Phil Rickman - Merrily Watkins series

[CMOTDibbler]

Has anyone else read these? Discovered them a few weeks ago and really, really enjoying them.

started a thread on this in Telly addicts and posted the following
this 3 part drama commissioned by Encore is to be shown on ITV on 23rd September. It has me worried as it is described a 'contemporary and edgy'
it also has the following pedigree:
Midwinter of the Spirit will be directed by Richard Clark (Doctor Who, Whitechapel), produced by Phil Collinson (Doctor Who, Coronation Street, Sea of Souls) and executive produced by Creative Director, ITV Studios in Manchester Kieran Roberts (The Trials of Jimmy Rose, Blue Murder, Coronation Street. Corrie is not what it used to be.
I have loved the books but as I live in Herefordshire/Welsh border which is the location for the books I am a bit uneasy that the casting will not reflect that area of England.
they would have chosen Weobley for its black and white appeal but it is not my idea of the village of Ledwardine -
but I will watch and see how it goes.
I am afraid they will make it too 'exorcist' like and lose the subtlety.
CMOT are you a local too.?

I live the other side of the Malverns - my little town has a momentary mention in one of the books . An ex BF lives in Weobley (I don't think its Ledwardine in the programme) and is a Phil Rickman fan, so I got lots of pics on FB of the filming.

I live near Ledbury - whose Tesco gets a mention in one of the books
I also live near Bishops Frome whose river Frome gets a mention.
Gomer is to me the epitome of the local country people and reminds me of my father who was Herefordshire thru and thru (and used the same swear words) if they do any more PR books how will they cast Gomer? (could they cast him)

How have I missed these books!!! I saw the trailer on ITV yesterday and as I love Anna Maxwell Martin I started doing my research.

Now almost halfway through the first in the series and addicted already. I feel so excited at finding a new series of novels and a bit silly at having missed them before!

Looking forward to the tv drama.

galaxy are you reading The Wine of Angels? I didn't reckon much to that one and I'm glad I read them out of order otherwise I don't think I'd have bothered continuing

As it is, I read Midwinter Of The Spirit first, and I loved it. I really can't wait for the TV series, hope they've done a good job although the trailer looks promising.

I love this books after being introduced to them by a mumsnetter.

I usually avoid Tv series of books I have loved but DH wants to watch it so I will tune in and see how it goes.

I'm reading Wine of Angels but have downloaded Midwinter of the Spirit which has much better reviews - I realised I don't NEED to read them in order - but love the character in the first one already, and I just know I've found my new series. I'm actually mentally skipping about with reading excitement having sneaked a peek at Midwinter of the Spirit!!

They're rather fab, aren't they. I was interviewing another (very good) crime writer who recommended them. Must download some more!

His other books are great too.

Yes, Lumpy - I'd never normally read anything labelled horror, but I've enjoyed reading them. Most recently the Man in the Moss

I've just read the first three -and spent some time in the area on hols so can't wait to see this tomorrow.

I loved that one, really creepy! There's a new Merrily out in November I think.

my favourite is 'the smile of a ghost' (number 7) which is set in Ludlow where I have lived in the past so it made it more real
I didn't start reading the series from the first as I was not sure about a woman vicar/deliverance practitioner turned detective but they are so much more than that.
bit disappointed in 'the magus of Hay' as there was no Gomer

it is always so good to discover an author and realise you like the books, they are meaty volumes, and there are a whole series of them - until you read the last one

Did anyone see this weeks episode? Very spooky.

It was much better this week. I think because I have got my head round the small changes made to the characters and just went with the tv version this time. If you look on Phil Rickman's site he explains the small character changes and the blending of some characters.

I also felt The Magus was missing something as another poster said, I think as it was missing the other characters, Gomer, Jane etc. The new one has been moved back to early December now, It's called Friends of the Dusk, even the name gives me chills!

I started reading the series because of the TV series, I hadn't heard of the author or his books before.

I did start at the beginning with the first book and will be reading the rest in order. I'm partway through number three now.

I'm glad I started them, I enjoyed the TV series, which I'd seen all three parts of by the time I started reading the book it was based on, but the book made a lot more sense of everything for me.

I think I'm going to enjoy the rest of the series.

Has anyone read the latest book? I've just finished it,&' its my favourite to date.

I'm hoping to read the new one over Christmas. I discovered the first one when I was pregnant with DS who is 8 and read some of it during early stages of labour. I've been addicted since.

confess I have the new PR book and will settle to read it (it looks a weighty tome) in the lighter evenings )my eyes get tired under artificial light !