This thin book was quickly read, definitely a page-turner. Though Anthony Perkins came to mind often, I pushed him out in favor of the author's Norman Bates - plain, fat, and sometimes drunk. Jonah Hill wouldn't fit the role - no dramatic range - so I settled on Louis Anderson. Casting done, I was able to slip into the story.

Each chapter focuses on one character's point of view, sometimes revisiting a previous scene from a new point of view. The madness of Bates comes out in his chapters, his false world view clashing with the information we find out bit-by-bit in other chapters. None of the other characters are particularly sympathetic.

The environment and especially weather are well described, which really adds to the atmosphere. The rest is mostly dialog, between characters or rambling to one's self. Some scenes from the film are missing or in different places, but overall this thin book stands well on its own.

Robert Bloch wrote a sequel published 23 years later, and another shortly after. While I would probably read more from this author, I think I'll pass on these sequels.