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Libros De Inferno #1
Dead Men
Roaring south in a black Cadillac, John Smith is on the road trip from Hell through a nightmarish version of Americana, a place of rotting hollows and dusty crossroads, slaughterhouses and haunted trains. He doesn’t know how he woke up after sitting down in the electric chair, where he got the black suit with the slit up the back or even the cigarettes in his pocket. All he knows is that there is a woman guarding a great secret and he’s supposed to kill her.
- GenresHorror
372 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2015
6 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
John C. Foster
31 books27 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
Other authors publishing under this name are:
John C. Foster
John C. Foster
Other authors publishing under this name are:
John C. Foster
John C. Foster
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 10, 2015
The first chapter of any novel is important, an immediate and important impression is formed regarding the style of the author and the quality of the story you're about to read. That first chapter of Dead Men by John C Foster amounted to a little over 4 pages and ultimately set the standard for what I was about to read. There were a couple of sentences that had me cringing, and unfortunately that carried through the rest of the story.
"I called some bad men to me and they showed me what to do. Not called on the phone, understand? But called.”
The driver made a sound that meant nothing much.
Ok that was the first and the second, just 2 pages later.
But though she had run far and fast, eventually memories pounded up behind her on flat feet and kicked her in the ass.
Now this kind of thing cropped up more than regularly, I highlighted countless examples of writing that had me thinking, seriously, come on. The story promptly faded into the background as I skipped through as quickly as possible, more taken with the shocking idioms and the like, than anything else.
To the story and what I could be bothered to take in, at an old asylum, a priest brings dead men back to life and effectively points them in a direction. John Smith is one of them and some mental fuckery is telling him to kill her and those who hold her, erase her and all her work. That's his job, there's a few other characters but it all just faded into nothingness.
Whether it's a niche market or not, the writing has to have some positive aspect to capture the reader's attention and sadly this didn't have anything I could talk about in a beneficial or constructive way.
'He caught a glimpse of his reflection in the rearview mirror and saw it was smiling.' Well I'm glad somebody was.
Dead Men was provided by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review and that's what you've just read.
Also posted at http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
"I called some bad men to me and they showed me what to do. Not called on the phone, understand? But called.”
The driver made a sound that meant nothing much.
Ok that was the first and the second, just 2 pages later.
But though she had run far and fast, eventually memories pounded up behind her on flat feet and kicked her in the ass.
Now this kind of thing cropped up more than regularly, I highlighted countless examples of writing that had me thinking, seriously, come on. The story promptly faded into the background as I skipped through as quickly as possible, more taken with the shocking idioms and the like, than anything else.
To the story and what I could be bothered to take in, at an old asylum, a priest brings dead men back to life and effectively points them in a direction. John Smith is one of them and some mental fuckery is telling him to kill her and those who hold her, erase her and all her work. That's his job, there's a few other characters but it all just faded into nothingness.
Whether it's a niche market or not, the writing has to have some positive aspect to capture the reader's attention and sadly this didn't have anything I could talk about in a beneficial or constructive way.
'He caught a glimpse of his reflection in the rearview mirror and saw it was smiling.' Well I'm glad somebody was.
Dead Men was provided by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review and that's what you've just read.
Also posted at http://paulnelson.booklikes.com/post/...
September 20, 2015
Imagine a marriage between Clive Barker and Quentin Tarantino and you have some inkling of what this dark, gory and often quirky tale is like. Foster's atmospheric prose and lightning fast pacing fit the narrative of this offering perfectly and the characters, though often extremely unlikable, are always engaging. I found myself at the end of this book much sooner than I wanted to be and will be waiting--ever so impatiently--for the next entry in the series.
Overall, this is one of the most impressive debut novels I've read in the past decade. John C. Foster is an extraordinary wordsmith with a hellishly brilliant imagination. I loved this book and will read anything that John publishes going forward.
Overall, this is one of the most impressive debut novels I've read in the past decade. John C. Foster is an extraordinary wordsmith with a hellishly brilliant imagination. I loved this book and will read anything that John publishes going forward.
January 9, 2016
This is one of these novels I'd be at lost to say whether it's gothic horror or dark fantasy as it's walking the line rather cleverly. Simply put, DEAD MEN is about a group of guys who returned to life after being executed with the task of killing a young woman. Seems easy like that, but there's a long way separating them from their target.
Although DEAD MEN is technically a linear novel, you're going to lose your mind trying to follow the plot. Many times I've lost the highway and wondered what the f&%& was going on. It's more like a series of portraits through which the characters are traveling through and John C. Foster's attention isn't always on them. It's a different, uneasy way to narrate a story and it drove me nuts sometimes.
DEAD MEN might be a little long for what it has to offer, but it definitely is a unique novel with its own inherent narrative logic. Think Jon Bassoff meets (yikes) Alejandro Jodorowsky.
Although DEAD MEN is technically a linear novel, you're going to lose your mind trying to follow the plot. Many times I've lost the highway and wondered what the f&%& was going on. It's more like a series of portraits through which the characters are traveling through and John C. Foster's attention isn't always on them. It's a different, uneasy way to narrate a story and it drove me nuts sometimes.
DEAD MEN might be a little long for what it has to offer, but it definitely is a unique novel with its own inherent narrative logic. Think Jon Bassoff meets (yikes) Alejandro Jodorowsky.
August 9, 2015
Review: DEAD MEN by John C. Foster
First in the LIBROS DE INFERNO series, DEAD MEN gleefully and gore-ily presents pure, unadulterated, horror--horror turned inside out and upended, then stood on its head. If you're seeking a story where good and evil, black and white, humanity and inhumanity, sanity and insanity, are fully reversed, look over here. DEAD MEN will give you all that, and more.
Four brutal murderers are resurrected following execution, by a figure known only as The Priest. Gathered in a long-abandoned insane asylum, once dedicated to the practices of sadists, they are assigned a mission: destroy The Woman. As it turns out, so does she have a mission.
First in the LIBROS DE INFERNO series, DEAD MEN gleefully and gore-ily presents pure, unadulterated, horror--horror turned inside out and upended, then stood on its head. If you're seeking a story where good and evil, black and white, humanity and inhumanity, sanity and insanity, are fully reversed, look over here. DEAD MEN will give you all that, and more.
Four brutal murderers are resurrected following execution, by a figure known only as The Priest. Gathered in a long-abandoned insane asylum, once dedicated to the practices of sadists, they are assigned a mission: destroy The Woman. As it turns out, so does she have a mission.
July 24, 2015
John C. Foster’s Dead Men is a fascinating, entertaining and challenging new horror novel. As the subtitle, Libros de Inferno: Book One, makes clear it’s the first in a new trilogy. It’s a dynamic opening chapter, but it plays equally well as a single novel. The story arc wraps up nicely while leaving enough room for more of the story to be told. The book isn’t an easy read and there’s no room to get complacent and fall back on the familiar elements of the story. There are no familiar elements. Dead Men is a nightmarish road novel propelled through an America of dark and ugly places and strange and awful characters.
Without spending too much time describing the story, which I would have a tough time doing anyway, it is the tale of the Priest, Hoodoo Girl, Spike and four dead men named John Smith. Each Smith, who choose different monikers to clear things up, who have been executed for mass murder. They awake in an isolated and largely abandoned asylum, where they find each other and escape. They burn the asylum around them as they flee, starting a theme recurring throughout the book of the whoosh-hiss of a light and flame roaring to life in the darkness.
The John Smiths trip their way through a version of America similar to, though much darker and more weird than our own as they attempt to ascertain why they were resurrected and try to fulfill the task put to them by the mysterious puppet master, the Priest. The characters are bizarre and rarely well defined, the author striving for atmosphere and creepiness rather than depth and reality. This works for the most part as the majority of the players are transitory, only [popping up for a short time to advance the main characters to the next point in the story.
The John Smiths are interesting and individual, two going by Alice and the Ghoul, and the Priest’s mysterious presence is compelling. The Butcher, Lum, the Director, the Doctor are just used in passing and have little substance. The weakest character is Spike, who plays a major part in the book’s second half, and never achieves the appeal of the others. The only slow points in the narrative are during those second half passages focusing on Spike.
The world these characters inhabit is very dark, both in the literal and figurative sense. Everything feels like it’s happening at night, and considering the haunted trains, abandoned asylums, makeshift prisons and maternity wards that host the action, daylight doesn’t even seem possible. The settings have a nihilistic and oppressive feel as hilltop cemeteries and mythic crossroads do.
In the novel the “Libros de Inferno” is described as an “antediluvian text” which imparted knowledge that almost cost the reader their life. Dead Men doesn’t come at that price, but is not an easy read. It has the guts to demand something of the reader, that an effort is required to take in the book, an effort that will be well rewarded by a unique and lyrically beautiful tale of terrible things.
Without spending too much time describing the story, which I would have a tough time doing anyway, it is the tale of the Priest, Hoodoo Girl, Spike and four dead men named John Smith. Each Smith, who choose different monikers to clear things up, who have been executed for mass murder. They awake in an isolated and largely abandoned asylum, where they find each other and escape. They burn the asylum around them as they flee, starting a theme recurring throughout the book of the whoosh-hiss of a light and flame roaring to life in the darkness.
The John Smiths trip their way through a version of America similar to, though much darker and more weird than our own as they attempt to ascertain why they were resurrected and try to fulfill the task put to them by the mysterious puppet master, the Priest. The characters are bizarre and rarely well defined, the author striving for atmosphere and creepiness rather than depth and reality. This works for the most part as the majority of the players are transitory, only [popping up for a short time to advance the main characters to the next point in the story.
The John Smiths are interesting and individual, two going by Alice and the Ghoul, and the Priest’s mysterious presence is compelling. The Butcher, Lum, the Director, the Doctor are just used in passing and have little substance. The weakest character is Spike, who plays a major part in the book’s second half, and never achieves the appeal of the others. The only slow points in the narrative are during those second half passages focusing on Spike.
The world these characters inhabit is very dark, both in the literal and figurative sense. Everything feels like it’s happening at night, and considering the haunted trains, abandoned asylums, makeshift prisons and maternity wards that host the action, daylight doesn’t even seem possible. The settings have a nihilistic and oppressive feel as hilltop cemeteries and mythic crossroads do.
In the novel the “Libros de Inferno” is described as an “antediluvian text” which imparted knowledge that almost cost the reader their life. Dead Men doesn’t come at that price, but is not an easy read. It has the guts to demand something of the reader, that an effort is required to take in the book, an effort that will be well rewarded by a unique and lyrically beautiful tale of terrible things.
July 31, 2015
Dead Men by John C. Foster is a hypnotic tale, told with blazing eyes, and a gut full of twisting snakes. The darkness swims across the page, but it is not without light, not without hope. Tense, violent, and sprinkled with humor, it's a gripping read.
June 3, 2016
Southern-noir-gothic horror; I don’t know if the genre exists, but John C. Foster may have invented it now. Famous American novelist and playwright Cormac McCarthy set many of his stories in the American south, and it seems like Foster has written a novel in somewhere between McCarthy's books Outer Dark and Child of God, mixed up with characters and plot-as-a-consequence threads in the vein of the Cohen brothers and the Preacher comic book series.
An ultra-violent story that is as fast and dangerous as the black Cadillac that rides through the dark roads of Foster’s memorable and tragic setting, we are treated to an updated McCarthy-esque take on violence and ass-backwards spirituality. I dare not give away plot details or even hint at more specific themes; you can skip any literary junk and revel in the mayhem, but for those who want intelligence behind the sheen of violence, there is a lot to love.
Many authors have tackled the idea of redemption through violence; Foster turns that idea on its head. There is no way to “save” a man who spent years of his life on death row, only to be executed with the utmost vindictiveness by the penal system. John Smith’s “resurrection”, and the lazarus-effect’s application to three other men, is not a second chance at life, but rather, a second chance at death. There is no “hero” in this novel; in fact, many readers won’t be able to decipher exactly what is happening, or why, until the novel is nearly finished.
Which is exactly why I loved it so much.
This book is an absolute page-turner. Christian mysticism, cultish folk magic, and twisted technology combine forces to serve as the catalysts for the powerful black Cadillac that is often described as a “dragon” or “beast.” Rarely do I feel that an author can effectively use each word to effect; too many authors waste language on needless sentences that shove plot threads or details down our throats. Foster relies on his characters and the setting; we are allowed to see events unfold and infer whatever amount of meaning we want.
Despite all of the literary trappings, the book is, at its core, a violent, unforgiving romp rife with clever observances of destruction. Each of the four “dead men” have some fun characteristics that make them rather unique in their approach to destruction.
Dead Men entertains on a level that many books can’t achieve with characters who are absolute villains, and a plot that is never easily revealed to the audience. Too many books use long exposition dumps to explain story elements that I may not care about; even veteran authors seem to shove information down our throats, and some readers don’t mind. However, some of the most celebrated artists have allowed a sense of mystery to permeate our perception of the art; readers should be allowed an opportunity to guess, and thus, actively participate until they are rewarded with answers. This is a technique that only the best writers can incorporate into their works; how many viewers turn in every week to Game of Thrones, only to have their own theories verified or debunked?
I absolutely loved this book. I have wanted a totally immersive book for a long time; I had almost given up hope that I could find a book that would absolutely urge me to read the next page. I am very excited to read more from Foster; he is going to be a huge voice in fiction very, very soon.
An ultra-violent story that is as fast and dangerous as the black Cadillac that rides through the dark roads of Foster’s memorable and tragic setting, we are treated to an updated McCarthy-esque take on violence and ass-backwards spirituality. I dare not give away plot details or even hint at more specific themes; you can skip any literary junk and revel in the mayhem, but for those who want intelligence behind the sheen of violence, there is a lot to love.
Many authors have tackled the idea of redemption through violence; Foster turns that idea on its head. There is no way to “save” a man who spent years of his life on death row, only to be executed with the utmost vindictiveness by the penal system. John Smith’s “resurrection”, and the lazarus-effect’s application to three other men, is not a second chance at life, but rather, a second chance at death. There is no “hero” in this novel; in fact, many readers won’t be able to decipher exactly what is happening, or why, until the novel is nearly finished.
Which is exactly why I loved it so much.
This book is an absolute page-turner. Christian mysticism, cultish folk magic, and twisted technology combine forces to serve as the catalysts for the powerful black Cadillac that is often described as a “dragon” or “beast.” Rarely do I feel that an author can effectively use each word to effect; too many authors waste language on needless sentences that shove plot threads or details down our throats. Foster relies on his characters and the setting; we are allowed to see events unfold and infer whatever amount of meaning we want.
Despite all of the literary trappings, the book is, at its core, a violent, unforgiving romp rife with clever observances of destruction. Each of the four “dead men” have some fun characteristics that make them rather unique in their approach to destruction.
Dead Men entertains on a level that many books can’t achieve with characters who are absolute villains, and a plot that is never easily revealed to the audience. Too many books use long exposition dumps to explain story elements that I may not care about; even veteran authors seem to shove information down our throats, and some readers don’t mind. However, some of the most celebrated artists have allowed a sense of mystery to permeate our perception of the art; readers should be allowed an opportunity to guess, and thus, actively participate until they are rewarded with answers. This is a technique that only the best writers can incorporate into their works; how many viewers turn in every week to Game of Thrones, only to have their own theories verified or debunked?
I absolutely loved this book. I have wanted a totally immersive book for a long time; I had almost given up hope that I could find a book that would absolutely urge me to read the next page. I am very excited to read more from Foster; he is going to be a huge voice in fiction very, very soon.
August 31, 2015
I received this book from NetGalley and Perpetual Motion Machine Publishing, in exchange for my honest review!
This story was an out of control, confusing, jaw clenching adventure and you are just along for the ride!! I am not even sure how to describe this story, but it gripped me until the end! I am not sure I would describe this as horror, because I was never really scared, but I am sure some readers would be scared. The main characters are seriously screwed up, especially the Preacher! You never really get the full development of any of the characters, but you still root for them. The main story line is vague, but you get the general gist of it and it is pretty weird!! You find yourself wanting the first John Smith to find his peace.. The ending was an ending, but there is more of the story to be told. No real resolution!
I would recommend to readers of suspense and horror. There is blood and bad language I would recommend to readers, who like to have chaos with their stories! I will be reading the next one!
Thank you for the crazy thrill ride!!!
This story was an out of control, confusing, jaw clenching adventure and you are just along for the ride!! I am not even sure how to describe this story, but it gripped me until the end! I am not sure I would describe this as horror, because I was never really scared, but I am sure some readers would be scared. The main characters are seriously screwed up, especially the Preacher! You never really get the full development of any of the characters, but you still root for them. The main story line is vague, but you get the general gist of it and it is pretty weird!! You find yourself wanting the first John Smith to find his peace.. The ending was an ending, but there is more of the story to be told. No real resolution!
I would recommend to readers of suspense and horror. There is blood and bad language I would recommend to readers, who like to have chaos with their stories! I will be reading the next one!
Thank you for the crazy thrill ride!!!
August 3, 2015
A chilling dark gene thriller well written with occasional nmoments of humor,
January 3, 2018
I had real problems getting in to this book - a good demonstration of the jacket blurb being better than the story itself.
October 29, 2024
this may actually be the worst book i've read, just not just this year but ever. I did briefly consider DNFing it (when i was roughly 40 pages in and two people had already pissed themself) but decided it had just enough interesting elements to keep me going. It does, tbf, have some good bits. I can see why horror fans would enjoy parts of this book as i myself did but there are much more glaring mistakes.
First of all the prose is janky at times and the author loves to throw in a big word that doesn't fit the flow the paragraph. There are also multiple grammar mistakes that an editor should have pointed out. The story is difficult to understand at times and certain scenes are completely unfollowable. Characters actions and important story beats are continually under communicated and at a certain point i stopped trying to fully understand the plot because too much of it is random bullshit. There's also things like having a character named Frank in a scene with one called Frankenstein which causes unnecessary confusion. It's not all bad, every now and then there's a line that is quite good and might be at home in a better book. There is clear potential in the author but this book doesn't always reach it.
The overall plot is interesting though i do feel like not enough of it was explored or explained in this book, i know there's plans for other parts but it very much feels like the author is saving the good bits for later. I was interested to find out what would happen next and the pacing of the story is well done. Again where it fails is not explaining itself well enough since things like the slaughterhouse could have been really interesting if the lore behind it and what the characters had actually done while there was better communicated. The ending does feel anticlimactic as many of the characters in the finale are introduced in the third act and their place in the story isn't earned. I also feel like a final confrontation was needed since the book just kind of ends and the characters just leave without much difficulty.
The characters are really where this book shines since most of the cast are really interesting and unique characters. The dead men each have something fun going on and are deranged in their own way. Hoodoo girl is incredibly interesting and I will say her arc is probably the best done since she gets her climatic confrontation and a happy ending. I do feel like she didn't seem like a 12 year old girl infact i assumed she was an adult women until her age was mentioned, a better authors would have communicated this through the narrative voice. you can clearly see that the author has interesting and fun ideas for horror characters and knows how to introduce concepts well, the Ghoul and his cannibalistic needs are communicated well with only a few sentences acknowledging them. if only the same care was put into describing scenes and action the book would really shine.
Another issue i do have is with the treatment of Spike and the other female characters. There isn't a female character in this book who doesn't experience rape. There's two separate rape and attempted rape scenes, forced pregnancies and a victim of CSA (arguably the best handled of these, none of the abuse is scene and just enough is said for the reader to understand what happened plus Hoodoo girl gets her revenge) I do think rape can be included in narratives but i think it needs to be handled with care. Having your a character dream she's being raped by corn only to wake up and realise she's actually being raped be a man isn't the way to do that. There is a lot of graphic violence in these books and i know there's plenty of people who would view the rape scenes as just part of that but i don't agree with that representation of rape and feel it needs to be handled with more significance. There's also something to be said with how the sexual elements of the horror are only present with the female characters. Also using rape as a metaphor isn't great, the water scene is very heavy handed. The audience can get from the fact that spike is naked and being nosed down that she is being violated and her bodily automobiles is being taken from her without constant references to rape. The scene would have been more impactful that way too.
There's also the character Lump who is a black disabled man who is, by the perspective character of his chapters, considered less than human and often mistreated. It is clear that the root of his mistreatment is ableism and the audience isn't meant to side with prejudice but this is handled incredibly poorly.
Again, there is stuff i enjoyed in this book, just enough to keep me going but i would not recommend it to anyone. I do hope the author keeps writing, he has clear potential but there are a view things to work out. For a debut some of the issues are understandable, others are not.
First of all the prose is janky at times and the author loves to throw in a big word that doesn't fit the flow the paragraph. There are also multiple grammar mistakes that an editor should have pointed out. The story is difficult to understand at times and certain scenes are completely unfollowable. Characters actions and important story beats are continually under communicated and at a certain point i stopped trying to fully understand the plot because too much of it is random bullshit. There's also things like having a character named Frank in a scene with one called Frankenstein which causes unnecessary confusion. It's not all bad, every now and then there's a line that is quite good and might be at home in a better book. There is clear potential in the author but this book doesn't always reach it.
The overall plot is interesting though i do feel like not enough of it was explored or explained in this book, i know there's plans for other parts but it very much feels like the author is saving the good bits for later. I was interested to find out what would happen next and the pacing of the story is well done. Again where it fails is not explaining itself well enough since things like the slaughterhouse could have been really interesting if the lore behind it and what the characters had actually done while there was better communicated. The ending does feel anticlimactic as many of the characters in the finale are introduced in the third act and their place in the story isn't earned. I also feel like a final confrontation was needed since the book just kind of ends and the characters just leave without much difficulty.
The characters are really where this book shines since most of the cast are really interesting and unique characters. The dead men each have something fun going on and are deranged in their own way. Hoodoo girl is incredibly interesting and I will say her arc is probably the best done since she gets her climatic confrontation and a happy ending. I do feel like she didn't seem like a 12 year old girl infact i assumed she was an adult women until her age was mentioned, a better authors would have communicated this through the narrative voice. you can clearly see that the author has interesting and fun ideas for horror characters and knows how to introduce concepts well, the Ghoul and his cannibalistic needs are communicated well with only a few sentences acknowledging them. if only the same care was put into describing scenes and action the book would really shine.
Another issue i do have is with the treatment of Spike and the other female characters. There isn't a female character in this book who doesn't experience rape. There's two separate rape and attempted rape scenes, forced pregnancies and a victim of CSA (arguably the best handled of these, none of the abuse is scene and just enough is said for the reader to understand what happened plus Hoodoo girl gets her revenge) I do think rape can be included in narratives but i think it needs to be handled with care. Having your a character dream she's being raped by corn only to wake up and realise she's actually being raped be a man isn't the way to do that. There is a lot of graphic violence in these books and i know there's plenty of people who would view the rape scenes as just part of that but i don't agree with that representation of rape and feel it needs to be handled with more significance. There's also something to be said with how the sexual elements of the horror are only present with the female characters. Also using rape as a metaphor isn't great, the water scene is very heavy handed. The audience can get from the fact that spike is naked and being nosed down that she is being violated and her bodily automobiles is being taken from her without constant references to rape. The scene would have been more impactful that way too.
There's also the character Lump who is a black disabled man who is, by the perspective character of his chapters, considered less than human and often mistreated. It is clear that the root of his mistreatment is ableism and the audience isn't meant to side with prejudice but this is handled incredibly poorly.
Again, there is stuff i enjoyed in this book, just enough to keep me going but i would not recommend it to anyone. I do hope the author keeps writing, he has clear potential but there are a view things to work out. For a debut some of the issues are understandable, others are not.
November 19, 2019
Wish I'd read this sooner. Supernatural horror noir with a dash of fantasy and a body-horror chaser, this novel is refreshingly different to most books out there. While the concept is wild (three resurrected killers tasked with murdering a woman who is imprisoned with a large group of other women and subject to terrible experiments, while a 12 year old girl wise-beyond-her-years dabbles in the supernatural, and they all seem to be pawns in a greater narrative), it is also immensely enjoyable.
The characters really shine throughout, not an easy task considering the smothering darkness of the story. Strong violence and wonderful dialogue drip from almost every page like so much blood. Foster never gives too much away, maintaining an air of mystique around his characters while giving them enough humanity to really engage the reader.
The "bigger picture" is only hinted at throughout the whole book - understandable, given that it is only book one in a projected trilogy. This is never an issue as there is plenty of action to keep the story moving and keep us interested every step of the way. Foster handles the pacing extremely well, possibly something learned during his time as a screenwriter, and the book felt like a very quick read.
It feels like a daring move by an author publishing his debut novel, rather than sticking to the tried and tested plot, instead opting for something more experimental, more "out-there". But the publisher is known for taking chances on a more progressive style of book and it has certainly paid off in this case. Foster and PMMP have delivered a tight, gripping, action-packed first part of a story and have absolutely hooked this reader for future installments.
The characters really shine throughout, not an easy task considering the smothering darkness of the story. Strong violence and wonderful dialogue drip from almost every page like so much blood. Foster never gives too much away, maintaining an air of mystique around his characters while giving them enough humanity to really engage the reader.
The "bigger picture" is only hinted at throughout the whole book - understandable, given that it is only book one in a projected trilogy. This is never an issue as there is plenty of action to keep the story moving and keep us interested every step of the way. Foster handles the pacing extremely well, possibly something learned during his time as a screenwriter, and the book felt like a very quick read.
It feels like a daring move by an author publishing his debut novel, rather than sticking to the tried and tested plot, instead opting for something more experimental, more "out-there". But the publisher is known for taking chances on a more progressive style of book and it has certainly paid off in this case. Foster and PMMP have delivered a tight, gripping, action-packed first part of a story and have absolutely hooked this reader for future installments.
December 31, 2020
This book is genre fiction at its finest. It´s horror fiction by way of Quentin Tarantino. The dialogue is cuts through all the coagulated blood in these sentences. And the set pieces are exhilarating. The scene in the slaughter house had me grasping for my machete in excitement.
I did not give it five stars because the Mexican characters in this story don´t speak correct Spanish. I tried justifying the broken Spanish with the fact that these characters were in a situation that might make them forget their own language, but it still took me out of the narrative. It doesn´t seem like the author had a Spanish speaker read through that Spanish dialogue to make sure it sounded right.
Other than that, this is a fantastic book. I can´t wait to read the second book.
I did not give it five stars because the Mexican characters in this story don´t speak correct Spanish. I tried justifying the broken Spanish with the fact that these characters were in a situation that might make them forget their own language, but it still took me out of the narrative. It doesn´t seem like the author had a Spanish speaker read through that Spanish dialogue to make sure it sounded right.
Other than that, this is a fantastic book. I can´t wait to read the second book.
December 31, 2022
A gritty horror filled with intriguing characters.
November 11, 2023
There's a LOT going on in this book, it's sometimes confusing and hard to keep up. However, if you can, it pays off big time. One of my favorites for sure.
August 17, 2015
I was initially familiar with John C. Foster through his short story work, and the promotionals for DEAD MEN intrigued me, not the least of all that stunning cover by George Cotronis. Everything I read about the book made it sound like something I would be interested in, told in a fashion I could appreciate. Foster didn’t disappoint.
To put it simply, DEAD MEN is “high-octane horror.” It’s gun-toting action with southern sensibilities and grindhouse production. It could easily be adapted into some insane paid cable TV show, and since this was part one of a trilogy, it probably should be. Somewhere between Splatterpunk and Epic, this tale is about a bunch of horrible people doing terrible things to each other for a lot of unknown reasons while events keep getting weirder.
Four men are executed but wake up after their deaths with no clear memories, only thinking of themselves as “John Smith.” Some rename themselves with monikers like “Alice” or “Ghoul,” but come to learn they’ve been raised by an enigmatic priest to kill an unnamed woman after completing a number of other tasks along the way. This, of course, goes sideways immediately. Along with detailing the exploits of all the dead men, Foster gives us a peek at the nefarious dealing of the priest, a captured woman named Spike, and a twelve year old girl who’s renamed herself Hoodoo Girl on the run from her inbred family. This cast of miscreants all collide at one time or another, a series of reveals into the true heart of madness in this book that builds to its conclusion.
Sometimes I got a little lost with all the characters, and no clear agenda. At the same time, that chaos is part of the charm in DEAD MEN, and I think too much explanation or structure would’ve ruined it. Violence, depravity, and darkness are the only stops on this ride, and you don’t have a choice about the trip. You could kick and scream, or you could enjoy it like everyone else – and it IS enjoyable! DEAD MEN is a good time abomination that will leave you excited to see what lunacy Foster dreams up for the sequel.
To put it simply, DEAD MEN is “high-octane horror.” It’s gun-toting action with southern sensibilities and grindhouse production. It could easily be adapted into some insane paid cable TV show, and since this was part one of a trilogy, it probably should be. Somewhere between Splatterpunk and Epic, this tale is about a bunch of horrible people doing terrible things to each other for a lot of unknown reasons while events keep getting weirder.
Four men are executed but wake up after their deaths with no clear memories, only thinking of themselves as “John Smith.” Some rename themselves with monikers like “Alice” or “Ghoul,” but come to learn they’ve been raised by an enigmatic priest to kill an unnamed woman after completing a number of other tasks along the way. This, of course, goes sideways immediately. Along with detailing the exploits of all the dead men, Foster gives us a peek at the nefarious dealing of the priest, a captured woman named Spike, and a twelve year old girl who’s renamed herself Hoodoo Girl on the run from her inbred family. This cast of miscreants all collide at one time or another, a series of reveals into the true heart of madness in this book that builds to its conclusion.
Sometimes I got a little lost with all the characters, and no clear agenda. At the same time, that chaos is part of the charm in DEAD MEN, and I think too much explanation or structure would’ve ruined it. Violence, depravity, and darkness are the only stops on this ride, and you don’t have a choice about the trip. You could kick and scream, or you could enjoy it like everyone else – and it IS enjoyable! DEAD MEN is a good time abomination that will leave you excited to see what lunacy Foster dreams up for the sequel.
September 28, 2015
In this first entry of the Libros de Inferno trilogy, John C. Foster puts foot to gas pedal and stomps it right through the floorboard. John Smith is one of three death row inmates who, after being executed, are somehow miraculously revived. They are all tagged with the moniker 'John Smith' and set forth on a bloody quest of murder and brutal mayhem. One of the killers retains the name John Smith while the most terrifying one is known as the Ghoul and the third--likening himself to "Alice Down the Rabbit Hole"--calls himself Alice. Taking their lead from a shady and dangerous man known only as the Priest, John Smith and Alice embark on a violent and gruesome road trip through a hellish landscape, leaving a trail of blood, bodies, and flames in their wake. Meanwhile, the Ghoul hunts for vengeance against the ones who left him behind to die.
Imagine a marriage between Clive Barker and Quentin Tarantino and you have some inkling of what this dark, gory and often quirky tale is like. Foster's atmospheric prose and lightning fast pacing fit the narrative of this offering perfectly and the characters, though often extremely unlikable, are always engaging. I found myself at the end of this book much sooner than I wanted to be and will be waiting--ever so impatiently--for the next entry in the series.
Overall, this is one of the most impressive debut novels I've read in the past decade. John C. Foster is an extraordinary wordsmith with a hellishly brilliant imagination. I loved this book and will read anything that John publishes going forward.
Imagine a marriage between Clive Barker and Quentin Tarantino and you have some inkling of what this dark, gory and often quirky tale is like. Foster's atmospheric prose and lightning fast pacing fit the narrative of this offering perfectly and the characters, though often extremely unlikable, are always engaging. I found myself at the end of this book much sooner than I wanted to be and will be waiting--ever so impatiently--for the next entry in the series.
Overall, this is one of the most impressive debut novels I've read in the past decade. John C. Foster is an extraordinary wordsmith with a hellishly brilliant imagination. I loved this book and will read anything that John publishes going forward.
February 16, 2016
Have you ever read a book and it's nothing you can truly remember? That's how this book was for me. Told in a disjointed manner, it's split between four characters (the Ghoul, Alice, John Smith and Hoodoo Girl) and how they're interconnected in their mission to find "the Fancy Lady" and kill her. Apparently Alice (from England) and John Smith (American) wake to find that they're dead from various methods of execution (hanging for Alice, Smith got the Chair) and in Hell (we think?) and burn the place down (it was a filthy asylum) with the Ghoul in it, making its escape...
Yup, it's one of those things that your (at least, mine) brain can't process, like a story from Ernest Hemingway (ex. "The door was open. I sat at the table. Margaret was there. She sat too. It was Thursday and hot.")
Maybe at some point I'll try it again, but I have a feeling it'll have the same result: like reading tax forms or a treatise on how yellow bugs are better than cheese taste wise. Hope you guys have better luck than I did! Until then, enjoy?
August 30, 2015
John C. Foster does a great job showing just enough telling details to immerse you in this dark and fascinating world he's created, without telling you too much; leaving your imagination free to grow wild from all the scary little seeds he keeps planting in your brain throughout the book.
I felt the same kind of excitement reading this book as I did reading Laird Barron and Nathan Ballingrud for the first time.
Dead Men is exactly what I've been searching for while I've been waiting for new books by those authors, and now I have to set out again on the hunt for something to fill the days until the next John C. Foster book comes out!
I can't wait to see what's next.
I felt the same kind of excitement reading this book as I did reading Laird Barron and Nathan Ballingrud for the first time.
Dead Men is exactly what I've been searching for while I've been waiting for new books by those authors, and now I have to set out again on the hunt for something to fill the days until the next John C. Foster book comes out!
I can't wait to see what's next.
January 29, 2016
Creeping from the shadows just enough to see the faces ready to eat everyone alive. The pace is set on high and never slows and doesn't why or how the hammer swings, you just see it swinging and hard.
Disjointed and odd and working back around to a connection that explodes in layer firework displays of gore.
It started out feeling like a pure dude book, the rampant thoughtless death and unrelenting physicality, but once the dots connected it really felt like a full, big-time bang for the buck thriller.
Pretty fucking great.
Disjointed and odd and working back around to a connection that explodes in layer firework displays of gore.
It started out feeling like a pure dude book, the rampant thoughtless death and unrelenting physicality, but once the dots connected it really felt like a full, big-time bang for the buck thriller.
Pretty fucking great.
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