Customer Reviews
Merrily, Merrily - By: Mrs. H. Firzgibbon, 27 Nov 2008 
So pleased to have another Merrily to consume & digest. As previously, the writing is atmospheric, the situations believable. The encrouching waterin Ledwardine is reminiscent of the scenes I sawin Upton a couple of years back. I did not put it down until I finished it. Thanks Mr Rickman.
Another wonderful book in the Merrily Watkins series - By: JenC, 27 Nov 2008 Having read all the previous booksin this series, I have to say that Phil has hit the mark again. Besides the clever mysteries, clerical (C of E) & esoteric influences that are foundations of the series, is the sense of knowing the characters as if they are real people leading real lives. Vicar Merrily Watkins, her pagan-loving daughter, Jane, & singer/song writer beau, Lol, are colorful characters. And never to forget my favorite 'plant hire' extraordinaire, Gomer Parry. I won't include any spoilers to ruin the fun...
What can I say ... - By: Mr. T. Young, 17 Nov 2008 .. that hasn't already been said?
I absolutely loved this book. Each time I start a new Rickman, I think that he can't possibly surpass the previous one, but somehow he always manages it.
This one is slightly different from the previous Merrily novels, the crime thread is more prevalent - as seen through the eyes of D I Frannie Bliss, who has not previously been a major character.
With a little help from ex DS Andy Mumford (and Andy's new boss Jumbo Humphreys) he unravels the mystery surrounding the grisly murder of Councillor Clem Ayling.
While this is going on, Merrily has her own problemsin Ledwardine - atheists, fundamentalists & rising water levels - & things go far from smoothly for Janein the ongoing Coleman's Meadow saga, though her love life takes a turn for the better.
There's a real surprise ending to this one - and, no, I don't mean the solution of the crime, but something totally unexpected, which will really whet readers' appetites for the nextin the series.
This is a brilliant read, for all Rickman fans & for those who are new to his work.
All I can add now is, buy it - you won't be disappointed.
To dream .. of being able to write like this ... - By: Polly Potter, 11 Nov 2008 If you haven't read the previous Merrily Watkins novels, well, this one can & does stand alone, but I really feel that having known the main characters along their journey does add to the enjoyment. (So please read the earlier novels too - I promise you won't regret it!) This is a dark & savage story, setin the unrelenting downpour of a very unseasonal Christmas deluge. As ever, Phil Rickman creates a tremendously rich sense of place & time to his story - even reading this on a balmy, bright autumnal day, I wanted to throw another log on the fire & curl up with a cup of hot chocolate & brandy - the feeling of being surrounded by drear torrential rain was so real. The depressing tale of wheels within wheelsin local government is enough to give us all pause - wholly plausible unfortunately. What lifts the story is the very real spirit of goodness, hope & right that shines through. Long live Merrily Watkins - I hope it's a long time before she hangs up her cassock!
Another Triumph!! Lady Macbeth's Review. - By: Lady Macbeth, 10 Nov 2008 I have followed Phil Rickman from the very beginning. I was there at the "birth" of Merrily Watkins, & I can truthfully say she has become the one constant I look forin my reading material! This time,in "To Dream of the Dead", my other great love, archaeology, is very muchin evidence with the dig on Colemans Meadow. The main archaeologist, Bill Blore must be based on someone I know, as I'm sure I recognise him! The floods of last year, the beautiful Wye Valley & all the "people" I have come to expect to seein his books are here. Well done Phil Rickman on bringing together everything great once again for us.
In my opinion, everybody who reads this novel should be able to take it as a stand alone story, as you will pick up the thread of the characters as you go along, but I beg you to go back to the beginning & beg, steal or preferably buy all Phil's books. Read all 10 of the "Merrily Watkins" series, & then start with his first book "Candlenight" & work your way through. Then read Thom Madley & Will Kingdom. You will not regret it, although you may get so engrossedin the plots & storylines that you forget to eat!
Thank you Phil Rickman for yet another triumph!!
