Build A Better Apocalypse: Beyond the EMP

by E.E. Isherwood

You can plan for any Apocalypse.
But can you plan for all of them?Frank has prepared for the end of the world his whole life. He’s read the books. Prepped his gear. He knows what kind of team to put together. So when an EMP fries all his tech, he knows exactly what it is and how to survive it. However, he is blindsided by a second global attack riding the first, one that removes all the advantages he thought he had.

This new weapon zaps his neighbors into nothing but piles of clothes, it destroys the American spirit of cooperation, and it cancels all his best-laid plans to build a neighborhood watch to ride out the collapse of civilization.

Most everyone is gone, but he is not alone. Stragglers come together like atoms in space. Some survived the attack, same as him, but some are part of the invasion, here to sweep away those last holdouts. His first challenge is knowing which is which.

The next challenge is to survive even more apocalyptic strikes... for it might not just be the end of his street, but the entire planet.

Build A Better Apocalypse is a standalone book series and you don't have to read any previous novels by EE Isherwood to enjoy and understand it. This new series takes place in an alternate universe to the Neighborhood Watch series. Frank Douglas lives on the same street, with the same neighbors, but he faces a totally different type of disaster. As he learns what really happened, he might find a key linking his apocalypse with other EE Isherwood book series, like Minus America, End Days, Since the Sirens, and more. Think of Stephen King's Dark Tower as one example of building lore across a back catalog.

577 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2025

About the author

E.E. Isherwood has been a storyteller for over 30 years. Initially the muse took the form of childish comic strips. As a teen it manifested itself under the guise of Dungeons and Dragons adventures. In college it culminated with a Master's thesis on Missouri geography—an extremely boring kind of story. Three decades and several careers later he realized that siren song never stopped, so he began to author books. A life-long enthusiast of apocalyptic fiction, writing about zombies was his passion. Future titles in science fiction and fantasy are in the hopper. He lives in the St. Louis, Missouri area, where his series of zombie books takes place.

Reviews

[Benny Mullinax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book with enough action and characters to keep me interested. Will definitely be watching for the next one in the series.

[Pam Shelton-Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was confused and then disconcerted that this book features Frank Douglas, but in an alternate apocalypse. I really liked the Neighborhood Watch series and became invested in Frank and his friends. Those friends were just acquaintances here and disappeared with almost everyone; I felt like I had to mourn them. I like this author and his/her writing is good as is the editing, but I kept feeling like this story was not right. Had it been done with a completely different character, I likely would have liked it more. I am not sure I can get into book 2 with this (though I always have faith in Frank).

[Michele Livesay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad the author built this series around Frank. I loved him in the original series and he hasn't changed a bit. The premise of people just disappearing in thin air is unsettling to me. However, I couldn't put this book down. I wanted, no needed to know what Frank would do, and he did not disappoint. There was a twist, I didn't see coming but, hopefully the next book will explain. Enjoy!

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I throughly enjoyed this alternate version of the Neighborhood Watch series apocalypse, which I love. One of my favorite characters is Uncle Frank from NW and Frank is, again, the star of this series. There are dangers, challenges and surprises throughout. There are a few grammatical errors but, they didn’t ruin my enjoyment.

Kindle Unlimited

[william j cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

favorite characters

I read the neighborhood watch series and its companion about the lead characters nephew and his journeys. This author writes my favorite apocalyptic adventures and I read them all. I wasn’t sure about this book but once I got into it the story grabbed my attention. Looking forward the next book and more. Highly recommend this is up there with my favorite

[Ronele Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this is a new take on the end of the world! I like it. Once I got into it, which doesn't take long, I couldn't put it down! You want to find out what's going on. People vanish, there are Cleaners, survivors and good folks and bad. I wasn't sure when I started if I wanted to read Book 2, but I purchased it before I finished the first. Very good read!

[Terri · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF I've enjoyed other books by this author, but got a few pages in, to where there are pedophiles guarding children, under the watch of some priest, and said, "forget it." Starts out this goofy, and I don't want to waste more time.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Having read all of the Neighbourhood Watch series it felt strange to read about Frank again in the same setting but a different scenario. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[Douglas Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's weird

I keep reading this series because it's weird and I want to know how it plays out. I would think some of my questions would have been answered by the time I reached the end of book one, but nope. Now I'm wondering if I should find another book series to read.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 2.5 stars. I have read many series in the post apocalypse genre, but this one just didn't work for me. The events didn't flow logically and the MC for a supposed prepper wasn't ready for anything. I will not read further in the series.

[G S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond The EMP

Well I don’t know if I enjoyed that or not. I have already read the other book with Frank and now this sounds so mixed up.

[Mick Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

What another great book about Frank Douglas can’t wait for the next one I love reading the alternative stories of Clownfish cove 👍👏👏

[Libby Thompson]

Good book!

Different take on the apocalypse! New ideas and great new characters. Can't wait for the next in the series! Get started with it now.

[Stayce L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Frank!

Same place, some new characters and so many unanswered questions. A book that leaves you wanting more. I’m glad I waited until the next books were out. On to book 2…