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The Dead Parade
The Dead Parade was my first completed novel, written shortly after I graduated from film school. It was published by Permuted Press as a trade paperback, then Bad Moon Books released it in a 'deluxe hardcover edition' with artwork by punk legend Eerie Von of the Misfits. The ebook rights had been originally signed by Permuted Press, but were later acquired by my newly formed publishing Books of the Dead Press.
Of all the books I have written, a majority of people seem to connect with this one the most. I can only presume that people are drawn to the main character - James McGee - a man the reader can identify with and sympathize with, but travels a very dark road. His character-arc is well defined, his problems are constantly mounting, and his actions are far from appropriate.
The book has been called, amazingly well written, a page-turner, and impossible to put down. It has been compared to Stephen King's early work many times, early Clive Barker a handful of times, and one of my publishers referred to it as 'the horror version of the movie Crank'. I've never seen that movie, but the comparison sounds okay to me.
When I was writing The Dead Parade I focused on two things. The first thing I focused on was clean writing. I didn't want run-on sentences, I eliminated every unnecessary word, and I avoided all the literary BS that pulls the average reader out of the story, forcing the thought, What do those words mean?
The other thing I focused on was storytelling--straight up, non-diluted, storytelling. And having just finished the writing courses in film school, I knew how to craft a story that could hook most readers.
So what's the story about, anyhow?
You ever see the Zuni fetish doll that terrorizes Karen Black in the film Trilogy of Terror? I had forgotten all about that movie, but once the book was released everyone kept saying my book was like that story, which was written by a hero of mine, Richard Matheson. In hindsight, I suppose that 'everyone' was right.
During The Dead Parade my character James McGee gets a little monster resembling the Zuni fetish doll chasing him across the city, and while the monster chases him around he makes a mess of things, turning everyone in town against him. Making matters worse, James pisses off the wrong people while he tries to deal with his real-life problems. All this, as he fights an extremely serious infection that's making him bug-shit crazy.
If you're thinking about buying this book, or reading the copy that's sitting in your 'to-be-read' pile, I can make the decision easy for you. If you want to lose yourself in a fast-paced thriller, this is the right book for you. If you want to read a book that focuses on literary wordplay, rather than story, this isn't the right book for you.
Either way, thanks for your time, and happy reading.
~James Roy Daley
Of all the books I have written, a majority of people seem to connect with this one the most. I can only presume that people are drawn to the main character - James McGee - a man the reader can identify with and sympathize with, but travels a very dark road. His character-arc is well defined, his problems are constantly mounting, and his actions are far from appropriate.
The book has been called, amazingly well written, a page-turner, and impossible to put down. It has been compared to Stephen King's early work many times, early Clive Barker a handful of times, and one of my publishers referred to it as 'the horror version of the movie Crank'. I've never seen that movie, but the comparison sounds okay to me.
When I was writing The Dead Parade I focused on two things. The first thing I focused on was clean writing. I didn't want run-on sentences, I eliminated every unnecessary word, and I avoided all the literary BS that pulls the average reader out of the story, forcing the thought, What do those words mean?
The other thing I focused on was storytelling--straight up, non-diluted, storytelling. And having just finished the writing courses in film school, I knew how to craft a story that could hook most readers.
So what's the story about, anyhow?
You ever see the Zuni fetish doll that terrorizes Karen Black in the film Trilogy of Terror? I had forgotten all about that movie, but once the book was released everyone kept saying my book was like that story, which was written by a hero of mine, Richard Matheson. In hindsight, I suppose that 'everyone' was right.
During The Dead Parade my character James McGee gets a little monster resembling the Zuni fetish doll chasing him across the city, and while the monster chases him around he makes a mess of things, turning everyone in town against him. Making matters worse, James pisses off the wrong people while he tries to deal with his real-life problems. All this, as he fights an extremely serious infection that's making him bug-shit crazy.
If you're thinking about buying this book, or reading the copy that's sitting in your 'to-be-read' pile, I can make the decision easy for you. If you want to lose yourself in a fast-paced thriller, this is the right book for you. If you want to read a book that focuses on literary wordplay, rather than story, this isn't the right book for you.
Either way, thanks for your time, and happy reading.
~James Roy Daley
260 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2008
8 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
James Roy Daley
28 books14 followersJAMES ROY DALEY is a writer, editor, and musician. He studied film at the Toronto Film School, music at Humber College, and English at the University of Toronto. He is the author of Terror Town, Into Hell, 13 Drops of Blood, Zombie Kong, and The Dead Parade. In 2009 he founded Books of the Dead Press, where he enjoyed immediate success working with many of the biggest names in horror. He edited anthologies such as Zombie Kong - Anthology, Best New Vampire Tales, Classic Vampire Tales, and the Best New Zombie Tales series.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 27, 2010
Read half the book. Not sure why.
Recommended for: the brain dead and maybe people who like parades
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Nov. 26, 2010
I was compelled to pick this up and read it again. Probably because I plunked down my husband’s hard earned money and bought it instead of renting it from the library. I couldn’t finish it the first time around but read it in two sittings the second time. And I went from a one star rating to a solid four stars. My apologies to the author.
This is not to say I didn’t find some fault with the story (I’ll get to that later.) But for a first time novel, this was just shy of excellent. Talk about a slaughter fest. I don’t know of the author’s intentions but I found this to be quite hysterical, too. It reminded me of John Dies at the End. In fact, a great title for this book could be 'Everyone Dies at the End.'
Best lines:
• James was hungry. He wanted something to eat – a steak would be nice. Lobster would be better. A corpse would be best.
• Debra: “Listen James, I’m pretty upset with you. To be honest, I wish we had never met. But when I first got here, you said Franco was dead. Well…I thought you killed him. I was sure of it. It seems now that you didn’t. I guess I’m trying to say this: I’m sorry. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. Not that I don’t want to kill you right about now, ‘cause I do. I fucking hate you, but I’m also sorry. I wanted you to know that. I had to get it off my chest. “
“That’s so funny,” James said. “I want to kill you too.”
Things that confused me:
• I never figured out the whole dead parade theme. Maybe it’s just me.
• The scene with Debra in the car talking herself out of smoking a cigarette. Huh? Again, it might have been me. I hadn’t had a smoke in three days and after reading that passage, I ran to the store and bought a pack. Still, it was a distraction and, well, not funny.
• I never figured out Matthew’s role in the story. Personally, I was glad he didn’t have a huge part in the tale. The good kid in a coma who tries to save the world is rather overdone in horror stories. Next time, just kill the kid.
Overall, a terrific tale with terrific writing. I’d like to see the editing tightened up a little more…said the woman who can barely write a legible grocery list.
Recommended for: the brain dead and maybe people who like parades
---------------
Nov. 26, 2010
I was compelled to pick this up and read it again. Probably because I plunked down my husband’s hard earned money and bought it instead of renting it from the library. I couldn’t finish it the first time around but read it in two sittings the second time. And I went from a one star rating to a solid four stars. My apologies to the author.
This is not to say I didn’t find some fault with the story (I’ll get to that later.) But for a first time novel, this was just shy of excellent. Talk about a slaughter fest. I don’t know of the author’s intentions but I found this to be quite hysterical, too. It reminded me of John Dies at the End. In fact, a great title for this book could be 'Everyone Dies at the End.'
Best lines:
• James was hungry. He wanted something to eat – a steak would be nice. Lobster would be better. A corpse would be best.
• Debra: “Listen James, I’m pretty upset with you. To be honest, I wish we had never met. But when I first got here, you said Franco was dead. Well…I thought you killed him. I was sure of it. It seems now that you didn’t. I guess I’m trying to say this: I’m sorry. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. Not that I don’t want to kill you right about now, ‘cause I do. I fucking hate you, but I’m also sorry. I wanted you to know that. I had to get it off my chest. “
“That’s so funny,” James said. “I want to kill you too.”
Things that confused me:
• I never figured out the whole dead parade theme. Maybe it’s just me.
• The scene with Debra in the car talking herself out of smoking a cigarette. Huh? Again, it might have been me. I hadn’t had a smoke in three days and after reading that passage, I ran to the store and bought a pack. Still, it was a distraction and, well, not funny.
• I never figured out Matthew’s role in the story. Personally, I was glad he didn’t have a huge part in the tale. The good kid in a coma who tries to save the world is rather overdone in horror stories. Next time, just kill the kid.
Overall, a terrific tale with terrific writing. I’d like to see the editing tightened up a little more…said the woman who can barely write a legible grocery list.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2025
James Daley's The Dead Parade was a steaming mess of gore and viscera. it should be super clear to any reader that the author is a film student- explains a lot.
James is having a terrible day at the beginning. his brother and sister in law have died in a horrible accident, leaving his nephew in a coma. one of his friends calls him and says they are going to kill themselves if he doesnt come over. things are less than ideal
on arrival at his friends house he learns that his buddy may be involved in a series of brutal murders, and he also learns that he should not piss off the 'Bakisi' which inexorably connect itself to him when his buddy suicides.
the plot here then shifts to a gore fest. james running from evil, blood soaking everything, no logical excuses to allow james a chance at a normal life ever again. The bakisi it seems, is an entity that only cares about death, and will hunt and slaughter with no regard for human laws or custom.
over all i enjoyed this. it was literally reading a fast horror film, plot holes glossed over and ignored for the next jump scare or bloodbath. it was what it was and it did it well.
something i could have done without. the author was obviously uncomfortable writing topics like sexual assault, but still wanted to retain them. he would mention something, tap dance around it, and then become vivid about some details like digital penetration. it was like he was buildng a n 'im a nice guy who respects women' wall that would help him be free for writing what was next. none of this was important to the plot and could have just been excluded. another example would be james' girlfriend debra. she was written as a gross manipulative woman who was greedy, self centered, and promiscuous, but by the end she had made many decisions that were contrary to her presented nature and it didnt make much sense except if she was just another reason to extend the gore and as an object for cheap assualt drama. didnt love that. give her nonobject value or get her gone.
so! good book, not great book.
James is having a terrible day at the beginning. his brother and sister in law have died in a horrible accident, leaving his nephew in a coma. one of his friends calls him and says they are going to kill themselves if he doesnt come over. things are less than ideal
on arrival at his friends house he learns that his buddy may be involved in a series of brutal murders, and he also learns that he should not piss off the 'Bakisi' which inexorably connect itself to him when his buddy suicides.
the plot here then shifts to a gore fest. james running from evil, blood soaking everything, no logical excuses to allow james a chance at a normal life ever again. The bakisi it seems, is an entity that only cares about death, and will hunt and slaughter with no regard for human laws or custom.
over all i enjoyed this. it was literally reading a fast horror film, plot holes glossed over and ignored for the next jump scare or bloodbath. it was what it was and it did it well.
something i could have done without. the author was obviously uncomfortable writing topics like sexual assault, but still wanted to retain them. he would mention something, tap dance around it, and then become vivid about some details like digital penetration. it was like he was buildng a n 'im a nice guy who respects women' wall that would help him be free for writing what was next. none of this was important to the plot and could have just been excluded. another example would be james' girlfriend debra. she was written as a gross manipulative woman who was greedy, self centered, and promiscuous, but by the end she had made many decisions that were contrary to her presented nature and it didnt make much sense except if she was just another reason to extend the gore and as an object for cheap assualt drama. didnt love that. give her nonobject value or get her gone.
so! good book, not great book.
October 29, 2012
Like being chained to the back of a pickup truck and dragged 40 miles down a gravel road.
In a word: grim.
This is a bleak book. It's an amazingly well written, fast-paced, page turner of a book. Reading this book is like witnessing a massive 18-car pile-up with multiple fatalities on the freeway first hand, narrowly avoiding death yourself, all while watching it through a microscope. The excruciating detail of human misery is presented with raw and scintillating depravity.
I loved this book.
First off, on a technical level, it's superbly well written. James Roy Daley has crafted The Dead Parade in a classically elegant pulp/noir "spare" style. There are no wasted words. Each sentence is about moving the plot violently forward. The metaphors are colorful and inventive, reminiscent of some of Raymond Chandler's classic turns of phrase. The dialogue is fresh, authentic and reveals familiar and believable characters efficiently and with minimal description. A reminder to aspiring writers how much can be done with so little, Daley's style is akin to the masterly works of the late great Jim Thompson and equally skillful mid-career one-offs penned by John D. MacDonald (MacDonald is the avowed all-time favorite author of Dean Koontz). James Roy Daley has put a lot of words under his belt, and knows how to write.
He also knows how to captivate.
Secondly, let's talk story. Violence and tragedy erupt like an Independence day cannonade on page one. The story pauses to take a deep breath for but a few pages to establish character and setting, and then disaster bellows out for the remainder of the book. Like the train wreck that it is, how can you not keep reading? One terrible thing after another happens "seemingly" randomly to the innocents within. Does it seem gratuitous? Of course it does, that's why we read such books. Does it seemed depraved? Why yes, I'm glad you asked. Can people really do such terrible things to each other? They could, if given the proper motivation. But what sort of terrible impossible thing could motivate people to such lunacy? Read the book and you will find out. But how, you ask in shocked disbelief, could people THINK such things and DO such things to one another? I don't know, but when Daley takes us inside the heads of the characters in The Dead Parade, it all makes perfect sense. Their actions seem so perfectly suitable and sensible, as if we would all do the exact same thing in their shoes. Daley has such a deft hand when it comes to evoking the inner-minds of madmen, I have to wonder: did he write the manuscript with a two-inch pencil nub while straight-jacketed and chained to a wall? I'm going to guess yes.
If you like terror and horror, buy this book. Now.
If not, recommend it to your friends who do.
As an aside, I couldn't help but notice a similarity between the beast depicted on the two different covers of The Dead Parade and the infamous Zuni Fetish Warrior from Karen Black's magnum acting opus Trilogy of Terror. I have a life-sized statue of the Zuni doll from said film sitting in my office behind me right now, staring at my back. It glares at me malevolently, and when I'm not looking at it, I hear it creeping closer. I'm pretty sure that my copy of The Dead Parade has brought the previously inanimate doll to life. If you read James Roy Daley's The Dead Parade you will understand exactly why. I wonder if this was a conscious nod by Daley to "The" Trilogy? I hope so. He certainly earned a place on the podium directly adjacent.
In a word: grim.
This is a bleak book. It's an amazingly well written, fast-paced, page turner of a book. Reading this book is like witnessing a massive 18-car pile-up with multiple fatalities on the freeway first hand, narrowly avoiding death yourself, all while watching it through a microscope. The excruciating detail of human misery is presented with raw and scintillating depravity.
I loved this book.
First off, on a technical level, it's superbly well written. James Roy Daley has crafted The Dead Parade in a classically elegant pulp/noir "spare" style. There are no wasted words. Each sentence is about moving the plot violently forward. The metaphors are colorful and inventive, reminiscent of some of Raymond Chandler's classic turns of phrase. The dialogue is fresh, authentic and reveals familiar and believable characters efficiently and with minimal description. A reminder to aspiring writers how much can be done with so little, Daley's style is akin to the masterly works of the late great Jim Thompson and equally skillful mid-career one-offs penned by John D. MacDonald (MacDonald is the avowed all-time favorite author of Dean Koontz). James Roy Daley has put a lot of words under his belt, and knows how to write.
He also knows how to captivate.
Secondly, let's talk story. Violence and tragedy erupt like an Independence day cannonade on page one. The story pauses to take a deep breath for but a few pages to establish character and setting, and then disaster bellows out for the remainder of the book. Like the train wreck that it is, how can you not keep reading? One terrible thing after another happens "seemingly" randomly to the innocents within. Does it seem gratuitous? Of course it does, that's why we read such books. Does it seemed depraved? Why yes, I'm glad you asked. Can people really do such terrible things to each other? They could, if given the proper motivation. But what sort of terrible impossible thing could motivate people to such lunacy? Read the book and you will find out. But how, you ask in shocked disbelief, could people THINK such things and DO such things to one another? I don't know, but when Daley takes us inside the heads of the characters in The Dead Parade, it all makes perfect sense. Their actions seem so perfectly suitable and sensible, as if we would all do the exact same thing in their shoes. Daley has such a deft hand when it comes to evoking the inner-minds of madmen, I have to wonder: did he write the manuscript with a two-inch pencil nub while straight-jacketed and chained to a wall? I'm going to guess yes.
If you like terror and horror, buy this book. Now.
If not, recommend it to your friends who do.
As an aside, I couldn't help but notice a similarity between the beast depicted on the two different covers of The Dead Parade and the infamous Zuni Fetish Warrior from Karen Black's magnum acting opus Trilogy of Terror. I have a life-sized statue of the Zuni doll from said film sitting in my office behind me right now, staring at my back. It glares at me malevolently, and when I'm not looking at it, I hear it creeping closer. I'm pretty sure that my copy of The Dead Parade has brought the previously inanimate doll to life. If you read James Roy Daley's The Dead Parade you will understand exactly why. I wonder if this was a conscious nod by Daley to "The" Trilogy? I hope so. He certainly earned a place on the podium directly adjacent.
November 5, 2010
James Roy Daley's debut novel is a whirlwind of blood, guts, violence. It takes the reader down an insane path, giving no sympathy, taking no prisoners, and basically obliterating anything that might translate into a hope any person found on these pages will ever find peace or redemption.
From the most minor character to the main guy James we are provided ample reason to sympathize, empathize, and comprehend who these people are but then we get to see them all tossed into the blender that is the madness that tracks down everyone it touches. The violence is indiscriminant, completely unshackled, and entirely remorseless.
There is a demon presence, perhaps even a god, that hovers in the background here. A killing machine with no way known to stop it. Something that links itself to a person and destroys everything around them. This is how James enters this story. After already facing the tradegy of the death of his brother and his wife in a car accident, one of his best friends threatens suicide. When James attempts to stop this act something passes on to him from his friend, who makes it clear that death is the only release, the only way that to not be trapped forever by this unseen entity. From there we are taken on a thrill ride of non-stop violence where James becomes seemingly both the witting and unwitting pawn of this demon, this monster who comes with only one warning: the air around it is bitterly cold when it arrives. No one is safe that comes into contact with James.
For a first book this one is quite well done, with developed characters and good dialogue that entertained and kept me involved in this book the whole way through. The author rams this story down your throat, with no mercy and no apologies. It is a full out gore drenched ride from start to finish.
From the most minor character to the main guy James we are provided ample reason to sympathize, empathize, and comprehend who these people are but then we get to see them all tossed into the blender that is the madness that tracks down everyone it touches. The violence is indiscriminant, completely unshackled, and entirely remorseless.
There is a demon presence, perhaps even a god, that hovers in the background here. A killing machine with no way known to stop it. Something that links itself to a person and destroys everything around them. This is how James enters this story. After already facing the tradegy of the death of his brother and his wife in a car accident, one of his best friends threatens suicide. When James attempts to stop this act something passes on to him from his friend, who makes it clear that death is the only release, the only way that to not be trapped forever by this unseen entity. From there we are taken on a thrill ride of non-stop violence where James becomes seemingly both the witting and unwitting pawn of this demon, this monster who comes with only one warning: the air around it is bitterly cold when it arrives. No one is safe that comes into contact with James.
For a first book this one is quite well done, with developed characters and good dialogue that entertained and kept me involved in this book the whole way through. The author rams this story down your throat, with no mercy and no apologies. It is a full out gore drenched ride from start to finish.
March 11, 2010
the dead parade by james roy daley
the dead parade was a very good book i ussaly dont read horror books but i have been lately i really liked this book becuse of the suspense i had trouble puting it down after the first chapter i like how james kept fighting this internal rage and the deamon for survival and for what he wanted.
this book was meant to be scary i think it did a good job at it I had trouble not felling the pain and fear of these very life like chacters this book is not for the fiant of heart many pepole die few live on to tell this tale i would not recomend pepole under 15 read this there is some mention of sexual acts and lots of cursing and drinking,drug abuse and violince
i feel this book is very readable as i mentioned earlyer its hard to put down and gives you a good scare i felt very concted to many of these chacters like how it seems james always gets the short end of the stick i really liked the ending seeing the way it all came together and how the book kept its name sake i rate this book at 4*s out of 5*s i would recomend this book to others
the dead parade was a very good book i ussaly dont read horror books but i have been lately i really liked this book becuse of the suspense i had trouble puting it down after the first chapter i like how james kept fighting this internal rage and the deamon for survival and for what he wanted.
this book was meant to be scary i think it did a good job at it I had trouble not felling the pain and fear of these very life like chacters this book is not for the fiant of heart many pepole die few live on to tell this tale i would not recomend pepole under 15 read this there is some mention of sexual acts and lots of cursing and drinking,drug abuse and violince
i feel this book is very readable as i mentioned earlyer its hard to put down and gives you a good scare i felt very concted to many of these chacters like how it seems james always gets the short end of the stick i really liked the ending seeing the way it all came together and how the book kept its name sake i rate this book at 4*s out of 5*s i would recomend this book to others
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2014
This is a tough one to review. I feel like there are people that will love this book because it's fast moving, violent, and you'll have a hard time putting it down if for no other reason than to find out what happens next. There will also be people who'll hate it for the lack of character development (frankly I didn't care for any of the characters myself), there's nothing "scary" about the book (just overly violent) and the writing itself feels a little amateurish. My other gripe about the book which is hard to explain is that it just sort of bummed me out. I love horror...love it...but this book from the get go just gives you a sense of depressing characters who are going to end up with depressing outcomes. There's no "hero" in this book only a bunch of villains. I gave it three stars (probably deserves 3.5) cuz I tore thru it in a couple of days. The book has somewhat of a Richard Laymon feel to it who I love and there a few twists here and there that keep you interested til the end.
July 8, 2014
If you like gore.
(and I mean. GORE)
read it.
I like gore. I like Stephen King gore though.
James Roy Daley gore was a bit too much.
The point of view changed a bit too much. We're in everyone's head with this one. And.. it changes from paragraph to paragraph, but chapter to chapter.
Plus, there seems to a bit of a bad vibe towards the ladies.
Granted, girlfriends shouldn't cheat. But Debrah gets one bad rap.
And then there's this poor little bimbo beach babe who really gets the chop. Or axe? Or gun ... there were a lot of methods of termination through out this lil gem.
But, Daley writes at the end about criticism and editing and all that jazz, so it's a work in progress. It's a nice skimmer. Some death scenes can give an appreciative cringe, but overall?
Meh.
(and I mean. GORE)
read it.
I like gore. I like Stephen King gore though.
James Roy Daley gore was a bit too much.
The point of view changed a bit too much. We're in everyone's head with this one. And.. it changes from paragraph to paragraph, but chapter to chapter.
Plus, there seems to a bit of a bad vibe towards the ladies.
Granted, girlfriends shouldn't cheat. But Debrah gets one bad rap.
And then there's this poor little bimbo beach babe who really gets the chop. Or axe? Or gun ... there were a lot of methods of termination through out this lil gem.
But, Daley writes at the end about criticism and editing and all that jazz, so it's a work in progress. It's a nice skimmer. Some death scenes can give an appreciative cringe, but overall?
Meh.
July 14, 2014
This book is a fast paced, gore fest! Definitely not for the squeamish and it could use some tweaking in the character development area, but overall an enjoyable Horror book. The demon possessing a human and forcing him to kill is a well used plot but, it works here.
Do not read this book if you think it will be a nice little tale of horror, it isn't! This book grabs you by the throat and drags you into the insanity every step of the way.
Do not read this book if you think it will be a nice little tale of horror, it isn't! This book grabs you by the throat and drags you into the insanity every step of the way.
February 14, 2010
Badly written mush. Reminds me of old school trashy pulp horror. Nothing new here. Too many times I wanted to stop reading because the prose and the plot just bored the hell out of me. In the end I gave up on it.
January 24, 2012
This was a fun and fast blood soaked read. I dug how Daley didn't pull any punches and delivered an unrelenting book. Would love to read more of the violent adventures of this evil little demon.
March 2, 2015
Good read.
July 22, 2013
This book kept me reading everyday
June 30, 2014
I loved this one. A clever an original way to tell a horror story. Check it out you won't be disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews