Drawl, Book 10 in the best-selling Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse series, is Duncan’s story of survival. Due to possible spoilers, it is meant to be read in numerical order with the other Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse novels—beginning with the one that started it all: Trudge: Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse.
Outbreak - Day 1 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.
On that last normal Saturday in July, while an unknown virus indiscriminately wreaks destruction and death to all four points of the compass—a chain of events at a rally in a downtown square gets Duncan Winters to thinking that Portland, Oregon may not be immune to the quickly spreading carnage.
But seeing is not believing until that initial veil of normalcy bias—a person’s natural tendency to underestimate both the possibility of a disaster and its possible effects—is lifted and long-dormant survival instincts forged and honed in Vietnam begin to awaken within him.
In a race against time—and facing an ever-expanding quarantine zone—Duncan Winters has decisions to make, and he must make them fast. If there is anything he has learned over nearly six decades on the third rock from the sun , it’s that you’re either quick or you’re dead.
Come along and see the first days of the Zombie Apocalypse unfold through beloved STZA character Duncan Winters’ eyes.
I didn't buy a zombie apocalypse book to have the author show me he knew all the street and highway s around Seattle. Little action or suspense and nothing you needed to know to enjoy book two
Here I am, still reading these stories, and enjoying the adventures of Duncan this time. It's an enjoyable series (still paying, so it would have to be). If you want to read it, I would suggest you do.
This is Mr. Chesser's first background story about the characters in his series, STZA. Duncan has always been a favorite of mine because it is clear that he comes with some baggage, as do most people in such situation but one has to wonder if the baggage comes from before or after the beginning of the end. In Duncan's case we know he is a functioning alcoholic but for the most part he always knew when to lay off, at least long enough to get the job done and only enough before his cravings got the better of him. He's certainly been a great help to Cade in getting them out of a few tight spots. But nothing much was known about him. In this side story, DRAWL, we learn a little more about Duncan Winters. He is an aging Vietnam Vet, having done two tours of the very unpopular war, flew medical helicopters in and out of the hot zones getting the wounded out and to safety. He suffers from PTSD and no matter how much he tries to forget, it still weights heavily on him most of the time drinking until he passes out. His only friend, Charlie Hammond has given him a place to stay since he is out of work with no prospects of finding gainful employment. His little brother, Logan doubts Duncan enough that he has not even bothered to tell him the location of his shelter or wants to talk to him until he cleans himself up. Duncan knows he has a problem but refuses to acknowledge it in any meaningful way. That is until the rug is pulled out from under him as the world begins to collapse around him. The news is beginning to report of riots in several parts of the country much of it having to do with the new Chinese Flu virus that has swept through Europe and the rest of the world. It now appears in various parts of the country and people are warned to stay home and away from people. Duncan is not sure what to think but is worried enough to want to check on Matilda, 'Tilley' a woman he and Charlie have known since childhood. It is during this trip that they begin to see signs of portents to come although Duncan is having trouble believing that the sick/dead are rising and attacking. Charlie, having witnesses a resurrection knows they are in trouble and need to find a way out of the city. Eventually Duncan has no choice but to believe that something is very wrong with the world around him and he and Charlie need to find a way out of the city which is being quickly sealed off. Tragic circumstances force Duncan to act and finding a way out the city is but the beginning. Duncan is a man lost, alone but for a single friend who has not given up on him, unable to do more than react to the situations as they arise. Until he is forced to choose; self preservation or the bottle. Duncan is a great character and figures prominently in the STZA series and we now know more about the 'problem' he struggles with every day. Anyone that knows about alcoholism and PTSD either separately or together, personally or as an observer will understand the magnitude of his struggle and the strength it takes to survive day to day living much less coupled with the Zombie Apocalypse. It is what makes the character more real to us and I commend Mr. Chesser for the way he handled it. Great story!
Another great story from the talented Shawn Chesser . Drawl: STZA Duncan's Story is another book in the continuing Surviving The Zombie Apocalypse series. When the Omega virus as it is being called starts many don't know what exactly is happening and it takes Duncan and his friend Charlie a long time to get with the program. Duncan decides to head to Utah and find his brother Logan. Fighting for survival among the zombies, army and not so nice fellow survivors there are many tense action filled moments with some comic relief thrown in. This is another wild ride and I'm looking forward to the next STZA novel. Well done Shawn Chesser. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the zombie genre.
Some how I thought this was book 10 in the series. It would have been much better as book 1 in the series. Not a bad book, some points are stupid and not well thought out, such as leaving his 1911 gun behind for evidence at a crime scene. Also didn't make much effort to gather supplies, like water, food or bullets from places he was. Overall it was a good read, and worth the time. Reading it out of order, kind of a waste of time however.
I loved Drawl,Duncan's story but I am only giving it four stars because I am a little disappointed in the ending. I was hoping that the story would go into when he rescued Cade from the farmhouse. I love Shawn's books and this is the first time that I have given him only four stars. Unless there will be a second book for Duncan.
This is a great glimpse of how the gooey stuff hit the fan for Duncan. We get to know him well over the multiple adventures we have shared so it was great to read how his journey began
In Drawl you get to know the backstory of one of the series main, loved characters. This is a great series and l love the idea of getting to know the history of the characters
I like the low key pace of the book and that I got a good look into Duncan's mindset.
The friendship between Duncan and Charlie was very well described and felt real. I could see the tears on Duncans face when he read Charlie's note. We heard about Charlie earlier on, but now we met him.
I usually don't like prequels, but this one needed to be told. I now have a much clearer view of who Duncan is and what his demons are.
You're reading a great series of books. You love this one character that shows up. You become familiar with him but want to know where did he come from, how did he get here, what shaped his destiny. This book tells the story of Duncan, gruff old loveable Duncan and how he came to meet up with Cade Grayson and the rest is history so to speak. A very enjoyable book, great narration by Adam Paul and a wonderful tie in to the STZA series.