LYRV-27: Flucht aus Köln: Ein apokalyptischer Zombie-Endzeitroman aus Deutschland (Zombievirus LYRV-27 1)

LYRV-27

by Ben Friedhof

This audiobook is narrated by an AI Voice. Three days ago, Elias was worried about missing a lecture. Now he's running for his life.

It starts with a news report. A bite attack at a Chinese airport. Something strange, something far away. Elias doesn't think much of it. He's twenty-three, living in a shared apartment in Cologne with his two roommates, Kira and Leo. He works shifts at a café, skips lectures, and scrolls through his phone like everyone else.

Then the reports multiply. Paris. Istanbul. New York. Airports, train stations, hospitals. People biting people. Victims turning violent within hours. And suddenly, the streets of Cologne aren't safe anymore.

When the power goes out and the military locks down the city, Elias, Kira, and Leo make a desperate leave. On foot. Through a city that's falling apart around them — past burning cars, abandoned checkpoints, and things in the dark that no longer seem human.

Their Elias's family home in the rural Eifel region, hours away. But the world between Cologne and safety is no longer the one they knew. The infected are faster than anyone expected. They don't stop. They don't tire. And they're evolving.

No government is coming. No rescue is on the way. The only plan is to survive the night.

Zombie Virus LYRV-27 — Escape is the first book in a gripping post-apocalyptic survival series set in Germany. If you like The Walking Dead, The Stand, or World War Z — but want a fresh setting, real characters, and a collapse that feels terrifyingly plausible.

Genres: Horror

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2025

Reviews

[Matt Egan]

One Of The Most Promising Zombie Series Debuts Of The Year!

LYRV-27: Escape is the first book in the LYRV series and chronicles the propagation of a virus from Germany. It begins with a weird attack at an airport in China to the fall of global civilization in a matter of days. The writing is great, the characters are likeable, flawed and realistic. The setting is far different from your average zombie novel, and the author uses weather, very effectively, to reinforce the mood at any given point. The dialogue is realistic, particularly for characters the age of those the book centers around. Overall, 5/5 stars! Highly recommend for any fans of apocalyptic thrillers and especially zombie apocalypse thrillers! This is one of the most promising debuts of a zombie apocalypse series in recent memory!

[Eileen]

Well-written

I've read a few zombie books, but i really enjoyed this one. It's well written and kept my interest all the way through. It's not gory throughout, only where it's needed.

[Jarryd Kalideen]

A good start. The first thing that caught my eye was this isn't set in the USA, like 95% of zombie stories. Which is a positive. The characters are likeable, normal, everyday kind of folk.

It's sort of those movies that are good but predictable. There's a distinct lack of twists, surprises or anything that you couldn't surmise was going to happen. Which is disappointing and this held more promise.

I've picked up book two and let's see where that leads.

[Laurie Martin]

The writing is exceptional

If you are like me, you might be suffering from genre fatigue when it comes to zombie fiction. So many titles rely on the same tired tropes, recycled action beats, and clunky prose that treat character development as an afterthought to the gore.

This book completely shatters that mold.

From the very first chapter, the writing is sharp, evocative, and genuinely literary. The author doesn't just construct a terrifying world; they populate it with deeply human, flawed, and profoundly relatable characters. Long after you put the book down, you find yourself worrying about their fates, mourning their losses, and rooting for their survival. The horror elements hit hard, but they carry real emotional weight precisely because you care so deeply about the people experiencing them.

If you want a smart, beautifully paced, and emotionally resonant story that elevates the entire genre, read this immediately. Highly recommended!

[Gerwin]

Simpel maar toch meeslepend!

3 uit 5 sterren. Het had wat mij betreft zeker meer kunnen zijn als karakters en emotie sterker omschreven waren. Zonder te spoileren; Ben Friedhof stapt mijn inziens te snel over impactvolle gebeurtenissen heen. Maar hé, hoe zouden wij omgaan met dergelijke gebeurtenissen als de wereld stopt te bestaan zoals wij die kennen en het aan komt op 'eten of gegeten worden'?

Toch was het simplistisch karakter een kracht in het verhaal. Het pakte mij en ik zag het voor mij gebeuren. Het voelde alsof ik mee was op de vlucht met Elias, Kira en Leo uit Köln. Dat maakt het verhaal wat mij betreft toch wel weer sterk.

[Krystal Kidwell]

Zombies!

I read alot of stories about zombies, the apocalypse, werewolves....So when reading this book, i was surprised that it is more from the viewpoint of regular people,and how normal people would likely react if they had found themselves in the middle of these consequences. All the fears and grief of losing friends and family seem very realistic. I personally love this book,can't wait to read the next book(s?) Please expand the story ,it has started out really well. You are a very talented writer and story teller! 🙂🙃

[Chelsea Melville]

Love it!

I love a good Zombie book, and this one is good. The characters, the story, it grips you and you want to figure out what happens next. That's what I like. The hook, the suspense.
I've seen some other reviews about the writing style, and I just want to say, it really fits this genre. It reads like real time thoughts, and feelings. No prose, no poetry, just the story, the reactions, and actions. It throws you into their shoes, and head, and you're living it. Well done!

[Sandy hartzell]

Not an AI Generated Zombie Book

I've read many post-apocalyptic books. This one is pretty darn good. I cared about the characters. When one of them died, I dropped a tear because of the scene description and the surviving characters' reactions to the death. I'm interested to see how the zombies evolve, so I'll be buying the next book.

[Jan Tucker]

European zombies

Well written zombie outbreak book set in Germany. Proper fast moving dangerous zombies, characters that you care about. I'm looking forward to the next in the series, hopefully out soon 🙂

[Tiffany]

Quick read but very detailed. Not like a lot of other zombie books, I feel. Also, I am so excited that the next two books are being released in the next couple days. I won’t have to wait months for them. Definitely worth the read.

[~Book Dragon~]

I enjoyed this zombie apocalypse read. The author was very good at keeping the reader engaged and on the edge of your seat. I never knew when a horde was going to pop up. I will be continuing this series for sure

[Kathryn]

Great start

Good action and characters. No real zombie surprises yet, but looking forward to the next book. I always appreciate reading about what the characters will do when choices need to be made.

[michelle e. medeiros]

Great zombie adventure !

Loved this novel . Engaging characters , realistic premise for the story , exciting and engaging ! If you love zombie novels do yourself a favor and read this book .

[Nollaig Kelly]

Enjoyable start of the end of the world

Rumours are starting online about people biting each other around the world, slowly at first then people who are but are biting others...
Reports are coming in from more places until the 1st reports from Germany where this book is set.....

[MARYANN MILLS]

great read

It is an intriguing survival story. I enjoyed the comradely of the key players, It covers caring and loss of loved ones. Makes you think what would you do under theses circumstances.

[Lena Littlesmith]

Spooky zu lesen was sein könnte in der eigenen Stadt. Wenn man Bilder der Orte im Kopf hat und sich alles bildlich vorstellt, wird es iwie sehr real. Tatsächlich bin ich gespannt wie es weitergeht mit der Gruppe! Ein toller Start in eine Zombie Apocalypse.

[Bob Gaffney]

Reader’s review

The zombie genre has been popular and the stories are often similar. Ben Friendhof’s novel is different. It’s moody and dark. Ben creates a scary setting that keeps your attention and has you on the edge of your seat with anticipation.

[Angie Picardi-Hagerdorn]

Pulled in Immediately

I cannot believe how fast I was drawn into this book. I came across it by complete accident and I'm so glad I did. I have honestly not read a zombie book before. I'm more of a watch the show or movie person but this book was so gripping it felt real.

[Becky L Golden]

Loved it!

I read this in one day and can't wait to read the next one. If you love a zombie apocalypse then you will enjoy this book.

[Kathy Wortham]

Well written

This is a well written slow burn book. Spurts of action with tons of descriptive details about the lives of the characters and events.

[Amanda Apple]

Had me hooked from the start!

[Ellie Brandt]

A great read

Loved this. Looking forward to the next book! Definitely worth reading. I'm thankful not to have to wait long to get the rest of the story.

[Ed Faichtyger]

DNF. Honest question did Ai write this? Was looking forward to reading it but the first few pages had a ton of dashes followed by words. Usually one of the top clues when Ai has written something.

[Victoria Owens]

Zombies!

Excellent zombie series so far. I like that there is only 4 books in this series. Any more is comburson (sp.)

[Inger]

Good read

It started a little slow but it didn't remain that way. Fast zombies and quick spread . No sexual content so great for all ages

[Ryan]

I started. Read it. Kept going. I didn't like it. The way it was written. So. Stop. And. Start.

[BigMama]

Best Zombie book

Loved it ! Best Zombie book I've read in a long time . Looking forward to the rest in this series , so good I couldn't out it down and finished in a day .

[jon Sanford]

Really good.

I really enjoyed this book. The story is really building up and gives you some twists. I can not wait to read more and see where the author is taking the story!

[terri smith]

Loved it.

I have read countless zombie novels.
I enjoyed this one so much more than others.
I will be reading book 2.

[D. Jackson]

Fast Zombies

This is going to be a ride. I like fast zombies who can half way think! The European setting is perfect!