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The Chalice: A Glastonbury Ghost Story

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Glastonbury, legendary resting place of the Holy Grail, is a mysterious and haunting town. When Diane Ffitch returns home, it’s with a sense of deep unease. As the town becomes increasingly split by violence and death, Diane and her friends face up to the worst of all possibilities: the existence of an anti-Grail—the Dark Chalice.

645 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 1997

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About the author

Phil Rickman

58 books805 followers
Phil Rickman, also known under the pen names Thom Madley and Will Kingdom, was a British author of supernatural and mystery novels.

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332 (33%)
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201 (20%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
Profile Image for Bettie.
9,977 reviews5 followers
October 13, 2015
Drescription: Glastonbury, legendary resting place of the Holy Grail, is a mysterious and haunting town. When Diane Ffitch returns home, it’s with a sense of deep unease. As the town becomes increasingly split by violence and death, Diane and her friends face up to the worst of all possibilities: the existence of an anti-Grail—the Dark Chalice.

Opening: September 1919: There she was, lying across the bed, stretched out corner to corner, as though this could relieve the cramp inside caused by the way she had been used... trifled with and slighted, yes, and humiliated ... as if, as a young woman, she was natural prey, just another hopping bird in the hawk's garden.

Saturday, 15 November 1539, Richard Whiting, the last abbot, was taken to Glastonbury with two of his monks, John Thorne and Roger James, where all three were fastened upon hurdles and dragged by horses to the top of Glastonbury Tor which overlooks the town. Here they were hanged, drawn and quartered, with Whiting's head being fastened over the west gate of the now deserted abbey and his limbs exposed at Wells, Bath, Ilchester and Bridgwater.


- a Welsh mythological figure, the king of the Tylwyth Teg or "fair folk" and ruler of the Welsh Otherworld, Annwn. Described as a great warrior with a "blackened face", Gwyn is intimately associated with the otherworld in medieval Welsh literature, and is associated with the international tradition of the Wild Hunt.

Gwyn ap Nudd is intimately associated with Glastonbury Tor.

The thorn on Wearyall Hill

The Abbey was destroyed by Cromwell for Henry VIII



A full month of Halloween 2015 reads (because I have so many of these on my TBR mountain!):

#1: 3* Nobody True by James Herbert: fraudio
#2: 4* The Horror Stories of Robert E. Howard: fraudio
#3: 1* Brain Child by John Saul: fraudio
#4: 3* Domain (Rats #3) by James Herbert: fraudio
#5: 3* The Mourning Vessels by Peter Luther: paperback
#6: 2* The Doom of the Great City: ebook short-story
#7: 5* Long After Midnight by Ray Bradbury: fraudio
#8: 5* The Dead Zone by Stephen King: fraudio
#9: 3* The Chalice: hardback
#10: WL Seven Gothic Tales
#11: 4* Tales of Men and Ghosts: gutenberg
#12: 2* Shattered by Dean Koontz: fraudio
#13: 5* The Dunwich Horror: e-book: gutenberg
#14: 4* Death At Intervals: paperback
#15: 3* Alone: gutenberg
#16: 3* The Shunned House: gutenberg
#17: 4* The Thing on the Doorstep
#18: 2* Shadows by Saul: fraudio
#19: CR Precious Cargo: paperback
#20: 2* The Magicians of the Golden Dawn: ebook
#21: 2* The Book of Black Magic
#22: 4* Beyond the Wall of Sleep
#23: 3* The Haunting of Hill House
#24: 2* Inferno
#25: 4* Monkey's Paw
#26: 4* The Pit and the Pendulum
#27: 3* William Wilson
#28: 4* The Moonlit Road and Other Stories
#29: 3* The Black Cat
#30: 4* The Cask of Amontillado
#31: 4* The Tell-Tale Heart
#32: 3* The Devil Rides Out
#33: 3* The Omen (I, II, and III)
#34: 3* Cool Air
"35: 3* Young Goodman Brown



CR The Chalice
4* The Bones of Avalon
4* December
WL The Heresy of Dr Dee

4*The Wine of Angels
4* Midwinter of the Spirit
3* A Crown of Lights
Profile Image for Patrice Hoffman.
563 reviews280 followers
September 9, 2016
This is definitely not my favorite by Phil Rickman but it is still a great read. Once again Phil Rickman has readers in a town Glastonbury where there is a lot of paranormal activity also coinciding with the sudden arrival of New Agers. Amongst the New Age people is Diane Ffitch. She is considered to be a person "prone to imaginative excursions" so it isn't a surprise when she returns to her home town, cloaked as a journalist, traveling with the Pagan Pilgrims.

The reason for most of the turmoil and strife in this town is brought on by the new plans to build a road that will help connect Glastonbury to London. The New Age community does not want this road because it is believed that the Holy Grail is somewhere in this small town. In an effort to solve what's going on before the town implodes, Jaunita (local New Age bookseller) and Joe Powys search for evidence of this Holy Grail. Instead of finding evidence of a Holy Grail, they stumble upon information on it the opposite.

Based off the other books I've read by Rickman, I knew to expect many characters. He uses the small-town creepy atmosphere, and weird residents to his advantage in most novels. I didn't feel this novel expressed what I've come to expect from him. I expect a slow build that is laced with suspense and paranormal activity. Instead I got a lot about a road, a tor, and how chubby Diane was. I could not take one more description of her being fat... SERIOUSLY not one more Chubby.

What Rickman does right in this novel is give us characters that are dimensional and interesting. Juanita was definitely my favorite character and I instantly took notice when the chapter was about her. Although the whole town had a feeling of malaise, she was the only one bold enough to get a grip on this town as well as Diane.

Joe Powys is also a pivotal character who I believe fans of Rickman will remember from Curfew. He's a New Age novelist that is researching old materials from an uncle and stumbles upon evidence of Diane's history and the truth of the Chalice. Usher in the novel's climax which is always pretty worth the 600+ pages.

Ultimately, Rickman does a great job at captivating his audience and holding them in suspense with this novel... some of the time. Although, this isn't my favorite novel by Phil Rickman, I do look forward to reading some more of his novels. Fans of tomes with supernatural flare might want to take a looksee at The Chalice.
Profile Image for Michelle.
135 reviews4 followers
December 5, 2012
As usual Phil Rickman delievers... Spooky and a well thought out plot, with plenty of twists and turns... Evil rears its ugly head at the ancient holy earth site of Glastonbury Tor... I have never been, but after reading this I want to... Not for the happy clappy pagan stuff, but just to see it as he sees it... A beautiful place that can be your dream or nightmare depending on what you see in it... I like the fact that he brings JM Powys back from Curfew and his adopted three legged dowsers dog... I always have time for his characters, and can get attached to them, although in all his books he is not afraid to kill off what seems at the time to be central to the story... I enjoy all his books, what got me started on them was the Merrily Watkins series, but the stand alone novels are just as gripping and in some ways darker... If you have never read any of his books you should give one at least a go...
172 reviews
July 1, 2015
I've really enjoyed all his other books - for the first 300 pages, he carefully lays everything out, then the suddenly the plot picks up speed and becomes a page turner for another 300 pages. This book, for the very first time, was unbelievably tedious until the last 50 pages. Took everything I had to finish it. Took me two weeks to read it. It should have taken me less than a week, but I just kept putting this book down.

Endless repetition of the same plot turns. Over and over. Ugh.
Profile Image for Cara.
291 reviews14 followers
November 20, 2012
Read this many years ago, probably when it was first released in paperback. Lost my copy and pleased to see it on special offer for Kindle. An excellent Glastonbury mystery with lots of supernatural and historical elements. Phil Rickman has gone on to publish the Merrily Watkins series, but this remains my favourite book of his so far.
Profile Image for Alessandra Castellani.
83 reviews1 follower
June 10, 2025
Nonsense plot, too many and pointless twists and mainly focused on dodgy road-works although allegedly about the Grail. Ah, the end of the story is totally up to the reader... A real waste of time.
November 18, 2022
There were too many characters and it was hard to keep track of them. It took me a couple hundred pages to become familiar with all of them. The characters just didn’t stand out enough from each other and I got so confused about who we were talking about.

All these characters had such strange reactions the day after the ghost summoning. They all just continued on with their day like nothing had happened the night before. The only character that seemed to remember any kind of ghost-like activity during the night was Verity, and yet she viciously keeps reminding us that she can’t see spirits.

This was not a ghost story. First, no one even mentioned the weirdness of the night after the ghost originally appeared. The only characters that ever referenced that night were Verity, who was afterwards scared to be in her house alone, Diane, who wanted to get help to a couple of her friends that were attacked that night (not by the ghost), and Jim would only mention how he lost his hat that night. Second, after that night, there was nothing scary happening (besides for the ‘ghost van’ that ran over a couple people) until near the end. There were a good several hundred pages where nothing was happening.
Profile Image for Jo Hurst.
676 reviews5 followers
November 15, 2018
I have had this book for far too long before getting round to it and it was wonderful. Phil Rickman never disappoints. This was my first stand alone non Merrily Watkins book and I did find myself missing Merrily and co to begin with and the book took a while to get going. However, Phil Rickman has a way of getting you to care for all the characters quite quickly and before long I was immersed in them all. This follows the story of the residents of Glastonbury as they approach the new millennium and dark forces start to show their many sides. It’s full of what you would expect, great characters, political comings and going’s, slightly crazy people, passionate people, unexplained happenings, creepy buildings, ancient legends and a climax that makes it hard to put the book down. A creepy delight!
Profile Image for Diane Dickson.
Author 45 books98 followers
April 8, 2018
Well I'll look at Glastonbury differently next time I go!!

This was not one of my favourites from the keyboard of Mr Rickman but it was still a good read. The plot is very complicated and I did get a bit bogged down at times but there is mystery, there is magic, there is blood and gore and there is a rather lovely three legged dog! So much to enjoy.

The final chapters are generally gripping but - like the taped confessions in another book - I found the letters a little bit - oh I don't know - disappointing as a way of rounding things up. I don't know how else it could be done though.

Good stuff.
Profile Image for Christine.
7,224 reviews570 followers
December 21, 2021
Perhaps not Rickman's best, but the story of a Dark Chalice and different types of witchcraft is a fun and engrossing read. Rickman's writes women really, really well. This book has a several strong women.

Well done.
Profile Image for Wendy.
87 reviews2 followers
November 30, 2013
This started off as an interesting story with many promising threads. It ended up confusing, irrational and very fractured. Maybe reflecting the folk who featured in the novel, but it was a step too far for me. It was well written, with so e very amusing passages and some very astute characterisations, but I felt that the plot, at the end, unravelled and sort of petered out. Shame, as I liked another book by this author.
Profile Image for Allison.
1,041 reviews
July 4, 2017
Two and a half. I recently remembered that I really liked Phil Rickman and got this from the library. Ugh. Still going to start the Merrilee Watkins series from the beginning, but this was disappointing. Still better than your run-of-the-mill horror, with well-developed characters that you care about, but the plot was all over the place, the middle dragged majorly and once I ploughed through just to be done the end was rushed and unsatisfying.
Profile Image for Tracey.
3,005 reviews76 followers
April 3, 2019
This book is still as good as I remember from previously reading this .
The darkness makes it an intriguing read. I love the setting of Glastonbury and the mentioning of Arthurian legend As well as the legend of Joseph of Arimathea . I have been to Glastonbury many times and have an infinity to the place .
436 reviews1 follower
September 9, 2021
548 pages that could easily been condensed to 100 to tell the same story, not recommended unless you suffer from insomnia. So glad I only paid 50c in a Salvation Army sale for this. The character I loved best in this tale was Arnold the 3 legged dog - a real lovely hero. So, if I can't say anything else positive then I'll stop here.
Profile Image for Leanne Hunt.
Author 14 books45 followers
June 10, 2018
This fictional account of events in Glastonbury, arguably England's most spiritually aware town, centres around an ancient tor or hill, said to be where Jesus' uncle, Joseph of Arimathia, planted his staff and it sprouted leaves. The main characters are Juanita, a local bookshop owner, and Dianne, the psychic daughter of a powerful landowner. But the story draws in all sorts of townsfolk and people from further afield, such as the scraggly troop of new age travellers who arrive in a broken-down bus, the mystery-obsessed artist who is forever painting the dusk, the stoical housekeeper who guards a spooky house for her deceased master, and the author who seems to be haunted by the ghost of his grandfather.
While the enormous cast of characters sometimes makes the novel feel overwhelming, the plot is essentially straightforward. A motorway is being planned, and its route is to go directly below the sacred hill. As always, Rickman represents different points of view with sensitivity and skill. The ever-present conflict between those who want to preserve the ancient past and those who want to enable progress is a strong theme throughout, and even if the reader isn't fascinated by the various angles on conservation and change, provides lots of food for thought.
I personally found the portrayal of the various camps of spiritual seekers very interesting and entertaining. This isn't just a story about old versus new; it's about fresh new takes on the old and stodgy old takes on the new. Thoroughly absorbing to the very end.
Profile Image for Carol.
3,764 reviews137 followers
April 5, 2019
I really liked the complex dark and creepy plot of this one. The author has drawn a real life picture of the tensions in the town between the long-time residents and the new comers brought by its mystical aura. He writes about Pagans, Christians, and New Age people who all have to deal with the horror and hatred that goes with fascism. Power goes to those who desperately want it and are willing to pay with their humanity and soul…but he conveys the message to never allow only one group to ever be in complete power. Good lesson in that one Mr. Rickman. One word of warning…the paperback addition is 500 pages of tiny print that you could go blind trying to read….so go for audio or hardcover if you can.
Profile Image for Neil Challis.
519 reviews10 followers
January 13, 2019
Area i know quite well but this takes the myth of Glastonbury to the nth degree.Fight between Black and White magic,Locals and New Ager's when a A road is discussed to cut through the Somerset countryside.
As the book mentioned places I know I am not surprised the atmosphere of the Tor is described in detail and when you go there a strange feeling come across you as though the spirituality come through.
All starts when a travelers convoy comes to the town shortly before the Winter solstice and a visit by the Bishop of Bath & Wells comes to the Tor which is not part of the action.Also about greed and how the Tor drags you back.Atmospheric tale
231 reviews2 followers
August 6, 2022
Wow

I really enjoy reading Phil Rickman. Usually, I don't find his books scary. I am not worried by spirits and the like. But this is exceptional. I do know Glastonbury a little: my mother lived in the levels from the late 60's until her death in 1999. I visited occasionally and watched the town changing over the years. The setting here feels accurate and the scenario feels possible. I would hope that Mr Rickman doesn't think all Goddess pagans are like the ones here though! But the off the planet unreality of the place is well captured. And I am always impressed by how well be represents regional speech, my lover. Found this a nail biting rollercoaster read. Love it!!
Profile Image for Pat Stearman.
1,046 reviews9 followers
November 13, 2024
Spooky!

I love the Merrily series & follow the author page on Facebook.
After his sad death recently someone mentioned The Chalice. I've visited Glastonbury a few times & the Chalice Well is one of my favourite places in the world - this is not about it!!! ;)
I have no idea what was happening for some of the book & I don't normally read horror, but the basics & the feeling for Glastonbury was excellent. Interesting & complex characters too.
I now have a couple of Dion Fortune books on my Want To Read list!
Profile Image for Carmine.
354 reviews2 followers
January 4, 2025
3.5 stars. I enjoyed reading this. I always like Rickman's subject matter, in this case: Glastonbury, Dion Fortune, counterculture vs mainstream, the supernatural, spiritual matters, earth mysteries, good chalice vs evil chalice, folklore and folk traditions, British village life, etc. The storytelling can feel melodramatic, overwrought and at times even lurid, yet it is all good fun to dig in to a thick, complexly plotted, race-against-time type story about plucky, well-meaning folks routing the forces of evil.
197 reviews6 followers
January 16, 2024
That's a did not finish for me. I love and have read all the Merrily Watkins series, and this book is extremely similar in turns of atmosphere and creepy goings on, but nothing actually seemed to happen and with multiple POV characters, there was no one to feel invested in and want to know what happens to. Especially as no one felt under any real threat.
I made it to half way - because it's Rickman, but life is too short.
Profile Image for Robin.
50 reviews
February 6, 2018
This was my first time reading this genre, supernatural thriller, I guess you call it, and I did enjoy it, because it was very much more about the community of various characters who live near Glastonbury than it was about spooky things. I had also visited Glastonbury Tor a number of years ago, so my familiarity with the region made it more interesting.
Profile Image for Tracey.
Author 15 books17 followers
July 22, 2019
The Chalice

Everyone has heard of the Holy Trail and the stories linking it to Glastonbury. But what if there was a dark chalice that was pure evil?
Phil Rickman 's The Chalice is a book guestbook stay with me for a long time. Brilliant characters, including Joe Powys who first appeared in Curfew, and an storyline which kept me hooked to the very end.
Profile Image for Pam.
1,181 reviews
December 19, 2024
Excellent story. This is a bit of the supernatural, some mystery, all good! Enough suspense, and a few twists and turns that kept me guessing. I love old village mysteries, and this is not a cozy one. The characters were well developed, even the minor ones. It seems like a quest for the Holy Grail, but it is much, much more than that. Truly an enjoyable read.
17 reviews
January 20, 2022
Brilliant

A brilliant book especially if you have
a love for Glastonbury. The characters are very believable and the book has a chuckle element with its analysis of why people people behave like they do in Glastonbury. I highly recommend this book.
4 reviews
June 10, 2022
Haunting tale of Glastonbury

A compelling narrative that inter weaves the history and folklore surrounding Glastonbury. Recommended for all who, like me, have fallen under the town's spell.
33 reviews
January 23, 2025
This is one of Phil Rickman's early books – for me it wandered around a bit too much and didn't really get to the point. I ended up abandoning it at about the two-thirds mark. I may pick it up again in the future.
Profile Image for Ruth Anna Spencer.
157 reviews2 followers
October 9, 2018
Spooky and atmospheric. I love PRs pagan style and a twist I didn’t see coming. I truest underaged author, I must read more of his books.
Profile Image for Anne.
Author 19 books28 followers
January 24, 2020
The first Phil I ever read. It was a head game.
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