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Madness Chronicles #1-3
The Final Outbreak
* 22 hours and 15 minutes *
For the first time, all three Madness books are offered as a single audiobook title: 'THE FINAL OUTBREAK'.
Our end is coming. It’s closer than you think. And it’s real.
'THE FINAL OUTBREAK' starts with animals and moves swiftly to humans, turning the infected violent. Cities fall as the outbreak spreads as far as the winds blow, leading to society’s end. A lucky few may survive, but for how long in a world ravaged by an always present disease? Or is all hope lost?
This story is true; it just hasn’t happened...yet. Listen to 'THE FINAL OUTBREAK' to find out how it will start, and then get prepared!
Rated "R" for violence and language.
©2019 Michael L. Banner (P)2019 Michael L. Banner
For the first time, all three Madness books are offered as a single audiobook title: 'THE FINAL OUTBREAK'.
Our end is coming. It’s closer than you think. And it’s real.
'THE FINAL OUTBREAK' starts with animals and moves swiftly to humans, turning the infected violent. Cities fall as the outbreak spreads as far as the winds blow, leading to society’s end. A lucky few may survive, but for how long in a world ravaged by an always present disease? Or is all hope lost?
This story is true; it just hasn’t happened...yet. Listen to 'THE FINAL OUTBREAK' to find out how it will start, and then get prepared!
Rated "R" for violence and language.
©2019 Michael L. Banner (P)2019 Michael L. Banner
22 pages, Audible Audio
First published March 21, 2019
1295 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Banner
46 books159 followersHello lovers of apocalyptic thrillers!
I devour the same books I enjoy writing: science fiction, set in an apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic or dystopian world. I love stories about regular people being thrust into extra ordinary circumstances, and having to rely on their own cunning and that of others to survive. And I love a twist at the end.
My just released Ashfall Apocalypse, as well as previous series Madness, Highway and Stone Age are those kind of stories. They're fast moving, have some regular (and amazing) characters who must make life changing decisions, all while the world is experiencing an apocalypse.
Besides writing, my wife and I travel the world (often to research the next book). But often you can find me on a beach, Kindle in hand, with my Toes in the Water (name of my publishing company).
I devour the same books I enjoy writing: science fiction, set in an apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic or dystopian world. I love stories about regular people being thrust into extra ordinary circumstances, and having to rely on their own cunning and that of others to survive. And I love a twist at the end.
My just released Ashfall Apocalypse, as well as previous series Madness, Highway and Stone Age are those kind of stories. They're fast moving, have some regular (and amazing) characters who must make life changing decisions, all while the world is experiencing an apocalypse.
Besides writing, my wife and I travel the world (often to research the next book). But often you can find me on a beach, Kindle in hand, with my Toes in the Water (name of my publishing company).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
November 22, 2022
M.L. Banner's The Final Outbreak (Madness Chronicles, #1-3) flew by in the blink of an eye. By the series conclusion I did not want to say goodbye to these (well developed) characters. The impeccably written narrative held my undivided attention as I zipped through all three books - one after the other. Good stuff.
Narrator Gary Tiedemann did a phenomenal job keeping up the rapid-fire pace with this very diverse group of larger than life characters.
A Post-apocalyptic grandslam.
Narrator Gary Tiedemann did a phenomenal job keeping up the rapid-fire pace with this very diverse group of larger than life characters.
A Post-apocalyptic grandslam.
April 30, 2019
Wow
What a thought provoking book. The twists and turns just keep you on the edge. Great read, one with so much insight.
What a thought provoking book. The twists and turns just keep you on the edge. Great read, one with so much insight.
April 25, 2019
The Rage Virus has gone viral! It began with birds, like a Hitchcock movie.
The world has gone crazy, starting with the explosive eruptions of volcanoes around the 'Ring of Fire' and the haze of volcanic ash clouds blanketed the planet. Airline traffic was crippled as the powdery grit clogged engines. From the clouds of ash flew feathered fury. Nothing living escaped their wrath. Waves of mice and rats overwhelmed all in their path leaving blood and bones behind.
The explanation was found to be a parasite that is found in most mammals. This single celled amoeboid, named T-Gongii, infested the host brain, subtly rewiring parts for an unknown purpose and on known effect. . . until now. Thermophyllic bacteria from the volcanic clouds found a welcome home in the brains of warm-blooded mammals and merged with T-Gondii activating the rewired brains. Once activated, the host became able to identify anything not infected and became violently, ravenously, single- mindedly fixation on killing and consuming its prey.
The only safe place on earth may be the Regal European cruise ship, 'Intrepid', where Ted and T.J. Williams and the ship's officers and crew fought to keep the passengers alive and the ship afloat. Waves of red-eyed critters with murder on their minds wreaked havoc on the Intrepid and the latest wave of crazies were human!
This is a horror story in the tradition of Alfred Hitchcock and Rod Serling. The characters live and breath (for a while) in full Technicolor, brought to us from the mind of a master storyteller. The action is non-stop and insanely scary! Mindless rage and flesh-eating gluttonous appetites fuel the exciting prose. This is a must-read book, but choose where and when wisely! Read with a friend, or have a buddy standing by, but read it!
The world has gone crazy, starting with the explosive eruptions of volcanoes around the 'Ring of Fire' and the haze of volcanic ash clouds blanketed the planet. Airline traffic was crippled as the powdery grit clogged engines. From the clouds of ash flew feathered fury. Nothing living escaped their wrath. Waves of mice and rats overwhelmed all in their path leaving blood and bones behind.
The explanation was found to be a parasite that is found in most mammals. This single celled amoeboid, named T-Gongii, infested the host brain, subtly rewiring parts for an unknown purpose and on known effect. . . until now. Thermophyllic bacteria from the volcanic clouds found a welcome home in the brains of warm-blooded mammals and merged with T-Gondii activating the rewired brains. Once activated, the host became able to identify anything not infected and became violently, ravenously, single- mindedly fixation on killing and consuming its prey.
The only safe place on earth may be the Regal European cruise ship, 'Intrepid', where Ted and T.J. Williams and the ship's officers and crew fought to keep the passengers alive and the ship afloat. Waves of red-eyed critters with murder on their minds wreaked havoc on the Intrepid and the latest wave of crazies were human!
This is a horror story in the tradition of Alfred Hitchcock and Rod Serling. The characters live and breath (for a while) in full Technicolor, brought to us from the mind of a master storyteller. The action is non-stop and insanely scary! Mindless rage and flesh-eating gluttonous appetites fuel the exciting prose. This is a must-read book, but choose where and when wisely! Read with a friend, or have a buddy standing by, but read it!
April 25, 2019
Well researched and written
Great characters to follow through a very well written plot.
Horrible circumstances interspersed with some clever humour at times.
I think Horror not thriller would be a better description.
Looking forward to reading more from this talented author.
Great characters to follow through a very well written plot.
Horrible circumstances interspersed with some clever humour at times.
I think Horror not thriller would be a better description.
Looking forward to reading more from this talented author.
March 5, 2020
Very good
I have to admit, I got in trouble with my husband for reading this series. I was so caught up on it I ordered pizza and KC chicken for supper so I would not have to cook. I really enjoyed this I hope you do too.
I have to admit, I got in trouble with my husband for reading this series. I was so caught up on it I ordered pizza and KC chicken for supper so I would not have to cook. I really enjoyed this I hope you do too.
July 10, 2019
Dull, cliched characters, very sketchy science, and an interesting idea that was utterly ruined in the end product. The science isn't even forgivable in the context of science fiction, or simply 'fiction,' because the author used real concepts and organisms. If an author chooses to use real organisms, pathogens, or other elements, those elements need to have at least the basics portrayed correctly. Banner did not get the basics right.
This series (i guess, I don't consider this long enough to be called a series no matter how the author/publisher chose to make a few more cents) should have been exciting and riveting. It wasn't. I forced myself to finish, and I skimmed a lot. The books are filled with drek that serves no purpose and the phobias of the two main characters, who are also an FBI agent and author (surprise!), are vapid and portrayed in a very amateur fashion. Every 'plot twist' was obvious immediately, and the characters were too stupid for words. Their stupidity is the only way the plot could move forward, as written. Possible spoiler in the next paragraph, although it really doesn't give much away.
Just as a vague example (heat-seeking bacteria---people with food poisoning-food poisoning coincides with fever---could there be something here to link these things together? Who could say. What a mystery. The doctor certainly couldn't figure it out. He just couldn't put his finger on it. I guess his fictional med school didn't cover bacterial infections and increased body temperature.)
The author bled every bit of excitement, suspense, or horror out of scenes that should have readers on the edge of their seats. I almost want to commend this author for taking such an interesting concept and turning into such a relentlessly dull slog. That takes more than mediocre talent.
This series (i guess, I don't consider this long enough to be called a series no matter how the author/publisher chose to make a few more cents) should have been exciting and riveting. It wasn't. I forced myself to finish, and I skimmed a lot. The books are filled with drek that serves no purpose and the phobias of the two main characters, who are also an FBI agent and author (surprise!), are vapid and portrayed in a very amateur fashion. Every 'plot twist' was obvious immediately, and the characters were too stupid for words. Their stupidity is the only way the plot could move forward, as written. Possible spoiler in the next paragraph, although it really doesn't give much away.
Just as a vague example (heat-seeking bacteria---people with food poisoning-food poisoning coincides with fever---could there be something here to link these things together? Who could say. What a mystery. The doctor certainly couldn't figure it out. He just couldn't put his finger on it. I guess his fictional med school didn't cover bacterial infections and increased body temperature.)
The author bled every bit of excitement, suspense, or horror out of scenes that should have readers on the edge of their seats. I almost want to commend this author for taking such an interesting concept and turning into such a relentlessly dull slog. That takes more than mediocre talent.
July 26, 2019
How Can You Experience Too Many Disasters?
I like LONG drawn out stories with a lot of fast paced action. Be careful what you wish for. Tsunamis, earthquakes, plague spewing volcanoes, man eating mammals, cannibalistic psychotic people, all adrift out at sea in a giant cruise ship. Wait, wait, give this book a chance. If you read just the cover you might be tempted to toss it, however it is a fast paced read the grows on you. I almost took notes to keep all the characters straight. On a warm summer day when it is almost too hot and humid to do much of anything, pull a comfortable chair over by the air-conditioner with a large glass of brew or lemonade and lose yourself into this story. I think you’ll be glad you did
I like LONG drawn out stories with a lot of fast paced action. Be careful what you wish for. Tsunamis, earthquakes, plague spewing volcanoes, man eating mammals, cannibalistic psychotic people, all adrift out at sea in a giant cruise ship. Wait, wait, give this book a chance. If you read just the cover you might be tempted to toss it, however it is a fast paced read the grows on you. I almost took notes to keep all the characters straight. On a warm summer day when it is almost too hot and humid to do much of anything, pull a comfortable chair over by the air-conditioner with a large glass of brew or lemonade and lose yourself into this story. I think you’ll be glad you did
June 11, 2019
Started out ok, although some character behaviors were pretty silly.
Backstories ludicrous. Main idea pretty cool with raging animals. Story devolved and I could no longer suspend disbelief about 2/3 through first book. Rating 4 at first then 2. Not moving on to next book.
Backstories ludicrous. Main idea pretty cool with raging animals. Story devolved and I could no longer suspend disbelief about 2/3 through first book. Rating 4 at first then 2. Not moving on to next book.
July 16, 2019
I really enjoyed the character development and the microcosm of having all of the characters on a cruise ship. I am very hopeful that the author will continue this series.
January 3, 2020
When I first watched the "Walking Dead" I had thought that being on an island or cruise ship would be the best place to ride out the apocalypse, but this story illustrates how misguided that would be. I like that this is a larger, normal sized book instead of the current trend of episodic length booklets. This was a solid 3.5 for me, but I rounded up because the writing was decent and the story, for the most part, interesting. I don't know enough microbiology to determine if the premise of the story is scientifically feasible, but I did find it interesting and different. I liked that the uninfected humans never gave up trying to survive, but also that many of the infected persons were able to keep vestiges of their humanity. At times the book did seem to drag a bit with a lot of minutiae about the ship and a lot characters, with some of whom it was best to not become attached. In the beginning the passengers and crew seemed anxious to carry on "the cruise" despite the dreadful attacks on shore they had seen and only barely escaped. The crew seemed to be a little slow to organize to safeguard critical ship functions, though inability to find out what was happening in the rest of the world might have contributed. Overall, I enjoyed this story.
September 6, 2019
An interesting take on the sorta-Zombie Apocalypse story. The history and science presented explaining the "Madness" is a little different from the typical story in this genre. The mix of characters and settings in this book is pretty interesting. A cruise ship on the high seas is a cool setting to ride out an Apocalyptic event. Most of the story was within my limits of believability for this genre. SPOILER: The La Palma volcano/tsunami thing was over the top for me, having studied the real scientific "risk" of such an event. But it is a useful plot device to explain why the cruise ship had difficulty in finding a port or refueling place. Otherwise, I liked the action scenes. My biggest overall gripe is that the "combined" book is simply too long for the real content presented. Way too many pages are spent in analyzing the thoughts and feelings of the married couple at the center of the story, with little payoff. Also, I thought that the ending section after the last action climax was weak. SPOILER: the time-jump epilogue was unsatisfying. A lot more could have been done here, both to fill out this story more completely and better provide for a possible sequel.
September 16, 2020
Why I gave four stars
I like the way the book was done and by the ending the only thing I was not able to like was the encounter with the island itself was good writing but unlikely to have simply not the outcome of it had in real life no one would just let those people enter without a pat down also would have had guards to watch over the refueling after what had happened last time that the ship refueling and the keeping the infected locked in room that they had more than one way to get out and keeping them alive in such an area. Just my thoughts good book and that is why I only gave four stars
I like the way the book was done and by the ending the only thing I was not able to like was the encounter with the island itself was good writing but unlikely to have simply not the outcome of it had in real life no one would just let those people enter without a pat down also would have had guards to watch over the refueling after what had happened last time that the ship refueling and the keeping the infected locked in room that they had more than one way to get out and keeping them alive in such an area. Just my thoughts good book and that is why I only gave four stars
May 23, 2019
Transatlantic, i just spent 14 days on a princess ship traveling from ft l to southamton so this tale had a good deal to remember abt my crossing, i did enjoy reading this as i could see it happen ing . The story was very real. The ship was real and i could imagine tge people and animals. I really want to know what happend to the people as they set up their lives compared the rest of the world situation.
What happened to little girl and little boy. Whose son is he
Also would like to know abt what happened to ship as it continued on its voyage
What happened to little girl and little boy. Whose son is he
Also would like to know abt what happened to ship as it continued on its voyage
June 5, 2019
I guess it was a ok read. Different version of how a virus evolved, though the book itself didn’t keep me to a point where I just had to turn the page and finish it same day.
Plus Chapter 2 ( about TJ) her story and how she became very afraid of dogs, I did not have any compulsion to read at all.
Her story probably should have been first or because her fear was explained in first chapter didn’t need to be given a chapter 2 story.
So I just closed the book and didn’t bother reading Chapter 2
Plus Chapter 2 ( about TJ) her story and how she became very afraid of dogs, I did not have any compulsion to read at all.
Her story probably should have been first or because her fear was explained in first chapter didn’t need to be given a chapter 2 story.
So I just closed the book and didn’t bother reading Chapter 2
June 23, 2019
Not your run of the mill Zombie Apocalypse
I have never been able to get into zombie fiction, finding just too ridiculous to be enjoyable, but the Madness trilogy steers clear of the gore and has a definite grounding in science to carry it off. The characters are believable and the reader is drawn into the plot making it a satisfying page-turner where you're eager to find out what can come next.
This will attract lovers of the zombie and general apocalyptic fiction alike. A follow up is a must.
I have never been able to get into zombie fiction, finding just too ridiculous to be enjoyable, but the Madness trilogy steers clear of the gore and has a definite grounding in science to carry it off. The characters are believable and the reader is drawn into the plot making it a satisfying page-turner where you're eager to find out what can come next.
This will attract lovers of the zombie and general apocalyptic fiction alike. A follow up is a must.
July 1, 2019
Good read
I wasn’t sure that I was going to like this book but I did! It is different from other end of the world books and o had a hard time putting it down. The only thing that was a little annoying was the use of the word glare/glared in the story. Sometimes it seemed out of place in a sentence. The word glared would be used but I didn’t get the impression that the character was angry with the other person so why use that word. But otherwise I really enjoyed the story and would definitely like to read more on these characters.
I wasn’t sure that I was going to like this book but I did! It is different from other end of the world books and o had a hard time putting it down. The only thing that was a little annoying was the use of the word glare/glared in the story. Sometimes it seemed out of place in a sentence. The word glared would be used but I didn’t get the impression that the character was angry with the other person so why use that word. But otherwise I really enjoyed the story and would definitely like to read more on these characters.
April 29, 2024
'Cell' meets 'Cujo'
The Final Outbreak is a thrilling and unique vision of the apocalypse, reminiscent of Stephen King's works. Its an unpredictable thrill ride apocalypse fans will greatly enjoy. My only criticism is that a diagram of the cruise ship the story occurs on would be an excellent inclusion should the series be updated, this would make the action and the movement of the characters and infected throughout the book. 4.5/5 stars. It will be 5/5 with a future addition include a diagram of the ship. Highly recommend!
The Final Outbreak is a thrilling and unique vision of the apocalypse, reminiscent of Stephen King's works. Its an unpredictable thrill ride apocalypse fans will greatly enjoy. My only criticism is that a diagram of the cruise ship the story occurs on would be an excellent inclusion should the series be updated, this would make the action and the movement of the characters and infected throughout the book. 4.5/5 stars. It will be 5/5 with a future addition include a diagram of the ship. Highly recommend!
August 11, 2019
This trilogy is a zombie/rage virus type of story. What I liked about it is that the way the virus was born and how it spreads was a bit different than the usual means. I also liked the cruise ship setting as it introduced both advantages and disadvantages to the survivors.
While it had it unique points and was enjoyable, I found that it dragged on a bit and story had some weird twists with the virus which I found unbelievable.
Still a good read, but just a bit above average.
While it had it unique points and was enjoyable, I found that it dragged on a bit and story had some weird twists with the virus which I found unbelievable.
Still a good read, but just a bit above average.
August 23, 2021
I really enjoyed this 3 book set! gary Tiedemann did a fantastic job narrating.First it was the animals.They had red eyes and started attacking humans.It took awhile,but the infection mutates until it has humans attacking humans.Our brave employees on a cruise ship fight to keep it and the human race afloat.Sometimes you need a zombie apocalypse book series.It is gorey.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
June 2, 2019
First book in a long time I couldn’t put down
I read a lot of this genre and this one is the best one I’ve read in a while. I couldn’t put it down and read the entire three book series every free moment I had. It has good character development and lead-into the event that happens. Hoping the author writes more books about the characters and next events.
I read a lot of this genre and this one is the best one I’ve read in a while. I couldn’t put it down and read the entire three book series every free moment I had. It has good character development and lead-into the event that happens. Hoping the author writes more books about the characters and next events.
July 13, 2019
The best ending that could possibly be.
There were many parts of this book when I just wanted to stop reading it,but I kept hoping it would have a happy ending. Something like the events in this book, were abhorrent to me. But the idea that they were al! Looking out for each other kept me reading.
There were many parts of this book when I just wanted to stop reading it,but I kept hoping it would have a happy ending. Something like the events in this book, were abhorrent to me. But the idea that they were al! Looking out for each other kept me reading.
August 21, 2020
Great Series
The characters are believable enough to really be able to root for them. I liked the way the story progresses with characters growing and learning about themselves. In the end I'm wondering how the cruise ship exists with no more fuel being produced. If it traveled to other areas where they found other survivors. Would definitely recommend this book.
The characters are believable enough to really be able to root for them. I liked the way the story progresses with characters growing and learning about themselves. In the end I'm wondering how the cruise ship exists with no more fuel being produced. If it traveled to other areas where they found other survivors. Would definitely recommend this book.
May 11, 2019
Suspense
A lot of detail, numerous likeable and some not so likeable characters, suspense, science and wonderment as to what will happen next offering a need for the reader to continue to read.
A lot of detail, numerous likeable and some not so likeable characters, suspense, science and wonderment as to what will happen next offering a need for the reader to continue to read.
May 11, 2019
I highly recommend this series.
I really enjoyed all three books. Even the scenes where animals didn't make it were tolerable (usually that's not the case) because it didn't go into details (or I skipped them that well) and their deaths were pertinent to human survival.
I really enjoyed all three books. Even the scenes where animals didn't make it were tolerable (usually that's not the case) because it didn't go into details (or I skipped them that well) and their deaths were pertinent to human survival.
May 17, 2019
Cruz of a lifetime
Awesome story line, well developed characters. The characters are great they grow you. You will cheer for them,cry with them and !I've them. Not only a well written story, its also a very interesting read.
Awesome story line, well developed characters. The characters are great they grow you. You will cheer for them,cry with them and !I've them. Not only a well written story, its also a very interesting read.
May 26, 2019
What's next????
I've read all three books - couldn't put them down. Interesting story lines, engaging characters, believable time lines. Hope there's more to come. Still some loose ends to tie up.
I've read all three books - couldn't put them down. Interesting story lines, engaging characters, believable time lines. Hope there's more to come. Still some loose ends to tie up.
June 18, 2019
Sorry to see the end of this book
I really enjoyed this book. Well written with many subplots, it was a pleasure to read. Usually authors who attempt such a saga produce chaos. This book had one error, glaring in that there were none other. Well done Mr. Banner!
I really enjoyed this book. Well written with many subplots, it was a pleasure to read. Usually authors who attempt such a saga produce chaos. This book had one error, glaring in that there were none other. Well done Mr. Banner!
June 19, 2019
Good read
Interesting mix of characters.
Fascinating idea of the initial cause of the disease, and how it changes the host as well as its progression from animal to human infected and thinking.
Interesting mix of characters.
Fascinating idea of the initial cause of the disease, and how it changes the host as well as its progression from animal to human infected and thinking.
July 1, 2019
Kept my interest
Ok, I have a high bar when it comes to medical fiction. Mistakes and clumsiness really catch me up. This story has many stumbles in the scientific accuracy department, but satisfies with characters and story line. Kept me reading.
Ok, I have a high bar when it comes to medical fiction. Mistakes and clumsiness really catch me up. This story has many stumbles in the scientific accuracy department, but satisfies with characters and story line. Kept me reading.
July 2, 2019
Good book
Good book long detailed and very exciting for the most part. Surprised that some of the people who have been bitten still have their human body. I would recommend a book to anyone who likes zombies
Good book long detailed and very exciting for the most part. Surprised that some of the people who have been bitten still have their human body. I would recommend a book to anyone who likes zombies
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews