UF Review: Dead Mann Running: A Hessius Mann Novel [Mass Market Paperback]

I've finished "Dead Mann Running" the 2nd book in his Hessius Mann series by Stefan Petrucha.

Product Description

Just because a bullet has your name on it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t duck …

Either I’m stubborn, or it’s rigor mortis, but being dead didn’t stop me from being a detective or finding my wife’s killer. But it’s tough out there for a zombie, and lately it’s been getting tougher. These days the life-challenged have to register and take monthly tests to prove our emotional stability. See, if my kind gets too low, we go feral. I’ve been feeling a little down lately myself …

So when a severed arm — yeah, just the arm — leaves a mysterious briefcase at my office, my assistant, Misty, thinks figuring out where it came from will keep me on track. But this case goes deeper and darker than I imagined, and my imagination gets pretty dark. Turns out the people after it know more about my past life than I can remember, and even more about what I’ve become.

Product Details
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Roc; Original edition (September 4, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451464745
ISBN-13: 978-0451464743

My Review:

Hessius Mann was executed for the murder of his wife but after the his death DNA testing proved his innocence.   Hessius was brought back to life as a Chak (a form of zombie) using the Radical Invigoration Procedure (RIP) and is tested every month to ensure he hasn't turned feral.  The sides effects are enormous because his memory with his IQ are gone, his bones break easily and he has severe dry skin which no lotion will help.

One day a live human hand along with it's fingers knocks on Hessius's door to deliver a briefcase.  It leaves the case and then jumps through the window.  Misty Hessius's office manager arrives and informs him he should investigate why the arm left a case with two vials of blue liquid and who it belongs too.  During their investigation they are chased by adversaries.

I highly recommend this series if you enjoy urban fantasy page turning with tons of eye-dropping twists and turns.  


4/5

Books in series:

1.  Dead Mann Walking
2.  Dead Mann Running

Thanks Stefan for sending me your book to review, greatly appreciated!

UF Review: Dead Mann Walking: A Hessius Mann Novel [Paperback]

I've finished "Dead Mann Walking" the 1st book in his Hessius Mann series by Stefan Petrucha.

Product Description

After Hessius Mann was convicted of his wife's murder, suppressed evidence came to light and the verdict was overturned - too bad he was already executed. But thanks to the miracles of modern science Hessius was brought back to life. Sort of.

Now that he's joined the ranks of Fort Hammer's pulse-challenged population, Hessius attempts to make a "living" as a private investigator. But when a missing persons case leads to a few zombies cut to pieces, Hessius starts thinking that someone's giving him the run - around - and it's not like he's in any condition to make a quick getaway ...

Product Details
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Roc; Original edition (October 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451464214
ISBN-13: 978-0451464217


My Review:

Hessius is a PI and former cop who was wrongfully accused of killing his wife and executed.  He is brought back to life but he has memory problems.  He has a human assistant (Liveblood) Misty who patches him up when he's hurt and takes care of his daily needs.  He's hired to find a missing person so he travels to the Badland with his client to a factory which now house a large number of Chaks.  There is a rumor the man they are looking for is living there. Also a serial killer is killing Chaks by mutilating them and keeping their heads as trophies.

The zombies aren't your typical ones with a group that can function like a human while others are on the brink of being feral and others are feral.

I highly recommend this book if you like dark and gritty noir novels with horror elements and a very likeable and witty zombie PI.  If you don't have a strong stomach I advise you not to read this book when you are eating since it can be quite descriptive.

4/5

Thanks Stefan and Simon and Schuster for sending me this book to review, greatly appreciated!