Ritual: heart-pounding horror from a true master

By Graham Masterton

A shocking horror story of religion, mystery and cannibalism.

When a restaurant critic and his son visit the little town of Allen's Corners in rural Connecticut, they are in for a shock. In the mood to try something different they stop at Le Reposoir, unaware that most of the meals on the menu are not the a-la-carte range they're used to.

Because Allen's Corner has a secret. A secret that will eat you alive...

'One of the most original and frightening storytellers of our time' PETER JAMES.

'A true master of horror' JAMES HERBERT.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Head of Zeus
• Release date: May 18, 2017
• ISBN: 9781786695628

Graham Masterton

Graham Masterton (born 1946, Edinburgh) is a British horror author. Originally editor of Mayfair and the British edition of Penthouse, Graham Masterton's first novel The Manitou was published in 1976 and adapted for the film in 1978. Further works garnered critical acclaim, including a Special Edgar award by the Mystery Writers of America for Charnel House and a Silver Medal by the West Coast Review of Books for Mirror. He is also the only non-French winner of the prestigious Prix Julia Verlanger for his novel Family Portrait, an imaginative reworking of the Oscar Wilde novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. Masterton's novels often contain visceral sex and horror. In addition to his novels, Masterton has written a number of sex instruction books, including How To Drive Your Man Wild In Bed and Wild Sex for New Lovers. Visit www.grahammasterton.co.uk

Reviews for Ritual

[sarradee_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Restaurant critic Charles McLean and his teenage son Martin are traveling around Connecticut. Charles is reviewing restaurants, and Martin is bored. They discover Le Reposoir in Allen's Corners, a restaurant that Charles has never heard of and is eager to review. He becomes even more eager when he discovers it is private, by invitation only and there seems to be no way to get an invitation. Meanwhile Martin has been talking to a mysterious dwarf, and he runs away one night while his father is otherwise occupied. Charles is frantic to discover what has become of his son, but somehow nobody believes him that Martin is missing. Charles uncovers a connection to Le Reposoir, and demands to see his son. Le Reposoir isn't just a restaurant, its a religion, and the devotees of this religion consume their own flesh unto death in preperation for meeting God. Martin has joined and doesn't want to leave. Will he eat himself to meet God? Or will Charles save him? Time is running out.

[Nita Thornton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wretchingly gorey! One of the greatest horror books I've ever read.

[lauriebrown54 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Charlie McLean is a restaurant critic who is on the road constantly, eating his way around America for a company that makes up guidebooks. A non-custodial parent, he now has his son, Martin, with him for three weeks, in an attempt for them to get to know each other. An encounter at a (bad) roadside diner leads him on a quest to find Le Reposoir, a secret, private dining club. While he’s seeking this, a member of a cult religion is talking with Martin…and convincing him theirs is the One True Religion. Not only that, but Martin is their Savior. When Martin disappears, Charlie is surprised to find how extensive this cult is and how much power they have… and their Second Coming is NOW.This is typical 80s gore fest, although it does have some interesting quirks that make it stand apart from the chain saw gang. The cult’s religious thesis is a new one. I’m afraid I just couldn’t manage to like Charlie; there is nothing wrong with him but he just rubbed me the wrong way, although he did the right things in the end. The author’s portrayal of women is annoying; they don’t seem real at all, just ornaments for Charlie to have sex with. But the book held my attention, although it seriously dragged in the middle. Three stars.