Gehenna is the town, a zombie infestation is the game, and survival is the aim for a small group desperate for escape as the horde get closer.
This story was certainly an entertaining actionfest, taking on a here and now philosophy with not much in the way of history/character depth but that’s a small complaint and not really what it’s all about. The hero is mad dog McCall, a suitable name for a gunslinger on the run from the law and currently situated in jail when things start to go awry. There was a small smattering of mad dog’s history but that was more to prove that he really is a good guy with good intentions.
Karen is the obligatory whore, pretty as a wagon to coin a phrase, with plans and a secret stash to get out of town with, unfortunately she’s left it a touch too late as the living dead flood the town.
I do like horror westerns but I’ve got to say, I’m not a massive lover of zombie fiction. There’s only so many ways you can describe the living dead chewing flesh from some poor souls neck and again how many different ways can you inflict the fatal head injury that’s going to stop them from trying to eat you. Gehenna is a short read and fast paced that satisfies overall, if you don’t want to think too much. It’s also the start of a trilogy so if this sounds like your kind of thing then there’s more to come.
Words by Paul Nelson
