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Zombies and Chainsaws #1
Zombies and Chainsaws
Jude, a hard-working widower and father has always done his best to try and scrape by and make ends meet. When opportunity knocks he and his best friends thought easy money was coming their way. Tornadoes had struck Missouri hard and there were not enough people to help with the cleanup. The four-man crew was contracted to go down and clean up the trees that littered the town. When a chemical dump takes place, the dead will rise from their graves! Jude and his friends now must do everything they can to make it home safely as the apocalypse begins using the only weapons they have available to them. If you love Romero and The Return of the Living Dead zombies this book cannot be passed up.
Ride with the men as they take a journey to hell!
Ride with the men as they take a journey to hell!
252 pages, Paperback
First published September 9, 2015
41 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Mike Evans
101 books135 followersMike Evans lives in Iowa with his wife, children, and two adopted dogs Rusty and Harley Quinn. He writes with a passion to bring his characters to life, to make you fall in love with them, and then make you flip pages to find out if they’ll survive or perish. He keeps his characters realistic, there are no superheroes. There are no perfect characters in his books, everyone has their flaws much like that of life. Mike loves to write in different genres and is unafraid to try something new.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
September 25, 2023
The story was pretty interesting if you're in the market for a classic zombie tale that's not bothered with being super realistic and it could have been really fun but the banter between the characters was just too much. I get what Evans was going for with the banter (think Bruce Campbell type of camp) but in my opinion it didn't have the right pacing for it to land.
May 3, 2016
Mike Evans has done it again. This a campy, gory zombie story with the new weapon of choice during the zombie apocalypse being a chainsaw. Lots of action, zombies and humour thrown in the mix of this roller coaster ride. I love the fact that Mr.Evans uses real friends as characters in his stories and still makes some of them unlikable and zombie chow. I highly recommend this book and author to anyone who loves the zombie genre. Well done Mike Evans and I'm really looking forward to reading many more of his books. A big thumbs up.
June 24, 2020
Question: What do you get when you combine an illegal chemical dump in a graveyard and a group of expert tree removal specialists? Answer: Mike Evans’ descriptively titled novel, Zombies and Chainsaws—an action-packed extravaganza of four men trying to fight their way out of the zombie apocalypse. I’ve read a great many novels built upon the zombie theme and for sheer fun, this one stacked up well. As with most books in this genre, I knew the plot before I listened to the first words of the story and judged the book by the three-fold test of character, action, and realism. Evans goes to town on the first two tests. His characters worked for me. Many were sympathetic, which meant I cared what happened to them, and others work as people I hoped the zombies would get their hands on. The action was also top notch. Chainsaws don’t appear in these books that often and Evans convinced me that they were the Excalibers of anti-zombie weaponry. It was only in the “realism” category that the novel had any problems. For example, I suspect that one call in the early 1980s to the CDC claiming that zombies are over-running a small midwestern town would not have been taken seriously—but ultimately it’s a small complaint. If you want a fast-paced, action-filled, zombie novel that requires absolutely no thinking to enjoy, you should take a look at Zombies and Chainsaws.
I received this book from freeaudiobooks.com in exchange for an honest review.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
I received this book from freeaudiobooks.com in exchange for an honest review.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
January 30, 2016
I am a huge fan of zompoc and Mike Evans alike. I thoroughly enjoyed both "The Orphans" and "Gabriel" which put creative and enjoyable new spins on overdone genres. When I saw Evans was bringing us another zompoc series, I was very excited to get my hands on it as soon as possible.
While "The Orphans" brings us a "28 Days Later" type of infected, Z&C presents an original take on Romero style zombies. Both their origin and the way our unsuspecting heroes deal with them as they are unwillingly thrust into a battle for survival is original, refreshing and fun. Fun being the key word here. There is a fair amount of humor blended with the gore you expect from an Evans story which makes for a wonderfully fun and exciting adventure.
While "The Orphans" brings us a "28 Days Later" type of infected, Z&C presents an original take on Romero style zombies. Both their origin and the way our unsuspecting heroes deal with them as they are unwillingly thrust into a battle for survival is original, refreshing and fun. Fun being the key word here. There is a fair amount of humor blended with the gore you expect from an Evans story which makes for a wonderfully fun and exciting adventure.
September 24, 2015
Mike Evans really brings you back to the good old zombie days, where they don't run, talk or crawl up buildings. They have some slightly faster ones..... but you are still faster.
It had a nice flow. I really enjoyed the fact that it made sense. I mean I don't believe that any of this could or will happen but you can totally see a chemical company having something to do with the new crazy going on in the world.
The book takes place in the 1980's so it really brings you back to how things use to be. No cell phones... Facebook, Twitter or any kind of social media. It focuses on Jude who is a normal guy with a small tree cutting company.He gets offered work in a town with lots of tornado damage and cemeteries, to many cemeteries. This is where the great chemical company comes into play. And yep you guessed it by the title lots of zombies that get killed with chainsaws, machetes, axes but mostly chainsaws.
There is humor threw out the book, thrown in at all the perfect moments and I really feel I got to know the characters that you were meant to know.
My favorite part of this book.... is that you actually see how it starts and how they plan to fix it.
It was a bit fast paced, and some minor flaws but nothing that really took away from the story. At least not for me.
If you enjoy Romero movies and the dead coming back from the grave than that is the book for you!
It had a nice flow. I really enjoyed the fact that it made sense. I mean I don't believe that any of this could or will happen but you can totally see a chemical company having something to do with the new crazy going on in the world.
The book takes place in the 1980's so it really brings you back to how things use to be. No cell phones... Facebook, Twitter or any kind of social media. It focuses on Jude who is a normal guy with a small tree cutting company.He gets offered work in a town with lots of tornado damage and cemeteries, to many cemeteries. This is where the great chemical company comes into play. And yep you guessed it by the title lots of zombies that get killed with chainsaws, machetes, axes but mostly chainsaws.
There is humor threw out the book, thrown in at all the perfect moments and I really feel I got to know the characters that you were meant to know.
My favorite part of this book.... is that you actually see how it starts and how they plan to fix it.
It was a bit fast paced, and some minor flaws but nothing that really took away from the story. At least not for me.
If you enjoy Romero movies and the dead coming back from the grave than that is the book for you!
October 15, 2015
With a much different take on the zombie apocalypse, Mike Evans takes the reader on a wild and crazy trip into a small town where just one little slip up causes a lot of trouble for the town folk! When four friends and coworkers finish a job cutting up trees they must use their tools of the trade to save their lives by…yep cutting up zombies! This is a much different story than I was used to reading about with zombies and the apocalypse, where there is no army or organized group coming in to save the day. No this story has a very interesting cast of characters that are just every day Joes trying to stay alive and help figure out what had caused the bodies of thousands of dead people to rise from the grave! I immediately fell in love with our four “heroes” who have such fun personalities that it is hard to not like them! With a lot of action and a lot of Oh no’s, I found myself whipping through this book to see what would happen next! If you love a good zombie story or just a great book to get into, then do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Zombies and Chainsaws and sit back and enjoy a good old fashioned…zombie killin’…good read!
May 10, 2016
Zombies and Chainsaws 1
I love Mike Evans books and his story telling has never let me down. This one is a little different than his other zombie books. But Jude and Chuck can do wonders with a chainsaw besides cutting down trees. Flow them on their adventure as they go to Missouri to help a town with down trees. And now I am going to follow them myself into Zombies and Chainsaws 2.
I love Mike Evans books and his story telling has never let me down. This one is a little different than his other zombie books. But Jude and Chuck can do wonders with a chainsaw besides cutting down trees. Flow them on their adventure as they go to Missouri to help a town with down trees. And now I am going to follow them myself into Zombies and Chainsaws 2.
September 9, 2015
This book was spectacular. Mr. Evans has developed characters that made me feel were my own family and friends. Some other characters made me cheer when they died. It's an intense story. The beginning of the apocalypse was unusual but so believable it's scary.
Read
January 7, 2016I trip back to the 1980's with zombies
What an idea. Let's turn back the clock to a time before cell phones and the Internet. Introduce some classic zombie themes, and watch the gore fly!
What an idea. Let's turn back the clock to a time before cell phones and the Internet. Introduce some classic zombie themes, and watch the gore fly!
December 17, 2016
And Chainsaws
Read quite a few zombie books and loved the gruesome addition of the chainsaw as a weapon against the dead.
Read quite a few zombie books and loved the gruesome addition of the chainsaw as a weapon against the dead.
April 27, 2022
As I expected, this is the beginning of an awesome series told by a master storyteller!
When the four tree-trimmers contracted a job to clean up a tornado ravaged town, they never expected to be fighting zombies! But the devious plan by a local chemical plant owner to dispose of his excess waste product by dumping it on an old cemetery, had no idea that his chemical cocktail would bring the dead awake and hungry for living flesh.
Exciting characters, trying everything reasonable to escape death or undeath, gathering assistance when possible, have added humor wherever possible to a rampaging, blood-filled, action packed zombie series! The storyline details the beginning and the cause of the zombie outbreak and hopefully the author will tie up a bow on the package and find a way to stop the undead horde in the next parts of the series. I love the characters that haven't already been eaten or killed. I love the excitement as the heroes struggle to get home and get the word out to the rest of the country. I love this book, it's a great read!
When the four tree-trimmers contracted a job to clean up a tornado ravaged town, they never expected to be fighting zombies! But the devious plan by a local chemical plant owner to dispose of his excess waste product by dumping it on an old cemetery, had no idea that his chemical cocktail would bring the dead awake and hungry for living flesh.
Exciting characters, trying everything reasonable to escape death or undeath, gathering assistance when possible, have added humor wherever possible to a rampaging, blood-filled, action packed zombie series! The storyline details the beginning and the cause of the zombie outbreak and hopefully the author will tie up a bow on the package and find a way to stop the undead horde in the next parts of the series. I love the characters that haven't already been eaten or killed. I love the excitement as the heroes struggle to get home and get the word out to the rest of the country. I love this book, it's a great read!
July 22, 2017
I really tried to like this one, but I couldn't finish it. The dialogue, while genuine, was overdone. Especially between the boss and his ex-wife. I got it after the first round of slams. One-liners would have sufficed after that. I enjoyed the new twist on cause of zombie-ism, but most corpses would have been embalmed and put in coffins. Those that weren't would have been walking skeletons. Even if some sludge could have penetrated six feet down into the coffin, how would the corpse claw it's way out of the box? And the hooker zombie taking her first breath? Sorry, just couldn't go with it.
February 22, 2024
Good book
I enjoyed this book a lot. It was a good story, and I liked the idea of it all. The only problem I had was every character used the same way of talking. It made it a little hard to tell when 2 or more people were talking. It made me think of how no two people talk the same. I did really enjoy the book. Jude and his son are my favorites. I hope to read book 2 soon. Keep up the good work, and thank you for writing. Books always make my day.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It was a good story, and I liked the idea of it all. The only problem I had was every character used the same way of talking. It made it a little hard to tell when 2 or more people were talking. It made me think of how no two people talk the same. I did really enjoy the book. Jude and his son are my favorites. I hope to read book 2 soon. Keep up the good work, and thank you for writing. Books always make my day.
June 9, 2020
OMG, I loved this book! It was a fly by the seat of your pants adventure into zombie territory, with a group of lumberjacks fighting with the only tools available to them, and original and imaginative use of chainsaws. No zombie was spared a gross ending at the end of a shot gun, machete or axe, not for the faint of heart. I just want to know there's going to be a sequel!
July 20, 2017
I listened to this book on audio. I really loved the whole 80's vibe in this book. I felt like I was watching one of those B rate flicks that we all love. Not saying this is B rate for sure. Looking forward to reading more.
November 24, 2018
Loved it! Loved it was set in the 1980’s and the setting really made parts of the story. I will warn you, you will want the second book immediately after consuming the first. It gets my personal award for “how zombies are made.”
May 28, 2023
Mike Evans hits yet another home run
Like all of Mike Evans books, this one is great. Lots of action, humor and imagination. With little more than chain saws, our heroes have to fight off hoards of zombies to get back to their loved ones. Read the book to find out if they do.
Like all of Mike Evans books, this one is great. Lots of action, humor and imagination. With little more than chain saws, our heroes have to fight off hoards of zombies to get back to their loved ones. Read the book to find out if they do.
August 21, 2023
Exciting
A series by Mike Evans, you know it will be good! I love the humor and the action of his series. You will enjoy this series and if you haven't checked out his other series you will be missing out.
A series by Mike Evans, you know it will be good! I love the humor and the action of his series. You will enjoy this series and if you haven't checked out his other series you will be missing out.
March 14, 2024
Awsome!
Mike Evans has done it again. The ( somewhat flawed) characters are great and have the same quirks as real people.
The story is full of action and backstory as things move on. Now the only question is, can Jude make it home to his son?
Mike Evans has done it again. The ( somewhat flawed) characters are great and have the same quirks as real people.
The story is full of action and backstory as things move on. Now the only question is, can Jude make it home to his son?
November 5, 2018
Great read!
I love finding new authors, and getting new twists on zombies! Can't wait to see how this one plays out!
I love finding new authors, and getting new twists on zombies! Can't wait to see how this one plays out!
January 11, 2020
Chills thrills and zombies
A. Very chilling and scary read. Lots of thrills to be had reading this zombie tale. So go get your scare on and enjoy the ride.
A. Very chilling and scary read. Lots of thrills to be had reading this zombie tale. So go get your scare on and enjoy the ride.
October 4, 2015
Pretty good
So, after some convincing, I decided to try this book. It was a fairly fast read, with an old school twist on zombies that was enjoyable. Less comedy than expected, but it did have some funny moments. Great balance of detail to dialogue to gore. My only complaint is that it ended quicker than anticipated. 12% of the book was dedicated to other books of Evans, but overall, I'd recommend.
So, after some convincing, I decided to try this book. It was a fairly fast read, with an old school twist on zombies that was enjoyable. Less comedy than expected, but it did have some funny moments. Great balance of detail to dialogue to gore. My only complaint is that it ended quicker than anticipated. 12% of the book was dedicated to other books of Evans, but overall, I'd recommend.
September 15, 2015
A fun, slightly campy, gory, juicy zombie story. Very Night of the Living Dead, with some new insight. Who knew that the newer the corpse, the faster the zombie? A little terror, some irreverent and memorable characters (Chuck!) and a decently plausible story, all combined to make this a fun read and a good excuse not to do any housework today!
October 4, 2015
Small town in Missouri gets zombified!
Read my full take here: Zombies and Chainsaws
Read my full take here: Zombies and Chainsaws
October 9, 2016
Another awesome zombie read from Mike Evans and as always he delivers on the action and gore along with characters that are easy to relate to.
December 30, 2016
This is just good ol' blood-soaked fun!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews