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#DeadEndTours #2

#DeadEndTours: Hurting Fields

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Hurton Airfields, known locally as Hurting Fields, is an abandoned military airbase. Experiments were conducted on this site that saw miraculous healing; the creation of diabolical monsters; and the awakening of the dead.

But that was more than twenty years ago. Now, for those going on the #DeadEndTours urban exploration of Hurting Fields, no one is expecting to encounter any of those monsters. No one is expecting to meet the walking dead. Which means the latest group of tourists are in for some big surprises.

From the
“It’s as simple as this,” said Sergeant Miller, raising his Glock 17 to the creature’s forehead and squeezing the trigger.
There was an explosion, deafening in the hollow acoustics of the hangar. Something flew from the back of the creature’s head and then it fell to its knees and collapsed, unmoving and lifeless. The stillness of the night seemed to thicken as the after-echoes of the gun’s retort rippled through the darkness.
“Don’t waste your time shooting anywhere else,” Sergeant Miller told his troops. His voice, ordinarily loud, was raised to a parade drill bawl as he went through the impromptu demonstration. “Forehead only. Front-on. A hit anywhere else on the body is a waste of time and bullets. And we’re in no position to waste time or bullets today.” He kicked the lifeless thing at his feet. “And don’t bother with any of this ‘double-tap’ shit. These things don’t have the imagination or the ability to play pretend so, if it stops moving, it’s definitely dead and you can worry about the next one.”
Another of the creatures came at him from the shadows. He raised his Glock, waited until it was less than a metre away, and fired again. The gunshot sang louder than a rattle of thunder. The creature fell to the floor like a marionette with the strings cut.
“Feel free to help me out whenever it doesn’t interfere with your valuable schedule,” the sergeant added sarcastically. “I hadn’t realised I was leading a platoon of tree-hugging, vegan pacifists who all want to sit down singing John Lennon songs and tugging each other off, rather than helping me deal with this zombie fucking outbreak.”
The silence was broken by a platoon of a dozen privates shaking themselves from a horrified stupor. There was the metallic click that came from well-practiced professionals arming their rifles. There was the sound of shuffling boots against the asphalt of the hangar floor. All of this was supported by a background chatter of muttered apologies, as the group scoured the surrounding darkness.
“How many of them are there, Sarge?”
“I don’t have that information,” Miller bellowed. “But, I think it’s upwards of a hundred. It’s fair to say we’re outnumbered.”
“Are they really zombies, Sarge?”
“Zombies is as good a name as any,” Sergeant Miller replied. “But you can call them whatever the hell you like. Geeks like Willoughby say the walking dead. La-di-da officers with their private educations call them reanimated corpses. I call them Liverpool fans.”
One of the privates, Auton it sounded like, grunted a bark of laughter at this. He asked, “Why do you call them Liverpool fans, Sarge?”
Another one of them came running from the shadows. “Mine!” Miller shouted. He extended his Glock, waited until the creature was a metre away, and then squeezed the trigger. There was a deafening bang. Something wet shot from the back of the creature’s head. And then the zombie had fallen, motionless, to the floor.
“I call them Liverpool fans,” Miller said, smiling.

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 29, 2024

4 people are currently reading
16 people want to read

About the author

Ashley Lister

62 books45 followers
This author is also published under the pen name Ashley R. Lister.

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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Corrina Morse.
827 reviews139 followers
March 10, 2024
This is the second book in the #DeadEndTours series, but both can be read as stand alones. There are a few returning characters from the first book in this one, which, if you've read the first book will probably make you think “Oh no, not them again!” like I did, but I actually don't think it would've been the same without them now that I've read it…. 😉 I thoroughly enjoyed both books and I can't wait to embark on more tours in the future! 🤞

Hold onto your hats, this is one wild ride….

Hurting Fields is an old military airbase with a very dark history, and this is where Billy is hosting his latest Dead End Tour. As always, he will be dealing with the historical side of things, whilst his tour partner and fellow guide, Tina, will deal with the more grisly side. More specifically, the Variation Z incident….

Unfortunately, an annoying couple from the previous tour have returned, a couple up to their old tricks and who you will quickly come to love to hate. The tours are usually tweaked a little bit to add to the ambience, but once again, they all get a lot more than they bargained for, leaving Billy and everyone else on edge and running for their lives.

McNabb was notorious for his sadistic experiments, or miracle cures as he liked to describe them, and especially his piece de resistance, The Slayer! The Slayer was an abominable nightmare of a creature, with killing at the forefront of his altered mind and body, and rumour has it, he may still lurk on the premises somewhere….

On Tina’s tour, strange things start to happen almost immediately with the creepy shuffling in the corridors, and it turns out that some of the other tourists aren't quite who they seem to be. People have come on the tour wanting answers to the past, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to get them. The consequences are beyond what any of them could possibly have imagined….

The reanimation of corpses was previously discovered, using a parasite or variation z helminth, of which there seem to be many in the abandoned bunkers, and the corpses that are inevitably brought back to life seem to be of superhuman strength! Is history repeating itself? And just what exactly is still being contained in Area F? Who, or what really, is The Slayer? And after the two groups get split up, will they convene again as one and make their escape, or will they become part of the mystery and secrecy surrounding the base?

Ashley is a very underrated author, more people need to read his books, they're engaging, humourous, darkly disturbing and always topped off with the perfect amount of blood and gore for good measure! His narration always flows smoothly, right from the off, making his books easy one or two sitting, completely immersive reads. Written in past and present style, the Dead End Tours books flip expertly back and forth without leaving you confused at all, and you are always able to follow the tension and drama-filled storyline with ease.
What are you waiting for, go book yourself a seat on this tour and don't forget to tag any photos you might take while you're there….

#DeadEndTours
576 reviews4 followers
January 16, 2025
Always a Fun Tour

At this point, I think Billy, Tina, and Cal are very messed up adrenaline junkies. This is the 2nd Urbex tour and bloodshed as well as possible death seems to be right around the next corner.

Great Series, that is just downright fun!
Profile Image for Horror Reads.
929 reviews338 followers
January 14, 2024
Ashley Lister has outdone the events of the first Dead End Tours book with this one. If you haven't read the first one, I do recommend it although this can be read as a standalone novel.

This is about a team of urban explorers who make money by giving tours of supposedly supernaturally charged abandoned locations. In this case, an old military complex that has a dark history filled with stories of experiments done under clandestine manners.

It was good to see Billy, Tina, and Carl back after the events of the first one, leading the tours. We also get a couple of returning tour guests that provide some twisted fun along the way.

As the guides tell the stories of the people and circumstances involved in the atrocities commited there, the group is going to find out that these are more than just urban legends or hearsay.

In this installment we have reanimated corpses (zombies), and a horrifying hulking creature known as Slayer. There's also some tour group members who have alternative motives for being there. And when the military police show up to break up the party, things go from bad to much worse and nobody will be safe.

Just like in the last book, this one is fast paced, bloody, hair raising, and thrilling. I always love a good zombie story. This isn't about an apocalypse or set in a world that's been overrun or anything, but the implications of that happening once they disturb things that should have been left alone gives this an extra layer of suspense.

I binged this book in one sitting because it's easy to get into and covers points of view from several characters. I had to keep reading because each chapter ended in a little cliff hanger and that was very effective and well done!

I highly recommend this book and it belongs on your TBR list. And don't forget to read the first one while you wait. You won't be disappointed!

I received an ARC of this book from the author with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
Profile Image for Lisa Lee.
584 reviews39 followers
April 26, 2024
A Biliophilia Templum review
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2024/04/26/deadendtours-hurting-fields/

#DeadEndTours: Hurting Fields is the second installment in Ashley Lister’s fantastic Dead End Tours series, and it’s an intense ride!

Where St. Ralph’s Hospital was all dark humor and meter-pegging creep-factor, Hurting Fields is a bit more gruesome, has more intense action, and some of the humor is a touch darker. In other ways, they are very similar: colorful and entertaining characters (and my favorite wit, Petronella, is back!), a suspenseful and forbidden urban tour (of an abandoned military base, so you know there are people with mysterious agendas), a twisted and riveting history of the area (in this one, the sinister tale of horrifying military experiments gone awry). But here, there be monsters and zombies and other horrors.

This is a dark and fun page-turner full of unexpected twists and action and gruesomeness and irreverent dialogue, a highly recommended book for your horror reading pleasure. I can hardly wait for next one!

And don’t forget to hashtag #DeadEndTours.
Profile Image for Dale Robertson.
Author 6 books37 followers
December 23, 2024
Exactly the same review as the first book in the series...

The writing was good and I liked the back and forth timelines that tie in with how the main characters are telling their tour stories. It wasn't as creepy as I thought it would be but I still had a blast with it.

The story is different this time around though- military experiments, zombies, biological stuff. Interesting to read.

But having read two books in the series now, there's some similarities...

I did notice however that the intro (chapter 1, not the prologue) to the book is exactly the same as the first one- the description of the moon, etc. Bit disappointing, it's like the author just copied and pasted it. The characters also act with little to no surprise when things start going awry, and seem to turn into heroes. I would have thought an urban exploring experience gone wrong would be terrifying. The characters don't show that much fear, it's mainly dealt with by sarky comments and false bravado.
Profile Image for Trish.
475 reviews21 followers
June 23, 2024
I really liked the first book; but I absolutely loved this second Dead End Tour.

An abandoned air hangar, the rumoured home to unauthorised human experiments. Is all just conspiracy theories. Isn’t it?

Without spoiling anything for those still to read the first urban exploration of St Ralph’s Hospital, a welcome return of some familiar faces. Lister combines horror, humour, and survival in one fantastic read.

I cannot wait for the third instalment. An abandoned amusement park beckons!
Profile Image for The Yeti Reads and Reviews.
342 reviews17 followers
January 26, 2024
First off, a big thank you to Ashley for the ARC to read and review.


The urban explorers of Dead End Tours are back to take folks on a tour of the Hurting Fields, aka Hurton Airfields, a long-abandoned military base. A base that has a history of dark experiments. Once they are on the base, the tour breaks off into two groups. One group learns the history of the base, and the other group tours what happened during the Variation Z incident. What the group finds is more than what they bargained for.


This was definitely a fun story. Fantastic characters, great story, and a lot of action. There are some excellent twists and turns that I did not see coming. Of course, you can't go wrong with zmobies and a hulking beast known as The Slayer. This tour is definitely worth taking. Be sure to check this one out.


4 severed fingers out of 5


















Profile Image for Nat Whiston.
Author 32 books56 followers
January 15, 2024
The master of Deadend Tours returns, with another amazing tale. The prologue explodes a great taster of what's to come when we meet Miller and his team. An action-packed preview of the past of Hurting Fields, where we meet some old friends. It seems even after the events of St Ralph Hospital, our good friend Billy is not deterred. Taking another unsuspecting group of thrill seekers around the airfield. Some come for Billy’s history tour and some for Tina’s tour which covers the Variation Z incident. So yet again we branch off into two stories, one covering the history of the airfield and the other the dark experimentation and demons lingering from the horrors.
As always Ashley puts all his work into research and I did find out more about Horton Airfield in Kirby, which operated from September 1931 to September 1939. Sadly this one was not used by the military like the RAF but more for the local flying club. I'm not sure the two are related but needless to say my curiosity was piqued. As we explored the history of the airfield with Billy, I found this fascinating the attention to detail this author puts in. Create a lore of its very own that entices the reader, guiding them on the same journey as the characters. Again we have an amusing personality selection with the tourists, mainly a younger crowd. As they delve deeper into the history and hook the reader in with detail and backstory. Along with the original cast, we also have some new additions such as the charismatic driver Cal. Who I thought was awesome, in my brain La Cucaracha was playing every time they came on the scene. Of course, my favourite comedy duo made a comeback with Petronella and Dr know-it-all as they once again had me in stitches. Which I thought was a brilliant way to carry on from the previous Tour, as it gives a nod to what happened in the last story. As far as world-building is concerned Ashley has it in the bag. Moving onto the complex story which deals with the nefarious dealings of Captain Mcnabb and the Variation Z incident. As Ash tackles another horror trope, giving it a fantastic new twist that brings unsettling and eerie vibes.
When it comes to dark and twisted characters Ashley knows what he is doing. As even the reader grows an intense dislike for his motives and actions. Then we learn more about the Variation and how the first reanimated corpse was discovered. Little to the group's knowledge, that they would be getting a glimpse at one of their very own. As always Ashley loves to give a bit of build-up from both sides, so as things ramp up with one tour the other also picks up momentum. Not to mention the confrontation that Billy himself has to contend with, this story builds to a great section of action, filled with violence, death, a hostage situation and a Slayer. Another Banger from an amazing author! One of favorites so far!
179 reviews14 followers
October 27, 2024
Hurting Fields, book number two in the “Dead End Tours” series. I could not wait to get my hands on this! A lot of times authors have trouble following up such an amazing first book in an ongoing series, welp not Mr. Lister!
This book, has so much going for it! Twist and turns you never see coming, perfectly paced, a decent amount of military jargon but done in such a way that even a basic civilian as my self can completely comprehend (which is not always the case.
Lister truly is a master at his craft. You never feel like you are reading anything with tons of filler, things just for shock value etc. He writes straight forward horror and he does it better than most! Can’t recommend enough!
Profile Image for DA.
Author 3 books133 followers
February 20, 2024
Billy, Tina and Cal are back for another exciting urbex tour and I can't get enough of these characters. I also enjoyed the return of Petronella and Professor Know it All even though they're horrid people.
The story is told in the present and the past as Tina and Billy lead their tours of The Hurting Fields military base. It's a bloody good time with zombies and a werewolf like creature created in a lab. But, this isn't your typical zombie virus outbreak, it's a unique spin on how zombies are created. I really enjoyed it and was a bit sad when it ended.
This is a fantastic series and I can't wait to see what else is in store for #DeadEndTours!
Profile Image for Alexandra Nisneru.
Author 3 books52 followers
January 12, 2024
Even if I enjoyed the first one of the series more than this one, it is only because I dont deal well with zombies, there is a reality to the idea I cannot shake. It is not very improbable that events described in the book to have already happened or experiments like this to undergo secretly in hidden labs. It was an extremely gripping and tense story from start to finish and as I got used to Ashley Lister's books, I got to learn a thing or two in the process. 🥰
Profile Image for Sarah Jules.
Author 10 books155 followers
January 15, 2024
This book is a wild ride. Werewolves, that aren't quite werewolves. Zombies, that are manmade. This is a top-notch story filled with humour, humanity, and horror. There was nothing I didn't love. Well done, AGAIN, Ashley Lister!
32 reviews2 followers
April 3, 2024
Even better!!

I loved the first and now this second book in #DeadEndTours has hit home again! I love the urbex concept first and foremost. The story in the Hurting Fields could be expanded into a whole universe on its own. Just so damn good and can’t wait for more.
Profile Image for Maureen.
635 reviews16 followers
April 12, 2024
Holy crap! This book will get your heart racing! Zombies, action, guns, oh and a big werewolf! These books are so good!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews

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