To Dream of the Dead
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Review
Merrily is a most original sleuth and an interesting, sparky woman of emotional and spiritual depth. Rickman is an excellent writer, terrific on atmosphere… The best so far - The Times.
Nail-biting, yet thoughtful and complex. What T.S. Eliot did for Canterbury Cathedral, Rickman does for Hereford' Jane Jakeman, Shotsmag.
A first class thriller with a difference' Guardian.
Nail-biting, yet thoughtful and complex. What T.S. Eliot did for Canterbury Cathedral, Rickman does for Hereford' Jane Jakeman, Shotsmag.
A first class thriller with a difference' Guardian.
Review
Merrily is a most original sleuth and an interesting, sparky woman of emotional and spiritual depth. Rickman is an excellent writer, terrific on atmosphere The best so far - The Times. Nail-biting, yet thoughtful and complex. What T.S. Eliot did for Canterbury Cathedral, Rickman does for Hereford' Jane Jakeman, Shotsmag. A first class thriller with a difference' Guardian.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
We've come to expect certain things from Phil Rickman's books. His ear for dialogue is accurate and evocative, whether he's creating the voice of a 70 year old labourer or a wide-eyed teenager. His sense of place is rich and enveloping. The sense of mounting threat is always subtly but deeply unsettling.
Where I don't think he gets enough credit is for the deft manner in which he and Merrily navigate the variety of conflicting attitudes which give the stories their friction and impetus. This is particularly the case in terms of religion versus the secular. Whilst you can infer, for example, where the authour's sympathies lie as 'ruralism' faces down the implacable march of development, he admirablly refuses to sit in judgement over those holding religous and spiritual beliefs, save to be wary of extremism in whatever form this should take. Wary though, and not condemnatory: even the two characters in this book with the most diametrically-opposed views are complex, rounded people who may be misrepresented and misunderstood. The dangers of 'demonisation' and failing to fully understand the complexity of the human condition - here is where we can fail.
So, Phil Rickman is, to my mind, master of the grey area, and reminds us that people, and the shadows they cast, are not painted in black and white. More to the point though....it's another darned good story. I suggest you read it on a particularly rainy day...
Where I don't think he gets enough credit is for the deft manner in which he and Merrily navigate the variety of conflicting attitudes which give the stories their friction and impetus. This is particularly the case in terms of religion versus the secular. Whilst you can infer, for example, where the authour's sympathies lie as 'ruralism' faces down the implacable march of development, he admirablly refuses to sit in judgement over those holding religous and spiritual beliefs, save to be wary of extremism in whatever form this should take. Wary though, and not condemnatory: even the two characters in this book with the most diametrically-opposed views are complex, rounded people who may be misrepresented and misunderstood. The dangers of 'demonisation' and failing to fully understand the complexity of the human condition - here is where we can fail.
So, Phil Rickman is, to my mind, master of the grey area, and reminds us that people, and the shadows they cast, are not painted in black and white. More to the point though....it's another darned good story. I suggest you read it on a particularly rainy day...
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Which is how this novel strikes me. We have all 'grown' with the characters themselves...........Merrily, Jane, Lol, Eirion and of course Gomer and Frannie Bliss. Following on from this comment then the book starts at a rip roaring pace with a gruesome murder.....is this linked to the Dinedor Serpent and their followers or is something more sinister afoot. The novel is set just before Xmas and the river is just about to burst its banks which will in time, leave Ledwardine cut off and with a murderer at loose.
A hidden agenda from a bent Council is putting the Colemans Meadow project in jeopardy and it is not until Frannie Bliss recently taken off the murder case, finds out something even more horrible. Can he race against time and the weather to save the people he has grown to like?
An absolutely gripping novel so much so that I read it in one sitting.
Highly recommnded for its suspense, indictments on today's society and also how, when under pressure people will pull together.
I can hardly wait for the author to write his next novel!
A hidden agenda from a bent Council is putting the Colemans Meadow project in jeopardy and it is not until Frannie Bliss recently taken off the murder case, finds out something even more horrible. Can he race against time and the weather to save the people he has grown to like?
An absolutely gripping novel so much so that I read it in one sitting.
Highly recommnded for its suspense, indictments on today's society and also how, when under pressure people will pull together.
I can hardly wait for the author to write his next novel!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
To Dream of the Dead (Merrily Watkins 10)To Dream of the Dead (Merrily Watkins Mysteries)
Imagine all the powerful human emotions... passion, love, joy, greed, lust, anger, fear, confusion & hate and you'll be close to the turmoil invoked by 'To Dream of the Dead'. Throw in the power of mother nature, in the form of dark, never ending rain, and the claustrophobia is complete.
I came out of this novel with a huge sigh of relief. The power of Rickman's writing drags you kicking and screaming through the drama, and you feel soaked through with tension.
Buy it... no, buy several. You're going to want to spread the word. This book is THAT good.
Imagine all the powerful human emotions... passion, love, joy, greed, lust, anger, fear, confusion & hate and you'll be close to the turmoil invoked by 'To Dream of the Dead'. Throw in the power of mother nature, in the form of dark, never ending rain, and the claustrophobia is complete.
I came out of this novel with a huge sigh of relief. The power of Rickman's writing drags you kicking and screaming through the drama, and you feel soaked through with tension.
Buy it... no, buy several. You're going to want to spread the word. This book is THAT good.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Slightly different mystery
This is less about the exorcism that the main character is usually called to deal with, and more about general police work, corruption & murder. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Maria
Why aren't all Phil Rickman's books available on Kindle?
I have really enjoyed the Phil Rickman books I have read so far, numbers 1 - 4 in the Merrily Watkins series. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Earthymama
Probably the most intriguing PR novel to date......
I loved this one! Very interesting storyline with occult writer moving into Merrily's village and the subsequent repurcussions. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Anna Biggs
Another fabulous Merrily Watkins Read
I first encountered Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkins novels as an Amazon recommendation - it's largely based around South Shropshire and I was attracted by the picture of Ludlow, my... Read more
Published 8 months ago by ShropshireLandlady
Bereft!
I was urged to try the Merrily Watkins books by another Amazon customer after I had posted a lukewarm review of Rickman's 'Bones of Avalon'. And I'm so glad I did! Read more
Published 12 months ago by Pamela Thomas
Stunning book
To Dream of the Dead by Phil Rickman is once more a wonderful tale by the master of understated fear. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Natty West
Lol Robinson has two CDs available, too-
If you love the Merrily Watkins series (or if you just love good music)you'll want to know about the two CDs of songs now available with lyrics by Phil Rickman and music by Allan... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Julia E. Adams
A worthy addition to the series
Those accustomed to the Merrily Watkins novels will find much pleasure but few surprises in this book. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Michael G. Hinton
I miss Merrily!
Another well written, gripping thriller. What is special about this series of books is Phil Rickman's character development. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Suzy
Yet another winner
Well this is the last in the series I have purchased and am not overstating to say I am feeling bereft. Read more
Published on 20 Feb 2010 by G. M. Berry
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