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Not all people died. Not all gave up hope. The outbreak was in February. By the end of November, Earth has become a hellish wasteland ravaged by the undead. Survivors from across the Atlantic seaboard took refuge on the Welsh island of Anglesey. Beset by dangers from within, they departed to establish a new refuge in Belfast. Not all of them arrived. Six took the last plane on its last flight, but crashed in France. Expecting a sprinting battle through the ruins of Belfast, they packed light. With few weapons and barely any food, their chances of survival are slim. The chances of rescue are slimmer. There was no evacuation in France. No quarantine. No rationing. But there are zombies, and there are people who believe they, alone, are the last survivors of the old-world. So begins a frantic race against the undead, through the snow and storm ravaged ruins of Northern France.

268 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 28, 2018

93 people are currently reading
207 people want to read

About the author

Frank Tayell

54 books485 followers
Author 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

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for Zero.
809 reviews24 followers
June 22, 2023
I like that this book finally shows what some of the characters have been up to. New places and new people, too. The world is being bigger.
Profile Image for Justin Larimore.
125 reviews6 followers
September 18, 2022
The outbreak was in February. By the end of November, Earth has become a hellish wasteland ravaged by the undead.
Survivors from across the Atlantic seaboard took refuge on the Welsh island of Anglesey. Beset by dangers from within, they departed to establish a new refuge in Belfast. Not all of them arrived. Six took the last plane on its last flight, but crashed in France.


Expecting a sprinting battle through the ruins of Belfast, they packed light. With few weapons and barely any food, their chances of survival are slim. The chances of rescue are slimmer. There was no evacuation in France. No quarantine. No rationing. But there are zombies, and there are people who believe they, alone, are the last survivors of the old-world. So begins a frantic race against the undead, through the snow and storm ravaged ruins of Northern France.
Not all people died. Not all gave up hope.

Great Read
I love this series. I stumbled onto it, and now I can't put it down. Can't wait for book 15!!! I am on the edge of my seat. I can't wait to see what transpires in this thrilling tale.
Profile Image for Orkney Dean.
88 reviews5 followers
September 24, 2018
The best so far

Another fantastic installment of Surviving the Evacuation,this time set in France which has shown a lot of skill in the writing, how another group of people react and try to survive the zombie apocalypse. There is a lot of thought gone into writing this series and an obviously large amount of work. I've read a lot of apocalypse books over the years and this series is the best by far, believable characters, plot twists, zombie killing action, good guys and bad guys.
Profile Image for Liz (Quirky Cat).
4,977 reviews84 followers
April 8, 2019
Mort Vivant is the fourteenth book in the Surviving the Evacuation series by Frank Tayell. It’s hard to believe that it has been that many books (actually more, between the spinoff series and the fact that at least two other novels in this series have been released by now). But it’s true.
This world has been the most detailed zombie apocalypse series I have ever read. While it is fourteen books (and counting) the amount of time that has passed has actually been relatively small. I just love how in depth this world has become.
Also, in case you were curious about the name for this novel, and how it doesn’t fit in with the rest of the titles? Think about it, this is the first (and possibly only) novel where the entire thing was mostly set in France. I actually love that he did that (the name that is, though setting it in France was nice as well).



For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
January 8, 2022
As usual Frank Tayell has done wonders again. It’s hard to believe that I’ve read fourteen books of the same series and I’m loving them. To have the talent to be able to write so many books with the same characters adding in a few new ones now and again is amazing. I’ve read lots of this genre and this series stands at number one every time... Now on to the book. I did wonder where the story would go when the plane crash-landed, I hoped that no one would die because I love Bill and Chester also Scott although I don't know him or the marines that well and I don't want anything to happen to Locke, who is an enigma, I feel she has a lot to give and would rather have her by my side as an ally as opposed to an enemy. The story starts in France with a lot of snow, zombies and an injured pilot. They are frozen, wet and exhausted but they have no choice but to battle on and hopefully find shelter and get food, heat and people that will help them. One thing to mention is that for me Frank Tayells books are not bedtime reading, there is always too much going on for my brain to start relaxing. The whole book is so fast-paced, every page has some action in it. Bill and Chester have been through the wars and are the real deal when it comes to the word survivors, every book so far they have been a hairbreadth away from death. The injuries they have are life-changing but they seem to always come out the other side. This is an amazing book and I highly recommend it. I'm now going to have a cup of tea and have a wee look at number fifteen, Where There's Hope.
Profile Image for Julian White.
1,711 reviews8 followers
July 17, 2023
On Kobo (Epub 2 DRM-Free)

Leaving the Irish survivors on hold for the moment this volume shifts focus and location to France, where the sabotaged plane crashlands. Woefully unprepared beyond the intended short hop to Belfast they need to find shelter quickly. Scott, the pilot, is injured and possibly suffering concussion - and the satellite phone is damaged beyond repair so the team cannot contact Ireland. And it's snowing, so cloud will obscure possible satellite location of the plane...

The response of France to the collapse is somewht different to the UK's - but as the group finds help they also come across division in the French survivors - not dissimilar to a potential civil war between 'normal' survivors and criminal elements that may of may not have been part of the conspiracy and coup (as may have been the intention in Britain). And of course there is the ever-present threat of the 'mort vivants'.

An intriguing account - not least because Bill is out of touch with Ireland and has no idea whether his treating with the French (weapon modification - supressors - in exchange for food and ammunition) is possible. Further news arrivs that a European horde seems on the move and headed their way...
320 reviews
April 11, 2019
The fourteenth instalment of Frank Tayell’s Surviving the Evacuation series, records the events following the last light airplane flight from mainland U.K. to Belfast. Under suspicious circumstances the plane can’t be controlled and is forced to keep flying and crash land in snowbound France.

The survivors of the flight confront not only the undead but the last remnants of old-world France. They are faced with betrayal and uncertainty, mistrust and doubt and warring factions. They need to find answers in order to survive; what are the watchtowers, who are the radio broadcasts for and why does the fortified island city of Creil not feel right?

The next steps for the protagonists are uncertain and even though this series may not be in the best writing style, I still want to read on. A great read for lovers of the genre. Did I mention there are lots of zombies. Des Morts Vivant

Rob D
550 reviews6 followers
September 5, 2018
Harder to follow, this one, but still very more-ish and pacy as ever. I was disappointed to find Bill’s latest instalment not written in the first person - I miss his voice! - but it made sense, the more the book continued; and this was as much Chester’s story as anything. Obvious cliffhanger and I’m miffed at having to wait for the next book, which I suppose is a good sign!

I do however object tremendously to the narrative device of having Annette recap previous events at the start of each of the later books in the most tortuous, artificially devised ways. Ugh. No thanks.
Profile Image for Gary Letham.
238 reviews1 follower
October 23, 2018
We finally catch up with Bill, Chester and Sorcha as the plane ditches in rural France. Far from home they must plan a way to return to the French coast and wait for help, except they dont know how far away it is........and its snowing. As we explore Sorcha's story further, welearn more of the planwhich rehabilitates her reputation somewhat. A French survivor colony is discovered, managing to grow crops safeley, but a criminal organisation that Sorcha knows about has gone rogue and threatens the future of the survivors............and a horde is on the horizon
22 reviews
November 20, 2018
I just love this series. Mort Vivant was no exception. There are still so many questions to be answered so I am already looking forward to the next installment. All of the characters are so well done, I feel that the author does a good job of developing the new characters introduced in this addition to the series. I don't think I have ever come across a series that has done this good of a job keeping me so engaged in the story but I find myself wanting more after I finish each one. Well done.
Profile Image for John.
667 reviews29 followers
March 5, 2019
I have a massive soft spot for very well witten zombie-apocalypse type books.

This is first rate.

Excellent characters that i feel that i actually know and grieve for. Great "real" locations that i easily recognise and also lament as they are destroyed.

I simply cannot get enough of the intrigue and struggles and look forward to the continuation of the series, as humanity clings precariously to survival amidst savage competition and diminishing resources.
226 reviews2 followers
May 2, 2020
Following close off of the the eve to of the last book, we follow the story of Bill others on the doomed aircraft. Enticing to see a new location to the story, and a new set of complications for our hero’s in their next steps, especially with each protagonist knowing a different piece of the puzzle. My only disappointment is that I think the story is best when Bill, Kim Annette and Sholto are together!
Profile Image for Jim Scriven.
313 reviews17 followers
April 27, 2025
Frank Tayell continues to deliver this creative zombie apocalypse story, broadening the scope and creating more challenges and obstacles for our ensemble cast to puzzle out. This time, we moved to France, so we had entirely new setting, and MANY new characters for just a few of our regulars to interact with. What's really going on? Who can actually be trusted? Will our regulars ever get back to those they care about? Read and find out!
3 reviews
October 1, 2018
Another great story!

We finally find out how Bill, Chester and the others made out from the plane crash. And we go d out there are groups of people trying to hold on to their lives and their freedom from truly bad people. Is Sorcha Locke friend or foe? I think she proves herself in this story.
219 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2024
Another solid installment in the continuing zombie saga. It has been a long time between books for me, but it was comforting to come back to this story, and it was so easy to pick it back up again. The characters are like old friends and the story unfolds naturally. The French setting was a small refreshing touch too.
Profile Image for Lyn Pilkington .
113 reviews
September 16, 2018
Brilliant!

I love this series so much The way Frank describes everything down to the smallest detail it's like you're there with everyone, seeing what they see fighting zombies, or humans. I literally can't wait for the next book
Profile Image for Tara Wowra.
246 reviews7 followers
September 24, 2018
Always nice to visit

I enjoy visiting this world because it shows hope as well as desperation. The books are getting better and better editing and the writing has improved as well. I like the characters and the progression of the plot.
Profile Image for Sarah.
293 reviews3 followers
October 18, 2018
A bit disappointing

Possibly my least favourite of the series...well, to be fair the first half was brilliant but I then got a little lost with so many new characters and missions, my head couldn’t cope!! Still looking forward to the next instalment though!
Profile Image for Doctor Doom.
959 reviews6 followers
November 7, 2018
I love this series. I love that each book can stand on its own or one can enjoy the extended version by reading them all. This book follows Bill, Chester, Locke and the others as their sabotaged plane goes down... [SPOILER ALERT] ... in France. Oui! You read correctly.
Profile Image for Lou.
242 reviews3 followers
May 12, 2019
New country, new characters

As usual the story telling expertly intertwines our existing hero's with completely new characters - this time in a new country. New intrigue of course follows and as readers we are left eager for more.
Profile Image for Kell.
75 reviews
October 29, 2022
14 books in, and Tayell is still producing the goods - continuing on, and heading into Ireland and France, our heroes are separated against their will. Will they ever find their way back to each other? Will they ever find any kind of safety? Only time (and more books in the series) will tell...
10 reviews
September 6, 2018
Brilliant

I loved catching up with what Bill and Chester were doing and finding out about other survivor's. Thank you Frank Tayell.
Can't wait until the next book.
Profile Image for Dor G.
12 reviews
September 9, 2018
Excellent as always. Such a good series and can’t wait until the next instalment.
Profile Image for Anne.
4 reviews
September 11, 2018
This whole series has been excellent and this is just another of those books that leaves you wanting to read more! But if you haven't read any of this series, start with book 1...
Profile Image for Doghouse Gav.
392 reviews3 followers
September 24, 2018
Great as normal

Another cracking instalment from this epic series. Fantastic characters and storylines. Well written and very descriptive. Looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Suzanne Naisbitt.
115 reviews15 followers
September 25, 2018
Exciting !

Love this series! Can't wait for the next one to find out what's happening to the other characters that didn't appear in this one . This would be great on tv !!
Profile Image for Joanne Nundy.
Author 14 books21 followers
November 3, 2018
Fantastic

Loved all all of these books, can't wait for the next one. Fantastic read from start to finish. Really feel like I know the characters and don't want to leave them
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews

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