Savage - Richard Laymon

Advantages: Brilliantly written
Disadvantages: Less readable than his other novels

Savage is perhaps Laymon's finest achievement, but ironically that doesn't make it his best novel. It is a fictional account of what happened to Jack the Ripper after he committed his final murder: Laymon's idea is that he went to America and continued his crimes there. The novel is told in the first person by a teenage boy who becomes embroiled in the Ripper's activities. This can't really be called a horror novel - it's true that it contains violent ...
...may be put off him by finding Savage a little hard going. That said, it is worth the effort, and the book has an involving storyline which gradually draws you in. It is totally unique among Laymon's novels, and proves that he is capable of a variety of writing styles. ... Read review

Advantages: Scary, blood-soaked, a great read
Disadvantages:

...the Ripper ‘disappear’ following the savage killing of Mary Kelly in 1888? Well, in this novel he hops on a ship and sails for America. The protagonist in Layman’s bloodthirsty novel is one Trevor Bentley. Starting in the unenviable position of lying beneath Kelly’s bed as the Ripper plies his trade, Trevor (perhaps not the coolest name in fiction) vows to avenge her death and starts on a quest to hunt the ripper down. He sets off at the age of 15 ...
...calls, all described with wonderful pacing and a great eye for period detail. At times I found myself actually believing the narrative, which may say more for my gullibility than it does the author’s craft. Either way, if you like horror or historical novels with a twist, lock the doors and read this book. ... Read review

Advantages: Answers questions about the Ripper
Disadvantages: It's just fiction

Follows the story of Trevor Bentley a fifteen year old boy that lives in London East End. The date is 8 November 1888 and Trevors mother has been beaten by a drunken friend of his fathers (who is deceased).After rendering the man unconscious with the fireplace poker Trevor heads out to retrieve his uncle.Finding his uncle not at home Trevor sets out on foot determined not to return home without him. After several mishaps and some nasty close ...
...warm himself.After a bit of investigating he finds the room is the dwelling of an unfortunate named Mary Kelly.Hearing voices returning to the room Trevor dives under the bed to hide. Eventually they leave and Trevor drifts off to sleep.Later he is awoken by a squeal,not a squeal of pleasure like she had been making earlier,but one filled with pain and fear.Frozen in fear he hears the wet smacking sounds of flesh being carved and blood drips ... Read review