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17th out of 24 books
—
7 voters
The Lamp of the Wicked (Merrily Watkins #5)
by
Phil Rickman
It appears that the unlovely village of Underhowle is home to a serial killer. But as the police hunt for the bodies of more young women, Rev. Merrily Watkins fears that the detective in charge has become blinkered by ambition. Meanwhile, Merrily has more personal problems, like the anonymous phone calls, the candles and incense left burning in her church, and the alleged...more
Paperback, 576 pages
Published
October 1st 2003
by Macmillan U.K.
(first published May 1st 2003)
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This is probably the grimmest of Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkins mysteries. It has connections to a real life serial killer of horrific proportions, which makes this a dark, dark novel.
Adding to the darkness is the 'dark night of the soul' through which Merrily's teenage daughter Jane is currently living, her faith in anything and everything dispelled by depression and despair.
When a body is discovered in suspicious circumstances in a sewerage trench, suspicions are raised that there may be other...more
Adding to the darkness is the 'dark night of the soul' through which Merrily's teenage daughter Jane is currently living, her faith in anything and everything dispelled by depression and despair.
When a body is discovered in suspicious circumstances in a sewerage trench, suspicions are raised that there may be other...more
Here Rickman weaves the horrific Fred West case into a work of fiction. I'm sure the author felt a great responsibility in thoroughly researching the facts of the case. However for me it sometimes felt like an uncomfortable marriage between fact and fiction. It's a sensitive balancing act to intermingle the awful events in Gloucester with the fictional elements in this book. There's much speculation about a possible copycat killer and the reasons for his bizarre behaviour. Could he be inherentl...more
I could not wait to finish this book. Not because I was bored, I just wanted to have the author hurry up and tell me what happens.
Merrily Watkins getting into trouble once again within the community. Well, maybe not trouble, just at the wrong place/time and the townies giving her another hard time. For such a small village they do have their share of the supernatural stuff.
Lol finally getting his act together and succeeding and Jane, well maybe she should just tell someone what's on her mind and...more
Merrily Watkins getting into trouble once again within the community. Well, maybe not trouble, just at the wrong place/time and the townies giving her another hard time. For such a small village they do have their share of the supernatural stuff.
Lol finally getting his act together and succeeding and Jane, well maybe she should just tell someone what's on her mind and...more
This is number 5 in the series and the characters are developing and growing. A lot has happened in the village of Ledwardine and its environs in the year or so since Rev Merrily Watkins arrived! It's the sort of place you may not want to move to, a bit like Midsomer!! In fact this series could probably be made into a TV series, although I hope they would do it justice, and some of the grisly scenes may not be ideal for daytime viewing!
This book centres on a serial killer - but is he really, or...more
This book centres on a serial killer - but is he really, or...more
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This book was pretty good. The plot and characters were well developed. Unfortunately the vernacular gets in the way sometimes. This is the second Phil Rickman Merrily Watkins Myster that I've read and it was out of sequence. That wasn't a problem because even though there is a story line that runs through the books based on relationships with each of the characters, the general plot is really new each time so you don't feel like you're missing something.
It's interesting that with these books I...more
It's interesting that with these books I...more
Another terrific read, featuring Anglican vicar & exorcist, the Rev. Merrily Watkins; her spiritually confused teenaged daughter, Jane; former rock singer and Merrily's "secret" love interest, Lol; Jane's wise and longsuffering Welsh boyfriend, Eirion; and Merrily's exorcist mentor, Huw.
This particular story features various contemporary "hot topics" such as the (possible) detrimental effects of giant power transmitters on health, and our society's fascination with angels - including whethe...more
This particular story features various contemporary "hot topics" such as the (possible) detrimental effects of giant power transmitters on health, and our society's fascination with angels - including whethe...more
I just cannot get enough of the Merrily Watkins Series. Each installment becomes my new favorite, which says A LOT for the author, Rickman. Somehow he continues to mesh different belief systems, religions, hot topics, and political views into one novel, without degrading any of them, or making any “the absolute”. The Lamp of the Wicked is a compelling piece of writing, multilayered with story upon story that tie together with twists that the reader doesn’t see until they are served up on a silve...more
Probably three and a half stars really. This is a dark, disturbing book - well plotted as ever and with the same characters developing and changing. It uses the real life crimes of the Wests as the key links with very grim results. I don't know how accurate the ideas about the negative impact of electricity pylons are but the story is highly plausible. It is that realistic and sympathetic writing about people which I like in these novels. Nothing is neat and simple. I'm already looking forward t...more
I can't get enough of this series. I don't know how Phil Rickman does it, but he manages to write a series that deals in horror/exorcism without being about horror, religion/Church of England without being about religion, rural life on the Welsh/English borders and all the residents' quirkiness without being the least bit twee.
His characters have unusual names yet they feel spot-on "right" and not silly or contrived.
I don't know how he does it but I hope he doesn't stop.
Give this series a try.
His characters have unusual names yet they feel spot-on "right" and not silly or contrived.
I don't know how he does it but I hope he doesn't stop.
Give this series a try.
Rickman is one of my favorite authors, so much so that I will on occasion re-read his books. I chose to re-read this one to give it another chance. Although very good, this is not one of my favorites.
Rickman's stories are so multi-layered, sometimes it is difficult to summarize his books. This one deals primarily with the impact of the death of presumed criminal Roddy Lodge upon his hometown village of Underhowle. Because of his erratic behavior, Roddy is assumed responsible for the disappearan...more
Rickman's stories are so multi-layered, sometimes it is difficult to summarize his books. This one deals primarily with the impact of the death of presumed criminal Roddy Lodge upon his hometown village of Underhowle. Because of his erratic behavior, Roddy is assumed responsible for the disappearan...more
IMHO this is the best (and darkest) of the series so far.
This might have something to do with it's connections to the Fred West case which happened in the part of the country I lived in and which I cannot forget. It cleverly left many open questions which may well be speculation but leaves a sinister miasma over the whole thing and made me think about how a crime of that magnitude of evil can live in a place long after the perpetrators had departed. Rivetting.
This might have something to do with it's connections to the Fred West case which happened in the part of the country I lived in and which I cannot forget. It cleverly left many open questions which may well be speculation but leaves a sinister miasma over the whole thing and made me think about how a crime of that magnitude of evil can live in a place long after the perpetrators had departed. Rivetting.
Felt very unsure what rating to give, as I think the book itself is good, just a little too macabre for my taste. Maybe being a mother of a daughter, the mention of teenage girls being murdered/abused isn't an entertaining read, but having read Rickman's thoughts at the end of the book, it felt totally not an exploitation, rather a personal crusade against an injustice. Reviews did mention it's a tough read, but that's the subject rather than the writing itself.
The Lamp of the Wicked is a tremendously dark, creepy book, but it is also one of the shortest long books I've ever read. Each entry in Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkins series is excellent, and recommended. If you're looking for an absorbing, well-written, intelligent series with strong, believable characters, try Phil Rickman.
The fifth book in the Merrily Watkins series is another more worldly than otherworldly mystery. This book’s roots center around one of the UK’s most infamous serial killers: Fred West. American readers may not be as familiar with this case and Rickman’s characters generally avoid discussing the realities and details, so curious readers may want to look for more information elsewhere to put the story into better perspective.
Unfortunately, Jane’s character is in a bit of a “downward” funk in this...more
Unfortunately, Jane’s character is in a bit of a “downward” funk in this...more
May 31, 2012
Jessica Andersen
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery,
series-i-love-to-read
This is part of the Merrily Watkins series. Gomer Parry is hit hard in this one, he's had a tough year. Merrily tries to help her friend and gets tangled up in something that may call on her Deliverance skills as well as her counseling. Jane is also going through a rough patch with her boyfriend. Merrily is trying to make something of her own private life.
I really love this series and can't wait to read the next one!
As with the other Merrily Watkins mysteries, this was a fast and entertaining read. I gave it only 3 stars because I feel that the complex plot stretched credibility--too many weird twists and coincidences. On the other hand, I liked the fact that the story was built around the case of an actual serial killer who terrorized the west of England.
May 11, 2012
Fran Caparrelli
added it
I really liked this book - good characters, good mystery and a fascinating setting especially if you like to read novels or mysteries set in other countries. I will go back and read the series starting with the first one. great beach read mystery - keeps you going right to the end.
I love Merrily Watkins and enjoyed the book but I thought it 'reached' for its link to Fred West. As an American I have barely even heard of him so it seemed odd to be 'so obsessed'. That said, it piqued my interest and I'll now read Fred and Rose, which my son left on a bookshelf when he left for college.
I can't help but like this,series of books. They're odd but a good read
I am really enjoying Phil Rickman and reconnecting with British mysteries. This was a good read, but I'm halfway through "Wine of Angels" and like that one better.
Merrily is involved in investigating a suspected serial killer with disturbed behaviour - but why is he so unpleasant. There are links with a real crime (crimes) which did occur in the region and have been skilfully woven into the story.
Mar 20, 2011
Jinx
is currently reading it
I'm reading the German translation "Der Himmel über dem Bösen"
good series
May 14, 2013
Bridget
marked it as to-read
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aka Will Kingdom, Thom Madley.
Phil Rickman, born in Lancashire, has won awards for his TV and radio journalism. After five acclaimed novels, he introduced the fascinating Merrily Watkins series with The Wine of Angels. He is married and lives on the Welsh Border.
More about Phil Rickman...
Phil Rickman, born in Lancashire, has won awards for his TV and radio journalism. After five acclaimed novels, he introduced the fascinating Merrily Watkins series with The Wine of Angels. He is married and lives on the Welsh Border.
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