The Church

Author(s): John McCuaig

Type of Book: Novel

Publisher: Library of the Living Dead Press

Publication Date: October 2010

Name of Reviewer: Sean T Page, Ministry of Zombies

Review: This first novel from John McCuaig has developed something of a cult following here in the UK as really good British zombie novels are hard to find. We all read about zombie outbreaks in LA, New York etc but what about South London? Don't get me wrong, I love many novels set in America but is it good to read one set here….

So, on with the review….

Firstly, this is a first person novel - something I find quite rare these days and maybe something we are less used to reading. Some publishers avoid them like the plague. It puts so many restrictions on the story and viewpoint and can leave stories feeling too linear for modern readers. But, you know what, it wasn't always like this, first person stories were very popular at one time, particularly with horror writers and, it really works in this novel.
The story is a classic zombie survival tale set in London. It's gritty and real but moves along at a good pace. The cunning Mr McCuaig used his short chapters to keep readers hooked unlike any book I've read since one of Michael Crichton classics.
The story really creeps up on you, one minute you're reading it like any other book, next you're thinking about it a work, then trying to squeeze into one more chapter before bed. That's the mark of a good book. The central tale is of Sam Miller, a middle of the road chap who finds himself in the middle of major zombie outbreak in the city. After a tragedy close to home, he seeks refuge in the one place you'd think would safe – a church right? Well, no. Things turn ugly when he encounters mad priests, desperate survivor groups and the hungry walking dead in equal volume.

The novel has some great twists and turns - the focus on battling survivors is really a refreshing change. Like many good zombie stories, it's a novel about people and many of the real highlights happen when folks need to decide a next action - trouble is good and bad just don't exist anymore...not after the zombies. Now for the all important Zombie Times Ratings:-

Zombie Fear Factor: 3 Brains out of 5

This book won't give you nightmares; it's not that sort of story. It's scary in a disturbing sort of way. The world we knew is gone – that can't be a good thing for the sanity. Also, it makes you think about the people around you and what sort of survivor they would be, so scores a reasonable 3 out of 5 stars on the Zombie Fear Factor. You are likely to think about this book for some time to come.

Zombie Behaviour: 5 Brains out of 5

John knows his classics and he loves em. I just know the original of Dawn of the Dead is on his shelf. His zombies are just as they should be – teeming, lumbering, flesh hungry and so tick all the boxes. None of them can talk, plan things or write a short humorous play for Radio 4. All is as it should be in The Church so it scores a compliant 5 out of 5 stars on Zombie Behaviour.

Zombie Threat: 4 Brains out of 5

We don't really learn if there are many other survivors in the UK, I suspect there are small communities hanging on in there all over. London has certainly gone to hell and that means at least 6 million cockney rhyming ghouls, all with the target of eating all humans on their manor once the jellied eels have run out. The volume is certainly there so a 4 out of 5 stars on Zombie Threat.

Gore Content: 3 Brains out of 5

Gore Content: 1 to 5 stars

There is gore in the story but it's very much as part of the tale – it's all part of normal zombie behaviour really. But, hang on, there is a part where they lower people into a crowd of ghouls – that wins the book another few stars. So, The Church scores a very acceptable 3 out of 5 stars on Gore Content.

Overall Quality: 4 Brains out of 5

In terms of overall quality, this is a classic Brit-zombie novel. It's a first person story which works, it's a survival tale people can relate to and the setting is very believable. The battles between the survivors are as interesting as the battles with the zombies – exactly as it should be in this kind of story. This is an ideal book for folks who enjoy a classic Romero-style zombie book with a British twist and is at its heart, a well-crafted story

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