The Quake

Mexico City, 1985 Armenia, 1988 San Francisco, 1989 Los Angeles, 1994 Kobe, Japan, 1995 WILL YOUR CITY BE NEXT? In this chilling new novel from one of the masters of horror, Richard Laymon explores the beasts lurking just below the surface of every one of us. The "big one" rocks Los Angeles and shakes loose terror and urban chaos that make the LA riots seem like a picnic. In this compelling vision, there are no Good Samaritans banding together. Rather, the disruption releases human animals far more ghastly than those in your worst nightmares. Clint Banner and his daughter Barbara are trapped on opposite sides of the city, desperately trying to get home. To travel through post-quake Los Angeles has become a descent into the lowest reaches of hell. Clint and Barbara must survive the roving gangs of homicidal maniacs and their own companions gone berserk. And, if they do arrive home safely, Stanley Banks might be waiting for them. While father and daughter have been battling the demons outside, Sheila Banner has been trapped stark naked in the bottom of her tub. Easy prey, one would think, for Stanley, the sociopath-next-door, who delights in this opportunity to do more than just ogle his beautiful neighbor. This blood-chilling novel presents in Stanley Banks a demon far more terrifying than Dracula. He might just be real. He might just be next door. He might just come out when you're most powerless.