Journalist Giles Freeman and his wife Claire are thrilled when they inherit a cottage far from the noise of the city. And though the locals are slo...
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reviews
Nov 25, 2011
Eric
rated it: 
Not as good as either Curfew or December. Welsh nationalism is more than a little distracting from the supposed supernatural element here (actually Welsh nationalism is the all-too-prosaic inspiration for the supernatural agents, as well).[return][return]As always, Rickman creates interesting and likable characters, but there is a feel that maybe Rickman rushed this one a bit. One opportunity he missed is the main English character, who he unwisely kills off. Rickman's lead characters are often
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May 21, 2011
Barbra
rated it:
This is the author's first novel and although good it lacked something and seemed to slow right down towards the end.
Back Cover Blurb:
For Bethan, the schoolteacher, the old superstitions woven into the social fabric of her West Wales village are primitive and distasteful. Which is why she's pleased to welcome the sophisticated newcomers, London journalist Giles Freeman and his wife Claire. Surely they'll let in some fresh air? But the Freemans are keen to absorb this differen More...
Back Cover Blurb:
For Bethan, the schoolteacher, the old superstitions woven into the social fabric of her West Wales village are primitive and distasteful. Which is why she's pleased to welcome the sophisticated newcomers, London journalist Giles Freeman and his wife Claire. Surely they'll let in some fresh air? But the Freemans are keen to absorb this differen More...
Nov 01, 2011
Sandy
rated it: 
I thought the book was awesome.
I wanted to read his series but I thought I should see what kind of a writer he is so I chose this book "Candlenight" for our book club. Two out of the three of us finished it. The two of us loved it. The other one was having a hard time with the language. I actually took notes to remember what every thing meant. It was worth it. One of our longest book club discussions to date. I will jump into his series now. Candlenight More...
I wanted to read his series but I thought I should see what kind of a writer he is so I chose this book "Candlenight" for our book club. Two out of the three of us finished it. The two of us loved it. The other one was having a hard time with the language. I actually took notes to remember what every thing meant. It was worth it. One of our longest book club discussions to date. I will jump into his series now. Candlenight More...
Nov 10, 2011
Lynne
rated it:
I have read quite a lot of Phil Rickman's later books and really enjoyed them so I was interested to read his first novel. It was scary - I didn't read it at night - and very gripping. I liked the Welsh legendary background and the now somewhat dated Welsh nationalist agenda of the English pricing locals out of housing as they bought second homes. I am looking forward to reading more.
Dec 14, 2008
Like all of Rickmans books, this one deals with local legends and mores.
This time it's in a small town in Wales called Y Groes. I found it interesting to read
about the druidic ritual lore and corpse candles as well as hearing more about some
of the Welsh legends, i.e. Owain Glyndwyr. While not as fast paced as his other works or nearly as bloody this one has its merits.
This time it's in a small town in Wales called Y Groes. I found it interesting to read
about the druidic ritual lore and corpse candles as well as hearing more about some
of the Welsh legends, i.e. Owain Glyndwyr. While not as fast paced as his other works or nearly as bloody this one has its merits.
Mar 04, 2009
Rowan
rated it:
Not *quite* as good as "Curfew", but still a VERY good read with some deliciously creepy parts. Highly recommended.
Nov 07, 2011
Margayle65
rated it: 
Phil Rickman writes really scary books set in the borderlands near Wales.
Jan 22, 2012
Chris
rated it:
The first in a series of supernatural Celtic mysteries which take place in Wales. Slow start, but a quick finish leaves me wishing the second book would hurry up in the post.
Aug 18, 2008
Hayley
rated it:
I finsihed reading this book at the weekend and I was completely enthralled with. I love anything to do with mythology and this book has plenty of walsh mythology and legend and Phil Rickman sets a brilliant atmosphere and a sutble horror surrounds the village and the people that inhabit the place. I decided to look up the legends that are mentioned within the book and found loads of sites and bits of information on the internet. A great book.
Dec 12, 2009
Jason
rated it:
My first venture into Welsh Horror and I wasn't disappointed. One of the things that I liked about the book was the way it kept the creepiness about it without much happening in the way of exlicit horror, but in the atmospehere. I also found it to be a nice change of pace in regards to not having an actual protagonist but instead a few main characters (but not all of them amking it to the end).
Jan 14, 2008
H3yd00
rated it:
I really enjoyed the beginning of this book. But there were far too many characters to keep up with, and it lost me around the middle. I kept pushing on, since I had so much time invested, though.
I kept seeing Phil Rickman books at the used bookstore, and decided to give him a try. I did. I'm in no hurry for more, but I may try another a bit later.
I kept seeing Phil Rickman books at the used bookstore, and decided to give him a try. I did. I'm in no hurry for more, but I may try another a bit later.
Aug 22, 2008
William
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jan 31, 2011
Christine
rated it: 
Meh...this got really good reviews and I wanted to like it, but it wasn't actually scary. At first, I was hoping for a ghost story and I was really excited and then...not so much. Disappointing.
Oct 22, 2008
Kelly
rated it:
A not very horrific book, but the details about Wales and Welsh superstitions kept me reading. I'll def. try another of his works
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