Book Review: DEAD OF WINTER by Brian Moreland

------Review by contributing writer Scott Baker------

 

DEAD OF WINTER

by Brian Moreland

Release Date: January 3, 2012

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

 

If you are not familiar with author Brian Moreland already, there is a good bet you will be very soon. Why? I would wager that he will be one of the premiere horror writers of this decade. I just finished his novel DEAD OF WINTER, and I have to tell you: it’s a damn good read.

 

If you have not heard of DEAD OF WINTER, here is the plot synopsis courtesy of the press release:

 

A predator stalks the frozen woods. At a fort deep in the Ontario wilderness in 1870, a ghastly predator is attacking colonists and spreading a gruesome plague - his victims turn into ravenous cannibals with an unending hunger for human flesh. Inspector Tom Hatcher has faced a madman before, when he tracked down Montreal’s infamous Cannery Cannibal. But can even he stop the slaughter this time?

 

In Montreal, exorcist Father Xavier visits an asylum where the Cannery Cannibal is imprisoned. But the killer who murdered thirteen women is more than just a madman who craves human meat. He is possessed by a shape-shifting demon. Inspector Hatcher and Father Xavier must unravel the mystery that has spanned centuries and confront a predator that has turned the frozen woods into a killing ground where evil has come to feed.

 

DEAD OF WINTER is a historical fiction novel that combines several different genre elements into a wicked and wild ride. It is a unique and twisted foray into terrifying fun.

 

The story puts the reader directly into the middle of the action, starting with page one. That was one of the major aspects that drew me into the book; I’m not a big fan of long, drawn out openings. Moreland masterfully kicks DEAD OF WINTER off with a bang and then keeps on going like a perpetual fright machine.

 

Moreland’s writing style is excellent, with quick, flowing prose that never dawdles. The action is quick, the dialogue sharp, and the horror...well, let’s just say that there are several scenes in the book that caused me to have a few sleepless nights. Seriously. I’m not usually one to be affected by things of a horror nature (after all, I saw my first horror movie when I was like eight years-old); but there are things in DEAD OF WINTER that will literally keep you up at night.

 

I have not read any of Brian Moreland’s other books, but I will definitely be picking them up soon. He is a force to be reckoned with and a bright spot in the future of horror fiction. DEAD OF WINTER will be published January 3, 2012. Pick this one up for sure!!

 

-MSB

 

 

CLICK HERE to pre-order the paperback

CLICK HERE to order the e-book

 

 

CLICK HERE to visit the author's official website

Book Review: LOW TOWN by Daniel Polansky

  
      *****Review by Guest Contributor, Angie Lee*****
   

LOW TOWN by Daniel Polansky was not what I was expecting and that is a good thing. When the author was compared to Quentin Tarantino in a press release I was leery, especially since I’m a fan of Tarantino… in small doses. Polansky does an incredible job of crafting a great yarn and while the setting and subject matter is dark, the story is lightened by sarcastic dialogue from the protagonist.  Here is the basic plot synopsis of the book courtesy of the book's official website:
  
Rigus is the greatest city in the Thirteen Lands, a glittering metropolis of crystalline citadels and sumptuous manors, where gentlewomen hide delicate smiles behind silken sleeves and bored nobles settle affairs of honor with cold steel. But light casts shadow, and in the darkness of the spires the baseborn struggle, eking out an existence amidst the cast-offs of their betters. This is Low Town, a sprawling warren of side streets and back alleys, of boarded up windows and false storefronts. Here the corner boys do a steady trade to the dead eyed and despairing, and a life can be bought with a clipped copper penny.
Low Town is an ugly place, and its champion is an ugly man. A former war hero and intelligence agent, now a crime lord addicted to cheap violence and expensive narcotics, the Warden spends his days hustling for customers and protecting his turf, until the chance discovery of a murdered child sets him on a collision course with the life he'd left behind. As bodies bloat in the canal and winter buries the city, he plays a desperate game of deception, pitting the underworld powers against his former colleagues in the secret police, hoping to find the source of the evil before it consumes him, and perhaps the city itself.  
 
After an initial slow start, LOW TOWN picks up the pace and it’s obvious that Polansky finds the rhythm of his novel. The main character and narrator, Warden, isn’t just a stereotypical anti-hero. He becomes complex, especially when it’s accurately portrayed that Warden shouldn’t even be likable. As the local known drug dealer in Low Town, there shouldn’t be a lot to say for him. What makes the character work is how well he fits into his environment; Low Town is a section of a city where those in power would rather forget that it even exists. Because of that, the residents of Low Town have their own code of ethics and their own way of handling things. The people eke out a meager living barely having enough to live on and those that reside in Low Town have lived through tough times. Warden has grown up there and comes back after losing his job and his expectations are nothing more than surviving another day. He’s a realistic character and when he gets involved in a case involving the disappearing children of Low Town, he realizes he is one of the few with the resource to figure out what is going on.
  
Not to give the plot away, but there is definitely something that slithers around and goes bump in the night rampaging through Low Town, a force that Warden has seen once before and has plagued him with nightmares ever since. It’s a dark and creepy presence and is the grotesque horror aspect in the novel. LOW TOWN is a mix of detective story, with a little bit of fantasy thrown in and the macabre atmospheric tension of a great horror movie. I get the distinct impression by the set up that this won’t be the last readers have heard from Warden, and that he’ll show up in a sequel in the near future.

CLICK HERE to visit the book's official website

Visit your local bookstore to buy LOW TOWN, or order from one of these fine retailers:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Borders
IndieBound
Powell's Books
Random House

Book Review: THE BRAIN EATER'S BIBLE by Pat Kilbane

  
THE BRAIN EATER'S BIBLE
Written by:  J.D. McGhoul/Pat Kilbane
Published by Mythodrome, Inc.

Just like THE Bible helps us regular humans by giving us instructions on how to live our lives, THE BRAIN EATER'S BIBLE does exactly the same, but for those of the un-dead variety.  Yes, if you are a zombie, newly turned or almost completely rotted away, you need to make sure you have a copy of this book and study it daily.

I have read a lot of zombie manuals, but most are written for us humans about how to defend ourselves against the zombies once the zombie apocalypse occurs.   This book is exactly opposite, this is a humorous book written for the zombies, to help them go about their "lives" and defend themselves from us. 

The book covers a variety of topics including, in the early parts of the book, some general information on what to expect physically, now that you have turned into a zombie.   This section is called "Know Your Body" and is a great reference to let you know about all the changes your body will be going through.   From there, the book moves on to tell you how to survive as a zombie, including how to hunt for brains.   A good example on the detailed info in this book is a section about hunting for brains.  The book talks about "pack hunting" and while you normally would think that would be a no-brainer  (pun intended), here we get a list of not just the pros of pack hunting, but also the cons.  You know in a pack there are strength in numbers, but then at the same time, when a pack attacks somebody, you have far less food per zombie!  Also, it's hard to sneak up on your prey if you are in a giant mob, so you sacrifice the stealth factor.  I had never really thought about these things, but it makes perfect sense.

The book also has an extensive chapter on weaponry that humans will use against you, including info on all sorts of firearms, to the more common hand-held items and blunt objects.   If you are a zombie, you can not afford to not have this info. 

One impressive thing about this book is the pictures.  The team behind this book actually used real makeup effects and created exclusive zombies to use in the pictures throughout this book.   Most books like this are just illustrated, but here you get to see real pics of zombies, which is a really neat and unique, and really sets this book apart from other similar resources.

This book is a must have for sure, but for those of you with an iPad, there is also a cool companion app for you to download which includes the following:

· The 160-page full-color e-book

· 18 videos from zombie author J.D. McGhoul, giving tips on everything from self-esteem to self-defense.

· An interactive 3D model of the skull, showing where to best access the brain.

· Hundreds of zoomable and interactive photos illustrating zombie science, psychology and survival techniques.

· Scrollable zombie martial arts sequences.

· Animated schematics showing how to ambush human prey.

· McGhoul’s “notebook entries” with bonus commentary for almost every page of the book.

· Animations of the zombie virus attacking human cells

The app is only $4.99  (or you can get the light, sampler version for FREE to try it out).  

The app and the book are must haves for any horror fan!   The Hardcover book is currently selling for only $15.01 from Amazon!  DO NOT pass this one up.  This is book everybody needs to have in their reference library.  Even if you are not a zombie now, you will be someday.  There is no time like the present to read up and prepare yourself for that day.


CLICK HERE to purchase the Hardcover book

BOOK REVIEW: ZOMBIES FOR ZOMBIES by David P. Murphy

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I just finished a hilarious new book by David P. Murphy called, ZOMBIES FOR ZOMBIES:  ADVICE AND ETIQUETTE FOR THE LIVING DEAD.   The book is published by Sourcebooks, Inc. I have to say I am a HUGE fan of zombie books.  I have read almost every zombie "survival guide" type of book out there so was happy to find this new twist on the zombie book craze.  Unlike it's subject matter, this book is fresh and new, breathing new life into a book genre that is really starting to get crowded.  

Unlike the typical survival guides which tell humans how to survive and defend themselves against zombies, this book was written specifically for the zombies...to help them deal with living as much as an ordinary life that is possible for a member of the living dead.

The book is laid out like one of those "for Dummies" books that us living humans read.  This is a basic guide for newly turned zombies to learn more about their condition and how to live with it from day to day.  Early in the book, you will find a transition timetable, telling you what to expect from the first few hours after being infected.  The author compares this transition to teens going through puberty, with all the changes going on in the body, but notes that in this transition, you are left with more to worry about than just acne!

After being infected, and after your transition to full zombie, the author lets you know about all the challenges you will face, and offers ways to deal with those challenges.  An obvious example is food.....you will not crave the normal food you did when you were a living human, you will now have a taste for a whole new line of food.  But don't worry, the author lets you know about the fine folks at Putrisystem who have a whole zombie meal plan lined out for you!  Also, the author lets you know about some foods that can be dangerous to a zombie.  Did you know that Creme soda can rupture your trachea?!!   The book also contains an entire section of delicious brain recipes for those do-it-your-selfers out there!

Other topics included in this book include exercise, sports and leisure activities, health care, grooming/fashion, and even tips for a healthy zombie sex life including a zombie kama sutra which includes some great positions for a satisfying living dead sex life.  You will definitely want to learn the "Reverse Sidesaddle Carnivorous Cowgirl Jamboree"!!  HA!

 This is one book a zombie can not live without.  Without this book, a zombie would be lost with day to day living as a member of the undead.  Zombies have a debt of gratitude to show Mr. Murphy for giving them such a detailed instruction guide on how to live their undead lives.

As a companion piece to ZOMBIE FOR ZOMBIES, author David P. Murphy has also written ZOMBIES FOR ZOMBIES:  THE PLAY & WERK BUK.  This is described as an "inactivity guide for the living dead".   Inside you will find all sorts of games and activities to keep your mind from rotting away.  Well ok, you're a zombie, so your mind will eventually rot away, but until then keep your brain active with these great activities including: word searches, stories, dot-to-dots, crosswords, mazes, and much more!!

CLICK HERE to purchase the books
CLICK HERE to visit the official Zombies for Zombies website
CLICK HERE to visit the official website of Sourcebooks, Inc.

Book Review: DROWNED SORROW by Vanessa Morgan

"Something terrible is happening in Moonlight Creek"

I recently had the pleasure of reading the book DROWNED SORROW by Vanessa Morgan.  I am not a huge reader, but will start a book from time to time, and usually it takes me a long time to finish.  That was not the case with DROWNED SORROW.  This book is an easy read and was one I found very hard to put down.  When I did put it down, I couldn't wait until I had time to pick it up again and continue the read.  This is also a book that the phrase "Don't judge a book by it's cover" was made for.  When I first saw it, I immediately thought it was going to be a book about aliens or something of the sort.  The person/creature on the front has an alien vibe to it, and the shiny luminaries in the background looked celestial to me.  Upon further review I can tell that is sparkles off the water, but just at first glance you might pass this book up thinking it was something it wasn't.  Good thing I didn't do that, as I would have missed out on what is one hell of a good Horror novel  (that has nothing to do with aliens, of course).  Before I go any further, here is the basic synopsis from the book's official website:

Megan Blackwood has just lost her only son in a terrible accident. Now she has come to Moonlight Creek with her teenage daughter Jenna, hoping a change of scenery might help to put her life and that of her daughter back together.

But something odd is going on in Moonlight Creek.
When rain falls over the village, its inhabitants commit grisly murders, leaving the place deserted with the first rays of sunshine.
Beneath the lake’s surface, an eerie presence watches … and waits …. Waits to reveal a tragic past drowned in mystery and fear. One that doesn’t bode well for visitors.
By the time Megan realizes that her life, as well as that of her daughter, is in danger, it may be too late to escape.

This is definitely one of the better Horror novels I have read in quite some time.  I know it sounds cliche to compare Horror authors to Stephen King, but I saw a reviewer call Mrs. Morgan the "female Stephen King" and I can't argue with that.  DROWNED SORROW reminded me of and old school Stephen King story.  The story telling is simple enough, yet very descriptive.  With every scene I read, I was able to picture it in my mind, just like I was watching a movie (speaking of that, someone needs to make a movie of this book asap). 
There are some really creepy aspects in this story. As you might can tell from the plot synopsis above, the story involves the creepy town of Moonlight Creek, and also the water....the rain, and the lake.  Water actually becomes a character in itself, in many different fashions and forms.  I knew this was going to be an interesting story when Megan and her daughter Jenna first arrived in Moonlight Creek, and went to the small general store to buy some things.  Inside were shelves and shelves of nothing but bottled water.  It seems these residents don't need to much of anything except water.   The book is full of creepy scenes and situations, all somehow centered around the water.  Another thing I found very creepy about the residents of Moonlight Creek is that when it is bright and sunny outside, the small village is like a ghost town.  When it is cloudy and rainy, though, you will find the town alive and in full swing, with people going about their lives and filling the streets. 
I wont say much more about this book, as I don't want to spoil it for you, but take my word and pick up a copy of this book if you are a fan of Horror fiction!  You will not be disappointed!


CLICK HERE to purchase the book from Llumina Press
CLICK HERE to visit the book's official website
CLICK HERE to visit author Vanessa Morgan's Blog

Book Review: AYEAR OF FEAR by Bryan Senn

I recently finished the book, A YEAR OF FEAR: A DAY-BY-DAY GUIDE TO 366 HORROR FILMS by Bryan Senn. The book is published by McFarland Publishers (http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/).

This is by far one of the best Horror film related books I have ever read. The basic premise of the book is that the author has taken literally every day of the year, and listed a holiday, historical birthday, or other event that is associated with that day. As if that wasn't a hard enough task, he then picks 1 Horror movie for each day of the year that somehow coincides with that particular day.

For example, the film picked for October 20th is 1931 film, DRACULA. It was chosen to represent this day because October 20th is the birthday of the film's star, Bela Lugosi!
Each day's entry includes the film's title and production year, a brief plot synopsis, and then info on how or why that particular film was chosen to represent that specific date in history. The entries also include some behind the scenes type info and interesting anecdotes about the film's production. The book is also full of great photos, from production stills and behind the scenes shots, to pics of classic movie posters!

The book is a large, soft-cover book with clocking in at almost 550 pages! This book is definitely worth the cover price, as this is not just an entertaining film, but a good Horror movie reference book to have on hand as well. What better way to plan what movie to watch at your next friendly get together? Now you can watch a film that is actually somehow meaningful to that particular day!!

Some of my favorite entries are:

May 1st -- KING KONG -- Chosen because the Empire State Building was completed on this day in 1930.
Aug. 27th -- DERANGED -- Chosen because August 27th (1906) is the birthday of Ed Gein.
Nov. 28th -- DEATH RACE 2000 -- Chosen because the first automobile race was held on this day in 1895.
Dec. 8th -- RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD -- Chosen because Dec. 8th, 1792 was the date of the first cremation in the U.S.


You can call McFarland's toll free order line at 1-800-253-2187 to purchase this book or order directly from McFarland's website by CLICKING HERE.

Book Review: AMERICAN ZOMBIE GOTHIC by Kyle William Bishop

For all you zombie lovers out there, you will definitely need to add this book to your library. It is called AMERICAN ZOMBIE GOTHIC: THE RISE AND FALL (AND RISE) OF THE WALKING DEAD IN POPULAR CULTURE by Kyle William Bishop. You gotta love that sub-title! It is published by McFarland Publishers(http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/).

Here is the main description of the book from McFarland's website:

Zombie stories are peculiarly American, as the creature was born in the New World and functions as a reminder of the atrocities of colonialism and slavery. The voodoo-based zombie films of the 1930s and ’40s reveal deep-seated racist attitudes and imperialist paranoia, but the contagious, cannibalistic zombie horde invasion narrative established by George A. Romero has even greater singularity.
This book provides a cultural and critical analysis of the cinematic zombie tradition, starting with its origins in Haitian folklore and tracking the development of the subgenre into the twenty-first century. Closely examining such influential works as Victor Halperin’s White Zombie, Jacques Tourneur’s I Walked with a Zombie, Lucio Fulci’s Zombi 2, Dan O’Bannon’s The Return of the Living Dead, Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later, and, of course, Romero’s entire “Dead” series, it establishes the place of zombies in the Gothic tradition.

AMERICAN ZOMBIE GOTHIC discusses the meaning and popularity behind the zombie as a film character starting with the very first Zombie films such as WHITE ZOMBIE and I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE and going all the way to the modern zombie films such as George Romero's last zombie film, DIARY OF THE DEAD. Of course, a main part of this book is focused on what most film historians to be the greatest zombie film, Romero's NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD from 1968. Bishop goes very in depth with the early zombie films, discussing the origins of zombies from Haitian folklore and voodoo inspired films. He also notes the relationship between the zombies and the subject of slavery and the deep seeded racist attitudes of that generation. Bishop then goes on to discuss various films from each decade and goes "behind the scenes" so to speak, to bring out some of the real basis' and inspirations for some of the zombie films, including the Vietnam War and the commercialized society of the 1970' and '80's.
This is a great book full of great information and full of great pics from most all the zombie films discussed. Along with the Chapter Notes, bibliography, and index, the book also contains a filmography of all the movies discussed in the book. This is especially handy to use as a checklist of sorts in case you want to try to view all the zombie films discussed in the book. The book is softcover with 247 pages of pure zombie fun! Get your copy today!!


You can call McFarlands toll free order line at 1-800-253-2187 to purchase the book or order directly from McFarland's website by CLICKING HERE.

Book Review: LURKER IN THE LOBBY: A GUIDE TO THE CINEMA OF H.P. LOVECRAFT

LURKER IS THE LOBBY is a must read for any fan of the films based on the stories of H.P. Lovecraft. The book is written by Andrew Migliore and John Strysik and covers over 50 films based (and some very loosely based) on the mythos of H.P. Lovecraft. You will find the very obvious entries, such as the RE-ANIMATOR films, THE BEYOND, THE CALL OF CTHULHU, IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS, NECRONOMICON, etc. You will also find some you might not know had anything to do with H. P. Lovecraft (i.e. CASTLE FREAK or ALIEN). The book also covers TV shows and shorts based on the stories of Lovecraft. A couple of the best features of this book are the Gallery section, which contains movie posters, movie stills, and illustrations from the films and the Interviews section. The Interviews section contains interviews with some of the biggest names in horror and film, including: Richard Band, John Carpenter, Jeffrey Combs, Roger Corman, Guillermo del Toro, Stuart Gordon, Dan O'Bannon, Brina Yuzna, and others!

The book was published in 2006 by Night Shade Books and can be purchased directly from their website by CLICKING HERE.

Book Review: THE ZOMBIE HANDBOOK by Rob Sacchetto

Here is another great zombie book I have run across: THE ZOMBIE HANDBOOK by Rob Sacchetto. Some of you might recognize the name Rob Sacchetto as the world-renowned zombie illustrator from http://www.zombieportraits.com/. For those not familiar with the site, check it out. It is a cool site where you can send Rob a photo and he will send you a hand illustrated picture of you as a member of the undead!! Ok, now back to the book. Rob's book is a fun, illustrated guide to surviving the coming Zombie Apocalypse. The book includes tons of helpful tips such as Zombie-proofing your home, setting lures and traps, identifying the different types of zombies, and choosing the best armor and weapons to kill the zombies. The illustrations throughout are great and the info is very useful. This is a great book with lots of tongue-in-cheek humor (I don't really know what the means) and lots of subtle references to popular zombie films throughout. With a copy of this book in hand, you should be fine when the Zombie Apocalypse begins. If you do not buy this book and study it profusely, then you are as good as zombie food!
Bon Appetit!

CLICK HERE to order THE ZOMBIE HANDBOOK from Amazon.com
CLICK HERE to go to the Zombie Portraits website to order your own Zombie Portrait!!
CLICK HERE to go to Rob's awesome blog, ZOMBIE DAILY

Book Review: BOOK OF THE DEAD: THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF ZOMBIE CINEMA by Jamie Russell

BOOK OF THE DEAD is one of the better books on the subject of Zombie films. The book is written by Jamie Russel and is a comprehensive guide to all the zombie films, from the birth of the voodoo zombie films, to the "rebirth" of zombie films of late. This book is a nice sized 320 pages of anything and everything you would want to know about almost any zombie film ever made. The book includes chapters on the popular Italian zombie films, the films of George Romero, and a very handy Zombie Filmography. The book has tons of rare photos and movie stills, both color and black and white. This is a must have for any zombie fan, or really any Horror fan in general.

CLICK HERE to buy the book from Amazon.com, or ask for it at your local bookstore!