The Magus of Hay (12) (Merrily Watkins Mysteries)

The 12th instalment in the Merrily Watkins series When a man's body is discovered near the picturesque town of Hay-on-Wye, his death appears to be 'unnatural' in every sense. Merrily Watkins, priest, single mother and exorcist, is drafted in to investigate. A man's body is found below a waterfall. It looks like suicide or an accidental drowning - until DI Frannie Bliss enters the dead man's home. What he finds there has him consulting Merrily Watkins, the Diocese of Hereford's official advisor on the paranormal. It's nearly forty years since the town of Hay-on-Wye was declared an independent state by its self-styled king. A development seen at the time as a joke. But the pastiche had a serious side. And behind it, unknown to most of the townsfolk, lay a darker design, a hidden history of murder and ritual magic, the relics of which are only now becoming visible. It's a situation that will take Merrily Watkins - on her own for the first time in years and facing public humiliation over a separate case - to the edge of madness. When a man's body is discovered in the picturesque town of Hay-on-Wye, his death appears to be "unnatural" in every sense. Merrily Watkins, parish priest, single mother, and exorcist, is drafted in to investigate, in this 12th installmentA man's body is found below a waterfall. It looks like suicide or an accidental drowning--until DI Frannie Bliss enters the dead man's home. What he finds there sends him to Merrily Watkins, the Diocese of Hereford's official advisor on the paranormal. It's been nearly 40 years since Hay was declared an independent state by its self-styled king--a development seen at the time as a joke, a publicity scam. But behind this pastiche a dark design was taking shape, creating a hidden history of murder and ritual-magic, the relics of which are only now becoming horribly visible. It's a situation that will take Merrily Watkins--alone for the first time in years--to the edge of madness.--Provided by the publisher When A Man's Body Is Discovered In The Picturesque Town Of Hay-on-wye, His Death Appears To Be Unnatural In Every Sense. Merrily Watkins, Parish Priest, Single Mother, And Exorcist, Is Drafted In To Investigate, In This 12th Installment A Man's Body Is Found Below A Waterfall. It Looks Like Suicide Or An Accidental Drowning--until Di Frannie Bliss Enters The Dead Man's Home. What He Finds There Sends Him To Merrily Watkins, The Diocese Of Hereford's Official Advisor On The Paranormal. It's Been Nearly 40 Years Since Hay Was Declared An Independent State By Its Self-styled King--a Development Seen At The Time As A Joke, A Publicity Scam. But Behind This Pastiche A Dark Design Was Taking Shape, Creating A Hidden History Of Murder And Ritual-magic, The Relics Of Which Are Only Now Becoming Horribly Visible. It's A Situation That Will Take Merrily Watkins--alone For The First Time In Years--to The Edge Of Madness. Phil Rickman. Merrily Watkins, diocesan exorcist for nearby Hereford, knows little about Hay until a body is found in the dark pool below a waterfall on the outskirts of the town and the police ask her to assist. The dead man's peculiar interests will open a passage to the hidden heart of Hay and a secret history of magic and ritual murder. And Merrily is alone and vulnerable as never before ...