Family Portrait by Graham Masterton (Family Portrait - Graham Masterton)

Member Name: Krystal

Product:	Family Portrait - Graham Masterton
Date:	16/11/00 (86 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A gripping read

Disadvantages: None

I have read several of Graham Masterton's books, but "Family Portrait" is a firm favourite. I've lost count of the number of times I've read it, or lent it to friends.

Mostly set in New York and Connecticut, it is the story of the Gray family. They should have aged and died years ago, but their appearances never seem to change. The dreadful secret they hide is their insatiable need to kill innocent people for their skin, which they use on themselves to disguise the ageing process. The horrific thing is, to preserve the skin properly, all their victims have to be skinned while still alive.

The main character is Vincent Pearson, the proprietor of a New York art gallery who gets involved with the Gray family through a portrait of themselves the Grays had painted years before. Vincent's grandfather, who knew the Grays, gave him the painting and told him that as long as it was in his possession, it would keep his family safe. Vincent has always kept the portrait securely in his gallery, out of superstition and respect for his grandfather. The story starts to unfold when the Grays discover that Vincent has the precious painting, and they make it clear that they will do absolutely anything to get it back. The horrific events that follow are quite chilling.

A really good book that I always find hard to put down, regardless of how many times I read it. If you haven't read any of Graham Masterton's books, this would be an excellent one to start with.

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