If you love atmospheric mysteries with a supernatural twist, 'The Wine of Angels' is a real treat. Rickman paints an incredibly vivid picture of a quirky English village brimming with secrets, folklore, and local color. The characters, especially Merrily Watkins - a vicar with baggage and heart - and her teenage daughter Jane, are relatable and captivating. This book is perfect for fans of slow-burning mysteries, British village life, folklore, and those who appreciate complexity in both plot and character.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Some readers found the pacing a little too slow, especially in the first half where a lot of time is spent setting the scene and introducing characters. If you prefer fast-moving plots or tidier resolutions, you might get frustrated by the book’s length (over 600 pages!) and occasional loose ends. The supernatural elements may also be too subtle or ambiguous for those expecting full-on horror or clear answers. Also, a few readers weren't keen on the atmospheric but sometimes meandering writing style.

A richly detailed and immersive start to a unique crime series - a must-read for lovers of atmospheric mysteries, though its slow build and length may not suit everyone.

About:

The Wine of Angels by Phil Rickman introduces readers to Merrily Watkins, a unique vicar with investigative abilities, as she navigates the mysteries and supernatural elements of the historic village of Ledwardine. The book delves into ancient secrets, murder, and a blend of spirituality and the supernatural, all while portraying realistic characters and dialogue. Rickman's writing style weaves together complex subplots, a large cast of characters, and a mix of mysterious and murderous elements, creating an entertaining and compelling read that leaves readers wanting more.

Characters:

The characters are multi-dimensional, with Merrily and Jane offering relatability and depth, while the supporting cast enhances the story's complexity.

Writing/Prose:

Rickman's writing is rich in detail and atmosphere, effectively blending humor with darker themes, showcasing a literary style that draws readers into the setting.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows Merrily Watkins as she navigates the conflicts of village life, a controversial play, and supernatural mysteries surrounding her new home.

Setting:

Ledwardine's setting is immersive, steeped in history and local lore, with vivid descriptions that contribute to the overall tension of the narrative.

Pacing:

Pacing is variable, starting slowly to establish setting and characters, but eventually builds to a gripping climax as the plot unfolds.

There was a period, not long before Sean died, when it came almost nightly. Or even, in that intense and suffocating period, twice or three times the same night – she’d close her eyes and the dream wo...

Notes:

The protagonist, Reverend Merrily Watkins, is a woman priest in a rural English village.

Merrily moves to Ledwardine, where she finds herself in conflict over a controversial play about witchcraft.

The village has a rich history involving cider-making and ancient apple orchards.

Rickman vividly describes the setting, portraying Ledwardine as alive with its characters and folklore.

Merrily struggles with personal and professional challenges, including raising her teenage daughter, Jane.

Supernatural elements weave through the mystery, influencing both Merrily's experiences and village dynamics.

The book explores themes of gender prejudice within the clergy and community tensions between old and new residents.

The narrative includes intricate subplots, intertwining past and present village secrets.

Despite its length of 631 pages, the story builds atmosphere and character depth, though some readers found it long-winded.

The book initiated the series, which has a total of twelve volumes, each further exploring Merrily's character and challenges.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes themes involving death, suicide, witchcraft, and supernatural occurrences that may trigger sensitive readers.

From The Publisher:

The first in the historically rich, atmospheric mystery series featuring female exorcist Reverend Merrily Watkins

The new vicar had never wanted a picture-postcard parish-or a huge and haunted vicarage. Nor had she wanted to walk into a dispute over a controversial play about a 17th-century clergyman accused of witchcraft, a story that certain long-established families would rather remained obscure. But this is Ledwardine, steeped in cider and secrets. A paradise of cobbled streets and timber-framed houses. And also-as Merrily Watkins and her teenage daughter, Jane, discover-a village where horrific murder is a tradition that spans centuries.

1998

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620 pages

Ratings (3)

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Reader Stats (14):

Read It (4)
Want To Read (6)
Not Interested (4)

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About the Author:

Phil Rickman is the author ofthe Merrily Watkins Mystery series, which includes The Remains of an Altar, The Fabric of Sin, and To Dream of the Dead."

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The Wine of Angels

Phil Rickman

Book 1 in the series:Merrily Watkins

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