The Lamp of the Wicked (A Merrily Watkins Mystery) - Softcover

...The research is impeccable... [an] enthralling novel. -- Tribune, November 2003

So what is different about the Merrily Watkins mysteries?

Essentially, these are crime novels and, in some ways, very traditional ones, set around the towns and villages of Herefordshire and the Welsh Border, one of the least-known, most rural, most atmospheric areas of southern Britain. (For rural, however, it might be unwise to read cosy.)

All the novels involve police investigations, usually of murder. The central character, however, is an Anglican priest, a woman, who has been appointed Deliverance Consultant for the Diocese of Hereford - a post formerly known as Diocesan Exorcist. Every diocese has one, and they are sometimes involved in murder inquiries.

If you're new to this series, all you need to know about Merrily is that she's not exactly pious, she's insecure, sometimes makes mistakes... and has a teenage daughter more inclined towards paganism.

While virtually all crimes can be rationally explained, Merrily is aware of areas on the periphery where the picture is sometimes chillingly blurred. She knows that not all cases can be dealt with in court. It's a serious cross to bear and, in The Lamp of the Wicked, she has to deal with the residue of a notoriously horrific case of mass-murder, which proved distressing to research.

The five Merrily Watkins novels so far are: The Wine of Angels, Midwinter of the Spirit, A Crown of Lights, The Cure of Souls and The Lamp of the Wicked.