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145th out of 345 books
—
112 voters
A Crown of Lights (Merrily Watkins #3)
by
Phil Rickman
When a derelict country church is bought by a pagan couple, the local evangelical minister reacts with fury. A modern witch hunt begins, and Merrily Watkins is expected to keep a lid on the cauldron. Meanwhile, there is the problem of the man who won’t be parted from his dead wife, the ancient mystery of the five local churches dedicated to St. Michael, and a killer with a...more
Paperback, 576 pages
Published
December 1st 2001
by Macmillan U.K.
(first published 2001)
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Merrily Watkins, book 3 - this one's a little bit different. For a start, it's not really set in Ledwardine (it's mostly set in a different part of the diocese, closer to Wales - in fact the church which is the main focus is actually in Wales) and Lol doesn't feature (he's in Birmingham, doing a psychology course). The basic plotline is that a pagan couple have bought a farmhouse which includes a ruined church. They plan to celebrate pagan ceremonies there, and Merrily, having been alerted to th...more
This was the first book from Phil Rickman that I have read. The first few chapters got my attention, but the rest of the book just did not do it for me. I was diappointed in the main character Merrily she came across to be as quite weak and wet, which was suprising for the job she was doing. As this is the third book in the series I expected the character to be more developed, flawed characters are always interesting but indecisive ones are just tedious to me. As this is a new author for me I wi...more
Wow! What an explosive third book in the Merrily Watkins series!! It may not have had the supernatural tension that strengthened the second book (Midwinter of the Spirit), but Rickman filled it with some all too worldly horrors! I must also add that the previous books - even in their most horrific moments - balanced out that terror with the beautiful countryside setting. This book was certainly not a positive for any sort of tourism into the area though!
Similar to the previous two books in the s...more
Similar to the previous two books in the s...more
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Rickman is one of those delectable writers whose work doesn't fall neatly into any genre. There's a strong mystery element in his books, and sometimes there are dead people, although it might not be murder, and even if it is, the murder might not be the centre of the plot. There's at least the possibility of magic and occulty stuff, but its often how to tell how truly real any of it is - which I like.
Rickman builds his stories around groups of people and places, and often there's an old building...more
Rickman builds his stories around groups of people and places, and often there's an old building...more
A Crown of Lights is the first Phil Rickman novel I've read. The main character is Rev Merrily Watkins a Diocesan Deliverance Consultant (Exorcist). The story set on the Welsh border, centers on a deconsecrated church, taken over by a pagan couple, who plan to turn it into a temple.
Merrily Watkins doesn't seem to do a great deal of exorcism, but rather gets involved in murder, incest, sexual abuse, sibling rivalry, drug dealing, extreme evangilism and tabloid television. All in all quite a head...more
Merrily Watkins doesn't seem to do a great deal of exorcism, but rather gets involved in murder, incest, sexual abuse, sibling rivalry, drug dealing, extreme evangilism and tabloid television. All in all quite a head...more
The theme of paganism versus Christianity as well as the power ancient sites seem to have has been well researched and intelligently written about. The characters are interesting and believable. The reader is drawn into the story and the unveiling of the culprit behind all the sinister happenings leaves the reader gasping for breath. The novel is written with intelligent readers in mind and the author lays down challenges in the form of information and dialogue. Well written enjoyable read.
This is such a wonderful series, and the third instalment is no exception. I particularly appreciated the playing off of Anglican Christianity and paganism. Both are addressed with considerable complexity, so that neither side is caricatured. There are narrow-minded, open-minded, compassionate and arrogant people on both sides, with characters representing various nuances and positions within Christianity and paganism.
I liked this one so much that I immediately started reading #4 in the series.....more
I liked this one so much that I immediately started reading #4 in the series.....more
Rickman creates a great sense of place and an effectively creepy atmosphere. However the central flaw for me is that three books in, I STILL don't feel I know Merrily that well. She feels somehow incomplete, whereas other characters like Gomer are beautifully drawn. She often speaks in short, staccato phrases punctuated by an obligatory drag on a cigarette, but rarely displays the great wisdom and insight that would make her deliverance role a bit more convincing. That said, it's pacier than the...more
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Feb 19, 2009
Suzanne
is currently reading it
Actually, currently listening to the audiobook as I work out at the gym. It's fascinating to listen to a book an hour at a time -- like sitting by the radio and listening to a serial drama -- and to note what works in audio vs. print and vice versa. So far, this offers an involving plot, sympathetic characters and great use of suspense.
I was disappointed in the homophobia at the end, directed towards the female villain. If not for that, it would have gotten full stars. Unfortunately the author's obvious Christian faith detracts from a proper level of tolerance. It could be homophobia on the part of the main character, but it really destroyed my enjoyment of the book.
Another good outing for Merrily & Jane. In this one, a young couple move into a house with a ruined church attached. Thay are pagans and end up in a confrontation with a local evangelical priest. Merrily gets to do "deliverance" for the diocese. Jane's relationship with Eirion develops. It is in this book that Gomner's wife dies.
Sometimes, I have to read a sentence twice, because it is so lovely in its detail. I love everything about Rickman's Merrily Watkins series : the setting near Wales, the historical descriptions of the setting; the realistically eccentric characters, the way a bit of religion is woven with a bit of the occult,the lore of the area and above all, the mystery.
Another great book. The author manages not to regurgitate the same story again and again, the characters develop and new ones are introduced. Book by book I am becoming embroiled in the happenings of Ledwardine without, yet, feeling bored by it.
Hereford Diocese exorcist Rev.Merrily Watkins is dispatched to cool things down when a Revivalist Minister starts inciting hatred of a young pagan couple that have bought an ex church. She finds that the locals are concealing plenty of nasty secrets
Third in an engaging series featuring a "psychic-forensic priest", that is a clergy tasked with exorcism, who is coincidentally an attractive widow challenged by a realistically obnoxious teen daughter.
I'm now totally addicted to this series!! Brilliant reads, but no matter how many times they describe Merrily, I always see Dawn French :P
This was really good. Even better than Midwinter of the Spirit. I couldn't put it down. Highly recommended.
There were some interesting parts to this story. I liked the idea of witches taking over a defunct church. But I just have to remember that I don't like mysteries. Oh well.
Not as good as the first two in this series....hope The Cure of Souls is better!
The Merrily Watkins series can be gritty and a bit frightening, but it is a great read. I own almost all of Rickman's books. They are keepers.
3rd Phil Rickman in a row and I'm still loving every 'Merrily' minute of them. Brilliant!
Dec 03, 2010
Terri
added it
I enjoy these spooky-clergy books!
Another good book in the Merrily Watkins series this time involving witches moving into the area to further complicate Merrily's life.
As usual an enjoyable read from Phil Rickman.
As usual an enjoyable read from Phil Rickman.
Love this series.
Good witches and bad witches and good christians and bad christians, a decommissioned church ruin, murder, exorcism, teenage hormones and what not. Great series!
I couldnn't put it down. Kept reading through the night until day break. For me, that's a sign of a good read.
Not quite as compelling as the first two in the series.
First time I have read Phil Rickman and loved it! I loved the plot and ending! Will read more of him for sure!!!
Enjoyed. Good story, easy read..I love the settings and the mix of characters and the wee twists to keep you interested. A real who dun it, set in middle England/Wales
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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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