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Tomes of the Dead #4
Tomes of the Dead: I, Zombie
-My name is John Doe. I-ve been dead for ten years.-
I have no heartbeat, no breath, no smell, just cold, clammy flesh animated by something I don't understand. So I sell my dead flesh to the highest bidder. If the price is right, I'll kill for you, steal for you, or save your life for you. There's no mystery you can't hire me to solve- apart from this one.
The bent copper torn apart in his flat by something not quite human. The hidden rooms underneath the Tower of London. The hollow-eyed boxer, Morse, and strange, strange Mr Smith with his head full of the future. And the secret they found. The secret of who I am. A secret so big and black and terrible that it changed everything we thought we knew about existence. And now I'm the only person who can stop the end of all life on this planet-
-I, Zombie!
Tomes of The Dead is an exciting new collection of novels bringing you the very best in flesh-munchingly, gut-wrenchingly, eye-ball-poppingly good zombie fiction.
I have no heartbeat, no breath, no smell, just cold, clammy flesh animated by something I don't understand. So I sell my dead flesh to the highest bidder. If the price is right, I'll kill for you, steal for you, or save your life for you. There's no mystery you can't hire me to solve- apart from this one.
The bent copper torn apart in his flat by something not quite human. The hidden rooms underneath the Tower of London. The hollow-eyed boxer, Morse, and strange, strange Mr Smith with his head full of the future. And the secret they found. The secret of who I am. A secret so big and black and terrible that it changed everything we thought we knew about existence. And now I'm the only person who can stop the end of all life on this planet-
-I, Zombie!
Tomes of The Dead is an exciting new collection of novels bringing you the very best in flesh-munchingly, gut-wrenchingly, eye-ball-poppingly good zombie fiction.
Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 14, 2012
Don't know quite what to say about this book, it's a tricky one to review. I can say it's the best zombie book I've ever read and one of the most interesting reads of 2012. Thanks to free e-lending at Leeds library online, I've been branching out to genres I wouldn't normally touch with a ten foot stripy barge pole.
Thankfully, free (at least at point of use!), means a lot more adventure when it comes to books and that is how I stumbled across this gem from Al Ewing. It starts out quite punchy, with lots of action and rumination from both our principal character, the zombie and a cast of well constructed, if quickly discarded characters.
This book reminds me solidly of Quentin Tarantino's movies, starting with one premise and ending in quite another destination. The author pulls no punches and spares no-one from his merciless ride. He certainly has no compunction fleshing out a character only to dispose of it soon after. This makes for unpredictability until the very end. In the grand tradition of horror, the end is as one would expect and no, I won't spoil it by going into any detail - it's that sort of read.
A solid 5 stars for a roller coaster of a read.
Thankfully, free (at least at point of use!), means a lot more adventure when it comes to books and that is how I stumbled across this gem from Al Ewing. It starts out quite punchy, with lots of action and rumination from both our principal character, the zombie and a cast of well constructed, if quickly discarded characters.
This book reminds me solidly of Quentin Tarantino's movies, starting with one premise and ending in quite another destination. The author pulls no punches and spares no-one from his merciless ride. He certainly has no compunction fleshing out a character only to dispose of it soon after. This makes for unpredictability until the very end. In the grand tradition of horror, the end is as one would expect and no, I won't spoil it by going into any detail - it's that sort of read.
A solid 5 stars for a roller coaster of a read.
July 31, 2011
I don't really have much to add to Mr. Dorazio's review, except to point out two things. One is that, after the neo-noir opening, the rest of the novel moves into Lovecraft country, and does so very effectively. The novel's "hero" proves to have objectives not unlike those of Wilbur Whateley, although, in terms of results, the latter is by comparison a veritable stumblebum! Admirers of HPL's sardonic cosmicism will not know by looking at the cover/blurb that they will find this enjoyable reading.
Also, the author notes in a preface that he originally envisioned this novel as a vast epic, sprawling over hundreds of pages. Instead he has written a lean, tight narrative that fairly batters the reader with seemingly incessant ingenious plot developments. Other horror novelists take heed: less is more.
Also, the author notes in a preface that he originally envisioned this novel as a vast epic, sprawling over hundreds of pages. Instead he has written a lean, tight narrative that fairly batters the reader with seemingly incessant ingenious plot developments. Other horror novelists take heed: less is more.
July 1, 2023
I got this book as a freebie (at the "Nine Worlds" convention). I've read a few other books in the same series, and I'm familiar with Al Ewing's work in comics (which generally varies between solid and excellent), so I didn't bother reading the back cover blurb before I opened the book. I think that's a good way to approach this, because the story changes direction a few times, and the less you know in advance the better.
I remember a Robot Chicken video where the characters shake a magic 8 ball to explain a zombie apocalypse, but then realise that all the possible answers are "virus". Without giving too much away, this novel does something different. I've read/watched a lot of zombie stories, and this one felt fresh (even 15 years after publication).
I don't know how well this book will stand up to re-reading, but on a first reading it held my attention. I was reluctant to put it down when I went to bed, and I was eager to get back to it after work the next day.
I think this book will appeal to people who liked the "Laundry Files" series (by Charles Stross). It's not the same premise or style, but there's some common ground.
This book does well in terms of copy editing. The only typo I noticed was on page 204, where "Sharon" briefly became "Shannon".
The narrative alternates between 3rd person (past tense) and 1st person (present tense). Normally that would bother me, especially when there's no explanation, but in this case it works.
I remember a Robot Chicken video where the characters shake a magic 8 ball to explain a zombie apocalypse, but then realise that all the possible answers are "virus". Without giving too much away, this novel does something different. I've read/watched a lot of zombie stories, and this one felt fresh (even 15 years after publication).
I don't know how well this book will stand up to re-reading, but on a first reading it held my attention. I was reluctant to put it down when I went to bed, and I was eager to get back to it after work the next day.
I think this book will appeal to people who liked the "Laundry Files" series (by Charles Stross). It's not the same premise or style, but there's some common ground.
This book does well in terms of copy editing. The only typo I noticed was on page 204, where "Sharon" briefly became "Shannon".
The narrative alternates between 3rd person (past tense) and 1st person (present tense). Normally that would bother me, especially when there's no explanation, but in this case it works.
October 22, 2025
I found this book in the old "Border Books" in Glasgow on my way home from uni and it was a surprise favourite. I don't often re-read books but I have read this one...3 times? it tickles all my favourite itches, drama! Horror! Thriller! Noir detective! Sci-Fi! Blending it all into a cheap thrills pot and a surprise death that I didn't see coming.
It's not too deep but it's fun and the massive tonal shift was pretty refreshing.
It's not too deep but it's fun and the massive tonal shift was pretty refreshing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2024
What a weird book. Funny, horrific, bloody, zombie noir to begin with. Then becomes a alien, apocalyptic end of the world fight to the death. Not what i was expecting at all from the front cover or the blurb on the back of the book. I really enjoyed it and zipped through this.
November 5, 2010
It is going to be hard for me to give this book a reasonable review without giving up much of the plot, most of which is hidden by its description on the back of the book.
On the surface...
This book would lead you to believe that we are delving into something that is Noir, gumshoe mystery or killer for hire type stuff. First person writing, a guy who is has been dead but alive for ten years, not quite sure of his past and who he was before he died, but doing jobs for those who can afford to hire him.
...that lasts for the first few pages of the book. Then we are thrust into a strange world where werewolves are chasing him, a secret government agency suspects they know who he really is, and a superintelligence wants to disect and study him.
Telling any more would probably ruin what the real scoop is here, but suffice it to say if you are looking for a story about an intelligent zombie who solves crimes or riddles or even just tries to discover what might pass for normal voodoo mojo in his creation, forget it. This is not the tale for you. Unless of course, you keep an open mind and are not locked into having this story follow familiar pathways.
Al Ewing has turned the idea of the zombie on its ear. To be honest, the whole concept of our main character being a zombie is only a minor cover up for something far more sinister, dark, and impossible to fathom.
The author's writing, especially when we are in the oh so twisted mind of our main character, zings off the page. Snarky and yet full of pain at not knowing what he is but at the same time understanding that he is not quite human, the character is both compelling and repulsive at the same time. The fact that he holds the fate of humanity in his hands makes him that much more fascinating.
Fair warning, this is NOT a zombie story in any form that is easily recognizable. I am sure plenty of folks who end up buying this book might be slightly puzzled by the picture of the human-bug like creature in the background of the cover of the book but dimiss it for the picture in the foreground of the deadish looking private detective type smoking a cigarette, having a drink of what looks like blood while the open skull (with brains pouring out) sits on his desk.
The author could have created a whole set of stories about the main character reaching back into the forties and fifties when he was a private detective, but this is not a story about the undead detective, solving crimes and trying to unravel the mystery of who he is. This is the story of him discovering who he is, opening pandora's box, and perhaps letting the world end.
I liked this book but to all who read this review: keep an open mind, expect the unexpected, and go along for the ride. Otherwise, you will probably feel like you were duped by the rotting exterior of this story. You have to dig deeper, dig into its brains, and dive in, to find the real story here.
On the surface...
This book would lead you to believe that we are delving into something that is Noir, gumshoe mystery or killer for hire type stuff. First person writing, a guy who is has been dead but alive for ten years, not quite sure of his past and who he was before he died, but doing jobs for those who can afford to hire him.
...that lasts for the first few pages of the book. Then we are thrust into a strange world where werewolves are chasing him, a secret government agency suspects they know who he really is, and a superintelligence wants to disect and study him.
Telling any more would probably ruin what the real scoop is here, but suffice it to say if you are looking for a story about an intelligent zombie who solves crimes or riddles or even just tries to discover what might pass for normal voodoo mojo in his creation, forget it. This is not the tale for you. Unless of course, you keep an open mind and are not locked into having this story follow familiar pathways.
Al Ewing has turned the idea of the zombie on its ear. To be honest, the whole concept of our main character being a zombie is only a minor cover up for something far more sinister, dark, and impossible to fathom.
The author's writing, especially when we are in the oh so twisted mind of our main character, zings off the page. Snarky and yet full of pain at not knowing what he is but at the same time understanding that he is not quite human, the character is both compelling and repulsive at the same time. The fact that he holds the fate of humanity in his hands makes him that much more fascinating.
Fair warning, this is NOT a zombie story in any form that is easily recognizable. I am sure plenty of folks who end up buying this book might be slightly puzzled by the picture of the human-bug like creature in the background of the cover of the book but dimiss it for the picture in the foreground of the deadish looking private detective type smoking a cigarette, having a drink of what looks like blood while the open skull (with brains pouring out) sits on his desk.
The author could have created a whole set of stories about the main character reaching back into the forties and fifties when he was a private detective, but this is not a story about the undead detective, solving crimes and trying to unravel the mystery of who he is. This is the story of him discovering who he is, opening pandora's box, and perhaps letting the world end.
I liked this book but to all who read this review: keep an open mind, expect the unexpected, and go along for the ride. Otherwise, you will probably feel like you were duped by the rotting exterior of this story. You have to dig deeper, dig into its brains, and dive in, to find the real story here.
January 13, 2012
A zombie with cognizant thought? A zombie mercenary for good (mostly)? Yes indeed in this pulpy pastishe of pulp fiction and zombie stories. John Doe is a zombie, he doesn't remember what he was before he was a zombie, so he assumes he's pretty much always been a zombie. He's got a gun, he's got a bank account, he's got a mobile phone, even though he's dead and occasionally he eats... well, you know, it's a zombie thing.
I'm not sure if this was supposed to be tongue in cheek, a very dark tongue in cheek but tongue in cheek it seemed to me. He might be a zombie, but maybe the only thing that can save the world is a zombie who likes to eat... yeah, that.
I'm not sure if this was supposed to be tongue in cheek, a very dark tongue in cheek but tongue in cheek it seemed to me. He might be a zombie, but maybe the only thing that can save the world is a zombie who likes to eat... yeah, that.
June 14, 2012
And odd zombie tale, gets a bit more odd towards the end where you're not quite sure if you're still reading the same book, but excellent character and pretty funny, (i found in places) but all in all very very enjoyable for zombie fiction.
October 25, 2009
More enjoyable craziness from Al - one of the best imaginations in business!
July 18, 2016
This is superb. Al Ewing takes all the zombie tropes and simply tips them upside down, turning the novel into something else entirely.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews