Merrily Watkins - late thirties, single mum parish priest. And diocesan exorcist.

The Parish Priest must solve the mystery of a young boy's deathly fall from the Ludlow Castle ruins, and discovers a hidden obsession with the afterlife amongst the ancient streets...

'Compassionate, original and sharply contemporary. Rickman's crime series is one of the best around.' - Spectator

In the affluent, historic town of Ludlow, a teenage boy dies in a fall from the castle ruins. Accident or suicide? No great mystery - so why does the boy's uncle, retired detective Andy Mumford, turn to Diocesan Exorcist Merrily Watkins?

More people will die before Merrily - her own future uncertain - uncovers a dangerous obsession with suicide, death and the afterlife hidden within these shadowed medieval streets.

"No-one writes better of the shadow-frontier between the supernatural and the real world." - Bernard Cornwell, praise for Merrily Watkins

"Ancient history, violent deaths, feuds, intrigues and murder. A most original sleuth." - The Times, praise for Merrily Watkins

"Phil Rickman is one of my all-time favourites. I love everything he's done." - Diana Gabaldon, praise for Merrily Watkins

"[Rickman] is supremely skilful... a compelling contemporary narrative." - Mail on Sunday, praise for Merrily Watkins

"Tight with atmosphere, thick with latent violence... Brilliantly eerie." - Peter James, praise for Merrily Watkins

"Compassionate, original and sharply contemporary, Rickman's crime series is one of the best around." - Spectator, praise for Merrily Watkins

"Complex, absorbing, fascinating..." - Andrew Taylor, praise for Merrily Watkins

"Few writers blend the ancient and supernatural with the modern and criminal better than Rickman." - Guardian, praise for Merrily Watkins

"The layers, the characters, the humour, the spookiness - perfect." - Elly Griffiths, praise for Merrily Watkins

"First rate crime with demons that go bump in the night." - Daily Mail, praise for Merrily Watkins

"Classic mysteries... [which] cleverly illuminate the darkest corners of our imaginations." - John Connolly, praise for Merrily Watkins

"Engrossing and beautifully dark... a cracking good read ensues." - Jo Brand, praise for Merrily Watkins