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Once Upon a Halloween
Trick or treat.
Say your prayers
Tonight, all hell breaks loose.
It's Halloween night. The old Witherspoon house stands all alone in the dark, the last house on a dead-end street. Its only neighbors are thick woods and a moonlit graveyard. Not long ago, a grisly murder/suicide took place in the house. Now, it is said to be haunted.
Haunted but no longer abandoned. Three years ago, Laura and Shannon moved in. They're young, pretty, friendly . . . and, best of all, generous with candy on Halloween. Tonight, they're getting ready for a costume party. Shannon is upstairs getting dressed and Laura is downstairs handing out candy to trick-or-treaters.
It's a perfect Halloween night until Laura opens the door and finds herself facing a lone teenaged boy . . . a terrified boy who says: "Let me in! They're gonna get me!"
And, for Laura and Shannon, the party begins.
It's Halloween night and there are ghosts and goblins in the streets. And something much worse in the graveyard...
Say your prayers
Tonight, all hell breaks loose.
It's Halloween night. The old Witherspoon house stands all alone in the dark, the last house on a dead-end street. Its only neighbors are thick woods and a moonlit graveyard. Not long ago, a grisly murder/suicide took place in the house. Now, it is said to be haunted.
Haunted but no longer abandoned. Three years ago, Laura and Shannon moved in. They're young, pretty, friendly . . . and, best of all, generous with candy on Halloween. Tonight, they're getting ready for a costume party. Shannon is upstairs getting dressed and Laura is downstairs handing out candy to trick-or-treaters.
It's a perfect Halloween night until Laura opens the door and finds herself facing a lone teenaged boy . . . a terrified boy who says: "Let me in! They're gonna get me!"
And, for Laura and Shannon, the party begins.
It's Halloween night and there are ghosts and goblins in the streets. And something much worse in the graveyard...
252 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
3 people are currently reading
926 people want to read
About the author
Richard Laymon
217 books2,289 followersRichard Laymon was born in Chicago and grew up in California. He earned a BA in English Literature from Willamette University, Oregon and an MA from Loyola University, Los Angeles. He worked as a schoolteacher, a librarian, and a report writer for a law firm, and was the author of more than thirty acclaimed novels.
He also published more than sixty short stories in magazines such as Ellery Queen, Alfred Hitchcock, and Cavalier, and in anthologies including Modern Masters of Horror.
He died from a massive heart attack on February 14, 2001 (Valentine's Day).
Also published under the name Richard Kelly
He also published more than sixty short stories in magazines such as Ellery Queen, Alfred Hitchcock, and Cavalier, and in anthologies including Modern Masters of Horror.
He died from a massive heart attack on February 14, 2001 (Valentine's Day).
Also published under the name Richard Kelly
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 21, 2019
Halloween and Richard Laymon seem to be a great combination. We have the old Witherspoon House, two nice girls living together, an adolescent named Hunter hunted down by a group of hooded persons in the cemetery, a father looking for some missing kids while trick or treating... the good thing is, you'll find here a plot and some funny remarks and allusions (the name of the characters or the costumes they wear). Violence and bloodshed is reduced to normal dimension and Laymon's trademarks, e.g. The Peeping Tom motif and sexual intercourse, are level here (he did quite different books, believe me). Really enjoyed this story at parts but it dragged a bit. There were too many characters at one point and the storyline was a bit confusing. He could have reduced the story and tightened it up a bit. But as preparation for Halloween an ok read!
November 3, 2014
Cool option to read on Halloween season!
A TRICK-OR-TREAT TO REMEMBER
This is a Halloween adventure with almost anything you may think that could happen in just one night...
...when that night happens to be Halloween!
This could be an ideal project to be film by Chris Columbus AND Quentin Tarantino!
Since you have kids meddling into hazzardous situations but also totally inusual characters with dialogues showing that they are not two-dimensional personages whom only are thinking about the stuff at hand.
The characters even right in the middle of a life-or-death situation, they are having thoughts in their heads that no one wouldn't deny that they are perfectly reasonable thoughts, showing how complex are human beings.
Maybe, the only that Columbus could have troubles is that this story has a lot of nudity, even in moments that you can't predict or expect. Tarantino could be okay with that, hehehe.
Actually, for a story with so many nudity, it's almost rare to find that there isn't a single sexual scene. It's not a complain, only an observation.
The story has so many characters that you can't predict when you'd be able to meet all of them, but don't worry, that you won't have troubles to understand who is who. Each chapter is told from the point of view of certain character, even in scenes where several characters are interacting, you may well having two or more chapters developing the scene but from different points of view, also you will get intersecting scenes where character who started in separate places, they may meet and interact in unpredictable ways.
So, then why only 4 stars and not a full five? Well, I won't spoil anything, don't worry, I will only say that the choices of certain deaths (it's a horror story, it's hardly a spoil to say that people will die) were kinda odd (not how, but who and why) and the final climax scene is quite wacky and I don't know, not exactly bad to say that it's hard to accept even in the crazy logic of a horror story, but definitely it could be done differently. I could say that I liked how the story was resolved, but still there were stuff that bothers me, so taking out a star can ease my mind, hehehe.
I wouldn't be surprised if some readers would find how the the final climax was solved, just too far-fetched and truly hard to accept. But hardly it's a reason for not reading the novel since it's quite entertained.
What I can say that definitely the chaos theory is having a blast in this story where you aren't able to predict how the story will be developed, what you will meet in there, and how it will intermix.
Get into your costume, pick your candy bag and have your Trick-or-Treat trip of your lives!
A TRICK-OR-TREAT TO REMEMBER
This is a Halloween adventure with almost anything you may think that could happen in just one night...
...when that night happens to be Halloween!
This could be an ideal project to be film by Chris Columbus AND Quentin Tarantino!
Since you have kids meddling into hazzardous situations but also totally inusual characters with dialogues showing that they are not two-dimensional personages whom only are thinking about the stuff at hand.
The characters even right in the middle of a life-or-death situation, they are having thoughts in their heads that no one wouldn't deny that they are perfectly reasonable thoughts, showing how complex are human beings.
Maybe, the only that Columbus could have troubles is that this story has a lot of nudity, even in moments that you can't predict or expect. Tarantino could be okay with that, hehehe.
Actually, for a story with so many nudity, it's almost rare to find that there isn't a single sexual scene. It's not a complain, only an observation.
The story has so many characters that you can't predict when you'd be able to meet all of them, but don't worry, that you won't have troubles to understand who is who. Each chapter is told from the point of view of certain character, even in scenes where several characters are interacting, you may well having two or more chapters developing the scene but from different points of view, also you will get intersecting scenes where character who started in separate places, they may meet and interact in unpredictable ways.
So, then why only 4 stars and not a full five? Well, I won't spoil anything, don't worry, I will only say that the choices of certain deaths (it's a horror story, it's hardly a spoil to say that people will die) were kinda odd (not how, but who and why) and the final climax scene is quite wacky and I don't know, not exactly bad to say that it's hard to accept even in the crazy logic of a horror story, but definitely it could be done differently. I could say that I liked how the story was resolved, but still there were stuff that bothers me, so taking out a star can ease my mind, hehehe.
I wouldn't be surprised if some readers would find how the the final climax was solved, just too far-fetched and truly hard to accept. But hardly it's a reason for not reading the novel since it's quite entertained.
What I can say that definitely the chaos theory is having a blast in this story where you aren't able to predict how the story will be developed, what you will meet in there, and how it will intermix.
Get into your costume, pick your candy bag and have your Trick-or-Treat trip of your lives!
October 16, 2015
So-so outing from the master of boobs and brutality. Easily forgettable, but not without its moments. This book was enjoyable, but seemed rushed, not nearly as satisfying as I had hoped.
July 2, 2019
Ей такъв ако беше Леймън навсякъде – бърз, кървав, разгонен и нелогичен – щеше да е перфектният сплетърпънк писател. За щастие, момчетата, които поеха щафетата от него са се поучили от грешките му.
Имало едно време Хелоуин в едно малко градче. И група сатанисти решили да си спретнат кърваво жертвоприношение в полунощ. Само че попаднали на обитавана къща, бесни хлапета и отчаян тийнейджър.
И всички заживели щастливо... или поне малкото оцелели.
Имало едно време Хелоуин в едно малко градче. И група сатанисти решили да си спретнат кърваво жертвоприношение в полунощ. Само че попаднали на обитавана къща, бесни хлапета и отчаян тийнейджър.
И всички заживели щастливо... или поне малкото оцелели.
October 24, 2015
Halloween is my favorite time of the year. During the month of October, I like to read books that involve a Halloween theme. This October one of the books I pick out was Laymon's Once Upon A Halloween.I wanted to like this Laymon story but I just could not. The story line was weak and the characters were really thin. The story jumps back and forth and is told from different viewpoints and sometimes get lost. Somethings that happen in this story are far fetched and I don't mean supernatural. This Laymon story fall short and does not make the grade.
October 20, 2015
Great Halloween tale b-movie syle from Laymon. It seems rushed and incomplete sometimes, but is still a good season reading if you like his style. It could be a great screenplay for a Tarantino/Rodriguez movie like "From Dusk till dawn" :D
Vote:3,5
Vote:3,5
September 19, 2017
ONCE UPON A HALLOWEEN is so bad, it's good.
Problem is, I have no idea whether it was intentionally crafted that way.
From a horror perspective, the book is a total flop. Nothing about it comes anywhere close to being scary, nor is it even particularly violent. There is lots of action and scenes of people being chased by homicidal witches, but it's all way too cartoonish to be legitimately thrilling.
That being said, the unrelenting campiness of this book--whether intentional or not--approaches the level of parody, making it enjoyable in a very tongue-in-cheek sorta way. Laymon takes all the things we associate with bad, B-grade horror films (i.e., the pointless nudity, the dumb action scenes, the cheesy Satanic rituals, the random supernatural phenomena, the absurdly high body counts, the kinky sexual undertones) and then dials these elements up to 11.
I like to think that Laymon wrote ONCE UPON A HALLOWEEN as a send up of Halloween-themed horror, and as a self-parody of his own distinctive, anti-literary writing style. Others will consider it irrefutable evidence that Laymon is a hack novelist whose mind never advanced beyond adolescence.
Probably they're right.
Problem is, I have no idea whether it was intentionally crafted that way.
From a horror perspective, the book is a total flop. Nothing about it comes anywhere close to being scary, nor is it even particularly violent. There is lots of action and scenes of people being chased by homicidal witches, but it's all way too cartoonish to be legitimately thrilling.
That being said, the unrelenting campiness of this book--whether intentional or not--approaches the level of parody, making it enjoyable in a very tongue-in-cheek sorta way. Laymon takes all the things we associate with bad, B-grade horror films (i.e., the pointless nudity, the dumb action scenes, the cheesy Satanic rituals, the random supernatural phenomena, the absurdly high body counts, the kinky sexual undertones) and then dials these elements up to 11.
I like to think that Laymon wrote ONCE UPON A HALLOWEEN as a send up of Halloween-themed horror, and as a self-parody of his own distinctive, anti-literary writing style. Others will consider it irrefutable evidence that Laymon is a hack novelist whose mind never advanced beyond adolescence.
Probably they're right.
October 25, 2021
2.5⭐️ closer to 3
October 26, 2011
It was not a good book. I have been in the mood for horror novels since it is Halloween time. This one started out intriguing and then proceeded to get increasingly stupid, ridiculous, and disappointing. I kept reading because it was at least somewhat entertaining, and I decided to finish it because it was a really quick read. The plot is completely unbelievable (supernatural elements aside), largely because the main characters do not react to things like normal human beings would. The plot is not creative, and there are loose ends that aren't resolved in any way. I would not recommend this book. For any reason. Unless you are trapped in a room and the only way that you are allowed to leave is by reading this book. Or some such scenario like that.
November 18, 2016
3-3.5 stars. Review to come.
October 23, 2014
Once Upon A Halloween follows a Halloween night where cultists kidnap trick-or-treaters for a midnight sacrifice dragging in a bunch of other people into a descent of utter ridiculousness. The characters are thin, and if there are any main characters considering it jumps from various viewpoints, then I guess Laura and Shannon are two twenty-somethings living in a haunted house. While they get ready for a Halloween party, a teenage boy, Hunter claims he's being chased by some cultists. After a bunch of senseless violence and nudity, Laura, Shannon, their dates, and kids led by a father, Jeff get pulled into the mess.
I admit I found this book entertaining for a Halloween read, but there wasn't much substance. It got to a point I didn't care much for the characters and they didn't seem as distinct from one another. At points they did have some desires and possible subplots which could take shape, but they were an afterthought (like the ghost in Laura and Shannon's house). Also, I have trouble believing an eight year old boy could gun down a cult. The ending doesn't resolve much and seems to end abruptly. But at that point, I didn't care. For a quick, turn-your-brain-off Halloween read, this was okay.
I admit I found this book entertaining for a Halloween read, but there wasn't much substance. It got to a point I didn't care much for the characters and they didn't seem as distinct from one another. At points they did have some desires and possible subplots which could take shape, but they were an afterthought (like the ghost in Laura and Shannon's house). Also, I have trouble believing an eight year old boy could gun down a cult. The ending doesn't resolve much and seems to end abruptly. But at that point, I didn't care. For a quick, turn-your-brain-off Halloween read, this was okay.
September 30, 2021
This was a definite miss. I am not sure when I last read a book with so little to offer. Flimsy plot, shallow characters, etc. The plot is unbelievable. I like my books (even supernatural ones) to have some degree of plausibility. No one thinks or responds to harrowing situations like the characters in this do. I am not sure what is supposed to be going on here. We start with a haunted house. Never really explained. Nothing is explained about the fate of the boyfriends. Why did they end up as they did? What was supposed to be the ritual? Again...never explained. And then the cliff-hanger ending! What a load of BS!!!!
There is some nudity and violence but not the over the top variety I have come to expect from Laymon. It is almost like he tried to tone it down for the audience and this disrupted his ability to think clearly!
I will read more Laymon but I am going to take a break from him for a bit.
There is some nudity and violence but not the over the top variety I have come to expect from Laymon. It is almost like he tried to tone it down for the audience and this disrupted his ability to think clearly!
I will read more Laymon but I am going to take a break from him for a bit.
August 23, 2010
I read this book from start to finish while I was supposed to be working. It feels like a large chunk of the story was incomplete, like perhaps some characters were introduced in an earlier book so the back story is missing entirely. Although having double checked this is in fact not a follow up. If I'm wrong please let me know, I'd love to read anything that would make this book a more complete experience. That complaint aside I enjoyed this thoroughly, I like the way Laymon writes, his characters are often quite thin and according to some unrealistic, but to me they just feel right. This story feels like a movie I've always wanted to see, it has gratuitous sex and violence, children undergoing what I would call a very adult adventure. The fact that the story takes place on Halloween in a small town was enough to make me pick it up.
June 5, 2014
Halloween. A large house on a dead end street, near a graveyard. Trick or Treaters. Albeit a cliché, but it’s still a great set up for an exciting read! Right from the start, where a panicked teenage boy forces his way into the house saying “Let me in! They’re gonna get me!” you know you’re in for a real treat! This is one of my favorite Laymon books. It might not be his best work, but the creepy atmosphere Laymon’s created makes you want to keep turning pages to its thrilling conclusion. Definitely a guilty pleasure.
October 9, 2015
This storyline felt a bit off for me. It seemed to be all over the place and sometimes I had trouble remembering who someone was in a scene. But Richard Laymon is a horror god for me and I really can't rate his story below a 4. It was a nice October read in preparation for Halloween.
October 22, 2023
A crazy, Satanic blast!
January 1, 2023
Richard Laymon is an author I really admire but as you can tell from the one star this is one of his lesser works, his work is usually terrific (a little problematic sure) but well written with a simplistic hand. The Cellar was a terrible book but with a lot of potentials and some effective creepy imagery sprinkled throughout the narrative, but Beware was an unforgivable piece of trash that whilst it had a story and a consistent narrative was just a colossal mess. I got given this book for Christmas, which I was so happy about and with it being signed by Laymon I'm happier still, besides it's always nice to own a book that isn't easy to get a hold of and has never been reprinted.
When a young man barges into Shannon and Laura's household to hide away from a group of naked Satanists, it seems something very odd is going on this Halloween. Trick-or-treaters are going missing, their house may very well be haunted and something disturbing is happening at the graveyard. Who will save the day and will they escape from the nightmare that's come to whisk them away to heaven this Halloween?
Once Upon a Halloween is about a group of Satanists kidnapping children to sacrifice at midnight and why, well because they want to have an orgy as explained at the end of the book at a graveyard... So Laymon you're telling me a group of Satanists disturb a whole district of a town, kidnapping children so they can get their sick kicks from killing them, whilst having it one with another and possibly raping those who are unfortunate to come by them... Right, that has to be the most phoned-in idea I've ever heard, and considering this was only written for a special limited release, I am certain that's what it was.
It's a colossal mess of a story that has way too many characters, no consistency in tone, no threat or tension, and a story that's lacking in atmosphere and heart. It's a soulless piece of fiction that starts out decently with the first couple of chapters being pretty solid for what they are but as soon as two adult women start fantasizing about a teenager seeing them naked for reasons not explained, yikes...
I will give this novel one positive though, especially since I do believe in the narrowest of senses every book has at least something of value. One of the trick-treaters is the character of Bret an 8-year-old, a very headstrong individual with plenty of humor and courage in spades. He get's pushed about and told what to do a lot by his father and sister, mostly for his safety, but when it all comes down to him having to save the day, his bravery and courage were really admirable and he honestly became a bit of a badass. A pretty good character who helped me read through this novel, just a shame he had to be in a story this soulless, however.
Overall: This novel undoubtedly feels like a first draft, with no sense of an editor having looked over it considering the typos and grammar errors, the story has in abundance. It honestly feels to me like this had been commissioned by Cemetery Dance as a quick paycheque, which is a shame considering I quite admire the company and the people who work there, but Richard Laymon whilst a writer of his time is a great author and to see him produce something as shallow as this is heartbreaking, to say the least.
I'm happy to have this book all the same however since it's a beautiful novelty item to have in the collection, and having his signature on top of that as well honestly means a lot to me as a reader. 1/10
When a young man barges into Shannon and Laura's household to hide away from a group of naked Satanists, it seems something very odd is going on this Halloween. Trick-or-treaters are going missing, their house may very well be haunted and something disturbing is happening at the graveyard. Who will save the day and will they escape from the nightmare that's come to whisk them away to heaven this Halloween?
Once Upon a Halloween is about a group of Satanists kidnapping children to sacrifice at midnight and why, well because they want to have an orgy as explained at the end of the book at a graveyard... So Laymon you're telling me a group of Satanists disturb a whole district of a town, kidnapping children so they can get their sick kicks from killing them, whilst having it one with another and possibly raping those who are unfortunate to come by them... Right, that has to be the most phoned-in idea I've ever heard, and considering this was only written for a special limited release, I am certain that's what it was.
It's a colossal mess of a story that has way too many characters, no consistency in tone, no threat or tension, and a story that's lacking in atmosphere and heart. It's a soulless piece of fiction that starts out decently with the first couple of chapters being pretty solid for what they are but as soon as two adult women start fantasizing about a teenager seeing them naked for reasons not explained, yikes...
I will give this novel one positive though, especially since I do believe in the narrowest of senses every book has at least something of value. One of the trick-treaters is the character of Bret an 8-year-old, a very headstrong individual with plenty of humor and courage in spades. He get's pushed about and told what to do a lot by his father and sister, mostly for his safety, but when it all comes down to him having to save the day, his bravery and courage were really admirable and he honestly became a bit of a badass. A pretty good character who helped me read through this novel, just a shame he had to be in a story this soulless, however.
Overall: This novel undoubtedly feels like a first draft, with no sense of an editor having looked over it considering the typos and grammar errors, the story has in abundance. It honestly feels to me like this had been commissioned by Cemetery Dance as a quick paycheque, which is a shame considering I quite admire the company and the people who work there, but Richard Laymon whilst a writer of his time is a great author and to see him produce something as shallow as this is heartbreaking, to say the least.
I'm happy to have this book all the same however since it's a beautiful novelty item to have in the collection, and having his signature on top of that as well honestly means a lot to me as a reader. 1/10
October 10, 2022
Since it is the season of spooky, I looked up Halloween books and found this, going into it I enjoyed the first couple of chapters, and I enjoy cult stories; I was into it. The overall plot is good, it feels like a good 80's 90's movie plot, but in a nutshell there is a couple of things wrong with this book, seeing as there is a lot of padding and not conductive to the plot, what shouldn't be there since seeing as there is no sequel to this book there is a lot of things to this book that was left out and what should have been more explored. Most of the characters are one dimensional, left up to the readers minds how they came to be and for this one-off book that's just fine.
I liked this book as it's a good meat-and-potatoes book, hold the potatoes. A good Halloween story with good action, horror, suspense and some mystery to boot. While the ending climax and the wrap up have a nice way of following through, but not telling to much after is okay for me, but for me to re-read the book would have to be drafted again.
I liked this book as it's a good meat-and-potatoes book, hold the potatoes. A good Halloween story with good action, horror, suspense and some mystery to boot. While the ending climax and the wrap up have a nice way of following through, but not telling to much after is okay for me, but for me to re-read the book would have to be drafted again.
April 28, 2024
Loving Laymon at themoment, and this one is a belter. A great story and I love the Halloween setting.
Sure the whole plot is crazy, but thats nothing new for a Layon book. But its super fun.
This felt like a part way between a YA and an Adult read, which is different from his normal stuff. It was full of random nakedness, but the 'horror' was a little subdued. Sure there was a couple of kills, but nothing crazy.
I found the 'ghost' bit a bit strange in this one, but I guess it was a Halloween story, so Laymon was having a little fun with the supernatural, as well as the nasty human characters.
I was disapointed tha the story ended so abruptly, as he had built up th etension nicely right into that final act, and then... the end.
But for me, this is one of Richrad Laymon's best books Ive read to date. Loved it. 5 stars!
Sure the whole plot is crazy, but thats nothing new for a Layon book. But its super fun.
This felt like a part way between a YA and an Adult read, which is different from his normal stuff. It was full of random nakedness, but the 'horror' was a little subdued. Sure there was a couple of kills, but nothing crazy.
I found the 'ghost' bit a bit strange in this one, but I guess it was a Halloween story, so Laymon was having a little fun with the supernatural, as well as the nasty human characters.
I was disapointed tha the story ended so abruptly, as he had built up th etension nicely right into that final act, and then... the end.
But for me, this is one of Richrad Laymon's best books Ive read to date. Loved it. 5 stars!
October 19, 2018
I'm a big fan of Richard Laymon. Two of my favorite titles include "The Traveling Vampire Show" and "Night in the Lonesome October." I find his writing style to be direct and straightforward. He doesn't try to be clever or witty with his writing style, which often leaves the reader confused or irritated. Instead, Laymon just tells his story. Unfortunately, this one wasn't memorable. In fact, it was hopelessly forgettable. I won't delve into the actual story flaws, but the story arc was implausible, bordering on idiotic.
If you're looking for a decent Halloween themed fiction story, I suggest looking elsewhere.
Happy hunting...
If you're looking for a decent Halloween themed fiction story, I suggest looking elsewhere.
Happy hunting...
October 13, 2020
Laymon seems to specialize in groups of cultists or mutants terrorizing normal folks, and this one is no exception, although it's a little less intense or scary than a lot of his other stuff. It's got costumes and trick or treaters and is SET on Halloween, but doesn't really cultivate a lot of atmosphere, and you could make a drinking game out of whenever he uses the word 'buttock' or 'buttocks'. Well, sadly, Once Upon a Halloween is near the 'buttocks' of his bibliography.
Halloween Read 12/13 for 2020.
Halloween Read 12/13 for 2020.
September 21, 2018
So this was a short one. Forty four chapters and all. A good read if you looking for a short story. A bit predictable here and there but good in a sense. As always some nudity involved and what is up with all the women in Laymon's books having short blond here? Is that what he always fantasised about? Anyway the last chapter was like the first chapter in a book throwing you off course and learning the characters. Maybe this book had a early dead line. But a great book and will recommend it.
October 25, 2019
Ooookkkkkaaaayyyy..... This was not what I was expecting. It's campy and brutal at best. Reminds me of those B-rated slasher films. I picked this up mainly because of the Halloween theme, but excited to see that it was by an author I've been wanting to check out. I have a feeling this is not his usual style of writing, so I'm willing to let this one slide. Easy and quick to read, but not the type of horror I was looking for. Not scary, but I could see its entertainment value.
October 8, 2023
Whilst this was a quick, easy fix for when I couldn't sleep, it was a little too disjointed for me, which was a disappointment.
The plot had promise, but sadly the lack of consistent storyline, an exaggerated cast and a fair amount of nudity ruined it for me.
It is adequately entertaining if you can turn a blind eye to everything else. I did find the ending to be satisfactory, although still found it to be rather far fetched.
The plot had promise, but sadly the lack of consistent storyline, an exaggerated cast and a fair amount of nudity ruined it for me.
It is adequately entertaining if you can turn a blind eye to everything else. I did find the ending to be satisfactory, although still found it to be rather far fetched.
November 16, 2025
Pretty fun read for the week of Halloween. At some points in my lifetime (Satanic panic and various other conservative hoaxes like Operation Underground Railroad) ignorant people believed that groups of Satanists were kidnapping kids and performing sacrifices in cemeteries at midnight, which is the premise of this book. Add in a murderous ghost and a few kids trained on video game violence and it makes for an insane story.
October 25, 2023
Manages to both be bloated and too short, introducing a lot of ideas and failing to pay any of them off very well. There's still a good deal of sex and violence and generally inappropriate material, but this is definitely a "Laymon fanatics only" sort of book.
November 4, 2024
Great spooky read for the Halloween season.
This book was so much fun and seemed a lot more “grounded” compared to the other books I’ve read of his. My only complaint is that it left me with so many questions that went unanswered.
Overall a fun read if you’re a fan of Laymon’s work.
This book was so much fun and seemed a lot more “grounded” compared to the other books I’ve read of his. My only complaint is that it left me with so many questions that went unanswered.
Overall a fun read if you’re a fan of Laymon’s work.
October 12, 2025
I now know why this book only had one printing and only 2,000 copies made. Too many characters. Too many subplots. Zero payoff.
Richard Laymon has always been my favorite author. I’m starting to rethink that.
I feel dumber for having read it.
Richard Laymon has always been my favorite author. I’m starting to rethink that.
I feel dumber for having read it.
October 10, 2018
It was different, kept your interest but kind of ended dumb. Will read this author again.
October 1, 2019
Definitely not the best Laymon book ever. Wasn't bad but simply okay
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