I have been eagerly awaiting the latest Phil Rickman novel and, To Dream of the Dead, did not disappoint. This is Phil's tenth novel to feature Merrily Watkins, a down-to-earth female Church of England priest employed as an exorcist.

In this story recent events in Herefordshire are the focus, the flooding and the discovery of the Rotherwas Ribbon or Dinedor Serpent. Herefordshire Council comes in for a fair bit of criticism but Phil explains that 'none of the councillors or officials in this book are in any way connected with existing or past members of the Herefordshire Council.' However I have a sneaking suspicion that Phil has had a few dealings with several councillors, and officers, I have met.

As in all Phil Rickman's novels there are several strands to the plot, from archaelology to aetheism, drugs to folk music, all set against a background of the river flooding and threatening to burst its banks. In the final chapters this happens and the village of Ledwardine, where Merrily is based, is cut off with a killer trapped with the villagers.

The story is exciting and thought-provoking and also serves as a memorial to local environmental campaigner Mervyn Morgan. Rickman refers frequently to the group of protestors who were turned out of a Herefordshire Council meeting about the Serpent and were taken to Worcester Police Station.

Personally I am amazed that these books have not been snapped up by a television film company. I think they would make a fanstastic drama series which would be enjoyed by fans of Inspector Lynley or Dalziel and Pasco, the obvious difference being that the main character is not a policeman, although DI Francis Bliss does feature. He is the typical policeman whose personal life falls apart becasue of his devotion to his job.

But what makes these novels stand out is their heroine, a female Anglican minister who smokes and swears, has a boyfriend and a daughter who is a pagan.

Merrily is intelligent, articulate and principled but also wise enough to know that you should not try to force your standards and beliefs on others. In short she is a very human heroine and a great advertisement for the Church of England.

To Dream of the Dead by Phil Rickman is published by Quercus at £16.99 and is available at Ross Books.