Midnight's Lair - Richard Laymon

Advantages: A wonderful example of Laymon at it's best.
Disadvantages: This could too shocking for some. Don't let your grandmother near this.

There have rumours surrounding Richard Laymon for a number of years now - people think that Laymon is a pseudonym for an established author, perhaps, Stephen King himself. “Midnight’s Lair” is one of the books that fuel this debate. It was originally published under the name Richard Kelly and it is also one of the more extreme Laymon books. Take note, Laymon’s books tend to be twice (or even thrice) as gory and risky than your average horror book ...
...the rest. The story really is typically Laymon. It deals with the bestial side to humans and human nature. It is almost tempting to sound something of a H. P. Lovecraft comparison here. Lovecraft has written a number of short stories in which humans, trapped over a long period of time (or who have voluntarily retreated from the world) have ended up in a “de-evolved” state. Of course, H. P. Lovecraft was known to cut the pictures of scantily clad ... Read review

Advantages: Engrossing throughout
Disadvantages: Avoid if easily offended

Midnight's Lair is one of Laymon's more shocking books, but also one of his best. It was originally published under the pseudonym of Richard Kelly - a fact that has always puzzled me, since I would be proud to have written it myself. It's the story of a group of sightseers who are taking a tour of a flooded underground cave, when there's a power cut which traps them down there in the dark. From then onwards, all sorts of weird, sick and violent things ...
...and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. However there are a number of scenes in the book which some may consider 'sick' or in bad taste, and the easily offended should perhaps steer clear. For the average horror fan though, there is a huge amount to enjoy in this book. ... Read review