Zombies in the Delta

Peyton Brooks, FBI #1

by M.L. Hamilton

Peyton and Marco’s relationship has undergone enormous change. With new jobs demanding their attention, they struggle to find an equilibrium between their professional and personal lives. Added to that difficulty is Marco’s inability to accept his own physical limitations and his fear that Peyton stays with him only through guilt. Peyton sees his growing distance and worries about it, but she’s afraid to confront him and add to his stress. Faced with her own challenges, Peyton tries to balance both halves of her life, but when a zombie killer strikes in the Delta, Peyton will have to focus her attention on catching a murderer as elusive as smoke, leaving Marco to fend for himself.

Genres: Mystery

277 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 17, 2014

About the author

ML Hamilton taught high school English and journalism in Central California for 32 years.

Teaching students to appreciate literature made her career rewarding; however, she always dreamed of publishing her own novel.

In 2010, the dream came true. Her first novel, Emerald, was published by Wild Wolf Publishing. The sequel to Emerald, The Heirs of Eldon, followed the next year.

In addition to teaching and writing, she has three sons, two daughters-in-law, two dogs, and three amazing grandbabies.

Sign up for her newsletter at www.authormlhamilton.net for free offers and the latest book information.

Reviews

[Victor *You Bow to No One* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once a book makes it to my TBR, I rarely revisit the blurb immediately before starting the story. My thinking is that if the story was good enough to make it onto the TBR, it’s good enough to crack open the spine and get to reading.

Oh mon ami how this can cause some confusion.

So I was looking forward to reading about zombies in New Orleans with a voodoo or hoodoo origination story line. Right off the bat this isn’t your typical George A Romero variety of zombies. And this doesn’t take place in the bayou, it takes place in the Sacramento Delta. This is what I get for not reading the blurb 🙂

We’re following two cases in this book. The first involves FBI Special Agent Peyton Brooks, new to the bureau from the police force and her team, the Ghost Squad, where they are investigating three murders where all of the victims had half their faces and their brains eaten. The other case is local PD jurisdiction and involves Peyton’s ex-partner and current fiance, Captain Marco D’Angelo. The case deals with a young female that committed suicide after her boyfriend uploaded a video of them having sex, unbeknownst to her that he was filming, to a revenge porn site. The girl’s parents brought the case to Captain D’Angelo in hopes that the boyfriend could be held responsible for the suicide.

This story has a cast of characters that I loved and it starts with Peyton. She is a sparkplug. She’s sassy and a delight to have around. Loved her attitude and her banter with co-workers. I also like Bambi – a Special Agent that was described as a porn star waiting to happen.

I didn’t care for Peyton’s fiance Marco. He comes a cross as broody, whiny, needy, immature and above all, insecure. Their relationship is prominently featured in the book, IMO, and somewhat took away from the story. For me. I’m guessing it will play as an important story arc for the series but I was like, meh. Every time he was in one of his moods, all I heard was this:

“I love you Peyton, more than anything in the world.”

“I love you Marco. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“Oh why, Peyton? Why do you pity me so?”

I followed this with an eye roll and a quick ‘get over yourself’.

I could not relate to this man’s insecurity. Fear or worry will not prevent Peyton from leaving him. This guy bathed in fear and toweled himself off with worry, to the point that he was hurting the relationship. If you sabotage the relationship then feel sorry for yourself, I have no words for you.

The story was okay. Not great. It was interesting but I was never on the edge of my seat waiting for something to happen. It was a quick read and I may or may not continue on with the series.

A generous 3/5 Stars

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting a new series (Box Set) with Peyton Brooks and Marco. Peyton is now in the FBI and back from training she is assigned to a section under the women with a history with Marco and no good friend to Peyton. Marco and Peyton are engaged but its rocky going and with Marco as a new Captain in the Homicide division and having a hard time getting used to the new duties, Plus his wounded leg is not progressing i its healing very well and giving him lots of pain. He feels he is no longer the man hew was and has a hard time accepting his friends solicitous concerns. Peyton's new group is called the ghost squad and the first case involves the finding of several dead bodies who have their heads ashed and brains eaten (UGH). Peyton is the newbie and is having a rough time fitting in with the strong personalities of her co workers especially the leader who comes on as hard nosed in his interaction with the public and is not fond of Peyton's more friendly approach. Any way there is much more going on and I will leave it to you to discover. I am on to the next installment , "Mermaids in the Pacific".

[Martha Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different

Quite a bit more serious read after so many books filled with grammatical humor and Peytons never ending exploits. Just going to say I gave it a 5 for a reason. Read it. Won’t regret it.

[Lidia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my review of the audio version as posted on Audible:

Peyton has changed her job - she's an FBI agent now; Marco is the captain of their precinct; and they are engaged to be married. Everything is going to be great now, right? Well, no. Trouble finds you when you think you're on your way to Paradise...

The first book in the new Peyton Brooks series is good - we have two parallel investigations, one by Peyton and the FBI, the other one by Marco and his police staff. Both are interesting, though touch on completely different areas of human behaviour. And I have to tell you, though the Zombie murder case FBI is trying to solve sounds great, it's Marco's attempts at bringing justice for a girl who committed suicide driven to it by hateful posts on social media started by a revenge porn that will give you shivers - it makes us wonder who is observing us at any given moment and what they may do with what they learn about our private life...
We also have the "follow up" on the private lives of Peyton's and Marco's. We try to adjust with Peyton at her new job, we follow Marco in his attempts to recover not only physically but mentally from his ordeal - and again this side of the plot is believable, psychologically true and at times heartbreaking.
The pace of the book is fast as usual, with both investigations having equal share in the overall story. The new characters - Peyton's new colleagues - turn out as colourful and, well, weird:), as some of the the old ones, and they will surprise you a few times.

Narration by Ms Hazen is very good - she keeps up the good work with this series:) Her acting skills add this touch of reality to the story that makes you want to listen on.

DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Kelley Hazen · Rating 5 out of 5]

And away we go! It's so thrilling to be telling the Peyton Brooks story from a new perspective. When ML Hamilton asked me to narrate the next series I was absolutely thrilled. ML has an understanding of what is to write characters to be 'heard'. Peyton and Marco struggle with a new relationship based in something other than their work. With Marco's new job and challenges we aren't sure if he is up to the task - a strange angle on this strong man we have grown to love and adore, just like Abe. Jake is still with us and occupying an even more aggressive role at the precinct. Peyton fights to make a palce for herself within the FBI Ghost Squad, wondering everyday - what as she gotten herself into. The mystery, the crime, the love affair, the family of friends all continue in PEYTON BROOKS FBI.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zombies in the Delta (Peyton Brooks, FBI #1) was a great read by M.L. Hamilton. Peyton and Marco’s relationship may still be relatively new, but it has undergone some big changes. They both have new and demanding jobs while they struggle finding their equilibrium between professional and personal lives. Marco is also having a hard to accepting his own physical limitations and believes that Peyton is only staying with him because of guilt. Peyton knows that he is growing distance and starts worrying about it. Unfortunately she is afraid to confront him and add to the stress. There is a zombie killer in the Delta and Peyton has to focus on finding the elusive murderer. I enjoyed reading this book and cant wait to read more in the series.

[Catrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new series, but we still see familiar characters from the Peyton Brooks’ Mysteries series. With Peyton‘a move to the FBI, and Marco’s promotion, we see what a toll it takes on their relationship... all while investigating two major cases!

I love the expanded series by M. L. Hamilton. The new characters are a perfect compliment to all the familiar faces. I just can’t get enough.

I absolutely love Kelley Hazen‘s narrations. As I listen, I find that I lose myself in the story...not wanting it to end!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the narrator and found it very entertaining and intriguing. This fast paced plot is supported by very unique and at times flawed characters. With more than one case being investigated, there is lots of action to follow. Between the well written characters and the suspense building plot you'll keep listening longer than you intended. Once your finished you'll be looking for the next book in the series.

[Maria do Socorro Baptista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apesar do título, não há nada de sobrenatural nesta história, embora a narrativa traga interessantes discussões sobre racismo, superioridade racial, e rituais antropofágicos. Para além da questão policial da agora Agente Especial Peyton Brooks, é um livro que também levanta questões acerca de seu relacionamento com seu antigo parceiro e agora noivo, Marco D'Angelo. Gostei que o crime foi resolvido e o criminoso punido, e espero que as questões pessoais se resolvam no decorrer da série.

[Michelle VanDaley · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review is based on the audiobook. The 2 cases in this story are really interesting but Marco's constant boo hooing poor me attitude takes over the story. I would have liked more of the cases and less of the relationship. The narration was great bringing the story and characters to life. This was my first book by this author and I look forward to more.

[Graham Tallents · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting, enthralling tale of what could constitute a zombie in the real world rather than the supernatural. Held my attention for the most part from start to finish. The only thing preventing a five star rating was the annoying character of our protagonist's fiance. Still, he seemed to have come to his senses at the end, so we will see how he goes in episode two.

[Melissa Kibler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute idea for a zombie book. I like how it is couched in reality.
The characters are shallow and characatures of stereotypes.
Way too much human stuff; needed more focus on the zombies.
No FBI agent would be dumb enough to leave her gun hanging next to her door.
Its unfortunate that the author continues the alpha male myth.

[Margaret McHardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peyton Brooks series

Another great read. I found this author by chance, but I have really enjoyed the realistic powerful prose. Thank you to the author for such realism.
M.B.McHardy

[Janice Hietikko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Don't usually like sci-fi books, however, saw it was a Peyton Brooks book, took a chance. So glad I did. 😀 I am not thrilled with the situation between Peyton and Marco but hope it will improve. Now on to the next book.

[Todd Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting plot with some strange characters. Good read with lots of laughs.

[barbara evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has me fixated

The thrills are there but the story of Peyton and Marco almost had me in tears. Hope they can work things out.

[Jill D Coffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice to see Peyton's adventures continue

Nice to see Peyton's adventures continue

Her old friends are still in the picture, she's still got much the same life going on, except that now she's a special agent with the FBI.
Hamilton is so good with character development, but Peyton's new coworkers just don't have the same depth. I didn't learn enough to make me care. I realize that takes time, and since the author is subtle and realistic in her creation of relationships, it may take time. But we needed something.
As usual, the storyline was good, but predictable....something I didn't find with her other novels. The ending left the reader with a few too many loose ends. In a series, there has to be enough hope to keep the reader wanting more...it's that hope that creates suspense. A depressing ending in a series, well...
I will read the next book, because I have so much invested in this series. I want to see what happens next.

[Linda Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different

Really good story I was caught up in Peyton case and her feelings for Marco I was surprised when the story ended

[Marcia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a fan of this FBI series

This one was really too graphic for me. I really liked all the books preceding her FBI series. Just couldn't give this a good review.