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A Pound of Flesh, Book 4 in the Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse series, picks up the day after “In Harm’s Way: Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse” left off.

Outbreak - Day1 Like a fragile house of cards in a hurricane, Presidents, Premiers, entire governments and their ruling bodies disappeared instantly. Some had ensconced themselves in deep underground bunkers or remained holed up in fortified strongholds, but history would tell that most had been swallowed up by the dead - never to be heard from again.

340 pages, Paperback

First published December 3, 2012

116 people are currently reading
290 people want to read

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Shawn Chesser

33 books252 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Tracy  P. .
1,152 reviews12 followers
March 17, 2019
Excellent! Lots of action and character development is well-done. Mr. Chesser is exceptional.
Profile Image for Becci.
287 reviews
August 23, 2015
it got better when Cade became more human and less asshat. gonna read the next ones because I'm invested but part of me wants to slap all the characters.
Profile Image for Todd Holjeson.
14 reviews
November 26, 2021
Started out with a bang; better than WD. Gets flat though, the plot is tight; like a flat trajectory. How many times can a head shot be described in glowing halo terms? There are the odd flashes of pop reference genius, pleasant surprises among the gory rough plot device. Not enough to buy, religiously, however. Has a bit of a cult following there is that aspect to enjoy? I as a reader look for more substance, sadly. I suggest acquiring at the library. Save the money for ammo, the apocalypse--boilerplate--I have heard this tale before. I'm sure it gets better. A good read if bunkered.
31 reviews
January 23, 2019
I could not finish this book. I like to invest in series so I can get invested int eh main characters. Usually when a series ends I feel like I have lost a very good friend. I could not get invested in these. Its...disjointed and it feels like the main players are minor characters. I gave this 3 1/2 books and now its time to give up and move on to something interesting.
147 reviews2 followers
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July 3, 2021
Got me hooked with the freebies. Willing to pay to get more!

The stories tell the detailed saga of several groups of people (from their part of the action). Sometimes the groups are connected to each other, but it is the story of what happens to them. Shawn's not afraid to have a character die, if it advances the story, so be alert (and enjoy the story).
Profile Image for Charla.
106 reviews1 follower
June 2, 2017
So good!!

I don't know how much these just keep getting better and I'm moving on now to the next book because that cliffhanger- whoa!!!
Profile Image for Jann Weinrich.
36 reviews
October 30, 2018
The saga continues

Shawn Chasser gives an indepth look at he characters and the struggle they have adjusting to an apocalypse. Good reads!
Profile Image for James Newkirk.
20 reviews1 follower
September 15, 2019
Shawn Chesser continues to weave a story with believable characters and riveting plot. The zombie genre is safe in his hands.
Profile Image for Dorie Groff-Brady.
101 reviews
November 10, 2020
Amazing series. If you're looking for a really good series then this is the one you want. Keeps you turning pages. The characters all come to life.
286 reviews
May 18, 2025
The dialog is just too corny at times. And I simply cannot stand this heifer Brook. I would not be mad at all if she got bit. And the whole “Girl boss” theme is overdone.
Profile Image for Brian's Book Blog.
805 reviews62 followers
April 9, 2016
Nine days after a virus has turned most of humanity into zombies -- Cade Grayson and crew are attempting to get a handle on what is going on just outside their base. All the while, the "New American's" are trying to do the same thing in their fortified small town Jackson Hole. Follow characters you're familiar with and new ones as they continue to fight to survive the zombie apocalypse.

Shawn Patton has done the narration for all four installations of this series. Patton just has one of those voices that really bring a story alive. He's able to be a hard-assed special ops man one moment and then that spec-ops guys wife in the next. It's amazing to listen along as he brings Chesser's words alive. I'm always excited when I get an email saying that the next book is out and to see that Chesser and Patton have teamed up again. Even though the books have already been written -- it feels like the words were written for Patton to speak.

Very rarely does a series surprise me. Even less often does a series surprise me in the fourth installment. Usually, by this point, I understand the characters and the way that each person is going to deal with new situations. No, not in A Pound of Flesh. Chesser takes what I thought I knew and threw it out the window. That doesn't mean that Cade isn't in it -- or his wife and child, they're all present and accounted for. Chesser just decided to finally dive into what was happening in some of the rest of the surrounding area around Cade.

With this expansion of space, he also expands into some new characters, both good and bad. In the fourth installment of surviving the zombie apocalypse we meet the radical New American movement who are currently holed up in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Just their story is fascinating -- and Chesser gives you much more.

Like I mentioned earlier, I'm rarely surprised by a series -- especially one that I've enjoyed as much as I've enjoyed this series so far. But the new directions that Chesser is taking the characters and the story is perfect in my opinion. I really enjoyed finding out more and more about the US in the last 9 days since the outbreak started. I feel like the author is slowly pulling the blindfold off of the readers eyes -- not allowing them to see too much too soon, but giving them enough to keep them coming back and back.

With the narration done by Chris Patton continuing for the series (as far as I know) I will follow Cade into any adventure he finds himself in the middle of. Well, I know what I'll be doing for the next month or two... I'll be eagerly awaiting the next installment from Chesser & Patton.

Want to see more like it -- check out Brian's Book Blog
Profile Image for Larry Klemens.
18 reviews1 follower
February 28, 2017
Good book in the series

Another good book in this series. I will definitely keep reading. He added some new plot twists and characters. Mr Chesser is doing a great job
Profile Image for AudioBookReviewer.
949 reviews167 followers
April 11, 2016
My original A Pound of Flesh audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.

A Pound of Flesh introduces the reader to a whole new slew of characters.  There are more people, places, and things going on now that we're into day 9 of the virus that has turned most of the world into zombies.  Pound.. is the 4th installment of Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse.

Chris Patton has narrated all four of the Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse books and has done a wonderful job in all four.  His voice can have military precision one second and be a soft-spoken non-special forces the next.  Allowing Chesser's words to come alive and flow.  Patton definitely makes these already good books better with his narration.

Usually, once you're as deep as a fourth book if you haven't read any of the others you are completely and totally lost.  That is not the case with this book.  I think books two and three you needed to understand who Cade was and why he was fighting, but in this installment there are so many new things going on that Cades main narrative takes somewhat of a backseat to a great story.

The full narrative now explains what is going on since the apocalypse started and what other people are trying to do about it.  It introduces in more detail the NA (New America) and their leaders and lackeys.  Honestly, when you're four books into a series it's usually hard to introduce new people and plot points -- but somehow Chesser does it with ease.  Not making me feel like it was a new story at all.

Overall, Chesser hits another home run with this one taking the reader along for the ride. If you weren't hooked on the series before, give this book a shot -- I think he'll be able to reel you back in.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author.
Profile Image for RJ.
2,044 reviews13 followers
January 9, 2017
Book four picks up where we left the prior book. Mike Desantos and crew had successfully set off two nuclear devices to eliminate an extremely huge horde numbering several hundred thousand making their way towards them. Unfortunately Desantos became infected and his teammate Cade Grayson had to put him down to prevent him from turning. In a huge mission foul up the assassin sent to kill President Clay is replaced by a mentally unstable secret agent wannabe who instead kills the lead scientist working on the vaccine, his nurse, and burns the entire lab to the ground. Cade wrestles with his anger towards the assassin who helped kill his friend Mike and destroyed the vaccine putting every survivor in jeopardy. The story continues with a few new survivors and following up with the ones from previous book. A good story, a little long in the tooth at times, but acceptable. I think we need more zombies, less talking.
Profile Image for Stephanie Lunsford.
88 reviews2 followers
October 5, 2013
this book is amazing. just like all the previous book before it! He keeps you guessing about who's a bad guy & who's the good ones!?! It's quite the page turner... you won't be able to put it down!!!!!! This books takes along for a rollercoaster ride of emotions! Enjoy it! please write a review after you are done! let others know if you enjoyed it or not! Thanks! ready for more!!!!!
He takes you through a roller coaster of emotions w/these characters! you might want to throw you kindle, book, tablet during parts of it as you will be mad! Cade, Brook, & Raven go through so much & yet it only makes their bond closer! Lots of action & gore for those that love it!
Profile Image for Jessica Kong.
Author 4 books120 followers
June 20, 2015
A Pound Of Flesh, part four of Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse Series by Shawn Chesser was a better installment than book three. The character were more consistent in their behaviors. This creates a much smoother read, and it makes the characters more believable. Character development was the main issue in book three, I'm not saying book three was bad, just had some minor issues. If Shawn continues on this route with the next installments, then this series will be a success in my book. I'm off to read the next installment.
215 reviews4 followers
December 31, 2015
Great series

If you are a fan of the zompoc books this is for you. Great writing ,well developed characters much as I would expect if a super plague were to hit. Having served I like that the military aspects seem to have been very well researched. Its easy to pick out a writer who hasn't served or doesn't understand the military mind set and this writer does. Very enjoyable reading. I'm devouring each book in turn.
Profile Image for Mysti.
55 reviews7 followers
February 16, 2013
Any zombie fan...apocalypse fans..etc. YOU NEED TO READ THIS SERIES! AMAZING! PAGE TURNERS!! Superb main & supporting characters, vivid descriptions, settings....I HAD NIGHTMARES!! Thus, THE BOOKS ROCK! KUDOS TO SHAWN CHESSER!! Should be NY Times Best Sellers ..every one of the books in this series.
21 reviews
November 3, 2016
Like someone who has been bitten by a zombie, after reading three and a half books in this series I just wanted to put a bullet in my brain to end the misery. Its not the worst written zombie series I've read but I haven't read all the zombie series ever written yet. So until I do, this will have to be the second worst zombie series I've read.
Profile Image for Vicki.
443 reviews
July 5, 2014
Just finished this one # 4 in the series ' Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse ' It was so good, this is one of the best zombie series ever ! I hope the next 2 are as good as the previous 4..... But , I might take a break from Zombies and read a Chic ' Beach read ' , or maybe not....LOL
496 reviews
January 3, 2017
Shawn Chesser has continued a good series. A lot of the plot is kind of predictable, and story line hokey, but I enjoyed the book a lot. This series is good enough to read again at some point in time.
Profile Image for Randy.
7 reviews
May 24, 2013
finished up a week ago or so. This continuing series continues to keep me interested. I like it. Looking forward to the next installment.
Profile Image for Shotgunmary.
11 reviews
February 8, 2013
phenomenal edition of the series. Can not wait till book 5. highly recommended read!
Profile Image for Ann.
28 reviews
March 15, 2013
Love this series. Great ending!! Ahhhhh
Profile Image for Sean C.
173 reviews
June 17, 2013
Excellent - I think the best in the series so far.
Profile Image for Koalathebear Koalathebear.
Author 1 book11 followers
September 12, 2015
A satisfying conclusion to this novel after the bleak and suspenseful cliff hanger at the end of book 3!! I can't wait to read the next novel.
1 review
October 21, 2015
Madness abounds! Well done Shawn.

The emotional impact of survival situations is rarely addressed, but here that struggle is brought to the light. Bring on the next.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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