The Quick and The Undead

by Will Neely

“Madigan, I need you.”
Madigan Moore rode into town in search of an old friend. What he found instead was a whole mess of trouble” a mysterious murder, a missing person, and some all-fired nasty magic at work underneath the surface. Now it’s somehow fallen to Madigan to set things right. Thrust into the middle of a fight he never asked for, he’ll need to dace more kinds of trouble than a body could want. Atop his trusty steed and wielding should be ready for anything, but even he wasn’t prepared to find monsters – both human and otherwise – lurking behind every bush.

To survive, he’ll need to think fast and move faster, elsewise he’ll be dead…or worse.

180 pages, Paperback

Published May 18, 2023

About the author

During his life Will has given concerts, managed concession stands, taught music lessons, worked in construction, preached sermons, created board games, designed and built websites, and probably more things he has forgotten. He can’t seem to stop his brain from conjuring up fun ideas, so he decided to start writing some of them down. He lives in the U.S. with his family and an oversized golden retriever.

Reviews

[Stuartt Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.*

Even before I read it, a friend told me the premise was this: a western with magic and minotaurs.
Sign me up!
This book pulled me in from the start and didn't let go! It was hard to put it down following Madigan Moore's adventures filled with action, magic, and mystery. I kept turning the page to find out what was coming next! I haven't read much in the western genre, but the little phrases like "drygulch", "hankering", and "much obliged" really made it feel like you were in the 1870s as well. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy, westerns, or is looking for something new and exciting!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this series with an open mind (how else could I approach a book about a magical cowboy?) but was immediately sucked in! Clever writing, intriguing story.

In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I read it a second time out loud for my husband! I wanted someone else to enjoy the world of Madigan Moore with me and he was likely impressed.

We can’t wait for the rest of the series!!

[Kathy Holtzclaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Will at the Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo last year. His series "The Sixaway Star" sounded interesting so I brought them home with me. I just finished the first book. I would call it a kind of Sci-fi Western. Not usually what I read but it was very interesting. I highly recommend it!!

[Lailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't just a dusty trail ride; it sounds like a high-stakes game of survival where Madigan's wits and his trusty steed are his best bets. The final line, "elsewise he’ll be dead…or worse," chills you to the bone. It hints at a world where death might be the kinder option.

[Justin Lendley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book very much. Was a bit choppy at times and had to push myself to keep reading to stay engaged but a decent book.

[Eric Thayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Will Neely at a ComiCon in Huntsville, AL. I bought this first paperback from him but did not purchase its sequel, as I've never tried reading a western book and generally don't like zombie-horror. But it was "Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies" that got me into Jane Austin, so I thought I'd give this one a try. And what Will Neely said about it intrigued me.
I was pleasantly surprised by the book. I thought it was written pretty well. It progressed well. My only complaint was that it was rather short. (The previous book I read was around 800 pages, and I like stories like that.) The western-aspect of the book was not bad. And the zombie parts of the book were not like the horror genre, thankfully. It was an interesting mix of the old west and magic.
Now, I regret not buying the second book, because I could have easily picked it up as soon as I put this one down.

[Thea Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. I read a lot of Westerns growing up like Zane Grey and Louis L'Amour. Haven't read one in a while. This one was Western mixed with magic. Something different and really good. Getting ready to start book 2.