Reading Order List — Book Series Reading Order Guide

Phil Rickman Reading Order

7 series · 31 books

FantasyMystery & Thriller

Phil Rickman is a British author who blends supernatural mystery with psychological thriller elements across multiple interconnected series spanning three decades. Best known for his Merrily Watkins series featuring a female exorcist navigating the dark underbelly of rural England, Rickman has crafted complex narratives that ground the paranormal in authentic police procedural and ecclesiastical detail. His prolific output includes over thirty novels across seven series, including the atmospheric John Dee Papers and the character-driven Grayle Underhill investigations, establishing him as a distinctive voice in contemporary fantasy and crime fiction.

Anthologies Series

Complete

1 book (2008–2008)

#Title
1
Cover of The Best of Cemetery Dance II
The Best of Cemetery Dance II
2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Grayle Underhill & Bobby Maiden Series

Complete

2 books (1996–2001)

Start with The Cold Calling and read in order.

Start this series with The Cold Calling

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#Title
1
The Cold Calling
1996Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Mean Spirit

John Dee Papers Series

Complete

2 books (2010–2012)

Start with The Bones of Avalon and read in order.

Start this series with The Bones of Avalon

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#Title
1
Cover of The Bones of Avalon
The Bones of Avalon
2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of The Heresy of Dr Dee
The Heresy of Dr Dee
2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Marco Series

Complete

2 books (2006–2007)

Start with Marco's Pendulum and read in order.

Start this series with Marco's Pendulum

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#Title
1
Cover of Marco's Pendulum
Marco's Pendulum
2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Cover of Marco and the Blade of Night
Marco and the Blade of Night
2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Merrily Watkins Series

Ongoing

17 books (1998–2026)

Start with The Wine of Angels, the first of 17 books in the Merrily Watkins series.

Start this series with The Wine of Angels

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#Title
1
Cover of The Wine of Angels
The Wine of Angels
1998Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2
Midwinter of the Spirit
1999Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of A Crown of Lights
A Crown of Lights
2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4
Cover of The Cure of Souls
The Cure of Souls
2001Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
The Lamp of the Wicked
2003Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6
Cover of The Prayer of the Night Shepherd
The Prayer of the Night Shepherd
2004Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7
Cover of The Smile of a Ghost
The Smile of a Ghost
2005Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8
Cover of The Remains of an Altar
The Remains of an Altar
2006Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9
Cover of The Fabric of Sin
The Fabric of Sin
2007Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10
To Dream of the Dead
2008Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11
Cover of The Secrets of Pain
The Secrets of Pain
2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12
Cover of The Magus of Hay
The Magus of Hay
2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13
Cover of The House of Susan Lulham
The House of Susan Lulham
2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14
Cover of Friends of the Dusk
Friends of the Dusk
2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15
Cover of All of a Winter's Night
All of a Winter's Night
2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16
Cover of The Fever of the World
The Fever of the World
2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17
The Echo of Crows
2026Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Merrily Watkins Companion Series

Complete

1 book (2009–2009)

#Title
1
Cover of Merrily's Border
Merrily's Border
2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Standalone Novels Series

Complete

6 books (1991–2014)

Start with Candlenight, the first of 6 books in the Standalone Novels series.

Start this series with Candlenight

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#Title
1
Cover of Candlenight
2
Cover of Curfew / Crybbe
Curfew / Crybbe
1993Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3
Cover of December
4
Cover of The Man in the Moss
The Man in the Moss
1994Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5
Cover of The Chalice
6
Cover of Night After Night
Night After Night
2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books has Phil Rickman written?
Phil Rickman has written 31 books across 7 series. Their published works span from 1991 to 2026.
What is the first book in each Phil Rickman series?
Here are the first books in Phil Rickman's series: Grayle Underhill & Bobby Maiden: The Cold Calling; John Dee Papers: The Bones of Avalon; Marco: Marco's Pendulum; Merrily Watkins: The Wine of Angels.
What order should I read Phil Rickman's books?
We recommend reading Phil Rickman's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
Is Phil Rickman still writing new books?
Yes, Phil Rickman has 1 ongoing series: Merrily Watkins.

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