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Endless Night
by
Jody is pretty tough for a sixteen-year-old girl. That's the only reason she's still alive - for now. She was sleeping over at her friend Evelyn's house when a group of killers broke in and tried to slaughter everyone. She saw Evelyn spitted on a spear, but Jody managed to escape, along with Evelyn's little brother, Andy. — Simon was one of the killers that gruesome night.
...more
Kindle Edition, 484 pages
Published
August 1st 2009
by 47North
(first published September 9th 1993)
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Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Well, this was one hell of a twisted story of survival horror, that is filled to the brim with blood, guts and gore. This is my second Laymon novel, so I knew what to expect...sort of.
Sixteen year old, Jody Fargo, is having a 'sleep-over' at her best friends' house - when her friend Evelyn wakes her up; as she believes she's heard a noise downstairs, which sounds like breaking glass. Initially, Jody dismisses that her friend has heard anything - and tries to go back to sleep; and would have if ...more
Sixteen year old, Jody Fargo, is having a 'sleep-over' at her best friends' house - when her friend Evelyn wakes her up; as she believes she's heard a noise downstairs, which sounds like breaking glass. Initially, Jody dismisses that her friend has heard anything - and tries to go back to sleep; and would have if ...more

Endless Night started off with a bang and I was instantly hooked. Though I do think I need the Lord’s guidance after finishing it.
Jody was sleeping over at her friend Evelyn’s house when Evelyn heard a crashing sound. Not being able to get it off her mind, they both decided to check the noise out. As soon as she opened the door, Evelyn was speared. Her body leapt straight up and dangled from her doorway. Jody stood frozen behind Evelyn’s limp body, hidden from the killer. She knew she needed to ...more
Jody was sleeping over at her friend Evelyn’s house when Evelyn heard a crashing sound. Not being able to get it off her mind, they both decided to check the noise out. As soon as she opened the door, Evelyn was speared. Her body leapt straight up and dangled from her doorway. Jody stood frozen behind Evelyn’s limp body, hidden from the killer. She knew she needed to ...more

Mar 29, 2010
Bark
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
horror,
hardcore-horror
Laymon novels are a guilty pleasure for me. They are disgusting and you pretty much have to throw your brains out the window in order to get through them but I have to honestly say they are very much page-turners. If you enjoy senseless murder and mayhem, that is.
This one starts out with a sixteen year old girl named Jody sleeping over a friend's house. Innocent enough stuff, until a murderous group of madmen target the home for their next killing spree. Jody survives and manages to escape the h ...more
This one starts out with a sixteen year old girl named Jody sleeping over a friend's house. Innocent enough stuff, until a murderous group of madmen target the home for their next killing spree. Jody survives and manages to escape the h ...more

For every Laymon book I find to be perversely delightful, I find another that misses the mark.
Endless Night kicks off with a way-over-the-top opening full of bloody action, but soon after wades into a flabby midsection morass featuring the endless inane family melodrama of individuals who by all rights should be too traumatized to speak.
Jody's friend and her friend's family has been brutally murdered and raped (in that order) in front of her by a pack of crazed maniacs, after which a man dressed ...more
Endless Night kicks off with a way-over-the-top opening full of bloody action, but soon after wades into a flabby midsection morass featuring the endless inane family melodrama of individuals who by all rights should be too traumatized to speak.
Jody's friend and her friend's family has been brutally murdered and raped (in that order) in front of her by a pack of crazed maniacs, after which a man dressed ...more

This is absolutely the most gruesome, sick, twisted book that I have ever read! It is about a sixteen-year-old girl named Jody who nearly gets slaughtered by a group of killers, the Krulls, while sleeping over at her friend Evelyn's house. Jody manages to escape along with Evelyn's little brother, Andy, while Simon, one of the Krull members, is left behind. Simon's job is to finish off the witnesses or else his girlfriend and his family will be next. Simon becomes obsessed with Jody and can't wa
...more

Dec 13, 2018
Rachel (TheShadesofOrange)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
horror
4.0 Stars
This was one of the most disturbing, terrifying horror novels I have ever read. This one is not for the faint of heart The initial chapters were particularly memorable, launching the reader immediately into the horrifying action. Given the premise, readers must go into this story expecting all the terrible things that could transpire in a home invasion situation. Trigger warnings for extreme, gruesome violence and sexual assault. This novel will not be for everyone. The writing was not ...more
This was one of the most disturbing, terrifying horror novels I have ever read. This one is not for the faint of heart The initial chapters were particularly memorable, launching the reader immediately into the horrifying action. Given the premise, readers must go into this story expecting all the terrible things that could transpire in a home invasion situation. Trigger warnings for extreme, gruesome violence and sexual assault. This novel will not be for everyone. The writing was not ...more

I have read over a dozen of Laymon novels and yes by the way I am a fan, when you crave the kind of story that only he writes so well nothing else can satisfy. At least that's how I see it, take a bunch of sympathetic level headed kids, a crazed killer on their tail ( with a very flamboyant but totally cold soul) and you have some page gripping moments, you'd want to read this over the weekend if you have some time to put into this, it's an entertaining ride and it's well embellished for those w
...more

3.5 - 3.75 stars.
I wasn't expecting THAT much from this, so I can't really say that I was disappointed.
The first thing that comes to my mind when I think about this book is gross. Laymon's writing brought everything that happened in this book to life, and sometimes I had to put the book down because I needed a break from time to time.
This book is told in two points of views, Jody and Simon. This is an interesting contrast because Jody is a seemingly squeaky clean 16 year old girl, and Simon i ...more
I wasn't expecting THAT much from this, so I can't really say that I was disappointed.
The first thing that comes to my mind when I think about this book is gross. Laymon's writing brought everything that happened in this book to life, and sometimes I had to put the book down because I needed a break from time to time.
This book is told in two points of views, Jody and Simon. This is an interesting contrast because Jody is a seemingly squeaky clean 16 year old girl, and Simon i ...more

Ich muss dieses Buch tatsächlich 5 Sterne geben! Was war das bitte für eine krasse Achterbahnfahrt.. eine kranke Szene nach der anderen, trotzdem gespickt mit Humor. Sowas kann aus meiner Sicht nur Laymon so gnadenlos und glaubwürdig rüberbringen. (P.s bitte niemals beim- oder direkt nach dem Essen dieses Buch lesen... hätte ich vorher auch gerne gewusst... Puhh mein Magen...)

Oct 24, 2017
Susan Crowe
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
have-on-kindle
I just couldn't finish this. I'm usually not a huge stickler for typos in kindle versions but this is unreal.
The violence in this book just became more than I could handle. I'm usually pretty tough, but the girl wearing the bra made from murdered baby's faces became too much.
The violence in this book just became more than I could handle. I'm usually pretty tough, but the girl wearing the bra made from murdered baby's faces became too much.

I have to say I was disappointed reading "Body Rides" with Laymon. I mean, I had heard he was the greatest thing this side of horror, but just wasn’t feeling it. After reading "Endless Nights," however, I just might jump on the Laymon happy go lucky bandwagon after all!
The book starts off with horror and ends with even worse horror. From the very first few pages, tension is high enough to induce a nervous breakdown in the reader.
Laymon whips up a dessert full of dark atmosphere, rich characters, ...more
The book starts off with horror and ends with even worse horror. From the very first few pages, tension is high enough to induce a nervous breakdown in the reader.
Laymon whips up a dessert full of dark atmosphere, rich characters, ...more

Nov 27, 2012
Sammy Loves Books
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Sammy by:
It's just me Shelly B
Shelves:
horror,
violence-torture-gore
I was warned before reading this book that Richard Laymon wrote graphic horror. My curiosity got the best of me. Granted I don't read much horror. This was gruesome. The villain was actually as sick as they come. If you want to be afraid to go to sleep at night, I highly recommend this book. This one will keep you awake at night and have you checking and rechecking the locks on the windows and doors. Yikes!

This was one of the better Laymon books I have read lately. I was happy to find that Laymon went all out as he usually does, but there was a story to go along with it. The last couple of his I read were disappointing. Endless Night features one of the most vile, perverted and absolutely evil antagonists I can remember reading in quite some time.
The good guys were pretty likeable with the exception of Andy. I just wasn't too keen on his character, and some of the situations involving him seemed r ...more
The good guys were pretty likeable with the exception of Andy. I just wasn't too keen on his character, and some of the situations involving him seemed r ...more

Apr 06, 2014
Stuart Keane
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
must-read-horror
I discovered Richard Laymon at a very young age. Once hooked, I grabbed any novel I could get my horror-seeking little hands on. I've read all but two of Laymon's works but this is the one that will always resonate with me. To this day, this still stands at #2 on my Favourite Laymon list.
Laymon really pulls out the stops in this book. At times, it feels like a Hollywood blockbuster and a gritty independent project combined. Every scene is easily imaginable due to Laymon's tempered pace, vivid im ...more
Laymon really pulls out the stops in this book. At times, it feels like a Hollywood blockbuster and a gritty independent project combined. Every scene is easily imaginable due to Laymon's tempered pace, vivid im ...more

Dec 21, 2008
Unapologetic_Bookaholic
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
cult killing, graphic horror fans
Recommended to Unapologetic_Bookaholic by:
author Brian Keene
Shelves:
recommended-by-an-author
Jody is at a sleepover when something wakes her up. Going to investigate starts the ENDLESS NIGHT. The great thing about this Richard Laymon novel is it was smart. The violence was necessary to the killer's motivation and the victim's demise. Sometimes in horror where the violence is senseless it just irritates me.
Simon Quist is the murderer and you are told this early and let known his background and understand why he is the way he is. Wouldn't it be nice to know, that while still twisted and ...more
Simon Quist is the murderer and you are told this early and let known his background and understand why he is the way he is. Wouldn't it be nice to know, that while still twisted and ...more

I'll admit that part 1 had my full attention. The disgust became too much to ignore after the escape. All was downhill once Simon's POV came into play.
This is a sick read. Foul. I never hated any book so much since I read James Patterson's vomit-inducing Swimsuit. I have yet to read another Patterson novel since, and I won't even look once at another Laymon book.
I was quite turned off by all the graphic rape talk and the way he wrote sexually about Andy. Andy was 12 years old for gripe's sake. T ...more
This is a sick read. Foul. I never hated any book so much since I read James Patterson's vomit-inducing Swimsuit. I have yet to read another Patterson novel since, and I won't even look once at another Laymon book.
I was quite turned off by all the graphic rape talk and the way he wrote sexually about Andy. Andy was 12 years old for gripe's sake. T ...more

Si parte alla grande, facendo sperare in un ottimo Thriller. Prime pagine da leggere tutte con il fiato sospeso... poi la storia si divide in due... da una parte viene quasi narrato, (dico quasi), il bel Thriller che avevo assaggiato inizialmente, a parte qualche piccola assurdità perdonabile; dall' altra parte si legge un libro che narra quasi esclusivamente di amori e scompigli ormonali adolescenziali, con tanto di assurdità questa volta poco perdonabili. Visto come è iniziato non mi sarei mai
...more

This laymon book was definitely my least favorite story wise. The beginning was awesome and grabbed me right a way, but then it got into details about truly what this book was about and I guess I didn't really care for it. Definitely one of the most descriptive laymon books out there but, thankfully, I've encountered worse. I'll still give a 4 star rating because I really did enjoy the parts with Jody and her misdirected little step brother, at least that's how I pictured him. Simon, excuse me,
...more

Warning: For all of you who are weak of heart, loose of mind or those that hold a moral stance equal to or greater than Tammy Faye Baker - need turn away! For the love of all that’s innocent and pure, turn away!
Now, for all you morally lacking readers out there who thrive on violence, gore and degradation of the lowest kind or just aren’t the sharpest pencil in the box, I have one word for you – Sweet! With no holds barred, Laymon gives us a tale so chilling and boundless that you begin to wand ...more
Now, for all you morally lacking readers out there who thrive on violence, gore and degradation of the lowest kind or just aren’t the sharpest pencil in the box, I have one word for you – Sweet! With no holds barred, Laymon gives us a tale so chilling and boundless that you begin to wand ...more

Mar 20, 2014
Andrew
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
spine-tinglers-spooktales
...this here's my friend, Richard. He's kinda shy. Won't come in for a soda, or tea or anything like that. Just sort of run into him when I take my trash outside. He's sometimes just standing there, and he'll turn to me, almost as if he's been talking to somebody else and just stops mid sentence. But I never see no one. My wife's a little spooked by him. She says she's glad he won't come in. Might scare the babies. Or the dogs. Well, he ain't a bad guy in my humble opinion. Says he works third s
...more

Dick Laymon comes through again with the cheap thrills. This time it's kind of a family vacay meets psycho bloopers blend of shock shtick. I think this one is one of his best, although I've only read about 7 or 8 of his books.
I won't run over the plot with you too much but I will say that this book has a split personality and I really enjoyed that aspect. It is told in third person when concerning our damsel in distress, but when the perspective switches over to the big baddie, it is told in fir ...more
I won't run over the plot with you too much but I will say that this book has a split personality and I really enjoyed that aspect. It is told in third person when concerning our damsel in distress, but when the perspective switches over to the big baddie, it is told in fir ...more

Apr 19, 2009
kas
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
violent-sex horror enthusiasts
If you like violent-sex horror, you will love this.
The book was a quick read that really kept me on the edge of my seat. I am not a quick reader (verrrry slow) and read this pretty quickly.
Overview:
Basically it is told from two points of view from one of the survivors and one of the killers.
Jody, a young girl staying at a friends house, wakes up to her friends concern of someone in the house and quickly sees her friend killed. She and the friends brother survive and are soon chased by the kill ...more
The book was a quick read that really kept me on the edge of my seat. I am not a quick reader (verrrry slow) and read this pretty quickly.
Overview:
Basically it is told from two points of view from one of the survivors and one of the killers.
Jody, a young girl staying at a friends house, wakes up to her friends concern of someone in the house and quickly sees her friend killed. She and the friends brother survive and are soon chased by the kill ...more

I like Richard Laymon. He’s a quick read which means that I can get the sense of accomplishment from reading a book and not feeling like a slug. I was trying to read The Alienist by Caleb Carr before reading this book and was having a hard time getting into it. Back to Endless Night, basic plot, girl, Jody is staying over a friends house when a bunch of crazies break in and kill almost everyone except her and her friends little brother. They escape and one of the crazies, Simon follows them. The
...more

Oct 29, 2013
Angie
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
horror and thriller
Recommended to Angie by:
the q&a with the light brothers book club
Shelves:
richard-laymon
This was a roller coaster of a book from the moment Jodi is woken up in the middle of the night while at her friends house. A gang of men had broken in and in what seemed the blink of an eye, Evelyn, and her mum and dad had been murdered.Jodi escapes with Andy, her friends 12 year old brother.
Simon is the murderer we follow as his friends leave him behind as he didn't catch the two kids. This does not stop him killing and raping , far from it, he narrates is tale ion some tapes.
The book is very ...more
Simon is the murderer we follow as his friends leave him behind as he didn't catch the two kids. This does not stop him killing and raping , far from it, he narrates is tale ion some tapes.
The book is very ...more

Oct 29, 2013
Angie
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
horror fans
Recommended to Angie by:
no one
Shelves:
richard-laymon
From the moment when Jody was woken up when she was staying over at her friends house to the last page, it was all blood ,guts, chases and Simon.
The book is about a gang of guys that rape and murder there way through as many people as possible, and have been doing so since they were teens. You get a brief history of their activities from Simon, the guy they left behind when he didn't catch Jody and her friends brother Andy.
Didn't stop him killing and scheming to get a- Jodi and b- even against ...more
The book is about a gang of guys that rape and murder there way through as many people as possible, and have been doing so since they were teens. You get a brief history of their activities from Simon, the guy they left behind when he didn't catch Jody and her friends brother Andy.
Didn't stop him killing and scheming to get a- Jodi and b- even against ...more

Endless Night is one of the best of Laymon's work, being especially mercyless and thrilling and also quite experimental in the way the story is narrated. Albeit, the most charming aspect is maybe the metafictional one, since the gang of killers in Endless Night calls themselves the Krulls, a name which they got from a horror novel not mentioned by title, but being nothing else than Laymon's masterpiece The Woods Are Dark.

I liked the way this book switched perspectives. Just when I thought I couldn't read another twisted word from the killer's first-person perspective, SWITCH. Just in time.
The book was entertaining, riveting, but the last chapter was very depressing and reached even darker depths of the male id. [shudder:]
The book was entertaining, riveting, but the last chapter was very depressing and reached even darker depths of the male id. [shudder:]
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Horror Aficionados : Endless Night by Richard Laymon | 89 | 82 | Dec 13, 2013 02:22PM |
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, ...more
He also published more than sixty short stories in magazines such as Ellery Queen, ...more
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“Just call me the Boswell of the Krull Gang.”
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“Her skin seemed to bum with countless harts.”
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