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Strandville Zombie Series #2
Afterbirth
The survivors of the Nixon Center escape struggle in a post-apocalyptic world where the walking dead aren't the biggest threats.
Working from a remote mountain cabin, Dr. Howard Nixon is determined to salvage what is left of his experiment. Allison escapes him, clinging to life with no idea what's happened in the world. Zach is looking for her, but time is running out.
Reid lives holed up in the Nixon Center, waiting for his revenge.
Tension is high as both Miranda and Carlene's pregnancies come to term. Miranda, faced with the possibility that her delivery might infect her, is forced to seek help from the only other person who knows what has happened: Dr. Michael Waters, the physician who sent her to Dr. Nixon in the first place.
All roads lead back to Strandville where grudges resurface and old decisions must be answered for. Scott, Miranda, and Michael return to the center to face-off against their pasts and each other as Michael's secret agenda comes to light.
Working from a remote mountain cabin, Dr. Howard Nixon is determined to salvage what is left of his experiment. Allison escapes him, clinging to life with no idea what's happened in the world. Zach is looking for her, but time is running out.
Reid lives holed up in the Nixon Center, waiting for his revenge.
Tension is high as both Miranda and Carlene's pregnancies come to term. Miranda, faced with the possibility that her delivery might infect her, is forced to seek help from the only other person who knows what has happened: Dr. Michael Waters, the physician who sent her to Dr. Nixon in the first place.
All roads lead back to Strandville where grudges resurface and old decisions must be answered for. Scott, Miranda, and Michael return to the center to face-off against their pasts and each other as Michael's secret agenda comes to light.
- GenresZombies
328 pages, Paperback
First published March 9, 2012
3 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Belinda Frisch
14 books327 followersBelinda Frisch has worked as a cosmetologist, a medical records auditor, and a real estate broker, but her lifelong dream is of being a writer. While other kids were passing notes in class, Belinda was writing creatively. She was the only person she knew who asked for the Writer’s Market for Christmas or had any idea what a SASE was. Her journal, and usually an Anne Rice novel, were her constant companions.
She has written poetry, short stories, novels, a textbook, and co-authored a screenplay when her novel, Cure, was optioned for film that one time. When Belinda isn’t writing, she is probably reading one of the many books that she keeps on rotation. She grew up in the Capital District and identifies as a New Yorker, even though she’s spent the last decade living in South Carolina, where she now writes full-time.
She has written poetry, short stories, novels, a textbook, and co-authored a screenplay when her novel, Cure, was optioned for film that one time. When Belinda isn’t writing, she is probably reading one of the many books that she keeps on rotation. She grew up in the Capital District and identifies as a New Yorker, even though she’s spent the last decade living in South Carolina, where she now writes full-time.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 14, 2022
TO AUTHOR: Please provide update on 3rd book status "Departure".
It's been over 6 years now. At least a quick note to confirm it's not happening would be better than nothing.
It's been over 6 years now. At least a quick note to confirm it's not happening would be better than nothing.
March 13, 2013
Seven months have passed since the uncertain conclusion of Cure. The infected have broken past the confines of the remote town of Strandville and the once cozy town has become the epicenter of the nationwide epidemic known as 'The Collapse'. Dr. Nixon still continues his experiments in a secluded cabin in the woods while the rest of the survivors are scattered. But that doesn't last long. All roads lead back to Strandville. Will Zach and Allison be reunited? Can Scott and Miranda patch up their relationship in a post apocalyptic world filled with the living dead? What of Max Reid, who's now surviving on his own in the derelict Nixon center, not only fighting hoards of the undead but constant death squads sent by a revenge minded Dr. Nixon? The experiment continues.
The Zombie Apocalypse. It's the natural progression of the storyline. There was no way the disease would stay in Strandville. Part of what I liked so much about Cure was how claustrophobic it felt; the remote setting, the creepy hospital, never knowing what would happen during the close quarters combat. For the blink of an eye, I was worried that Afterbirth would lose that since the zombie problem had broken nationwide. Turns out, I was worried over nothing. Afterbirth loses none of what made the first installment different and fun to read. It's a microcosm of the larger problem. The survivors are scattered and it takes the reader on a journey from parts outside and away from the Nixon center and leads them right back to where it all started...whether the characters like it or not.
This sequel is much more action packed than the first installment. Zombies are everywhere and something so simple as going out for supplies could spell doom at any given time. But, it's not all about action. This book, like Cure, is about the characters and how they react, adapt, and fight in order to survive. They just don't get a lot of down time to chew the fat ;) Frisch barely gives her characters a chance to breath before the blood flies from skeletal mouths. But, zombies aren't the only conflict here. As previously stated, this is a character driven book and the various players have to survive each other as well as evil doctors, crazed henchmen, and the flesh eating dead. While there's a great amount of action involving gore, gun play and improvised weaponry, it's a backdrop for the characters' interplay. The action doesn't TAKE OVER the story. It SERVES the story. Well done.
The plot is tight and moves at a breakneck pace thanks to the author's fast and fluid style that features well told action, great dialogue and rapid fire chapters. The story starts with a widely cast net; a net that contains many subplots but gets tighter and tighter with each chapter until everyone is back where they least want to go. It was impressive how Frisch took the scattered locations at the outset and drew all the players together without even so much as a hiccup or a plot hole. Every motivation and every reason for the characters to come together again made sense and felt plausible. The ending is satisfying, makes sense, and left me wanting more. Very well done.
So, tempted to delve into the world of zombies for the first time? Maybe want to try a change of pace from the standard zombie novel? If you haven't already, give The Strandville Zombie series a shot and see what the experiment is all about. And hey, it's got zombie babies and chainsaws. What's not to like about that?
The Zombie Apocalypse. It's the natural progression of the storyline. There was no way the disease would stay in Strandville. Part of what I liked so much about Cure was how claustrophobic it felt; the remote setting, the creepy hospital, never knowing what would happen during the close quarters combat. For the blink of an eye, I was worried that Afterbirth would lose that since the zombie problem had broken nationwide. Turns out, I was worried over nothing. Afterbirth loses none of what made the first installment different and fun to read. It's a microcosm of the larger problem. The survivors are scattered and it takes the reader on a journey from parts outside and away from the Nixon center and leads them right back to where it all started...whether the characters like it or not.
This sequel is much more action packed than the first installment. Zombies are everywhere and something so simple as going out for supplies could spell doom at any given time. But, it's not all about action. This book, like Cure, is about the characters and how they react, adapt, and fight in order to survive. They just don't get a lot of down time to chew the fat ;) Frisch barely gives her characters a chance to breath before the blood flies from skeletal mouths. But, zombies aren't the only conflict here. As previously stated, this is a character driven book and the various players have to survive each other as well as evil doctors, crazed henchmen, and the flesh eating dead. While there's a great amount of action involving gore, gun play and improvised weaponry, it's a backdrop for the characters' interplay. The action doesn't TAKE OVER the story. It SERVES the story. Well done.
The plot is tight and moves at a breakneck pace thanks to the author's fast and fluid style that features well told action, great dialogue and rapid fire chapters. The story starts with a widely cast net; a net that contains many subplots but gets tighter and tighter with each chapter until everyone is back where they least want to go. It was impressive how Frisch took the scattered locations at the outset and drew all the players together without even so much as a hiccup or a plot hole. Every motivation and every reason for the characters to come together again made sense and felt plausible. The ending is satisfying, makes sense, and left me wanting more. Very well done.
So, tempted to delve into the world of zombies for the first time? Maybe want to try a change of pace from the standard zombie novel? If you haven't already, give The Strandville Zombie series a shot and see what the experiment is all about. And hey, it's got zombie babies and chainsaws. What's not to like about that?
March 23, 2013
Afterbirth picks up seven months after the events in Cure, and from the beginning in the Frisch fashion I’ve come to appreciate, it starts with a bang and takes off at a gallop which turns into a sprint, and so on, and so forth. The point being: Belinda Frisch knows how to write some great zombie action.
One interesting thing to note about Afterbirth right away is that Frisch has provided us with a short recap about what happened in the first book of the series, sort of like a “Previously On..” recap that they do before television shows. This is genius!! Like I said, Afterbirth springs into action, so if it weren’t for that short but effective recap, I may not have slipped back into the story so easily. With the little recap, which I really wish more authors would do, I could get down to enjoying all of the bloody zombie mayhem!
Now, Afterbirth wasn’t a COMPLETE all out gore fest. Through Afterbirth’s beginnings we reconnect with the characters we got to know in such depth in Cure. We remember their plights and sympathize with them, because unfortunately, in seven months things have only gotten much worse for the people of Strandville. Though it was hard to watch characters I have come to care about face such awful, unspeakable things, the tension build-up in the beginning of the book where we saw bad people become completely evil was fascinating. Afterbirth is full of intrigue, double-crossing and two-faced characters that will keep you on your toes and surprise you as the action propels you forward.
Also, as in Cure, Belinda Frisch’s medical background shines through her writing in detailed, intelligent descriptions that add to the story, not slow it down as technical things sometimes can. I remember classifying Cure as a medical zombie thriller, because the emphasis on the medicine and the work that was being done at the Nixon center was a large focus in Cure.
However, I am thrilled to say that it was the outright horror and gore of Afterbirth that made me love the sequel. There is no doubt that Afterbirth is the goriest thing I have read in the last year. It’s the goriest thing since I’ve read since Trapped by Jack Kilborn, AKA Joe Konrath of A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing. I was grossed out, really grossed out by some of the descriptions in Afterbirth and it gave me the same feeling I got when reading Trapped – almost like it was so gory, so raw, so BRAVE, I was doing something wrong. If a writer has enough talent to make me scared and make me cringe and make my stomach turn? (SLOW CLAP)
Afterbirth was scary. Afterbirth was a book that I stayed up late reading and then had nightmares about afterward, and trust me, I don’t joke about nightmares. And I NEVER joke about zombies.I am one of those people who always put myself into character’s shoes, imagining how I would feel and what I would do in their situations, and sometimes I get really freaked out. Afterbirth made me question the horror of all horrors in my opinion – what if I were pregnant during the zombie apocalypse? Really, what could be worse than that, right? Well, being pregnant with a zombie baby could be worse. In Strandville, everything is as bad as it can possibly be, and then it just keeps on getting worse.
I can’t imagine what Belinda has in store for the residents of Strandville now, but that woman has a fierce, brave, and most of all SCARY imagination. I will be sticking around to hear from Strandville again…
One interesting thing to note about Afterbirth right away is that Frisch has provided us with a short recap about what happened in the first book of the series, sort of like a “Previously On..” recap that they do before television shows. This is genius!! Like I said, Afterbirth springs into action, so if it weren’t for that short but effective recap, I may not have slipped back into the story so easily. With the little recap, which I really wish more authors would do, I could get down to enjoying all of the bloody zombie mayhem!
Now, Afterbirth wasn’t a COMPLETE all out gore fest. Through Afterbirth’s beginnings we reconnect with the characters we got to know in such depth in Cure. We remember their plights and sympathize with them, because unfortunately, in seven months things have only gotten much worse for the people of Strandville. Though it was hard to watch characters I have come to care about face such awful, unspeakable things, the tension build-up in the beginning of the book where we saw bad people become completely evil was fascinating. Afterbirth is full of intrigue, double-crossing and two-faced characters that will keep you on your toes and surprise you as the action propels you forward.
Also, as in Cure, Belinda Frisch’s medical background shines through her writing in detailed, intelligent descriptions that add to the story, not slow it down as technical things sometimes can. I remember classifying Cure as a medical zombie thriller, because the emphasis on the medicine and the work that was being done at the Nixon center was a large focus in Cure.
However, I am thrilled to say that it was the outright horror and gore of Afterbirth that made me love the sequel. There is no doubt that Afterbirth is the goriest thing I have read in the last year. It’s the goriest thing since I’ve read since Trapped by Jack Kilborn, AKA Joe Konrath of A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing. I was grossed out, really grossed out by some of the descriptions in Afterbirth and it gave me the same feeling I got when reading Trapped – almost like it was so gory, so raw, so BRAVE, I was doing something wrong. If a writer has enough talent to make me scared and make me cringe and make my stomach turn? (SLOW CLAP)
Afterbirth was scary. Afterbirth was a book that I stayed up late reading and then had nightmares about afterward, and trust me, I don’t joke about nightmares. And I NEVER joke about zombies.I am one of those people who always put myself into character’s shoes, imagining how I would feel and what I would do in their situations, and sometimes I get really freaked out. Afterbirth made me question the horror of all horrors in my opinion – what if I were pregnant during the zombie apocalypse? Really, what could be worse than that, right? Well, being pregnant with a zombie baby could be worse. In Strandville, everything is as bad as it can possibly be, and then it just keeps on getting worse.
I can’t imagine what Belinda has in store for the residents of Strandville now, but that woman has a fierce, brave, and most of all SCARY imagination. I will be sticking around to hear from Strandville again…
March 17, 2013
There's something to be afraid of in Strandville.....and it's not the zombies! Seven months after the fall of society in Belinda's first book, "The Cure (A Strandville Zombie Novel" the survivors are again finding themselves in the heat of trouble, and it's not the walking dead around them... it's fellow survivors.
I am completely in love with the way the author not only shows the threat with the undead but with fellow survivors as well. A lot of zombie genre authors and film writers never really cover survivors vs. survivors.
In the first book, you get a lot of character building, scene setting and action. In this book, you get the characters and then some. The action does not take away from the character's stories, it builds on it and will either bond them or break them.
The chapters are quick chapters, and the author does a fantastic job of ending each chapter at pivotal moments, forcing you to read ahead to find out the outcome. It is a very well written, though out and constructed novel.
This has to be my favorite book series to date.
I received a proof/review copy to review. I thank the author for sending me a copy. I cannot get enough. I am now going to hunt down her other books she has written and dive into those as well.
**BOOK TWO OF THE STRANDVILLE ZOMBIE SERIES.
The survivors of the Nixon Center escape struggle in a post-apocalyptic world where the walking dead aren't the biggest threats.
Working from a remote, mountain cabin, Dr. Howard Nixon is determined to salvage what is left of his experiment.
Allison escapes him, clinging to life and with no idea what's happened in the world.
Zach is looking for her, but time is running out.
Reid lives holed up in the Nixon Center and waits for his revenge.
Tension is high as both Miranda and Carlene's pregnancies come to term. Miranda, faced with the possibility that her delivery might cause her to become infected, is forced to seek help from the only other person who knows what has happened: Dr. Michael Waters, the physician who sent her to Dr. Nixon in the first place.
All roads lead back to Strandville where grudges resurface and old decisions must be answered for. Scott, Miranda, and Michael return to the center to face-off against their pasts and each other as Michael's secret agenda comes to light.
I am completely in love with the way the author not only shows the threat with the undead but with fellow survivors as well. A lot of zombie genre authors and film writers never really cover survivors vs. survivors.
In the first book, you get a lot of character building, scene setting and action. In this book, you get the characters and then some. The action does not take away from the character's stories, it builds on it and will either bond them or break them.
The chapters are quick chapters, and the author does a fantastic job of ending each chapter at pivotal moments, forcing you to read ahead to find out the outcome. It is a very well written, though out and constructed novel.
This has to be my favorite book series to date.
I received a proof/review copy to review. I thank the author for sending me a copy. I cannot get enough. I am now going to hunt down her other books she has written and dive into those as well.
**BOOK TWO OF THE STRANDVILLE ZOMBIE SERIES.
The survivors of the Nixon Center escape struggle in a post-apocalyptic world where the walking dead aren't the biggest threats.
Working from a remote, mountain cabin, Dr. Howard Nixon is determined to salvage what is left of his experiment.
Allison escapes him, clinging to life and with no idea what's happened in the world.
Zach is looking for her, but time is running out.
Reid lives holed up in the Nixon Center and waits for his revenge.
Tension is high as both Miranda and Carlene's pregnancies come to term. Miranda, faced with the possibility that her delivery might cause her to become infected, is forced to seek help from the only other person who knows what has happened: Dr. Michael Waters, the physician who sent her to Dr. Nixon in the first place.
All roads lead back to Strandville where grudges resurface and old decisions must be answered for. Scott, Miranda, and Michael return to the center to face-off against their pasts and each other as Michael's secret agenda comes to light.
March 22, 2013
Picking up a few months after Cure's end, Afterbirth continues the tale of Miranda Penton, and a host of other characters, as they try to survive the zombie apocalypse. In the second book of the Strandville Series, Frisch builds on the storylines from Cure and adds a few new characters and wrinkles, while bringing back the characters from the first book.
Where Cure told us how the ZA could happen, Afterbirth gives us a remedy to the virus. Keeping with the same quick paced writing and developing storylines, like Cure, this book reads fast.
If you're a fan of zombies, you should pick up this series.
Where Cure told us how the ZA could happen, Afterbirth gives us a remedy to the virus. Keeping with the same quick paced writing and developing storylines, like Cure, this book reads fast.
If you're a fan of zombies, you should pick up this series.
November 11, 2014
Afterbirth makes the Walking Dead feel like an episode of Scooby Doo.
From the start of this fantastic fast pace post-apocalyptic novel, readers are catapulted into chaos. Twist and unexpected turns force you to beg for more.
Several months have passed since the escape from Nixon Center and now Strandville is ground zero of the nationwide epidemic. Follow each character as they struggle to keep sane while balancing life within the infected.
If you are a fan of the first novel of the series, you will unquestionably enjoy Afterbirth.
From the start of this fantastic fast pace post-apocalyptic novel, readers are catapulted into chaos. Twist and unexpected turns force you to beg for more.
Several months have passed since the escape from Nixon Center and now Strandville is ground zero of the nationwide epidemic. Follow each character as they struggle to keep sane while balancing life within the infected.
If you are a fan of the first novel of the series, you will unquestionably enjoy Afterbirth.
December 16, 2013
Loved "Afterbirth"!!! I couldn't put it down; an action-packed thriller. Enjoyed the continuing stories in Strandsville. Would recommend this series to anyone who loves medical thrillers.
August 8, 2014
I loved this book.
November 30, 2014
This was a really good ending. Lots of action, lots of gore, lots of back drop story explaining. The only gripe I had to say about this book was that towards the end, it got a bit trite, cheesy, and predictable. It felt like 3/4 of the way in, the shorter chapters just kept bouncing back and forth like an over cliched Hollywood flick where the antagonist couldn't decide on two conflicting moral dilemma's. Aside from those minor nit picking details, it's a solid ending. I liked it. I recommend it.
April 17, 2014
Afterbirth is the sequel to Cure (which you should really check out if you haven't already). All the (surviving) main characters from Cure are here, all have their own agendas, and they all involve the Nixon Center. Continuing from Cure is quite a tasty gore level and non-stop action. Here's hoping there may be another Nixon Center story in the future!
Read
September 5, 2014I wanted to find out what was going to happen with Miranda's baby.. I downloaded the book onto my Kindle and read the first 60% in one sitting... She has become one of my favorite authors. Not many have been able to catch and hold my attention like Belinda Frisch!
November 17, 2015
Full circle
Everything that made you feel incomplete in the first book has come full circle. There's room for a next book, but if not, it would be ok left right here. There's always hope.
Everything that made you feel incomplete in the first book has come full circle. There's room for a next book, but if not, it would be ok left right here. There's always hope.
March 23, 2015
Review coming soon!
Received from Audiobook Reviewer.com for an honest review.
Received from Audiobook Reviewer.com for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews