Lazarus

by Lori Titus

a zombie book

Genres: Zombies, Horror, Fiction

104 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 2010

About the author

The Bell House:
https://www.amazon.com/Bell-House-Lor...



Hunting in Closed Spaces:

http://www.amazon.com/Hunting-Closed-...


The Guardians of Man:
http://www.amazon.com/Guardians-Man-F...


Lazarus:
http://www.amazon.com/Lazarus-Lori-Ti...


Marradith, Darkly

https://www.amazon.com/Bell-House-Lor...


The Moon Goddess:

https://www.amazon.com/Moon-Goddess-M...


Upcoming Releases:

The Art of Shadows, #2 in The Marradith Ryder Series

Reviews

[Shanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual, I was eagerly checking the mail for the presence of a new book while awaiting the arrival of Lazarus by Lori Titus, so when I first noticed the manila envelope in the mailbox I was a bit surprised by the thinness of the package awaiting me. I suppose that was probably my own fault though, seeing as I was expecting a novel but was surprised by the presence of a novella instead. That being said, after opening the envelope and being met by a glossy, beautiful cover, my expectations rose.
So let's get the negatives out of the way first. Yes, this was a short read, more of a short story than a book, but that's not a bad thing, just my own misguided expectations on the matter being upset. Second, the writing, while decent, is rather simple and straight forward. Again, this is not a bad thing, but I'm more of one for wordy prose, and perhaps if I had known I was expecting a novella in the mail I would've been more prepared for it. Lastly, while the first half of Lazarus was professional enough, in the second half I noticed several errors in the printing, such as uneven spacing, and a few grammatical and spelling errors.
Now that we got that out of the way, believe it or not, I did enjoy this book, quite a bit. It wasn't quite what I expected, in both good and bad ways. I was expecting a little bit more of a historical feel, which I would've appreciated, and a little bit more of a Night of the Living Dead feel, which I wouldn't have appreciated, so the two evened themselves out. Though I've been a fan of supernatural fiction for years, zombies are oddly the one creature of the night I am not particularly fond of. Maybe just because they're so overdone. However, Titus' creatures, though referred to as “zombies,” are really more of a “walking dead” creation. To be truthful, the zombies in this novel reminded me more of Pet Semetary's living monsters, even to the point that one scene in the story actually seemed like an homage to King's work, which was a pleasant surprise for me.
The characters are simple and easily relatable, which would be expected from such a short piece, and the emotions and feelings between them seem rather sudden and unexplained at times, but when you're reading a zombie novel set in the old west, a suspension of disbelief is expected. I wouldn't recommend this book to someone wanting a long, drawn out story full of drama and mystery, but it's a quick, fun read for anybody looking for a bit of escapism. It reminds me of one of those short horror books I'd page through in an hour or two as a young child and I'm fine with that.

[Heather Faville · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lori Titus’ novella Lazarus brings into the zombie genre, not only a bit of the Old West, but a heroine who  comes to try to save a small town from being overrun by the undead.  Luella Pembry arrives in Lazarus, California with knowledge of the town’s mysterious history that makes more than one of the townsfolk a bit wary on her reasons for coming to Lazarus.  Sheriff Benjamin Drake and Mayor Jasper Cole both have secrets regarding the town and some of the events that have happened…the question is which one of these two gentlemen want to keep those secrets hidden and which one has a ghostly figure looking over his shoulder?

Lazarus was a very fun and entertaining novella.  I found it to be a refreshing change from the norm of being set in the here and now and to have a heroine being the main figure in a tale of the undead is always a refreshing change in the genre if done right.

[Patrick D'Orazio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luella Pembry can speak to the dead. Ghosts are all around her, and ask that she do their bidding. She is called to a place called Lazarus, where others have magical talents of their own, and the dead tend to rise, though this type of dead are zombies, and they seek to destroy the living.

Lazarus is a tightly written novella that immerses the reader in the old west, with a twilight zone bent to it. Its mix of magic and the grit of the old west keeps the reader intrigued page after page. Lori Titus certainly knows how to spin a tale that kept me wondering what was next. I guess it sounds trite to say, but this is a story with a little bit of something for everyone: mystery, romance, horror, adventure, a strong leading woman and man, deception, and solid, compelling characters.

I don't think I've read a story that combined ghosts and zombies and layered on top of that mysticism before. Lori does an excellent job of combining those elements and making the story flow well from start to finish. Again, this is a novella, so perhaps my only complaint is that this isn't a full fledged novel with more story to it-I would have liked to seen more of this little town in California and the people who inhabit it. So I guess the brevity of this tale isn't really a complaint at all-Lori Titus has me craving more.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say, given that Lori is a first time out writer in a genre not typically tackled, I was skeptical and a little hesitant to read Lazarus. I'll admit to a real fear of the walking, rotting undead (not so much the sparkly, gothic drama-queen undead) and was wondering if the the mental imagery was going to be too much for me. Lazarus, however, did not disappoint.

Fast-paced, clever and articulate, the story flowed, and I was surprised that, after only a small chunk of pages in, I already had a vested interest in both the hero and the heroine. Given that the storyline had several plausible directions it could have taken, I was pleasantly taken on a trip to a woman finding 'home' in the most unlikely of places, and a man finding redemption in her generosity. Hardly a typical story, it was easy to visualize but not dogged, and there were enough twists and turns to keep me hoping that there will be a sequel!

Highly recommended, and I hope to see more from this obviously talented author.

[T.L. Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lazarus is a western undead treat! Short, but with plenty of story for your dollar, this tale features zombies, psychics, romance, thrills and more. Luella Pembry, a woman with a haunted past, enters Lazarus a town with a past of its own and a present filled with the hoardes of the flesh-hungry undead. There are some great characters and some very thrilling moments. The plot moves right along and my only desire was that we could know some of the side characters in this strange town a little better, and perhaps the author could have inserted a few more atmospheric descriptions of the town and its enviorns. Overall I really enjoyed reading this story. You don't have to love westerns or zombies to enjoy this quick penny dreadful. I am anxiously looking forward to reading more from the promising talent of Ms. Titus! And a final note, this zombie tale has plenty of gore, but it relies most effectively on terrifying moments to carry the impact of the horror. I applaud this. I also love the idea of psychic bloodlines carried out so cleverly by the author.

[Mav Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lori Titus has this way of enchanting the reader’s senses while taking their imagination on a horror joyride. It’s as if you are laying in bed, having your mother’s sweet voice tell you a bedtime story, and the next minute she puts a pillow over your face and won’t let you breathe, all while speaking in her crisp, lovely voice. Suddenly, the pillow is lifted. She is back in her chair, and you are left wondering whether any of it happened at all. Lazarus takes place in the rusty, dusty west when women bathed in claw foot tubs, men still tipped their hats, and zombies rose from the dead. Imagine Nancy Drew meets Pet Sematary at the O.K. Corral. Throw in a dash of romance and you’ve got yourself a Lori Titus story you don’t want to miss.

[Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lazarus is a short story novel. It is no more than 100 pages. Lazarus is a book I don't usually read. I have an issue with zombies. However after reading Lazarus, I have to say I love the book. This book has an individual who sees and speaks to ghost, a mind reader, a necromancer, and the supernatural happening all in a small town out in the West. The story is pretty simple but it has enough materials that makes it worth reading. By the way, the story is Western set in 1869 for any Western fans.

This book has everything from Western to supernatural to romance if no one is put off with zombies as I am.

[Chad Case · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zombies, the Old West, Psychics and a heroine named Luella Pembry ... oh my has Lori Titus got her an excellent read in Lazarus. The novella, which also mixes in ghosts and romance, is unlike anything I have read in a while. I enjoyed the characters (especially Luella and Sully), the plot twists and the Twilight Zone feel it had throughout the book. It may be short, but perfect for someone (like me) who has a hectic schedule.

[E.M. MacCallum · Rating 4 out of 5]

You'll find everything in this book from action, romance, mystery and horror. Lazarus is a place where the dead have a difficult time staying dead and the residents aren't quite what they seem. The main character Luella Pembry is blessed - or perhaps in some cases, cursed - with a mysterious gift which brings her to the dusty ol' town. With the assistance of a very nice Sheriff, she must race against the clock to prevent a supernatural catastrophe that threatens the town and it's residents.

[Infernal Apex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lori Titus has done a wonderful job with this Novella. She managed to squeeze so much in to this short work set in 1869. There's romance, action, cowboys, psychic powers and zombies. What amazed me is she was able to develop such full/rich characters in the Novella form. You really care about the people and their struggle to keep their town safe at any cost.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lazarus, by Lori Titus, was very entertaining. It's an old west zombie flick. There is this town, Lazarus , that has been experiencing Zombie risings. Luella comes to town, and meets with the Sheriff and Mayor, telling them she can solve the problem. She has some abilities. I kept thinking of Zoe Kravitz when I thought of Luella for some reason, dressed in old west garb. Anyway, things are not as they seem in Lazarus. There is some insidiousness. Can Luella keep her promise and end the Zombie rising, or are unseen forces piled up against her. Great writing, great story, highly recommend.

[A.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lazarus is one of those books that is hard to classify. Part zombie horror, part gun-slinging western, the novella narrates the goings-on in the quaint desert town of Lazarus, California, where the dead don’t stay that way.

Widow Luella Pembry arrives in Lazarus with a zombie-detecting device and a plan to stop the town from being overrun. She offers her help, for a price. But the town Sheriff and Mayer have buried secrets of their own, and don’t appreciate Luella digging around in their pasts. Will their secrets be revealed in time to stop the dead from rising?

“Luella arrived in town with one trunk and a suitcase.” So begins Lazarus and so it continues: quick, snappy, catchy. The writing’s simple and unadorned, the plot steps livelily, and the desert town makes for an evocative, spooky setting.

There’s something of the screenplay in this novella. The short scenes and tight dialogue unfolded, film-like, in my mind. The tireless scratching sound of bone against wood followed me to my bedroom, as I lay in the dark and did my best not to think of zombies.

And yet the story is not as frightening as I thought it would be. Creepy, yes. Macabre, definitely. But this is no traditional zombie tale: the focus of Lazarus is more on the town’s inhabitants and their history, rather than the more physical gruesomeness of the undead.

Lazarus also has elements of the paranormal, which I did not expect. Luella has an affinity for the dead, and indeed they are drawn towards her. There’s a character who reads minds, and another who can give life. And there is more than one kind of zombie, too: those raised by ‘natural’ causes, and those born of magic. The author has clearly put much thought into the supernatural elements, going so far as to suggest that zombies live in swamps to conceal their stench (an idea I love!).

As always, a couple things niggled. I found the scenes a little too short, the narrative jumpy, never long enough to let me properly sink into the character’s point of view. I am very much a fan of getting into a character’s head, but Lazarus focuses more on the town as a whole. On a similar note, I think Lazarus could have benefitted from being more fleshed-out—from being a longer story! I would have happily sunk into Lori Titus’ world a little longer.

Lazarus ends on a suggestive note, leaving you with questions. What will Lori Titus write next? Will we see Luella again? I don’t know about you, but I’m curious to know more.

In sum, a zombie tale unlike any other. It has a hint of the west, an unfaithful wife, and rivalry between best friends. Worth a look!

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love zombie novels. I also love historical fiction. Combine a zombie novel with a historical western setting, and I am all for it. That's exactly what the reader gets when reading Lazarus. I've been Facebook friends with Lori Titus for a while, and really wanted to read one of her books. I chose Lazarus. I'm so glad I did. It might be one of my favorite zombie novels that I've ever read.

Lazarus has a strong zombie element in the plot. However, it's not just a zombie book. There's also a paranormal experience, which was a pleasent surprise. I've rarely ever read the two paranormal types in the same book, and really enjoyed it. I thought it brought something new to the genre, and kept it interesting. Lori Titus pulls off the combination with her phenomenal writing style. It didn't feel like there was too much going on at all, like it usually does when I've seen other authors attempt it.

Typically, I hate instalove in a book. It's one of my biggest pet peeves. There is some instalove in Lazarus between two characters. At first, it annoyed me at the beginning. However, the further I got into the book, I realized Lori Titus wrote in a way that it works really well. Not only did it seem necessary to the plot, but it seemed natural. It wasn't the forced instalove that's in most books. She made me look at instalove in a completely new way.

Lazarus was one of the best horror books I've read this year. It made me see several aspects of the horror genre in a new light. I look forward to making my way through Lori Titus's back log of books that she's previously released. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a short, yet captivating, horror read.

[Alicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. My thanks to Lori Titus.

I loved the premise of zombie tale set in the Old West and had high hopes. After all, why wouldn't the supernatural beings exist in a land of outlaws, quick guns and quicker deaths?

My expectations were not met, sadly. The writing flowed as though it were a police report: Just the facts, ma'am. The dialogue was a forced and did not flow naturally. Because of this, the story seemed jumpy to me, almost as though it were a screenplay with screen directions left out. For example, I could not figure out when exactly Luella and Ben fell in love. In a TV show, actors express themselves with interested glances, flirting touches, and other verbal and non-verbal cues. This story was missing either dialogue or descriptions of those elements and did not do a sufficient job in creating believable characters. As a result, I could not really connect to the protagonist.

Much of the characters' internal dialogue was also missing. The moment of discovery when Luella tells Jasper, "I knew it was you all along" had elements of the reveal in a Scooby Doo episode because the author did not show when all the deductions took place.

I still love the idea of zombies in the Old West. Perhaps, if the author had fleshed out the characters and added better descriptions, I would rate this book higher.

[Erin Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lori Titus pens a sharp, supernatural tale with her novella, Lazarus, a zombie western horror. She balances a great plot with steady action, creative elements and mystery, and authentic characters.

Luella Pembry waltzes into the town of Lazarus, challenging the people’s laws and the heart of Sheriff Benjamin Drake. She’s haunted by a difficult past and frequent, chilling warnings from the apparitions she sees. Little does she know that Sheriff Drake has his own supernatural abilities too. But Luella has other worries—her visit to Lazarus involves the rising dead and the dark secrets behind their return.

Luella and Ben embark through treacherous grounds to discover the root of Lazarus’ evil and lay to rest their own personal demons. With a well-rounded ending full of surprises and twists, and a distinct plot, Lazarus also delivers tasty zombie lore mixed with a little witchcraft, all occurring in 1896 in a small, western town, one that is full of magic, death, and corruption.

This book is a fun, fast read with a variety of genre that will appeal to many readers.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

From a surprisingly short book, a pretty good story. I really like the setting, with zombies and magic of certain sorts common. A bit pulp comic even. I enjoyed the characters and even though some of the connections they make to one another seem a bit rushed, they are still believable. I think this would make a great series of short stories in the same setting , not necessarily needing to follow the same characters, but that might be interesting to see where they go from the conclusion here. A refreshing look at the zombie genre.

[Lindsey Lang]

nice, i just entered for this one yesterday for my husband so cool that i actually won it! =) First Reads is the best ever!!

got the book in the mail today and was a little surprised, it is just 100 pages and the wording is huge too. a little disappointing but maybe once i read it the book will make up for it's limited pages.

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my golly I could not put this down! Not the longest book, and not the best I have ever read, but it had me hooked! I loved the characters, although they developed quickly as did their relationships I soon found myself involved in their feelings. A fabulous short read. Recommend to anyone looking for a Western Zombie story!

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story of the old west and zombies. Yes, read that right. Zombies, and they're on the loose in the town of Lazarus (I see what you did there, Lori Titus! :) So saddle up, partners. Mosey on down the Lazarus and watch your back... especially if you hear a shuffling sound and smell something worse than the stench of roadkill.

[Katara Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luella came, she saw (well she already knew lol) and she conquered!! This book lets the reader know what time it is for zombies. I love how Luella used strategy to do what she needed to do through out the whole story. Now this is how one conquers the paranormal!
Lori Titus, I look forward to reading more of your books!!

[Casey M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I love stuff that has to do with scary plots, ghost , etc. so this book was right up my alley. The beginning kinda took a while to get into but was worth it since it only got better. I would recommend this book to any reader who loves thrillers with good endings.

[Noelle Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not often I'll sit down with a zombie book but this one I found interesting. It certainly was a good introduction to say the least. I didn't think I'd like it (this book was a gift) but I did! Really good and well written. I think I !might read more zombie books because of this one!

[Felicia A Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In case you haven't read this one....here is another editing project I may not have posted about. A back in the day ghost tale with a splash of zombies.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a Goodreads, First Reads selection. For as short as it was, it was pretty good. Zombieland meets the old west, is the best way I can describe it.

[Ken B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very, very good story that was tainted by mediocre editing.

4 STARS

[Clayton · Rating 1 out of 5]

Won a copy through one of the giveaways but never received a copy.