Crypto-Squad

by Eric S. Brown, Jason Brannon

As a boy, Marcus Tillman dreamed of being a sideshow barker, but never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined the kind of freak show he would work in one day. When the dead begin to rise from their graves and tear apart the very fabric of civilization, a special government-sponsored strike team known as the Crypto-Squad is created, and Tillman is put in charge. Comprised of beasts that are the stuff of rumor and legend, the Crypto-Squad’s mission is to eradicate a group of doomsday cultists who refer to themselves as The Unending. Refusing to accept defeat and determined to save those who are left alive, Tillman mobilizes this ragtag band of misfits, realizing that they are the world’s last remaining hope. Led by the Mothman, the Crypto-Squad is comprised of El Chupacabra, The Jersey Devil, Sasquatch from various tribes, Mongolian Death Worms, and more. As the legions of undead march across country, devouring what remains of America, the lives of millions rest in the hands of this dangerous group of rogue beasts. Eric S. Brown and Jason Brannon’s Crypto-Squad is a mix of monsters, covert operatives, cultists, and the undead. This is the zombie apocalypse as you’ve never experienced it before!

Genres: Zombies, Science Fiction, Horror, Superheroes

102 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Steve Vernon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so just the other day I was looking at this package of Werther's Caramel Coated Popcorn in the drugstore - and I said to my wife - "Now that looks like about three hours overtime on the elliptical trainer worth of calories. Do you think I ought to buy myself a bag and try it?"

"I don't know," she told me. "That also looks like it might be highly addictive. There is probably a good reason why they are selling that stuff in the drugstore."

Well - let me tell you - Eric S. Brown's fiction has an AWFUL lot in common with that caramel-coated popcorn.

Number one - Eric S. Brown's fiction is HIGHLY addictive.

I mean it is sticky - as in it will stick to your fingers and to your eyeballs and to your beard if you happen to be wearing one. It will stick inside your mind and it will grow and fester there and before too long you will be dreaming about Bigfoot and Mongolian Death Worms and Skunk Apes and other such wholesome figments of Eric's wonderfully twisted popcorn-brain.

I have had this book on my Kindle for so long that I cannot remember exactly when I picked it up. I was putting off reading it because I was working on my own couple of Bigfoot novels and I didn't want to run the risk of inadvertently copying Eric's fictional style.

Well - let me tell you - Eric S. Brown's fiction is definitely inimitable.

I don't care if you have yourself a truckload of tracing paper, photocopy machines and computer scanners - you are NOT going to be able to imitate Eric's fiction.

This isn't great art or deep, thoughtful literature.

In case you forgot where I started this review - Eric S. Brown writes caramel-coated popcorn.

Think about the freak show at the Carnival.

Think about the funhouse mirrors and the tattooed man and the house of horror.

This particular book that I just read - CRYPTO-SQUAD - is a real kitchen sink of a book - by which I mean Eric tips out his imagination and empties onto the computer screen with every kind of cryptid critter you could imagine going toe-to-hairy-toe with a swarm of scuzzball man-eating zombies.

Yeah, that's right. It is that kind of book. It is meaty and chewy and wet in all the right places. Eric does not fart around. He gets right into the action with Bigfoot stomping on zombies and then he just puts the pedal to the metal and does not let up as he weaves himself a great big old tangle-knot of devil-worship, snake-men, the Jersey Devil, and of course more Bigfoot.

If you love those raunchy old creature-features with Godzilla and the Werewolf and Frankenstein and the Gill-Man and Flying Pterodactyls you ought to pick up this book.

If you dig your horror wet and fun and chewy and sticky and shot through with little gristly bits - you really ought to pick up this book.

Heck - if you dig caramel-coated popcorn - you for sure REALLY ought to pick up this book.

yours in storytelling,
Steve Vernon

[JP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a great time reading this. The story is fast-paced and the creatures and monsters within are amazing. The final scene is filled with chaos and great action - which was an absolute blast to read. Hopefully there is a sequel in the near future.

[Jason Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!!!!

[Tommy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was more enjoyable than I expected. It was a world that came with some background The story had some good depth, and the characters were likeable yet still had some mystery at the end of the first book. I will reading the second book.

[Eben Waters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay I Guess

Not a bad story. Feels disjointed and doesn’t flow very well from scene to scene. If you like stories about creatures like Bigfoot, you might like this one.

[chucklesthescot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zombies have been raised from the dead by a mad snake worshipping cult and are threatening to destroy America. Only the Crypto Squad can save the day! Human leader Marcus, sea monster Agent Ness and Jimi the psychic Mothman lead angry Sasquatches, El Chupacabra, Mongolian Death Worms, The Jersey Devil and flesh eating locusts into battle.

Having read the author's Bigfoot War books, I was intrigued about the adventures of a group of cryptoid creatures working for a government agency. Seriously who could resist that wonderful cover? I snapped up the first two but as yet I haven't got the third. The books are all short, around 100 pages as most of Eric S Brown's work is, but they are always fun and entertaining reads.

I love Jimi the Mothman, who is of course a Hendrix fan. He has integrated into the base better than most, making friends with some of the people who are less squeamish about monsters, developing a firm friendship with Marcus. As always I enjoy the Sasquatch characters in these books as who doesn't love a good Bigfoot attack? I particularly like the interaction between Jimi and The Jersey Devil which was a lot of fun. The snake cult people are all batshit crazy, the zombies are running wild and the monsters are coming to try and spoil their big religious party!

I can't say too much about this without giving away all the best bits of the plot but if you like B Movie entertainment with lots of monsters, you might well enjoy this one.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crypto-Squad by Eric S. Brown is a quick fun read. Involving a host of mythological (to some) characters that form a secret government agency. Mothman, Ness, The Jersey Devil, are just some of the creature characters to look forward to.

The agency is around to deal with things that are outside what most normal people can deal with. This book deals with a group called the Unending. These people are some super powerful necromancers who have unleashed a horde of zombies and have many more tricks up their sleeves.

This is a great book for people who like paranormal action and I'm looking forward to checking out some of the other books in the series.

[Yrik Valentonis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love monsters. I love seeing monsters as heroes. I love zombies. I love this book. Having a team of monsters and humans work together to defeat hordes of evil in action packed adventures is my idea of a great book. The writing is energetic and plot driven. This is Creature Feature in book form. Many people have compared this to a comic book and I agree, this has all the best qualities of comics; entertaining characters, intriguing plots, asnd enjoyable action. Have fun in this crazy, monster filled universe, and then look for the sequels.

[Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very fast read for me, but that's not saying that the story wasn't good. The book /story reminds me of those black and white science fiction movies I looked at as I was growing up as a kid. The action was full on from page one, the characters are very interesting, the plot is well defined (saving the world), and it makes you wonder about all the "monsters you knew about as you were growing up. VERY GOOD READ.

[Scot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action, adventure, and cryptids!! A clever little short about a government team of high level operatives consisting of all the cryptids you can think of and then some. This is the first story in the series. The stories are a little short but action packed. If you are a fan of Sasquatch, the Mothman, Nessie, or the Jersey Devil and carnage then pick this up and enjoy.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zombie apocalypse? Call in the monster squad! That about sums it up actually. This is a fast moving little book (only about 100 pages) with a fairly straight forward plot (see above). The fun part was seeing which legendary beastie would show up next.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book it a unique and very original story.....

[Geoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some issues with editing, but the free-for-all style ads one more star to what would otherwise be a 2-star review. Not too shabby.

[m. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read as a team of mythical creatures goes up against a serpentine zombie makin' evil - not a big fan of the Christian elements but that's my only real gripe.