Dead of Night

Jonathan Maberry

Book 1 in the series:Dead of Night

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Who Would Like This Book:

This is a zombie outbreak story with a twist - Jonathan Maberry brings fresh chills to the genre by focusing not just on gore, but on what it means when the 'undead' are still conscious inside their own bodies. The pacing is relentless, with tension ratcheting higher with every chapter, and the characters (especially tough cop Dez Fox and her partner JT) feel real, flawed, and compelling. If you love smart horror, apocalyptic thrillers, or just crave a chilling page-turner with both heart and bite, this one's for you!

Who May Not Like This Book:

Some readers were put off by the abundance of gore and graphic violence, while others found the dialogue a bit corny or too filled with profanity. The character of Dez may come across as a tough stereotype for some, and there are a fair number of genre tropes (government conspiracies, hardened journalists, etc.). A few wished the editing was tighter and were distracted by occasional plot cliches or heavy-handed current events references.

A pulse-pounding zombie thriller that breathes grisly new life into the genre. Gritty, clever, and surprisingly emotional - must-read for zombie and horror fans!

About:

'Dead of Night' by Jonathan Maberry is a horror novel set in a small town in Pennsylvania where a zombie outbreak occurs after a doctor injects a lethal virus into a serial killer, only for the killer to come back to life as a zombie. The story follows the chaos that ensues as the virus spreads, the characters' struggles to survive, and the government's involvement in containing the outbreak. The writing style is described as fast-paced, gripping, and immersive, with a mix of horror, mystery, and elements of political and societal commentary.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed, with Dez being a strong yet flawed protagonist, JT as a grounding force, and Billy adding emotional complexity and intrigue.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by rapid pacing, engaging multi-perspective narration, and vivid detail, enhancing both horror elements and character depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around a prisoner's execution that unintentionally triggers a zombie apocalypse, exploring themes of morality and the human condition as the outbreak unfolds in a small town.

Setting:

The story is set in the small fictional town of Stebbins, Pennsylvania, during a contemporary time with a tense atmosphere exacerbated by a significant storm.

Pacing:

The pacing is rapid, with frequent shifts in perspective that maintain suspense and propel the narrative forward without significant downtime.

There had been that one flash of pain, but even that was beautiful in its way. So intensely painful that it possessed purity. It was beyond anything in his personal experience, though Hartnup had imag...

Notes:

The story starts with the execution of a serial killer, Homer Gibbons, who becomes the catalyst for a zombie outbreak.

Dr. Herman Volker injects Homer Gibbons with a virus that keeps his consciousness alive while his body decays after death.

This novel explores themes of morality regarding punishment and revenge, questioning the nature of evil.

The zombies in this story retain awareness and are fully conscious of their actions, which creates a horrifying dynamic.

The narrative is told from multiple perspectives, including the police officer Dez Fox, her partner JT Hammond, and even the zombies themselves.

Dez Fox is portrayed as a strong, albeit flawed, female lead who battles her demons while facing the apocalypse.

The setting is a small town in Pennsylvania called Stebbins, which adds to the relatability and tension of the story.

The plot unfolds in a short time frame, approximately 24 hours, which heightens the sense of urgency and chaos.

The book blends traditional horror elements with social commentary about government response to crises and media sensationalism.

Maberry's writing style combines action, horror, and character development, making the story engaging beyond standard zombie fare.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include graphic violence, torture, and psychological horror.

Has Romance?

There is a moderate romantic subplot involving the characters Dez and Billy.

From The Publisher:

A prison doctor injects a condemned serial killer with a formula designed to keep his consciousness awake while his body rots in the grave. But all drugs have unforeseen side-effects. Before he could be buried, the killer wakes up. Hungry. Infected. Contagious. This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang…but a bite.

October 2011

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369 pages

Ratings (7)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (2)
Liked It (3)

Reader Stats (22):

Read It (7)
Want To Read (12)
Not Interested (3)

1 comment(s)

StephB

Loved It

9 months

Listened to audiobook w/hubby

What can you read after
Dead of Night?

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About the Author:

Jonathan Maberry is a New York Times bestseller and multiple Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Patient Zero, the Pine Deep Trilogy, The Wolfman, Zombie CSU and They Bite. His work for Marvel Comics includes the Punisher, Wolverine, DoomWar, Marvel Zombie Return and Black Panther. His Joe Ledger series has been optioned for TV by Sony Pictures.

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