The Remains of an Altar

I have listened to the other two Rickman titles narrated by Emma Powell and loved them. They were so absorbing from the beginning that I couldn't wait to find more time to listen. This one started out like that, and Ms Powell does her usual great job of characterizing voices, but this novel just wanders around aimlessly. None of the novels are heavy on the supernatural, but this one really doesn't focus on it at all. There is some suspicion of supernatural activity, but no more than one might find in any novel since it is never pursued. I was about to write a sentence about what this novel is mainly about, only to find out that I don't really know. The most interesting tangent is that dealing with ley lines, or as Jane prefers, Leys. But that storyline is abandoned for long periods.

Several times, I thought the book was over, only to look and find out that there were still several hours remaining. At this point, I have a bit over two hours left, I and just don't care anymore. I doubt that I will finish in spite of how much I love listening to Ms Powell read.

If you enjoy the Rickman novels, do yourself a favor and skip this one. It has soured me on him for a while.

I tried to give this book a chance and listened well into the second half. It's really boring and nothing is really happening so I'm just giving up. These characters are just sort of wandering around this town trying to gather information about this possibly paranormal event but that's about it. Really a very boring book and only nominally paranormal. It's mostly about the politics of a small town rather than anything supernatural. Also, the narrator does a TERRIBLE American accent.

I purchased this after listening to 'Cure of Souls' by the same author. I preferred my first purchase to 'Remains of an Altar'. 'Remains' was well padded and there were times I just wanted to say 'oh get on with it... get to the point'. Not a bad listen, entertaining in fact, but, predictable and not as fast and thought provoking as 'Cure'. The reader for 'Remains' did a much better job than she did for 'Cure' so I guess what you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts.

I was pleasantly surprised at how well written this was. Interesting storyline and colorful characters. Keeps you interested and satisfying ending. Solid 4 stars, not 5. Expect great things from the author in the future. Listen and Enjoy!

I loved this one. A good read that kept me involved and listening... I feel that a sign of a good writer and story is when you as the reader simply want to throttle one of their characters. I needed to remind myself every so often that the character in question was simply that... a character... not a real person. If you like British series like Midsommer Murders, then you may very well like this book.

I first met Merrily Watkins through these audio books and have enjoyed listening to the stories going to and from work. I particularly enjoy the development of the main characters, Merrily and Jane, and I love the descriptions of the Hertfordshire countryside. The narrator does admirably with the variety of accents required to present these characters well.

Phil Rickman's Merrily Watkins series are wonderful
stories, and this one is no exception. Slow to start,
but has lots of character development and just enough
mystery, ethical dilemmas and supernatural undertones to be interesting yet completely believable. Emma Powell does a brilliant job at voice characterizations, far better than the other
narrator of the series available here on Audible. I was so impressed after hearing this and Midwinter of the Spirit, I bought the whole series. I hope Audible will have more of this series available, especially if read by Emma Powell.

The topic is interesting, but it gets crushed by all the meandering. I found it quite disjointed.

AUDIO: This reader is impossible to understand. Her voice has a furry, mushy quality. And she will pronounce some words differently each time she uses them, even when speaking from the same character. For example, her boyfriend is Law, Lor, Lahl, Lah, Lau, and Loh and I don't know what all else. I still have no idea which is right, if any. She also lacks that talent to distinguish between the speaker's thinking vs. her out-loud speaking.