Phil Rickman – Cannonball Read 17

Wuthering Heights – the song that is

The Lamp of the Wicked by Phil Rickman

March 10, 2019 by Chris Leave a Comment

In this installment of Merrily Watkins, Rickman makes use of the real-life murders committed by Fred and Rosemary West. The couple raped and murdered several young women. There is a two-part mini-series called Appropriate Adult that details the case against the couple. There are several books about them as well. Part of what Rickman is addressing is the always questioning of more – were all the bodies found. (If you are an American, a recent example would be the Grim Sleeper). But to say this […]

I love Merrily and Jane

The Cure of Souls by Phil Rickman

March 7, 2019 by Chris Leave a Comment

I have to give it to Phil Rickman – Merrily and her daughter Jane are so beautifully drawn and written. Merrily finds herself caught in a rather confusing web of lies, half truths, and secrets. The problem is her job is on the line. Luckily for her, she has the help of Sophie (I love Sophie). Rickman not only tackles religion, teen love (go Jane), adult love, Welsh pride, and the whole question of gypsy belief in one book. Not to mention the whole bit […]

Good installment

A Crown of Lights by Phil Rickman

January 25, 2019 by Chris 1 Comment

Phil Rickman writes women very well. Merrily is such a wonderfully drawn character, but she isn’t the only well written woman in the book. Rickman writes women as people, and, correctly, does not have them think or describe the women in terms of their boobs. Rickman is also aware of how differently society would see a woman in a situation as opposed to a man. This is used wonderfully as Merrily’s backstory makes it to social media. Merrily’s reaction to the problem is one that […]

Mostly dull

January 9, 2018 by TheShitWizard Leave a Comment

Dr John Dee is astrologer to Queen Elizabeth I and, in most people’s eyes, a conjuror. Not because of his magical ability (as he has none) but because…well, mostly because the general population back then wasn’t exactly known for its reasonability, and seemed to really enjoy watching people get executed (and accusing someone of witchcraft virtually guaranteed getting them killed). Menaced by apparent portents of doom, Queen Liz sends Dr Dee on a secret mission to help protect her – recovering the bones of King […]

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Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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