The Parish Priest must solve the mystery of a young boy's deathly fall from the Ludlow Castle ruins, and discovers a hidden obsession with the afterlife amongst the ancient streets...

'Compassionate, original and sharply contemporary. Rickman's crime series is one of the best around.' - Spectator

In the affluent, historic town of Ludlow, a teenage boy dies in a fall from the castle ruins. Accident or suicide? No great mystery - so why does the boy's uncle, retired detective Andy Mumford, turn to Diocesan Exorcist Merrily Watkins?

More people will die before Merrily - her own future uncertain - uncovers a dangerous obsession with suicide, death and the afterlife hidden within these shadowed medieval streets.

Merrily Watkins - late thirties, single mum parish priest. And diocesan exorcist.

About the Author
Phil Rickman was born in Lancashire and lives on the Welsh border where he writes and presents the book programme Phil the Shelf on BBC Radio Wales. He is the acclaimed author of Dr Dee, The Bones of Avalon, Midwinter Spirit (now a major ITV series), the Merrily Watkins Mysteries and the John Dee papers. Visit his website at: www.philrickman.co.uk

Reviews
No-one writes better of the shadow-frontier between the supernatural and the real world. * Bernard Cornwell, praise for Merrily Watkins *
Ancient history, violent deaths, feuds, intrigues and murder. A most original sleuth. * The Times, praise for Merrily Watkins *
Phil Rickman is one of my all-time favourites. I love everything he's done. * Diana Gabaldon, praise for Merrily Watkins *
[Rickman] is supremely skilful... a compelling contemporary narrative. * Mail on Sunday, praise for Merrily Watkins *
Tight with atmosphere, thick with latent violence... Brilliantly eerie. * Peter James, praise for Merrily Watkins *
Compassionate, original and sharply contemporary, Rickman's crime series is one of the best around. * Spectator, praise for Merrily Watkins *
Complex, absorbing, fascinating... * Andrew Taylor, praise for Merrily Watkins *
Few writers blend the ancient and supernatural with the modern and criminal better than Rickman. * Guardian, praise for Merrily Watkins *
The layers, the characters, the humour, the spookiness - perfect. * Elly Griffiths, praise for Merrily Watkins *
First rate crime with demons that go bump in the night. * Daily Mail, praise for Merrily Watkins *
Classic mysteries... [which] cleverly illuminate the darkest corners of our imaginations. * John Connolly, praise for Merrily Watkins *
Engrossing and beautifully dark... a cracking good read ensues. * Jo Brand, praise for Merrily Watkins *



Book Information
ISBN 9780857890153
Author Phil Rickman
Format Paperback
Page Count 528
Imprint Corvus
Publisher Atlantic Books
Weight(grams) 365g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 31mm