A Banquet of Bruises
Lynda Wright Piepmeyer
Victor Hayes, known to the world as the "Gutter Gourmet," is the most feared food critic on the planet. He has built an empire on cynical detachment and cutting prose, tasting the world's finest delicacies without ever truly feeling them. But his life of sterile luxury takes a terrifying turn when he receives an invitation to the "Umbral Bistro"—a place that does not appear on any map.
At this banquet, the courses are not made of food, but of human sensation: Innocence, Heartbreak, and Transgression. As the Chef unmasks the price of fame, Victor realizes he is no longer the one judging the meal—he has become the main course. "A Banquet of Bruises" is a visceral, haunting exploration of consumption, fame, and the dark harvest of the human soul. Some flavors, once tasted, can never be forgotten.
Duration - 6h 47m.
Author - Lynda Wright Piepmeyer.
Narrator - Lynda Wright Piepmeyer.
Published Date - Monday, 19 January 2026.
Copyright - © 2026 Lynda Wright Piepmeyer ©.
Location:
United States
Description:
Victor Hayes, known to the world as the "Gutter Gourmet," is the most feared food critic on the planet. He has built an empire on cynical detachment and cutting prose, tasting the world's finest delicacies without ever truly feeling them. But his life of sterile luxury takes a terrifying turn when he receives an invitation to the "Umbral Bistro"—a place that does not appear on any map. At this banquet, the courses are not made of food, but of human sensation: Innocence, Heartbreak, and Transgression. As the Chef unmasks the price of fame, Victor realizes he is no longer the one judging the meal—he has become the main course. "A Banquet of Bruises" is a visceral, haunting exploration of consumption, fame, and the dark harvest of the human soul. Some flavors, once tasted, can never be forgotten. Duration - 6h 47m. Author - Lynda Wright Piepmeyer. Narrator - Lynda Wright Piepmeyer. Published Date - Monday, 19 January 2026. Copyright - © 2026 Lynda Wright Piepmeyer ©.
Language:
English
Opening Credits
Duration:00:00:14
Front matter full
Duration:00:00:05
Chapter 1 the echo in the mouth a banquet of bruises full
Duration:00:15:26
Chapter 2 an invitation to sensation a banquet of bruises full
Duration:00:15:32
Chapter 3 the umbral bistro a banquet of bruises full
Duration:00:17:30
Chapter 4 the first course innocence a banquet of bruises full
Duration:00:18:14
Chapter 5 the second course heartbreak a banquet of bruises full
Duration:00:21:56
Chapter 6 a silence in the feast a banquet of bruises full
Duration:00:15:32
Chapter 7 the main course transgression a banquet of bruises full
Duration:00:22:35
Chapter 8 the gilded cage a banquet of bruises full
Duration:00:20:08
Chapter 9 a feast of ghosts a banquet of bruises full
Duration:00:24:56
Chapter 10 the signature on the plate a banquet of bruises full
Duration:00:18:17
Chapter 11 the abandoned palate a banquet of bruises full
Duration:00:20:30
Chapter 12 the harvest a banquet of bruises full
Duration:00:23:04
Chapter 13 the price of fame a banquet of bruises full
Duration:00:28:07
Chapter 14 a complex bitterness a banquet of bruises full
Duration:00:20:23
Chapter 15 the conductor unmasked a banquet of bruises full
Duration:00:18:25
Chapter 16 the final course a banquet of bruises full
Duration:00:19:38
Chapter 17 a vintage of remorse a banquet of bruises full
Duration:00:22:58
Chapter 18 a new critic a banquet of bruises full
Duration:00:22:38
Chapter 19 the chef's departure a banquet of bru full
Duration:00:23:29
Chapter 20 the empty table a banquet of bruises full
Duration:00:17:17
Back matter full
Duration:00:00:12
Ending Credits
Duration:00:00:14