The Fabric of Sin

By: Phil Rickman

Narrated by: Emma Powell

Garway church was built by medieval Knights Templar. After seven centuries, the Welsh border village is still shadowed in their mysteries. Why do the local pubs have astrological names? What happened in Garway to intimidate the Edwardian ghost-story writer M.R. James? And why is it impossible to find a builder prepared to restore the ancient Master House, a few fields away from Garway church?

Deliverance Consultant Merrily Watkins is ordered to investigate by the Bishop Hereford. Initially unconvinced that anything is amiss, a violent death changes everything and Merrily's inquiries soon uncover hidden layers of sin and retribution in this secretive landscape.

Warned off when she stumbles into forbidden areas, Merrily has no option but to conceal a major crime as she returns to Garway to find fibres of fear stitched into history and insidiously twisted in the corridors – and the cloisters – of power.

©2007 Phil Rickman (P)2008 Isis Audio

Critic reviews

"Another cracking thriller from Wales' leading crime writer." (Western Mail)

"Merrily is a most original sleuth and an interesting sparky woman of emotional and spiritual depth and Rickman is an excellent writer, terrific on atmosphere.... The best so far." (The Times)

Gripping story and strong narration

This is an excellent unabridged Merrily Watkins story (note that there is also an abridged version available on Audible, so be careful). Great story and such a sense of place. Phil Rickman deserves a much wider American audience...and one way to do that Audible, is stop tagging these books as "horror" and "occult."