Richard Laymon Same Vein
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Publisher: Leisure Books |
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SPREE by J.N. Williamson
Dell is in and out of prison during his teenage years, charging from one crime to another, from one prison cell to the next. With low intelligence and little common sense, all he likes to do is kill.
People have "magic" and Dell needs more of it. By killing others, Del gets their magic from them. It's a simple plan for a simple guy.
Until cell-mate and protector Lloyd B. takes him under his arm and shows him the wonders of The Good Book - no, not the Bible, but a Webster's Dictionary. Soon, Dell learns more and more about words and becomes more educated - more willing to learn about the world and the way it works. But still the magic must be taken from others to make Dell even stronger. He has learnt about the phoenix and wants to rise from the ashes of his life stronger than before. And when he gets out of jail this time, he's going to make sure he can get as much magic as possible.
Kee is a teenager who lives a boring life. Her mother's a religious fanatic and her father is dying of syphillis. Her life couldn't get more dull, but she knows that soon her knight will drive through town and take her away from it all. She's had visions of him and knows he will come one day. All she has to do is wait for him. And, as she waits, she allows the boys of the town to feel her breasts and have a look at things they shouldn't - all for a price of course...
And then, as Dell begins his killing spree across America, he stops one night in sleepy Cherokee Rose and Kee finds her knight waiting for her.
Apart, Dell and Kee are lonely psychos in the sea of life. Together they're a tornado that's going to tear apart anyone in their way.
Even police officer Kirk Douglas (no, not *that* Kirk Douglas...but he does look like him) is way behind the eight-ball on this one. He has no idea where Dell and Kee are headed or where they'll strike next. All he can do is follow the trail of destruction and pick up the pieces of the dead and dying. Unless he gets a lucky break...
Throw out your copies of AMERICAN PSYCHO. Tape over your copy of THELMA & LOUISE.
SPREE by Williamson outdoes them all.
This roller-coaster ride into hell (but not back) will keep all readers on the edge of their seats. Once again, characterisation is the key here, with Dell, Kee and Lloyd B. (and even Kirk Douglas) strong and believable as real people. You feel for them, you wish you could reach out and take hold and shake them and say, "Hey, get a grip here!" But you can't. All you can do is watch and hope for the best.
But the best doesn't come for Dell and Kee - nothing can save them once they start on their bloody journey. No one is going to get in their way. No one is going to survive.
Another classic Williamson terror that will stay with you long after the book has ended.
Top notch!
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