Review: Inspired by Laymon.....and boy, does it do him proud!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 7, 2012
Alice and Friends, much like Prometheus is to Alien, is a prequel that isn't to Catt Dahman's Z is for Zombie series; incorporating links to that series without actually managing to be part of that world. As the author says herself, the book contains a "hint about the Z is for Zombie series (but is not part of the series at all) but fans of the series will find a HUGE clue to the series mysteries embedded in this book!" And boy, is she right! Of course, that's all I can say about that because the last thing I want to do is give away any spoilers!Catt also describes the book as "a nod to horror master Richard Laymon" and the novel is described as being a tribute to his writing and, as a long-time fan of the late Mr.Laymon, might I say Miss Dahmon has got this completely bang on! If Mr.Laymon was still alive today, I like to think he would've been proud of this book as there is very much part of his spirit alive in this story and, at times, it almost feels like one of his lost works!So what's it all about then? Well, Alice is all alone on a country road when she is abducted by two seemingly well-intentioned strangers. Holed up in a basement, she rapidly discovers that she is not the only one being held and not the first to be captured! Her abductors have some very strange notions about what is on the horizon and want to keep her and her fellow prisoners with them to face the uncertain future.Meanwhile, a pair of young girls enter a spooky ghost ride at a nearby carnival and find themselves being treated to much more than the scare that they were looking for!This is a gruesome novel with some scenes of sexual abuse and torture so is NOT for the squeamish but is DEFINITELY for fans of the late Richard Laymon. Just from my synopsis, you can see that the story follows some of his more traditional and similar themes and even the characters share echoes of his work! I love what Miss Dahman has done here and love the twists and turns and shocks and scares she dishes up and think this could well be her greatest book yet!How much can I recommend this? Not enough is my answer! This is a truly memorable novel and right up there with some of Laymon's greats!Think Funland, think The Beast House, think Darkness, Tell Us and you get a feel for what sort of territory this book is headed for!This book is amazing and should not be missed! If this is what Miss Dahman has planned for the future, then all I can say is that fans of her writing are in for a treat!!