Phil Rickman (also known under the pen names of Thom Madley and Will Kingdom) is a British author of supernatural and mystery novels. [1]
Rickman was born in Lancashire in the north of England and worked as a journalist for BBC World Service TV and BBC Radio 4. He published his first book, Candlenight, in 1991, and began his Merrily Watkins series in 1998. [2] In 2010, he began the John Dee Papers series, which focuses on the Welsh mathematician and astrologer, John Dee. [3]
Rickman has also worked on several music albums based upon his books and has helped write many of the albums' songs. [4] He has lived in Wales most of his life and now resides (as of 2020) with his wife in Hay-on-Wye. [5]
Rickman researches the folklore, religion, and supernatural themes of his books, saying "If I can't believe it, it doesn't go in". [2] He has also voiced his unhappiness over his earlier critics which labeled him a horror writer. He says that he felt that the books did not fit neatly within that genre. [2]
The second Merrily book Midwinter of the Spirit (which is the first "Exorcism" story) [16] has been made into a three-part TV drama by ITV. The Cast includes Anna Maxwell-Martin as Merrily, Sally Messham as Jane, and David Threlfall as Huw Owen. [17] [18] It was released in late 2015.
Phil Rickman (also known under the pen names of Thom Madley and Will Kingdom) is a British author of supernatural and mystery novels. [1]
Rickman was born in Lancashire in the north of England and worked as a journalist for BBC World Service TV and BBC Radio 4. He published his first book, Candlenight, in 1991, and began his Merrily Watkins series in 1998. [2] In 2010, he began the John Dee Papers series, which focuses on the Welsh mathematician and astrologer, John Dee. [3]
Rickman has also worked on several music albums based upon his books and has helped write many of the albums' songs. [4] He has lived in Wales most of his life and now resides (as of 2020) with his wife in Hay-on-Wye. [5]
Rickman researches the folklore, religion, and supernatural themes of his books, saying "If I can't believe it, it doesn't go in". [2] He has also voiced his unhappiness over his earlier critics which labeled him a horror writer. He says that he felt that the books did not fit neatly within that genre. [2]
The second Merrily book Midwinter of the Spirit (which is the first "Exorcism" story) [16] has been made into a three-part TV drama by ITV. The Cast includes Anna Maxwell-Martin as Merrily, Sally Messham as Jane, and David Threlfall as Huw Owen. [17] [18] It was released in late 2015.