Killer zombies. Dear lord. Nuff said. ( )

The Alpha Plague takes place in the future in Great Britain, in a time when all weapons are banned around the world. Summit City is built on an island with several connecting bridges, the buildings are identical - dozens of towers are filled with office workers which surround a central, top secret tower called The Alpha Tower. One of the main characters works in a nearby tower, his cubicle close to his ex-wife. He is obsessed with seeing his 6 year-old son and spends most of his money on attorneys in a bitter fight for custody. Every worker on the island wondered about Alpha Tower and what takes place there. In fact, the government was experimenting with a virus that would change people into zombie soldiers to use against their enemies. However, enemy infiltrators gain access and turn the virus loose - creating monsters that become killing machines.

Rhys is in his mid-thirties, overweight and timid, he was sitting outside his tower during lunch and noticed the commotion surrounding Alpha Tower and saw people attacking others. He is soon attacked by an infected person and saved by a woman fleeing Alpha Tower. Without understanding what happened, Rhys follows the fleeing woman (Vickie). Suddenly, every tower launches its safety protocol and as steel shutters are engaged and cocoon each building...large explosions also signify that the bridges have all been destroyed, thus, trapping all on the island. Protecting the inhabitants or those living off the island from the horror?

This is where the story takes off. Rhys needs to reach his son on the mainland and Vickie decides to help. Their trek across the island places them in jeopardy - trapping them by zombies and facing death around every corner. Rhys is reluctant and doesn't feel right to kill these infected people. He is squeamish and finally relents when he is close to becoming infected himself. This suspense filled story holds readers on the edge of their seats until the end. This is where it gets disappointing. Readers discover that there are four more books in the series and book 1 ends in a cliff hanger. It would probably stand on its own, but there remains too many questions without answers unless you continue to purchase and read the next books.

The author leaves a link at the end of the story and does offer book 2 for free via email. I took him up on the offer and will get back into the story soon.

John Podlaski, author
"Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel" and "When Can I Stop Running?" ( )