Dreadful Tales by Richard Laymon

• Hardcover: 320 pages
  
• Publisher: Feature (7 Dec 2000)
  
• ISBN-10: 0747271593
  
• ISBN-13: 978-0747271598
  
• 
  Product Dimensions:
  
  9.5 x 6.5 inches
  

This review is based on the NZ paperback edition.

In two words: fucking amazing

In more than two words: This book is a collection of Richard Laymon's published short stories from 1974 till now (but not published in the U.K)

WOW. What a collection. One can easily see why these short stories were bought and published, and just why Laymon is considered one of the best horror writers out there until his untimely death.

Usually I shy away from short story collections by a single author unless they are --
1) all ready published before
2) all ready published before and include no more than 3~5 new stories
3) there is no three, actually

(I love anthologies -- groups of writers all on the same theme)

It took me a long time to decide on this collection. I have never read a Laymon short story before, only his novels. I am so glad I thought, 'what the hell' and forked over the cash.

This is a collection you will love, I did. All but two stories were fantastic and these two were mainly sex based and most readers know I don't like to read pure sex stories. But that is ONLY 2 from a terrifying collection of short stories .

[from the website of the book] a delicious cornucopia of
homicidal maniacs, vampires and lust-crazed teenagers - that showcase
the macabre genius of Richard Laymon.