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Grip of Frenzy: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller

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Patrick Dunn, a fifty-something ex-cop, thought his days of action were over after a gunshot forced early retirement. But when an EMP plunges the country into darkness, Pat's mission to reach his children in Salem becomes a race against a brutal winter and devastating chaos. Alongside Holly, an escaped patient with a troubled past and her steadfast dog Butler, they navigate treacherous terrain where danger lurks at every turn.

Grip of Frenzy weaves a tale of unyielding determination and resilience amidst overwhelming odds. As Patrick battles his inner demons to protect his family, Holly discovers newfound strength in the chaos that ensues.

Fans of EMP post-apocalyptic fiction will be captivated by this gripping narrative of survival, where hope shines brightest amidst despair. Join Patrick, Holly, and Butler as they confront the unknown and the relentless fury of a world forever altered.

Discover Grip of Frenzy, the penultimate installment in the pulse-pounding EMP survival series by bestselling author Sam J Fires. If you crave vivid characters, heart-pounding action, and edge-of-your-seat drama, this thrilling saga is for you. Perfect for enthusiasts of Ryan Schow, Grace Hamilton, Kyla Stone, and Jack Hunt.

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 10, 2024

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About the author

Sam J Fires

45 books86 followers
Sam J Fires is a #1 bestselling author of gripping post-apocalyptic and dystopian thrillers.

Her stories are driven by flawed, resilient characters forced to survive the unthinkable—when the power goes out, the world collapses, and every choice comes at a cost. Expect high-stakes tension, emotional depth, and characters who fight to the bitter end.

In real life, Sam would be the first to admit she probably wouldn’t last five minutes in one of her own worlds.

👉 Be sure to follow Sam on Bookbub for the latest on sales:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sam-j...

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5 stars
111 (51%)
4 stars
71 (33%)
3 stars
30 (13%)
2 stars
3 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Matt Egan.
822 reviews23 followers
October 9, 2024
So good! Just when Holly is awkwardly reacquainted with her mother and Pat's leg is on the mend, Meadowview comes under attack, killing a primary and many ancillary characters, things get tense. The mysterious group working to set the prepper community provides tainted venison to half the town, and we are left with quite the cliffhanger ending. Best book in the series so far! This review is of the ARC program, it goes on sale in 2 days.
Profile Image for Terry M.
659 reviews10 followers
October 10, 2024
Fast paced action from start to finish.  Revelations, betrayal and murder. Highly recommended. I received an ARC copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Ashley’s Book Nooks .
15 reviews2 followers
September 23, 2024
Sam has done it again. Endless twists in this one of a kind post apocalyptic series. Her characters have great character growth and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Holly and Cass as always are stepping up to help the town. Isaac and Javier are trying their best but feeling short of what they can do with what’s going on.
The ending is a shock but it makes me impatient for the next book and can’t wait to see what happens to those in Meadowview next.
Amazing work as always, Sam is a genius
Profile Image for Daniel Johnson.
138 reviews3 followers
September 24, 2024
Another great book in the series by Sam Fires. I couldn’t put the book down. Continuous excitement with great characters and a strong narrative.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series!
Profile Image for Dave.
380 reviews5 followers
July 24, 2026
I'm listening to the Audible version of this series.The author has essentially switched to a new story with new character additions, a new town and a whole new plot. I personally don't like the new plot, about Holly's home town and it's drama. Our original main characters, Pat and Holly, are hardly present in this book. I'm confused as to why this new material wasn't made into a stand alone series. On the positive side, at least we didn't have to listen to Pat tap his fingers incessantly.
Profile Image for Kris Cobb.
216 reviews4 followers
September 30, 2024
The tension builds and the action never ends as we learn more about the actors behind the devastation and distrust in Meadowview.
Profile Image for ❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books.
2,723 reviews11.3k followers
May 9, 2025
I'm tired of writing reviews, so I'm going to keep this one short..

I wish I'd read this sooner, instead of waiting for a bit so that the cross over characters were fresher in my mind than they are and I could remember the dynamics better, though I do recall bits and pieces.

The attack on the village is slowly starting to make more sense now, fingers were pointing towards the prepper community but maybe they need to look a bit closer to one surrounding them. I'm enjoying the build up of a war on their hands. Friends or foe will make themselves known.

Just when Holly had faced freedom in the face, this cliffy may just take it all away from her. I can't wait to jump into the next book to see what happens and if the village bands together to fight or more leave as they have been doing.
Profile Image for Rosemary.
4,103 reviews73 followers
October 7, 2024
Grip Of Frenzy - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

After the End series, Book 6 by Sam J Fires is the exciting post-Apocalyptic novel, Grip Of Frenzy. It continues the stories of Anton, Cass, Harper, Holly, Isaac, Javier and Patrick in individually titled chapters...each one with their own part to play in this epic saga.

The EMP has wrought devastation in the town of Meadowview, but a group of militia-like raiders puts more lives at risk with their actions. With the breakdown of law and order, how will the maelstrom of deception and death ever end?
Read Grip of Frenzy right now to find out, ahead of the final volume - coming soon!
Profile Image for Reads_Must .
1,023 reviews14 followers
October 30, 2024
Grip of Frenzy
After the End #6
Sci-Fi
Sam J. Fires
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• ᴅᴇᴄᴇᴘᴛɪᴏɴ • ꜱᴘɪᴇꜱ • ꜱᴜʀᴠɪᴠᴀʟ •

I really liked the multiple POVs, especially the one from Anton.

The pacing was good and I appreciated the recaps that were subtly added throughout the first few chapters.

The characters were developed well and it was nice to see certain characters grow and start to rebuild relationships.

I was disappointed that a certain character chose to risk themselves when there was so much they would miss out on.

I was surprised by who the mole was and I still don't know the full reason for the infiltration and the betrayal but I'm looking forward to finding out
Profile Image for Roger.
5,988 reviews28 followers
October 20, 2024
Grip of Frenzy: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller (After the End Book 6), my thirty-first read from author Sam J. Fires and the sixth book in After the End series. Another enjoyable, well-written, entertaining 176-page Post-Apocalyptic read. “I was a given Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." Next up Grip of Eternity: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller (After the End Book 7) due out in January of next year. The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
146 reviews
October 11, 2024
Another Fantastic addition to the series, Holly is back with her son Isaac but the nightmare still continues, there's explosions around the town, people are being killed, but by who and why?. Sam is an amazing author, who always leaves the story on a cliff hanger and has you waiting desperately for the next book, that will hopefully answer the questions that your left asking.
1,020 reviews12 followers
November 8, 2024
Oh Boy, the end is near!

Meadowview down but not out. The forest group is planning. The townspeople are coming together. Pat and his family and friends are surviving and willing to help. But there's more murder and mayhem being wrought. The suspense is so hard to overcome. There's plenty of thriller in this book!
Profile Image for Laurie Robertson.
995 reviews26 followers
September 24, 2024
Brilliant tension building in this episode. I'm not even going into the story as anything I say would be a spoiler. Once you read this engaging installment, you'll have multiple questions buzzing around your brain. Read in one sitting as I didn't want to stop.
12.9k reviews195 followers
October 6, 2024
Once again we are drawn into a story that will not disappoint. An EMP plunges everyone into danger and darkness. Families are separated and searching for each other. How will this end Impossible to put down.
341 reviews7 followers
October 7, 2024

Mysteries get deeper. More people are leaving from the town and from the living.
Cliff-hangers are cleaned-up, while some new ones make you think, "how is this series really going to end."
I need the next installment NOW.
Profile Image for Corinne Marshall.
456 reviews11 followers
October 11, 2024
OMG ! This story had it all ! It was gripping from start to finish and the mystery and intrigue just keeps on building and has you so invested in what's in store for our favourite characters. Well done again Ms Fires. Really looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Rachael.
1,062 reviews
October 15, 2024
Great series.

I am really enjoying this series. The characters and plot have depth. The story moves very quickly and is suspenseful. We have another cliffhanger with this one, so I anxiously await the next book.
Profile Image for Sam.
2,717 reviews49 followers
October 18, 2024
Another really great story in this exciting, well paced & well written, post apocalyptic thriller! I really enjoyed this part, great levels of adventure, good action & high stress at moments, something to really get caught up in reading! I do recommend!
Profile Image for Mark.
277 reviews
December 29, 2024
The plot thickens! I like each book a little better than the previous one. The curtain is slowly lifted on what is happening and we also finally get some resolution in this book. Excited to read the last book of the series!
499 reviews5 followers
October 12, 2024
Patrick and Holly's stories, along with many other characters, are woven together so well in another great volume in the After the End series.
Profile Image for Voidmistresss.
10 reviews
December 17, 2024
I’ve devoured both of Sam’s series in less than 2 weeks and now I’m impatiently waiting book 7. The author keeps you on your toes constantly and I can’t wait to have all these adventures summed up!
77 reviews2 followers
June 29, 2025
Great

About survival and community. Find out what happens next who is the traitor in communities gripping tail. I am going to read Book 7.
Profile Image for Deedee.
2,250 reviews10 followers
February 19, 2026
3.5 Stars. Less action. More talking. Example: Forming committees, hunting, food storage, etc.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews