Area 187 - Almost Hell

by Eric R. Lowther

In the year 2007 an accident at a clandestine U.S. government facility in rural West Virginia releases several test subjects infected with a necrotic virus. Within weeks the U.S. military and the Department of Homeland Security are forced to declare the bulk of the state under quarantine. Defensive lines are fortified and nothing is allowed in or out, damning those missed in the short period of evacuations to a living hell and locking away the real truth of the virus’ creation. The government transfers the responsibility of maintaining the quarantine from the military to the Department of Homeland Security, which christens it “Area 187”. Suits and claims are dismissed under anti-terror legislation as the rest of government scrambles to cover their involvement in the original project, distancing themselves and their reelections. Seven years pass. Homeland Security enforces a total news blackout on all things Area 187, and as with other disasters before it the bulk of America is more than willing to move on. Conspiracies continue to thrive outside the now-immense defensive wall and fortifications, and mercenaries known as “grave robbers” regularly slip in and out of the Area, stealing valuables and taking contracts to bring back specific items for well-paying customers. Our story follows Josephine Terrell, a television reporter and John Heath, once an Air Force search-and-rescue team leader that escaped the Area after five years of fruitless searching for his wife, as they risk their lives from both the dead and the living inside Area 187 to rescue a group of survivors. Josephine is looking for the story of the century, one that will prove living, breathing Americans still await rescue inside the Area and that Homeland has been covering up their existence. Heath joins her mission after he sees what may be his wife, Eileen, in a video message from the survivors. Personal rivalries, government conspiracies and a simple man’s simple promise weave together with death incarnate to follow their every step as they make their way through a blasted, nightmarish landscape full of the hungering dead. But the peril offered by the mindless corpses behind the wall becomes second to the danger presented by the living beyond it…

Genres: Zombies, Horror, Fiction, Science Fiction, Post Apocalyptic

614 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Belinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really good premise; DISTRACTINGLY chock-full of errors in spelling, grammar, syntax, and etymology. Just distressingly so. Very archetypal characters, lacking dimension, and I can't believe I'm about to say this about a zombie novel, but... TOO MUCH ZOMBIE. What makes post-apocalyptic novels interesting is not the monster/plague/virus/whatever, but the human interaction and the way people rebuild and go on, what they become or don't become. There were also too many helicopters. This book could easily have been titled "Apache vs. Blackhawk," because DANG. Helicopters abound. Apaches are the deus ex machina of Area 187. Not to discourage anyone from reading it--it's a good story. Just could've been a whole lot shorter (it came in at around 600 pages, I think?), and maybe had some editing. OK, a lot of editing.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm almost embarrassed that I read this. It was a good story that suffered from bad writing. It started out with a great premise (a huge quarantined area with zombies and survivors trapped inside and a conspiracy to cover it up), but it had some major flaws. First, it was chock full of spelling and grammatical errors and sometimes the wrong word was used. I hate that because it takes me out of the story. But the biggest detractor was the characters. The bad people were too bad, the good people were too good. They were all cliched stereotypes and it read like a cheesy Stallone action movie in some parts. I gave it 2 stars because for some reason I stuck it out and finished reading it and it did have some entertaining parts. If you like a big helping of corn with your zombies, then this is the book for you.

[Heather Faville · Rating 5 out of 5]

How often have you sat down to read a zombie novel and walked away with tears in your eyes? I would have to bet the answer is either never or very rarely. I have had this happen twice once was with my husband's book Kings of the Dead and Area 187 - Almost Hell was the second. Area 187 is a fantastic book that I HIGHLY recommend. The characters are flawlessly flawed...what I mean is that nearly all of them act/react in ways that are believable to to their characters and those who do not have their reasons. Eric Lowther put a lot of heart into his characters. I truly felt for them and their plight. In fact, I DM'd him on Twitter and told him if a certain character dies I'm going to be seriously pissed at him. Well, that character did not die, but quite a few other did and some deaths were even well deserved!

In most zombie novels, the entire world or at least a specific continent is infested with zombies, but the story is focused on a specific area. Area 187 is unique in that the infestation was contained and the rest of the world has continued with normal everyday life. They just have the added knowledge that there is an area that has been walled up and is guarded from anything and everything trying to get in and especially out.

The zombies are traditional moaning shamblers. Single zeds are fairly easily dispatched, but the swarms are what you have to watch for and avoid. The gore and mayhem can be particularly gruesome at times, but I had a 'hell yea' moment during a certain dismemberment scene. While the description is detailed and, as I mentioned, gruesome, I do not feel it is overly grotesque.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book knowing very little about it other than had seen it being recommended on Twitter. This book instantly hooked me in, the characters are brilliant and you feel for them and get to know them, this book really is a page turner, I put everything else on hold to read this book! I couldn't get enough of this and although I enjoyed it was sorry when I had read it as its finished now, what am I going to do?

This is a well composed, written and thought out story and really was a pleasure to read. This is a new idea on a zombie story/apocalypse and I feel it worked extremely well, I cannot wait to read more from this Author and have to say, if you are in need of a good gripping read - read this book NOW!

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of late I have been reading primarily zombie fiction. I really need to get a life but first let me say this: This is one of the best zombie books I have EVER read. When my Kindle told me I was closing in on 75% read, I slowed down so I could savor the rest of the book - the first 75% went very quickly - too quickly. Truth be told, as bad as the zombies are (they're the slow variety), they must take a back seat to the pure evil evinced by several of the antagonists. I am reminded of Sartre's famous dictum: "Hell is other people." I think the author realizes this and the zombies take a back seat to the people who are hiding some terrible secrets about area 187. To make matters worse, some of the still-human denizens of area 187 have degenerated into characters even worse than the zombies - truly perverted and twisted people.
It seems a government experiment with a dangerous bacterium takes a bad turn and people are infected only to rise again - with a fierce and mindless desire to nosh on other people - the living kind. The story begins several years after the event - a large area, including most of West Virginia, is fenced off and vigorously patrolled to keep the zombies in and curious people out. The barrier is, however, porous enough to allow adventurers and profiteers access to zombie land - where they pursue missions of mercy - or greed - depending on their motives. One of these is a pure-hearted - but extremely angry and violent John Heath. Heath has tried for years to find his wife - without success. He eventually gives up and returns to the "world" outside of area 187. An aggressive and curious television reporter tries to get Heath to join her in a forbidden mission into area 187. Then the shit storm begins. The story is incredibly well-told. The characters are believable and so well developed, I'd recognize them if they knocked on my door. The story takes so many twists and turns that my adrenaline levels spiked on several occasions. Eric Lowther has knocked this one out of the park - and managed to tear the cover off the ball at the same time. I will be waiting - anxiously - for his next effort. If he's not working on another book, I'm going to kidnap him and take HIM into area 187!
If this review works for you, make a note: Another writer, DJ Molles, is similarly gifted in this narrow genre. If you enjoyed "Area 187" as much as I did, you will enjoy Molles' books: "The Remaining" and "The Remaining: Aftermath."

[Ravwrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not going to lie, I wanted this book because of two things. Zombies and the fact that it's based around West Virginia my home state.

I had no clue what to think of this book when I first started it. I knew Zombies and government cover up but I didn't know exactly what or how it happened. I just know that the government did something stupid and blocked off the entire state of West Virginia and parts of the other states surrounding it. Anyone in or out was shot, anyone investigating the area known as Area 187 mysteriously disappeared or ended up dead.

We start with Josephine, a reporter who's working on trying to bring light to the plight of those from Area 187. She risks her life to find someone who will take her into the area and get more information about those that are still trying to survive there. She finds the one man who escaped with more than his life and is haunted by what he left behind. And after some 'convincing' Jo is on her way with one time Air Force Search and Rescue agent John Heath as they make their way through the Zombie infested area. All in search of what Heath originally fought for.

I didn't know what to expect from this story really. I didn't expect many of the twists that were in the plot. I also didn't expect to see the human nature portrayed so well and almost realistically to the point I could see myself probably becoming as desperate as those within area Area 187.

I really enjoyed the book from start to finish and I'd really like to read it again. I just really, really liked it!

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awhile back, I started a marathon of zombie novels. Needless to say, the topic tends to get a little bit old after awhile, but based on Goodreads recommendations, I decided to check out this book.

It's probably not my favorite zombie novel, but it would make the short list. It's pretty solid for a zombie novel. It's not just about people getting eaten, it goes layers deeper than that. It's also a really, really long book, which is strange for a zombie novel.

While it took awhile to read, every word is worth it. It's a story that takes the genre seriously. You can tell that Lowther put together a solid novel, and he's not just trying to cash in on zombie fever.

[d‘Milady *aka*Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, with exciting characters! Kept me hooked I couldn't put it down! I cried, I laughed but most of all I was on the edge of my seat! Great!

[Carrie Schaumburg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this three stars because the story was great.
I love post apocalyptic and dystopian stories. This isn’t really either but still fit the bill for me in a way. I mean ZOMBIES.
With that said, the book was way too long. It sort of dragged out. Also, the kindle version had a ton of spelling errors and even wrong names sometimes. While I myself can be grammatically challenged, I expect a published novel to be mostly free of errors. Whatever happened to editing?!
So my final word is that the book is great if you are just looking to pass some time reading a mostly entertaining story. I would only recommend it to die hard zombie fans like me.
I do wish we had some knowledge of how the damn virus got out. That annoys me when they bring it up fiftieth times and never tell you why in the end…

[Tob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good written. Good atmoshphere. Nothing new. A bit too long, as there is not much story.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t the typical zombie novel where the whole world is subjected to some strange virus that reanimates those bitten or infected. There are zombies, zombie attacks, and escapes from the zombies. However, that isn’t the major plot of the story. The major story line is an attempt to uncover and broadcast a governmental conspiracy that just happens to revolve around zombies.

The book was a great read, although a long read, and I found myself reluctant to put the book down. I gave it 5 stars because it’s a book I’ll likely read again.

Three things I liked about the book.
1) The governmental conspiracy seemed reasonable and probable.
2) I found that I absolutely loathed certain characters. These characters had believable traits that worked well with their character flaws and didn’t seem to be contrived.
3) I liked the interaction of the characters and how even though they despised each other, they were able to work together when the need arises.

Three things I didn’t like about the book.
1) The idea that someone immune to the virus would be paid millions of dollars by the government or anyone in private research is unbelievable to me. I think the author failed to research this area appropriately. There are rules and regulations about using humans in research that are widely available. Heck, any good scientist could have helped here.
2) While I found that I hated certain characters, I didn’t find that I loved others. Perhaps this is just me. I certainly liked them but if they had died, I probably wouldn’t have cried.
3) I did start out understanding and liking the character John Heath but one of his final actions left a bitter taste in my mouth. I feel that the author likely wanted me to empathize with him but in the end, I found myself terrified of him.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first thing I will say is that I am not a fan of the zombie genre at all. However, this was a great book. It's been a while since I've read a book that I really couldn't put down and looked forward to reading more! The only reason it got 4 stars were for the CRAZY amount of spelling and word errors. I can normally look over them, but there were cases where, in mid-paragraph, the character name changed. Seriously, mixing up two MAJOR (and completely different) characters. But the story was great. Oh, and in two different spots, the author actually used at least two pages to give a complete re-hash of a character. So much so that I was able to skim-read two whole pages. It was odd and very distracting. I think this book could use a good editor.

However, the storyline was great. There were a ton of characters (most of them background) and you really got a full tour of West Virginia. I thought the stories behind the characters were interesting. Some were stereotypical "rednecks from West Virginia" out to get whatever they wanted however they wanted but there were also some good, honest people.

*Slight Spoiler - nothing specific*. Also...I am a sucker for a happy ending. Maybe because there is enough depressing crap in the world, but when I read, I need my fiction to end well. Yes, people will die, but for the most part, I need happy. And this served that well. The ending was a little smidge convenient (how they got out and how the author arranged for Jo to keep the little girl - but I saw that coming as soon as they introduced the character). BUT again, I liked it. It didn't FIX the whole problem, but it gave us closure.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a wild ride. I started this book off hating John Heath. Hating his freaking guts; he is harsh, brutally honest, a dick and really doesn't give a damn about your feelings. But as the book goes on, you come to understand why he behaves the way he does and even begin to feel the same way towards the other characters. Especially Jo. Good God. Jo begs John to take her into Area 187 to rescue the survivors and brings along all of her 'good feelings' from the outside. Being thrown into a walled off area with the undead and the living who want nothing more than to eat you alive and steal the clothes from your back kinda requires you to put on a tough skin. She does rise to the occasion several times and has John's back but there are other times you have to question her reactions. Actually you kinda want to bitch slap her. Then of course we have Julie. I applaud the author for taking the reader through so many emotions when it came to that girl. A spoiled rich bitch who has no issues trampling everyone in her path to get her way. Daddy's little girl. Unfortunately this did not save her from being kidnapped and thrust into Area 187 with an ex-digger. She has to learn to shed her spoiled rich bitch shell and find a tough exterior. To learn to survive in this extremist land. I guarantee you will love her by the end. She provides much entertainment and some jaw dropping action. The book had many twists and turns and was so very difficult to put down. On the other hand, I didn't want it to end. I want to read more about each one of the characters. Even the ones you come to hate. I will most definitely be reading this one again!

[Isaiah Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easily one of the more interesting zombie books I have read. Instead of an apocalypse all over the world it's a more localized one in the USA. Even more shocking, is the government actually contained the zombies in "Area 187." Now, an intrepid reporter hopes to uncover some of the more under-handed methods used to create the Area with the help of an man that has survived in there better than anyone. With an interesting premise Area 187 gives people a good reason to read. As the plot continues more characters are added the connections between them become much more intricate. What really drew me to keep reading were the continued twists and turns the book brought to the table. I kept finding myself reading more and more, trying to see which way the book would go. The characters were written in excellent detail and watching them change was actually exciting. By the end i felt very satisfied with what I read and i would recommend the book to a friend whole-heartedly.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! What a great book!

Yet another view of an apocalyptic world, this one set inside the world we know, which continues on as if nothing has happened within. While this story has much of the same elements of other zombie stories, such as getting chased by hordes and survivors eeking out a living among the undead, it also holds the reader captive to the suspense of the fate of outsiders entering the Area and trying to survive while searching for a specific group of survivors.

The first few chapters were long, but developed the characters so well that the length was completely forgivable. I was so engrossed in this book that I stayed up all night, literally until sunrise, to finish reading it without disturbances. Certainly check your calendar before reading this one, you will want enough time to read it through to the end!

[Sindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. A mixture of zombie-horror and conspiracy thriller. The story was sometimes a little bit drawn-out, especially in the beginning. It takes a while until the reporter and the ex-army-guy reach the area. After that it was a very fast read with much suspense and some really horrible scenes.

The characters are well worked out and distinguishable. Some characters transformed from 'bad' to 'good' as they experience the shocking reality in area 187. People that hate each other in the beginning grow together. I liked some characters very much. What bothered me a little was the super-hero who was the 'uber-guy' all the time, like Rambo or so.

The fact that the heros go into the area from save outside took a little bit of thrill. While reading I was almost always sure they would make it.

[Dear Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book! I bought the kindle edition on Amazon and loved it to bits! It's hands-down one of my favorite zombie books out there, on the same page as The Enemy series by Charlie Higson. My only complaint was the loooong paragraphs, but other than that, it was nearly perfect.

I guess one of the best things about this book is the awesome character development. I started out really irritated at the main heroine, but after a while, she really grew on me and just found myself cheering for her and Heath till the very end, hoping that they will be able to get out alive. It's very rarely that I find myself attached to fictional characters, but this book just did that and did it splendidly. It was a long read, but I sure hoped it was longer!

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eric Lowther takes you on a great creepy ride into Area 187 alongside John Heath, and ex Air Force PJ, and TV reporter Josephine Terrell. Heath is trying to find his wife and regain his humanity, and Josephine Terrell is looking to expose a massive government cover-up and let people know that there are survivors inside Area 187. All the while, the pair fights against the Department of Homeland Security, a vengeful U.S. Senator, grave robbers, inbred hillbillies, hordes of zombies, and sometimes each other.

There's lots of action, slow shambling zombies, and gore. The characters are well developed, and the plot and sub plots are all well thought out and flow together leaving you with a complete package at the end. I absolutely did not want to put it down at night and go to sleep..

[Deirdre Toby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story set in the desolate wasteland of Area 187 inhabited by zombies, fortune hunters, and survivors that were left behind in the chaos when the buffer zone was set up and the infection contained... effectively quarantining the outbreak.
The government denies the existance of any remaining survivors - abandoning them to their fate and condemning them to forever fight to survive admidst the wreckage - until one man comes along that can change it all.

I normally prefer books that are in a series because I read so fast the story is over way too soon when contained in a single book but, I'm glad I made an exception in this case.
Excellent story that sticks with you...I didn't want it to end!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good zombie novel with an interesting story line, well developed characters, action and good character development. What more could you ask for? In the end a good zombie story is always about the living and not simply lopping off zombie heads. The author has created a perfect storm of politics, reporters and mystery with this story. If you like technical details as to how the plague started and how the virus works in detail this will dissapoint you but if you enjoy a good action and adventure story you will probably find this a good read whether zombies are your "thing" or not.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a new take on the zombie apocalypse. A very interesting read that keep me entertained. Can't wait for the sequel. With that said: 1. I could've done without the recap of two storylines in the middle of the book and 2. I could've done without all the cheesy one-liners that sounded like they were straight out of an action hero movie. Even with all the cliches in the book, the storyline was entertaining enough that I was able to overlook them. I just wish so many novelists would quit writing books with so many cliches thrown in. It's like they're trying to hard to catch a screenwriters attention.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great book! Aside from the editing errors, this was a thoroughly entertaining read. I couldn't put it down. But there were many times I didn't understand entire sentences or groups of sentences because they were that botched up.
This isn't your typical zombie story. It's not really about the zombies, it's about the survivors and their struggles, relationships, personal battles and how they dealt with everything at once. It has a newer twist on this popular & loved genre. There aren't many stories that take me away inside the story, but this was one of them. I recommend it highly.

[Trinity Firestar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am currently 15% of the way into this book, and it's okay so far.

HOWEVER!!!!!! The author has a SERIOUS problem with naming characters to all start with the letter J. It is VERY annoying problem to keep track of all the Joes, Joannes, Josephines, etc. Out of eleven characters so far, 9 start with the letter J. I thought that one (Heath) was going to break that mold until I found out that his LAST name is Heath... his first name is (you guessed it) Joe.

[Rita McDowell]

Definitely Attention Grabber!

This story grabbed and kept my attention from beginning to the ending! Excellent book but best read when you don't have to do anything else! So either plan on sandwiches or order in because it was very difficult to put down! Also don't plan on sleeping much till you are finished! P.S. There will be some characters you won't like and others you will love and respect. Excellent read!

[Giovanna Afarelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a really good zombie story. But I would`ve liked more explanations on how the virus works, who created it and how it got loose though. And I wished it was scarier, since it is a zombie story you know...



** SPOILER **
I think the story needed more characters, so that some could die. It is a zombie story, at least someone should get bit!!

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were likeable and well defined and it had a nice twist on the zombie apocalypse in having the outbreak confined to a specific area. Lots of action, nice plot, enjoyable characters and a good length to the book kept me awake long into the hours I should have been asleep on a number of nights.

[Jim Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes I read the occasional zombie story. It seems I am not alone, judging from the flood of this gendre available in ebooks. IMO this one is the best. It's not a short story. And I couldn't put it down. Some of the images have stayed with me but not in a bad way. I appreciate how Lowther has taken an overdone topic and given it a fresh look, using the classic zombie model. Fun read!

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! If you like zombie fiction, this book will not disappoint. The story is much more epic in scope than most other books in the genre. There were a ton of twists and turns that made the story very compelling. I didn't really enjoy the ending, but having said that, it ended exactly as it should have ended. I must be a sucker for sappy happy endings.

[Kolby Kappes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one a lot more than most zombie fiction. I liked how it laid out the area and how it was created. It created a lot of interesting scenarios to have the "real world" still available outside the Area.

[Tay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing. This book kept me up until 5 a.m. on multiple nights. Characters you want to root for, a story line which is outrageously engaging, and a pacing which is as relentless as the zombies located within Area 187. The best zombie media I've ever consumed.