Ritual

by Mo Hayder

One word: grisly.

Now that I've gotten that out of the way, I must recommend this thriller. Having read a couple of Hayder's other novels, I should have been prepared for her ability to scare and gross out the average reader.

Our story begins with police diver Phoebe "Flea" Marley recovering a single hand in the harbor. A hand. Not attached to a body. Upon further examination, it is determined that the hand was removed from a live person. Gory enough for you?

What follows is an investigation into the lone hand. Heroin addicts, African folklore and witch doctors, and, of course, our hero's own conflicts will all play a part in the mystery of the hand.

This is an engrossing and creepy thriller. If you've never read Hayder before, prepare to be scared.

11/13/08