Rating: 
Summary: Not One of Laymon's Best
Review: I had high hopes for this book, but instead Laymon disappoints. The story is contrived and derivitive of Stephen King's "The Body" and Ray Bradbury's "Something Wicked This Way Comes." Laymon's story is a coming-of-age tale, cloaked in a horror novel. The story takes place in small town USA circa 1963. The first mistake Laymon makes here is that his characters are worldly beyond the time and the place. There is no naivety or innocence within his characters, which would be characteristic of that era. It seems that at some point, Laymon must have realized his mistake, and peppers his novel with token nods to the early 1960s, despite the fact, his characters behavior and motivations are more reminscent of contemporary youth.The other irrating aspect of the novel is the tendency to include some ludicrous situations, such as a stadium is built out in the woods on the site of a killing spree by a madman, in order to prevent the locals from performing similiar acts of violence and debauchery. After the opening event at the stadium, the locals are caught in a traffic jam while exiting the stadium, so naturally the locals come unglued and commit multiple rapes and other acts of mayhem - as the result of this traffic jam. Secondly, most of the female characters in the novel, at one time or another just happen to fall into various stages of undress. Nothing like a little gratuitous T&A to spice up the novel. By this time in the novel, Laymon had lost all credibility with me. The novel does indeed, work on a singularly simple level, provided you don't take it very seriously.
Rating: 
Summary: Wicked Good Fun
Review: Laymon's latest, and possibly final, book was my first Richard Laymon novel. I loved it. At its core, 'The Traveling Vampire Show' is a coming-of-age novel. It follows three teenagers, protagonist Dwight, abused teenage girl Slim, and the annoying, adolescent Rusty. Dwight, Slim, and Rusty set a goal of seeing the Traveling Vampire Show when it comes to town. Although the entirety of the book takes place over one day, the three teenagers face many adversities that they must overcome. By the end of the novel the protagonist is considerably older, wiser, and much more experienced in life than he was at the beginning. I was disappointed when I started this book when I realized that it was not going to have a considerable vampire presence. But after I started reading I was drawn into the characters. Laymon's writing fascinated me, so much so that I read 400 pages in one sitting. I could not put the book down. Mesmerizing. By the time the final climactic scene rolled around, I knew that I had to finish the book, no matter how late it was (1:00 AM). The final scene makes it all worthwhile, wrapping up the entire novel with great closure. Laymon writes an elegant book. His characters learn and grow (something that all too often is lost in modern literature). The characters are very real and lifelike. This was one I was sad to put down. This isn't a typical horror novel. This is a novel. I was touched by the characters. I was elated by their discoveries and dismayed by heartache. My words can't do justice to this novel. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Laymon draws back the fangs in this one!
Review: Laymon is one of my top 5 writers. His books, for me, either hit all cylinders or are good reads but nothing special. This one falls in the middle of these two categories. I loved the last 200 pages or so. The first 300 are Laymon describing in detail what 3-5 people do in a small town. It is important to the story but gone are the action scenes and surprises I've come to expect. Not to say that TTVS is a mess, because it is not. Laymon's characters are real, flesh and blood...I recognized most of these characters as people I know or have known. The fight scenes in the cage are vivid, the dialogue throughout hilarious and a plot that keeps moving. Overall not one of the best Laymons but still a very strong book.
Rating:
Summary: So-so
Review: The more I read Laymon, the more I dislike him. This is the 5th offering of his I've bought, and I am beginning to worry about the man's mental health. If you've read "Come Out Tonight" you'll undoubtedly notice the similarities between that book's villain, Toby Bones, and Rusty in "Travelling...". Fat, immature, delusional and degenerate. If I knew anyone remotely like either of these characters, I would quite happily punch him in the face. Laymon's characters tend to be inneffectual and irritating, and I implore anyone who is looking for an introduction to Laymon not to read this book. Go and read "The Midnight Tour" instead.
Rating:
Summary: THE TRAVELING VAMPIRE SHOW
Review: I THOUGHT THIS WAS GREAT. ONE OF LAYMON'S BEST NOVELS. THE STORY OF DWIGHT, RUSTY AND SLIM REMINDED OF SOME OF THINGS ME AND MY FRIENDS "MIGHT" HAVE DONE. (IF A TRAVELING VAMPIRE SHOW HAD EVERY COME TO TOWN) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR ALL HORROR FANS.
Rating:
Summary: Laymon excellence continues!
Review: Once in a while a Rite of Passage story comes along that knocks your socks off. Welcome to the show... When Dwight, Slim and Rusty discover the Travelling Vampire Show has hit town for one night, and one night only, they just know they have to see it. Even though it starts at midnight and is for an adult audience, they plot to make sure they get inside. Why? Because "Beguiling" Valeria, the vampire is on display - the only captured Vampire in the world - and she's about to put on a show that no one would believe. As the kids work out their plan to see the show, things start to go very wrong and suddenly it seems that someone is out to get them. As midnight approaches, so does the danger... One thing's for sure - the kids will see the show and Valeria. But they have no idea of the price of admission... Laymon serves us up a treat here with The Travelling Vampire Show. Laid-back, flowing and relaxed, just like the times in which the book is set, the reader will be mesmerised not only by the setting (it's wonderfully visualised!), the story (a killer!) but also with the characters (the kids and the whole town are drawn perfectly). This is one novel Laymon fans will remember for a long long time. Sink your fangs into it now!
Rating:
Summary: A Show you'll never want to end!
Review: To keep it brief, this is Laymon's best book...so far. The characterizations--particularly the relationship between Dwight and Slim--are the author's most mature efforts yet. But don't let that comment fool you into thinking good ol' Richard has slowed down. This novel still packs the trademark Laymon roller-coaster-ride wallop. And for those who truly love books, the CD version of this novel is beautiful. A treat for Laymon virgins or long-time fans.
Rating:
Summary: One show that you shouldn't miss...
Review: Once again Richard Laymon has reinforced his undoubted talent as an excellent and imaginative story teller. " The Travelling Vampire Show " is essentially a " coming of age " story with some small elements of suspense throughout and a good slice of horror as the book nears it's climax. The main character (Dwight) a sixteen year old boy who is going through that transitional period of boyhood to manhood is someone with which I'm sure almost everyone can relate to. You can recognise and understand the wide range of emotions that he is feeling as different events unfold throughout the story. The two other main characters (Slim) a tomboy who is very independent and strong minded and (Rusty) Dwight's best friend who is immature and insecure are also instantly recognisable as people you can relate to. The plot is pretty straight-forward, a vampire show is coming to the small town they live in for one night only and the temptation to go and see it is irresistible, but the show is for adults only and the price of admission is way beyond what the three of them can afford. But one way or another they are determined to see the show and not miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity. Thus begins the story of Dwight's, Slim's and Rusty's adventure which is one of nolstagia, romance, innocence, suspense, humour and horror which is sure to leave most people loving every step of the journey. One of the finest examples of a "coming of age" story you are ever likely to read. That is the highest compliment I can give to this book.
Rating: 
Summary: What about Bitsy?
Review: If your expecting to read a good vampire book, this one is not for you. If your already a RL fan than I recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: THIS IS ONE SHOW YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS
Review: This book posthumously won Laymon the Stoker award that he has deserved for so long. For most of the book this is not really a horror story as a story of the friendships between Dwight, Rusty & Frances (who changes her names every summer, in this instance it's Slim) & their experiences growing up together in small town America in the 1960s. However excitement arrives one day in the form of posters advertising THE TRAVELLING VAMPIRE SHOW which is coming to their town. Unfortunately you have to be 18 to get in, but the kids won't let this stop them. Rusty & Dwight are especially keen to attend because they want to catch a first hand glimpse of the shows main attraction, Valeria: "The one and only known vampire in captivity! Gorgeous! Beguiling! Lethal!".
At times reading this book can be a bit of a hard slog but of course Laymon's trademark black humor is present throughout, but the big finale is the real payoff with Laymon outdoing himself in a masterful display of gore & sex & grossouts that will please any Laymon devotee. So reverse yourself a seat, this is one show you don't want to miss.
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