Darkness, Tell Us (1991, Headline) by Richard Laymon | Vintage Horror Book Review

Stephen King says, “If you’ve missed Laymon, you’ve missed a treat.”
A look at Richard Laymon’s take on the Ouija board horror novel, 1991’s Darkness, Tell Us!

[@MrTuco40]

Laymon was incredible. Night in the Lonesome October. After Midnight. In the Dark. The Stake. Funland. Just typing the names makes me want to re read them. Man I wish he was still around.

[@PaperbackMania]

Same

[@chriserrington7234]

Ahhhh Leon, I miss you man. Come back some day. Would love to see some more of your vids. Stay safe.

[@nickchavez1050]

This was my first Laymon, always will be my favorite! Thanks for covering it man! Great video like always!!

[@horrorcash]

Great review bro. Book sounds awesome! I shared this video on my Horror Helper forum.

[@peterconlon8234]

So glad to see this: been waiting to see you do a Laymon. Cannot wait for your top 5. I quite loved this book and your review was spot on. And your thoughts at the end on Laymon were just as perfect. Thanks

[@PaperbackMania]

Glad you enjoyed the review

[@marinaschnierer4560]

I absolutely loved this review! I have several Laymon books and they never disappoint me. I haven't read this one yet but, my gosh, your review has made me want to pick it up tonight!

[@PaperbackMania]

Go for it!

[@delboy4607]

This a really good one you should read it if you still haven't

[@OrcmanRepugnant]

Darkness Tell Us shocked this innocent reader back in the day. The book made me a Laymon fan.

[@jenniferlavacca9272]

Female here, and absolutely love, love, love Laymon! Maybe it's because I grew up in the 70s, and love the whole slasher genre, but I really appreciate an author who writes characters as real people, not as PC pansies. And Laymon was one of those wonderful, gritty authors who really went for it, no holds barred. His books have a very Grindhouse feel to them, kind of like if Koontz (who I also love) and Tarantino had a love child together. I'm definitely an ardent fan of his icky-amusing prose. Pro Laymon!

[@PaperbackMania]

🤘🤘

[@Areala21]

Another phenomenal review, Leon! This is one of my favorite Laymon books, the fourth or fifth of his I read. Really cool idea, really fun execution (especially the truth about who Butler actually is). :)

[@PaperbackMania]

I can definitely see how this one would be held in high regard by Laymon fans.

[@bentramer1]

Thanks for the review, Brocephus

[@PaperbackMania]

Welcome, Brobert

[@willa5551]

i read this not too long ago. my first laymon book. i really enjoyed it. i wish he would have went into more of that chick and the guy she was living with, though. loved the ending, though, even if it felt kind of cheap.

[@PaperbackMania]

The finale definitely elevates the book. Super memorable.

[@Authorfan]

Great job. Read it years ago and remembered while listening to this how much I had enjoyed the book as well.

[@PaperbackMania]

Good times

[@JohnnyRecently]

Most excellent video Broman! One of my favorite Laymon books.

[@PaperbackMania]

It’s definitely up there

[@Smorgasvord]

Great review.....keep em coming.

[@horrorreader1869]

Wonderful review Leon. I Haven't read the book yet, but I will if I can find it cheap. I'm pro Laymon like you and really enjoyed The Traveling Vampire Show, In the Dark, and Night In the Lonesome October and you make me want to read them again. I was going to ask your favorite Laymon books but I guess I'll anticipate the list this summer. Do you have the book In Laymon's Terms about Laymon that I have and I eagerly plan to read. I also have Resurrection Dreams, Body Rides, and Bite which I haven't read yet so maybe I'll have a Laymon June of reading.

[@PaperbackMania]

I actually don’t have In Laymon’s Terms; that’s one I’ll have to look out for. Laymon is the perfect summer read🏝

[@midian_lament3458]

So heads up alot of laymon books on Kindle unlimited atm.. including this one

[@PaperbackMania]

Very nice

[@crimsonthreshold]

Laymon is one of the main reasons I wanted to read horror. The last Laymon book I read was Into The Fire aka The Glory Bus, wow. Reminded me of The Hills Have Eyes meets Natural Born Killers. I honor my Laymon membership 😎. Good review. Long Live, LAYMON!

[@PaperbackMania]

🤘

[@anthonyeusanio4677]

Gotta say man, I respect and delight in your don't - give- a- fuck punk rock literary attitude lol. Your recommendations sit very well with me, as I've purchased several ( Satan's Mistress, Midnight, Mirror, The Bad Room, Live Girls, What's Wrong with Valerie?, to name a few. I've just started on Death Song by Douglas Borton) I have yet to read Laymon, however but I'm excited now to rectify that. The closest of his peers I am familiar with is Jack Ketchum; I've read many if his novels and quite a few short stories, may he rest in peace. I know Ketchum always touted Laymon. I was thinking of starting on Laymon with this one or Resurrection Dreams..Guess I'll have t o get both! Anyway, keep up the great work!! Peace out bro.

[@PaperbackMania]

I think both this one and Resurrection Dreams would be good intros to his work.

[@karaab73637]

Ive read them all brilliant 🙆

[@DamnableReverend]

I've never read a laymon book. I've looked at a few like this one and just wasn't sure if he was for me. But you make it all sound very tantalising. Where did you go? last video was a long time ago! That top 5 list would be cool!

[@adamwalter3450]

Loved the review you are indeed my favorite booktuber, and The Beast House is also a great and entertaining book from Richard Layman

[@PaperbackMania]

Thanks, man. I really need to get to the rest of the Beast House books.

[@william3onfire]

Haven't read it, but Traveling Vampire Show gets a lot of love in the internet.

[@PaperbackMania]

Haven’t read it either but you’re right. Seems a little more mature and more palatable to the general horror reader.

[@deadhead5276]

More laymon !!!!!!!

[@Nchubbz]

Richard Laymon took some time to grow on me. He is a very, acquired taste. I read The Cellar when I was like 14 - 15, and it really turned me off. The constant rape and pedo plotline just felt distasteful. Couldn't stomach it and I put it down. BUT Then I read 'One Rainy Night' about 2 years ago - about 10 years after trying 'The Cellar' - and I was like, 'Ah! I get him now!' Loved him and could not put him down. I've gone back to Beast House series and I guess at least got some morbid enjoyment out of them, even just if laughing at how ridiculous and over the top things get. This is definitely next on my list, I think my parents have a copy of it floating around somewhere at their house.

[@PaperbackMania]

“Morbid enjoyment” is a good way to put the entertainment value of Laymon.

[@cb94z]

I hate to admit it, but I've yet to read any Laymon. I've got "In The Dark" in my bookcase. You've convinced me to make it my next read.

[@nothanks4469]

I'm just about to order In the Dark. The plot sounds wonderfully creepy.

[@patrickkiernan8464]

I enjoy Laymon books they're fun reads, just after finish rereading The Cellar I forgot how much of a fun read it was

[@OmegaNutkins]

Still watching your reviews, keep them coming! What was so British about the copy at the beginning out of interest? I'd watch a full video on pond-adjacent writing styles!

[@PaperbackMania]

Just something about certain words and phrasing in that synopsis that sound British to me. Thank god for the Brits to have published Laymon back when no one else was giving him the time of day.

[@seancollins147]

Another amazing review Leon! Keep up the good work!

[@speculativemagpie6160]

I am Pro Laymon, though I haven't read this one. I think I need to go out and find this book. Thanks for the review!

[@PaperbackMania]

🤘

[@djpowell5261]

Great channel!!! How about a book shelf tour??

[@PaperbackMania]

One of these days...

[@sherrilynncrothall2652]

The bus scene is one of my favorite scenes in Horror. It's creepy scary and sad .Great review 💀🔪😎

[@PaperbackMania]

Thanks. Agreed on that scene😧😱☠️

[@FrankMillersEvilHat1]

Laymon is so far from I am reading is very hit or miss for me but he does have a distinct style and I did notice he can rush at times when if he just let some room to breath it would make even his weaker work more strong. But I do want to collect some of his work, I already ordered Beware and next paycheck I am going to pick up Funland which I hear is a good one. I may pick this up too if I have the cash I notice some novels tend to be expensive and others more affordable.

[@OrcmanRepugnant]

The Great 5 for me. Darkness Tell Us, One Rainy Night, Funland, Savage, In The Dark..... among others.

[@PaperbackMania]

It’s amazing to me how vastly different most people’s top 5 Laymon books are. Every time I see a list I haven’t even read a majority of the books on it!

[@OrcmanRepugnant]

Dude is there a Horror Community? Am I one of the cool kids? And yes Vale Richard Laymon!!!

[@PaperbackMania]

Right here, bro! Yeah you’re cool 😎

[@PaperbackMania]

Check out Books of Horror on Facebook

[@thathorrorshow4126]

Brewster! I ordered 14 books and The Light at the End by John Skipp is one of them.

[@PaperbackMania]

That’s a fun one. Love books set in ‘80s NYC.

[@SuperStrangSshadow]

You should try No Sanctuary by him. Read many books by him. They're fun.

[@PaperbackMania]

Not too familiar with that one; thanks for the rec.

[@Magnatarvillin]

What happened to this channel it was my favorite ever it just freaking sucks there's nothing now please come back Leon please we need this nastalga channel bro and the couch sessions about the 90s