All of a Winter's Night (15) (Merrily Watkins Mysteries)
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.
Reviews (189)
grim, downbeat, feel-good
If you haven’t begun the Merrily Watkins Series, don’t start here, but definitely start much earlier, and get here eventually. No one else out there is doing quite what these books are doing: exploring with mystery-thriller-horror plots how it feels to have your religion, relationships, livelihood, hometown, and ties with the past near-constantly in peril. The humor’s dry, dark, wry. The main characters are fetchingly and heart-rendingly vulnerable, easy to root for if difficult to watch squirm in emotional pain. The series carves out a home for itself just barely in supernatural territory—always a few frissons: ghost encounters, revenants, malevolent powers, religious rituals that may or may not be what they purport to be but are usually something, hard to deny, nonetheless. Phenomena grounded in the highly peculiar life, folklore, and history of the Welsh Border. And with all that powerful pathos, with those mystery novel plots that lead through clues to a sort of resolution, with those supernatural chills, comes the pleasure of getting to know the salt-of-the-earth people in a small British town, a town you want to come back to, to meet those good and interesting people again, even if it comes with the cost of them being again in distress. This particular instalment is a bit of a slow-starter, in part because Rickman finds a role for almost every major series character in its bravura plot (the only one I can think of who’s missing is Anthea White, and after her star turn in Friends of the Dusk she could probably use the rest). All that elaborate plot machinery takes a good bit of setting up, so, stay the course. It all, as usual, starts to speed up and tick down quite exhilaratingly mid-book, then goes off like clockwork—the mystery plots (a supernatural appearance, a murder) end, but the character and setting storylines that Rickman is juggling as they arc throughout the series each advance without actually arriving at some point of satisfactory rest. The book story resolves, but the series stories haven’t, so we the readers can shut the book and walk away with a clearer sense that it is possible for things to turn out alright than the series ever seems to give its characters.
Another good entry in the series
I am a Phil Rickman fiend! I eagerly await his newest books, especially the Merrily Watkins series. Then, when the book arrives, I put it in my “to read” stack, waiting for the perfect time to savor it. I sometimes delay my pleasure for months because I want to be in the right mood and frame of mind to devour it. His last book disappointed me in that he did not include many of the familiar characters, having them away from the tiny village of Ledwardine for whatever reason. This book, All of a Winter’s Night, not only brings them all back to the fold, but each has the prominent place they’ve always had in the narrative. And that’s a good thing. This time Merrily, the local deliverance minister (think exorcist) is dealing with murders that are heavily entrenched, as they always are, in folklore. Specifically, this tale is entangled with Morris dancers. Rickman is amazing in how he does his research and manages to build a story around ancient traditions. He doesn’t disappoint this time. I have to say, however—and it may just be my own frame of mind—I found All of a Winter’s Night to be a bit plodding. Rickman does a masterful job, usually, of telling a bit of the tale, leaving us guessing, switching to another related incident and character, leaving us guessing, and then getting back to the original until all is weaved together and the tale is told. I love that. But I did find it a bit disconcerting this time around. I don’t think it’s the fault of the book or the author, for I find myself annoyed with familiar and beloved episodes of TV series these days. I’m probably just “going through something” personally. You, however, will most likely love this book if you like British mysteries heavily laced with folklore featuring engaging characters.
4 1/2 stars
All of a Winter’s Night is another atmospheric installment in the Merrily Watkins series. The story telling is subtle and the horror when it comes is oftentimes more inferred than overt. I must admit that sometimes it goes over my head. I’m blaming it on being American. Case and point – Gomer and Lol in the churchyard – noticing something may be amiss and setting it to rights. Made perfect sense to me. Wasn’t batting an eye. And then suddenly people are talking about crimes and spiritual atrocities and here I thought it was a solid work ethic and attention to detail. 14 books in and it’s a given that a significant part of the enjoyment is visiting with characters you’ve emotionally invested in. Merrily and Lol are solid in their supportive and drama-free, if still somewhat on the down-low relationship. Lol’s in a fairly good place (for Lol) working on his music and Merrily is coming into her own with both the Day job *and* the Night Job. Or she would be if Bishop Innes wasn’t trying to dismantle deliverance and stick it to her at every possible turn. As it turns out the Night Job sees almost as much action as the Day Job in Merrily’s neck of the woods. For example, one minute she’s performing a perfunctory funeral for Aiden Lloyd a young man cut down in a tragic accident and then 12 hours later she’s looking out the rectory window and it seems a band of creepy looking figures are dancing on his grave. Merrily can not catch a break. Next thing you know she’s embroiled in the middle of a generational feud related to modern rape of the land annihilation farming versus semi-pagan, spiritual, nurturing the land farming and greed that leads to murder. Then the rumors start flying and the bodies start piling up and Merrily and her spiritual investigation are on a parallel course with Frannie and Annie and their legal investigation until everything comes to a head. What I liked: 1. Lol and the Border Morris Dancing – very cool to watch I googled it on youtube. 2. The possibility of Jane re-inventing Lucy Devenish’s Ledwardine Lore shop. 3. Merrily’s conversation with Paul the self-serving mole 4. Charlie Howe – as long as it doesn’t cause problems for Frannie and Annie (And Pierce right along with him). 5. The possibility of Eirion coming back into the picture. 6. Rajab Ali Khan – can he please join Merrily’s Scooby gang and become a regular character. What I didn’t like: 1. 19 year old Jane annoys me. She seems rather immature and her coming of age angst and resulting relationship drama just seem….ridiculous. Luckily she seems to be pulling it together 2. Merrily and the police working parallel but not together. Missed the Merrily and Bliss comradery. 3. Frannie and Annie meeting with Charlie. Because it worked out so well the last time. I really like Bliss but I wanted to smack him upside the head – although I suppose ultimately it will be helpful to Annie.
Creepy and Intense
WOW!!! That was the most creepy and intense Merrily book I have read yet. Creepy in the eerie boogeyman under the bed way and intense as in OMG are my friends going to be OK since all this bad stuff is happening. And that's what Merrily and the gang are for those of us who have read the whole series of books. Loveable friends we are emotionally attached to. This book isn't a slow build either. It grabs your attention from page one and by the end of chapter 3 (page 30) I was freaked. And as always I got to learn new and interesting things about real life stuff without even knowing I was learning anything. The way it's woven into the story. Maybe some of the realism of that makes it more intense. Thanks Phil. Already excited for the next one. Now I know what happened I can read it again (and again, and again) more slowly and relax. Note: I purchased this book from the Amazon UK site so can post here early (as I've read it 3 months ago, can't wait for the U.S.) but will be purchasing the kindle from here when available so I can read again.
10 out of 10
The only complaint I have is that I've finished it...Couldn't put it down, but then I expect nothing less from Mr Rickman. The characters are like old friends, and I'm always a bit sad 'cos I have to wait for the next installment. Brilliant as usual.
Recommended
I enjoyed this latest installment in the Merrily Watkins series, but (as usual) I was somewhat confused by the ending. That's likely my own fault, because I was too interested in "what happens next" to pay enough attention to the reasons for the events as they unfolded. There were a couple of momentous occurrences in the lives of certain characters, and at least one cliff-hanger. Cliff-hangers are good, though, because they guarantee that the author intends to write at least one more book. Since I'm a (an?) habitual re-reader I won't lose any sleep over my difficulties with the story's ending. I'll pick it up again in a couple of months, happily return to Ledwardine, and hopefully suss out all of the "whys" that Mr. Rickman chose to reveal in this volume.
Best Series I've Read
The Merrily Watkins series are my favorite books. I am a voracious reader and to say these are my favorites is high praise. This installment was particularly intriguing, opening up an entirely new interest for me involving Border Morris Dancing. If you enjoy intrigue and a bit of spine tingly mystery, this is a must-read series - of just pick up this book, get hooked and then start from the beginning of the series to catch yourself up. I hope this series continues for many more books to come. The characters have become friends and I look forward to spending many more winter's nights with them.
Love this series
Another great read, love this series! Having read all of the books, it was great being with Merrily, Jane and Lol again. So glad 'Irene' is back in Jane's life and can't wait to see how Jane brings back Lucy's store as a grand success. Very interesting learning about the Morris dancing. I actually saw one performed in Unadilla, NY, without knowing anything about the tradition, fascinating. Can't wait for the next book!
Excellent !
This is Phil Rickman at his best yet again. The characters continue to grow and develop. The scenery great and the story gives insight in yet another part of old mystical Britain. Specially now that you can find pictures on the internet of Kilpeck Church and other places Rickman describes. Youtube will give videos of Border Morris ! Heartily recommended. Lia (The Netherlands)
Great Series
My favorite new series -- new to me at least. I have been reading this series of 500 page books as fast as I can order them. I have grown fond of the characters and of the picture of Britain as layer upon layer of history. Plots vary and the mood is always shifting between the mundane and the unexpected/unexplained.
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