The Richard Laymon Collection, Volume 18: The Glory Bus / Friday Night in the Beast House

Richard Laymon Collection #18

by Richard Laymon

The glory bus: One moment Pamela is a contented newlywed. The next, she's the prisoner of a repulsive killer who has listed after her since high school.

Genres: Horror

Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Richard 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

Reviews

[mae :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When reading the descriptions, I first thought of a scenario like in the film The Hills Have Eyes.
Not even close! In the basics, parallels can certainly be seen, but the cannibals at Laymon come across really nice.
Otherwise, the book offers the usual Laymon fare with everything that goes with it.
Although one has to say positively that (especially the female) characters are not as exaggerated fighters as in his other books. Scenes where the women are raped and humiliated by bloodthirsty killers and two pages later devotedly and lustfully to the supposed hero are not to be found here. And that's good! In addition, the protagonists have a little more depth than in some of his other books.
As I said: That's good! We love Characters with depth!! :)

Of course, it's full of sex. however, the bloody and dead scenes are not neglected.

For Laymon fans anyway, but also a recommendation for Laymon newcomers.

[Savannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Glory Bus lacked the spunk of Laymon's other work. As always the story was original and full of plenty of twists and turns that kept me turning pages, but I didn't find myself keen to pick this book up. It didn't grip me as other Laymon books have. The characters were all quite annoying and unlikeable, so I found I wasn't really rooting for anyone.
Friday Night In The Beasthouse was quite disappointing. While the start was promising it seemed as though the last three quarters of the story was incredibly rushed, with the conclusion leaving much to be desired. I'm a huge Laymon fan but these two stories left me a bit cold.

[Selene · Rating 2 out of 5]

This actually started really well, with his plans to gain entry to the house and find a hiding place. But with so many books the end completely spoilt the story. Utter c..p!

[Alexandria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. I was becoming agitated when it seemed as it would never end, but the ending was indeed worth the wait! Turned out to be a complete surprise to me!