Ray Garton

Ray Garton is an American horror and suspense author who has written over 60 books since beginning his career in 1984. He is particularly known for his vampire novel Live Girls and his controversial work Ravenous, which deals with werewolves and sexual themes. Much of Garton's work explores dark themes through the lens of small-town settings, often incorporating elements of psychological horror alongside supernatural threats. His novel In a Dark Place, which documented the alleged haunting of the Snedeker family, was later adapted into the film The Haunting in Connecticut. Garton has received recognition within the horror genre, including nominations for the Bram Stoker Award. His writing style is characterized by graphic violence and sexual content, leading some of his works to be labeled as "splatterpunk" - a subgenre of horror fiction that emphasizes graphic violence. The author has also written media tie-in novels for popular properties such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, alongside his original horror fiction. He continues to write and publish through various horror and dark fiction publishers.

Readers note Ray Garton's graphic violence and sexual content, with many citing his work as too intense. His horror novels draw both devoted fans who appreciate his unflinching style and critics who find it gratuitous. Readers praised: - Fast-paced, tense plotting - Realistic dialogue and character interactions - Ability to create unsettling, menacing atmosphere - Original takes on vampire and werewolf tropes Common criticisms: - Excessive gore and sexual violence - Character development sacrificed for shock value - Some plots feel rushed or unresolved - Later works viewed as less polished than earlier novels Average ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (across all works) Amazon: 4.1/5 LibraryThing: 3.5/5 "Live Girls" maintains the highest reader ratings (4.2/5 on Goodreads) while "Scissors" receives the lowest (3.2/5). Several readers noted abandoning books mid-way due to content, though others praised Garton for "pulling no punches" and "showing real horror."

Live Girls (1987) A young man discovers a vampire club in Manhattan and becomes entangled in their world while investigating his friend's death.

Ravenous (1981) Following a car accident, a woman finds herself in a remote town where the residents harbor dark secrets and unnatural appetites.

Lot Lizards (1991) A truck stop becomes the center of horrific events as supernatural creatures prey on truckers and prostitutes.

The Loveliest Dead (2003) A family moves into a new home where they encounter ghosts of murdered children and confront dark family secrets.

Sex and Violence in Hollywood (2001) A private investigator in Los Angeles becomes involved in a case connecting the adult film industry with ritual murder.

Darklings (1985) Children in a small town begin disappearing as an ancient evil emerges from beneath the earth.

Scissors (1990) A man's routine dental appointment transforms into a nightmare of torture and psychological horror.

Trade Secrets (1990) A teenager working at a movie theater uncovers dangerous supernatural forces connected to the establishment's history.

The New Neighbor (1991) A woman discovers her charming new neighbor is harboring sinister intentions and dark supernatural powers.

Methods of Madness (1990) A collection of short horror stories exploring various themes of psychological and supernatural terror.