Skull Road

Mountain Man #7

by Keith C. Blackmore

A lone survivor embarks on a post-apocalyptic quest for revenge in the seventh installment of this gritty zombie-thriller series.

Killing the sadistic warlord known as the Dog Tongue took everything Gus Berry had, including the woman he loved. Now, all he wants is to get away from the bloody scene of their final showdown. But when he heads west in a stolen truck, a brutal snowstorm forces him to turn back—and seek refuge in the Dog Tongue’s former headquarters.

Though it’s littered with human carnage, the abandoned luxury hotel has a lot to offer a guy like Gus. But in addition to soft beds and working toilets, he encounters still-lurking dangers both living and undead. Determined to destroy the Dog Tongue’s followers once and for all, he resolves to follow their ominous trail wherever it may lead . . .

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

355 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 15, 2023

About the author

Books are available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and others.

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story! It was great to catch up with Gus again. I loved all the details and relationship development in the first three quarters of the book. I have to say I was disappointed when the trip back to the mountain was glossed over and then how the final year was fast forwarded. I would have loved to have seen much more in that part of the story. It ended at a point that left me wondering if that was the end of the story for Gus or not. I hope not. I hope the next one will fill in the gaps of this one and continue the saga. Raising a glass for the Captain!

[ronnie finkbeiner jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

I am a rabid Gus fan and I loved this installment! Mr. Blackmore, once again, we'll done! Please write more adventures!

[Bob Gaffney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keith C. Blackmore doesn’t disappoint with Mountain Man 7. Gus’ bad luck still follows him and one feels for his misfortune. The vivid landscape of the Canadian wilderness is brilliantly written with such detail. As I read, I felt like I was there in middle of the action smelling the smoke; the filth; sweat in every chapter. MM7 brings the adventures of the beloved character, Gus, who I will miss. Highly recommend the series.

[Zombie Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Blackmore's work and especially his Mountain Man series. Skull Road does not disappoint. Here we follow our favorite reclusive house painter as he first, broods and suffers from loneliness in an opulent resort hotel, then sets out to take out the final vestiges of the maniacal Leather organization before they reorganize. Well written and exciting, this adventure is a great addition to the series. Would love to encourage Blackmore continue but I'm not sure Gus can survive any more punishment. Its a fun book that I listened (Audible) to straight through. RC Bray is the master of VO an does his usual fantastic job as the narrator.

[Tia Hansman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Gus. So crude and rough around the edges but I’ll follow his adventures as long as the author lets me.

While I’m not sure the storyline was as memorable as other books in the series, I did enjoy it. I also enjoyed the vivid detail the author used to describe the locations and settings because I was easily able to create a movie in my mind as I went along.

I already recommend this series to people and I often share about “my Canadian zombie books”, explaining to people that some locations go right past my childhood home!

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! Great installment and addition to a stellar series. I love just about everything about this book, and every other one in the series. I would be content with it ending with this volume but would absolutely love for more installments or spin-offs.

[Nadia Medynski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well…. I may have binged through this series, it was that good.

Skull Road brings us back round in a circle in some ways, with Gus experiencing life on his own again (for a time) and exploring to find supplies. Only he has changed since the early books where he was fine by himself and he has realised he is better off around others.

This book continues to tell of Gus’s ball scratching and rather unfortunate life where he goes through some seriously awful stuff.
The enemy/enemies were good, although not my favourite of the series. I’m glad a few stories along those lines got wrapped up in this book.

I felt the ending was a little rushed, with very little time spent in Whitecap or any time going back to the island.

I do feel this was a good end to the series, with it being wrapped up nicely and Gus finally having some good fortune and happiness.

[Hope Hatton · Rating 5 out of 5]

glad to see GUS IS BACK!

I love the mountain man series and this book kept right up with the action and adventure. Gus, a regular guy who becomes the hero we hope is inside of all of us when necessary, doesn’t disappoint as he goes up against some of the most fearsome foes yet. However, I felt the “fast-forward” end chapter was a book in itself…maybe Mr. Blackmore will do a “flashback” book to that end. Or maybe he just wanted to finalize the series so he can move on to new book ideas. I’d also like to hear Scott’s story, the evolution of Tancook, and maybe the story of Milo. So many ways to go with this!! Sorry, I love the characters and don’t want to see them go…

[Lorre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gus has won my heart from the very first book.
It looks like this was the last book in the series and I love how the story ended. My only complaint: I really didn't want the story to end! Although the author fooled us into thinking this series ended a few books ago and then wrote a few more books. I really do hope this is the same again and we'll get a few more books. I'm just not ready to say goodbye to Gus!

[Daniel Westman · Rating 4 out of 5]

En värdig avslutning, där zombies, råttor och Mad Max-gäng går upp mot Gus en sista gång.

[Kaci Guisinger-harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick read. It was great as they all are.

[Jutta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looks like the last book, which makes me sad. I loved everything about the Mountain Man Series and while it's a deserved happy ending it is sad this seems to be the end. I am not giving up hope on the possibility of more stories to come. As always an outstanding performance by R C Bray!

[Bill Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb!

Curse you Keith C. Blackmore,because you made me get choked up with I'm supposing the end of the Mountain Man series? One of the top three series of books I've read, EVER!Anyone reading this review and NOT reading your series is seriously missing out. Loved every word of every book. Thank you for writing them.

[Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great rollercoaster of a ride. Please don’t say that’s the end of Gus’s story. Keep em coming Keith.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRAVO

I knew they would.....oops I almost gave away the ending.

And I am leary to say this with that ending I cannot see how Keith B. WOULD Be able to weave a web for a book 8

.

[Josh Levine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, I didn't realize just how much I missed Gus until I started listening to Skull Road. This was an absolutely amazing addition to the series. I want to give a long review, but I can't without adding spoilers. Let me just say that I absolutely love Maya's character, watching her morph throughout the story, and her friendship with Gus blossom.

Thank you Keith, you've clearly outdone yourself with this one!

[DORIS ROMERO · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mountain Man 7

I loved this book, just as I have loved every book this author has written. I am hoping there will be more sequels.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought our adventures with Gus were over with after book six, but he's brought us back for one more. And what an adventure it is. Nobody else in the genre captures details like this. Thank you for a fitting finale, Mr. Blackmore!

[Kirk Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the Mountain Man saga. Very action packed. I truly hope this isn't the end of Gus, but if it is, it would be a satisfying ending. If you've read the other books, don't miss this one.

[Merlyn Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Finnish

Love the book. Great things for Gus. He deserved them. Thank you for great story. Won't soon forget. Hope to read more of your storys.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already miss Gus

I’ve read this series (all but this final book) twice. It’s one of my favourite series. Gus is the most likeable main character and I enjoyed every book because of him. I’m sad it’s over but it was a really good ending.

[Aeolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Review of the audiobook***

The ending!!!!!! Pack your tissues and listen in private unless you want to leak from your eye-holes in front of others. It’s the perfect more sweet than bitter heartbreaker that’s both sad, wonderful, and filled with lasting promise.

Like others have noted, if this amazing series ends here, I’ll be satisfied, though I could listen to stories about Gustopher forever. He’s one of my favorite characters out of all the books I’ve ever read, and the Mountain Man books as a whole are a perennial favorite. I’ve listened to all of them several times, and no doubt I’ll listen to this one again in the future too. Like the rest, this entry is full of cackle-out-loud hilarity just when you need it the most, to offset the horror and anxiety of this beloved character constantly putting himself between good and evil.

All of the characters are as usual compelling and complicated. The bad guys are as terrifying as ever, and the latest incarnations of The Leather nutjobs really take the cake. But despite the awful landscape of lunatics, cannibals, sadists, torturers, and megalomaniacs, Gus reminds us that we can overcome just about anything, if we remain in touch with our innocence. He can go from brutally dispatching a horrible manic to tucking in a stuffed lamb toy as if it were a child, and all the while, questioning himself but managing to stay the course of a hero. His commitment to being a good person is such a simple concept, but so needed right now, especially right now when our real world is full of polarized crazies. Spending time with Gus is not just entertaining, it reminds me powerfully of what it means to cling to humanity, even when everything seems totally hopeless. He’s truly a spotlight in dark times.

New readers to the series will find references to many characters from past books, and past events, so you might be a bit confused unless you are already familiar with Gus’ journey. If you don’t want to start from the first book— but you really should because it kicks ass— consider starting at least as far back as Book 4, because the references to Collie and Wallace will hit you like a ton of bricks once you understand how meaningful they are. And they're such great characters that luckily for us, they grace us with their prescence for a few of the series entries.

RC Bray delivers as always. He cemented his position as a top reader ages ago, and is one of my two three favorite narrators ever. Blackmore, this was a journey I’d take again and again. Thank you, this one was well worth the wait.

[Em · Rating 3 out of 5]

While recognizing the importance of illustrating grief through a character’s behavior and actions, having almost the first third of the book dedicated just to this illustration felt.. I don’t know.. A bit drawn out I suppose? Grief is a tumultuous thing.
There are endless ways to showcase it, but not all ways provide sustainable interest when incorporated into a work of fictional literature. So while there is inherent value in exemplifying grief, there is also necessity for plot movement (least the narrative become seemingly redundant and drawn out).
I almost dnf-ed this at 30%, but ultimately I’m glad I didn’t.

While not certain, I do imagine this book probably is the ending to the series as a whole. And while it did feel like a sufficient ending, it also felt like there was a lot of wasted space in this story’s plot line.
Obviously I’m not a professional literary critic, but I do read quite a lot, and this review stands as more of a refresher for myself than a critique for the author. Overall, the hepatology does carry itself fairly strongly, but there is something to be said when the first third of the last book in a multi part series feels a bit like a slough to get through. (just like this last sentence probably felt like a bit of a mouthful to read lol)
3.5 ⭐️

[Nikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

This volume feels like it could be the end, which may be a good thing. Like the others in the series, it kept me entertained. Gus's balls were still itchy all the time, and he still found himself in a series of seemingly impossible predicaments that he just barely managed to scrape his way through. There was what could have been an interesting moral struggle where Uncle Jack warned him he was going over to the dark side, but it never amounted to much. These just aren't deep books, and this one doesn't change that. I still wish Blackmore wouldn't have the characters make dumb mistakes constantly. For example, why didn't they use the snow plow to rebuild the barrier on Skull Road after plowing through it to make it less obvious where they went? And why didn't they try to transfer the remaining gas from the crashed snowmobile into the one they still had? And when dealing with a gunshot wound in a shoulder, why was no thought given to looking for an exit wound or a bullet? These kinds of things, like the ball-scratching, just pull me out of the story. Still, it was fun, and it wrapped up nicely in a positive place and with a hope of society starting to rebuild.

[Laurie Leonhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the whole series

I like post apocalyptic stories, but tend to avoid zombie books for the most part. I downloaded the first of this series not initially realizing it was a zombie story. I try not to read the synopsis in books’ descriptions so I can be surprised, just choosing a genre and picking a book. So, at first I was thinking “Great. Another zombie book.” But I really got into the story, finished the first, and downloaded the second and third about five minutes later. Here I am a week later having finished the series and I really enjoyed it. The characters were very well developed, the twists and turns were exciting, the suspense drove me nuts at some points, and I laughed my ass off. A lot. I whipped through these books, was very entertained the whole time, and was sorry when it ended. I definitely recommend this series and look forward to reading more from this author. Oh, I also read the two prequels somewhere in the middle of all these too.

[BILL MOSHER]

An Amazing End of The Mountain Man series

Since I found this great series by Keith C. Blackmore, I have been entertained and gone through a multitude of emotions as I followed Gus on his journey from house painter to Hero. He was always a regular guy, relatable to alot of guys out here. By luck and acquired skill, Gus managed to survive in a world were most folks died off in the first few months. Gus was so well written , it's like he became real at times. I have shared the love for this series to anyone who love reading and can handle gritty painful storyline were the hero gets pretty beat up but keeps on fighting till he wins. Kind of an inspirational fun gory, and action packed series.
I hope the right folks get the movie rights and really make something great from this amazing source material. Thank you Mr Blackmore for sharing Gus and his twisted crazy world with us.

[Richard R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following Gus since Annapolis. Never dreamed he would travel almost coast to coast and eradicate so much of the damaged humanity along the way. And that we have him following the same road in this installment. Agree with one reviewer that fast forwarding section needs details. Yet another sequel? Maybe the Captain won't have to appear again? Who knows? This book, as with other Mtn. Man installments, uses and introduces words the reader might never come in contact with in spoken word, but here for the reader's enjoyment. I've read many many books, this series stands alone in construct and norms. The antagonists are unique and Gus deals with them in unique ways. He is the epitome of the Timex man ... "takes a licking and keeps on ticking." Highly recommend starting with the first book but breaking into the series wherever you want and you'll catch up with Gus and his few associates.

[Sean O'Leary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never expected to get another novel in the series. I thought the last book ended the series. I am delighted with this one. It is by far the darkest story of the series. Gus makes a moral decision and gets into an argument with Uncle Jack, which is to say himself. What do you do with people so bad, so evil who do such vial things that there is no hope of changing them, especially when they are a threat to all living people? You can impression them, exile them or kill them. If you kill them, do you risk becoming the very thing you despise? These are the moral questions Gus must grapple with, when someone or something is not actively trying to kill him.

Do we get a happily ever after ending. The ending took me by surprise. You will love it.

[Nubian Star · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest installment of the epic tale of Gus, the Mountain Man was absolutely captivating!

From beginning to end, I hung on every word! The things that Gus experiences facing The Leather are full of terrifying surprises! I absolutely HATE The Leather, which is a testimony to how well developed the characters Mr. Blackmore created!

I laughed out loud! I talked back to the book! I sat on the edge of my seat! This story is emotionally charged, dynamically written and worth every second! My only criticism is that the book ended!

This has been an amazing reading experience and a stellar addition to the series! Truly hoping for a book 8!

[John Cheeseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gus is such an unlucky lucky bloke as he seems to get captured in every book but sometimes gets away and comes out on top and this book is no exception. Some old characters which I was never a fan of make a comeback and this time they didnt annoy me as much as they did in the previous books. The villains are once again truly villainous and deserved to die so it was very gratifying when Gus goes on a revenge spree.
I also loved the ending and how the author gave Gus some peace and hopefully he can retire his baseball bat and RamFist although it could alternatively be great motivation for another book.