Dreadful Tales [Paperback]

Richard Laymon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 7, 2001

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'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 'This is an author that does not pull his punches... A gripping, and at times genuinely shocking, read' -- SFX Magazine

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Feature (June 7, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0747264635
• ISBN-13: 978-0747264637
• Product Dimensions: 4.4 x 1.1 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #648,580 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!., March 19, 2009

By 

marky77 (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dreadful Tales (Paperback)

This is a perfect collection of short stories, every single story is riviting and fantastic and it is impossible to put this book down; it is totally addictive.

A lot of the stories in the book have very good twists in the end especially the first story (which is what the blurb on the back of the book is about). I often find that short-story collections get boring or that I loose interest in them before I've read all the the stories but this could not be further from the truth with Dreadful Tales. This book reads just like one of his novels, once you start your hooked and you never want it to end. I read this in 3 days because unlike most short story collections, I didn't feel like putting this down after I'd read a few of the stories.

Fantastic collection that really shows the extent of Laymons' talent as an auther. I would reccomend this book to Laymon fans, horror fans or anybody who is looking for a good read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Okay, but not Great, July 6, 2011

By 

Dagon Rising - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dreadful Tales (Paperback)

Being a Laymon fan for years I really wanted this short story collection of his. Mainly for collecting, and that's pretty much what it is. Just a book for collecting. Don't get me wrong, it's an okay book too. I read all the stories in it and only liked less than half of them. I think he's a better novel writer than a short story writer. Some of the stories are actually really good, but most are just okay. I'm glad to have it in the collection though. If you're looking for his best stuff, don't get this unless you're a big fan of his.

5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Other reviewer is a moron., February 22, 2008

By 

Jeffrey T. Kane (Forest Hills, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dreadful Tales (Paperback)

This book was great. It has some of the most clever and original horror tales I have ever read.