Phil Rickman writes mystery in the original sense. His current novels blend authentic crime fiction with a careful element of the unexplained. Midwinter of the Spirit, from the internationally-acclaimed Merrily Watkins series about the diocesan exorcist for Hereford, is currently in production with ITV Drama.

Rickman, a former TV and radio news reporter who still presents the book programme Phil the Shelf on BBC Radio Wales, has also written two historical novels with a new take on Dr John Dee, astrologer to Queen Elizabeth I. His earliest novels – paranormal thrillers based on aspects of British folklore – are all in print. His only short story, The House of Susan Lulham, can be found in the anthology Oxcrimes and he’s also a contributor to Books to Die For, in which crime writers celebrate their literary heroes.