The Feast

Synopsis

This summer holiday vintage crime classic exploring the mystery of a buried Cornish hotel invites us to solve the puzzle as detectives: perfect for fans of Celia Fremlin's Uncle Paul, Agatha Christie, or Richard Osman ...
'I am loving it!' Nigella Lawson
'Hilarious and perceptive ... Perfect.' Daily Mail
'Entertaining, beautifully written, and profound.' Tracy Chevalier
'Tense, touching, human, dire, and funny ... A feast indeed.' Elizabeth Bowen
'Kennedy is not only a romantic but an anarchist.' Anita Brookner
'Oh boy, what a treat; wonderfully sharp and funny ... Page-turningly good!' Lissa Evans
'So full of pleasure that you could be forgiven for not seeing how clever it is.' Cathy Rentzenbrink

Cornwall, Midsummer 1947. Pendizack Manor Hotel is buried in the rubble of a collapsed cliff. Seven guests have perished, but is it murder, and what brought this strange assembly together for a moonlit feast before this Act of God - or Man? Over the week before the landslide, we meet the hotel guests in all their eccentric glory: and as friendships form and romances blossom, sins are revealed, and the cliff cracks widen ..

Reader Reviews:
'One of the best books I have ever read ... Viva Ms. Kennedy, you were truly marvellous!' *****
'The best book I've ever read. Yes, I know that's a big statement! Kennedy is quickly becoming my all-time favorite author ... A first-rate literary genius.' *****
'This is bar none, one of the best books I have ever read.' *****
'Offers us the chance to solve a very unusual kind of mystery ... An unexpectedly engaging literary game.' ****
'A magnificent rediscovery ... Kennedy's masterpiece is a searing and unflinching look at postwar England ... Elegantly and tartly written, this smart and haunting novel offers one of the most unforgettable endings ... A brilliant and moving literary feast to be enjoyed without any moderation! *****
'I'm longing to read this again! Clever Kennedy! Is it a thriller? Is it a morality play or an exploration of divine justice? Or is it a family/village saga and maybe even a romance? ... Terrifically readable with a marvellous cast.' *****
'Such a good idea, and brilliantly executed ... I was unable to stop reading, absorbed completely in the company of the motley group. It's almost like you're eavesdropping on them. After finishing it, I find myself still thinking about it ... A fabulous read.' *****
'One of my favorite kinds of books: a forgotten treasure..' *****

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Summary

Chapter 1: The Invitation

* Introduces the protagonist, Elijah, a struggling artist.
* Elijah receives an invitation to a mysterious feast hosted by the enigmatic Baron von Stahl.
* Example: "The invitation was an elegant scroll, unfurled with a crisp snap. It bore the Baron's crest in gold and crimson, and promised a sumptuous repast at his opulent mansion."

Chapter 2: The Arrival

* Elijah arrives at the Baron's mansion, a sprawling neo-Gothic edifice.
* The guests gather in the grand ballroom, an eclectic mix of society figures, artists, and eccentrics.
* Example: "Elijah scanned the crowd, his eyes drawn to an elderly countess in a flowing velvet gown, an eccentric inventor with unkempt hair and a pocket full of gadgets, and a group of glamorous debutantes giggling in a corner."

Chapter 3: The Feast

* The feast begins, each dish an exquisite masterpiece presented with flair.
* Elijah marvels at the opulence and the subtle tensions among the guests.
* Example: "The roasted swan filled the hall with an intoxicating aroma, its crisp skin glistening under the candlelight. Guests savored every bite, their conversation mingling with the delicate clinking of silverware."

Chapter 4: The Games

* After dinner, the Baron introduces a series of games for his guests.
* The games become increasingly bizarre and dangerous, testing the limits of the participants.
* Example: "One game involved blindfolding the players and guessing the contents of a box. As the game progressed, the objects became more gruesome, culminating in a severed finger."

Chapter 5: The Ritual

* The games culminate in a ritual involving a sacrificial lamb.
* Elijah realizes that the feast is more than it seems and that the guests are not what they appear to be.
* Example: "The Baron, adorned in a ceremonial robe, raised a silver dagger over the lamb. As he plunged it into the animal, a chorus of voices rose in the air, revealing the true identity of the guests."

Chapter 6: The Revelation

* The Baron and his guests are revealed to be members of a secret society dedicated to darkness and sacrifice.
* Elijah confronts the Baron, but is outmatched by the society's power.
* Example: "The Baron's eyes glowed with an unholy fire, and his voice echoed with ancient power. 'You have stumbled upon our secret, Elijah. Now, you must pay the price for your trespass.'"

Chapter 7: The Escape

* With the help of a sympathetic guest, Elijah escapes from the mansion.
* He must now confront the truth about the society and its plans.
* Example: "Heart pounding in his chest, Elijah ran through the moonlit streets, the Baron's laughter echoing behind him. He knew that the nightmare was far from over."

Chapter 8: The Aftermath

* Elijah seeks help from authorities, but is met with disbelief and skepticism.
* He must find a way to prove the existence of the society and stop their sinister plans.
* Example: "Elijah gathered evidence, interviewing survivors and piecing together the fragments of the feast. The police dismissed his claims as delusions, but he couldn't give up the fight."