The Ritual of Illusion — Richard Christian Matheson

A sinister love letter to the movies, acclaimed author Richard Christian Matheson's The Ritual of Illusion is a novella of modern fear about where stars truly come from. Oscar-winning film siren, Sephanie Vamore, meteors to iconic fame … but like cinema itself, nothing is as it appears. The fifty witnesses to her mythic ascent and bizarre fate are film royalty … many based on Hollywood glitterati; directors, stars, agents, studio heads, screenwriters, lovers, producers.

Widescreen with lies and revelation, Vamore's story is told Rashomon-style with dialogue alone -- each hypnotic character adding poignant or lurid details to the shocking truth of what she really is. Matheson's insider's voice is a scathing X-ray that leaves them bloodied, awaiting their close-up.