Dead of Night by Jonathan Maberry is an intense, action-packed, creepy, hang on to the seats of your pants zombie story. It all takes place in a tiny town in sleepy Stebbins County, PA, and all takes place in more or less a day (though there are some flashback episodes). The story revolves around four strong, well-drawn, and interesting characters: Police Officer Desdemona Fox (Dez), smart, sexy, but with loads of abandonment issues stemming from her parents death when she was young; her partner TJ, strong, tough, and father-like; Billy Trout, Dez's ex, a newspaper reporter; and psychotic serial-killer Homer Gibbon, who has just been killed on death row. The reason a dead killer can be the star of a novel is that the killer becomes a zombie. He wakes up inside a body bag in a mortuary in Dez and TJ's territory, and all hell breaks loose. This novel works on a number of levels. Firstly, it is a darn good, creepy, zombie story with a plausible explanation. The zombies retain rational thought (though no control over their impulses), which makes for a fascinating and (dare I say?) sympathetic zombie. Understanding the zombie's grasp on humanity also helps the reader relate to the main characters, who are appalled to have to kill their neighbors, colleagues, and friends -- even if they are a danger. This makes a great human interest story, which is enhanced by the likeability of the characters. Dez is deeply flawed but personable, TJ is over-the-hill but still tough, and Billy is a reporter with a heart. Even Homer Gibbon, the serial-killer, is given some depth and sympathy via conversations with his spinster Aunt. And I haven't even mentioned a number of vivid and interesting secondary characters. Dead of Night is also an action story - the cops hit the ground running and they never really stop. So the end result is that Mr Maberry has written a creepy thriller serial-killer zombie action story full of character and a touch of romance. Finally, I want to mention that the story is thought provoking. Faced with a virus that is 99% fatal, the politicians are forced to decide how to handle the outbreak. They are aware that quarantining the town may not be enough, because if even one person gets out then the rest of the world would be in danger. They have to make the awful decision between saving individuals in the town and safeguarding the world. This has got to be a first -- a novel that has caused me to feel sympathy for both zombies AND politicians! That alone is an indicator of what an excellent book it is. Well recommended. If an action movie and a Zombie flick had a baby, this book is what it would look like.In past reviews, readers have complained about character development, but I strongly urge you to consider what you're getting into when you crack open this novel. This isn't the novel of the century, it's a Jonathan Maberry action-packed blood-soaked zombie gore-fest. An exciting page-turner, I finished this one in only two days. If you like both zombies and popular ("frivolous") fiction, you'll love this one. The ending is rather shocking, but I believe, quite fitting. Highly recommended!
What do You think about Lucifer 113 (2000)?
I have to say this is one of the most plausible starts to a zombie apocalypse that I have read.
—Maria
3.5/5 started out a little slow for me, that ending though!
—flyingdutchman
