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The Magus of Hay

Merrily Watkins, Book 12

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The Magus of Hay

By: Phil Rickman
Narrated by: Emma Powell
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About this listen

A man's body is found below a waterfall. It looks like suicide or an accidental drowning – until DI Frannie Bliss enters the dead man's home. What he finds there has him consulting Merrily Watkins, the Diocese of Hereford's official advisor on the paranormal.

It's nearly 40 years since the town of Hay-on-Wye was declared an independent state by its self-styled king. A development seen at the time as a joke. But the pastiche had a serious side. And behind it, unknown to most of the townsfolk, lay a darker design, a hidden history of murder and ritual magic, the relics of which are only now becoming visible.

It's a situation that will take Merrily Watkins – on her own for the first time in years and facing public humiliation over a separate case – to the edge of madness.

©2013 Phil Rickman (P)2014 Isis Audio Fantasy Fiction Horror Mystery Supernatural Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Scary Paranormal Detective

Critic Reviews

"Ancient history, violent deaths, feuds, intrigues and murder. A most original sleuth." (The Times)

"First rate crime with demons that go bump in the night." (Daily Mail)

"Compassionate, original and sharply contemporary, Rickman's crime series is one of the best around." (The Spectator)
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I stumbled on Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkins series this year - I'm sorry that I started listening seven or eight books into the series because I am enjoying them so much but I feel I can't now go back to the earlier ones. For anyone worried that it has overt religious/Christian themes and overtones - don't be. The books are subtle explorations of the human condition when infected by criminality. There is only a hint of forces beyond our understanding and it is so tenuous it is up to the reader to decide whether there is more to than meets the eye. As a non-religious person I find it refreshing to be able to enjoy these books without having overt Christianity rammed down my throat. The story arcs are very compelling, the characters all exceptionally well drawn, and the writing is exceptional. Thoroughly recommend Rickman's books. The narration is really among the best I've come across on Audible.

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