MIDWINTER OF THE SPIRIT Merrily Watkins, Book 2

Emma Powell narrates the second installment of this long-running mystery series featuring Reverend Merrily Watkins. Newly appointed as exorcist for the Church of England's Delivery Ministry in Herefordshire, Merrily faces opposition from clergy, parishioners, and her teenage daughter, Jane. After an unsettling experience with a dying man, Merrily suspects supernatural forces are at work. Powell's nuanced performance anchors her characterization of the reverend. Her well-paced engagement with the novel's spiritual and religious elements enhances its moody atmosphere. Distinctive portrayals of secondary and tertiary characters--from earnest Jane to dreamy-sounding archaeologist Katherine Moon--create immersion. While this audiobook is part of a series, it is also engaging as a stand-alone listening experience. J.R.T. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2022]