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Surviving The Evacuation #4
Unsafe Haven
“Sooner or later, you have to trust someone.”
A new novel, featuring new characters (and a few old) in the Amazon UK #1 Post-Apocalyptic series “Surviving The Evacuation”. Set during the first nine months of the outbreak, in Cumbria, Scotland and Wales.
“There are no reported outbreaks in the UK or Ireland.” That is what the government broadcast. Nilda didn’t believe it. Not trusting the authorities, she, and her son, Jay, stay behind when Penrith is evacuated. After weeks of rationing, there is little food left in the small town in Northern England. Soon, she discovers that there are many other survivors competing for it. Choosing diplomacy over violence, she attempts to forge a community out of a disparate group, but as the number of the undead grow, she realises that they will have to seek sanctuary elsewhere. Nilda travels north into Scotland, but death follows, and she is forced to leave once more.
Joining with others who have survived the evacuation, she finds not all of them have the same motives. Some, like Tuck, Sebastian and the Abbot of Brazely only want to help. Others, like Harper and Rob, only want to help themselves. Whilst Chester and the new Mayor of Anglesey have their own agenda, one at odds with Nilda’s quest; to find a safe haven for her son.
A new novel, featuring new characters (and a few old) in the Amazon UK #1 Post-Apocalyptic series “Surviving The Evacuation”. Set during the first nine months of the outbreak, in Cumbria, Scotland and Wales.
“There are no reported outbreaks in the UK or Ireland.” That is what the government broadcast. Nilda didn’t believe it. Not trusting the authorities, she, and her son, Jay, stay behind when Penrith is evacuated. After weeks of rationing, there is little food left in the small town in Northern England. Soon, she discovers that there are many other survivors competing for it. Choosing diplomacy over violence, she attempts to forge a community out of a disparate group, but as the number of the undead grow, she realises that they will have to seek sanctuary elsewhere. Nilda travels north into Scotland, but death follows, and she is forced to leave once more.
Joining with others who have survived the evacuation, she finds not all of them have the same motives. Some, like Tuck, Sebastian and the Abbot of Brazely only want to help. Others, like Harper and Rob, only want to help themselves. Whilst Chester and the new Mayor of Anglesey have their own agenda, one at odds with Nilda’s quest; to find a safe haven for her son.
216 pages, Paperback
First published December 5, 2014
205 people are currently reading
517 people want to read
About the author
Frank Tayell
55 books487 followersAuthor of post-apocalyptic and near-future science fiction, with a focus on democracies struggling against dystopia.
For more information, or to join the mailing list, please visit; www.FrankTayell.com, facebook.com/FrankTayell, or facebook.com/TheEvacuation
For more information, or to join the mailing list, please visit; www.FrankTayell.com, facebook.com/FrankTayell, or facebook.com/TheEvacuation
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
January 26, 2026
June 2022
September 2025
Unsafe Heaven goes back to the beginning of the zombie crisis with some new characters. The main character, Nilda, is great, even if she is sometimes annoying. Her son, Jay, is a believable teenager. Sebastian and Chester are very likable. This ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I'm on to the next book.
September 2025
Unsafe Heaven goes back to the beginning of the zombie crisis with some new characters. The main character, Nilda, is great, even if she is sometimes annoying. Her son, Jay, is a believable teenager. Sebastian and Chester are very likable. This ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I'm on to the next book.
July 21, 2018
I've thoroughly enjoyed Frank Tayell's apocalyptic vision of the zombie uprising. I took some time off from this series a while back. In the meantime I read several others that just never felt very well thought out or written. (Honestly I feel like the vast majority of zombie books are a cheap rip off of Walking Dead) Tayell's vision is refreshing and original, survival is thought out, not copied, and the reality of a zombie apocalypse hits hard at things you've never thought about in all your daydreams about a zombie apocalypse.
I particularly enjoyed the way this story was interwoven with the first three books and look forward to reading more in this series.
I particularly enjoyed the way this story was interwoven with the first three books and look forward to reading more in this series.
August 28, 2019
Better than the last two books. Of course some of my favourite characters didn’t make it. Sigh...
December 31, 2015
I feel like everyone is a little TOO connected, but... I liked this story. It drags a bit here and there, but it's mostly MUCH better than the first three books. I love and missed Kim, so it was nice that she had a cameo.
Nilda is cool, though. Jay was a bit meh, but he got better. I LOVED Tuck. Chester was cool.
I'm willing to follow these characters for a couple more books.
Nilda is cool, though. Jay was a bit meh, but he got better. I LOVED Tuck. Chester was cool.
I'm willing to follow these characters for a couple more books.
June 7, 2019
Audio-book edition: Still getting used to the new narration and the new story line that was introduced. Developing nicely! Will probably improve (fingers crossed) with the new instalments ahead.
July 16, 2022
The Apocalypse Now
The world we live in is desolate and diseased, but the strength of the human spirit is an amazing thing. How you face adversity tells a lot about who and what you are. The world will go on long after we're gone. And come back...
The world we live in is desolate and diseased, but the strength of the human spirit is an amazing thing. How you face adversity tells a lot about who and what you are. The world will go on long after we're gone. And come back...
May 8, 2019
The saga continues
Another good book. I wish they made a tv series from these books, I love the story. Here’s to book number 5!
Another good book. I wish they made a tv series from these books, I love the story. Here’s to book number 5!
May 8, 2015
Now, that's more like it! I loved this fourth episode in Frank Tayell's post apocalyptic world as much as the first one. In Unsafe Haven the story goes back to the beginning and a completely new set of characters - single mother Nilda, her thirteen year old son, Jay, and her neighbour Sebastian. To say any more would be to give the plot away, but suffice to say it's every bit as gripping as the original story about Bill.
We follow Nilda through her ideas and plans for survival and trying to get a community together, through the inevitable realisation of the hopelessness of it all, and her pain as she loses people. During this story we also get glimpses of another character, Chester.... and find out the identity of Sam, the man Bill was signalling from his window and who he thought had left him alone.
If you enjoy stories of survival against all odds as much as I do, you'll really like this, too, and I love the way all the stories and characters begin to tie up, all the individuals from the four books coming together. There are also a few thought provoking moments, about the nature of mankind and the question: is it just time for the species to end, and are all the survivors just clinging on to a metaphorical fast sinking ship? Can't wait to read book five!
Only one tiny annoyance: English people using American speak. For instance, saying they're operating 'out of' Anglesey, instead of 'from', and a middle-aged monk talking about being 'tasked' to do things. Made my pedantic side go grrr, but I suppose doesn't really matter that much - this makes no pretence at being great literature!
We follow Nilda through her ideas and plans for survival and trying to get a community together, through the inevitable realisation of the hopelessness of it all, and her pain as she loses people. During this story we also get glimpses of another character, Chester.... and find out the identity of Sam, the man Bill was signalling from his window and who he thought had left him alone.
If you enjoy stories of survival against all odds as much as I do, you'll really like this, too, and I love the way all the stories and characters begin to tie up, all the individuals from the four books coming together. There are also a few thought provoking moments, about the nature of mankind and the question: is it just time for the species to end, and are all the survivors just clinging on to a metaphorical fast sinking ship? Can't wait to read book five!
Only one tiny annoyance: English people using American speak. For instance, saying they're operating 'out of' Anglesey, instead of 'from', and a middle-aged monk talking about being 'tasked' to do things. Made my pedantic side go grrr, but I suppose doesn't really matter that much - this makes no pretence at being great literature!
April 14, 2015
For the fourth book in the series we take a break from the main narrative of the proceeding three, and follow events from the perspective of some new characters, most notably Nilda and her teenage son Joe.
Through them we live through the early days of the outbreak, learning as they do, what is happening, as they go out and about, which Bill couldn't do with his broken leg, and without the background information that Bill had from his connections.
This gives an entirely new view of the world as first switch between going it alone, then grouping up, and then going alone again. Along the way they meet all types of other survivors from the good to the downright bad, and quite a lot of zombies, all of whom are bad.
There are some nice crossovers between this new strand and the original strand, in both minor and major ways, although you probably won't need to have read the first three books to follow this one.
However, as with those this is a great, exciting read, with many changes of setting as the characters move around the country, knowing that no one is safe.
The only question I would have is why this, and the fifth book, aren't included on the Surviving The Evacuation series page, as many people visiting that page may not realise there are more books to read, and that would be a great shame.
Through them we live through the early days of the outbreak, learning as they do, what is happening, as they go out and about, which Bill couldn't do with his broken leg, and without the background information that Bill had from his connections.
This gives an entirely new view of the world as first switch between going it alone, then grouping up, and then going alone again. Along the way they meet all types of other survivors from the good to the downright bad, and quite a lot of zombies, all of whom are bad.
There are some nice crossovers between this new strand and the original strand, in both minor and major ways, although you probably won't need to have read the first three books to follow this one.
However, as with those this is a great, exciting read, with many changes of setting as the characters move around the country, knowing that no one is safe.
The only question I would have is why this, and the fifth book, aren't included on the Surviving The Evacuation series page, as many people visiting that page may not realise there are more books to read, and that would be a great shame.
February 12, 2023
Synopsis:
In book IV, we encounter a new protagonist and we go back to the very beginning to when the outbreak first started: middle-aged Nilda is distrustful of the government, so she decides to stay home with her teenage son Jay, rather than joining the evacuation. When a short while later, their next-door neighbor Sebastian reports that the evacuees were mass-poisoned with the (supposed) vaccine, they decide to find somewhere safe to stay. Meanwhile, career criminal Chester, fleeing from a police patrol, gets a second chance at life.
It's very interesting how the lives of the protagonists are so distinct from each other, how all of them are unlikely survivors, how everyone has their individual struggles and how they interact once they meet each other.
I would recommend reading the whole series back to back - unlike myself - as multiple references to the first book are made and the more characters are being introduced, the more difficult it will be to stay on top of every character and/or reference, if you take longer reading breaks. In fact, I am going to reference the reading order from the author's website here.
One more remark: not unlike in "The Walking Dead", a deaf character was introduced and I find that very intriguing, as well. Navigating (normal) life as a hard-of-hearing person can't be easy, so a zombie apocalypse certainly poses its own challenge. I can't wait to see what happens next.
In book IV, we encounter a new protagonist and we go back to the very beginning to when the outbreak first started: middle-aged Nilda is distrustful of the government, so she decides to stay home with her teenage son Jay, rather than joining the evacuation. When a short while later, their next-door neighbor Sebastian reports that the evacuees were mass-poisoned with the (supposed) vaccine, they decide to find somewhere safe to stay. Meanwhile, career criminal Chester, fleeing from a police patrol, gets a second chance at life.
It's very interesting how the lives of the protagonists are so distinct from each other, how all of them are unlikely survivors, how everyone has their individual struggles and how they interact once they meet each other.
I would recommend reading the whole series back to back - unlike myself - as multiple references to the first book are made and the more characters are being introduced, the more difficult it will be to stay on top of every character and/or reference, if you take longer reading breaks. In fact, I am going to reference the reading order from the author's website here.
One more remark: not unlike in "The Walking Dead", a deaf character was introduced and I find that very intriguing, as well. Navigating (normal) life as a hard-of-hearing person can't be easy, so a zombie apocalypse certainly poses its own challenge. I can't wait to see what happens next.
December 29, 2017
I like Tayell's writing. I have been reading the series slowly [because I am cheap... no, thrifty] but I got some Amazon "cash" for Christmas so here I am reading the fourth [so-called, if you don't count the short story]. Tayell has a thing against foul language and I do as well so he writes stories without foul language and I read them. I love that he proves the point I have tried to make over and over... a good writer does not have to resort to cursing, blasphemy and crude language to tell a good story.
I did not like Jay and Nilda at first but that is because he was an annoying teenager and she an almost clueless mom. I run into those in the real world so I am not thrilled with reading about them but once the zombie apocalypse started things got better. I say this to emphasize the writer has realistic characters in an unrealistic situation. Interesting stuff.
It's good to see what was going on in the rest of GB while Bill [main character from the previous volumes] was recovering from his broken leg up in his apartment. It was also nice to take a break from that character though I do look forward to catching up on his story in the future. I also need to read Sholto's back story as I am sure it will be great reading as well.
I did not like Jay and Nilda at first but that is because he was an annoying teenager and she an almost clueless mom. I run into those in the real world so I am not thrilled with reading about them but once the zombie apocalypse started things got better. I say this to emphasize the writer has realistic characters in an unrealistic situation. Interesting stuff.
It's good to see what was going on in the rest of GB while Bill [main character from the previous volumes] was recovering from his broken leg up in his apartment. It was also nice to take a break from that character though I do look forward to catching up on his story in the future. I also need to read Sholto's back story as I am sure it will be great reading as well.
August 1, 2022
In this 4th installment, the narrative switches from Bill's first person narrative account in diary format, to a third person account of a woman called Nilda, as she and her son (and others they meet along the way) struggle to make their way in this terrifying new world, filled with the living dead. I wasn't sure if I would like the shift in perspective, as I've become invested in Bill's story, but the stories very cleverly intersect, making the reader aware that all the survivors are, in some way, connected, whether by accident or design.
Nilda is a cracking character - a strong and feisty mother who is clever and resourceful - a real force to be reckoned with. I really enjoyed this first book in her story (although this is the 4th book in the series, it is also the first in the next "section" of the overarching story).
I enjoyed it so much that I bought the next 5 e-books in the series from Amazon (I got the first 3 and the novella for free from Amazon, and paid for this one).
Tayell's writing is powerful and his characters are very engaging - I look forward to immersing myself in the rest of the series, because if the first 4 books are anything to go by, it's going to be a thrilling ride!
Nilda is a cracking character - a strong and feisty mother who is clever and resourceful - a real force to be reckoned with. I really enjoyed this first book in her story (although this is the 4th book in the series, it is also the first in the next "section" of the overarching story).
I enjoyed it so much that I bought the next 5 e-books in the series from Amazon (I got the first 3 and the novella for free from Amazon, and paid for this one).
Tayell's writing is powerful and his characters are very engaging - I look forward to immersing myself in the rest of the series, because if the first 4 books are anything to go by, it's going to be a thrilling ride!
December 11, 2016
This story continues on and has now achieved considerable depth not only in details but in its expansion from the previous main characters without causing any confusion in details or persons. A feat that not all writers can of achieve. The new 'main' characters develop well and the interaction is well written. There remains a lot of action to be told and there is direction to their 'wandering' to get to the mission objective.
Editing errors seem to plague this story but the errors are few and not distracting. Overall, a VERY GOOD READ. I like that the geographic areas written into the story actually do exist and such adds a certain realism to the continuing story. Well done !
Editing errors seem to plague this story but the errors are few and not distracting. Overall, a VERY GOOD READ. I like that the geographic areas written into the story actually do exist and such adds a certain realism to the continuing story. Well done !
April 27, 2018
I was not as impressed with this installment as I was with others.
The main problem I have is that books are being written in these "installments" that take me just a couple of hours to read when I want something that will last. I really, really hate getting a book, looking forward to settling in for a long read and having it finished in an hour or less. It makes me nuts, absolutely nuts. But I still read. I read e-books, I read real paper books and in those, well, I usually have books that exceed 300 pages and they take me a couple of days...
The main problem I have is that books are being written in these "installments" that take me just a couple of hours to read when I want something that will last. I really, really hate getting a book, looking forward to settling in for a long read and having it finished in an hour or less. It makes me nuts, absolutely nuts. But I still read. I read e-books, I read real paper books and in those, well, I usually have books that exceed 300 pages and they take me a couple of days...
April 16, 2019
This book series is wonderful, thank you FB for advertising it and to Frank Tayell for writing them all.. it kept appearing book 1 free to download and eventually I did, no going back I purchased books through to 12 and didn’t put my kindle down. Now just read book 15 which has just been released and reading them all again for the 4th time.
I am 44, my son is 13 but also totally enthralled, zombies are not my thing but this series is so much more than blood and gore, I feel lost when I finish the set and wait patiently for the next book to be released.
Long may they continue
Thank you
I am 44, my son is 13 but also totally enthralled, zombies are not my thing but this series is so much more than blood and gore, I feel lost when I finish the set and wait patiently for the next book to be released.
Long may they continue
Thank you
March 28, 2018
I was skeptical when I started this book because it started with completely new characters but I was immediately invested. There didn't need to be a lot of setup for which I was grateful. I do think it's a little convenient that everyone seems so connected but it's not a big deal. Bill, Kim, Annette, Daisy, and Sholto all make an appearance which I admit made me happy. Definitely one of the better zombie series I've read and I've read several.
April 9, 2023
Surviving the Evacuation Book 4 Unsafe Haven, by Frank Tayell, Nilda and her son Jay decided to stay and not evacuate. She doesn't trust the government. It's survival at all costs. They scavenge for food water and safety, they meet other survivors, the undead appear and keep coming. She gets separated from Jay and escapes the mainland. She needs to find her son and bury him. Books 4 to 6 ate Nilda's story. Great characters great story. 4* Kindle.
April 19, 2023
A new viewpoint - but several characters from Bill's journal make appearances before and after the main narrative.
This is the first of four books concerning Nilda and her son Joe as they navigate the new world and try to avoid the zombies...
Read on! (This brief review is the third attempt - previoius ones deleted in error... so I give up! New readers probably best to track down the earlier books but this is a convenient enough starting point.
This is the first of four books concerning Nilda and her son Joe as they navigate the new world and try to avoid the zombies...
Read on! (This brief review is the third attempt - previoius ones deleted in error... so I give up! New readers probably best to track down the earlier books but this is a convenient enough starting point.
February 12, 2018
Brilliant!
I loved this installment. It broke away from the diary style of the previous books and told the story through the eyes of different survivors but using the same timeline. I really enjoyed finding out more about characters that were touched on during Bill's story and loved how both timelines eventually met. Can't wait to read the next ine.
I loved this installment. It broke away from the diary style of the previous books and told the story through the eyes of different survivors but using the same timeline. I really enjoyed finding out more about characters that were touched on during Bill's story and loved how both timelines eventually met. Can't wait to read the next ine.
November 24, 2019
2.5
Better than the first 3, probably because Bill is not around. Some of the characters are written as throw away characters, which makes sense as they are just there to be bitten but the main character is written well, you do understand why she does what she does to survive.
Another book to read when you don't want to think and just want to read something for fun.
Better than the first 3, probably because Bill is not around. Some of the characters are written as throw away characters, which makes sense as they are just there to be bitten but the main character is written well, you do understand why she does what she does to survive.
Another book to read when you don't want to think and just want to read something for fun.
January 19, 2017
Would i survive a zombie apocalypse?
I dont know if I could have turned into a survivor like model or grown up so quickly like jay or feel genuine sadness at the loss of a character
I dont know if I could have turned into a survivor like model or grown up so quickly like jay or feel genuine sadness at the loss of a character
December 3, 2017
Good series
I like this series. It's the same as other zombie stories, but yet still different. Different characters in this book, but they are all tied together slowly. Can't wait to start the next one in the series!
I like this series. It's the same as other zombie stories, but yet still different. Different characters in this book, but they are all tied together slowly. Can't wait to start the next one in the series!
January 21, 2018
A good read
A good read with interesting characters and enough plot twists to keep me reading. The links to previous books and characters were almost like meeting old friends. A good book but not good enough for me to want to continue reading the series.
A good read with interesting characters and enough plot twists to keep me reading. The links to previous books and characters were almost like meeting old friends. A good book but not good enough for me to want to continue reading the series.
May 11, 2020
Another entertaining read in this series. I felt it lagged a bit in the middle but it ended well and will lead into another good story I'm sure. I'm enjoying the intertwining stories of these characters.
October 3, 2020
My least favourite of the series so far. I didn't like Nilda...she was annoying... A bit like Madison in fear the walking dead. I'm not sure if I'll read the rest of her episodes. I may skip to the next section as I'm enjoying the series.
June 25, 2022
This is like the middle book of the trilogy.
It's got work to do to setup the finale and ends up covering lots and finishing nothing
A decent read anyway but there are a few moments where you can almost hear"ok so I need something to fill in for 3 months until they turn up there....."
It's got work to do to setup the finale and ends up covering lots and finishing nothing
A decent read anyway but there are a few moments where you can almost hear"ok so I need something to fill in for 3 months until they turn up there....."
September 16, 2017
Good read, I don't normally like "diary" style books, but am actually enjoying these, they are all linked together and interesting how they connect
June 3, 2018
So I’m four books in and really enjoying this series. Love the characters and just wanna keep reading to see how it ends 😊
July 20, 2018
Good as allways
September 22, 2019
The story continues
Book 4. Can not stop reading. Love the characters and the story just flows. Great if you love zombie genres.
Book 4. Can not stop reading. Love the characters and the story just flows. Great if you love zombie genres.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews