What do you think?
Rate this book
Merrily Watkins #9
The Fabric of Sin
Called in secretly to investigate an allegedly haunted house with royal connections, Merrily Watkins, deliverance consultant for the Diocese of Hereford, is exposed to a real and tangible evil. A hidden valley on the border of England and Wales preserves a longtime feud between two old border families as well as an ancient Templar church with a secret that may be linked to a famous ghost story. On her own and under pressure with the nights drawing in, the hesitant Merrily has never been less sure of her ground. Meanwhile, Merrily’s closest friend, songwriter Lol Robinson, is drawn into the history of his biggest musical influence, the tragic Nick Drake, finding himself troubled by Drake’s eerie autumnal song "The Time of No Reply."
458 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
52 people are currently reading
531 people want to read
About the author
Phil Rickman
59 books806 followersPhil Rickman, also known under the pen names Thom Madley and Will Kingdom, was a British author of supernatural and mystery novels.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
June 5, 2008
I've always thought of Masons as a fairly innocuous (not to say slightly silly) group. My grandfather and some of my uncles were Masons, and, with their wives, members of the Order of the Eastern Star as well. It does not appear to have brought them any worldly success or advantage -- it was a social outlet with no alcohol. The lodges, as with other fraternal orders, seem to be consolidating or dying out. No menace to anyone.
Phil Rickman's THE FABRIC OF SIN is not the only British mystery I've read that has a different view of Freemasonry, but it is the one that delves deepest. In this view, the Masonic Lodge is a version of the Inner Circle in Anne Perry's Thomas Pitt novels -- a group in which secrecy, the quest for power, and the need to help a fellow member no matter what, placing loyalty to the group above any other loyalty, are paramount values.
In THE FABRIC OF SIN, the ninth Merrily Watkins book, the Diocesan Exorcist is asked to look into a report of a possible haunting at a property recently purchased by the Duchy of Cornwall -- i.e., the Prince of Wales. At first Merrily is skeptical, but then she finds her investigations blocked, deaths take place, and once again she discovers that people can surprise you in ways both good and bad.
Meanwhile, she has a new parishioner who's a bit of a Fundie; her lover, Lol Robinson, is enjoying a renewed musical success which takes him out of Ledwardine on gigs rather more often than either of them would prefer; and daughter Jane seems to be having long-distance relationship problems since her boyfriend Eirion is at Uni in Cardiff.
I've read several comments over the years that some readers intensely dislike Jane, and may even have given up on the books because of her. I feel she's almost my favorite character, with all the changes she goes through during the course of the series. Of course, I once had a pagan daughter, too. She graduated from a Christian seminary last week and is awaiting a call. I love Jane because she reminds me of my own children -- passionate, intelligent, aware of the world around them, and always changing. I'm blessed, and so is Merrily Watkins.
There is so much more to this book than I can discuss here -- Rickman brings in M. R. James, Nick Drake, and a woman who has modernized the "family business" in a nearly unique way. Although Gomer Parry appears only briefly, it's good to see that he's still going strong, and several other recurring characters make sometimes-surprising appearances. Although Rickman says on his website that he tries to make each book readable as a stand-alone, I think it would be much more satisfying to go back to the beginning of the series, if you are a newcomer. The tenth (and NOT final, hurrah!) Merrily Watkins book is due this fall. I'll be eagerly awaiting it.
Phil Rickman's THE FABRIC OF SIN is not the only British mystery I've read that has a different view of Freemasonry, but it is the one that delves deepest. In this view, the Masonic Lodge is a version of the Inner Circle in Anne Perry's Thomas Pitt novels -- a group in which secrecy, the quest for power, and the need to help a fellow member no matter what, placing loyalty to the group above any other loyalty, are paramount values.
In THE FABRIC OF SIN, the ninth Merrily Watkins book, the Diocesan Exorcist is asked to look into a report of a possible haunting at a property recently purchased by the Duchy of Cornwall -- i.e., the Prince of Wales. At first Merrily is skeptical, but then she finds her investigations blocked, deaths take place, and once again she discovers that people can surprise you in ways both good and bad.
Meanwhile, she has a new parishioner who's a bit of a Fundie; her lover, Lol Robinson, is enjoying a renewed musical success which takes him out of Ledwardine on gigs rather more often than either of them would prefer; and daughter Jane seems to be having long-distance relationship problems since her boyfriend Eirion is at Uni in Cardiff.
I've read several comments over the years that some readers intensely dislike Jane, and may even have given up on the books because of her. I feel she's almost my favorite character, with all the changes she goes through during the course of the series. Of course, I once had a pagan daughter, too. She graduated from a Christian seminary last week and is awaiting a call. I love Jane because she reminds me of my own children -- passionate, intelligent, aware of the world around them, and always changing. I'm blessed, and so is Merrily Watkins.
There is so much more to this book than I can discuss here -- Rickman brings in M. R. James, Nick Drake, and a woman who has modernized the "family business" in a nearly unique way. Although Gomer Parry appears only briefly, it's good to see that he's still going strong, and several other recurring characters make sometimes-surprising appearances. Although Rickman says on his website that he tries to make each book readable as a stand-alone, I think it would be much more satisfying to go back to the beginning of the series, if you are a newcomer. The tenth (and NOT final, hurrah!) Merrily Watkins book is due this fall. I'll be eagerly awaiting it.
January 19, 2025
it's abit confusing having read the novels out of order - I wasn't sure I'd read some of the previous stories referenced, and I've read one or two later ones, so I'm getting abit confused around some characters and storylines 😉
this was probably the most disturbing (not in a good way), and the most fragmented/least cohesive Merrily Watkins novel I've read to date.
there were some good bits. and some unforgivable bits 😠
a brother perhaps to 'Secrets of Pain', the SAS-Mithras novel? darkness, male traditions, male violence... 😕🤔
🍃🌿🌳⛪🎚🌳🌾🌿🍃
❗ SPOILERS ABOUND ❗
(plus content note for mention of sexual violence)
🍃🌿🌳⛪🎚🌳🌾🌿🍃
on the positive/interesting side:
👍 it felt like there was quite alot of overt humour in this one, from the start 😆😉
👍 explorations of monarchy - English and Welsh - and history. and the relationship between monarchy and the church.
😃 teepee city gets a mention 😉
👍 there was a fair bit of church politics (as always? 😉 and always interesting).
🙂 the Knights Templar 🙂 and the suggestion of the Green Man in the Templar church! an interesting link and/or fabrication 🤔🤔
😃 some geographical connections and connections of place - making connections between Herefordshire and East Anglia. and later linking to Hertfordshire, and Templar tunnels under the town of Hertford.
👍 Crowley and Levi...
😃😁 Merrily's resourcefulness.
following her own path between all the opinions around her 🙂
😃😁 and I liked an apparent enemy(?) becoming an ally - I like women ministers looking out for each other 🙂
🍃🌿🌳⛪🎚🌳🌾🌿🍃
I was not so sure about:
🤔 while I liked the introduction Baphomet (turned out it wasn't the Green Man in the Templar church), I was concerned the novel would miss the positive gender transcending possibilities of Baphomet, and stay with occult and satanic associations. which I think it mostly did, tho Jane did pleasantly surprise me and mentioned a symbolic representation of male and female (and something else), and an association with Pan 🙂
but the possibility that the Knights Templar were Muslim?? I'd not heard of Baphomet as a corruption of Mohammed, and suspect this is probably a step too far away from historical, and religious, possibilities 🤔🙄
🍃🌿🌳⛪🎚🌳🌾🌿🍃
and the not OK:
while prostitution/sex work, country girls, local abortions, witchcraft, and herbal medicine were all interesting aspects/inclusions, I was not OK with how some of it was handled.
😠😠 I did NOT like the clever lines "she was asking for it, of course, been asking for it for years the old slag, generations even"
imo, there is no excuse whatsoever for that. nor for reinforcing the ideas that if someone is in anyway working within/around the sex industry, they deserve a beating/rape/murder (esp with the issue of how many sex workers are assaulted with little/no recourse to state support) 😠😠
I've often found that Phil Rickman's MW novels rely at times too much on women in peril, and the threat of violence and violation - that this can feel sensationalist and even intended to be abit arousing - but this novel crossed well over that line in a really problematic way.
🙄 there were some bad edits here and there - more forgivable, but annoying.
🌟 🌟
accessed as a library audiobook, read by Emma Powell 🙂
this was probably the most disturbing (not in a good way), and the most fragmented/least cohesive Merrily Watkins novel I've read to date.
there were some good bits. and some unforgivable bits 😠
a brother perhaps to 'Secrets of Pain', the SAS-Mithras novel? darkness, male traditions, male violence... 😕🤔
🍃🌿🌳⛪🎚🌳🌾🌿🍃
❗ SPOILERS ABOUND ❗
(plus content note for mention of sexual violence)
🍃🌿🌳⛪🎚🌳🌾🌿🍃
on the positive/interesting side:
👍 it felt like there was quite alot of overt humour in this one, from the start 😆😉
👍 explorations of monarchy - English and Welsh - and history. and the relationship between monarchy and the church.
😃 teepee city gets a mention 😉
👍 there was a fair bit of church politics (as always? 😉 and always interesting).
🙂 the Knights Templar 🙂 and the suggestion of the Green Man in the Templar church! an interesting link and/or fabrication 🤔🤔
😃 some geographical connections and connections of place - making connections between Herefordshire and East Anglia. and later linking to Hertfordshire, and Templar tunnels under the town of Hertford.
👍 Crowley and Levi...
😃😁 Merrily's resourcefulness.
following her own path between all the opinions around her 🙂
😃😁 and I liked an apparent enemy(?) becoming an ally - I like women ministers looking out for each other 🙂
🍃🌿🌳⛪🎚🌳🌾🌿🍃
I was not so sure about:
🤔 while I liked the introduction Baphomet (turned out it wasn't the Green Man in the Templar church), I was concerned the novel would miss the positive gender transcending possibilities of Baphomet, and stay with occult and satanic associations. which I think it mostly did, tho Jane did pleasantly surprise me and mentioned a symbolic representation of male and female (and something else), and an association with Pan 🙂
but the possibility that the Knights Templar were Muslim?? I'd not heard of Baphomet as a corruption of Mohammed, and suspect this is probably a step too far away from historical, and religious, possibilities 🤔🙄
🍃🌿🌳⛪🎚🌳🌾🌿🍃
and the not OK:
while prostitution/sex work, country girls, local abortions, witchcraft, and herbal medicine were all interesting aspects/inclusions, I was not OK with how some of it was handled.
😠😠 I did NOT like the clever lines "she was asking for it, of course, been asking for it for years the old slag, generations even"
imo, there is no excuse whatsoever for that. nor for reinforcing the ideas that if someone is in anyway working within/around the sex industry, they deserve a beating/rape/murder (esp with the issue of how many sex workers are assaulted with little/no recourse to state support) 😠😠
I've often found that Phil Rickman's MW novels rely at times too much on women in peril, and the threat of violence and violation - that this can feel sensationalist and even intended to be abit arousing - but this novel crossed well over that line in a really problematic way.
🙄 there were some bad edits here and there - more forgivable, but annoying.
🌟 🌟
accessed as a library audiobook, read by Emma Powell 🙂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2023
Vicar & deliverance consultant (aka exorcist) Merrily Watkins is called in to 'cleanse' the Master House, a property on the England/Wales border, recently purchased by the Duchy of Cornwall (i.e. Prince Charles as was). Two workers on the site have refused to return to work after a strange experience in the house. Directed by the Bishop to get it sorted quietly & quickly, Merrily is drawn into a mystery which has its roots in the Knights Templar.
It's been 6 years since I read the preceding book & time has in fact made the heart grow a little fonder. I actually rather enjoyed this one. Yes, the author is still a little too verbose & I wish he'd get to the point quicker at times, but this one was interesting. Not the Knights Templar & Baphomet (which are a little passe since the Da Vinci Code) but the history of the area, magic, & the Green Man who all get a mention, before the conclusion where, as usual, it is the evil of humanity that is the greatest risk. Also the author's speculation on Charles's regnal name has turned out to be incorrect. 3.5 stars rounded up.
It's been 6 years since I read the preceding book & time has in fact made the heart grow a little fonder. I actually rather enjoyed this one. Yes, the author is still a little too verbose & I wish he'd get to the point quicker at times, but this one was interesting. Not the Knights Templar & Baphomet (which are a little passe since the Da Vinci Code) but the history of the area, magic, & the Green Man who all get a mention, before the conclusion where, as usual, it is the evil of humanity that is the greatest risk. Also the author's speculation on Charles's regnal name has turned out to be incorrect. 3.5 stars rounded up.
January 12, 2016
It's a mystery to me why Phil Rickman remains largely unknown in America, seeing as how he's a very talented writer who combines the mystery, paranormal, and historical fiction genres like nobody else. His Merrily Watkins series, set in present day England, features a female vicar charged with being the "deliverance" (read "exorcism") minister in her parish and its environs. Merrily has a daughter, a young teen in the earlier novels and a young woman in the latest, and a significant other, former rock legend Lol Turner, who play prominent roles in all her deliverance activities. Other colorful characters from the church and the village round out the cast. Rickman's characters are always richly developed, whether they are pro-or-an-tagonists.
In The Fabric of Sin, the action is placed in the Duchy of Cornwall, the province of Prince Charles, who looms large in the background of this investigation. The Reverend Mrs. Watkins is called out to look into a frightening paranormal incident that took place at the Master House in remote Garway. The Duchy owns this ancient property, rumored to have been inhabited by none other than the Knights Templar, and wants to clear matters up so that its restoration can continue unencumbered. Merrily finds this easier said than done, since the church, the villagers, and the Duchy all have their own hidden agendas. As usual, Mr. Rickman incorporates authentic and vivid atmosphere, historical background, psychological suspense, and subtle supernatural elements to produce an engrossing set of mysteries and murders for Merrily to tackle. This is a series that never disappoints.
In The Fabric of Sin, the action is placed in the Duchy of Cornwall, the province of Prince Charles, who looms large in the background of this investigation. The Reverend Mrs. Watkins is called out to look into a frightening paranormal incident that took place at the Master House in remote Garway. The Duchy owns this ancient property, rumored to have been inhabited by none other than the Knights Templar, and wants to clear matters up so that its restoration can continue unencumbered. Merrily finds this easier said than done, since the church, the villagers, and the Duchy all have their own hidden agendas. As usual, Mr. Rickman incorporates authentic and vivid atmosphere, historical background, psychological suspense, and subtle supernatural elements to produce an engrossing set of mysteries and murders for Merrily to tackle. This is a series that never disappoints.
November 10, 2014
I love this ghostly mystery series, despite the fact that I am a) not particularly religious, b) very skeptical of “alternative” medicine, and c) frankly disbelieving of ghosts and paranormal phenomena. One gets the feeling that the author is open minded about all these things, and yet there’s always plausible deniability about the actual events in the books. In the end, it’s always a person who has performed any acts of violence; there’s just a great deal of speculation over circumstances and motivations. The atmosphere Rickman creates is spooky and suspenseful and highly entertaining.
Prince Charles isn’t actually in the book, but his specter (ha!) looms large because Merrily is halfway dreading a phone call where a posh voice asks her exactly what’s to do with the haunted farmhouse on the Herefordshire property the Duchy of Cornwall has just purchased. The duchy’s estate manager is on the long list of people anxious to keep the prince, who is himself rather open-minded, away from anything that could lead to embarrassing headlines.
The plot is concerned with conspiracy theories surrounding the Knights Templar - a Grand Master seems to have once visited the disturbed house - and modern Freemasonry. I don’t know much about these subjects and I learned only a little here, but it makes a nice background for creepy murder and mayhem.
I continue to enjoy Merrily’s angst over her profession. She struggles to determine if a person needs help with a real paranormal disturbance, or if they need psychiatric help, or both. ("Something you learned as a deliverance minister: whatever ghosts were, there were people who saw them and people who wanted to see them, and they were seldom the same people.") She feels compelled to be skeptical but guilty when she disbelieves.
It’s lovely to get at least a glimpse of all the characters again, although there is not much forward momentum for Merrily and Lol, and there is not enough of Gomer Parry. I enjoyed the second look at one of Merrily’s foes from an earlier adventure: the ambitious Sian Callaghan-Clark.
Very much looking forward to the next book!
Prince Charles isn’t actually in the book, but his specter (ha!) looms large because Merrily is halfway dreading a phone call where a posh voice asks her exactly what’s to do with the haunted farmhouse on the Herefordshire property the Duchy of Cornwall has just purchased. The duchy’s estate manager is on the long list of people anxious to keep the prince, who is himself rather open-minded, away from anything that could lead to embarrassing headlines.
The plot is concerned with conspiracy theories surrounding the Knights Templar - a Grand Master seems to have once visited the disturbed house - and modern Freemasonry. I don’t know much about these subjects and I learned only a little here, but it makes a nice background for creepy murder and mayhem.
I continue to enjoy Merrily’s angst over her profession. She struggles to determine if a person needs help with a real paranormal disturbance, or if they need psychiatric help, or both. ("Something you learned as a deliverance minister: whatever ghosts were, there were people who saw them and people who wanted to see them, and they were seldom the same people.") She feels compelled to be skeptical but guilty when she disbelieves.
It’s lovely to get at least a glimpse of all the characters again, although there is not much forward momentum for Merrily and Lol, and there is not enough of Gomer Parry. I enjoyed the second look at one of Merrily’s foes from an earlier adventure: the ambitious Sian Callaghan-Clark.
Very much looking forward to the next book!
February 8, 2011
It is rare that I don't finish a book, but this one I am not finishing. I just don't care what happens, though I am mildly curious as to what the hell is going on. But the cost of slogging through the disjointed style is too high, and I suspect the payout will not be worth it anyway.
October 22, 2020
A muddled mystery with a creepy house, Masons, Templars, and some other New Age shenanigans. It does sort itself out in the end and we actually get to find out who the killer was this time. I do like how well Rickman handles Jane's POV. It always feel distinct.
October 1, 2019
Another classic Merrily Watkins outing. This time merrily is dealing with a so called haunted house connected with the knights Templar. But this is no Da Vinci Code. The duchy of Cornwall have brought a house and the builder who is renovating it suddenly won’t go back in after his girlfriend / partner has a strange experience. Enter Merrily, however, the tale resembles a long ago written story and Merrily is not convinced, but she may just be wrong. Good stuff with all our old friends and less of the spooky stuff than you usually get.
January 10, 2008
Anglican priest and "Deliverance Consultant" Rev. Merrily Watkins is called to investigate what might be a psychic disturbance in the Master House of an estate recently purchased by the Duchy after one of the contractors has a strange experience while working inside the house and later turns up dead.
Rickman does it again. A very satisfying read and a somewhat intricate plot, this time involving the Knights Templar and a bit of Welsh history. I am continually amazed at this author's creativity and uncanny ability to realistically capture small town life in the Border country. I love that Merrily's spiritual advisor Hugh refers to the Archbishop of Cantebury as "Merlin the wizard" - and who knew Sophie was married?! Including the Prince of Wales (if not in person, at least his presence) also made the book fun. Rickman does an amazing amount of research for each of his books and knowing that at least part of what you are reading about is actually true makes it that much more interesting. I also enjoyed Lol's pilgrimage to Nick Drake's grave. Highly recommended.
Rickman does it again. A very satisfying read and a somewhat intricate plot, this time involving the Knights Templar and a bit of Welsh history. I am continually amazed at this author's creativity and uncanny ability to realistically capture small town life in the Border country. I love that Merrily's spiritual advisor Hugh refers to the Archbishop of Cantebury as "Merlin the wizard" - and who knew Sophie was married?! Including the Prince of Wales (if not in person, at least his presence) also made the book fun. Rickman does an amazing amount of research for each of his books and knowing that at least part of what you are reading about is actually true makes it that much more interesting. I also enjoyed Lol's pilgrimage to Nick Drake's grave. Highly recommended.
January 3, 2023
Another fantastic book in the series!
This story focuses on a little village called Garway and the story of the Master House. When Fuchsia and her partner are unable to keep working on the Master House due to Fuchsia's extreme discomfort a whole chain of events are started. But what do the Templar's and the stories of M R James have to do with the mystery. As Merrily begins to believe that that Fuchsia is fabricating the story a shocking event changes her mind, leaving her to wonder whether there is a presence at the Master House and unfinished business which needs to be cleared up.
This is another fantastic story and probably one of my favorites of the series so far. The books just keep getting better and better. The characters are well rounded, I feel like I know them a little to well now. I honestly love being stuck into this series, I now have all the remaining books bought and cannot wait to start reading the next. I am looking forward to seeing how Coleman's Meadow plays out and whether there will be any further drama there. A fantastic series!
This story focuses on a little village called Garway and the story of the Master House. When Fuchsia and her partner are unable to keep working on the Master House due to Fuchsia's extreme discomfort a whole chain of events are started. But what do the Templar's and the stories of M R James have to do with the mystery. As Merrily begins to believe that that Fuchsia is fabricating the story a shocking event changes her mind, leaving her to wonder whether there is a presence at the Master House and unfinished business which needs to be cleared up.
This is another fantastic story and probably one of my favorites of the series so far. The books just keep getting better and better. The characters are well rounded, I feel like I know them a little to well now. I honestly love being stuck into this series, I now have all the remaining books bought and cannot wait to start reading the next. I am looking forward to seeing how Coleman's Meadow plays out and whether there will be any further drama there. A fantastic series!
December 8, 2020
For someone like me who enjoyed "The DaVinci Code" so much that I made sure to visit the Rosslyn Chapel on a trip to Edinburgh, this tale has a built-in appeal. As is usual for Rickman though, there are many many intertwined threads: a charged atmosphere, crime, the supernatural, religion, church politics, archaeology, local and masonic history and folklore, along with a now long-developed interest in how the characters are getting on. Lol Robinson, the soulful, lets Merrily do what only she can do in dangerous circumstances, but suffers damage as a result. Merrily suffers her own self-deprecation, damage from others, but carries on: "I'm a professional. It's odd how people seem to forget that. . . particularly me." It made me think about how people who have a calling have to interact with it, sacrifice for it . . .how they'll never really know if the balance they've kept made their life worth more, or less. Recommended.
April 6, 2015
I really liked this book despite its flaws. The characters of Merrily and her daughter Jane drew me in and I will be seeking out more books in the series.
Having said that, I did feel the book went on a bit too long, and the final chapter wasn't nearly as clear as it should have been. If you are going to do a "let's explain everything" type wrap-up, then at least make sure it's understandable!
The scene where the villain got his come-uppance was especially annoying - yes I know it was dark and Merrily, in whose POV we were, was no doubt confused as to what happened -- but it was far too elliptical.
The other thing. The author has a habit. Writing sentence fragments. Mildly irritating. Especially when constant. Got used to it in the end. Nearly.
Having said that, I did feel the book went on a bit too long, and the final chapter wasn't nearly as clear as it should have been. If you are going to do a "let's explain everything" type wrap-up, then at least make sure it's understandable!
The scene where the villain got his come-uppance was especially annoying - yes I know it was dark and Merrily, in whose POV we were, was no doubt confused as to what happened -- but it was far too elliptical.
The other thing. The author has a habit. Writing sentence fragments. Mildly irritating. Especially when constant. Got used to it in the end. Nearly.
February 10, 2008
As a Phil Rickman lover, I was not disappointed with this book. It is a wonderful mixtureof the spiritual and the mysterious. The closer I got to the end, the harder it was to put down and now I am really diappointed that it is finished. I guess I will just have to go and buy another one.
July 18, 2020
Really enjoyed this - one of the stronger books in the series. I find the main characters very engaging, and love the way the author blends crime, the supernatural, religion, archaeology, mysticism and local history and folklore.
August 23, 2018
Another good read in the Merrily Watkins series. I liked how the writer referenced M R James (one of my favourite writers), and blended it in to a conspiracy thriller involving the Knights Templer. I live near to where these novels are set, and im always inspired by them to go out and explore more of the region.
October 6, 2021
As always, a good book in the series, filled with history in combination with a bit of the paranormal. I learned a lot about the Templars and their mysticism - a lot of folklore combined into the story. Rickman's books are always a slow read for me - I stop often to google more information about I'm learning. Slow and wonderful, if you're looking for a fast paced book with lots of quick action, Merrily Watkins is not for you...if you're in the mood for a detailed and thoughtful book, give this series a try...just be sure to start with book #1.
December 29, 2021
I though there were some interesting ideas in this book. The central mystery was different to some of the others in the series whilst still being very reminiscent of the earlier books. There were a few twists and turns that I didn’t see coming, and as ever, the writing is good. Rickman has a really familiar turn of phrase that is like you’re being told the story in person, and I like that aspect. Plus, he’s very good at building tension in the story. I do like his habit of interrupting scenes by cutting to other characters - it’s very effective.
I liked some of the horror elements that appeared earlier in the book. I’m a big MR James fan, and I think that Rickman did a good job in setting up some of the supernatural scenes in what felt like a very authentic, Jamesian style.
I liked the development of some of the characters. Similarly, I liked Mrs. Morningwood.
I found the start of it a bit slow, and a lot of the plot felt quite muddled. I’ve read enough of these books to understand a few things about them - Rickman favours long books with complex plots, and even the most minute of details can become very, very relevant later on. I’m used to all of these little plot threads being tied up, but in this one, the ending felt more vague, with a lot left open. It was just an unsatisfying ending, after a plot that was quite hard to follow.
I wasn’t keen on some aspects of the plot. I also have to say that some of the plotlines are starting to feel a little repetitive as the series goes on. Most of this is to do with minor plotlines, rather than the big ones.
I thought there were some really good, strong ideas at the heart of this book that were interesting concepts - I just think some of them got a bit muddled, and there was an overreliance on similar ideas and plot points from previous books. I think it was my least favourite of the series so far, too.
Content Warnings:
I liked some of the horror elements that appeared earlier in the book. I’m a big MR James fan, and I think that Rickman did a good job in setting up some of the supernatural scenes in what felt like a very authentic, Jamesian style.
I liked the development of some of the characters. Similarly, I liked Mrs. Morningwood.
I found the start of it a bit slow, and a lot of the plot felt quite muddled. I’ve read enough of these books to understand a few things about them - Rickman favours long books with complex plots, and even the most minute of details can become very, very relevant later on. I’m used to all of these little plot threads being tied up, but in this one, the ending felt more vague, with a lot left open. It was just an unsatisfying ending, after a plot that was quite hard to follow.
I wasn’t keen on some aspects of the plot. I also have to say that some of the plotlines are starting to feel a little repetitive as the series goes on. Most of this is to do with minor plotlines, rather than the big ones.
I thought there were some really good, strong ideas at the heart of this book that were interesting concepts - I just think some of them got a bit muddled, and there was an overreliance on similar ideas and plot points from previous books. I think it was my least favourite of the series so far, too.
Content Warnings:
October 1, 2024
Încă de la primele rânduri, autorul Phil Rickman te copleșește cu măreția dealurilor “emblematice”.
Nu este necesar să le numărăm (autorul Phil Rickman specifică faptul că sunt 3 dealuri), noi trebuie să ne concentrăm doar la măreția acestora.
Dealurile sunt impresionante.
Adevărate “moaște expuse în strălucirea apusului” și “rămășițe trupești străvechi și adorate”, dealurile autorului Phil Rickman mai sunt pe deasupra și “osemintele frontierei”, lucru care ne dovedește că de fapt tot ceea ce merită văzut în tot acest univers înconjurător sunt doar dealurile (în special astea 3).
În continuare, autorul Phil Rickman ne dezvăluie că “aceste dealuri își păstraseră, într-un anumit fel, sacralitatea”.
Deja mă simțeam ușor amețit de atâta splendoare dar nu am lăsat cartea din mână, am continuat să devorez rândurile, dorind să aflu cât mai repede și cât mai multe despre aceste 3 (trei) dealuri sfâșietor de frumoase.
Din păcate însă, începând cu a doua pagină încep să apară oamenii, personaje bizare lipsite de sens, care împietează și maculează dealurile autorului Phil Rickman.
Așa că am aruncat cartea cât colo…
Nu este necesar să le numărăm (autorul Phil Rickman specifică faptul că sunt 3 dealuri), noi trebuie să ne concentrăm doar la măreția acestora.
Dealurile sunt impresionante.
Adevărate “moaște expuse în strălucirea apusului” și “rămășițe trupești străvechi și adorate”, dealurile autorului Phil Rickman mai sunt pe deasupra și “osemintele frontierei”, lucru care ne dovedește că de fapt tot ceea ce merită văzut în tot acest univers înconjurător sunt doar dealurile (în special astea 3).
În continuare, autorul Phil Rickman ne dezvăluie că “aceste dealuri își păstraseră, într-un anumit fel, sacralitatea”.
Deja mă simțeam ușor amețit de atâta splendoare dar nu am lăsat cartea din mână, am continuat să devorez rândurile, dorind să aflu cât mai repede și cât mai multe despre aceste 3 (trei) dealuri sfâșietor de frumoase.
Din păcate însă, începând cu a doua pagină încep să apară oamenii, personaje bizare lipsite de sens, care împietează și maculează dealurile autorului Phil Rickman.
Așa că am aruncat cartea cât colo…
February 1, 2017
Of all the Merrily Watkins novels I have read, I think this was the most disturbing. The story explores some of the less savoury aspects of Free Masonry; namely, its suspected links with the order of the Knights Templar which upheld a tradition of magic and bloodletting. Many clergy are Free Masons, so the book made me ponder the all-male, secret qualities of the society as well as the matter of oaths taken to protect others in the group even when Christian leadership would oblige a person to speak out when a murder is committed. Not that this element of unease detracted from the book. As usual, Rickman is a master of storytelling, scene-setting and character portrayal and “The Fabric of Sin” is another excellent Herefordshire mystery.
August 1, 2017
Yet another great read from Phil Rickman. The mysterious Herefordshire borders this time play host to ex hippies, a modern day witch, a vague wandering vicar and his neglected wife, and not forgetting Merrily, long time partner Lol, and Jane, Merrily's well meaning but often misguided teenage daughter. Central to this story is an old farmhouse, the Master House, left derelict for many years as the result of rumours, family feuds and seemingly plain bad luck, the Master House holds a secret. Steeped in the mystery of the Knights Templars, Merrily, in her deliverance duties, is called in to rid the house of its ghosts. But first, she has to find out who the ghosts are. The trouble is, once she starts looking, the ghosts - and the bodies - start piling up.
April 4, 2018
Really enjoy the play of religion and pagan ideas - and how Merrily is becoming more open minded and Jane is becoming more adult. I also love the elements of the occult and the scary bits. I am impressed that Rickman always bases his stories on some factual elements - so not only are you entertained and pushed to determine how you feel about religion and pagan ideas - you are also learning some history.
May 17, 2021
I love this series, but this was not my favorite by a long shot. I found that so many characters doing so much dissembling was more than I could track and ended up quite confused, even after it was more or less sorted out in the end. I didn't even enjoy this settings this time. And some sad things happen to people I like. Lives in Flux.
August 11, 2011
Book was all over the place , couldn't follow the story , not entirely sure if the Historical information was made up or exact (I live in Hereford!) soon put the book down halfway through and gave up the ghost! Very boring
January 11, 2020
For various reasons 2019 was tense, I needed to occasionally escape into a good book so with this in mind I decided to re-read the whole of the Merrily Watkins series. Each one is a gem, Phil Rickman is one of the best British authors there is.
August 5, 2015
As always, love seeing such well-developed characters, intricate plot, awesome historical fiction, and chills, mystery and suspense. Already have the next one coming from the library.
February 21, 2022
These could very well be called Merrily Watkins Holistic Detective Agency, although the similarity to Adams' work ends mostly there. Rickman can be wry too, but he's never quite as sarcastic as Adams, and his humor is a bit gentler, in that it rolls over you slowly, so you don't really always know that he's been funning you.
Merrily does what she does best, which is pick at something till it comes apart in her face. Jane is a fierce warrior-goddess in the making. I can't wait to see what she's going to be when she grows up.
Altogether a satisfying read. I'm glad I took the advice of Diana Gabaldon and started reading the Watkin's mysteries. I'm over halfway through the series now, and I can't put them down.
Merrily does what she does best, which is pick at something till it comes apart in her face. Jane is a fierce warrior-goddess in the making. I can't wait to see what she's going to be when she grows up.
Altogether a satisfying read. I'm glad I took the advice of Diana Gabaldon and started reading the Watkin's mysteries. I'm over halfway through the series now, and I can't put them down.
January 31, 2020
The Fabric of Sin
Merrily is back. This time she has her hands full with a case involving a property just acquired by the Duchy of Cornwall in the village of Garway. Soon Merrily discovers connections to the Knights Templars and M.R. James.
This is another great book by Phil Rickman which I thoroughly enjoyed. Great characters as usual and a storyline which moves along at a good steady pace.
Highly recommended.
Merrily is back. This time she has her hands full with a case involving a property just acquired by the Duchy of Cornwall in the village of Garway. Soon Merrily discovers connections to the Knights Templars and M.R. James.
This is another great book by Phil Rickman which I thoroughly enjoyed. Great characters as usual and a storyline which moves along at a good steady pace.
Highly recommended.
April 13, 2021
Gripping interwoven stories, more characters you really care about, a bit of modern church politics and loads of religious/political history, all mixed in with Freemasonry, drug-taking hippies and the intersection between pagan/occult and Christian spirituality, plus alternative remedies and drug-induced illusion - even Prince Charles gets a look in! So many interesting themes and such a lot to take in; a real page-turner.
December 4, 2021
Another great story from Phil Rickman. I read this while I was staying at Hay on Wye, which added to the enjoyment as I was in the countryside he describes. I wish I’d had time to visit the real places in the book.
I’m quite invested in Merrily and her extended family, and I love how this wasn’t just a good story - I learned a lot about Templars too, which will encourage me to read more on them.
I’m quite invested in Merrily and her extended family, and I love how this wasn’t just a good story - I learned a lot about Templars too, which will encourage me to read more on them.
December 29, 2024
I seriously dislike Merrily. I like her name, but she's an irritating character with the attitude and demeanor of a Junior High girl.
I made it halfway through this thoroughly BORING book. You wouldn't think it could be boring considering it deals, in part, with the Knights Templar. But in all honesty, there was absolutely nothing holding this book together. The characters were flaky and boring; the plot was non-existent, and I couldn't wait to get it over with so I could find a much better book to read.
I made it halfway through this thoroughly BORING book. You wouldn't think it could be boring considering it deals, in part, with the Knights Templar. But in all honesty, there was absolutely nothing holding this book together. The characters were flaky and boring; the plot was non-existent, and I couldn't wait to get it over with so I could find a much better book to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews