The Walking Dead: Invasion - A Review

THE WALKING DEAD: INVASION by Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga

When we last left our group of Woodbury survivors in “Descent” they had just moved everyone left after the governor’s rampage underground.  They made the ancient tunnels and mine shafts habitable and safe.  However, they knew they could not stay down there forever because living underground was taking it’s toll on the senior citizens and children in Lilly Caul’s group.  Lily wants Woodbury back but it is still infested with the herd of walkers that drove them underground in the first place.

Deep in the “hinterlands” Reverend Gerlitz is very busy rebuilding his group of followers and he has come up with a diabolical new weapon to take revenge on not only the walkers roaming about but on Lilly and her group as well.

Which group will come up victorious is this (reputedly) final confrontation.

I had this audio book on hold at the library and it became available shortly after the “Walking Dead” midseason finale aired, so I could continue to get my “walker fix” for a little while longer.  Although not the best book in the series I did enjoy this installment in the series and I think any fan of the television show would enjoy the books as well.  Of course, there is no shortage of “gruesome” in these books and I think the only authors who can match George R.R. Martin for his ruthlessness in killing off favorite characters is the team of Kirkman and Bonansinga.  What else can I say about this book?  I enjoyed it and it is what it is … a book about a zombie apocalypse … that for some strange reason I find entertaining.

If you have read the other books and are a fan of the series then I highly recommend these books.  Although there is some overlap between these books and the television series you won’t hear too many familiar names.  If you are thinking about reading the books I would highly suggest starting with “The Road to Woodbury”. 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

ROBERT KIRKMAN (from www.thewalkingdead.com)

In addition to his work as a writer and executive producer on The Walking Dead, Robert Kirkman is also a successful creator of independent comics. Kirkman created and continues to write the long-running Image Comics title The Walking Dead, on which the show is based, and the comics have been gaining popularity throughout its run. He also writes the acclaimed and equally long-running super-hero comic Invincible, which he created with Cory Walker, and the all-ages comic Super Dinosaur, which he created with Jason Howard.

JAY BONANSINGA  (http://www.jaybonansinga.com/about)

THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE says, “Jay Bonansinga has quickly and firmly established himself as one of the most imaginative writers of thrillers. His twisting narratives, with their in-your-face glimpses of violence, are set in an unstable, almost psychotic universe that makes the work of many of his contemporaries look rather tame.”

Jay also proudly wears the hat of indie filmmaker: his music videos have been seen on The Nashville Network and Public Television, and his short film CITY OF MEN was awarded the prestigious silver plaque at the Chicago International Film Festival. The holder of a master’s degree in film from Columbia College Chicago, Jay currently resides in Evanston, Illinois. He is also a visiting professor at Northwestern University in their Creative Writing for the Media program, as well as the Graduate Writing Program at DePaul University.

ABOUT THE NARRATOR (www.fredberman.net)

Age & Hometown: 39 (“but in meerkat years, that’s 25!”); Manhasset, Long Island

Current Role: Entertaining Broadway audiences as the hysterical meerkat Timon in Disney's long-running hit The Lion King.

A Familiar Voice: An accomplished voiceover actor on more than 50 audio books, Berman says the key is not to impersonate or put on voices. “I cast the book in my mind,” he explains. “I say, ‘Who is this person?’ So, in my head, Judi Dench is playing this role. I don’t want to do an impersonation of Judi Dench, but I am channeling her in that moment. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.” Berman's audio work ranges from children’s books to what he calls “fantasy romance novels”—and sometimes both in the same day. “One time, I went from the most ridiculously depressing book, The Painted Bird, about a kid wandering through the forests of Poland after World War II, to a romance book where I voiced the sexiest Greek man alive who always wears leather pants and no shirt in softcore porn scenes.”

When pressed to choose between acting and music, Berman responds, “I love them both, but I have to be honest: There is nothing in the world like playing drums in a rock-and-roll band at a live concert.

Some Hallowe'en Shorts

Just a couple of short story "Halloween Reads" ...

GHOST STORY by Jeff Brackett

 

I’ll start this review by saying that I started reading this story this morning with my coffee and then was almost late for work.  I did not want to stop reading until the end.  But that’s okay, its “Casual Friday” – who needs to do make-up and hair anyway?

Years ago the hunting lodge caught fire and since then it has stood neglected and abandoned with rumors swirling about ghosts.  Sima and her team of paranormal investigators begin to set up their equipment and prepare to spend the night investigating this haunted site.  It immediately becomes apparent that someone, or some-THING, doesn’t want them there.

Mr. Brackett knows how to write a short story.  He pulled me in slowly with the first few pages and took the time to tell me just enough about the characters to get me to like them.  How can you not start to care about a couple that makes a co-worker pine for “a love like that”?  Then, BAM, he started the bumps and moans.  The coffee I had in front of me turned cold because I didn’t want to take my eyes off the page.  Did the ghoulies get ‘em?  Sorry, can’t tell.

In his author’s note at the end of the book Mr. Brackett explains that he is not a writer of horror.  He was asked to submit a story to a planned anthology and was reluctant to take on the challenge because, once again emphatically, he is not a writer of horror.  Well, oh boy, you sure could have fooled me.  This is one of the most spine chilling short stories I have read in a good long while.  I have mentioned before that I am on a never-ending quest to find THE excellent ghost story.  Let me tell you – Mr. Brackett’s “Ghost Story” has made the list! 

I don’t always review stand-alone short stories because it seems like a bit of a cheat to add them to my yearly book count, but this one deserves to be reviewed.  I received this at no charge in an Amazon promotion but would not have regretted it one bit if I had had to pay for it.  So, in case I haven’t made myself clear … did I like this novella?  As a Halloween read this year it gets five ghosts all the way!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from his Amazon page)

Jeff Brackett is the author of "Half Past Midnight", "The Road to Rejas", and "Streets of Payne". After having lived almost his entire life in and around the Houston, Texas metroplex, circumstances recently brought him to Claremore, Oklahoma, where he, his wife, and two dogs (Bella and Cricket) have settled in to a smaller house, with a much larger yard. They are all adjusting to the new lifestyle quite well, and Jeff has even begun learning to garden.

His writing has won Honorable Mention in the action / adventure category of the "Golden Triangle Unpublished Writer's Contest", first place in the novel category of the "Bay Area Writers League Manuscript Competition", and was a finalist in the science fiction / fantasy / horror category of the "Houston Writer's Conference" manuscript contest.

His proudest achievement, though, is in having fooled his wife into marrying him almost thirty years ago, and helping her to raise three wonderful children. He is now a grandfather twice over.

DARK SCREAMS (VOLUME ONE) edited by Brian James Freeman and Richard Chizmar

I picked up this three-disc audio book at the library off their “Halloween Reads” shelf on the basis that it included short stories by Stephen King and Kelley Armstrong, two members of my favorite authors list.  The library had it right – it was definitely “Halloween-y”.

The stories and authors included were:

WEEDS by Stephen King.  Jordy Verill watches as a meteorite crashes into his property and imagines the money he will make by selling bits and pieces of it.  He should have imagined something much worse.

I know I have read this story in another anthology (possibly with a different title?).  It was good the first time I read it and it was still good as I listened to it this time.  Mr. King always manages to creep me out.

THE PRICE YOU PAY by Kelley Armstrong.  Kara and Ingrid have been friends since preschool.  They have shared a lot of experiences both good and bad … very bad.  Can their friendship be renewed after a years long separation?  Or is the price of some things too high?

Ms. Armstrong does an admirable job with this short story.  She kept my interest from the get go and never let up until the very end.  I had an inkling about where the story was going, but that never detracted from reading every last word.  I enjoyed it. 

MAGIC EYES by Bill Pronzini.  When you know you are the only sane person in an asylum whom can you tell without sounding insane?

The first half of this story didn’t really have me listening all the intently but then came the point when reality and insanity crash head long into each other.  After that it had my undivided attention.

MURDER BY CHAINS by Simon Clark.  Why was he waking up in an underground vault and why was he chained to a “grunting Goliath” of a man that he is fairly certain is a murderous lunatic.

As with the last story this had me less than enthralled through most of it, but did give me a little jolt with the ending.

THE WATCHED by Ramsey Cambell.  From the blurb on the back of the book … “Little Jimmy gets a glimpse of the cold truth when he finds out that it’s not always what you see that can get you into trouble; it’s who knows what you see.” 

 

This one did absolutely nothing for me other than make me glad it was the last story in the anthology.

Overall I was a little underwhelmed by this one.  Yes, it had a King story but it was a repeat.  In my opinion Ms. Armstrong’s story was the strongest of the five and the other three left me with nary a goose bump.  As a Halloween Read I give it three ghosts.

Secondhand Souls - A Review

SECONDHAND SOULS by Christopher Moore

I don’t even know where to start on a synopsis for this book?  This sequel to “A Dirty Job” is an “everything but the kitchen sink” kind of book brilliantly pulled together by the twisted mind of Christopher Moore.  He just makes it work and makes me laugh through the whole thing.

Since his own untimely “death” Charlie Asher has been stuck in the body of a 14-inch tall meat puppet, cobbled together by Audrey, his Buddhist nun girlfriend.  He is patiently waiting for a suitable body to become available so he can resume his life.  His daughter Sophie is living with his sister and her partner not knowing her father is still “alive”.  She still remembers not to point and utter the “K” word but is she the Big Death anymore?  Doesn’t seem so since the hellhounds appear to have deserted her.

When Charlie hears that souls are not being collected but are disappearing instead knows he has to do something about getting a body … and do it quickly.  Enter all the regulars from “A Dirty Job”.  Alphonse Rivera (retired cop), Lily, The Emperor of San Francisco and Minty Fresh all join in to get the body Charlie needs but then they learn the truth about all the ghosts hanging around the San Francisco Bridge.  All this while Sophie keeps mumbling about the coming battle for the future of human souls.

Throw in some Buddhist beliefs, Egyptian gods, squirrel people, and a taser-carrying Banshee and you’ve pretty much got this book covered.

It’s been 6 years since the publication of “A Dirty Job” and since I rarely do rereads I was concerned starting this one.  I needn’t have been.  Once the first few paragraphs were read I was right back at home with Mr. Moore’s well plotted insanity.  As expected this book is filled to the brim with profanity, bizarre situations, colorful characters, creatures from the dark side and death, lots of death – yet – its also a book filled with family and friends who will do ANYTHING to help each other out and a love story that will make you sigh.  And then there’s Sophie!  Foul-mouthed, disrespectful, cute, loyal, in the advanced 5^th grade reading class, ice-cream loving Sophie.  She has become my favorite character in this book and I can see hope that there might be a possibility of a third book in the series with Sophie as the main character.

“A Dirty Job” was one of the first books I listened to on audio and one of the first I downloaded on “Overdrive” so it just seemed right that, although I was lucky enough to score a signed hardcover, I should listen to “Secondhand Souls” on audio as well.  Therefore I must give praise to narrator Fisher Stevens.  His ability to give each character his/her own voice is truly amazing.  Going from Sophie’s cute cussing to Minty Fresh’s ghetto-slang to the squirrel people’s cult chanting cannot be an easy task.  Excellent job!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it as a must-read for fans of Christopher Moore.  For those few readers not familiar with Mr. Moore – I humbly suggest starting with “A Dirty Job”.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from his website)

Christopher Moore is the author of fifteen novels, including the international bestsellers, Lamb, A Dirty Job and You Suck. His lastest novel, Secondhand Souls, will be released in August 2015.

Chris was born in Toledo, Ohio and grew up in Mansfield, Ohio. His father was a highway patrolman and his mother sold major appliances at a department store. He attended Ohio State University and Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara. He moved to California when he was 19 years old and lived on the Central Coast until 2003, when he moved to Hawaii.

Before publishing his first novel, Practical Demonkeeping in 1992, he worked as a roofer, a grocery clerk, a hotel night auditor, and insurance broker, a waiter, a photographer, and a rock and roll DJ. Chris has drawn on all of these work experiences to create the characters in his books. When he’s not writing, Chris enjoys ocean kayaking, scuba diving, photography, and painting with acrylics and oils.

He lives in San Francisco.

ABOUT THE NARRATOR (from IMBD)

Fisher Stevens moved from his native Chicago to New York at the age of 13 to pursue an acting career. He tried, unsuccessfully, to get any kind of job and was, he recalls, even rejected as extra for a Crest commercial.

Despite having lived in New York City for more than a decade, where, with some other actors, Stevens has started an off-off-off Broadway theatre company called Naked Angels, he insists that he is still a fan of the Chicago Cubs.

Flesh - A Review

FLESH: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF PORTIA BARRINGTON by Keith Lee Johnson.

* I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast dot com *

  

Portia Barrington is the 15-year-old daughter of a prominent lawyer.  Portia has been kidnapped and despite the ransom having been paid twice, the kidnappers have now made a third demand.  Something was very wrong and FBI Investigator Phoenix Barry has been called onto the case.  As Phoenix delves deeper into the kidnapping the twists and turns, as well as the suspect pool, keep growing.  As her investigation continues getting stranger and more convoluted Phoenix also has to deal with what is going on with her daughter who, totally out of character and for no apparent reason, has just beaten up a teacher at school.

This is the first book I have read by this author and the story had potential.  I grew interested in what happened to spoiled, promiscuous Portia but just as I was getting involved in the narrative the author would take a step aside and begin what I can only refer to as a "rant" about moral issues.  Mr. Johnson tried to incorporate it into the story as dialogue, but it just didn’t work.  The rants included everything from “how to be a good modern wife … work at your job but always be there for your husband” to long and involved stories about sexual abuse experienced by the characters – priests, nuns and volleyball coaches – seems no one was exempt from evil deeds.  Although these sidebars did have some bearing on the plot they were just too frequent and too long.  I want an entertaining story not a cautionary tale about the evils in the world. 

Sometimes authors get caught up in using a favorite phrase, so caught up that it becomes distracting to the reader.  I once wanted to heave a David Baldacci book through the window because of how many times I had to read the word “army creds”.  In Mr. Johnson's book it happened to be a phrase I find distasteful anyway which only added to the fact that it jumped out at me every time it was used.  He could not refrain from using “get up in that” almost every time he wrote about sex.  Some good editing would have gone a long way to making this book about half as long and a much more enjoyable read.

As I said, it had potential and it was a good story idea.  I listened to this on audio – had I been reading it I might have skimmed over the “preachy parts”.  I did enjoy the story enough that I may try another book by Mr. Johnson somewhere along the way.

The book was narrated by Lucinda Gainey whose gravelly voice, I thought, was perfect for Phoenix Barry, so good casting on that point.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from Amazon Author Page)

Keith is the author of four novels: PRETENSES, Sugar & Spice, Little Black Girl Lost, and Fate's Redemption. He's also the former editor of Insight Magazine. He attained a top secret security clearance while serving in the United States Air Force. His duty stations included Texas, Mississippi, Nevada, California, Turkey, and various other places in his four years of service. Keith graduated with honors and holds a degree in electronics and general education. Excerpts of his work can be read at his website: www.keithleejohnson.com. His email address is keithleejohnson1@aol.com.

"Coppers" ... London vs. New York

THE HARVEST MAN by Alex Grecian.   

This is the fourth installment in the “Scotland Yard’s Murder Squad” series and while there have been a few minor bumps along the way I’ve enjoyed each of the books.  “The Harvest Man” is no exception.

The transition from the ending of the last book to the start of this one is seamless.  Mr. Grecian does not miss a beat.  The bodies of dead prostitutes are once more turning up so suspicions are that Saucy Jack is up to his old ways again.  Walter Day is recovering from his wounds while his in-laws are still making his home life miserable.

Nevil Hammersmith has been relieved of his official duties but does not let that slow him down on his unrelenting determination to apprehend The Ripper.  The “Harvest Man” (named after a reclusive attic dwelling spider) is still on the loose but this time he has left some witnesses behind. 

Where this book differs slightly from the previous three is that Walter and Nevil are tracking separate killers.  Nevil is on his personal quest to find Jack while Walter, still being part of “The Yard”, concentrates on the official case involving the Harvest Man.  Despite the seemingly diverging plot line the book works.  There is enough overlap that neither they nor the reader loses track of each of them.

Set in the late 1800’s this book, as were the others, is filled with colorful references to London and both its high and lower society.  True to form Mr. Grecian once again caused a few grimaces with his blood, guts and gore descriptions of the victims of both the killers at large.  If you are a reader that prefers “cozy mysteries” you might want to give this series a pass – although you would be missing out on some wonderful historical thrillers.

 

One aspect of these books that I particularly enjoy is the fact that Mr. Grecian does not use the female characters as window dressing.  Do they play a major role in the meat of the story?  No.  However both Claire Day and Fiona Kingsley are pretty tough ladies with minds of their own considering it’s the 19^th century.  Dr. Kingsley is also becoming a favorite character of mine because of his antiquated CSI techniques, which are of course quite revolutionary for his time.  He draws a fun contrast between “that was then” when the reader is aware of the “this is now”.  It adds the much-appreciated lightness to an otherwise pretty gruesome tale.

This series shows no signs of slowing down and since this one ends on very much of a cliff hanger I hope I don’t have to wait too long for the next book to be released.  I also just noticed that there is a prequel to the “Murder Squad” books called “The Blue Girl” – how did that one slip by me? – so I’ll definitely be having a look at that soon.

I have been listening to this series on audio book and would be remiss not give kudos to the narrator, John Curless.  I am certain he adds greatly to my enjoyment of these books in the way he brings the characters to life.  His accents are excellent and even the minor background players have major personalities of their own thanks to Mr. Curless.  Great reading!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from his author page on Amazon)

Alex Grecian is the national bestselling author of the 'Scotland Yard Murder Squad' novels, including THE YARD, THE BLACK COUNTRY, THE DEVIL'S WORKSHOP, and THE HARVEST MAN. He also co-created the long-running and critically acclaimed graphic novel series PROOF, which NPR named one of the best books of 2009. He has written an original 'Murder Squad' e-book, THE BLUE GIRL, and an original graphic novel, SEVEN SONS, as well as a multitude of short stories, both comics and prose, for various anthologies. He lives in the Midwest with his wife and son. And a cat. And a tarantula. He is working on the fifth novel of Scotland Yard's Murder Squad.

Trivia … Why Scotland Yard?

The name Scotland Yard comes from its very earliest days, soon after the establishment of the police force in London in 1829. The first Metropolitan Police station was opened on 6 October 1829 in a street called Great Scotland Yard and was at the rear of 4 Whitehall Place which served as the office of the two newly appointed police commissioners.

The origin of the name Scotland Yard (both Great and Little) is unknown, but may be named after a former landowner or a connection with the Kings of Scotland. The name was in use by the 17th century.

By 1830, The Times newspaper was referring to the police at 'Scotland Yard', and it being the 'home station' of the police and that of the Chief Police Officer, and it is clear from other sources of the time that almost from its earliest days the headquarters was known as Scotland Yard.

SECOND STREET STATION by Lawrence H. Levy.  When she was 12 years old Mary Handley witnessed a killer leaving the scene of a crime.  The killer did not worry too much thinking Mary would scream at the sight of the body and who would believe the tale of a hysterical 12-year-old.  He underestimated Mary.  She was not a typical then and, considering it was the late 1800’s, did not grow into a typical young woman.  Mary was smart, clever, well read and due to a very unfeminine (for the times) interest in science – had a sharp eye for details.

Unheard of, but Mary wanted to become a detective.

When Charles Goodrich, not only Thomas Edison’s accountant but also the fiancée of Mary’s dear friend Kate, is shot in his foyer Mary arrives on the scene.  In her usual outspoken, uncensored way announces that the police have overlooked some major crime scene clues and promptly points them out.  This brings her to the attention of Police Chief Campbell.  He is impressed with Mary’s keen eye and suggests she would be a wonderful “copper” – if only women were allowed on the force.

In an unusual turn of events, with the suffragette movement demanding rights for women – pressuring city officials to make it happen and two Police Commissioners looking to discredit Chief Campbell in any way possible, Mary finds herself in her dream job.  Yes it’s temporary and yes it’s unorthodox and a little fishy, but she intends to make the most of this opportunity and find the bad guy.

This is a charming work of historical fiction and Mary’s role in the book is very entertaining.  Mary gives us an inside look at what it was like to be an intelligent woman in an era and a society where smart women were frowned upon; often encouraged to hide their light under a bushel.  Being historical fiction allows for some interesting “true life” characters to be included so I learned quite a bit more than I knew before about Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, J.P. Morgan and Charles and John Pemberton (of Coca Cola fame).

Mr. Levy has researched the time period well and writes vivid descriptions of late 1880’s Brooklyn.  As interesting as those descriptions were I found they occasionally left me waiting in the wings for the story to resume.  I can forgive him that because, having written extensively for various television shows, his dialogue in this book is wonderful … not necessarily always true to the time period (some modern terms sneak in) … but that didn’t take anything away from the story.

I know this is the first book of a new series (the following book entitled “Brooklyn on Fire” is being released January 2016) … so much for my resolve not to get involved in yet another series … sigh.  I enjoyed the book enough that I will probably pick up the next one just to see where Mr. Levy takes Mary.  I enjoyed the book enough to make that commitment but any more than that will definitely depend on the next book.

Overall, a good read.

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from his website)

LAWRENCE H. LEVY is a highly regarded film and TV writer who is a Writers Guild Award winner and two-time Emmy nominee. He has written for various hit TV shows such as Family Ties, Saved by the Bell,Roseanne, and Seinfeld. Second Street Station is his debut novel.

TRIVIA … Why “coppers”?

When the High Constable of New York City, Jacob Hays retired from service in 1844, permission was granted by the Governor of the state to the Mayor of the City to create a Police Department. A force of approximately 800 men under the first Chief of Police, George W. Matsell, began to patrol the City in July of 1845. They wore badges that had an eight-pointed star (representing the first 8 paid members of the old Watch during Dutch times). The badges had the seal of the City in their center and were made of stamped copper.