Dreadful Tales Richard Laymon 9780747264637

Richard Laymon is the undisputed master of the macabre, and nowhere is his talent to terrify shown to better effect than in his short stories. DREADFUL TALES contains all of his short fiction not previously published in the UK and forms a delicious cornucopia of homicidal maniacs, vampires and lust-crazed teenagers - not to mention the drinkers in a low-life dive who attempt to salvage a diamond ring from the mouth of a severed head in a fish tank - with grisly results.

A terrifying collection of short stories that showcase the macabre genius of Richard Laymon

About the Author
Richard Layman was born in Chicago and grew up in California. He took an MA in English Literature from Loyola University, Los Angeles. He worked as a schoolteacher, a librarian and a mystery magazine editor before concentrating on writing full-time.

Reviews

DREADFUL TALES:
'DREADFUL TALES knocks all other offerings for six and presents a consistent collection of tales, almost every one of which manages to shock, delight and horrify through numerous ideas, characters and situations... a breath of fresh air in the stale UK Horror climate... Gets my vote as the best of 2000 by a long chalk' Shivers

A terrifying collection of short stories that showcases the dark genius of a true master of the macabre * BOOKS MAGAZINE *
DREADFUL TALES knocks all other offerings for six and presents a consistent collection of tales, almost every one of which manages to shock, delight and horrify through numerous ideas, characters and situations... Gets my vote as the best of 2000 by a long chalk * SHIVERS *
'A terrifying collection of short stories that showcases the dark genius of a true master of the macabre' Books Magazine
'This is an author that does not pull his punches... A gripping, and at times genuinely shocking, read' SFX Magazine
This is an author that does not pull his punches... A gripping, and at times genuinely shocking, read * SFX Magazine *
'Dean Koontz and Stephen King normally dominate this territory. They had better watch out, Laymon is already staking a claim' Northern Echo

TRAVELLING VAMPIRE SHOW:
'If you are not already well acquainted with Richard Laymon, get to know him now. This is an enticing tale of three youngsters in a small American town' Manchester Evening News

'This gloriously inventive piece is probably Laymon's best book yet: dipping into the poetic vein of Ray Bradbury was clearly a vitalising exercise for him, and this is sheerly enjoyable... The prose here is rich and inventive, the atmosphere and scene-setting handled with real aplomb. Whatever you make of Laymon's earlier books, this is one you should try' News International Lineone
'Set in a sleepy American town in the summer of 1963, this rites of passage novel recreates the long, stifling days - and nights filled with possibilities - that distinguish the teenage years' Belfast Telegraph

PRAISE FOR PREVIOUS BOOKS:
'A grisly cocktail of horror, murder and mayhem laced with Laymon's distinct blend of black humour. Great stuff.' Yorkshire Evening Press
'Richard Laymon doesn't disappoint with his latest offering.' Peterborough Evening Telegraph
''So fastpaced you find yourself reading it at the speed of a bullet from a gun...a rollercoaster ride of fear' Peterborough Evening Telegraph
'No one writes like Laymon and you're going to have a good time with anything he writes' Dean Koontz
'This author knows how to sock it to the reader' The Times,
If you've missed Laymon you've missed a treat' Stephen King,
'A brilliant writer' Sunday Express*
'AMONG THE MISSING is strikingly different. From the chilling opening...we are plunged into a disturbing world of twisted psychopathology' The Times
'There's not a crime novelist around who writes cleaner prose than Laymon - and few who can jack up the tension the way he does...Laymon likes to grasp readers by the neck with expert word-smithery, then haul them into a diabolical situation...once again, Laymon offers unexpected, well-rounded characters blown about in a narrative that moves like the wind.' Publishers Weekly
'one of the best writers working in the genre today' Cemetery Dance

Book Information
ISBN 9780747264637
Author Richard Laymon
Format Paperback
Page Count 448
Imprint Headline Feature
Publisher Headline Publishing Group
Weight(grams) 278g
Dimensions(mm) 178mm * 110mm * 30mm