Rating: 
Summary: Midnight at the Donut Shop of the Gods
Review: It's hard to pinpoint this novel. Of course, I bought it because it was a horror story by an author whom I have wanted to try. I do like horror in many of its shades. And, to be honest, there are at least 50 pages that can actually be called horror. But most of the book is the story of Edward Logan who seems to have opted for life as a victim when his college girlfriend (Holly) up and leaves him for a camp counselor.
Edward's return to ascetic life lasts about a week. One late night he decides to take a long walk for donuts, and his ex-girlfriend's sorority sister (Eileen) decides to rescue him, and he becomes spellbound by a mysterious young woman (Casey) who likes to wander into strange houses and often plays truth or dare with the denizens of the night. There are several other beautiful ladies dotting the novel's story line, and Edward's persistent explanation for his complete lack of loyalty is to blame whatever significant she (usually Holly) isn't present at the moment of his temptation.
Most of the novel takes place in night rambles in which Edward finds a serial killer, a mad bicycling granny, a pair of jeep riding sisters, and a clan of cannibal trolls who seem to work as the town's cleanup squad. Edward has a knack of going where no sane college junior should ever go and he seems as addicted to risk as is young Casey. Nobody in this story is really quite sane, and no one (except the serial killer) realizes how crazy they really are.
So this is less a horror story than it is a 'spooky' story. Since everything between the various touchy/feely episodes is, well, weird. Laymon writes quite well, and this is far from the first time I've picked up a horror story to discover that the atmosphere is dark, but not ghoulish. Perhaps the horror lies in the was Edward relinquishes all responsibility for his decisions, in a town where karma seems to be instant. Laymon reminds me of Tom Piccirilli, who also has a knack for writing somewhere to the left of mainstream horror, and whom I have also come to enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: Trash Bin Junk
Review: Must confess I stopped after 118 pages. At that point our "hero" had walked around quite a bit and managed to have the obligatory copulation with a nuble female. This stuff stinks and is so shallow it is difficult to believe the author received accolades in the past. Oh well, to each his own but recommend you save your money and time.
Rating: 
Summary: First-time Laymon reader; not a good impression
Review: My tastes include Skipp and Spector, Clive Barker and Larry Niven. Read this book on recommendation of Amazon. Found it to be an interesting setup tainted by interminable writing (yes, things look different at night. I got that on page 40 and didn't need to be reminded every 20 pages thereafter), excessively fixated on the naughty bits (much as figurative and literal titillation is an essential part of horror, every other page is just a little much, thanks) and while the critters were interesting it was one of those D&D settings with a red dragon in a 10 X 10 room. Did they just wait for prey to wander by? Did anyone -notice- that people tended to disappear? "Oh yeah, Freddie didn't come home last night, whatever..." And what was the deal with the hag? What was the deal with Casey? This was like some kind of Remo Williams story (those of you who have read them -know- what I'm talking about). Maybe he's got better works out there but this didn't really whet my appetite to go find them.
Rating:
Summary: Laymon never ceases to deliver
Review: Night In The Lonesome October is a excellent book. There's no way to put it into complex words. Ever since reading One rainy night i've been absotuly hooked on Laymon. This book has many plots which at the end they all roll into each other.
This is one of his best books.
Always Remember Laymon is King, Stephen is Laym
Rating:
Summary: Different , funny and scary
Review: O man I loved this book. It definately has a lot of bizarre twist and the black humor is there ( I laughed when the guy from the donut shop was going to "give you the works" if you don't take me to the girl) The best thing is its different and a little sexual tension is thrown in. If you Like Bentley little you will probably like this book.
Rating:
Summary: R.I.P. Richard Laymon
Review: Richard Laymon began his published life writing the prose equivalent of slasher flicks. His first book, THE CELLAR, is a fine example. A tight, action-packed, violent little package. Cinematic, unsettling and very enjoyable. For the next twenty or so years he would write dozens of very fine, like-minded fare. All voyeuristic horror with the occasional touch of the supernatural or noir elements. While he did not apparently stray from a *formula* what is remarkable is the consistency of his work. I never have been dissapointed in one of his books. They are, for my taste at least, imbued with a certain storytelling genius. None more so than NIGHT IN LONESOME OCTOBER. For me this is the man's magnum opus--his best, most skillfull work as well as his most humanistic and, even, touching. Before his untimely death Richard Laymon, IMO, really began to mature and stretch as a writer. He could be somewhat misogynistic and perhaps needlessly cruel at his worst but before his passing he achieved works of increasing insight and meaning. I could not sleep the night I found out he died. RIP Richard Laymon
Rating:
Summary: Richard I'll miss you!
Review: Richard Laymon has been one of my guilty pleasures since reading "The Cellar" back in the late 70s. Since then, I've delighted at the discovery of each new Laymon book, and have watched him steadily progress as a writer. I read a blurb on one of his books that he was "Stephen King without a conscience" but I always thought that unfair. Laymon's books deal with sexual tension and -- being horror -- also deal with serial killers or such. But there is always some underlying humor (usually black!) where the reader can laugh along at the absurd situations that the protagonist finds him/herself in. His writing touched the adolescent in each of us who is simultaneously repelled and fascinated by the imagined horrors of the world.
"Night in Lonesome October" is one of his best, dealing with his usual themes of sexual frustration and dangers stalking the night. It deals with a heatbroken young college student who decides to walk alone one night to a donut shop -- and finds a lot more than what he expected. Richard Laymon died on Valentine's Day this year. He took his own lonely journey into the night ... And I'll miss him like an old friend and wish him well on his journey.
Rating:
Summary: Richard I'll miss you!
Review: Richard Laymon has been one of my guilty pleasures since reading "The Cellar" back in the late 70s. Since then, I've delighted at the discovery of each new Laymon book, and have watched him steadily progress as a writer. I read a blurb on one of his books that he was "Stephen King without a conscience" but I always thought that unfair. Laymon's books deal with sexual tension and -- being horror -- also deal with serial killers or such. But there is always some underlying humor (usually black!) where the reader can laugh along at the absurd situations that the protagonist finds him/herself in. His writing touched the adolescent in each of us who is simultaneously repelled and fascinated by the imagined horrors of the world.
"Night in Lonesome October" is one of his best, dealing with his usual themes of sexual frustration and dangers stalking the night. It deals with a heatbroken young college student who decides to walk alone one night to a donut shop -- and finds a lot more than what he expected. Richard Laymon died on Valentine's Day this year. He took his own lonely journey into the night ... And I'll miss him like an old friend and wish him well on his journey.
Rating: 
Summary: Darn you, Laymon!
Review: Thanks a lot, Dick. The last time I stayed up all night reading a novel from beginning to end I was nine years old and discovering Stephen King by way of "Christine." So last night I was up until four in the morning so I could finish this book, Night in the Lonesome October, and now I have to work a full day on a couple hours' sleep! While I didn't learn any pithy lessons from it, it sure was a page-turner. A good, fast, fun read. Standard but reliable Laymon. Not recommended for those wanting to get a full night's sleep.
Rating:
Summary: Darn you, Laymon!
Review: Thanks a lot, Dick. The last time I stayed up all night reading a novel from beginning to end I was nine years old and discovering Stephen King by way of "Christine." So last night I was up until four in the morning so I could finish this book, Night in the Lonesome October, and now I have to work a full day on a couple hours' sleep! While I didn't learn any pithy lessons from it, it sure was a page-turner. A good, fast, fun read. Standard but reliable Laymon. Not recommended for those wanting to get a full night's sleep.
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