - The restoration of an ancient stone circle leads to supernatural terror in a border town.
December - Rock music and ancient folklore collide at a remote recording studio in the Welsh mountains.
The Bones of Avalon - Dr. John Dee investigates the disappearance of King Arthur's bones in Elizabethan Glastonbury.
The Heresy of Dr Dee - John Dee travels to the Welsh borders on a secret mission for Queen Elizabeth I.
Midwinter of the Spirit - Merrily Watkins begins her training as a deliverance consultant while investigating a death connected to dark ritual.
A Crown of Lights - A modern witch moves into a remote cottage, leading to conflict with the church and mysterious deaths.
The Cure of Souls - A haunted house case intertwines with the death of a prominent local musician.
The Lamp of the Wicked - Serial killer connections emerge as Merrily investigates a missing person case in an old mining village.
The Prayer of the Night Shepherd - Ancient evil surfaces at a hotel claiming connections to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Candlenight - A Welsh village harbors deadly secrets when an English woman inherits a local cottage.
Crybbe - The restoration of an ancient stone circle leads to supernatural terror in a border town.
December - Rock music and ancient folklore collide at a remote recording studio in the Welsh mountains.
The Bones of Avalon - Dr. John Dee investigates the disappearance of King Arthur's bones in Elizabethan Glastonbury.
The Heresy of Dr Dee - John Dee travels to the Welsh borders on a secret mission for Queen Elizabeth I.
👥 Similar authors
Susan Hill writes supernatural crime fiction centered on British landscapes and folklore, with her Simon Serrailler series combining police work with psychological and spiritual elements. Her ghost story "The Woman in Black" demonstrates her ability to blend horror with literary sophistication.
James Oswald creates crime fiction with supernatural undertones in his Inspector McLean series set in Edinburgh. His background in farming adds authenticity to rural Scottish settings, similar to Rickman's connection to the Welsh borders.
Stephen Booth writes the Cooper and Fry series set in England's Peak District, focusing on the intersection of modern crime with historical folklore. His work demonstrates deep knowledge of rural police procedures and local traditions.
F.G. Cottam produces supernatural thrillers that combine historical research with contemporary mystery elements. His novels often feature Anglican church settings and religious themes while exploring paranormal phenomena.
Kate Ellis writes the Wesley Peterson series, mixing modern detective work with archaeological mysteries and historical connections. Her work bridges past and present through parallel narratives while incorporating elements of folklore and supernatural possibilities.
James Oswald creates crime fiction with supernatural undertones in his Inspector McLean series set in Edinburgh. His background in farming adds authenticity to rural Scottish settings, similar to Rickman's connection to the Welsh borders.
Stephen Booth writes the Cooper and Fry series set in England's Peak District, focusing on the intersection of modern crime with historical folklore. His work demonstrates deep knowledge of rural police procedures and local traditions.
F.G. Cottam produces supernatural thrillers that combine historical research with contemporary mystery elements. His novels often feature Anglican church settings and religious themes while exploring paranormal phenomena.
Kate Ellis writes the Wesley Peterson series, mixing modern detective work with archaeological mysteries and historical connections. Her work bridges past and present through parallel narratives while incorporating elements of folklore and supernatural possibilities.