Ghost Dog

Zombie Dog #4

by Doug Goodman

When you chase the dead, the dead chase you.Ghost Dog picks up where Zombie Dog leaves off. Angie and Murder are closing in on the Latin Dogs and their weaponized zombie operation. But have all the nights of chasing zombies taken their toll? Angie and Murder have suffered great trauma for their community. Perhaps some human and animal therapy will help them out. But they better hurry. There are new monsters on the prowl, ghosts to haunt them, and even a hurricane on the horizon…++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Ghost Dog 85,000 words, this is the longest Zombie Dog book to date. It is almost twice as long as Cadaver Dog. Taking almost two years to write, it is also the longest time I spent on a Zombie Dog book.The book cover reflects the book cover of Zombie Dog to show that these books are essentially a Part 1 and Part 2.The fictional Dodson County is named for Sarah Dodson, who created the first “Lone Star” flag. This flag is sometimes also called the “Tri-Colored” flag. Hence, the name of the main creek passing through Dodson County, Tri-Colored Creek.The strange story of the Justice of the Peace of Dodson County is actually inspired by a real-life Justice of the Peace who was elected JP of his county out of high school. Salsipuedes is a common town name of Central America and Mexico. Roughly, it translates as “Get out if you can” or “Leave if you can.”Although not mentioned by name, the book details The Battle of Moses Bayou, which was first referenced in the short story, Winter Dog. Chronologically, Winter Dog follows Ghost Dog.The hurricane track of Hurricane Shane closely follows that of Hurricane Harvey, which hit Houston in September 2017. The massive flooding and other complications was an influence on Ghost Dog.Hurricane Shane and Hurricane Roberta are references to the popular zombie apocalypse comic, The Walking Dead. I am a fan.

273 pages, Paperback

Published July 25, 2020

About the author

I live in Houston, but I was raised in Lubbock, Texas. I’m an animal writer. It doesn’t matter if the animals I write about are zombie-hunting dogs, dinosaurs, or giant kaiju monsters, I’m interested in that area where animals and humans intersect. I’m especially curious about the mind meld that happens with working animals. This is my point of view for examining human nature, and why I enjoy writing these books so much.

My site says I’m a writer and an explorer. My wife and I are “often” travelers. Thanks to my work, I sometimes get the opportunity to visit extraordinary people in out-of-the-way places. In recent years I’ve explored parts of the Navajo Nation, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and I did a mesmerizing 20-state roadtrip with my supportive family. I’ve been to all but four states in the United States.

I live with two awesome kids (though one is having her own adventures in college), one amazing wife, and two white German Shepherds. Thank you for stopping by, and please check out one of my books. (They are all available from Amazon as paperbacks and e-books.) Since mid-2019, I’ve been donating twenty percent of my proceeds to charity. If you want to see where I donate, I update my donations via my newsletter.

Reviews

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨4 stars✨

[Helen Robare · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay book.

However, the ending was a shocker! It wasn't a cliffhanger per se but it could be considered one I suppose. I'm not sure where the author is going with this series. Is he taking Angie in a new direction? Did he write what he wrote simply to intrigue or l p!ss off the reader? (Yes, I am a reader who experienced the latter of the two!!!!

In this book, Angie and Murder are still chasing and killing zombies and giant wasps. Most of the main characters are around. HOWEVER, when did Angie start dating her boss? (S0rry I can't think of his name right now). And what happened to Tyler? She was attracted to him in book 2 but now suddenly she is sleeping with her overprotective boss.

Also, who doesn't call his/her father when a hurricane is expected to wipe out the city to tell him she's okay? Come to think of it, Angie's dad hasn't been heard from since book 2.

Yes, the series is still interesting but now it seems to be going in another direction away from the supernatural and into technology. The plot of the series is a good one, but the author doesn't seem to know where and how he wishes the characters and the plot to go. In fact, the author seems to have what I call "Anne Rice Syndrome" which means that he is hit and miss with his books. One book is good, the next one is barely mediocre, then the next one is good, and the next one is so-s0. I'm not saying each book needs to be improved upon because that isn't feasible. However, they should at least be comparable to the one that proceeds it.

[Pam Bales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, but gut-wrenching story
In the next book in the series the author does warn that the book is very graphic and describes the terrible things that are done to innocent animals of every type by callous, cruel people who have no empathy or care of the lives of the innocent. DEFINITELY NOT FOR YOUNGER READERS.
Great characters, interesting plot, gruesome killings, ghosts, zombies, gangs, family relationships (good and bad) kept me reading so finished in one day.
Only drawback is it skipped around through time so it takes a bit to understand what is going on. I don't remember that in previous books in the series. There were also quite a few typos which interfere with the flow of my reading.
The previous book and this one have disturbing cliffhangers. I don't mind a good cliffhanger, but I expect a satisfying conclusion within a few pages of starting the next in the series. This took a while to explain, making me think I might have missed a book in the series.

In the next book, Murder Dog, the author does warn readers of the callous treatment of animals by unthinking cruel people, and it explains the history of Murder, one of the main characters of the book. It starts when Murder disappears at the end of this book and leads to his being returned to his beginnings.
Despite these little annoyances, I recommend the series.

[Tracy Kaufman · Rating 5 out of 5]

HUG Spoiler alert:
I am giving this book a 5 because it is written well and I love the series, but saying that; a 4 or even a 3 should be the rating because of the dang cliff hanger. I am a little pissed with this book. It was a great read; I loved it! I am enjoying all these new characters that have come into Angie's life . But, lets face it we or at least I love Murder. He is awesome. The author has done a great job with not making him do things most trained nose scent dogs cannot do (huge pet peeve with me) He is interesting and I love the relationship that he and his handler have. But, how in the sam hill can you stop a book with a Murder in danger? Angie his handler lost without him. These cliff hangers have got to stop please. I want to end a book with peace and excitement for the next installment. Not mad and feeling like harassing the author until he finishes the book. These book are not written quickly so though I loved this book and the entire series I am very peeved about waiting for the next installment and let's just say Murder and Angie better find each other or I am not going to be happy. Sorry but dang I hate this kind of cliff hanger!!

[Lottie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was exciting, but I was very disappointed in the ending. The ending felt incomplete. The author promised a sequel, but it has been over a year since the last one has been published. I hate feeling like this story has not been completed. It’s kind of like a TV series being discontinued before it was fully complete and the action left you hanging!

[Lucille Bransfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars I really like this series. I love Murder, Angie, and the rest of the crew. I loved the parts that were from Murder’s view point. The ending was definitely hard to read and so open ended that I want to read the next book soon. I’m not usually the type to binge read, we will see. I own the next few in the series already!

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent story from Doug Goodman! Brilliant ideas, good characters, something a bit different to the run of the mill zombie story!Really well written & completely absorbing! Can't wait for more by this writer! I do strongly recommend this book & series!!

[Kay Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh!!!

Angie and Murder are called time an time again to find zombies and their wasp riders and destroy them. This book is full of the actions, reactions and interactions that the two have. There is an enormous adrenaline rush. Be warned: tissues are definitely needed.

[Elizabeth Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read.

I love these books. I can read them in a day they are so good. I, however, hate the cliffhanger endings. I am worried I am going to read faster than this author finishes writing. That will be a bad day.

[David Blaylock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good story in the series.

[Brenda Ploegstra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disturbing

Too many side tracks and flashbacks. Hard to follow the main story. Can't stand the epilogue. Don't think I can read the next book.

[Cynthia Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder’s mind

Excellent series. I really enjoy the snippets from Murder’s mind.

I am very annoyed with the ending, so I am immediately starting the next book!