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Roadtrip Z #1
Cotton Crossing
Cotton Crossing was a dead end, but not for Ginny Mills. She’s just marking time, getting experience in the county library system, before moving back to a decent urban environment. Then the phones stop working.
Lee Quartine knows there’s no way the pretty girl at the library will even look at him. Especially since he can’t open his mouth. He knows he’s a hick, but when the power starts going out and the woods are full of strange creatures, it’s good to have someone around who can build a fire. And kill.
Ginny and Lee and their small band of survivors can’t stay put, and moving is dangerous. The infected are shambling in the hills and the concrete canyons of cities.
It’s gonna be a long trip…
Lee Quartine knows there’s no way the pretty girl at the library will even look at him. Especially since he can’t open his mouth. He knows he’s a hick, but when the power starts going out and the woods are full of strange creatures, it’s good to have someone around who can build a fire. And kill.
Ginny and Lee and their small band of survivors can’t stay put, and moving is dangerous. The infected are shambling in the hills and the concrete canyons of cities.
It’s gonna be a long trip…
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2017
51 people are currently reading
289 people want to read
About the author
Lilith Saintcrow
132 books4,514 followersLilith Saintcrow was born in New Mexico, bounced around the world as a child, and fell in love with writing stories when she was ten years old. She and her library co-habitate in Vancouver, Washington.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
June 1, 2023
Doesn't offer anything new but does manage to entertain.
It's hampered by a painfully slow start and muddled a little by the multiple POVs but it shows enough promise that I'm jumping into book 2.
It's hampered by a painfully slow start and muddled a little by the multiple POVs but it shows enough promise that I'm jumping into book 2.
August 22, 2017
Received because I'm one of her Patreons -very interesting beginning of a zombie apocalypse -- between a big city librarian (currently working in the boonies) & a retired combat vet.
Cannot wait to see where she goes with this.
Cannot wait to see where she goes with this.
December 13, 2021
3.75 ***
Hoopla audio
A librarian, two combat vets and two teenagers navigate the zombie apocalypse. There wasn't any true romance, which was disappointing. Lee is attracted to Ginny but she doesn't know that. I got a bit of tired of Lee's internal ramblings about Ginny. He should have told Ginny how he felt. Ginny's obsession with getting back to her family doesn't make sense considering they're semi emotionally abusive toward her. It's unclear how the virus started or how zombies came to be. The story is a bit slow at times yet entertaining enough I'm moving on to the next book.
Hoopla audio
A librarian, two combat vets and two teenagers navigate the zombie apocalypse. There wasn't any true romance, which was disappointing. Lee is attracted to Ginny but she doesn't know that. I got a bit of tired of Lee's internal ramblings about Ginny. He should have told Ginny how he felt. Ginny's obsession with getting back to her family doesn't make sense considering they're semi emotionally abusive toward her. It's unclear how the virus started or how zombies came to be. The story is a bit slow at times yet entertaining enough I'm moving on to the next book.
August 9, 2019
4.5 stars
June 7, 2021
interesting apocalypse, not really clear exactly what happened, but things certainly went sideways! looking forward to the next book.
December 9, 2017
The word "cliffhanger" implies that a story ended at a super exciting moment. This one just ends.
Cotton Crossing is also a mirror of most typical zombie novels. For one thing, there's not a lot of action. The book's focus is on the characters, and it does a great job of developing them. Good thing I liked them, or this book would have been a complete wash.
Don't get me wrong, there are some interesting "zombies" and some action scenes. I was particularly interested in what these creatures are - are they really dead? Mutated? Diseased?
Going back to the mirror image aspect - most typical zombie novels are conservative, and lean right. This one leans left. Sort of. One of the main character, Ginny, is trapped in a small town and hates it. She can't wait to finish her job so she can flee back to the city. The other perspective is Lee, a small town guy who is happy where he is, but has a gigantic crush on Ginny.
The romantic storyline was well done. The author nailed the reality of having a sweaty-palmed, heart pounding crush on someone. No insta-love here, thank god. The author made some smart decisions that kept me from getting annoyed enough to toss the book aside.
I already have the second book. I'm invested in Lee and Ginny's relationship, and I'm very curious about the zombies.
Cotton Crossing is also a mirror of most typical zombie novels. For one thing, there's not a lot of action. The book's focus is on the characters, and it does a great job of developing them. Good thing I liked them, or this book would have been a complete wash.
Don't get me wrong, there are some interesting "zombies" and some action scenes. I was particularly interested in what these creatures are - are they really dead? Mutated? Diseased?
Going back to the mirror image aspect - most typical zombie novels are conservative, and lean right. This one leans left. Sort of. One of the main character, Ginny, is trapped in a small town and hates it. She can't wait to finish her job so she can flee back to the city. The other perspective is Lee, a small town guy who is happy where he is, but has a gigantic crush on Ginny.
The romantic storyline was well done. The author nailed the reality of having a sweaty-palmed, heart pounding crush on someone. No insta-love here, thank god. The author made some smart decisions that kept me from getting annoyed enough to toss the book aside.
I already have the second book. I'm invested in Lee and Ginny's relationship, and I'm very curious about the zombies.
September 20, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this classic small town / rural zombie book! Roadtrip Z is very much a serial, so the story ends with a simple "to be continued." There's no wait, however, as the entire series is available now. You may as well just grab the box set. Also, while the characters are each brought to life beautifully, the plot itself will feel quite familiar to zombie enthusiasts. If you're looking for some kind of dramatic new or creative twist on the zombie genre, book one (at least) doesn't do that. However, the characterizations and tension are plenty to keep you riveted! Also, if you've enjoyed Saintcrow's other work and are in the mood for some zombie action, don't hesitate!
March 11, 2025
Decent for a zombie book. Read better, and read worse.
October 2, 2018
Cotton Crossing is a dead end of a place. It's a small town with little opportunity, but Ginny Mills is gaining experience as a librarian in the county system in order to be more competitive in a bigger city after a year or two. Lee Quartine, on the other hand, lives there to have a simple life after military service. He has a crush on Ginny and checks out loads of books to have an excuse to talk to her, only to chicken out every time. When a slew of people get sick and weird things are all over the forest, a missed connection and a job are the least of their worries.
Cotton Crossing portrays the start of a zombie apocalypse started by the US government on accident. It isn't the first time that something extra has been added to the year's flu vaccines that has been proven to benefit the population in some way. This one was supposed to make people heal faster, but it somehow made them into zombies instead. At first, it appears that there just happens to be rioting in some major cities until those cities are then quarantined and cut off from all communication. City after city goes dark, leaving Cotton Crossing a little puzzled. They go on with their everyday lives until it isn't possible anymore. Throughout the book, small vignettes from the perspective of a minor character show who they are, what they're doing, and how they turn into a zombie. I loved these micro-stories because each one is like a small piece of the mosaic that makes up the town to show how the infection is moving.
The zombies are fairly standard. They have grey, blind eyes, foam at the mouth, and have ability to move quickly. My favorite part of these zombies is the familiar mixed with the horror of undead. Many point out clothing or a trait typical to that person only to have it marred by the rotting flesh and animalistic need to eat people. The disease starts with flu-like symptoms such as fever and vomiting until it progresses into convulsions that lead to their death. Many people's criticism of fast moving and quickly infected zombies is that it simply wouldn't go beyond a city or two, but in this case, those flu vaccines went all over the US. It's hard to tell how far the infection has gone, but it's definitely all over the US.
The main characters are interesting, nuanced people. Ginny is marking time in the small town, dreaming of bigger, better things, and dealing with her overly dramatic family. She's frantic once she loses contact with them and vows to find them in one of the quarantined areas. I personally think the plan is horrible as she doesn't know survival or fighting skills, but I understand the need to care for family. Lee, on the other hand, has no family connections and is just trying to enjoy a simple life. When people are shot in the streets and zombies attack in broad daylight, Lee switches modes. He keeps cool, commands panicked people, and keeps them as much out of harm's way as he can. He also recognizes the frazzled state of the military, indicating that the situation is much worse than he sees. Lee is mostly quiet and keeps to himself, but his warm, caring actions towards Ginny and other civilians really shows what kind of person he is.
Cotton Crossing is a good start to a zombie series. So far it has 3 books and is still going. If you'd like to receive it chapter by chapter as a serial, go here and subscribe. I personally like purchasing the books, but I'm intrigued at the series as a whole. Everything from the mode of infection to the characters is well done and establishes a world where the zombie apocalypse is just starting. I especially like the small references like the underground government organization being called Umbrella Corp. The zombie scenes are scary and suspenseful while feelings bloom between Lee and Ginny. It's a nice balance and I want to know what happens.
Cotton Crossing portrays the start of a zombie apocalypse started by the US government on accident. It isn't the first time that something extra has been added to the year's flu vaccines that has been proven to benefit the population in some way. This one was supposed to make people heal faster, but it somehow made them into zombies instead. At first, it appears that there just happens to be rioting in some major cities until those cities are then quarantined and cut off from all communication. City after city goes dark, leaving Cotton Crossing a little puzzled. They go on with their everyday lives until it isn't possible anymore. Throughout the book, small vignettes from the perspective of a minor character show who they are, what they're doing, and how they turn into a zombie. I loved these micro-stories because each one is like a small piece of the mosaic that makes up the town to show how the infection is moving.
The zombies are fairly standard. They have grey, blind eyes, foam at the mouth, and have ability to move quickly. My favorite part of these zombies is the familiar mixed with the horror of undead. Many point out clothing or a trait typical to that person only to have it marred by the rotting flesh and animalistic need to eat people. The disease starts with flu-like symptoms such as fever and vomiting until it progresses into convulsions that lead to their death. Many people's criticism of fast moving and quickly infected zombies is that it simply wouldn't go beyond a city or two, but in this case, those flu vaccines went all over the US. It's hard to tell how far the infection has gone, but it's definitely all over the US.
The main characters are interesting, nuanced people. Ginny is marking time in the small town, dreaming of bigger, better things, and dealing with her overly dramatic family. She's frantic once she loses contact with them and vows to find them in one of the quarantined areas. I personally think the plan is horrible as she doesn't know survival or fighting skills, but I understand the need to care for family. Lee, on the other hand, has no family connections and is just trying to enjoy a simple life. When people are shot in the streets and zombies attack in broad daylight, Lee switches modes. He keeps cool, commands panicked people, and keeps them as much out of harm's way as he can. He also recognizes the frazzled state of the military, indicating that the situation is much worse than he sees. Lee is mostly quiet and keeps to himself, but his warm, caring actions towards Ginny and other civilians really shows what kind of person he is.
Cotton Crossing is a good start to a zombie series. So far it has 3 books and is still going. If you'd like to receive it chapter by chapter as a serial, go here and subscribe. I personally like purchasing the books, but I'm intrigued at the series as a whole. Everything from the mode of infection to the characters is well done and establishes a world where the zombie apocalypse is just starting. I especially like the small references like the underground government organization being called Umbrella Corp. The zombie scenes are scary and suspenseful while feelings bloom between Lee and Ginny. It's a nice balance and I want to know what happens.
October 1, 2019
I stuck with this book to the end thinking that something was going to happen. It really never did. I can't believe that a "zombie" book has so little action. The characters were so stereotypical and the story line was just okay. This is my 2nd Saintcrow book and I didn't care for the other one as well. It looks like I'm not the norm on this type of review for this book or this author so if you have read other Saintcrow books and liked them, you'll probably like this one as well.
October 3, 2017
Start of a new series
Yes, there are zombies, but this tale is more about responsibility, slow courtship, and finding out what you are made of during the crises. I cannot wait to see the next book.
Yes, there are zombies, but this tale is more about responsibility, slow courtship, and finding out what you are made of during the crises. I cannot wait to see the next book.
October 8, 2017
My goodness, but that was some mighty fine readin'
My only complaint- it went so fast! When is the next one coming out? Because starving for a good book to read can be really harrowing.
My only complaint- it went so fast! When is the next one coming out? Because starving for a good book to read can be really harrowing.
July 2, 2023
I was hoping for an easy read. Zombie thriller. What I got was an awkward romance with some zombies thrown in. I am listening to the audiobook and the narrator isn't the best. Kind of got really bored after about 5 hours and I don't think I'll be able to finish this book
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October 28, 2024My last attempt at Saintcrow didn't go so hot, but I decided to give her another shot because zombies. I was pleasantly surprised by this. The novel mostly follows a Jewish librarian from New York now living in Cotton Crossing and a retired soldier back home just trying to keep his head down. The story starts circa one week before the zombie apocalypse, following them through their routines. There are vignettes of other characters, concise little character studies that usually end in zombification.
It's not perfect or anything: dude thinks about smelling the heroine way too much, and the dialect occasionally rankles. The town of Cotton Crossing is somewhere in the Ozarks, and while I don't know what that accent sounds like, Saintcrow really lays that shit on thick sometimes, and it doesn't feel authentic to me. It's also pretty slow and not very actiony, which I don't count as a bad thing, but others might.
But I genuinely liked the prose (except for the aforementioned dialect) and I thought the character work was nicely drawn. Like I see a lot of readers not digging how the heroine kinda thinks she's better than this sleepy town, but I thought that made sense with where she came from. The character studies of the townspeople don't treat them like anything but complicated people with their own strengths and flaws, so the story doesn't credit her sometimes uncharitable opinions.
I like when characters are allowed to be a little unlikeable, and to make mistakes based on consistent traits. She's a New York Jew from what sounds like a wealthy family; she's going to be uncomfortable in an insular town in the Bible belt. That's neither her nor the town's fault, it just is. Anyway, so, I liked this just fine, more than I was expecting to by a lot. I'll probably pick up the next, though I'm not in an all fired rush or anything.
Oh, and this was published during that tiny window when everyone was serializing everything, so this feels like the opening act of a larger work. Each installment is styled as a "season" so it's not like you aren't warned, but it's not a super decisive ending, more an obvious turning point to the second act. Just fyi.
It's not perfect or anything: dude thinks about smelling the heroine way too much, and the dialect occasionally rankles. The town of Cotton Crossing is somewhere in the Ozarks, and while I don't know what that accent sounds like, Saintcrow really lays that shit on thick sometimes, and it doesn't feel authentic to me. It's also pretty slow and not very actiony, which I don't count as a bad thing, but others might.
But I genuinely liked the prose (except for the aforementioned dialect) and I thought the character work was nicely drawn. Like I see a lot of readers not digging how the heroine kinda thinks she's better than this sleepy town, but I thought that made sense with where she came from. The character studies of the townspeople don't treat them like anything but complicated people with their own strengths and flaws, so the story doesn't credit her sometimes uncharitable opinions.
I like when characters are allowed to be a little unlikeable, and to make mistakes based on consistent traits. She's a New York Jew from what sounds like a wealthy family; she's going to be uncomfortable in an insular town in the Bible belt. That's neither her nor the town's fault, it just is. Anyway, so, I liked this just fine, more than I was expecting to by a lot. I'll probably pick up the next, though I'm not in an all fired rush or anything.
Oh, and this was published during that tiny window when everyone was serializing everything, so this feels like the opening act of a larger work. Each installment is styled as a "season" so it's not like you aren't warned, but it's not a super decisive ending, more an obvious turning point to the second act. Just fyi.
February 26, 2025
I've been looking for a really good zombie story for a while, and Cotton Crossing was exactly what I needed!
The characters are great, and I enjoyed getting to know them as the outbreak began in the background of the story. As things ramped up and it became clear that the flu people are experiencing is no ordinary illness, the tension and creeping dread really began to grow.
The Roadtrip Z series was originally written as a serial (for the author's Patreon subscribers, I believe) and I honestly think I'd have exploded if I'd had to wait and read chapters weekly. Because it was written as a serial, it's filled with action, mysteries I needed to know the answer to, and cliffhanger chapter endings. I had to keep reading; couldn't stop thinking about the book when I wasn't reading it.
The zombies themselves are horrible, and so well described that they made me shudder.
By the end of Cotton Crossing, there was no way I wasn't giving this five stars and immediately downloading the next book in the series. Totally addictive and thoroughly enjoyable.
The characters are great, and I enjoyed getting to know them as the outbreak began in the background of the story. As things ramped up and it became clear that the flu people are experiencing is no ordinary illness, the tension and creeping dread really began to grow.
The Roadtrip Z series was originally written as a serial (for the author's Patreon subscribers, I believe) and I honestly think I'd have exploded if I'd had to wait and read chapters weekly. Because it was written as a serial, it's filled with action, mysteries I needed to know the answer to, and cliffhanger chapter endings. I had to keep reading; couldn't stop thinking about the book when I wasn't reading it.
The zombies themselves are horrible, and so well described that they made me shudder.
By the end of Cotton Crossing, there was no way I wasn't giving this five stars and immediately downloading the next book in the series. Totally addictive and thoroughly enjoyable.
September 6, 2025
I always like Saintcrow's books, and this is no exception.
I was constantly frustrated at how stupid Ginny - a librarian! who I would hope would be better in a crisis! - is throughout the entire story. "I have to go look for my mommy and daddy! It's not only stupid and dangerous, I'm putting everyone else in danger and I don't care! I refuse to understand that this is an emergency!" JFC, that was disappointing.
Lee was pretty great (get over some of the "I'm so dumb, she's so perfect" attitude, but otherwise), except: he's mad at his former commander. Now he has important meds that have to reach the CDC, but he decides to drive his girlfriend on an inherently stupid trip to find her mommy - instead of trying to do something to help the zombie plague taking over the world, because he doesn't want that guy to tell him what to do? That's staggeringly stupid.
I did like the book overall! She's a good writer, and tells good stories. The characters were frustrating, but maybe that was part of building the story to the next book.
I was constantly frustrated at how stupid Ginny - a librarian! who I would hope would be better in a crisis! - is throughout the entire story. "I have to go look for my mommy and daddy! It's not only stupid and dangerous, I'm putting everyone else in danger and I don't care! I refuse to understand that this is an emergency!" JFC, that was disappointing.
Lee was pretty great (get over some of the "I'm so dumb, she's so perfect" attitude, but otherwise), except: he's mad at his former commander. Now he has important meds that have to reach the CDC, but he decides to drive his girlfriend on an inherently stupid trip to find her mommy - instead of trying to do something to help the zombie plague taking over the world, because he doesn't want that guy to tell him what to do? That's staggeringly stupid.
I did like the book overall! She's a good writer, and tells good stories. The characters were frustrating, but maybe that was part of building the story to the next book.
February 14, 2024
2.75 Stars for me!
The story has some good portions but too much time is spent in the head of the H. I was almost wondering at the beginning of the story if he was going to be a psychopath bent on kidnapping the h to be his ideal woman.
The h is not very likable throughout the first book in this series. Very judgmental and sees herself as far above the rift raft of the lowly southern mentality. Those people who she looks down on are the only ones who might be able to save her.
Note to authors... Throwing feminist rants during life or death situations seems to be a waste of time and drives some of us readers crazy. Sometimes you do what you are best at and forget the things meant to divide us. In the H's case, he has military training so he knows more when it comes to thinking tactically.
??
The story has some good portions but too much time is spent in the head of the H. I was almost wondering at the beginning of the story if he was going to be a psychopath bent on kidnapping the h to be his ideal woman.
The h is not very likable throughout the first book in this series. Very judgmental and sees herself as far above the rift raft of the lowly southern mentality. Those people who she looks down on are the only ones who might be able to save her.
Note to authors... Throwing feminist rants during life or death situations seems to be a waste of time and drives some of us readers crazy. Sometimes you do what you are best at and forget the things meant to divide us. In the H's case, he has military training so he knows more when it comes to thinking tactically.
??
October 16, 2017
I normally don't read Zombie books, I know you're asking yourself why not? after all, I read witches, vampires and shapeshifter books. and I love a good Apocolypse tale. but sadly Zombies just gross me out lol but its almost Halloween and Ms. Saintcro0w is normally an author who puts a good story together that I really enjoy. Now your asking then why only a 2-star rating. well, the answer to that is its a SERIAL! and I hate those. I know it's all the rage these days.. but hello this Ebook was 5.00 and there wasn't an end to it. Also, I wasn't a fan of Ginny, I thought she was a snob, and Lee never spoke really. I did like him, however. I am invested in the story though, but I will wait for the whole thing to come out before I buy anymore ...
February 4, 2023
The lead female character in this book is very, very stupid. She repeatedly does things that are obviously foolish for no apparent reason other than the author wanting the male lead have to protect her. She's a deer in the headlights who keeps running into traffic for no reason whatsoever.
The characters get less and less appealing as the book goes on. Her for her stupidity, selfishness, ungratefulness, and pointless contrariness. Him for his misogyny, shallowness (we get it, she's pretty...but what else?), lack of empathy and awkward creeper status.
This felt like it was written by someone who doesn't like humans.
The characters get less and less appealing as the book goes on. Her for her stupidity, selfishness, ungratefulness, and pointless contrariness. Him for his misogyny, shallowness (we get it, she's pretty...but what else?), lack of empathy and awkward creeper status.
This felt like it was written by someone who doesn't like humans.
March 22, 2020
Slow buildup, but it pays off as I'm invested in all of these small-town yokels as the world implodes around them. I'll write a more detailed review later maybe, but yeah - this has been weirdly comforting to read as my own world implodes around me. For one thing the power hasn't gone out, nothing's attacked me, and I don't have to coordinate a roadtrip.
Still great horror though, and easily the best zombie novel I've read so far. The characters are competent but realistically so and I'm rooting for them.
Still great horror though, and easily the best zombie novel I've read so far. The characters are competent but realistically so and I'm rooting for them.
August 9, 2023
Potential for a better book in the second of the series. Perhaps because the zombie apocalypse has been done so many times there isn’t much new here. Hope to see more character depth in the next book. The cross country to her estranged family doesn’t make much sense to me.., or found pre med student turned small town librarian was an odd choice? Still.., there’s something I like enough to keep going.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2025
this was so scary! I had to stop reading it right before bed because it was freaking me out too much. I do think it was a very slow start and the romance is pretty entirely one sided right now but still kind of sweet. I'm super interested in where things go in this series. it was so creepy seeing all these side characters slowly succumb and really added to the feeling of oh shit the entire town is dying thing. the structure did rely a lot on the town so im curious how it will shift on the road.
October 13, 2021
The premise of this book was enough to get me to read the the sequel, but the characters were just a bit too meh for me. I wanted to like the main character more, but instead of coming off as strong and independent, she became so reliant on Lee, and Lee was so annoying. I just, I couldn't do it anymore. The audio book was great for falling asleep to.
September 23, 2022
Librarian heroine and extremely capable ex-military hero + zombie apocalyspe. Zombies aren't my favourite trope but this one grabbed me.
Note: this was published pre-pandemic and its not the author's fault that one of the plot points didn't age well
Note: this was published pre-pandemic and its not the author's fault that one of the plot points didn't age well
June 19, 2025
Surprisingly delightful. I liked this author’s YA series Strange Angels, so I wanted to try her adult series and I was not disappointed. It was quirky and fun with a dark, serious edge.
I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
November 7, 2025
interesting beginning to a series. I'm not sure I'll continue but I did enjoy the first book. I listened to the audio book, where the narration wasn't great but it was decent. I recommend checking before committing to the audio as it can be a bit monotone and dry
September 9, 2018
So good - I devoured this book and immediately needed to read the rest. I want each one of these characters to make it through to the end, safe and sound. And for true love to have a chance.
November 10, 2018
Wonderful zombie apocalypse story! I need to read the next book!
January 10, 2020
Well now, that was good fun in a very uh-oh sort of a way.
January 16, 2020
Not as tightly woven as some of my favorite books by this author, but held my interest throughout.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews