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Queen’s Road #1
Queen's Road
The end of the world comes to an ordinary Somerset street with no warning, no sirens, and a frankly insulting lack of organisation.
It starts with a barbecue. A few bad jokes. A street that thinks the end of the world is something that happens on telly.
Queen’s Road isn’t ready for the apocalypse. But ready or not, it’s here, and the dead aren’t the only ones knocking.
When help doesn’t come, the neighbours do what they’ve always argue, improvise, and pass around tea like it’s a tactical advantage.
Between barricades and burnt toast, they start to build something fierce and fragile - the kind of family no one expected.
But as the days drag on, it becomes
Not every threat is mindless.
Not every choice can be undone.
And not every situation is as safe as it seems.
This isn’t about heroics. It’s about who stays.
Who knows when to keep the fire burning?
And who’s still there when the real danger steps through the cracks?
Queen’s Road is a character-driven, darkly funny, deeply human apocalypse novel about ordinary people, a community under strain,
It starts with a barbecue. A few bad jokes. A street that thinks the end of the world is something that happens on telly.
Queen’s Road isn’t ready for the apocalypse. But ready or not, it’s here, and the dead aren’t the only ones knocking.
When help doesn’t come, the neighbours do what they’ve always argue, improvise, and pass around tea like it’s a tactical advantage.
Between barricades and burnt toast, they start to build something fierce and fragile - the kind of family no one expected.
But as the days drag on, it becomes
Not every threat is mindless.
Not every choice can be undone.
And not every situation is as safe as it seems.
This isn’t about heroics. It’s about who stays.
Who knows when to keep the fire burning?
And who’s still there when the real danger steps through the cracks?
Queen’s Road is a character-driven, darkly funny, deeply human apocalypse novel about ordinary people, a community under strain,
414 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2026
About the author
Emma Forrester
3 books14 followersI’m a reader and writer based in Somerset who loves dystopian, post-apocalyptic, and speculative fiction. I’m especially drawn to stories about survival, complex characters, and the emotional side of living through impossible situations.
As an author, I write character-driven dystopian fiction rooted in found family, quiet resilience, and emotional survival—stories about how ordinary people hold on to their humanity when the world changes.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 22, 2026
I absolutely devoured Queens Road! I couldn't put it down and flew through the entire book in just two days. The story was incredible. I’ve already handed my copy to my husband with strict instructions to read it next. I don't want to ruin any of the story for anyone so all I will say is if you’re looking for your next obsession, this is it!
March 2, 2026
Queens Road by Emma Forrester is not your typical end of the world story and that’s exactly why it works.
Instead of global politics, military operations, or lone wolf survivalists, Forrester drops the apocalypse squarely into the middle of an ordinary Somerset street. No sirens. No warning. Just a barbecue, some awkward jokes, and then everything changes. The quiet absurdity of how it begins perfectly sets the tone for what follows: darkly funny, painfully human, and uncomfortably real.
What makes Queens Road stand out is its focus on community rather than catastrophe. The tension isn’t just about whatever is lurking outside the barricades it’s about what happens inside them. Neighbours argue. They misjudge each other. They cling to routines like passing around tea as if it’s a strategic resource. And somehow, through burnt toast and makeshift defenses, they begin forming something that feels like family.
Forrester’s strength lies in character. These aren’t heroes. They’re flawed, stubborn, frightened people trying to decide who they are when the structures of normal life collapse. The novel asks powerful questions: Who stays when things get hard? Who keeps the fire burning? And what happens when the real danger isn’t the obvious one?
The pacing is steady and deliberate, allowing the emotional stakes to deepen as the external threat grows more complex. By the time the story reveals that not every danger is mindless and not every situation is as safe as it seems you’re fully invested in these people and their fragile world.
If you’re looking for explosive action on every page, this might not be your book. But if you appreciate character driven storytelling with sharp humor, quiet tension, and a deeply human core, Queens Road delivers.
A thoughtful, unsettling, and surprisingly warm take on the apocalypse.
Instead of global politics, military operations, or lone wolf survivalists, Forrester drops the apocalypse squarely into the middle of an ordinary Somerset street. No sirens. No warning. Just a barbecue, some awkward jokes, and then everything changes. The quiet absurdity of how it begins perfectly sets the tone for what follows: darkly funny, painfully human, and uncomfortably real.
What makes Queens Road stand out is its focus on community rather than catastrophe. The tension isn’t just about whatever is lurking outside the barricades it’s about what happens inside them. Neighbours argue. They misjudge each other. They cling to routines like passing around tea as if it’s a strategic resource. And somehow, through burnt toast and makeshift defenses, they begin forming something that feels like family.
Forrester’s strength lies in character. These aren’t heroes. They’re flawed, stubborn, frightened people trying to decide who they are when the structures of normal life collapse. The novel asks powerful questions: Who stays when things get hard? Who keeps the fire burning? And what happens when the real danger isn’t the obvious one?
The pacing is steady and deliberate, allowing the emotional stakes to deepen as the external threat grows more complex. By the time the story reveals that not every danger is mindless and not every situation is as safe as it seems you’re fully invested in these people and their fragile world.
If you’re looking for explosive action on every page, this might not be your book. But if you appreciate character driven storytelling with sharp humor, quiet tension, and a deeply human core, Queens Road delivers.
A thoughtful, unsettling, and surprisingly warm take on the apocalypse.
March 8, 2026
Queen’s Road is one of the most refreshing apocalypse novels I’ve read in a long time. Instead of focusing solely on action or survival tropes, Emma Forrester shines a light on the people at the center of the crisis. The story feels incredibly human-neighbors arguing, sharing tea, making mistakes, and slowly realizing that they have to rely on each other if they want to make it through. The dark humor sprinkled throughout the book made the tense moments even more powerful. I especially loved how ordinary people slowly transformed into a community that truly cares for one another. It’s emotional, thoughtful, and surprisingly warm despite the end-of-the-world setting. I would absolutely recommend this book to readers who enjoy character-driven stories and thoughtful apocalypse fiction.
May 7, 2026
A “refreshing” take on the end of the world. Not how survivalists are now ready with all the things. Not how the military rolls in and helps everyone out with all the weapons. It’s about how you and I survive. How we take what we already have and try to just live. How we are skeptical of those around us. How we want to help those in need but also know that our own family comes first. You want to believe the best in people, but there is always that one that takes things to far.
The pace kept it going. Not only are you learning how to live in this apocalyptic world, but you also have to learn how to injure/kill the monsters. It was an easy and fast read that kept on giving. I can’t wait to continue on this adventure.
The pace kept it going. Not only are you learning how to live in this apocalyptic world, but you also have to learn how to injure/kill the monsters. It was an easy and fast read that kept on giving. I can’t wait to continue on this adventure.
March 9, 2026
Queen’s Road delivers a refreshingly human take on the apocalypse. Instead of larger than life heroes, the story follows ordinary neighbours in Somerset who must rely on wit, stubbornness, and endless cups of tea to survive. The author balances dark humour with tension, making the characters feel real and relatable. I especially enjoyed how the neighbours’ arguments, fears, and unlikely loyalty slowly turn into a fragile sense of family. The pacing keeps the stakes rising, while subtle twists remind readers that not every danger is obvious. A gripping, character-driven story about survival, community, and the choices people make when the world ends.
March 10, 2026
Queen’s Road was an incredibly gripping and thought-provoking read. Emma Forrester has a real talent for building tension and creating characters who feel authentic and relatable. I was drawn into the story from the very first page and found myself fully invested in the neighbors of Queen’s Road as they faced unexpected challenges.
What I loved most was how the book blends suspense, human emotion, and a subtle commentary on trust and community. It’s a story that lingers in your mind long after you finish reading. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys well-crafted, character-driven fiction with a touch of suspense.
What I loved most was how the book blends suspense, human emotion, and a subtle commentary on trust and community. It’s a story that lingers in your mind long after you finish reading. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys well-crafted, character-driven fiction with a touch of suspense.
March 16, 2026
I really enjoyed Queen’s Road. It’s a refreshing take on the apocalypse genre because it focuses more on the people than the chaos. The story starts off in such a normal way with neighbors at a barbecue before everything suddenly falls apart, which makes it feel surprisingly real.
What makes this book stand out is the characters. The neighbors feel authentic, flawed, and relatable, and watching them slowly come together as a community was the best part of the story. The mix of dark humor, tension, and human moments keeps it engaging throughout.
If you enjoy character-driven apocalypse stories with heart and a bit of humor, this is definitely worth the read.
What makes this book stand out is the characters. The neighbors feel authentic, flawed, and relatable, and watching them slowly come together as a community was the best part of the story. The mix of dark humor, tension, and human moments keeps it engaging throughout.
If you enjoy character-driven apocalypse stories with heart and a bit of humor, this is definitely worth the read.
July 26, 2026
Queen’s Road was a good read and quite different from what I expected from a zombie-apocalypse story. Rather than focusing heavily on action and gore, it centres on the residents of Queen’s Road and their attempts to survive together as a community.
The slower pace allows more time to focus on the characters and the practical realities of survival, although there are still moments of danger and action. I occasionally found it difficult to keep track of the large cast, and there were a few minor editing mistakes, but nothing that spoiled the story.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and refreshingly character-focused take on the zombie apocalypse.
The slower pace allows more time to focus on the characters and the practical realities of survival, although there are still moments of danger and action. I occasionally found it difficult to keep track of the large cast, and there were a few minor editing mistakes, but nothing that spoiled the story.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and refreshingly character-focused take on the zombie apocalypse.
March 13, 2026
Queens Road by Emma Forrester offers a refreshingly human take on the apocalypse. Instead of focusing only on chaos and destruction, the story highlights ordinary neighbors in a Somerset street who must rely on humor, resilience, and each other when the world suddenly falls apart. The blend of dark comedy, tension, and heartfelt community moments makes the premise especially engaging. With its strong character focus and relatable struggles, this book promises a gripping and emotionally rich story about survival, connection, and the unexpected strength found in everyday people.
April 29, 2026
Queen’s Road surprised me in the best way, it doesn’t shout, it lingers. What stayed with me most wasn’t the apocalypse itself, but the quiet, messy humanity woven through every page. The humor, the tension, the small acts of care, they felt real, lived-in, and deeply earned. Emma Forrester captures that fragile space between fear and connection so beautifully. It’s a story about survival, yes, but even more about who we become when everything else falls away. I genuinely felt seen reading this, and I imagine many others will too.
May 27, 2026
I highly recommend this apocalyptic zombie book! It’s about community coming together, family and the essential cup of tea which helps you cope. Don’t forget the biscuits. Atmosphere and story was realistic, characters were strong and it’s about human resilience. Looking forward to the next book.
Lucy Sturdy
Lucy Sturdy
April 7, 2026
For a book that was not my usual read, I quite enjoyed this book. The sense of community & family was strong throughout the book. It was light hearted and serious all in one. Look forward to reading the next book in the Queen’s road chronicles.
May 10, 2026
Queen’s Road is the kind of apocalypse story that sneaks up on you. It doesn’t rely on flashy heroes or over-the-top action to make an impact instead, it thrives on sharp characters, dark humour, and the terrifying realism of ordinary people trying to survive the unimaginable.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed this. The characters, the setting, all of it. It is definitely going to share with friends!
March 16, 2026
I really enjoyed reading Queen's Road. The character's are beautifully written and the story is so immersive. I can't wait until the next one.
March 23, 2026
The book starts off a little slow as the apocalypse is setting in and by the time the action sets in, you're already sucked in. This story of a cozy neighborhood in England brings you to Emma and her family and their quest to survive.
The way the residents of Queen's Road are introduced, they could be from any place, your own neighbors. Their story could be yours tomorrow. Are you prepared? The kids have to grow up fast and help out around the street, taking care of the youngest ones and keeping watch. Every body has a role. Nobody is expendable.
It reminds me of a time when we knew our neighbors, when we knew who could help, who had hidden talents, and who lead the neighborhood.
The way the residents of Queen's Road are introduced, they could be from any place, your own neighbors. Their story could be yours tomorrow. Are you prepared? The kids have to grow up fast and help out around the street, taking care of the youngest ones and keeping watch. Every body has a role. Nobody is expendable.
It reminds me of a time when we knew our neighbors, when we knew who could help, who had hidden talents, and who lead the neighborhood.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews