After Midnight

Laymon is one of those writers that you can both love and hate - Once in awhile in the same book.

His characters are well fleshed out and always fun (even the villains are usually memorable) and (most of the stories move along at a good pace.

This one is, maybe not his best, but in the top three. Concerns a young lady named Alice (Sort of named Alice) who through no fault of her own accidentally butchers a fellow and then in going about covering it up winds up in a domino progression of bodies - some of which are her fault, some of which are not. The result is sometimes horrifying (NOBODY writes evil characters like Lamon), sometimes sad, erotic, cringe-worthy or, at least once, semi-erotic. One in particular is mildly amusing in a "Oh God what ELSE can happen to this poor girl" sort of way.

One difficulty is that Alice comes across as (and is) absolutely cold blooded when it comes to saving her own but, At least at first (the end is more in question) Now, she has REASON to be this way. Something happened to her prior to the events in the book that affected her. This event is hinted at but never really made clear. (You'll get the idea though) As such, it leaves the reader a little bit at a loss not knowing her full story.

The ending is...unique. Laymon enjoys (sometimes) down endings. This one is neither down nor up but leaves the reader to decide is What Happens After turns out good or bad. A good move as it ultimately could have gone either way long term.

I'd say get this book when you don't have anything to do and be prepared to read it through. It is difficult, though not impossible as are some of his other works, to put down.

I love it and hate it at the same time. Weird. Yet I can't stay away from it.

Let me say, I LIKE some of Laymon's books. And I don't review books often...But this...wow. Needlessly wordy. Filling up space, He's not writing, he's typing. Alice's (yes, we know it's not her real name. She reminds us every other chapter) reaction to just about everything is beyond silly. I always found Laymon to be somewhat adolescent when it comes to his female characters and sex but this is written like a 9 year old. I like extreme horror, sex, gore, you name it ...nothing offends me but this offended my intelligence. It's like some weird little kid's twisted fantasy. The dialogue ...again, silly. Just silly. ( if somewhere in the book it say "Gee willikers, I have great big boobies." I wouldn't be surprised. I literally laughed out loud at some of the tripe.) The book is silly. Period. I had about 3 chapters left and didn't even bother to finish it. I could have cared less. Just baffled that anyone would write this let alone publish it.

Another good read by Richard Laymon. This one is a page turner!

I love this book! Every twist and turn is unexpected