The Secrets of Pain Audiobook By Phil Rickman cover art

The Secrets of Pain

Merrily Watkins Mysteries, Book 11

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The Secrets of Pain

By: Phil Rickman
Narrated by: Emma Powell
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Join Merrily Watkins - parish priest, single mother and exorcist - in her 11th chilling tale of murder, mystery and intrigue.

The elite warriors of the Hereford-based SAS know all about pain and the enduring of it. Syd Spicer, ex-SAS trooper, has found himself back in the regiment - this time as its chaplain, responsible for the spiritual welfare of the hardest men in or out of uniform. Faced with a case which would normally be passed discreetly to Hereford diocesan exorcist Merrily Watkins, Spicer is forced, for security reasons, to try and handle it himself - and is coming close to a breakdown.

Meanwhile, the scattered communities along the Welsh border have their own crisis. With recession biting deep, urban crime has spilled into the countryside, and old barbaric evils are revived. When a wealthy landowner is hacked to death in his own farmyard, the senior investigating officer, DI Frannie Bliss, is caught in the backlash, his private life in danger of exposure.

With the framework of her own world beginning to crack, Merrily is persuaded to venture into areas where neither a priest nor a woman is welcome to unearth secrets linked with the border's pagan past. Secrets which she knows can never be disclosed.

©2011 Phil Rickman (P)2012 Isis Audio Books Crime Fiction Genre Fiction Ghosts Gothic Horror Mystery Small Town & Rural Supernatural Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths

Critic reviews

"Rickman once again cleverly blends supernatural elements with a conventional whodunit plot.... The writing and characterizations are first-rate." ( Publisher's Weekly)
"A first-class thriller - with a difference." ( The Guardian)
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Over the years, all of Rickman's main characters have become my acquaintances. I learn something - often - many things from each book. Powell's narration is brilliant!

Fabulous series

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Fabulous! All of the series is a must read. You will begin to think of the characters as family!

Brilliant series!

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Emma Powell's performance was so good that I finished this book despite not wanting to finish it.
I have read all the books before this in the series. I didn't care for the last one nor this one. I would have liked to see more character development in the 4 principle characters in both books. they seem stuck & frustrated, repeating behaviors predictably. The characters of Barry & Annie developed nicely though.
For me, Secrets of Pain had way too much description of violence towards animals. Yes, it is a device to exemplify the blood lust of "the men" of the cult. But I had to forward the book a few times. I want an intriguing story with different facets but not a horror, that still goes on in the world, that I can't get out if my head...I can listen to news reports for that.
Don't know whether I will give the next book a try...there are so many great books to pursue, but I may...Sorry Rick.
I could sure listen to Emma Powell again though.

Violence & needs character development

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