Rating: 
Summary: Horror, Horror and more Horror!
Review: this is the first Laymon book I've read and it wont be the last. Yes, the plot is simple but who the hell needs a complicated plot anyway, especially when they are writing fast pace horror such as this. This book will put you in the middle of a bloodbath; a town which has gone crazy and where no one is truly a hero. Don't go out in the rain whatever you do, it wil prove to be deadly. The book starts off with a murder of a black boy and basically the thrilling ride accelerates from there. Some will say its B rated material but i think its true horror or what I would deem a horror novel; certainly in terms better then Anne Rice puts out that is suppose to be horror. Buy the book and you will see what I mean. It might make you cringe a bit but what's horror without a few blood and guts and rape scenes.
Rating: 
Summary: Tapping into Primal Fears - Laymon is very, very good
Review: This story, like many of Laymon's stories, begins with a simple premise and rollercoasters from there! Mysterious rain follows the brutal murder of a Black high school student. Is there a connection? Whomever the rain hits gives in to violent, murderous impulses, regardless of age, gender, or temperment. It's a fascinating story as Laymon taps into primal fears of mob violence, the uncertainty of strangers and the urge to act on one's impulses. Contrary to some of the other reviews on-line here, his plot is logical and his prose is gripping. This is one author that uses visual imagery so intense that the reader is struck thinking, "What kind of a person could think of something like that?" His characters as well are flawed, just like the rest of us, and face horrible situations/tribulations they must overcome in order to survive. Laymon is one of the few authors who will get you to care about a character, then viciously kill them off later. Heroes don't always make it to the end, neither do the villains. It makes for good reading from sheer unpredictability alone. If you have never given Laymon a try, pick up a copy of this book. You won't be disappointed, although you might find yourself avoiding strangers the next rainy night...
Rating:
Summary: Night of the Living Drenched!
Review: Richard Laymon writes highly entertaining, swiss cheese horror. What I mean by the cheese analogy is that many of the plot twists don't fit, don't make sense, and make it seem that something is missing. Kinda like watching a B-horror movie. But I like cheese, especially this kind. Laymon has written a fast paced, enjoyable novel about a small California town plagued by black rain. Rain that for some unknown reason turns those who touch it into raving, murderous lunatics. Horrific events follow, ranging from stabbings, shootings, cannibalism, and rape. When I was reading I kept thinking of this as Night of the Living Drenched, as those affected by the rain have no real control over their actions. But they do know what they're doing. That in itself was frightening. But this book really relies more on the gross out factor than all out fear. Which will probably turn off some readers. My only complaint was the entirely predicatable ending, but that does add to the B-movie campiness. All in all if you like horror novels check this one out, you won't regret it. And you will invest in a raincoat and umbrella!
Rating: 
Summary: Not bad. Different.
Review: This is my first Laymon novel and it probably won't be my last. It wasn't as rich and textured as a good Koontz novel, and the ending wasn't as developed as I'd hoped (and grown used to), but overall I enjoyed it. If gore turns you off, you might think ORN is excessively violent for violence's sake--lots of blood, very graphic descriptions, some cannibalism--but given the plot it seemed to fit. ORN was a fast read with enough oomph to pull me along to the end. Not a fantastic book when compared to Koontz, King, Wilson or McCammon but definitely worthwhile for horror fans.
Rating:
Summary: B-Movie in Book Form!
Review: People read books for different reasons. Some look for intricate plots, symbolism, deep meaning ... I read for all these reasons, but I also read for entertainment. Laymon is pure entertainment.One Rainy Night is like a zombie movie with a revenge plot and a bit of voodoo mixed in. It's all B-movie schlock, but it works quite well. It's a fast read you can plow thru in an evening. Don't expect anything too deep, just read the book and enjoy your damn self!
Rating:
Summary: One Rainy Night- Richard Laymon
Review: I love Mr. Laymon's novels. This one was great nasty fun until near the end when it came to an abrupt, what-the-hell-happened climax. He has the occasional habit of just leaving his characters dangling. And I don't much care for his referring to women as "gals" all the time. I'm not a stickler for PC terminology, but that just rubs me the wrong way... However, this novel is most certainly worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: Superb, sick, perverse, gory, and detailed. All of the ingredients for a Laymon classic. 100% unbridled gore from beginning to end. A fantastic, and compelling read
Rating:
Summary: Laymon is a master of terror
Review: One Rainy Night is a relentless novel of absolute terror -- and the mayhem that results when a real storm of the century arrives to a town, and brings with it the ability to unleash the darkest of impulses. Richard Laymon is one of the most readable writers of the popular horror novel, and he appeals to both kids and adults with his nonstop style -- the terror mounts, the horror builds to a crescendo, and the nightmare is neverending.
Rating:
Summary: Remove yer brain... it's Laymon!
Review: When I see a book on the shelf by Laymon, whether it be new orused, I feel like a gunfighter in a spaghetti western... I can herethe theme for "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly"... In my mind, that best describes the books of Richard Laymon... I consider "One Rainy Night" to be one of the "good". The story goes from 0 to 60 from page one and somehow, keeps going full bore for 416 pages! Doesn't seem that long, but it is... Blood and guts, sex and rape, it's all here in typical Laymon fashion... a B-novel that's a definite no- brainer! And despite it's flaws (weak characters, poor dialogue...), it's perversely enjoyable! Though I do agree with the reviewer who recommended "The Fog" by James Herbert, it truly is a classic!
Rating: 
Summary: Bad Splatterpunk
Review: I remember passing this book by when I first saw it in 1991. Having just completed it, I wish that I had passed it by yet again. "One Rainy Night" is a very quick read. I finished it in more or less one sitting. Normally that's a good thing, and I will credit Richard Laymon's ability to create story flow. However... he left so many gaping holes and unexplored avenues throughout the novel that it became tedious less than halfway through. One of my major problems with this novel was dialogue. The character of Kara may be nine years old in the story, but her lines are those of someone well along in years. And how many high schoolers do you know that refer to kids as "ankle-biters"? I can see the parallel one other reviewer had with this novel resembling a George Romero movie. Although I find "One Rainy Night" to be more like the film "The Crazies" than any of the "Living Dead" films. Rape are gore are prominent throughout the novel. This may have been meant to be shocking..but after a while you'll notice that's all there is. A half-hearted attempt at splatterpunk. If this is indicative of the rest of Richard Laymon's work, I'll most probably pass those by as well. Readers may want to check out the horror classic "The Fog" by James Herbert. A significantly better novel by a master story teller.
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