Writers, as a whole, hone their craft over a number of novels, reaching new heights after they've juggled a budding plot line or dynamic new dimensions through a few novels to really flesh out the ideas and characters. Not Joe McKinney. Plague of the Undead blinds with brilliance from the first page through the last short stories included. Characters are immediately relatable in their fights, battles, self-doubts, sorrows, and joys. Their lives become your lives, and somewhere by page three, you find yourself walking in their shoes.

It's fascinating to consider Joe's explanation for the zombie apocalypse, a theory that resounds as very plausible in our day and age. The action of the book takes place several decades after the apocalypse, following his theme of exploration. But once again what is found isn't necessarily what one is looking for, and the definition of evil wears many faces, as these travelers discover.

As for the four short stories included with this novel, they are a splendid treat perhaps few McKinney fans get to truly enjoy. Unless you keep you finger tight against the pulse of the living anthology and magazine editors, his short stories slip into publication quietly. But with Plague of the Undead readers have the opportunity to relish in the fact McKinney is a master of this short form of horror writing as he is of his novels. Of particular note is his mesmerizing, yet striking "Bury My Heart At Marvin Gardens." A tale of understanding and love you'll never forget.

Download File Size:5.76 MB

---