Bite

Richard Laymon may have his issues, but he is also one of the better and more disturbing horror writers around. In his book, Bite, Laymon offers a decidedly different take on the vampire novel, with the bloodsucker vanquished within the first few chapters. For the narrator Sam, however, this is only the beginning of his problems.The story actually begins with Sam finding his old teenage crush, Cat, appearing at his door. Cat (who Sam still loves despite not seeing in ten years) has come to him with a desperate problem. She has been visited by a vampire consistently over the past year: he comes at midnight and sucks enough blood to harm her but never kill her. Unable to take it anymore, Cat asks Sam to kill the vampire when he comes back that night.The killing goes easily enough, but then there is the matter of disposing of the body. They decide to dump him in the Nevada desert (far from her Los Angeles home) and start the long night trip along back roads. In an isolated area, they get a flat tire and unwillingly get a passenger, the sinister biker nicknamed Snow White who has his own plans for the vampire corpse. A temporary escape from Snow White only makes things worse when the biker takes a couple hostages to force Sam and Cat's compliance.As is typically the case in a Laymon book, the female characters are horrendously abused. Cat is the victim of not only the vampire but also her depraved (and now dead) husband. She has also been gang-raped and been sexually assaulted on one other occasion. At least compared to other novels, Laymon is a bit toned down: all the attacks are merely related by Cat and take place before the story really begins.If you look past Laymon's seeming misogyny, he does write an exciting book, which is why I continue to read him. For better and for worse, Bite is typical Laymon: an effective thriller that will keep you turning the pages.

This book was good ENOUGH. Was better than 3 stars, but honestly not 4 star worthy. The reason I have it 4 is because I just really enjoy Laymon. The characters are enjoyable. There's not too many. This isn't a book with over-saturated people. The banter between the 2 main characters could get slightly much. Like I said, it was good. Just good.

My first book I've read by this author, and I loved it. I read it months ago and I still remember the scenes. It was so fun to read, never boring. The best part of it was the tension never dropped, even the moments between the action had the edge of interpersonal conflict. It's what I'd expect a splatterpunk horror author to be, over the top but not outrageous.

This story was interesting but there are the typical stupid decisions by the characters, like not calling the highway patrol at the gas station, then trying to solve the kidnapping themselves.Sam finds Cat who comes to his house seeking his assistance in killing a pesky vampire, which he does, but then they run into Snow White, a homosexual, who seems to delight in torturing them. The fact that they didn't seek assistance and drive away from him seemed real unrealistic, since they knew he was a murderer.The situations are so ridiculous, you'll actually laugh instead of being scared, especially the scene with the see-through lingerie.The only thing that saved it was the ending.

I enjoyed the suspense. The book did not end like I expected it would, which is what I really appreciated.

Richard Laymon is one of my all-time favorite authors. I used to pay hefty shipping rates to get his books from the UK or Australia, as he had become somewhat of a rock star in those countries, especially for people who like hardcore horror. Admittedly, it's not for everyone, but "Laymonites," as we're called, can't get enough of his novels. His style is amazing. I love how unpredictable his plots are, and his characters are dangerous. The first time I saw Bite in America was inside a mall, and I was thrilled because it signaled that Laymon had found an American publishing house that respected his work. Bite is classic Laymon-style horror, and a departure for him—rarely did he write about vampires. I think you'll enjoy the ride!

So far this has been my least favorite book by layman. I mean it a good vampire story, just not a great one. I still recommend it for fans of the genre or layman's.

Laymon always tells a good story and carries you along. Only negative: this book has quite a few spelling errors.

Where do I even begin describing this one? I bought it in horror section so I didn't expect the giggles it gave me.Heck, you are reading a vampire book review so I'm sure you're familiar with a special type of movies which I, for some reason, loved as a kid - you know, the type where there was a lot of blood and gore, scantily clad women, absolutely stupid dialogues and action defying all reason? I bet you do know what I'm talking about. So, this book was exactly it. But in a written form.A woman, whom you haven't seen for ten years, in a basically see-through negligee knocks on your door and tells you she's in trouble. You, because you never got over loving her, nod in agreement and go. You have no idea what she needs but you are willing to do it because you are thinking with your other head. At her house you are said to dispose of a vampire who is to come. And that's when one hell of a ride begins. It's full of blood, unjustified nudity and ridiculous dialogue.The thing is, it gave me such a shot of nostalgia that I'm not even mad at it. It's a terrible horror but the cringy characters are hilarious in their own special way.

Having read plenty of Laymon books and enjoyed most of them I was looking forward to reading this and the first few chapters where excellent.But for some reason after a few more chapters the story seemed to drag along,it was as if this was a short story that was dragged out to make into a book,for instance you get a few pages of him describing them eating nuts,cheese etc and drinking beer which is fine but when it`s going on for 2 or 3 pages I kept thinking to myself `Big deal get on with it.`For a Laymon book that seems to be rated and reviewed so highly it left me thinking that it does indeed BITE but for all the wrong reasons there are many better Laymon books to read,BITE will not be one I reach for in a hurry again.

Seeing the promo line for the cook "vivid & shocking vampire story" I was intrigued & purchased it before glancing "inside".This book is just a wild story of lust & murder with little or nothing to do with vampires.Do not expect to be shocked , but rather bored by the antics of the lead characters & the weird (odd) characters in the story.

Great vampire book not the glittering types the scary ones really enjoyed this book keeps you on the edge of your seat .

This Laymon book is quite different to everything else I've read of his. For a start there's only really five characters, this means this book is really character driven, you get to feel for each and every one of them and the ordeals they face.A gripping read from start to finish.I only gave this 4 stars as the ending goes out on more of a whimper than a bang.