The Savage Dead

Horror novelists tend to be pigeon-holed into sub-genres. Joe McKinney is well on his way to becoming the "Texas-Zombie Guy." And that is ok, because he is good at what he writes. In his novel Savage Dead, he becomes the "zombie-on-cruise-ship guy." But his title still works because the ship leaves from the port of Galveston, so he's still technically "Texas Zombie Guy."

I love zombies and I am leaving for a 7 day cruise next week, so of course I would read this novel before I go. The thing is, when you think about it; the idea of a deadly virus ravaging a cruise ship is not too far off the mark. There have been at least 5 or 6 cases of Norovirus, or "The Cruise Ship Virus" spreading through a cruise ship this year alone. Anytime you get lots of people in close quarters, quickly spreading virus can be a problem. So imagine if instead of giving you upset stomach and diarrhea, you got a pesky case of death and reanimation instead.

In Savage Dead Mexican Drug Cartels create and disperse a genetically altered flesh eating bacteria into the food supply of a cruise ship to kill a US Senator who has been making trouble for them. A diligent secret service agent and his team discover the plot after the ship has left port and have to attempt a daring at-sea rescue mission. As I have said above this was a great plot, because anyone who has ever been on a cruise ship can tell you it is most definitely a closed system and once you are at sea, your only resources are what are on the ship.

This is clearly the first novel of a new series for Mr. McKinney. It was left with a hanging ending, and it was hinted that at least one passenger who managed to get off the ship, may have been showing early signs of having the virus. I will be looking forward to the next installment, but it is going to have a hard time living up to "Zombies on a Cruise Ship," otherwise known as Savage Dead.

PS I still plan to go on the cruise; I just hope I don't get eaten by my fellow passengers or crew members!