Richard Laymon

First pub. 1981. Horror novel by the author of After Midnight.

The Woods are Dark

Ryan Mateyk

Do we think this would be published if written in this day and age?🤔 That’s anyone’s guess! As problematic and insane as this is, it was a fun, crazy ride. Laymon’s writing is pretty basic but that makes it a quick read, filled with lots of gore, lots of disgusting sex and rape, some genuine romance (though under these circumstances, how?) and lots of naked inbred cannibals!

Christina Baltimore 

It's an alright story that kept my attention. It's a little disturbing in some parts but makes for a good gory read. 

I purchased a handful of Laymon's books on sale and intend to read them. They all seem to have a bizarre romance and lots of craziness. They are quick reads and they are somewhat entertaining. They are by far not the best horror novels I have read but they aren't the worst either. These are the kind of books that you just have to ignore imperfections and go with. 

Essentially, this book is about two sets of travelers that stop in a small secluded town and become a the town's sacrifice to the cannibal group that lives in the woods. The suitor in the bizarre romance decides to save one of the traveling women because he felt more for her than he had for any woman (while he was assisting with her kidnapping) and goes back to the woods to set her free. He sets them all (six) free and the gore begins as they attempt escape.

The Woods are Dark

Reviews