New Dead: A Zombie Anthology, The (Book)

Reviewed by Elaine Lamkin

Edited by Christopher Golden

Published by St Martin’s Griffin

Just as vampires have become so nauseatingly “sweet” with the Twilight series and all of the vampire/human woman love stories, horror readers can still take heart (no pun intended) that those lovable zombies are still here to EAT. YOUR. BRAINS (nom nom nom). And editor Christopher Golden has come up with a terrific anthology of ALL-NEW, never-before-published zombie tales from writers ranging from John Connolly and his story "Lazarus" to "The Wind Cries Mary" from Brian Keene to Joe R. Lansdale’s "Shooting Pool" and Joe Hill’s "Twittering from the Circus of the Dead". And in-between can be found tales from Max Brooks, Rick Hautala, Jonathan Maberry, Kelley Armstrong - there are 19 stories in all.

Set to hit bookstores on February 16th (just a LITTLE too late for a Valentine’s Day present for the one you love), The New Dead is definitely a book all horror fans should add to their bookshelves. Lately, it seems that most so-called "new" anthologies that are published are comprised of previously published material. Here you’re getting the real deal – new stories! And what stories they are!

Holly Newstein’s "Delice", a macabre tale of voodoo and a thinly veiled account of Madame Delphine LaLaurie (here called Delphine DuPlessis) and her and her husband’s horrific crimes against their servants.

David Liss’ "What Maisie Knew", which is a deeply disturbing story with a horrific twist in the tale.

The seriously creepy "Ghost Trap" by Rick Hautala, which examines why sometimes things should just be left alone. Especially when found deep in the briny sea off the coast of Maine.

"Family Business" by Jonathan Maberry, which started out as one type of story (of two brothers, one of whom is a zombie bounty hunter and the other simply a zombie-hater), but then the truth about what the zombie bounty hunter really is ends up on a shocking and heartbreaking note.

The 28 Weeks Later-like tale from Tim Lebbon, "In the Dust", which pits survivors of an catastrophe against the military, who first try to destroy the survivors and then, when things start going pear-shaped again, try to save the uninfected.

These stories, as well as the 14 others, make for an eclectic read; and no zombie fan should be without a copy. Enjoy!

4 1/2 out of 5

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