The Echo of Crows

Merrily Watkins, Book 17

By: Phil Rickman

Narrated by: Emma Powell

Welcome to the Wye Valley, exactly on the border of England and Wales, home to a dark legacy of murder...

Nestled deep in the Black Mountains, the village of Longtown is haunted by killings both ancient and modern. When young farmer and lottery winner Eddy Davies is found dead in suspicious circumstances, Herefordshire Police find themselves handling a complicated investigation. Things aren't looking good for Davies's friend, the mysterious Autumn Wise, who is found nearby holding a shotgun.

When Merrily Watkins – parish priest, single mum and renowned demon exorcist – comes to Autumn's aid, she soon discovers that Eddy's death is only the latest in a long string of tragedies to blight Longtown and the surrounding area.

But help is at hand from Merrily's spiritual advisor, the Reverend Huw Owen, who has an unorthodox solution in mind to end the area's centuries-long trail of misfortune...

©2025 Phil Rickman (P)2026 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

'A most original sleuth.' (The Times)

Is it really over? 😢

This was a tough one for me as with Phil’s passing, we know it’s the last. I’ve been with Merrily since the beginning and feel as if all the characters in the books are good friends. I don’t believe there’s a genre that’s comparable. I’m glad there were some storylines somewhat cleared up. I will so, so miss anxiously watching for the next book. The books are so complex and layered, that I find something I missed or see with a new perspective on rereading. It’s nice to know I can lose myself in Merrily’s world anytime.