Play Dead
Ryan Brown
ISBN: 978-1439171301
Rating: 4-1/2 Stars
I’m not a football fan. I don’t know a Steeler from a Seahawk, but fortunately, PLAY DEAD is so entertaining and clever, you don’t have to enjoy football or even zombies to enjoy reading it. Although it probably wouldn’t hurt! I was loathe to put it down after the first chapter. From the hilarious hi jinks of the characters to the cringe worthy antics of the zombie football players, I was completely drawn in.
I haven’t enjoyed a debut novel this much in ages. The pacing kept me turning pages until the wee hours of the morning and the dialog had me laughing out loud. Ryan Brown’s real talent was showcased by the tension he kept rolling for the entire 344 pages until at last; I could breathe a sigh of relief when it was over. I’ll be keeping a watchful eye out for more from this gifted author!
Summary: Cole Logan is the star quarterback for the Killington Jackrabbits, and he’s having a bad day. A district championship is riding on his upcoming game against their arch rival team, the Elmwood Badgers. So when he’s approached by masked thugs and told to lose the game and they cut off a couple fingers to make their point, Cole’s ready to get even, not quit. Unfortunately, things go too far, and instead of merely blocking the road to keep the Jackrabbits from the big game, the steroid induced Badgers manage to run the bus full of football players into the river. Everyone except for the coach and Cole perish. Or do they? After a scary ritual in the woods, the Jackrabbits aren’t dead, or alive. But if they don’t win a game against the Badgers, in 48 hours, they will be evil. Evil and undead is not a good combination. Now it’s up to Cole, the coach, and his daughter, Savannah to bring together the biggest rivalry football game ever played. The stakes have never been higher.
Gallery Books; May 2010; 344 Pages; $24.99; Reviewed by Terri Dukes
