'Mean Spirit' by Phil Rickman, writing as Will Kingdom, follows the story of police detective Bobby Maiden as he continues his pursuit of his corrupt former boss who now leads a private security force. The book delves into a twisted narrative filled with supernatural elements, devious villains, and a chaotic supernatural finale. Rickman's writing style, set against the backdrop of the Welsh border, brings to life a gripping crime thriller with a touch of paranormal intensity, exploring themes of mystery, murder, and the supernatural.

Characters:

The characters are diverse and well-developed, each contributing uniquely to the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and witty, expertly blending humor with suspense and strong character development.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot weaves a clever narrative combining crime and the supernatural, involving familiar characters while unfolding a gripping mystery.

Setting:

The setting is immersive, taking place in rural Worcestershire and enhancing the story's eerie atmosphere.

Pacing:

The pacing is well-crafted, keeping readers engaged and allowing for quick consumption without feeling rushed.

THE TRUTH OF IT WAS, GRAYLE DIDN’T MUCH LIKE SPIRITUALIST mediums any more – was now prepared to admit never having encountered one who seemed wholly genuine. All this, I have a tall, grey-haired gent...

Notes:

Mean Spirit is a sequel to The Cold Calling and has a devoted fanbase.

The characters have potential for a TV series adaptation.

Phil Rickman skillfully weaves supernatural elements into everyday life.

The novel features a mix of humor and creepy storylines.

Cindy Mars Lewis is a standout character, a cross-dressing shaman and National Lottery presenter.

The story involves psychic phenomena and a plot about criminals targeting a famous medium.

Marcus Bacton is a cranky proprietor of a New Age magazine and appears alongside characters from the previous book.

Bobby Maiden is a police detective with incredibly bad luck.

The villain's backstory plays a crucial role in understanding their motives.

The setting includes a Victorian spiritualist gathering and an old castle in Worcestershire.

The narrative includes themes of friendship and justice, albeit with a dark twist.

Readers appreciate the writing style and unique character diversity.

The book is engaging, making it hard to put down despite its length.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Mean Spirit contains medium content warnings for themes of crime, violence, and some grisly parts, but overall does not delve into overly graphic details.

From The Publisher:

Who is stalking Seffi Callard, the world's most fashionable celebrity medium, now a paranoid recluse at her father's home in the Costwolds? Her old mentor, Marcus Bacton, editor of an ailing journal of the paranormal, sends his assistant, Grayle Underhill to find out - unaware that he's thrusting them both into a nightmare...

and the attentions of a vicious career-criminal for whom getting rich is less important than never getting dead.

'Supernatural and suspense combine in this exploration of our obsession with mortality...'

Observer

'Those waiting for a follow-up to The Cold Calling were not disappointed...'

The Times, Books of the Year.

'Remarkable....

highly original.'

Crimetime

'Atmospheric... deft... thoroughly entertaining... wicked. A writer to watch.'

Irish Independent.

'Brilliantly conceived... sure to set a new genre benchmark.'

WM Smith Online.

Reader Stats (3):

Read It (1)
Want To Read (2)

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Mean Spirit

Phil Rickman

Book 2 in the series:Grayle Underhill & Bobby Maiden