'Hands down one of the best zombie novels I've read in a long, long time. From first page to last, THE RETURN MAN is an astonishing read. With characters you genuinely give a damn about and a story that'll keep you turning page after page, this is an outstanding debut.'David Moody, author of Autumn"Thrilling, melancholy, and stomach-churningly gory... This is a sturdy and crowd-pleasing novel that squarely hits its target."Publishers Weekly"A hair-raising quest ... Zito expertly piles on thrills, cliffhangers and numerous twists ..."The Guardian (UK)"An overload of thrills, spills and adventure."The Sun (UK)"V.M. Zito manages to do away with many of the most common elements of the zombie novels...some books of this ilk lurch from scenario to scenario like levels in a videogame, but here it's all done smoothly...enjoyable."SFX'Zombies, action, and overlapping schemes make this a sure winner.'Best Horror Novel of 2011drying-ink.blogspot.com"Unputdownable ... A page-turning, action packed, well-crafted debut novel that will take your breath away. Highly recommended."The Founding Fields". . . a perfectly balanced layer cake of action and horror . . . This is a stunning debut and matches the feelings I had when I first read the likes of World War Z and Hater . . . you are unlikely to experience a better crafted and adrenalin fuelled thrill ride than V.M. Zito's novel The Return Man."Liberation FrequencyAbout the AuthorV.M. Zito resides in Connecticut, USA with his wife and daughter. When not writing, he spends his weekdays working as Creative Director at a New England ad agency and his weekends running on forested trails. THE RETURN MAN is his first novel. where can i read any book for free The Return Man
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Inventive Take on the GenreBy Jeffrey SwystunAuthor Zito imagines an incredible post-apocalyptic situation that has directly impacted the United States and remains a threat to the rest of the world. A zombie outbreak in the western states has the nation surrendering that geography to the undead. All survivors have made their way east of the Mississippi but a few remain behind. Four years have passed and the lead character ekes out a living by disposing of walking dead loved ones. Apparently, relatives pay to have their relations killed for good. Dr. Marco's brother-in-law resides in the eastern US and arranges these contracts. As a former neurologist, the Doctor has some insights and theories into the shambling ramblings of the dead.Employing "emotional geography" the doctor learns what he can about the subject and visits their "locations of sentimental value". This can be their home, office, vacation place, favourite restaurants, etc. Once found, he dispatches them. Referred to as the 'zombie hit man', Dr. Marco makes his way across an intimidating landscape in pursuit of his targets. This was the plot of the first third of the book and deserves five stars. Then the author took it in a different direction adding a thriller plot. I would have enjoyed following the good doctor around on his contracts more but the introduction of a conspiracy and chase were satisfying.The atmosphere and backdrop of cities and towns left to zombies is well described. As well, Zito introduces some welcome improvements to the genre, specifically, the pack hunting cries of the undead are chilling. There is humour and irony (one character knocks over hundreds of copies of a self-help brochure called Coping with Loss while trying to barricade against zombies) and inventiveness (the Doctor drives on railroads to avoid snarled highways). If Zito returns to this world, it would be great if he made it more gritty and focused on the solitude of Dr. Marco's vigil.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great take on the Zombie genreBy BVI find that most zombie stories follow a similar formula. This story is a little bit of a different take on the zombie apocalypse. It focuses on a man who capitalizes on the apocalypse financially by killing (again) the zombified loved ones of survivors in the zombie-free zone. (Not a spoiler....you find this out in the first few pages). The main character is neither the tough-guy military type or the brainiak scientist type, but a normal every day person. I found it easier to relate to him and made the story more enjoyable.The story moves along quickly and takes you on a thrilling ride and ends with a couple of great twists that I did not really expect. The author left the door open for a sequel which I will be eagerly anticipating.I did not give it 5 stars only because...it is a zombie story. I just do not love this genre.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A new prespective on the zombie storyBy Nancy K.I have not come across another zombie story being told from this prospective. Themain character, Dr. Henry Marco, has lost his whole life due to the outbreak.His wife is missing and he presumes her to now be among the walking dead. Hestarted looking for her to put her to rest permanently. While doing that he cameto the conclusion that others would like that for their lost loved ones. For afee he searches for them and when found he puts them down for one final time then sends word totheir loved ones that they are now truly and at long last at rest. He has apartner in the now safe area east of the Mississippi that handles the businessend of this process. The west being a zombie no man's land. Only Henry and a fewother less than savory folks that still breath along with the millions of folksthat don't breath inhabit the west.The close calls he has while doing this are exciting enough but when he's taskedwith finding a doctor he once worked with that was working on a cure the puckerfactor ramps up, way up. Might have something to do with the good doctor workingin a prison with hundreds of now zombiefied prisoners. Henry is surprised tofind the doctor is still alive and not an infected. Well not too infected anyway. ;-)