In the Dark

Rating:
Summary: The game's a foot
Review: "In The Dark" is Richard Laymon's very dark psycological thriller. In it librarian Jane is given several envelopes, each containing instructions for a mission and more money than the last letter. Needless to say, each mission gets more dangourous; but Jane is hooked, she wants the money. The sender of these letters is a mysterous figure known only as MOG, or Master of Games. I heard a lot about Richard Laymon (and the introduction by Dean Koontz helped a lot) and I couldn't wait to read one of his books. Now, while I really did enjoy "In the Dark", it sure wasn't what I expected. One was that it was a thriller in the style of "Se7en" or "The Silence of the Lambs", not an out and out horror novel. But that was ok. I also liked the setting. It takes place in Donnersville; basiclly Anywhere, America. Like Stephen King and David Lynch, Laymon is interested in what is going on behind the white picket fences in suburbia. Who would have thought that in one of the nice old homes a sex slave trade was going on. Jane is the protaginist, and she went through a huge change from start to finish. And I believed in it every step of the way. At the begining she was timid and shy, and almost shied away from a fruitrul relationship with a nice guy college professor named Brace. But by the end she is fully capable of commiting cold blooded murder; although it is a sort of prevenitive self defense. Brace is standard lover interest guy; not much to him, although he is allowed to solve a few of the riddles. The villins of the novel were pretty disgusting; the very worst of the S&M nightmare veriety. You'll see what I mean. And what about the Master of Games himself? I don't know what to think of him, and that is really the book's only fault. Laymon gave a sketchy description of him (he vaugly looked like The Joker, sort of fitting). There really wasn't a lot about him and I really wanted to know more. Well, it is a good book, if a little long, and I think worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: This book was written by a man for men
Review: I agree that Richard Laymon's In the Dark is fast paced, quick read. But the main character needs to be convincing and likable in order for the story to work. I never believed the actions of the primary character, Jane Kerry. Her interest in playing "the game" was believable ONLY in the first encounter, but her behavior gets more and more unbelievably bizarre. Only a woman who is disconnected from reality would kill dogs, sleep in coffins, and write messages on her own body just to keep her stalker and his cash flowing. By the middle of the book I just kept hoping she would fall in a hole and disappear. But the most annoying aspect of this book was Laymon's use of words that showed him as a product of the 70's..."Jane dropped her switchblade knife into the pocket of her culottes." Culottes? Come on now!


Rating:
Summary: a bit weak
Review: Althought I really liked the idea of this book's plot, I think he could have gone further with it. It was almost borderline childish...and if he would have put the word "panties" in one more time I probably would have thrown up! He could have really made this novel a winner, but maybe he had a deadline or something.

Rating:
Summary: In The Dark
Review: In The Dark,
This in my opinion is Mr. Laymon at his finest. The book moved at perhaps the quickest pace I have ever encountered, non-stop action and suspense.

Richard Laymon has created one of the most memorable female characters in a book that I have ever read, `Jane Kerry'.

Without giving away plot I will quickly summarize the story.
Jane finds herself involved in a game that involves large amounts of money, which makes the game that more addictive, one that she can't walk away from. Jane finds the game quickly becoming more dangerous as the winnings increase so does the danger.

The pages turn at a rapid pace as you follow Jane on her adventure; every page is guaranteed to hold a new surprise. MOG (master of games) is a rather interesting character, but somewhat far fetched as you learn his true nature. This doesn't take away from the story at all; by the time you learn whom MOG is the story is finished and your left with a huge smile.

This book is great fun. I highly recommend this to any would be Richard Laymon reader.





Rating:
Summary: A suspenseful and well crafted mystery
Review: Jane is a librarian that leads your everyday average existence. That is until she receives a mysterious envelope with her name on it. Curiousity gets the better of her and she looks inside. Jane finds a fifty dollar bill, and a note giving a clue where to find more money, that is mysteriously signed with the initials M.O.G. ( Master of Games). Everytime she manages to find an envelope, the amount of money doubles and the tasks to find the next envelope become increasingly more difficult and degrading. As Jane becomes obsessed with earning more and more money, she soon begins to realize that the person behind the game knows a lot about her as well. As Jane gets herself in deeper and deeper to become richer and discover who the "Master of Games" really is in the process, she may be forced to do things where the risk outweighs the reward.

Richard Laymon's " In The Dark" is the best mystery that I have read in quite awhile. It is hard to remember a book that keeps you glued to the pages and hooked like this one. You are literally unable to put the book down after the first page. There are two things that really keep your interest in the story. The first is the lengths that Jane will go for the money. It is very interesting watching Jane pushing herself to the limit and then some. The second aspect of the story that really drags you in, is trying to discover the identity of the MOG and what his motivation behind all of it is too. Laymon hides the identity of MOG really well. The whole time, you are thinking that it could literally be anyone. You are usually able to nail down at least a couple of suspects, but it is impossible in this book! The ending is spectacular. Many times , a good book can be ruined by a horrible ending. But not in this case. It is the perfect end, to an enjoyable thrill ride.

Richard Laymon's "In the Dark" offers great characters, realistic and funny dialogue, and a hard to solve mystery. I highly recommend this book to fans of the mystery genre or those who are looking for a suspenseful story to read.

Rating:
Summary: No need to explain
Review: I was first introduced to Laymon's works through "Fiends", a collection of his short stories that I happened upon in my local library. I was immediately captured by his unique style, fresh ideas and, of course, artistic use of sex and violence. I am a big fan of horror, and am usually disappointed with the yearly crop of films and literature. But with Laymon I am left yearning for more. "In the Dark" is one my favourite three ("Body Rides" and "Island" being the other two, definately worth reading). I won't summarize as you can read that in the other outstanding reviews, but just know that it's a compelling novel with wonderfully developed characters.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty good...
Review: I am a huge fan of Laymon. I think this is one of the better books. Not the best but in my top 10. I thought the idea of this so called scavenger hunt was wonderful. How far will a person go for money? Amazing! I would of quit way before her! I thought the house by the cemetary was a little wicked. Yikes! The overall story was good...I have read better by Laymon but it was worth my time. (someone else in reviews wrote about the ear deal at the hospital...I thought that was weird as well. I had a few questions left unanswered myself!)

Rating:
Summary: Decent Pulp...
Review: When Jane receives a note coming from a man who calls himself MOG (short for Master Of
Games), she decides to follow the stranger's instructions just to see where it'll take her. And when it
brings her to an envelope full of cash, she doesn't shy from obeing his next command. And with each
new command, comes a new envelope filled with even more cash.

The problem i had was the level of money that starts to be used...Anyone who understands math knows hoe fast doubling can create large sums. the author here gets to like half a million dollars and the heroine keeps going to do these bizzare and dangerous things. One wonders why she wouldnt quit when she was ahead. (and still has hers)... But i read it all in once sitting on a bus and really enjoyed it... so if you can suspend a little disbelief... i recommend visiting "The Master of Games" and seeing what he has to offer.



Rating:
Summary: So great...but the ending sucks
Review: I really liked this book. It went at a breakneck pace--and that's what I'm looking for in my horror. But the ending was such a letdown. It was really rushed and I expected a more detailed explanation about MOG and the purpose of the game. I mean...that's the entire premise of the book, and then to not explain it--it's a big disappointment.