Popular local author Phil Rickman visited Burway Books on 6th October 2008 to sign copies of his latest book, To Dream of The Dead. This is the tenth in the series about diocesan exorcist Merrily Watkins and features the now-familiar cast of characters including teenage daughter Jane, boyfriend/musician Lol, local plant hire contractor Gomer Parry … along with a whole host of fascinating new ones.

A steady stream of people called in to chat to Phil, including a couple from Shrewsbury who thought they may be related to Alfred Watkins, the ley line specialist who Phil features in many of his books. Phil spent almost three hours at the shop during which time he posed for photographs and answered a variety of questions about his new and previous books. Two of his greatest fans are clergymen and the trio were engrossed in a very interesting and amusing discussion about all things clerical.

The new book is set in Merrily’s home village, the fictional Ledwardine (Phil assures us this is not the same as Leintwardine!) which becomes cut off by floodwater with a killer trapped inside. A great recipe for another nail-biting thriller from one of our favourite authors.