Near Dead

by Stephen R. George

Taylor Holdman was having a bad day. His wife Rhonda, brutally murdered with their daughter three years ago, had suddenly appeared to him at an important business meeting. From beyond the grave, she sought his aid. And Taylor soon found that to help, he'd have to cross into her world...

Marilyn Briggs, a professional medium, was desperately needed. A little dead girl kept appearing to her, pleading to her -- a little girl who wanted her murderer stopped ... and wanted her Daddy to help.

Wayne Semmlar was ready to kill again. The corpses were piling up so high, he'd lost count. Soon, his pleas and sacrifices would be answered and the devil would take possession of his body; then Wayne could have the power to finally enact his horrific plans for the entire world...

Genres: Horror, Pulp

317 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1992

About the author

Stephen R. George is a Canadian author of horror fiction, suspense and dark fantasy. He writes under his own name and the pseudonyms Jack Ellis and Valerie Stephens. He has published 14 novels. His novels have been translated into Italian, Polish, Russian, and Norwegian. His short stories have appeared in a number of publications and anthologies including Cemetery Dance and the Hot Blood series. George was born in Scotland in 1959; he lives and works in Canada.

Reviews

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

While George may have cut his teeth on some rather mediocre horror novels, he really came into his own with Near Death and others after this. Despite the rather hokey cover art, this does not feature a little girl, but revolves around three main characters. Our lead, Taylor Holdman, co-partner of an agency in the Twin Cities (the site of most of George's novels) and starts with him seeing his dead wife in the board room, covered in blood. Now, his wife and young girl were brutally murdered three years ago, so why the spectre now? Our other leads are Marilyn Briggs, a professional medium, and Wayne Semmiar, a nasty serial killer.

While this is pretty much a trope fest, George puts a killer spin on them and paces this to beat the band. We know pretty much off the bat that Taylor and Marilyn are going to join forces as both are being haunted in a way by Taylor's dead wife and girl, and Wayne is the bad guy they have to defeat, but what a romp! The title refers to living people who can (to various degrees) commune with the dead. Marilyn has been doing such for years (it is her profession after all), but Taylor it seems also has a bit of the 'gift', although not nearly as developed as hers. Why are the dead contacting these two? Well, after a three year hiatus, Wayne is back in killing mode. Wayne really wants to be possessed by a demon (why? not sure) and began ritually killing people and kids five years ago; Taylor's wife and child were just one of hundreds of victims.

I do not want to give more on the plot to avoid spoilers, but this does involve aspects of a police procedural as the cops know the serial killer is back and eventually a detective is contacted by Taylor and Marilyn. This tale could have been drawn out for a few hundred more pages, but George keeps it lean and mean, without the meanderings that plague his earlier novels. Neat take on the afterlife for sure as well. This came out in 1992, but really has that OTT 80s feel done right. If you have not read any George, this would be a good place to start. Unfortunately, his better novels command some high prices these days. 4.5 deadly stars!!

[Jordan Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This book was voted on by my followers on Instagram as my next read and damn, they picked a good one for me to read.

I’ve been saying for a while that Stephen R George was/is criminally underrated as an author of many Zebra novels, so it’s no surprise that I would enjoy Near Dead. It’s more of a surprise just how freaking good this one was.

Obviously the idea of the dead being able to communicate through mediums and psychics is nothing new in the world of fiction (and even reality if you’re inclined to believe that stuff), yet George takes that cliche and turns it on its head. This results in a book that feels like Koontz and Saul teamed up with Masterton, combining horror and heart into one of the best Zebras I have read in a long time (and probably the best Zebra I have read since George’s last masterpiece Deadly Vengeance).

It’s crazy to think that while good old Zebra staples Patrica Wallace and Stephen Gresham peddled crap like The Children’s Ward and Abracadabra, respectively, George was also there, writing some of the best horror that Zebra EVER published.

Sure, this book isn’t the best thing ever written, but you’re doing yourself a major disservice to the 80’s horror boom if you don’t give Near Dead or any of George’s other stuff) a chance. Seriously. Read him! You won’t regret it.

[Amber K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Near Dead by Stephen R George is a classic horror tale that I enjoyed very much.
Both Taylor and Marilynn are great characters who have vastly different personalities but mesh really well together in the story. Well written and had me on the edge of my seat more than once!!!

[Jeannette Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The action and horror start right at the beginning and don’t let up! Characters that you root for. Similar to Dean Koontz style of writing. The Narrator was good and has a smooth and pleasing voice. However, sometimes I got the feeling Siri was narrating because of certain inflections and mispronunciations along with a bit of a robotic cadence.

I received a complimentary copy of this book at my request, and have voluntarily left this review.

[Audrey Stars in Her Eye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reads like the 80/90s horror stories I love (which makes sense since this was originally written in the 90s). It reminds me of writing such as Dena Koontz and Joh Saul and gives you a spooky shiver down your spine.
Taylor Holdman lost both his wife and his daughter when they were brutally murders. To Holdman's surprise his wife appears before him asking for help from the other side. He teams up with a medium named Marilyn Briggs who has spoken with his daughter. Together they plan to capture the killer responsible for Holdman's loss.
I enjoyed the story a lot. It kept me on my toes and haf that mysical side that is always so intriguing.
The narrator gives a godo performance. I have enjoyed her work before. He does well giving different characters their own distct voice.

I recieved a copy for eview; all opinions are my own.

[Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why was everyone constantly busting this dude’s balls just because he didn’t come down with depression after his wife and kid were murdered? They’re the ones who died, not him, that’s Darwinism. So he didn’t even take a week off work to mourn, that’s just proof he’s a giant Chad.

[Amanda- LateNightReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I was really impressed by this book. I am a HUGE fan of well-done horror movies and books. If the book is half-assed or the characters aren't well developed, there is little hope of me being able to finish the book. I hate not finishing a book, I normally will suffer through with hopes that it will get better. When I first started listening to this book, I didn't think I was going to like it. By the second half of the book, I couldn't put it down. This book would have made an excellent movie. I also loved how this book seemed extremely timeless. Maybe that not the correct word for it. But if you asked me the time period this book took place in, I wouldn't be able to tell you if it was the 80s, 90s, 2000s, etc. I don't know why that stood out to me, but I thought it was pretty cool. I look forward to reading more from Stephen R. George. I am really hoping that he's got more books/audiobooks for me to devour.

*This audiobook was given to me at my request (Thanx). I am providing a voluntary and honest review.

[Vnunez-Ms_luv2read · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!!! This was a very good read. A man gets a visit from his murdered family during a meeting that only he can see. From the grave, his daughters seeks revenge against the killer for all that have been wronged. This was my first time reading this author, but will not be my last. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on my review.

[Deedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

audible:A man is living for business only when he is visited by the ghost of his wife.His little girls ghosts visits a medium asking for help.Together they are tasked with helping the dead.This was a very good book.Rebecca Ehrenprels was a terrific narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.' 

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. Perfect for Halloween Month🎃. Make sure you check this out if you love chills and thrills.