Review: Ghost Road Blues by Jonathan Maberry

Author: Jonathan Maberry
Publisher: Pinnacle
Date of publication: June 2006

Evil Doesn't Die

The cozy little town of Pine Deep buried the horrors of its past a long time ago. Thirty years have gone by since the darkness descended and the Black Harvest began, a time when a serial killer sheared a bloody swath through the quiet Pennsylvania village. The evil that once coursed through Pine Deep has been replaced by cheerful tourists getting ready to enjoy the country's largest Halloween celebration in what is now called "The Spookiest Town in America."

It Just Grows Stronger

But then--a month before Halloween--it begins. Unspeakably desecrated bodies. Inexplicable insanity. And an ancient evil walking the streets, drawing in those who would fall to their own demons and seeking to shred the very soul of this rapidly fracturing community. Yes, the residents of Pine Deep have drawn together and faced a killer before. But this time, evil has many faces--and the lust and will to rule the earth. This struggle will be epic.

Ghost Road Blues was a random library pick.  I have been in the mood for a really good horror story.  Unfortunately, I'm not sure this one fits that bill.  The story involves the small town of Pine Deep that is notorious for being haunted.  Halloween is a big deal for the town.  As the town gears up for it's celebration, danger comes to town in the form of bank robbers and a serial killer.

So from what I have read about other people's experience with this book. it't not great, but is more of a set up for the rest of the trilogy.  For the most part, I liked it enough to keep reading.  It wasn't really a horror book, but more of a thriller.  It's definitely full of graphic violence.  There are hints of something supernatural, but they aren't fully fleshed out. I'm wondering if this is a case of a trilogy that could have been cut down to be a duology.  

The main characters were interesting and ones I want to root for.  I liked Crow and Mike the most.   The villains were equally un-likable.  The book did drag in the middle but was saved by the last act that had me riveted.  I should warn that there is some graphic child abuse, i.e a teen getting the crap beat out of him by an adult.in the book.  I should have a review of the second book up really soon.

Nights of the Living Dead - An Anthology edited by Jonathon Maberry and George Romero

Editors: Jonathon Maberry & George A. Romero
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Date of publication: July 2017

In 1968 the world experienced a brand new kind of terror with the debut of George A. Romero's landmark movie Night of the Living Dead. The newly dead rose to attack the living. Not as vampires or werewolves. This was something new...and terrifying. Since then, zombies have invaded every aspect of popular culture.

But it all started on that dreadful night in a remote farmhouse...

Nights of the Living Dead returns to that night, to the outbreak, to where it all began. New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry teams with the godfather of the living dead himself, George A. Romero to present a collection of all new tales set during the 48 hours of that legendary outbreak.

Nights of the Living Dead includes stories by some of today's most important writers: Brian Keene, Carrie Ryan, Chuck Wendig, Craig Engler, David J. Schow, David Wellington, Issac Marion, Jay Bonansinga, Joe R. Lansdale, John Russo, John Skipp, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Max Brallier, Mike Carey, Mira Grant, Neal Shusterman & Brandon Shusterman, and Ryan Brown. Plus original stories by Romero and Maberry!

In general, I'm not usually a zombie story fan.  Even  watching the movies, I have a hard time with because I don't like the lack of hopefulness.  However, when I saw this come up on my library's Overdrive site, I figured I'd give it a shot.  I like a lot of the authors in the anthology and I figured there had to be at least one good story.  

I was pleasantly surprised as to how much I enjoyed this set of zombie tales.  While I didn't love all of them, there really wasn't any one tale that I hated.  Among my favorites were "A Dead Girl Named Sue" by Craig E Engler, and  "The Girl on the Table" by Isaac Marion.  The editor, Jonathon Maberry's story, "Lone Gunman" was the creepiest of the lot.  The one that stuck in my mind the most was "You Can Stay All Day" by Mira Grant.  It was the most heartbreaking of them all.  

I highly recommend this anthology.  There is something here for everyone.  The various narrators were wonderful. Listening to it has almost made me want to seek out some more zombie tales.