INTO THE FIRE

written by Richard Laymon

published by Leisure Books (July 2006)

ISBN: 0-8439-5732-8

ISBN-13: 978-0843957327

reviewed by Ty Schwamberger

09.08.2008

Into The Fire, by Richard Laymon, begins like so many of his other novels, with action.

Newly-wed, Pamela, is enjoying a quiet night at home waiting for her husband to finish in the bathroom. The next thing she knows, a man is standing in her bedroom doorway and her husband has been brutally murdered. But, Pamela is no stranger to the killer, oh no. She ends up becoming a prisoner of the maniac who has lusted after her since high school.

Then there is Norman, a college student on his way home for the weekend. Regretfully, he meets up with Duke and a girl named Boots, who drag him around, getting him into more trouble with each passing stop. The only problem is that Norman starts to like the idea of doing bad things to people.

The four main characters end up converging in the sun scorched town of Pitts, in the middle of the Mojave Desert. Each one of them are brought to the town independently from one another in a converted school bus, The Glory Bus (which was the original title of this book when it was released in 1991) drove by a driver with black sunglasses, a flat top and strict rules about being on the bus.

The four main characters have to go through a lot before getting to the town. But there is a surprise for weary travelers when they stop in Pitts, could it be worse than what they already experienced? That is for you to find out!

I am a true Laymon fan, having read 15 to 20 of his books so far. I continually try to get my hands on everything I can of his because I love his writing style, characterization and story telling. So, I would rate this book a little above average compared to his other novels that I have had the pleasure of reading.

So, if you are hungry for a good horror read, pick up one of Laymon’s books. I would just suggest that if you are truly hungry go to the kitchen and get something to eat, rather than visiting any diner you might encounter in the town of Pitts.