Rituals Unlimited Part IX - Monumental

·26 min·2 clips

A well-dressed nobleman with blood on his clothes is revealed to be a maniacal strangler escaped from an asylum.

The episode opens with a chilling description of a murderous escaped patient before transitioning to host Jim Moon's review of Adam L.G. Neville's upcoming novel Monumental. Moon explains he received an advance copy and has already read the book. He reads the back cover blurb, which establishes the premise: six kayakers on a weekend trip become trapped in Worm Valley when they discover they're trespassing on private land with only one escape route available in 12 hours. Moon discusses the novel's structure, noting each chapter bears a timestamp counting down the hours until high tide, creating a ticking clock effect. He analyzes how Neville uses the Devon landscape as a character, transforming it from beautiful to threatening. The host compares Neville's approach to Algernon Blackwood's use of landscape to create uncanny menace. Moon explores the novel's themes, including how it challenges romanticized views of the countryside and pre-industrial past. He discusses Neville's signature 'swerve' - not a plot twist but revelations that change perception of the story, here involving subtle connections between valley horrors and old legends. The review notes influences from H.P. Lovecraft, Arthur Machen, and Robert E. Howard. Moon reveals Monumental contains Easter eggs connecting it to Neville's earlier novels like The Vessel and Cunning Folk, suggesting a shared universe. He praises Neville's character development, particularly the realistic group dynamics and tensions. The host analyzes how Neville blends different horror styles, from psychological suspense to body horror to cosmic fright. Moon describes this as 'endurance horror' that tests characters on multiple levels. He compares Monumental to Neville's earlier novel The Ritual while noting its connections to works like Under a Watchful Eye. The review concludes with publication details and where to purchase the book.

As heard by us

A measured review of Monumental's old legends, shifting revelations, and visceral pagan horror.

Mr Jim Moon frames Adam L.G. Neville's Monumental as a slow guided descent into pagan terror, where romantic ideas about old practices and idealistic rewilding begin to feel less restorative than dangerously porous.

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Why you'd press play

Press play when old folk tales start sounding like a very bad idea for the present day.

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