REVIEW: THE TRAVELING VAMPIRE SHOW BY RICHARD LAYMON

THE TRAVELING VAMPIRE SHOW
RICHARD LAYMON
GENRE: HORROR


SYNOPSIS

Though gloomy with clouds, it is a hot, August morning in the summer of 1963. All over the rural town of Grandville, tacked to power poles and trees, taped to store windows, blowing along the sidewalks, fliers have appeared announcing the mysterious one-night-only performance of The Traveling Vampire Show.

The show will feature Valeria, the only known vampire in captivity. According to the fliers, she is a gorgeous, stunning beauty. In the course of the performance, she will stalk volunteers from the audience, sink her teeth into their necks and drink their blood!

For three local teenagers who see the fliers, this is a show they don't want to miss.
But they may have to.
Though they can probably scrape up the price of admission, other obstacles stand in the way. One problem, nobody under 18 years of age is allowed into the show. Dwight, Rusty, and Slim are only 16. Another problem, the show begins at midnight and the three teens always have to be home by then. If that weren't bad enough, the show is to take place at Janks Field -- a desolate patch of ground with a nasty history -- that has been declared off limits by their parents

The situation appears hopeless.


Though Dwight and his friends fear they won't be able to attend the actual performance of the Traveling Vampire Show, they do have the entire day to themselves. Why not hike out to Janks Field and take a look around? With any luck, they might be able to watch the crew make preparations for tonight's performance. If they're really lucky, maybe they'll get a peek at Valeria, the gorgeous vampire.

And so the three friends set off on foot for Janks Field...

Dwight is a solid, honest kid, long on common sense and loyalty to his friends. He always tries to do what's right.

Rusty is a husky guy who relishes trouble.

Slim, their long-time pal, is the brains of the outfit, a voracious reader of novels, an aspiring writer, and a girl. Also, she is sometimes too brave for her own good.

The Traveling Vampire Show is the tale, told in Dwight's own words, of what happened to him, Rusty and Slim on that hot summer day they hiked to Janks Field. It's the story of their friendship and love, their temptations, their betrayals, and their courage as they went where they shouldn't go, did what they shouldn't do...and ran into big trouble.

MY TAKE

4 STARS!

The Traveling Vampire Show turned out to be a great read! I had to sit and debate with myself over whether to give this book 4 or 5 stars. I went with 4 stars because if it were worthy of 5, I shouldn't have had to think about it.

Anyways, the characterization in this novel is excellent. I really felt as if I got to know these three kids--Dwight, Rusty, and Slim. Dwight is the good, pretty much all American kid. Rusty is the little perv of the group. You know something is "off" with this kid pretty early on. As the book continues, you really see Rusty push the limits. Slim (female) is a little badass. I love the way she handles a bow and arrow. She's strong willed, brave, and really likeable. She and Dwight are smitten with each other as well.

The Traveling Vampire Show has come to town and some of the audience aren't going to make it out alive. The whole novel takes place in one day, so there is a lot happening to hold your interest. This is really a cool book and very highly recommended!

BUY THIS BOOK