Amy W. (suspenseprincess) reviewed The Cellar (Beast House Chronicles, Bk 1) on + 51 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This was a very good read. It was a page turner and was written very descriptive. This was a new author for me and now I will be looking for more of his books. There is one caution though. There are very descriptive sexual scenes.
This is a re-issue of one of Laymon's earliest books & for sure one of his better stories. Has everything you could want in a good horror story. Spooky house, monsters, freaks & psycho killers.
Helpful Score: 3
If you are looking just at the plot of the book, I'm a big fan of Laymon's scary ideas. The premise of this book is true horror. I really do think his writing style, though, leaves quite a bit to be desired. The characters are so one dimensional. And for those who would say, "but it's just a fun horror book," look at something like The Taking by Dean Koontz or pretty much any Stephen King. You get totally terrifying reads AND really thoroughly flushed out characters who you identify with. I didn't care what happened to Jud, Donna, and Sandy in this. Nice for a good scare though.
A. J. C. (Bibliocrates) reviewed The Cellar (Beast House Chronicles, Bk 1) on + 252 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Donna hits the road when she finds out that her ex-husband Roy has been released from San Quentin, taking her daughter Sandy with her. They head North about 100 miles past San Francisco when their car breaks down. They end up in the small town of Malcasa Point, thanks to a retarded fellow named Axel Kutch, where The Beast House is a popular tourist attraction. His mother, Maggie Kutch, owns the house and makes her living giving tours, recreating the scenes of the terrible murders that occurred in the house, beastly butchery. While waiting for their car to be repaired, Donna and Sandy decide to take a tour of The Beast House, where they meet Jud and Larry. Roy becomes the least of their worries when they join their new friends in The Beast House at night. This book was gory and graphic, typical Richard Laymon, can't wait to read the sequel!
Helpful Score: 2
I enjoyed this book finished it in one evening. .. great characters.. keeps you guessing up until the end. Not for the squeamish!
