Terminal: Author's Preferred Edition

by Brian Keene

For over two decades, fans of Brian Keene’s cult-classic novel Terminal have heard rumors of an uncut version that was never published. Now, for the first time anywhere, here is that version, as the author originally intended.

Tommy O’Brien once hoped to leave his run-down industrial hometown. But marriage and fatherhood have kept him running in place, working a job that doesn’t even pay the bills. And now he seems fated to stay for the rest of his life. Tommy has just learned he’s going to die young — and soon. But he refuses to leave his family with less than nothing–especially now that he has nothing to lose. Over a couple of beers with his best friends, John and Sherm, Tommy launches a bold scheme to provide for his family’s future. And though his plan will spin shockingly out of control, it will throw him together with a child whose touch can heal — and whose ultimate lesson is that there are far worse things than dying. Now, one man’s war with God may impact us all.

“A powerful, unique novel with a fascinating plot and characters, and echoes of Stephen King’s working-class voice.” — Ed Gorman

““If Brian Keene’s books were music, they would occupy a working class, hard-earned space between Bruce Springsteen, Eminem, and Johnny Cash.” — John Skipp

315 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 13, 2022

About the author

BRIAN KEENE writes novels, comic books, short fiction, and occasional journalism for money. He is the author of over forty books, mostly in the horror, crime, and dark fantasy genres. His 2003 novel, The Rising, is often credited (along with Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead comic and Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later film) with inspiring pop culture’s current interest in zombies. Keene’s novels have been translated into German, Spanish, Polish, Italian, French, Taiwanese, and many more. In addition to his own original work, Keene has written for media properties such as Doctor Who, Hellboy, Masters of the Universe, and Superman.

Several of Keene’s novels have been developed for film, including Ghoul, The Ties That Bind, and Fast Zombies Suck. Several more are in-development or under option. Keene also serves as Executive Producer for the independent film studio Drunken Tentacle Productions.

Keene also oversees Maelstrom, his own small press publishing imprint specializing in collectible limited editions, via Thunderstorm Books.

Keene’s work has been praised in such diverse places as The New York Times, The History Channel, The Howard Stern Show, CNN.com, Publisher’s Weekly, Media Bistro, Fangoria Magazine, and Rue Morgue Magazine. He has won numerous awards and honors, including the World Horror 2014 Grand Master Award, two Bram Stoker Awards, and a recognition from Whiteman A.F.B. (home of the B-2 Stealth Bomber) for his outreach to U.S. troops serving both overseas and abroad. A prolific public speaker, Keene has delivered talks at conventions, college campuses, theaters, and inside Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Langley, VA.

The father of two sons, Keene lives in rural Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Terminal is a cross between Breaking Bead, Dog Day Afternoon and The Sixth Sense. The Breaking Bad and Dog Day Afternoon-like sections are gritty, humorous and despair-filled. Good stuff here. The Sixth Sense-like section of the book left me a bit baffled. Having read some of the reviews, I anticipated a bit of supernatural in the story but Keene wallops us with this? Eesh, talk about your immaculate “miss”conception! (you’ll get it if you read the story). The Author’s Preferred Edition, which I read, contains an additional 10,0000 words. I wish he had taken half of that to provide some background and logic to the supernatural element. Given more exploration and explanation, I’m convinced that would have pushed this book into 4 star territory for me.

[Andy Rausch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian Keene is great. This is only my second of his books, but I plan to read a lot more. The book is a good time, or at least as good a time as you can have talking about some of the subjects he talks about here. Even though Terminal is VERY different from these things I am about to mention, I got the sense that Keene drew inspiration from both Stephen King's The Mist and The Green Mile. I'm in NO WAY saying that he ripped those things off, but I'm saying that I think he was inspired by some of the arguing and claustrophobia from The Mist and that he likely found John Coffey as an inspiration in writing some of the characatersistics of one of the characters in this book. Not that the character is a photocopy of Coffey AT ALL, but as a writer myself, I can see where reading that might have provided a seed for something that grew into something completely different in Keene's talented hands. Keene is fantastic, and he has a very unique way of approaching some things. I love that there were some things in this book that were so far out of left field that I could only marvel at them. Keene is like Joe Lansdale in this way; you don't know what types of far out things he might add into the mix, but you know it's likely to be very, very good. I had the chance to meet Keene once, and I thought he was a really cool guy. Maybe I'm biased because I find him a sort of kindred spirit in the way he seems to create things, but I fucking love this guy.

[Joe Kucharski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terminal is a dark crime read with a subtle touch of magic. And brother, the fantasy elements work well with the serious reality of it all.

In the opening author's note, Brian Keene mentions how this title shoulda-coulda-woulda propelled him into a Stephen King inhabited orbit. Terminal totally has that King vibe, too. Make no mistakes though, this is totally Keene.

Keene successfully and incredibly makes Tommy O'Brien a real, believable, relatable character. So much so that you want to see him both succeed and die. And in a way, both events happen, too. Again, this is a dark Brian Keene novel, so wishes and results do not make for happy endings. As a good story, though? Terminal is incredible.

[Gabriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Terminal” is filled with a bit more Western Spiritually than Keene usually injects and there were a few spots that went a little over the top with it. It’s definitely an young writers voice but the glimpses of Keene’s more solid stuff is fun to read. It is a bit repetitive too but let’s chalk that up to it being the “authors preferred edition” because clearly it is. This is not a bad read by any stretch. It’s like one of those episodes of “The Twilight Zone” that were an hour long instead of 30 minutes. One of those but one of the good ones.

[Johann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tommy just found out he has terminal cancer. One of his friends talks him into robbing a bank. His friend is a little nuts. What could possibly go wrong?

I liked the characters, each one is very fleshed out.
Reminded me a lot of Stephen King's stuff.
This tale is dark. But hey, this is horror, right?
Very action packed!
Also this is the author's original story. Apparently when he released it the first time, unfortunately there were a lot of edits to the point of an entire re-write. Very pleased to be able to see the original vision.

[Christopher Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian Keen fascinates

Terminal: Author’s Preferred Edition is an intriguing dose of an author’s mind. To read a novelist confident enough to have his characters go on an epic spiritual tangent during the hostage section of a bank robbery and entire lives gone wrong is breathtaking. This is what I open books to explore. Fresh and totally Brian Keene.
Highly recommended.

[Rob Cirino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book with a great ending!

[Ralph Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. Loved every word of it. Well worth the read.

[Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Gritty crime novel with existential undertones. Features some memorable minor characters, and an excellent pace. Good entertainment value. Satisfying conclusion.

[Ryan Lehman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic as always!

[Jesse Bollinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really felt for the main character of this book. He was down on his luck, and just looking for a way to make life better for his family. I love the supernatural element of it, and will definitely revisit this again. Another master work from Mr. Keene!