Maneater by Ellie Graves was so fun to read, effortless, bingeable, and addicting. The kitchen dynamics gave me Hell’s Kitchen vibes minus the competition and I was having the time of my life.

Renee is such an easy character to root for, scrappy and determined, with Lola firmly securing her place as best friend of the year. Josh, a perfectly written “nice guy” I loved to hate.
Gracie Fitzgerald… oh she's eccentric, hypnotic, and she commands devotion. A mentor who feels inspiring and dangerous, she somehow convinces you that something deeply wrong might actually be justified. Watching admiration blur into obsession was unsettling (I'm speaking for myself and Renee here) and that ending made me GASP. I'm going to need a sequel.

Read this if you like:
- bingeable psychological thrillers
- female rage simmering under the surface
- high pressure settings
- obsession, control, blurred power dynamics
- charismatic, powerful, unsettling female leads
- slow burn tension with a WTF ending
- subtle horror vibes without going full gore
- locked doors and forbidden spaces

Thanks to Netgalley, Random House and Ellie Graves for an ARC of this book.

I read this compulsively, I would have finished it much faster if I weren’t so busy! Whenever I did pick it up I really didn’t want to put it down.

Told from the perspective of Renee, an up and coming chef who is offered a position at a prestigious restaurant. We follow her as she meets a range of characters both intriguing and mysterious. She juggles personal stresses alongside this which gives the character a well rounded feel with shifting motivations and priorities.

It was very well paced, with each new chapter providing a new and interesting plot beat to follow whilst intelligently contributing to the overall story. I would love to read more of Graves’ work and hope she continues to write in the horror genre.

This was an incredible read, impossible to put down and a captivating story that I was drawn into from the first page! The plot gripped me and never let me go from start to finish!

It definitely kept me turning the pages late into the night. I was genuinely gutted when it ended. I loved how the book balanced heartwarming moments with deeper, emotional layers. A brilliant read I’m still thinking about it! Definitely add this book to you TBR!

I really enjoyed reading this gory but realistic read. It was a slow burner to begin with but im glad I stuck with it. I cant wait to see what Ellie cooks up next!

Maneater is a deliciously dark and tantalizing culinary thriller that serves up a feast for both the senses and the mind, blending the satirical edge of The Menu with the dark allure of Hannibal. This suspenseful tale invites readers into the elite world of fine dining, where the flavors may be exquisite, but the sourcing of ingredients raises both ethical questions and a simmering tension.

The protagonist, Renee Landis, embarks on a seemingly bright new chapter in her career as she steps into the coveted role of junior chef at London’s prestigious NOVA restaurant. Yet, it’s not merely the prestigious establishment that captivates her; it’s the enigmatic executive chef, Gracie Fitzgerald, whose legendary reputation is as alluring as it is unsettling. Fitzgerald runs her kitchen with an iron fist and a plethora of secrets, enforcing strict rules that keep her culinary creations—and her true methods—shrouded in mystery. The unsettling curiosity about what lies within her personal freezer adds a layer of intrigue that propels the narrative forward.

Renee’s journey through the cutthroat world of fine dining is both thrilling and unsettling. The book explores complex flavors—both culinary and moral—as Landis grapples with her excitement and the creeping unease that comes with knowing the implications of the ingredients she’s handling. Just like a perfectly balanced dish, Ellie masterfully blends humor and horror, allowing readers to revel in the delicious complexity of the narrative, all the while questioning their own moral compass.

Even though the title hints at the impending horror, the anticipation of how events will unfold is what truly kept me hooked. Renee’s experiences elicit both admiration for the culinary arts and a visceral awareness of the darker aspects of human nature. Maneater skillfully walks the line between indulgence and discomfort, making every revelation even more impactful.

Ellie’s writing captivates with eloquent descriptions and a palpable tension that simmers throughout the pages. As a food lover, I found myself both salivating at the thought of Fitzgerald’s culinary creations and recoiling from the ethical dilemmas they present. The book is an exploration of the costs of ambition and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of excellence—an addictive blend that leaves a lasting impression.

I can't wait to see what Ellie serves up next. Maneater is a delectable read that keeps you yearning for more, even while it makes you question the very essence of what it means to indulge. A five-star culinary experience not to be missed!

Revenge simmers quietly at the heart of Maneater, a novel that lures you into the gleaming world of haute cuisine only to reveal the shadows beneath its polished surfaces. Renee Landis, newly freed from her dead-end job, steps into the pristine kitchen of London’s NOVA restaurant, where ambition and artistry collide. Yet it’s not the restaurant itself that captivates—it’s the enigmatic executive chef, Gracie Fitzgerald, whose rules are as chilling as her legendary dishes.

Graves crafts a story that feels both sharp and atmospheric: the clatter of knives, the hush of forbidden spaces, and the tension of secrets locked away in a freezer no one dares to enter. The novel balances horror and mystery with a sly elegance, reminding us that hunger—whether for success, love, or vengeance—can consume more than we bargain for.

What makes Maneater so compelling is its blend of culinary detail with psychological suspense. The kitchen becomes a crucible, testing loyalty, desire, and fear. Renee’s journey is not just about food but about survival, and Graves ensures every page carries the weight of something simmering just out of sight.

Casual readers will be drawn in by the pace and intrigue, while those who savor atmosphere will appreciate the novel’s layered textures. It’s a story that lingers like the aftertaste of a dish you can’t quite name—unsettling, unforgettable, and strangely addictive.

With thanks to Ellie Graves, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.

Maneater by Ellie Graves was an utterly compelling read. From the very first chapter, I found myself completely absorbed.

Renee accepts a new position at one of London’s top Michelin starred restaurants, where she has the rare opportunity to train under the renowned chef Gracie Fitzgerald. What begins as a dream role quickly reveals a far darker undercurrent, as it becomes clear that there is something deeply unsettling beneath the polished surface of Gracie’s kitchen.

This novel delivers sharp social commentary alongside visceral horror. The themes of female rage and power are woven seamlessly into a narrative that is both brutal and darkly satisfying. The pacing is swift, making it difficult to put down, and the more gruesome elements are handled with confidence.

Maneater is bold, intense, and unapologetically graphic. It is a standout for readers who appreciate horror that is as ferocious as it is thought provoking.

Maneater by Ellie Graves releases March 26th from Random House UK

Not to be too on the nose but I devoured this book! Its take on feminism is fun, fresh, and absolutely frightening.

The story is compelling, superbly written and leaves just enough mystique to keep you wondering about certain things long after you finished reading.

The characters are perfectly developed, well written and with enough back story to level your understanding without waffling.

I can only pray there is a sequel in development because I need to know where Renee’s story goes!

Well, that was definitely a ride.

Firstly, thank you Netgalley and Random house of the opportunity to read this early - this book did not disappoint.

This had me hooked from the first chapter. This book was not what I really expected - sharpen your knives, you're about to experience the culinary cut throat world like you never have before. Think 'Hannibal' meets 'The Menu' and you would be describing 'Maneater' perfectly.

We meet Renee Landis, who has finally landed the job of her dreams at culinary restaurant NOVA - a prestigious, well established fine dining restaurant in London, run by none other than one of the most successful culinary chefs that she has admired throughout her whole career; Gracie Fitzgerald. Embarking on this great new chapter of her life after finally taking the risk of leaving her Chicken Shop Job to enter the professional chef world again, Renee steps into the role of junior chef. Enamoured by the fast paced environment, the cooking of delectable food, and the other members of staff she works with, Renee starts to feel at home in her role. That is, until she finally meets Gracie in the flesh.

Her reputation proceeds her - firm, calculated, and captivating - Gracie rules her kitchen with a strict agenda - flavour is key, fresh ingredients are at the center, and every step of her recipe must be honoured to the letter. It is on one of the shifts where Renee sees Gracie in action at her own cooking workstation that she feels the true reality of her new work environment because when Gracie works in the kitchen that atmosphere changes - its unsettling, nerve wracking but mostly invigorating for Renee - that is, until the other rule appears. Gracie has her own personal fridge and her own menu for her culinary creations that she creates signature dishes for a 'particular' customer base. These are Gracie's creations, and hers alone - nobody is to ever taste them other than her.

As the curious interactions with Gracie increase, Renee begins to ask herself whether Gracies behaviour is simply down to her work ethic as a chef, as a woman of colour who has had to fight to climb herself to the top of the culinary industry. She's charismatic, confident in an unshakable way. As Renee continues to learn more about Gracie, she realises that she is the mentor that she's always wanted - strong willed and ruthless. As she starts to swamp herself with her commitment to NOVA, her relationship with her best friend and boyfriend start to falter, creating tensions. As the months pass, Renee's life becomes simply work with little time for anything else. Her desire to prove herself and make up for lost time seems to trump all other areas of her life. Yet as the months pass, Renee realises that despite working with Gracie in close proximity on few occasions, she does not truly know 'who' Gracie is, other than what she is successfully known for - being a culinary genius.

As Curiously begins to stir Renee begins to ask herself: what really IS in Gracies private freezer? Why does she invite some of the most awful men to her restaurant and insist on cooking her 'special menu' for them? why is she only sometimes in the kitchen and not always? Will her finding out this information make her a better chef? Only Renee can answer that.

I really enjoyed this book in the most unsettling way. This was feminine rage of the darkest kind, and I couldn't put the book down. All the characters served their own purposes and felt truly relevant to the storyline and its progression. Whilst I already know where the story was leading, I liked that we got to see it unfold from Renee's perspective - I think the whole purpose is to see the horror unfold for her and for us to go through the motions of suspicion, anxiety and then denial and I honestly then Graves captured this perfectly.

I think this falls under horror-fic, as it does feel part literary fiction to me. This horror is more about building suspense, and whilst 'weird girl' lit-fit fans will love this I do think it delivers on the unsettling horror overall!