Phil Rickman Books In Order

Publication Order of Grayle Underhill & Bobby Maiden Books

Publication Order of John Dee Papers Books

Publication Order of Marco Books

Publication Order of Merrily Watkins Companion Books

Publication Order of Merrily Watkins Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Anthologies

About Phil Rickman

Phil Rickman, who sometimes wrote as Will Kingdom and Thom Madley, was a British writer known for supernatural and mystery stories. His books pulled readers in with clever plots and unexpected twists. He had a knack for creating characters who felt real, with personalities that stuck in the mind long after the story ended. People enjoyed his work because it mixed suspense with just the right amount of strangeness.

Rickman’s protagonists often stood out as ordinary people facing unusual or eerie situations. This made his stories easy to connect with, even when the events were far from everyday life. His writing kept things moving at a good pace, never letting the tension drop too low. Readers found themselves turning pages quickly, curious about what would happen next.

What made his books special was how he balanced mystery with supernatural elements in a way that felt fresh. The narratives never dragged, and the dialogue sounded natural, like real people talking. His skill at blending the creepy with the familiar made his stories hard to put down. For fans of the genre, Rickman’s work was a reliable choice for a gripping, entertaining read.

By staying true to his voice, Rickman built a loyal following that spanned different countries and cultures. His stories didn’t chase trends but instead focused on what he did best, mixing mystery, folklore, and human drama. That authenticity made his work stand out in a crowded genre. For many, his books weren’t just entertaining, they felt real, even when ghosts or legends were involved.

At this time, there is no confirmed information about upcoming works from Phil Rickman. However, given his established career and dedicated readership, future projects could still emerge. Fans of his writing continue to enjoy his existing novels, which remain widely available. If new stories are released, they will likely carry the same engaging style that readers have come to appreciate.

Early and Personal Life

Phil Rickman was born in Lancashire on 6 March 1950 and later developed a passion for storytelling. Before becoming a novelist, he worked as a journalist for BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service TV, honing his skills in writing and research. His first book, Candlenight, was published in 1991, marking the start of his career as a fiction writer.

In 1998, he introduced readers to the Merrily Watkins series, which became a favorite among fans of supernatural mysteries. Later, in 2010, he explored historical intrigue with the John Dee Papers, inspired by the famed English scholar. Beyond novels, Rickman also contributed to music, co-writing songs for albums based on his books.

He lived much of his life in Wales, settling in Hay-on-Wye with his wife. Known for thorough research, he wove folklore, religion, and the supernatural into his stories, insisting on authenticity. Though some critics initially labeled his work as horror, he disagreed, feeling his books defied simple genre limits. Rickman passed away on 29 October 2024, leaving behind a respected legacy in mystery and supernatural fiction.

Writing Career

Phil Rickman built a diverse writing career with standalone novels, series, and even short stories. His debut, Candlenight (1991), introduced his blend of supernatural mystery, followed by other well-received titles like The Man in the Moss (1994) and December (1994). Under the pen name Will Kingdom, he explored darker themes in The Cold Calling (1998) and Mean Spirit (2001), while as Thom Madley, he ventured into young adult fiction with the Marco series.

His most famous work, the Merrily Watkins series, began in 1998 with The Wine of Angels and spanned over a dozen novels, blending crime and the occult. He also delved into historical fiction with the John Dee Papers, starting with The Bones of Avalon (2010). Beyond novels, Rickman contributed a short story to an Oxfam anthology and co-authored Merrily’s Border (2009), a nonfiction companion to his fictional series.

A Crown of Lights

Phil Rickman’s A Crown of Lights was published in 2001 by Macmillan U.K. as the third installment in his Merrily Watkins series. This supernatural fantasy novel continues the adventures of the series’ protagonist, following The Wine of Angels (1998) and Midwinter of the Spirit (1999). It remains part of Rickman’s critically acclaimed blend of mystery and the occult.

A pagan couple’s purchase of an abandoned church sparks outrage from a local evangelical minister, threatening to ignite a modern witch hunt. As tensions rise, Merrily Watkins must step in to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.

Complicating matters further, a grieving man refuses to let go of his deceased wife, while the mystery of five nearby churches, all dedicated to St. Michael, lingers in the background. Meanwhile, a killer lurks, determined to protect an age-old tradition at any cost.

Readers who enjoy atmospheric supernatural mysteries will find this book gripping from start to finish. The tension between pagan and religious forces creates an intriguing conflict, while Merrily Watkins makes for a compelling mediator. The layered mysteries, from grief-stricken obsession to ancient church secrets, keep the pages turning. Fans of folklore-infused thrillers will appreciate the well-crafted suspense.

Night After Night

Phil Rickman’s Night After Night was published in 2014 by Corvus as the third installment in The Cold Calling series, originally written under the pseudonym Will Kingdom. This paranormal fantasy horror novel precedes Mean Spirit (2001) in the same supernatural thriller sequence. It continues Rickman’s signature blend of eerie folklore and suspenseful storytelling.

TV producer Liam Defford, a skeptic of the supernatural, sees potential in Knap Hall, an abandoned Tudor hotel with a troubled past. He hires journalist Grayle Underhill to uncover its secrets while planning a reality show with six celebrities locked inside the isolated property.

Staff rumors about disturbing events linger despite confidentiality agreements. Unlike typical reality TV, the production may not be the one calling the shots in this eerie setting.

Fans of eerie, slow-burning horror will appreciate this unsettling premise. The abandoned hotel setting and mysterious backstory create perfect Gothic tension. Reality TV meets supernatural thriller in what promises to be a uniquely creepy read. Rickman’s signature atmospheric writing should shine in this isolated, psychologically charged scenario.

6 Responses to “Phil Rickman”

1. Lauraine Stephens: 3 years ago

   When I try to buy For the Hell of It, Fever of the World comes up instead. Is there a problem with For the Hell of It?

   Reply
   • Graeme: 3 years ago

     It’s possible For The Hell of It was just a planned title for that book initially. As I can’t find any evidence of the book. I also can’t see any data suggesting it’s an alternate title.

     Reply
   • Ian Short: 3 years ago

     ‘For the Hell of It’ was a working title during production of the novel that was eventually published as ‘Fever of the World”. Anyone who pre-ordered it under its working title should have received a copy of ‘Fever’.

     Reply
2. Janet Ackroyd: 3 years ago

   An avid fan….. trying to make sense of the order of the last three books in the Merrily Series…. Nights of the Lingering Ghosts; The Fever of the World and For the Hell of it…. am I right in thinking that I have got them in the right order and that they are all in the Merrily series (16; 17 & 18)?????

   Reply
   • Graeme: 3 years ago

     Hi – the list above is accurate. For books not released yet have to wait until they are released / have a set publication date.

     Reply
   • Ian Short: 3 years ago

     Both ‘Nights of the Lingering Ghosts’ and ‘For the Hell of It’ were early working titles during production of the novel that was eventually published as ‘Fever of the World’. Anyone who pre-ordered it under either working title should have received a copy of ‘Fever’. Here is the full list of Merrily Watkins novels to date, in order:
     1. The Wine of Angels (1998)
     2. Midwinter of the Spirit (1999)
     3. A Crown of Lights (2001)
     4. The Cure of Souls (2001)
     5. The Lamp of the Wicked (2003)
     6. The Prayer of the Night Shepherd (2004)
     7. The Smile of a Ghost (2005)
     8. The Remains of an Altar (2006)
     9. The Fabric of Sin (2007)
     10. To Dream of the Dead (2008)
     11. The Secrets of Pain (2011)
     12. The Magus of Hay (2013)
     13. The House of Susan Lulham (2015)
     14. Friends of the Dusk (2015)
     15. All of a Winter’s Night (2017)
     16. The Fever of the World (2022).

     NB. Although the series has been published over the past 24 years in real time, its internal chronology spans a five-year timeframe.

     Reply