Set in fictional Malcasa Point, Friday Night in Beast House begins with sixteen-year-old Mark sitting on the edge of his bed debating with himself whether or not to telephone Alison for a date. When he finally musters enough courage to do so she, to his surprise, accepts…on one condition: Mark has to get her inside Beast House the following night, after it closes.
From there the story plows ahead—to a somewhat unexpected conclusion—in a straight and narrow path, with few side trips. Laymon, no prose stylist, seems almost in a rush to tell the tale before it opens razor-toothed jaws and swallows him whole. All in all, that’s not a bad thing as it allows the reader to focus his/her attention solely on the action and dialogue occurring within the pages, thus forsaking any chance of ennui setting in…or even comfort.
While not a great book, I found Friday Night in Beast House fun, fast-paced and perfectly suited for a little decadent, nightmarish escape from reality.
Rating 8/10 - Reviewed by Gary West
