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.
Crystal M. (dreamingtigress) reviewed The Cellar (Beast House Chronicles, Bk 1) on + 41 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This book was well written, and keeps you wondering, and wanting to know what happens; BUT!! I will be the first to meantion the fact that this book has "children RAPE!!!" in it. An 8 year old girl RAPPED!! and not just once either.
The story about the Beast House was great, the story about the child being rapped Sucked *you know what* and the story that involved with the main characters were good too; but why did he have to ruin it with the children rape?! *sigh*
This book is worth reading if you can over look the nasty part of it; but it's horriable at the same time because of it... I'm not keeping the book, but the story of the actual Beast House was good and is currently keeping from the basement... chilly, sickening, and mysterious horror; really wished he left the part out with the children:(
The story about the Beast House was great, the story about the child being rapped Sucked *you know what* and the story that involved with the main characters were good too; but why did he have to ruin it with the children rape?! *sigh*
This book is worth reading if you can over look the nasty part of it; but it's horriable at the same time because of it... I'm not keeping the book, but the story of the actual Beast House was good and is currently keeping from the basement... chilly, sickening, and mysterious horror; really wished he left the part out with the children:(
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!
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: 1
Really liked this book--well written with the storyline a continuous flow to it that just keeps you on the edge and wanting to know 'what's next' as you get near the end you won't put it down until the very last page. Not for the squeamish at all and some very descriptive gory details, if you can't handle it don't go for this one.
Caroline A. (Lilyflower) - , reviewed The Cellar (Beast House Chronicles, Bk 1) on + 54 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Awakened by an early-morning phone call, Donna found out that her ex-husband, Roy, has been released from prison. She immediately drags her twelve-year-old daughter out of bed and together they hit the road-fast. The last thing she wants is for Roy to get his hands on them again. But in fleeing one danger, Donna and her daughter are unknowingly heading straight toward another.They're heading toward Beast House.
Behind the cellar door, down the creaky steps, waits a creature of pure evil. At night, when the house is dark and all is quiet...the beast comes out.
Behind the cellar door, down the creaky steps, waits a creature of pure evil. At night, when the house is dark and all is quiet...the beast comes out.
Helpful Score: 1
This was the first book I read by this author, but I'm going to read more. It was a page turner and kept me up at night to find the answer and ending. If you like horror, this is for yoy.
Helpful Score: 1
i dint know if im just not cut out for Laymon, but after the first fifty pages i didnt want to finish this one. Maybe it was the child rapist (and consequent molestation scenes) that really bothered me. The premise sounded good, but i think Lovecraft has spoiled me for many other horror authors.
I'm not sure what to say about this book. It was a bit suspenseful, a bit scary and a bit ridiculous. I couldn't wait to finish it, but after I did, I wish I'd never bothered.
Jennifer C. (JennJenn523) reviewed The Cellar (Beast House Chronicles, Bk 1) on + 59 more book reviews
The book kept me interested but reading about the graphic details of a little girls rape was not cool.
Christie H. (craftychicken) reviewed The Cellar (Beast House Chronicles, Bk 1) on + 5 more book reviews
This book was very good with a surprise ending.
I was so disgusted with the relatively graphic child-rape scene early on in the book that I couldn't finish reading it.
Rebecca T. (solticeart) reviewed The Cellar (Beast House Chronicles, Bk 1) on + 33 more book reviews
Of all laymons books and I have read most all of them... I like the beast house trilogy the least... it was slow to start and I didnt think it was one of his normal type stories.. although if you read them I liked the last one the best of them all.. it was ok.. but the stories left me with a uneasy feeling.. I wanted to get it over with... yes there usually sex in his books..but this story was just too weird... ( and I usually like weird! and sometimes the people do odd things.. but this one I found the characters to be not realistic at all..and to do things a normal person just would not do.....and right from the beginning too... I plane old dont like the story... if you like laymons other books you may like it.. but for me.. its my least favorite.. the 2nd in this 3 part series was the worst one.. this is the 2nd worse.. but the 3rd is ok...
If you like Horror/Suspense and are looking for a good book / series to read this one is GREAT! One of the best books ive read in a while starts off good and follows all the way through to the end. The 2 others after this one are just as good I highly reccomend
This was the first of his books for me. Besides the child being assaulted, this book was excellent! All the way to the ending. Wish he would of kept the child out of it but the concept was awesome!
They call it the Beast House, Tourists flock to see it, lured by its history of butchery and sadistic sexual enslavement. They enter, armed with cameras and camcorders, but many never return. The men are slaughtered quickly. The women have a far worse fate in store. But the worst part of the house is what lies beneath it. Behind the cellar door, down the creaky steps, waits a creature of pure evil. At night, when the house is darkand all is quiet...the beast comes out!
Another Richard Laymon tale of terror, if you like his stories you'll enjoy this one.
Another Richard Laymon tale of terror, if you like his stories you'll enjoy this one.
This was a great book, finished it in 1 day. It does have some gut wrenching things, and if your able to overlook them your in for a great read! I cannot wait to read the rest of this series!
Absolutely loved this book! The only problem I'd have to say is the conversations and relationships between the people didn't seem authentic. Just something a little off there. The story was quite jaw dropping. I had fun reading it.
Sick! Sick! Sick! Exactly as a horror should be! I didn't care for the child rape-it could have been left out-but perfect for setting you up for the character doing the evil!!
My first book by Richard Laymon and won't be my last. In fact I have a few of the others in this series and will definately continue it. I read this one in one day as I couldn't put it down. It is pretty graphic in some areas but loved the ending as the rapist gets what he deserves--I won't say what happens to him though, you have to read it for yourself to find out. Looking forward to the next in the series!
CHRISTOPHER R. (exterminator) reviewed The Cellar (Beast House Chronicles, Bk 1) on + 29 more book reviews
one of his very first books. I loved this one and think you will as well. Great monster in the cellar
story.
story.
Katie B. (katiem63116) reviewed The Cellar (Beast House Chronicles, Bk 1) on + 136 more book reviews
I was unable to get to far into this book for one reason.....the girl is 12 years old and talks and acts like she is six. That really bugged me lol
A different plot line makes this a unique among Laymons books.The Hero is vaguely like Jack Reacher,a Lee Child character.A good read, especially for Laymon fans.
"If you have missed Laymon, you have missed a treat." Stephen King
Behind the cellar door down the creaky steps waits a creature of pure evil at night when the house is dark all is quiet the beast comes out.
Behind the cellar door down the creaky steps waits a creature of pure evil at night when the house is dark all is quiet the beast comes out.
I really enjoyed this book. Very suspenseful, with a totally unpredictable ending.
This is a disgusting book, so if you like disgusting stuff, you might enjoy it. It's on the level of torture movies like Saw, etc. I'm no prude, but this book is mainly about criminal sexual acts. The writing is tight and Laymon gets where he's going fast, but where he's going isn't anywhere I would let a friend follow.
I've read several Richard Laymon horror novels over the years. I usually find them to be full of sex, gore, and violence but somehow they compel me to keep turning the pages. This one is I believe Laymon's first novel. It's definitely typical of his writing with lots of blood and gore. However, in this one he goes way over the top in describing sexual abuse towards children that I thought was a little too much!
In this one, a woman Donna, finds out that her ex-husband is being released from prison. He was there for raping their young daughter several years previously. When Donna finds out he is to be released, she takes her daughter and flees north to a small town where her car breaks down. This town is the site of an infamous tourist attraction called The Beast House where several murders were committed allegedly by a gruesome beast with claws. These murders have been happening since 1903 and continue up to the time of the book in the late 70s. But is the beast real? Donna happens to meet up with a man, Jud, who is there with one of the past victims of the beast to see if they can kill it. In the meantime, Donna's ex is wreaking havoc upon other young girls as well as Donna's sister to try to get her to divulge Donna's location. Well this all comes to a head at the Beast House amid much violence and gore and doesn't end well for most involved.
Overall, this was typical Laymon but the child sex abuse perpetrated by Donna's ex-husband was a little too much even for Laymon. This one has a couple of sequels that I'll probably be reading to see how much more bizarre the story can get.
In this one, a woman Donna, finds out that her ex-husband is being released from prison. He was there for raping their young daughter several years previously. When Donna finds out he is to be released, she takes her daughter and flees north to a small town where her car breaks down. This town is the site of an infamous tourist attraction called The Beast House where several murders were committed allegedly by a gruesome beast with claws. These murders have been happening since 1903 and continue up to the time of the book in the late 70s. But is the beast real? Donna happens to meet up with a man, Jud, who is there with one of the past victims of the beast to see if they can kill it. In the meantime, Donna's ex is wreaking havoc upon other young girls as well as Donna's sister to try to get her to divulge Donna's location. Well this all comes to a head at the Beast House amid much violence and gore and doesn't end well for most involved.
Overall, this was typical Laymon but the child sex abuse perpetrated by Donna's ex-husband was a little too much even for Laymon. This one has a couple of sequels that I'll probably be reading to see how much more bizarre the story can get.
Typical Laymon book, with a shocker ending.
Tried to read but could not get into it.
Allison S. (kshanholtzer) reviewed The Cellar (Beast House Chronicles, Bk 1) on + 9 more book reviews
Typical Laymon: REALLY GOOD!
From Back Cover:
They call it Beast House. Tourists flock to see it, lured by its history of butchery and sadistic sexual enslavement. They enter, armed with cameras and camcorders, but many never return. The men are slaughtered quickly. The women have a far worse fate in store. The worst pasrt of the house is what lies beneath it. Behind the cellar door, down the creaky steps, waits a creature of pure evil. At night, when the house is dark and all is quiet, the beast comes out. Awakened by an early phone call, Donna found out that her ex-husband, Roy, has been released from prison. She immediately dragged her twelve year old daughter out of bed and together they hit the road. The last thing she wants is for Roy to get his hands on them again. But, in fleeing one danger, Donna and her daughter are unknowingly heading straight toward another. They are heading for Beast House.
They call it Beast House. Tourists flock to see it, lured by its history of butchery and sadistic sexual enslavement. They enter, armed with cameras and camcorders, but many never return. The men are slaughtered quickly. The women have a far worse fate in store. The worst pasrt of the house is what lies beneath it. Behind the cellar door, down the creaky steps, waits a creature of pure evil. At night, when the house is dark and all is quiet, the beast comes out. Awakened by an early phone call, Donna found out that her ex-husband, Roy, has been released from prison. She immediately dragged her twelve year old daughter out of bed and together they hit the road. The last thing she wants is for Roy to get his hands on them again. But, in fleeing one danger, Donna and her daughter are unknowingly heading straight toward another. They are heading for Beast House.
Tammy P. (bookluver-in-sc) reviewed The Cellar (Beast House Chronicles, Bk 1) on + 229 more book reviews
Have read a couple of books by Laymon. Hope this one is as good.
