Richard Laymon’s wild Halloween novel, Once Upon a Halloween (2000), mixes the malevolence of a death cult with the trick-or-treat fun of families and little kids. The action starts at the old–some say haunted–Witherspoon house at the end of a dead-end street.
Laura and Shannon moved into the old Witherspoon house three years ago. They plan to dress up and celebrate Halloween with friends after giving out candy to the costumed kids who ring their doorbell.
A desperate young man named Hunter rushes into Laura and Shannon’s house and claims he’s being chased by robed cultists who intend to sacrifice him, and others, at midnight in the nearby graveyard.
As you can imagine, Laura and Shannon deal with Hunter’s story with vast skepticism…until the robed cultists–armed with swords, knives, and hatchets–show up.
If you’re in the mood for a wacky Halloween rampage, give Once Upon a Halloween at try!!! GRADE: B