The discovery of an Iron Age body preserved in the peat bogs surrounding the village of Bridelow is one of the finds of the century

Though dead for two millennia, he remains perfectly preserved in black peat. The Man in the Moss is one of the most fascinating finds of the century, but for the isolated Pennine community of Bridelow, his removal is a sinister sign. A danger to the ancient spiritual tradition maintained, curiously, by the Mothers' Union. In the weeks approaching Samhain—the Celtic feast of the dead—tragedy strikes again in Bridelow. Scottish folk singer Moira Cairns and American film producer Mungo Macbeth discover their Celtic roots are deeper and darker than they imagined. And, as fundamentalist zealots of both Christian and satanic persuasions challenge an older, gentler faith, the village faces a natural disaster unknown since the reign of Henry VIII.

The mystery and horror slowly unfold as the repercussions of removing the Iron Age body from the bog make themselves known. There’s so much going on as each group vie for the body and to forward their own agenda: the Celtic religion practiced by the villagers, the fundamental Christianity being forced by their new pastor, and the unknown aims of the mysterious man who seems to appear out of nowhere. These threads slowly intertwine as the story is brought to a conclusion.

I loved so many of the characters: the singer, Moira Cairns and the film producer who finds love at first sight (and where to Rickman dig up that name?) Ma Wagstaff, who leads the village in their fight. Ernie Dawber, the village historian, and so many more.

If you’re at all into horror, I think this would be the book for you.




Links are to more information regarding each book or author, not to the review.

( TBR Book Links 1-15 )


16. The Virtues of War by Stephen Pressfield
17. Our Oldest Companions: The Story of the First Dogs by Pat Shipman
18. The Man in the Moss by Phil Rickman







Folk Horror
1. The Man in the Moss by Phil Rickman



Creepy Cover - The Man in the Moss by Phil Rickman