C. (Comment, never msg).’s Reviews > The Wine of Angels > Status Update

I see that what seemed a decorative deviation from the key plot is going to tie in. This adult musician songwriter is appreciated by Jane, the new lady minister's daughter. Taking a sidetrip to acquaint him won't be for naught. What helps is that Phil Rickman's narration is succinct so it doesn't mire us even if he detours. It has taken about 180 pages to enter their house but the eeriness seems to be commencing!

I wondered if Phil was carving too much external territory. His narration style isn't overdone. I can't bear "gentle", "softly", "lightly" for loathing them and also because they describe an obvious nature of things with those traits that would be redundant. I question extra scenes and storylines circling outside the topics I anticipate: ghosts and a mystery. Perhaps Phil is building up something that will work!

I can see that I like Phil Rickman's writing, premise, and lead character. I also like a panorama of villagers without delving too deeply into many of them. I suppose authors do know we don't want a Kate Morton sort of essay on outskirting information and that we prefer sticking with the leading lady. This début is a juggernaut 600 pages I did not expect! However it seems to distribute the right things onto them.

I believe I like this! There is the usual mix of villagers' personalities so it is important to stand out. Indeed! Our leading lady, Merrily is a reverand covertly considering this perish; at a bizarre, disorganized new tradition fraught with arguing. Someone is killed right there, so she will plausibly and immeidately become a sleuth. The writing is fine, the wit is funny, and there are supposed to be spirits!