Friday, May 20, 2011

Book Review: "Things to Do In Denver When You're Undead." by Mark Everett Stone.


Book Review on : Things to Do In Denver When You’re Undead. By Mark Everett Stone
Due for release JULY 15th 2011.
Product Description from Amazon
For ten years Kal Hakala has been the Bureau of Supernatural Investigation's top man, the longest surviving agent in its blood-soaked history.  There has been no case he couldn't crack, no monster he couldn't kill.  Until a plague of zombies in Denver turns into an investigation of a vicious serial killer dubbed The Organ Donor.  Fueled by rage and a hatred of all things supernatural, he dives headlong into the one mystery that could finally kill him.
About the Author
Born in Helsinki, Finland, Mark Everett Stone arrived in the U.S. at a young age and promptly dove into the world of the fantastic.  Starting at age seven with the Iliad and the Odyssey, he went on to consume every scrap of Norse Mythology he could get his grubby little paws on.  At age thirteen he graduated to Tolkien and Heinlein, building up a book collection that soon rivaled the local public library's.  In college, Mark majored in Journalism and minored in English.  Mark is feverishly working on his next book, The Judas Line, while his amazingly patient wife, Brandie, keeps him and their two sons, Aeden and Gabriel, in check. You can find Mark on the Web at MarkEverettStone.com or MarkEverettStone.camelpress.com.


  • Paperback: 318 pages
  • Publisher: Camel Press (July 15, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1603818596
  • ISBN-13: 978-1603818599
MY REVIEW: "Things to Do in denver when you’re undead."
By Mark Everett stone

If Raymond Chandler partnered Stephen King and they raised a child together the possibility exists that talented new author by the name of Mark Everett Stone, would be that child.

The blending of dark twisted humor in this chilling tale is utterly perfect, written with a sure hand. 

Comedic timing is everything, and author Stone has perfected the classic one-liner in this soon to be unleashed on the world novel.   

Make no mistake folks, this isn’t for the faint hearted…the sarcasm is used as a brief respite in the fastest paced action horror that I have read in a very long time.

Author, Stone doesn’t merely introduce you to his central character Kalevi Hakela…introduction is far too polite a word.  Kalevi or Kal as he is more commonly referred to is propelled into your mind at rapid velocity.  His smart mouth and invincible badass attitude imbeds itself into your consciousness, you hear Kal, you see Kal…, and you share in his rage.

This author builds tension with an artisan’s skill, his knowledge of Finnish mythology is superb. His quotations from Frost and others legends are well placed and hypnotic.  

 You journey with Kal Hakela, you are privy to his rage, and what caused it.  You laugh with him as life throws him more to deal with, and death throws him more to destroy.

The BSI {Bureau of Supernatural Investigations} are lucky to have Kal, and they know it.  He has served {read survived} longer in the field than any agent in their long history. 

He has become almost legendary in the ranks of Agents deployed to dispatch evil in all its forms.

Kal is a simmering cauldron of rage.  He is on a mission of his own; to destroy the thing ... the evil unspeakable thing that took the life of someone he loved dearly. 

He witnessed the murder.  He carries that vision with him everywhere, yet is able to control his rage {barely}. He waits the time when he can confront the horror head on.

The secondary characters in this book are beautifully drawn…you can’t fail to become attached to them as the author cleverly entwines you in their lives, or their non-lives in the case of “Ghost” …

I am reluctant to reveal more as the book is simply too good to spoil it for you.

The twists in the plotline are well handled.  The action will leave you breathless.   

The descriptions will activate the Goosebumps release on your arms, and the terror will ensure that you will need to sleep with the lights on for a while after reading this one.

I love a book that entertains me, I adore reading about characters I care about…characters I invest my time in cheering for.   

This book has both the big entertainment factor, and characters that the author has implanted in my memory banks for some time to come.  I laughed often at the clever dialogue; I teared up when some of the likeable characters were dispatched.

I finished the book eager for more.



I have given this a five star rating.  An absolute must read.  Due for release July 15th 2011.  "Things to Do in Denver When You’re Undead" is the title…Mark Everett Stone is the author.  I have a feeling you will be hearing that name, and often.

Oh...Yes! I almost forgot; sleep with the lights on...trust me!
 Pre-order through Amazon here: {Click on the cover}.

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