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The Epicure
SUSIE'S HAVING NIGHTMARES AGAIN. . .
. . .of a man in white, holding a scapel and smiling with each deep cuts he makes. To Susie's babysitter, Jessie, they're just dreadful manifestations of the poor little girl's troubled life. To Susie, they're a warning of a terrible threat that's closing in on her, Jessie, and everyone she loves. . .
BUT THE FEAR IS SO REAL SHE CAN ALMOST TASTE IT . . .
The esteemed Dr. Bennett Sykes is a connoisseur of death. A member of an elite society known as the Epicureans, he's about to partake in it. The ancient cult believes in renewing their souls by consuming human flesh. The honor of preparing the menu has fallen to Dr. Sykes. And he has the perfect guests in mind for dinner. . .
THE EPICURE
. . . HAS COME CALLING.
AND IT'S NO DREAM.
. . .of a man in white, holding a scapel and smiling with each deep cuts he makes. To Susie's babysitter, Jessie, they're just dreadful manifestations of the poor little girl's troubled life. To Susie, they're a warning of a terrible threat that's closing in on her, Jessie, and everyone she loves. . .
BUT THE FEAR IS SO REAL SHE CAN ALMOST TASTE IT . . .
The esteemed Dr. Bennett Sykes is a connoisseur of death. A member of an elite society known as the Epicureans, he's about to partake in it. The ancient cult believes in renewing their souls by consuming human flesh. The honor of preparing the menu has fallen to Dr. Sykes. And he has the perfect guests in mind for dinner. . .
THE EPICURE
. . . HAS COME CALLING.
AND IT'S NO DREAM.
- GenresHorror
262 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 6, 2005
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82 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 16, 2024
Howland's second novel (and last as far as I know) definitely has its moments, but relies on some rather old horror tropes animated by some rather thin characters. The cover blurb gives the basic outline of the plot. Around 1840, a group emerged in Philly, deemed the Epicureans, who once a year hold a feast where they eat the 'long pig'. The members all come from rather exclusive families and consist of doctors, lawyers, and other professionals. Why? They seem to share a belief that the consumption of human flesh infuses them with the dead person's soul. Howland periodically in the novel takes us back in time via journal entries of the society from past members who held the feast (and hence, are entrusted with finding the perfect victim for it, ideally, a young woman).
The tale begins with an introduction of the main characters and we know right off the bat the identity of the antagonist, one Dr. Bennett Sykes, head of the pathology department at a hospital in Philly; he has been tasked to hold the next feast and activity looking for a suitable main course. Our protagonist, Jesse, works at the same hospital as a medical tech, and actually works under Sykes in the morgue (night shift). Jesse, age 19, recently lost her father and often babysits her friend's daughter Susie, a precocious 6 year old who apparently has some precog gifts among others (mind reader? Maybe).
Well, Susie starts having some bad dreams, although she knows they are more than dreams-- they are visions. Yet, she has a hard time convincing her mother and Jesse of that. She is just a little girl after all! Anyway, we soon learn about the intended victim and the dance begins. Susie, with a vision from a saint (lots of religious overtones here) believes she is tasked to stop the 'bad doctor man' from doing 'unspeakable' things. Can Jesse and Susie stop the 'bad doctor man'? This reads more like a thriller with supernatural aspects than horror per se, even given that it contains an old secret society of cannibals. Somewhat erratic pacing and tropey, not really bad, but not really all that great. 3 somewhat tasty stars!
The tale begins with an introduction of the main characters and we know right off the bat the identity of the antagonist, one Dr. Bennett Sykes, head of the pathology department at a hospital in Philly; he has been tasked to hold the next feast and activity looking for a suitable main course. Our protagonist, Jesse, works at the same hospital as a medical tech, and actually works under Sykes in the morgue (night shift). Jesse, age 19, recently lost her father and often babysits her friend's daughter Susie, a precocious 6 year old who apparently has some precog gifts among others (mind reader? Maybe).
Well, Susie starts having some bad dreams, although she knows they are more than dreams-- they are visions. Yet, she has a hard time convincing her mother and Jesse of that. She is just a little girl after all! Anyway, we soon learn about the intended victim and the dance begins. Susie, with a vision from a saint (lots of religious overtones here) believes she is tasked to stop the 'bad doctor man' from doing 'unspeakable' things. Can Jesse and Susie stop the 'bad doctor man'? This reads more like a thriller with supernatural aspects than horror per se, even given that it contains an old secret society of cannibals. Somewhat erratic pacing and tropey, not really bad, but not really all that great. 3 somewhat tasty stars!
January 12, 2020
This is a nasty little tale! Do not read if Cannibalism, rape, animal abuse, and dismemberment bothers you. It involes a psychic child, the dangers of internet chatrooms,and a strange organization that has special "tastes". A quick and easy read.
August 20, 2022
More of a 3.5 but rounded up coz I read it in a day and had a good time.
December 31, 2014
I thought this was one of the greatest books ever written when I was 11 and it scared the ever-loving crap out of me; I thought I'd give it a re-read just for kicks, but I couldn't really get into it: it's a promising premise, but the unimpressive writing style and somewhat unbelieve-ability of the characters kinda killed it.
November 14, 2020
Hooboy. Where do I even begin with this...thing?
Contrived characters, forced happy endings, divine intervention (that still wasn't in time to save Kass).
This book sucked. The little girl sounds like what an adult who has rarely been around kids thinks a child sounds like... But only when dramatically appropriate.
The ending was so long and so forced that I was bored to tears...but I'm already there, right?
The "investigation" should have turned up Jessie and Susie's prints and the cut screen. And they would have looked into the office personnel. ALL OF WHOM WOULD HAVE PRINTS ON FILE.
But no. Happily ever after. Oh and the Epicurean Society will never meet again because... Uh... Bennett undercooked human meat and they all died of botulism.
No, that isn't in the the book. But it would. Make more fuckin sense than the nonexplanation.
Contrived characters, forced happy endings, divine intervention (that still wasn't in time to save Kass).
This book sucked. The little girl sounds like what an adult who has rarely been around kids thinks a child sounds like... But only when dramatically appropriate.
The ending was so long and so forced that I was bored to tears...but I'm already there, right?
The "investigation" should have turned up Jessie and Susie's prints and the cut screen. And they would have looked into the office personnel. ALL OF WHOM WOULD HAVE PRINTS ON FILE.
But no. Happily ever after. Oh and the Epicurean Society will never meet again because... Uh... Bennett undercooked human meat and they all died of botulism.
No, that isn't in the the book. But it would. Make more fuckin sense than the nonexplanation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2021
This is the first novel I ever read. Looking back now I see how incredibly inappropriate it was for my age, however to this day it is still one of my top books because it is what started my love of reading in the first place.
I remember so much of the book and definitely plan to pick it up again someday as a nostalgic thing. It was dark, disturbing and thoroughly f***ed up, which is right up my alley for reading.
I remember so much of the book and definitely plan to pick it up again someday as a nostalgic thing. It was dark, disturbing and thoroughly f***ed up, which is right up my alley for reading.
November 20, 2009
This book really just blew me away. This was one of the first ever adult type books that I ever read, and I must say that it's definintly a good one.
I really like the little girl, Susie. I like the idea of little kids knowing more about things that the grown-ups do, and it's cool to watch them understand things better than their elders.
I liked how Jessy is trying to live her life to the fullest, even though so much is going on, and yet things are just not turning out very good. While she's trying to just live for today, there's something else that she has to worry about.
I just thought it was a very good book, and it's one I'll probably read over and over again. I like how some societies, just as the Epicure, were trying to get into the other things of life that some people don't know, to try and see how they can make themselves...how should I put it? Stronger?
I loved this book, and I recommend it to anyone.
I really like the little girl, Susie. I like the idea of little kids knowing more about things that the grown-ups do, and it's cool to watch them understand things better than their elders.
I liked how Jessy is trying to live her life to the fullest, even though so much is going on, and yet things are just not turning out very good. While she's trying to just live for today, there's something else that she has to worry about.
I just thought it was a very good book, and it's one I'll probably read over and over again. I like how some societies, just as the Epicure, were trying to get into the other things of life that some people don't know, to try and see how they can make themselves...how should I put it? Stronger?
I loved this book, and I recommend it to anyone.
July 13, 2013
The book had an interesting premise but that is all. It was supposed to be a horror but I found myself laughing out loud at times because of the absurdity. Quick, easy read but quite ridiculous at times.
May 5, 2008
This book is scary... sincerely I was freaked out the whole time I was reading it. This book will get you wondering if some of the people you know are cannibals.
September 14, 2008
This book is very disturbing. I couldn't put it down and read it in very few days.
If you want a book that will hold your attention, this is a must read! I loved it!!!
If you want a book that will hold your attention, this is a must read! I loved it!!!
September 27, 2014
Incredibly bone chilling. You won't sleep for a while.
September 2, 2008
Very disturbing book, in a good way, I read it all in one day. I just couldn't put it down.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews