Nightfall

[[John Farris]] is a relatively unknown horror and thriller writer from the 1980s, but you should know him. This is not the one I'd recommend starting with, but it has some real-world horror featured. Angel is a unique psychopath (schizophrenic?) who escapes from a mental institution where he was in a catatonic state before going on a brutal murder spree. His mission is to reacquire, and probably torture/kill his wife and son. But they are being hidden by his family, and no ordinary family - this one is from the old country and one of the biggest mafia organizations going. And the wife gets some unlikely assistance from a retired Navy pilot with an unusual night blindness condition. This one is not for the faint of heart, as the show more violence is a little over the top. But Farris is a good writer and keeps you turning the page. If you started here and didn't like it, go back to something like [Wildwood].

3 1/2 bones!!!! show less

Oh it has been such a long time since I first read this little cracker! Angel has escaped from an institution and is on a killing spree to find his ex wife Anita and deal out some justice! There is a great list of characters in this fast and furious tour de force from one of the great horror writers! I love the setting in the deep south..Lostmans Bayou...sounds like a place for losers...and you can feel the heat and the swamp from every page :) So lets meet and greet the locals..Wink Evergood, Baldric, Big Dog, preacher man Wolfdaddy and the Next-Thing-to-Heaven Church of the Right-Way Gospel. Will Angel be successful in his voyage of redemption or will the courageous ex Vietnam vet the dashing Captain Clay Tomlin, who strangely loses show more his eyesight at night, save the day and rescue the beautiful Anita from the jaws of the Angel....all will be revealed in this top notch horror thriller!! show less

I've heard oodles of praise for John Farris so was excited to try him, although maybe I should have started with another book in my collection. This one wasn't bad, but it held a lot of plot tropes I'm over and don't enjoy reading about much - psycho serial killers pursuing a victim that got away. Just not my bag.

The plot wasn't completely original, but the characterization of the main characters was well-done. I like how the heroine isn't traditionally naive or wide-eyed like they usually are in these kinds of stories. The kid was endearing rather than annoying. The small-town, swamp background was a setting I enjoy.

Pacing isn't bad and the writing style makes it a quick read, but overall the story is a little mediocre.