10-30-2025 Latham's Last Words: Allhallow's Eve by Richard Laymon

Welcome to Latham's Last Words, where I give you my last words on books I've enjoyed. This week's review is another Halloween read, Allhallow's Eve by Richard Laymon. Not my favorite Halloween read, but still enjoyable.

I've read several books by Laymon, and I find that the ones that should be more horror focused, are firmly in the Ok range for me. While I did enjoy this book, it kind of fell flat for me, especially the ending. I also would have liked for it to be more Halloween focused, but it simply just happened to take place on the days leading up to and on Halloween. I felt there could have been so much more if Halloween had been more of a factor.

In true Laymon fashion, the MMC was torn between two women and that was kind of predictable when the character of Melodie was introduced. Out of the 4 books I've read by him, 3 had this story line. In other books of his, it kind of enhanced the story, in this book though it took away from the story for me.

I was bummed that there wasn't some kind of confrontation between Eric and his father, or a big reveal on the truth of Eric's conception. I think that would have given the ending the extra umpf it needed. Instead the ending felt rushed and completely fell flat for me.

I won't say I didn't enjoy the story though. It was fast paced and a definite creepy factor to it. Laymon does have a way with character building. I loved that in the beginning I felt bad for Eric, but about half way through I wanted to smack him upside his head.

If you want a book that is horror/mystery and will keep you reading, this is a good one for that.

Get it here!

https://www.amazon.com/Allhallows-Eve-Richard-Laymon/dp/0747247838