A review by martinroberts
The Woods Are Dark by Richard Laymon

3.0

Gory pulp horror in the tradition of Jack Ketchum’s Off Season, which is a better book. The original version of Richard Laymon’s second novel is far from the best of his writing. It’s a quick read, though there’s a lot of rape and sexual violence, which, in my opinion, is overused in this book. I’ve read a lot of horror and I’m far from squeamish, but this balls to the wall approach just weakens the impact of horror for me.

Slight spoilers ahead...

Characters just seem to descend into madness and savagery far too quickly. Some of the victims behave like the savage ‘Krulls’ and it just feels a little too forced to me.

Not the best place to start reading Richard Laymon’s books, I’d recommend starting with Savage, A Night in Lonesome October or The Cellar.