All of a Winter's Night

By Phil Rickman

Merrily Watkins is the most singular of crime fiction protagonists... As ever [Rickman]'s supremely skillful at teasing out the menace that lies behind English folk customs and legends and weaving them into a compelling contemporary narrative. - Mail on Sunday

IN THE DARK HEART OF THE COUNTRYSIDE...

When Aidan Lloyd's bleak funeral is followed by a nocturnal ritual in the fog, it becomes all too clear that Aidan, son of a wealthy farmer, will not be resting in peace.

Aidan's hidden history has reignited an old feud, and a rural tradition begins to display its sinister side.

It's already a fraught time for Merrily Watkins, her future threatened by a bishop committed to restricting her role as diocesan exorcist for Hereford. Suddenly there are events she can't talk about as she and her daughter Jane find themselves potentially on the wrong side of the law.

In the city of Hereford, DI Frannie Bliss, investigating a shooting, must confront the apparent growth of organised crime, also contaminating the countryside.

On the Welsh border, the old ways are at war with the modern world. As the days shorten and the fog gives way to ice and snow, a savage killing draws Merrily Watkins into a conflict centred on one of Britain's most famous medieval churches, its walls laden with ancient symbolism.

Midwinter of the Spirit, televised last year to worldwide critical acclaim, was the first novel to reflect the reality of exorcism in modern Britain. All of a Winter's Night is the 15th episode in this electrifying series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Corvus
• Release date: Jan 5, 2017
• ISBN: 9781782396994

Phil Rickman

PHIL RICKMAN lives on the Welsh border where he writes and presents the book programme Phil the Shelf on BBC Radio Wales. He is the hugely popular author of The Bones of Avalon, The Heresy of Dr Dee and the Merrily Watkins Mysteries.

Reviews for All of a Winter's Night

[thebentley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There are no bad Merrily Watkins books, but this was one of the best I've read. It moves with a real sense of urgency and inevitability, the characters' motivations, both good and bad, are crystal clear, and the central mysteries are compelling. I happen to love this series and these characters, but this is top notch crime fiction even if you don't know them.

[Sheena Gurbakhash · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another great book in the series. These are seriously addictive and simply wonderful for a rainy Sunday afternoon. The stories don't seem to intersect but they do. It will be interesting to see if Deliverance survives.

[libgirl69 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Good read, just not sure about the mix of spooky and police. Interesting to see how the Charlie storyline is being played out though, and the continuing repercussions of changes in Church management. I do wish Lol would be a bit more forthcoming but at least he’s not as indecisive as Stephanie Plum (20 plus books and she still can’t decide on Morelli or Ranger)

[riverwillow · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A new book by one of my most recommended authors is always a joy. But one of the problems with reading any of Phil Rickman's books is the contradictory impulses of wanting to read it really quickly to find out what happens, as he is master storyteller, whilst also wanting to savour the writing, as he is also brilliant at evoking atmosphere and character. As always, the first, baser, impulse won and I read the book in one sitting.From the opening scenes in a foggy Ledwardine graveyard to the final dénouement, the pace does not slacken. We’re reunited with old friends, make some news ones, learn something new and as always are gloriously entertained and at times scared witless, by a brilliant book.The burning question is why isn’t Phil Rickman more widely known?