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lisasf2f04's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kizzia's review against another edition
5.0
The latest “adventure” of Merrily Watkins does not disappoint as Phil Rickman again skilfully weaves folklore, religion, and police work together to produce a crime thriller with an otherworldly element that is left as nebulous as these things often are in real life, although it ends with us knowing the who, how and why of the crime. Alongside the self-contained mystery plot of the book we get the continual unspooling of the lives of Merrily, Jane, Lol, Frannie, Ann and Eirion, all of whom have a special place in my heart. Sadly there’s not much of Gomer or Huw in this story but there’s enough there to tell me that they’ll probably have a bigger role in the next book. Phil doesn’t shy away from the real life problems all his characters face but he handles every new twist, turn and block in the road - all of which are driven by the characters, setting and real life politics of the Welsh Borders that feels right for both the fictional village of Ledwardine and that world as I know it – with sensitivity and care that leave you, at the final page, feeling hopeful and content, yet eagerly anticipating the next instalment.
ladygeeke's review against another edition
5.0
Paganism, Sufism and Border Morris - what more could anyone ask? One of the best Merrily Watkins books ever, and some extraordinary character gains and losses that might just change everything for the future.
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