An Old Beginning

Zombie Fallout #8

by Mark Tufo

Mike and his family escaped a vast zombie horde to find themselves imprisoned by a clandestine group that seeks global domination by the most nefarious means possible.Help is coming, in the form of a 500 year old Pop-Tart loving vampire named Tommy.Will he be enough to get the Talbots to freedom or will he succumb to monsters new and old?On top of all this Mike discovers that he is in the crosshairs of an ancient enemy and it is only a matter of time until the final showdown.

Genres: Zombies, Horror, Post Apocalyptic, Fiction, Audiobook, Apocalyptic, Humor

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 14, 2014

Reviews

[MadameD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story 4/5
Narrative 5/5

[Badseedgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suppose that eight books in is time for a full review for this series. The problem is, this series is like crack. I know it is not good for me, but I'm addicted. Hi my name is Badseedgirl, and I'm a Mike Talbot addict. It could be, I'm a Mark Tufo addict, it's hard to tell because, so far I have only read his Zombie Fallout series.

Zombie Fallout is so wrong in all the right ways. The writing is simplistic, but the plot is long, drawn-out, and convoluted. Every part of this series should have me throwing my hands up in disgust, but I can't and I won't because I LOVE this series so very, very much.

Why do I love this series, the characters. I have a real commitment to all Mr. Tufo's characters. I feel I am a member of the Talbot family and I plan to follow their completely unbelievable, action packed adventures to the brutal zombie filled end.

Oh yeah, book eight left with a HUGE, Ginormous, cliff hanger, and I've already got book nine in my overdrive bookshelf.

[Shana Festa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this, my fifteenth Tufo book, I had an ah-ha moment. Something I'd never paid any attention to before. One of the reasons I think Tufo's writing resonates so well with me is that while he writes in first person narration, he still manages to sneak in some inner dialog of other characters. This, for me, really helps round out his already three-dimensional characters.

Only Tufo can introduce the Knights Templar & Illuminati into a story with zombies, vampires, and corrupt old hags, and make it work. I enjoy Tufo's ZF series so much, that I always reread the previous book before starting a new one so I make sure I'm completely caught up and the story is fresh in my mind.

If you're not reading Tufo yet, you need to be. The dialog is always fresh, able to make me laugh out loud, and when I'm done, I'm always ready for seconds.

[Albert Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

All right, Mike Talbot is back... and he's being held prisoner. You'd never think that was at all possible reading the events that lead to this point. Mike is a warrior, using his cunning, stupidity and blind dumb luck to get him out of any situation, no matter how dire.

the story focuses on Mike and how he's going to attempt to get out of the facility he walked into to get a cure for his son and companion. From there we're introduced to a few new friends, loads of enemies and a giant gorilla. that's right, where Hollowlands has a lion, Zombie Fallout has a gorilla who's not friendly and tries to kill any one.

With the death of Eliza a few books ago, though zombies have become uninhibited and are actually gaining intelligence. They are able to do scary things like open doors, navigate difficult terrain and lay some traps. Scary stuff.

[Susu · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books keep getting better and better. Still my all time favorite zombie series! I have to admit my addiction to this series has changed to the addiction to the audiobooks as Sean Runnette makes these stories come alive. My husband still prefers the ebooks so we buy both. Totally worth it!
As much as I want another fallout book (immediately) my fingers are crossed for a Tim book soon!

[Frank Woodruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best Fallout since the first. Awesome! Just the right mix of gore, suspense, and comic relief. Tufo somehow gets across very unique and creative similes and metaphors, without coming across as cheesy. If only I could do that in my day to day life.

[Sonja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like I should not like this series as much as I do....

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book - really interesting. Tommy is still my favorite character. Okay where are we now in are creature index in this series... we have zombies, vampires, witches and a head tilt to a later possibility of werewolf's and now were/zombified apes?! Ok - who gave the writer drugs and/or alcohol???!?!?!!

The Talbot family are as always back and better than ever, and some how always finds trouble. huh... Another laugh out loud piece of interestingness that I can't say no to. I'm an addict what can I say. Mike Talbot is being held prisoner again, (what a surprise). Justin’s health not being good and trying to get a cure for him. Having BT complaining all the way down the hallway but still doing what Mike wants show a brother-ship that I haven't seen since Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy from Star Trek.

Note to Mike's future enemies - don't hurt his dog, friends or family, he'll go nuts. And Mrs. Deneaux is STILL here, her and her ways can scare milk - I swear!!!

With the death of Eliza awhile back, zombies have been gaining intelligence without her influence. They are able to things like open doors, navigate difficult terrain and lay simple traps, (Eliza - I blame you for this!!!!).



‘Tommy, you’d better stay wherever you are. Deneaux all of a sudden has an army.’ ‘I can think of no scarier thought,’ he replied in earnest.

“I ordered you to kill him, Captain!” “I heard you loud and clear. You want him dead so badly, take my gun and do it yourself.”

If we make it out of this, and Hawes is still alive, I’ll have to make a show of trying to recapture you.” “How good of a show?” “I was never a very good actor.”

while I picked up a smug Dixon by his ankles and then kind of swung him around until I smashed his head against whatever got in the way.

Why are people with power so corrupt? Does the power do it? Or are the people that seek it out already infected with an inherent flaw?” “Usually a little of both.” Tommy had come up beside me.

“You sure about that?” “Not really, I’m making this up as I go. I believed her implicitly when she said zombies were coming, but I guess it really could be a trap.

“Have you convinced yourself yet?” “I’m getting there,” I told him as we followed the captain. I kept a vigilant look out for anything unusual.

“Any tingling going on? Can you sense anything?” “I’m not Spiderman, Mr. T.” “Figured it was worth a shot.”

“You launched drones!?” I asked Captain Najarian. I was in his face. Any closer and I might have to take him out for dinner.

‘Why won’t her fucking heart just burst? I thought to him. ‘Something that small, shriveled and underused can’t be of much good.

but neither am I your enemy.” “We’ll wait and see on that.” “Is he always like this?” “Pretty much,” Tracy responded.

“You have the zombie repeller boxes?” Travis came closer. “Huh? I guess we never thought of it that way, but that works as well.

“I told you he was a damn fine soldier, could have made a career out of it if he found a way to stop his mouth every once in a while.”

“God loves fools and children.” BT walked away. “I am not a child!” Trip shouted at BT’s back. BT flipped him the finger over his shoulder.

“What aren’t you telling us?” Tommy asked, realizing the same thing I was. “When the generator shuts down and the battery kicks in, by default all of the doors that are currently locked will be opened.”

I don’t know what was weirder, that a potential super zombie was behind door number two, or that Deneaux had watched Resident Evil.

He shrugged. When a five-hundred-year-old vamp admits to not knowing what he just saw, you could pretty much assume that it is pretty rare.

“This is why I like you, Michael. You don’t cave in battle.” “Yet you keep trying to kill me.” “Like I said before consider it a compliment.

perhaps invoke that particular nasty outcome, somehow swaying the yet unknown fates, like a self-fulfilling prophecy.

it made me smile a sick, shriveled little thing that certainly didn’t crinkle the corners of my eyes. Deneaux would have been proud.

I don’t think she believed she’d lost her soul, I just think she thought she’d never been encumbered with one.

He was willing to brave ten thousand zombies alone rather than her. I guess that…and the fact he now had the virus in him.

BT would have charged in no questions asked. Mike, for all his shortcomings and foibles was his brother plain and simple. Obviously not biologically but certainly cosmically.

It was no wonder they could react faster and think through problems with an alarming speed.
These two would mourn and they would cry and they would move on. It was inevitable.

“I’m glad I never do that,” Trip told his wife. BT wanted to tell him that was because he never thought. But now was not the time.

Odds were good that Mike had just destroyed another truck and the radio along with; he’d just have to wait it out.

“It’s not a home anymore. It’s a fortress. A prison, really.” He had his hands on the deck railing and was looking out over the pond.

Most of us look at the world and think if I do ‘A’ to get to ‘B’ then ‘C’ is a potential for the outcome. Whereas Mike is like, ‘Fucking A!’”

“I finally get us here, in this place, and this shit happens. And now that the entire world has been flipped upside down, it’s Mike that’s the better for it.”

that someone who walked so precariously and carefree through the previous world is now the one most suited to lead us through this one.

“What was that thing?” Tommy asked. “Fucking man, experimenting with shit again that they should have just left alone.

“Yeah, I believe that like I believe Tommy would forgo a Pop-tart.” “Hey, I’m right here,” he said, his words slightly muffled.

Tommy turned away. I’d seen the beginnings of tears watering his eyes. I knew how the rest of this story went even if he didn’t finish it.

He’d killed four youths, and even if they were dumber than shit for going down into that vast underground wasteland, they sure didn’t deserve to become a vampire’s meal.

I punctured his skin and drank a small sip at first…and then the nature of the beast took control as I pulled deeply like I was sharing an alcoholic drink for two with three friends

“Hi, Mr. Talbot.” “Porkchop?” I turned to see the boy as he moved to sit in front of a small propane camp grill.

“Doc is dead,” he said, having a hard time looking me in the eye. “Whatever happened, Porkchop, it wasn’t your fault.” I moved closer to him, as did Tommy.

I looked at Porkchop strangely. I hadn’t known he was OCD like me. Counting peeled carrots was exactly the type of thing I would have done.

“He killed three zombies with a mop?” I asked. Porkchop nodded. “Damn, I wish he were here now. I’d help him carry his books.” And I meant it.

“Porkchop, there’s nothing you could have done. If you had gone out there with your potato peeler you would have been dead, too.”

“Dad, I mean Doc Baker, came in from the other side. He was looking around like crazy for me. I couldn’t even call out for him.

“Because you’re peas,” I say as I put my arm around his shoulder. “Because I’m peas,” he echoes. “So he comes to me.”

“Would it matter if you knew them?” “No,” I answered honestly. “And that most definitely makes you one.

“I think you’re killing him,” Tommy said to Porkchop as he looked into my reddening face. Porkchop finally relaxed.

I know it’s gross, I’m just letting you know how I felt. Keeping him safe was the only thing that mattered in this whole equation.

That’s actually one of your better plans. There’s only one thing.” “Yeah, go on, killjoy.” “The hose is only two hundred feet. What do we do after that?”

“He said stuff like this taking over the world shit always went to hell, and that I needed to be prepared to run from it while the getting was good.”

“How close is it?” “About three-quarters of a hot dog.” I wasn’t sure I’d ever heard that sort of measurement.

“That’s not helping my shoulders any, kid,” I told him. “Yeah, be careful, he’s old.” I appreciated that Tommy was trying to lighten the moment, but not at my expense.

“This sounded way better in my head.” “Mr. T, all of your plans sound better in your head.” He was being serious.

“This blows. Back to ‘Plan B’ I suppose.” “You have to flip the switch first.” Porkchop was still smiling.

“Were you going to tell us any time soon?” I asked him. “I forgot. I’m only twelve, I can’t be expected to remember everything.”

I’d love to say he was slammed up against the far side of the hallway hard enough to smash his fucking skull…but no such luck.

Could it be possible? Could we get out of this? Hope did that whole surging thing, and then it was pretty much swept out from under me.

“That was fucking gross.” “Fucking gross,” Porkchop echoed. I could hear it in his voice as he tried to hold back the heaves.

Now it was pure unadulterated rage. Rage that I could potentially even now be dying from the bite, rage that I would never see my family again.

“Whatever happens, Mr. T, do not stop.” “I wasn’t planning on it.” That was when the alarms should have been going off in my head.

“Run, Mr. T!” Tommy was on my heels. Any closer and he’d be giving me a flat tire if that were possible in boots.

I was flying! Or rather, Tommy had unbelievably lifted me (and thereby Porkchop) clean off the ground.

Justin hugged the big man. “BT, he died for me. He died trying to find a cure for me, how am I ever going to live with that?” “Proudly.

Just remember, there isn’t anything that man would not have done for any one of us. Even Trip for some strange reason.”

“Not gonna lie, dog, you creep me out a little sometimes. Is Mike the dog-whisperer, or are you the human-whisperer?”

“Mom, you’re going to hurt yourself that way,” Travis said as he followed. “She’ll be fine, apparently she practices this a lot,” BT said as he exited.

Henry who had not come within twenty feet of the rim. He was staring off in a completely different direction, his tail wagging furiously.

“You risked everything and I appreciate that.” “We’re family, Mr. T. What choice did I have?”

If he didn’t fucking spit it out soon, I would beat it out of him. Okay, that’s hypothetical…or is it rhetorical?

I shit you not, my response was, “Walmart greeters are coming? What are they going to do? Sticker us to death.”

“Eliza and you weren’t the only ones?” My head sagged. “No.” His head sagged to match mine.

“You know you’re part of my family now, right? I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Life will find a way.” The converse is also true. Death will find a way,

“Is your vamp-dar going off?” “My what, Mr. T?” “Your vampire radar?”

“This shit just never ends, it’s like an old beginning. There will be no hesitation this time on my part. I will not allow them to live if I’m given the opportunity.

Vampirism started in Eastern Europe and has pretty much plagued that region ever since.

Now I found myself rubbing his back again, this time to comfort him for his asshole of a dad.

Porkchop had shared the same story with Tommy, and now they both found it hilarious that the whole thing distressed me.

I caught Porkchop elbowing Tommy more than once to look over at me so they could both grin anew.

I could feel Tommy’s gaze on my back nearly the whole time. He was taking his guardianship duties entirely too seriously. I waved over my head.

Of course the paranoid part of me thought it could be some sort of elaborate trap. “Fuck it. Not the first trap I’ve walked into knowingly.”

“Motherfucker, you’re going to give me carpal tunnel!” I yelled at him as I brought the iron down again.

I almost started heading back to Tommy and Porkchop when I remembered what the hell I was doing down here in the first place.

“How long have you guys been up? Forget it. We should probably hide.”

“Ooomph. Oh, Henry, I’ve told you before…you’re not a lap dog,” Tracy admonished, but he wasn’t listening.

“All of them? Over the last five hundred years? How is that even possible? And why?”

“I first saw you the day after you were born.” “Are you shitting me?” “Nope.

Lizzie and I realized that I’d been cursed with the gift of foresight.

The moment she accepted Victor Talbot’s bite, she’d gone on a crusade to eradicate all humanity.

It is tough to feel compassion for someone who has a personal vendetta against everybody you love, including myself.”

“The Talbots. Why did I follow the Talbots? At first, it was because of Victor. He was the key.

Tell me!” “You’re not going to like it.” “Add it to the long list of things I don’t like.”

I was only curious. How could I be mad when he’d saved my family’s life, again.

Probably has the soundtrack to Pretty in Pink running through his head.” BT nearly snorted at his own joke.

Do you feel a strong pull to Mike?” BT nodded unconsciously as did Tracy,

[Siobhan Leahy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Love Mark's writing style and humour.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cant wait for the next one...and there better be a next one!!! lol...Love this series...its funny and dramatic...and such a great listen!!! 2 huge thumbs up!!!!!


EVEN BETTER THE SECOND TIME AROUND!! CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR BOOK 9!!!! I THINK I KNOW WHERE IT WILL BE GOING BECAUSE THE VAMPS ARE ON THERE WAY!!! :)

And time #3 was great too!! on to book 9!!!

and a 4th time...it was great again...total snort laughed in some parts......MIKE!! LOL

[Douglas Owen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Note - book loses a star for horrible editing


An Old Beginning - is eight enough or are we still going with the whole zombie apocalypse with a mix of vampires and such? Well, read and learn as the group gets to have another fun adventure.

I'll say it again, just so Mark will understand where I'm coming from - get a better editor!

I love this series. Mark's voice when writing is comical without being over the top, but man he needs a better editor in order to get his writing to the next level. There are a lot of issues with repetition and clumsy wording that it all but ruins the read. In fact, I almost put this book down several times because of the same key words used over and over again. And not just in a page, in a paragraph!

A good editor will see this and resolve the issue but until that happens, the work gets a lower rating because of it. Please Mark, invest in a good editor.

All in all the writing is good and funny with enough series undertones to keep you hanging. It is well worth the read in the series. I'm continuing on because, well, I have the books and might as well keep going. But man he needs an editor. With a good editor all the little bumps in the work will be flattened out and the writing will obviously pop off the page.

Until then, I'll just try to overlook some of the repetition and see how well it goes from there. Hopefully it gets better for if any more of the repeated key words will start to drive me bonkers. And when did the old lady become a computer genius? Time will tell if things are worked out by the author or not.

[Britt Fitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

For being the eighth book in this series, Mark Tufo has pleasantly surprised me with "An Old Beginning." After a while, book series that have this many volumes tend to start running somewhat dry. However, this book is very interesting. I laughed at multiple parts, and I will be reading the next... however many there are now.
-
"'Clean up, aisle eight,' the words tumbled out of my mouth eons before my brain thought to retract them. Which in itself is pretty funny. I mean, really, it's your brain that comes up with the process of speech, so why does it take so long for the appropriate filters to be put in place before thought becomes vocalized. Yet another design flaw in humans."
-Mark Tufo, An Old Beginning

[Mountaintop.Bookclub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where the previous book went slow, this book absolutely is a frenetic temple run of a trip largely featuring Tommy and Mike's escape from the facility. It is rife with thousands of zombies, betrayal, a giant ape, the most evil old lady we know and the butcher's son. Fortuitous events which could not have been anticipated bring the crew together and apart. This is a great transition to the next horrible enemy incoming and a good closure on what Eliza left behind.

It also begins to hint at the cosmic ability of Mike as the chosen hero, drawing others like a moth to a flame.

Author: Mark Tufo
368 pages: Audiobook - 10hrs 35mins

Xo Merry

[Krystal Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watch out Mr. King,Mr.Tufo is gaining on you!😁

To: Mr. TUFO, I have read alot of your books,and I have to say, of course, Stephen King is the best writer in the world ,but YOU,sir are closely and firmly right up there with him! Please Don't stop the Talbott story ...ever! Your characters are so realistic and believable. You are so gifted and you have a way of turning a phrase, that even makes it more believable. Keep going,please,can't wait to catch up with the whole story!🙂🙃

[Talha · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Zombie] [Army] [Vampires] [Family]

Being captured by the army and seeing no way to escape so he cut a deal with the evil grandma to let only his family go and he will stay.

The army gets over runner by zombies and he tries to escape with the evil and his vamp son.

Against all hope and some mysterious powers, they manage to not only escape but also get reunited wth his family

[Abigail Possinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so glad I was able to pick up the Zombie Fallout series again after putting it down for awhile. I really love Mark Tufo’s writing style and characters. I am excited to see where this next book goes.

[Sharon Hendrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot thickens!

Well, just when I thought things couldn’t get much worse…what a turn we are going to take. Like a hairpin turn…poor Mike, poor Tommy, poor Talbot family.
I can’t wait to dive into the next book.

[Malissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved It
This series is really one of my favorite dystopian/ zombie/ post apocalyptic series of all time. I love the spin-offs that have stemmed from this. I love the writing style and I also love narration style.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesomeness!!!!!!

holy crap! Man I don't know what I'm going to do when I run of of books in this series. I hope this series dose not end anytime soon

[Shirley Shaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

New World Order

plans of evil men (&women) go awry as their arrogance gets the best of them. yet more new characters are added to the story deepening the levels this story travels.

[Donna Mensing · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED it-the Mark I know and love is back!

[Gladinell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say!! Another amazing book!! Ready for book 9!!

[Craig Temple · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't stop

I'm still going in this series and just can't seem to stop. It's got me pulled in as if Mike is a family member

[FoxieMoxie203 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was exciting and interesting but it felt like it was half a book. Like the ending was sorta just left open.

[Mclairvoyant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, like the rest of the series is awesome!

[Kelsey Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

8 for 8. It's an amazing series!

[John Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series

[Cynthia Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

You cannot get enough of these books. The characters draw you in. You will find yourself going through one after another with no sleep.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The books are great; sometimes the epilogues are even better.

[Nikki Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always awesome

Loved it. Just the right amount of humor and gore. I love this series and can't wait to read the next book