February 2015 Group Read: In The Dark by Richard Laymon

[Kirstin]

This book is so twisted and a blast to read. Yes, it's cheesy and over the top but it's most definitely horror.

[Andy]

Addy wrote: "If ppl are dissatisfied with the pick, no one is forcing you to read it. There's always Ghost Story."

I wish I could 'like' this comment like on Facebook. Can't wait to start this book.

[Justin]

Shaun wrote: "Chiara wrote: "Shaun wrote: "In at 11% so far, and I'm not buying it. This is the perfect example of making characters jump through plot hoops just because it's what you need them to do and not bec..."

Richard laymon is horror, if it isn't hardcore enough for you stop reading it.

[Addy]

Thank you Andy:) Cant wait for you to join us!

[Justin]

That said, it is definitely not my favorite laymon but who knows it could get better.

[Andy]

Alright. I'm starting tonight.

[Anthony]

I'm at the shower scene, and so far Jane seems inconsistent in her behvaior. Debates aside about whether or not this is horror, I'm having a hard time relating to the main character. I'll chug along for now.

[Adam]

I don't think her behavior is quite inconsistent if you look at her from a 50 Shades of Grey kind of perspective. She's a standin for 'stereotypical anxiety ridden sub'. She only grows through other characters orders.

It is totally horror, but I think the true horror is the main character, not the surrounding plot. Hah.

[Lysa]

First group read here!

Is no one bothered by the size of this woman's shirt pockets?? lol

Finished just now... A little cheesy, but fun!

[♣ Spacey♣]

So I started this tonight and within a page or two I had this odd sense of deja vu.
I have so read this before but I don't remember what happens (it's all just familiar as I read) and I have no idea when I read it. Do I own a paperback copy? Did I borrow it from Kindle Lending Library years ago? It's driving me a little nuts that I can't figure out when I read this. LOL!

[Kathy]

Just started chapter 20.
I get that she really "shouldn't" be doing this, however I understand that the money factor is what is driving her and her curiosity to know who MOG is.
She should have been more cautious, IMO, of Brace. He's been guessing a little too easy and "just happened" to be there after envelope #1. I find him a little creepy myself and feel like he has something to do with it, if not the MOG. I could be wrong.
No matter how cheesy, or how stupid her decisions, I have to keep turning the pages to see what's next.

[Ms. Nikki]

Nice discussions going on here~

[Anthony]

Kathy - I can see there being some intrigue, but the money as motivation seems thin to me. She doesn't really come off as needing the cash.

(view spoiler)[
As for Brace, methinks he may be part of a team with MOG. :)
(hide spoiler)]

[Kate]

Addy wrote: "Couldn't agree more Jeremy. Richard Laymon is horror."

Most definitely. I can't remember this one too well but I enjoyed everything that Laymon wrote, IMO he's one of horror's greats.

[Dave]

Laymon is not for those who enjoy long winded, slow burn, literary challenging novels. He wrote stories and he entertains with those stories. Personally I don't want to be challenged by wordy, dictionary grabbing works of art that force me to imagine things that may or may not be there - I want to be entertained when I read. In that light Richard Laymon scores all of the aces with me.

[Chiara]

80%
I still think Jane is not behaving like a normal person (I would have gone home by page 5!), but that doesn't mean the book is bad.
On the contrary, I am totally creeped out, which means it's doing the job quite well! I don't even know why people are debating about it being horror or not.

[Andy]

Lysa wrote: "First group read here!

Is no one bothered by the size of this woman's shirt pockets?? lol

Finished just now... A little cheesy, but fun!"


It WAS the early 90s. At least she wasn't wearing Fresh Prince of Bel Air tri-colored overalls

[Anthony]

40%

I have to agree with Shaun and John on this one. I'm still not very impressed with this book.

Suspense, terror, horror, creepiness - I'm not feeling any of those. It all just seems wooden and without depth.

*dodges pitchforks*

[Kasia]

Shaun wrote: "Granted, it IS February, but this is also a horror group. Starting to think we should be a bit more selective in the books we pick for our group reads. Like maybe horror?
"

Well next time feel free to suggest a read and then vote for it.

[Kasia]

Lysa wrote: "First group read here!

Is no one bothered by the size of this woman's shirt pockets?? lol

Finished just now... A little cheesy, but fun!"

Yeah haha, the longest pockets in the world. That whole book screams 90's to me, it's cheesy and odd but I cant put it down when I have time to read.. last night i was on the subway and of course there was a smelly homeless guy spread out on 5 seats, he smelled like the two homeless bums in the book probably smell at the part I read ( 24% in), it was funny reading that part while being so 3D into that scenario lol.

[Kathy]

Anthony wrote: "Kathy - I can see there being some intrigue, but the money as motivation seems thin to me. She doesn't really come off as needing the cash.


As for Brace, methinks he may be part of a team with MO..."
Anthony - I don't think she needs the cash. It's more or less her reasoning to continue the game, especially as the amounts continue to double. More than once she talks herself into continuing eluding to the monetary amounts.
We are eye to eye concerning the spoiler :)

[Kathy]

Just finished. So not the ending I expected but an enjoyable read after all.

[Ms. Nikki]

I got a complaint of folks not being courteous. I'm not pointing fingers. Agreeing to disagree is the adult thing to do. Everyone has a right to their opinion and I'm hoping you all can be civil.

Read On~

[Gary]

I've just started (5%) and am enjoying it so far. Although I am a little surprised at the risks Jane takes I don't see it as implausible.

[Pixelina]

Do I think this is a GREAT read? No, but it is still kinda fun, in a cheesy way, and it is a really easy read, written to entertain for the moment, nothing wrong with that. Gosh half the horror movies I watch are just like that. Enjoyed for the hour and then kinda forgotten.

I am at 58% now and might as well finish it :-D

[♣ Spacey♣]

I think the concept is interesting, I'm going to finish (I have like an hour left according to Kindle) - but it's taking forever to finish IMO. I think it's b/c I don't believe the characters (or like them that much). I don't know. I read this before but I only had memories from like up to half way through. I wonder if I lost interest the fist time around....
The concept is interesting enough that I want to know how it ends, but the characters aren't my favorite

[Anne]

The book just came in the mail so I'll start tonight. Trying not to read too many comments to avoid spoilers, but looking forward to joining in once I get going. I like Laymon and don't care if it's a bit hokey, I like a quick horror read just for the heck of it. I buy used horror books by one-time authors and unknowns and they're fun. Sometimes you get a really good one.

[Robert]

I'm almost finished with my current book, so I'll also be starting this in the next day or so. I read it a LONG time ago, and remember very little other than that it was pretty crazy and enjoyable, which is true of so much of Laymons work!

[Kathy]

Liking it so far even tho I'm not very far in.

[Robert]

Got 10% in over lunch today, and it has definitely hooked me as strong as it did before. I still don't really remember much about it or how it ends. I personally don't have much difficulty buying that Jane has gone along with it up to where I am now, especially since she's not in it alone. I think she's bored, and has gotten caught up in the excitement of it.

And yeah, those are some HUGE shirt pockets - I'm not sure I can even envision them! :-)

[Gary]

I'm half way through and am still hooked. While I agree it is a bit "cheesy" this is not detracting from my enjoyment of the novel.

[Gary]

I'm also noting the importance of pocket size and what can be carried in them. A very important part of Jane's adventures.

[Catster]

I'm 30% in!

Did anyone else get this pervy vibe from this book? Lots of casual grabbing, straddling everything, moisture and getting pants wet... Maybe it's just me :D

Anywho, I agree with Jane being very unreasonable.
(view spoiler)[ I can't believe she's not suspecting Brace, I mean... he just casually knew about the second clue? Really? Not buying it! (hide spoiler)]

I loved the part when she mentioned she lost so much weight following the clues. I really hope it will end up being a weird marketing for the local gym or something!

[Addy]

Yes, that's laymon's trademark. Everything he writes is pervy in some shape or form:)

[Robert]

Addy wrote: "Yes, that's laymon's trademark. Everything he writes is pervy in some shape or form:)"

That's why it's so funny to see his author photo on many of his Cemetery Dance books where he looks like an accountant (I was going to say "or librarian" then realized the irony given the book we're discussing. :-)

[Deborah]

I'm half way through ... and it is so poorly done - unbelievable dialogue for an intelligent woman?

[Catster]

Deborah wrote: "I'm half way through ... and it is so poorly done - unbelievable dialogue for an intelligent woman?"

Just got to 50%. I'm leaning towards her being just batshit crazy!

(view spoiler)[ Still thinking Brace is MoG! (hide spoiler)]

[Jeremy]

That Jane sure likes to be clean!

[Dani]

I'm starting it tonight. Looking forward to a group read!

[Jack]

My copy has finally arrived. Looking forward to getting into this.

[Dani]

Didn't get to start it as planned. Work got in the way. Gonna try to get thru it during my on call rotation if it is quiet. LOL

[Craig]

31%

I keep going back and forth between like and dislike. Not sure I'd class it as horror myself but I appreciate that genre covers a wide scope. Jane seems very impressionable. I'll keep at it.

[Dani]

I'm not sure I would classify this as horror either. It was definitely different. I'll wait for the group to finish before commenting further. Maybe I will read the other choice too.

[Gary]

Just finished the book and really enjoyed it. Couldn't put it down as it drew to its conclusion. Jane was certainly an interesting character!

[Andy]

I'm at 34% and am enjoying the book quite a bit. To this point, it's been pretty tame by Laymon standards, but the quest and general feeling of trust no one has been enough to keep it interesting. I have a feeling that things are just going to continue to escalate over the next 350 pages.

(view spoiler)[ That bum Rake vomiting in Jane's mouth has to be one of the most disgusting things imaginable. Did anybody gag, nay puke? (hide spoiler)]

[Maxine Marsh]

I'm about there too Andy and I'm just waiting for the stuff to hit the fan and for everything to go crazy. I can see each task getting more and more dangerous and out of control but its rare for Laymon to hold back so much, so far into a book.

[Nate]

Finally getting started on this bad chicken. I had The Little Stranger on digital loan from the library so had to be sure and wrap that up first. This should be quite a juxtaposition from the sounds of it. This will be my first Laymon, and I'm really looking forward to it. Hoping for something slightly absurd and irreverent.

[♣ Spacey♣]

Andy: re:your spoiler -YES! Oh dear god....I about lost it. LOL

[Sonia]

Just finished this, the inner dialogue is painful.

[Nate]

I feel like I'm watching a late '70's, early '80's horror movie on VHS that I just brought home from the video rental place down the road. And that, my friends, is awesome.