Poor Richards Web Site [Paperback]

It seems that Merrily Watkins has gained the reputation of being something of a healer - something of a surprise to Merrily who only intended leading an informal Sunday evening kind of thing. Obviously her 'congregation' has a different agenda and the vicar has to face the fact that her newfound skill is beginning to attract the wrong sort of attention.

Neither Merrily nor Jane is lacking in perception or courage and mother and daughter are going to need both these qualities in spades if they're going to emerge unscathed from 'The Prayer of the Night Shepherd.' For it's going to be a long night.

Miserable winter weather is the backdrop to a tale that has parallels with a certain story set upon Dartmoor. Surely that Hound cannot be the same black dog as the one 'haunting' the sensitive scar dividing rural Herefordshire and Radnorshire? Well, Ben Foley, a man with a dream, will have to clear away much more than heavy snow drifts if he's ever going to get to the truth. He's operating a hotel in an area that doesn't know whether it's an end or a beginning. And where people get high on the joy of other folk's failure.

Ben is pleased with his feisty weekend helper but he makes a clumsy mistake. For Jane is not over-chuffed with her 'room mate' in the big bedroom under the witch's-hat tower. And she is determined to get to the bottom of what Ben plans as something a tad more complicated than a jolly murder-mystery weekend. Anyway, how many spiritualists does it take to change a sceptic?

Phil Rickman has woven a web of rural isolation, paranoia, jealousy and dark desire. In this case the spider within is 'a curse, like a virus in the blood'. The players appear against the wintry scene like shapes created by a Victorian magic lantern. But there are stark images of inherited evil that just will not go away. And they manifest themselves in a very clear and physical danger.

As skillfully as snow camouflaging a landscape, Rickman builds the suspense then chisels away the layers to reveal the core within. You may not always like what he reveals but this spirited blend of crime and superstition is like a walk on the wild side. Not for the faint-hearted seeking an easy read - but those connoisseurs among you will have a ball.