Good but ... - Rated 
I am reading the Merrily Watkins books and have really enjoyed them all so far. I read them because I like the escapism (and the fact that there's a supernatural element and a made-up village at the heart of them adds to this). This book is well written, fast-paced and it's hard not to get drawn in emotionally to the story but, as others have commented, it is very dark and, at times, distressing. It isn't spoiling the plot to say that this story has links to a real life case, previous reviewers have mentioned this, and this is the bit which doesn't sit easily with me. I have read, and enjoyed, a lot of modern, murder thrillers that have often contained very graphic and gory details of the crime but the key here is that part of this book is not dealing with entirely fictitious events. I remember the case in question from the news (you'd be very young or not living in the UK if you don't) and I am really uncomfortable with the use of such horrific and disturbing real events (events that happened to real people) for fictional impact or shock value (which I'm sure is the purpose here). It seems somehow distasteful to me, particularly considering the nature of the books, and meant that, at times, this book ceased to become escapism. For this reason, I have to say that I didn't really enjoy parts of the book, though the fictional case and Merrily elements I did enjoy as usual.
If you're a Merrily fan by all means buy the book, it will probably be hard to continue with the series without it, but beware if you're like me and there are some real-life cases you would rather not be reminded of, especially when you're trying to read for pleasure.
Angels and Electricity - Rated 
When Fred West took his own life on New Years day 1995 he left a long, lingering shadow that still reaches from beyond the grave to blight the lives of his victim's families. It's always easy to forget the peripheral carnage of No 25 Cromwell Street and easy to overlook the fact that for some people the stain Fred West and his wife left behind won't ever fade into the background. And it's this uncomfortable legacy that lies at the heart of `The Lamp of the Wicked'.
Possibly this is the strongest Merrily Watkins novel in that it touches a raw nerve and serves to remind us that `murder as entertainment' (films/books etc) has it's roots entrenched in the real thing. Occasionally a writer like Rickman is brave enough to remind us that `Murder Most Foul' is exactly what it says, and not just a glib phrase for the benefit of crime novels. The story starts deceptively enough with Gomer Parry getting involved in a dispute over cowboy builder, Roddy Lodge, installing defective septic tanks. It could be the plot straight out of a `Carry On Movie' but in Phil Rickman's hands it very quickly grows dark and threatening with Gomer and Merrily discovering Lodge in the act of trying to remove a dead woman from one his own septic tanks. Lodge tells the police there are more dead bodies hidden and Merrily is brought in by Frannie Bliss to help get Lodge talking. It soon becomes apparent however that Lodge is basing his image and lifestyle on a certain builder from Cromwell St and it's unclear whether the self confessed serial killer is the real deal or a one off fantasist.
The plot strands rain down hard and fast as a celebrity newcomer to Ledwardine claims to have had a vision of Merrily as an angel and donates a large sum of money to prevent a mobile phone mast being erected in the church steeple, this in turn brings up the environmental issue of electrical hot spots in certain areas caused by overhead powerlines and radio transmission towers as well as the health hazards associated with them, which in turn leads us straight back to Roddy Lodge whose bizarre behaviour might just be attributed to some sort of electromagnetic allergy syndrome.
And then comes the spooky stuff..........
A great novel thrumming with enough energy to give off its own Hot Spot.
In Merrily Land it doesn't get any more powerful than this.
An intriguing read - Rated
"The Lamp of the Wicked" is another outstanding book in the Merrily Watkins series. Fot those who are new to the series, Merrily Watkins is the parish priest of Ledwardine and also the Deliverance Consultant for Hereford. Rickman gives all the characters very clear voices, and whilst he is dealing with the possibility of serial killings he manages to keep control of the plot. This book is probably the darkest of the series so far - it's complex story and the usual twists are well executed.
The most original writer around at the moment - Rated
I have read all of the Merrily Watkins books so far, but this one is my favourite. The story starts out almost as a straightforward murder/mystery/revenge plot, before rapidly turning into something much darker (as we have come to expect from Rickman). The links to real life events (I won't spoil it by telling you what they are) just add the perfect touch of 'could almost happen'. The action is well paced, with the main storyline backed up nicely by the subplots of Lol fighting his inner demons (again) and Jane struggling with her relationships with her mother, her boyfriend and life itself! Phil Rickman is difficult to place in a category. Some would class him as horror, psychological thriller, crime. This book has elements of all of these and I personally think Rickman deserves a category of his own. I am certainly glad I chanced upon 'Wine of Angels' in my local bookshop. This book is an outstanding read. If you haven't encountered Merrily Watkins before then I would recommend it, together with the other novels for a thoroughly absorbing read. Go and buy them now!
Meets expectations - Rated
The latest in the series of Merrily Watkins procedurals. Merrily and Gomer Parry discover a womens body in bizarre circumstances and become embroiled in an investiagtion of a possible serial murderer. This book see's the welcome return of folk singer Moira Cairns who provides a much needed boost to Lol's career - but will Moira replace Merrily as Lol's girlfriend? - Jane Watkins (Merrily's daughter) fears the worse - and what is behind the vision experienced by a new member of Merrilys congregation? There is also a bigger role for Huw Owen.
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