I really don't want to spoil the fun for you beyond saying I was hooked by this book from beginning to end. All too often when an author tries to merge the fantastic with aspects of the "real world," we end up sacrificing something on either end to make the pieces fit together. Maberry managed to use the real world as a springboard to bring in zombies, neatly sidestepping the issues by using real science, real weapons, and real tactics to face the evils of bio-terrorism.
In addition, Maberry manages to work in some very funny scenes and quirks for his characters. For instance, Mr. Church always has cookies of various types with him -- in his office or in meetings -- and throughout the book Ledger munches on different cookies depending on the mood he's in.
Another example of Maberry's humor comes out in how he names his characters. One of the character's names is "Bunny Rabbit" and the exchange goes like this as he introduces himself to Ledger...
"Bunny Rabbit, Force Recon, sir." ... "My last name is Rabbit. Everyone calls me Bunny." ... "It gets worse sir. My first name's Harvey."
In the story, the bad guys are bad. The good guys are good - most of them anyway. And along the way you keep wondering if Ledger will make it out alive from some of the situations he finds himself in. Suffice it to say he survives and I'll be curious to see what Maberry has in store for Ledger and the rest of the DMS in the future.
The subtitle for Patient Zero is "A Joe Ledger Novel," which implies to me that there will be other Joe Ledger novels. If so, sign me up. I want to see where Maberry takes his world next.
Be sure to check out Patient Zero at your favorite bookstore or online retailer. It's great for summer reading, especially if you like zombies!
Article comments