Zombie Candy (Annie Ogden, #2)

Jan 15, 2013 BarkLessWagMore rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: e-book, fiction

Zombie Candy makes for fun summertime reading but be warned this is not a typical zombie novel by any means. It features zombies, sort of, but there isn’t any brain gobbling and to say more would ruin it. It’s also not an amateur sleuthing novel even though the cover says “An Annie Ogden Mystery”and “Cheating Husband? Feed Him To The Zombies”. Because of this I was sort of expecting something along the lines of Stephanie Plum tussles with zombies. It’s an eye-catching cover and an amusing story...more Zombie Candy makes for fun summertime reading but be warned this is not a typical zombie novel by any means. It features zombies, sort of, but there isn’t any brain gobbling and to say more would ruin it. It’s also not an amateur sleuthing novel even though the cover says “An Annie Ogden Mystery”and “Cheating Husband? Feed Him To The Zombies”. Because of this I was sort of expecting something along the lines of Stephanie Plum tussles with zombies. It’s an eye-catching cover and an amusing story but I can’t help but feel the cover perhaps is cashing in on a few trends that the story inside doesn’t fully deliver upon.

So what is Zombie Candy about then? At its heart it’s a story about a scorned woman who concocts an awesome and intricately planned revenge upon her serial cheating, zombie movie loving, insulting, pudge pinching, Russell Crow look-a-like husband. His name is Larry and he is a first class Asshole to Candace his long-suffering wife who made the mistake of giving up the love of her life to honor her promise to marry Larry. But Larry finally pushes Candace over the edge, and she enlists her best friend Annie Ogden, a brand new PI, to get hard proof of his infidelities – as if the black bra in his suitcase wasn’t proof enough . . .

This is a well written and zany book that zips along at a fast pace and has some funny moments. The main characters are slightly over-the-top but that’s the point. They are also decently developed which I totally appreciated. Candace and Annie are tight friends who have been through a lot of crap and come out stronger for it. I loved that. Candace starts the book overweight, insecure and beaten down by Larry’s constant insults but she transforms into a badass, demented, better version of herself by the end. I truly despised Larry through and through but I think I was supposed to otherwise the whole thing would’ve fallen flat. The author writes his character in such a way that I was able to see things through Larry’s eyes and I mostly understood why he couldn’t help being an insensitive prick. Some guys just are, you know? He also has a sex addiction and truly believes he is doing right by the leagues of women he bonks.

“They want it. I’m giving something they all want. I’m not a taker. I’m a giver.”

He’s delusional and narcissistic and this is why it is so gratifying to watch Candace’s plan unfold as she releases the wraith of her pent up fury upon him. It was a full on trip to crazy town and oh-so-cathartic.

I recommend it. It’s not my normal genre and Larry made me crazy but I enjoyed the heck out it! (less)

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Jun 14, 2012 Anne Chaconas rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

When I was looking for a way to describe Zombie Candy, two words kept coming to mind: Bizarre. Brilliant. And, in fact, that’s the perfect way to describe this multi-genre rollercoaster of a tale: Bizarrely brilliant. Fred Brooke has pulled off the impossible–turned me, a lukewarm zombie reader, into an avid cheerleader for the undead. HOORAY FOR GORE! With a name like Zombie Candy, you know that semi-rotting innards and the stumbling undead will play a role in the story–and they do. Yet, they d...more

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Jan 20, 2013 Mel rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2013

Zombie Candy by Frederick Lee Brooke is a fast past action filled work that is more than just solidly exciting escapist fiction. It is not another post apocalypse work but a very well developed account of matrimonial angst and revenge in which zombies play a big part. The lead character in the story is Candace, married to Larry, a serial adulterer who rationalizes his actions by telling himself it is kind of his wife's fault as she has gained a lot of weight. He has seriously damaged her self es...more

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Jan 12, 2013 Ravina Andrea Kurian rated it 5 of 5 stars

There's a scene in Casper, the movie where Casper leans over and softly whispers, 'Can I keep you?' ... This scene kept replaying in my head as I read this book.

Candace's insecurity runs deep and she takes it out in a way that is most unimaginable. Frederick offers readers a most entertaining perspective as to how karma plays out.

Enter Annie. This is Candace's best friend who is also her voice of reason. But of course, Candace is too angry and confused to listen. And so readers are taken on an...more

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Jul 23, 2012 Devan Sagliani rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book wasn't what I expected at all – not by a long shot. I had no idea how bizarre and surprisingly unexpected it would be when I downloaded a copy off Kindle. I just wanted something fun and easy to read over the summer, and I liked the fact that it was a zombie book that wasn't really about zombies themselves so much as zombie culture. It's bizarre – arguably – but it's also extremely well written! The author has such a masterful handle on the story that he easily lures you deeper into th...more

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Jul 08, 2012 Kay Glass rated it 4 of 5 stars

Candace's husband, Larry, has been treating her poorly for some time now. He's been hiding something from her, and she finally knows what it is- he's been having an affair. She hires her friend, Annie, to track down more information, only to find out he's been cheating on her for a lot longer than she knew. Like, years- since before they were married. Even as far back as when she fell in love in Italy while he was still a drunken frat boy.

So she plans revenge- for starters, she works to make he...more

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Jun 13, 2012 Joann H Buchanan rated it 5 of 5 stars

This story starts off with a well defined character in Candace who has major insecurity issues about the weight she has gained since leaving college. She is married to Larry, a zombie movie freak who is a sex addict. The hilarious scene with the black bra is one I'll never forget.It's obvious right from the start that the two of them are having serious issues in their marriage.

Enter her best friend who recently returned from Iraq, Annie. She has taken a class to become a PI. After being asked t...more This story starts off with a well defined character in Candace who has major insecurity issues about the weight she has gained since leaving college. She is married to Larry, a zombie movie freak who is a sex addict. The hilarious scene with the black bra is one I'll never forget.It's obvious right from the start that the two of them are having serious issues in their marriage.

Enter her best friend who recently returned from Iraq, Annie. She has taken a class to become a PI. After being asked to spy on Larry, Annie reluctantly takes her first case, "The Case of the Zombie Movie Freak". Annie has a secret of her own and fears it will impede not only the case, but her friendship as well.

After all the evidence is gathered, it forces Candace to make some changes in her life. Candace takes control in a way that most women in this situation would love to entertain.

Larry is duped into a trip to Italy where the revenge plays out. The people of the town, most related to Candace, assist her in this twisted plan that lands Larry in jail.

Frederick Brooke serves up the word zombie as both a metaphor of the life Candace lives and the animalistic instincts Larry can't help but follow. Through out the story, there are bits and pieces of old "LIVING DEAD" movies mentioned and yes, even an explanation is given as to why Larry loves them so much. Here is the shadowing to the events that transpire later in the novel.

You’ve got your survivors. The survivors have to get somewhere that they’ve heard is safe. There’s lots of fighting, but it’s always a handful of people killing hundreds of zombies. Do you like watching people shoot each other over and over?”

“I like how they band together to survive. I like imagining how most of the world would be destroyed. Don’t you think it could happen?”

Brooke, Frederick Lee. Zombie Candy (Annie Ogden Mystery 2) (Kindle Locations 3049-3052).

Imagine if zombies were real. Candace gives him just that. I can't imagine being able to pull of the ultimate revenge in such fashion. The truth is, if Karma allowed me to put something together like this for a couple people who will go unnamed, I wouldn't hesitate to follow through.

Everyone should purchase this book, especially if you have a friend who has dealt with a lying, cheating spouse and needs a good laugh and a little vengeful inspiration.

For those who are die hard "Walking Dead" fans, (much like myself)they will not be disappointed in reliving some of their favorite old walker movies. This is one of the most unique uses of a zombie metaphor I have read in a long time.(less)

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Jun 13, 2012 Jill Cooper rated it 4 of 5 stars

There's alot at work here in this book. When Candace finds a black bra in her husband, Larry's suitcase after a trip she chooses her dinner party to reveal his skeletons. And what's a guy to do but deny, deny, deny?

What evolves from that is more than a plot for revenge. You follow Candace on her journey of grief, anger, weight loss, and final acceptance as her revenge is unfolded. She also has regrets about the past and Larry's infidelity opens up old wounds that Candace has long buried.

As a zom...more

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May 13, 2012 Deborah Court rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Whenever I read one of Frederick Lee Brooke's books, I have one problem with them - they simply can't be assigned to a certain category. There's so much in this story - tons of humor (most of it black as the deepest night, so beware, ye faint of heart readers), multi-layered characters, a bit of romance, cooking, dieting, zombies, action, sex and an ironic, profound insight on human nature and how a primal, reckless creature - a zombie, one might say in this case - still lurks behind our civiliz...more

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May 09, 2012 Emma Calin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

You know early on, from the color of the inappropriate bra in the opening scenes, that this is going to be a black comedy. In a world where focus and individuality are the agents of success, the line between obsession and personal expression may be blurred. In one of the whackiest stories that I have ever read, I found my own my own moral judgement challenged as I laughed out loud at the evermore unfortunate 'hero'. Most people could sympathize with those obsessed by sex and Zombie movies, but w...more

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Jun 14, 2012 Kriss Morton rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: novel-publicity-tour-books

I know what you are thinking, of course I am reviewing this book, it has Zombie’s in the title, well before we go on, I want to make something clear, this is not a zombie book in the sense of what many of my blog readers expect. Yet, as I sit here and type that this is not a post apocalyptic tale of survival, I realize this is a story of survival just not one after a zombie apocalypse. Then I start typing, this is not a tale about the crazed undead running around obsessed with eating brains and...more I know what you are thinking, of course I am reviewing this book, it has Zombie’s in the title, well before we go on, I want to make something clear, this is not a zombie book in the sense of what many of my blog readers expect. Yet, as I sit here and type that this is not a post apocalyptic tale of survival, I realize this is a story of survival just not one after a zombie apocalypse. Then I start typing, this is not a tale about the crazed undead running around obsessed with eating brains and I realize, wait, it is about obsession. In Zombie Candy there is a lot of focused and mindless obsession sprinkled throughout the novel. But I will repeat, though this book is not about Zombies it includes the obsession of zombies in today’s pop-culture as a plot device.

Let’s talk about titles, a title can make or break a book. This title is going to get Frederick sales because people like me are going to buy it. When we read it we will be a bit confused, but most of us will finish it and we will go on to recommend it to everyone, including and even especially to those who are followers of the zombie pop-culture movement. “But wait,” you are saying, “If it is not a zombie story, why am I going to want to read this?” Well let me tell you, it made me laugh at myself a bit because since it is a tale involving obsession and this one part is exploring the obsession of one individuals own zombie movies in particular, it is definitely worth the read.

OK, that is not enough? Frederick Lee Brooke has obsession down! Not just in his characters, but I am betting he has a bit of an obsessive personality, especially after reading the first Annie Ogden Mystery, his obsession of which caused me frustration. I was reading it because it was labeled as a mystery when it was more of a thriller, there was no mystery for the reader just the characters involved. The character development is very in-depth and therefore took up a lot of the novel. Was it badly written? No it was not a mystery and I got hung up on that one thing, hence my own obsession.

But we are talking about Zombie Candy, I already know who Annie Ogden is, her character and her personality. Do you need to read the first one before this? No, he includes enough development that we understand her, and her own obsessions. (seeing a theme here?) This was not an unusual story. Wife is has a dog of a husband. She hires private investigators to find out the dirt. Wife finds dirt out, wife decided to get revenge before serving him with divorce papers, yada-yada. The difference and what makes this an exceptional version of this story arc, is it’s intricacy and fearless reach outwards to the almost fantastical edge of crazy town obsession!

The main character is Annie’s best friend from college, Candice is someone who has pretty low self-esteem due to her weight and her husbands commentary over it. After the first book, Annie took classes at a PI firm and in the beginning of the novel is having dinner with Candice and her husband Larry’s. Candice is also a chef who teaches classes on cooking hence the weight gain. We open up with Larry being a verbal and psychological abusive jerk to his wife to the point of pinching her percieved fat roll.

So we open with Candice obviously upset, but she is upset with more than his actions towards her, but what she has found in his suitcase. In this brief episode at the dinner table we get a taste test for the flavor of the whole novel. Larry’s obsessive personality is introduced with his need to sprinkle cilantro on everything, Candice’s with cooking and the subsequent weight she has put on because this and Annie’s own compulsion and obsession over the happiness of all around her, especially her friends.

As the tale progresses each of these obsessions become bigger and more outrageous. We discover that Larry’s obsession with zombie movies is as bad as his obsession with sex and women. Candice ends up transferring her obsession with her weight into losing it and getting back at Larry before divorcing him by going on to what seems to be a further and further off-the-deep end aggressive attempt to gain control back over her life. Annie’s own obsession with making people happy instead of focusing on her own happiness becomes more prevalent and even begins to be resolved near the end.

In the end the obsessions above continue to grow and rise, much like a great dough recipe with Fredrick Lee Brooke kneading each person’s experiences till everything is just right. Throw in a delightful trip to a village in the Tuscany district in Italy and you have a complete dish! Serve it up finished with the lives of everyone changed for ever as the prefect ingredients. The sauce? All that zombie goodness and sauce is what makes or breaks a good Italian dish. Now just throw it in the oven and see how much a well cooked up zombie can changes your life too. Zombie Candy? Well read the book and see! I give this book a 4 out of 5 set of moose tracks! My obsession with zombies in this paragraph…?

For my special pizza recipe I created just for this book, head on over to Cabin Goddess I promise no brains or cilantro will be part of this pizza!(less)

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Jun 17, 2012 Nicole Henke rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was a fun and very fast read, perfect for some light reading by the pool, or beach this Summer. For those looking for a traditional Zombie story, this is NOT it! Instead it is sorta Chick Lit meets current fad meets girl done wrong/gets boy back in spades. Which may sound off, but it had some truly laugh out loud moments, that any woman who has ever wanted payback will relate to!

The recipes included in the back of the book are an extra bonus- I can't wait to try the Pasta with Sage and Appl...more

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Jun 14, 2012 Marina rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

At first, when I read the title I thought that this was a book for zombies, a zombie mystery that Annie Ogden had to solve. OMG, I was very wrong. This book was much more than that. At the centre of the plot is Candace, human, (who doesn’t want to be called Candy) and her husband Larry, also human, who looks like Russell Crow and his favorite entertainment are zombie movies. Candace cooks well, so she is giving cooking classes in her kitchen. Larry is a traveling salesman and most of the weekday...more

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Feb 13, 2013 Jaylyn Styles rated it 4 of 5 stars

Witty and Masterfully crafted! I've never read a book like this one, it may sound cliche but it's just one hell of a read. I've been through and through the same situation as the character and with a predicament like you can't help admire the characters. It's a perfect read with a touch of well written characters with an awesome plot what is there to loose? I can't help but admire the author because he wrote this wonderful book. It's fast paced which I really liked, I didn't really expect that I...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Tyler-rose (The Reading Pile) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Originally on: www.the-reading-pile.blogspot.com

This is the first novel I've read that's made me want to go to Italy. Die For Me made me want to go to Paris, The Hunger Games made me want to go to Panem, and now Zombie Candy has joined the gang by making me want to go to Italy. But if there are Zombies there... I might stay away.

Frederick Lee Brooke is an amazing writer, who has come up with some amazing characters. Candace and her husband Larry never failed to make me laugh with their fastly en...more Originally on: www.the-reading-pile.blogspot.com

This is the first novel I've read that's made me want to go to Italy. Die For Me made me want to go to Paris, The Hunger Games made me want to go to Panem, and now Zombie Candy has joined the gang by making me want to go to Italy. But if there are Zombies there... I might stay away.

Frederick Lee Brooke is an amazing writer, who has come up with some amazing characters. Candace and her husband Larry never failed to make me laugh with their fastly ending marriage. Once a black bra is discovered in Larry's suitcase that's too small for Candace, she begins getting suspicious. Silly things like perfume, her weight and cilantro set her off, and in my opinion she goes crazy. Yes, Larry is cheating on her, but some of the things (well one in particular) is crazy!

Larry is well, a cheating, lieing husband. Yet I like him. He's Zombie Movie obsessed, and I guess I find that funny. BUT! I do not like him for what he does to Candace, and continues to do even after admitting he cheated on her! No man should act that way. Ever. At all.

The other characters in the novel like Annie and Salvatore are also interesting, they're the Private Investigators. Interesting indeed. Though some things you guess/discover about Annie may shock you - it annoyed me (in a good way). Also, Annie's history in the military was nice, I don't read a lot of books where a female had been in the army - only very rarely on tv. It was nice. I'm quite a fan of Roberta, though it was easy to sometimes forget that she was being paid to be Larry's friend, she's a great actress after all. The relationship Larry believes he shares with Roberta almost makes me feel sorry for him near the end of the book.

I must admit, I was waiting a long time for actual zombies to come into the novel, and was really shocked when they only appeared 60% into it...When they were introduced though, I thought it was clever. I like Larry's arrogance, believing he knows everything when he doesn't. Though I've never read a book where Zombie's have been used in the way they were in this book. It was a very clever idea of Mr Brooke's. Very clever.

I think Zombie Candy has something a lot of stand alone novels NEED. An epilogue that explains what happens to everyone in the future. I really enjoyed knowing what happened to everyone. It meant I didn't have to guess. (less)

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May 19, 2013 Johnny rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Nov 02, 2012 Marilou George rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a story of love, sex, revenge and the ultimate payback. Frederick Lee Brooke has once again written an intelligent, thoughtful and intricate story that will pull you in and keep you invested in the characters and the drama.

Annie Ogden is back and this time it’s personal. She has made a new career choice as a Private Detective and her first client is her best friend and College roommate Candace and her lying, cheating, zombie movie and cilantro loving husband Larry. Candace has her own bu...more This is a story of love, sex, revenge and the ultimate payback. Frederick Lee Brooke has once again written an intelligent, thoughtful and intricate story that will pull you in and keep you invested in the characters and the drama.

Annie Ogden is back and this time it’s personal. She has made a new career choice as a Private Detective and her first client is her best friend and College roommate Candace and her lying, cheating, zombie movie and cilantro loving husband Larry. Candace has her own business giving cooking lessons and has gathered a few friends over for dinner to try out her recipes.

Earlier that day she found a black bra in her husband’s luggage after his return home from a business trip. Candace becomes more and more disturbed by her find and as the dinner progresses she confronts Larry as her guests watch in disbelief. This is a dinner party that will not be forgotten!

Annie and her partner Salvatore are hired to follow Larry around and determine just exactly what he is hiding. As his actions are confirmed Candace buys a gun and devises an intricate plan sure to expose him and teach him a valuable lesson. Annie’s concern about being too close to this investigation stems from a secret that she hopes will not come between her and Candace.

Candace is a great character who has low self-esteem resulting from her weight gain and of course how it relates to her cheating husband. She is a complicated character who goes thru many emotions as the story progresses and ultimately becomes a strong and self-confident woman.

Annie is a loyal and loving friend whose only wish is to see her best friend happy. Salvatore is a character who seems to fill a void in Annie’s life and is an interesting and likeable character. All the characters blend together with a colorful and intense dialogue that will keep you engaged and intrigued.

The colorful descriptions of a small hilltop village in Italy and the events that transpire there are written with vivid detail and allow the reader to experience the feel of the village and its people as the story unfolds. This is a cleverly written and fun story with twists and turns that are unpredictable and elaborate.

I highly recommend this book to all readers who enjoy a well-written, humorous, absorbing read.

I also appreciated that the recipes mentioned in the story are provided at the end of the book. (less)

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Aug 13, 2012 Juliette Hill rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Frederick Lee Brooke, in the second book of his Annie Ogden series, "Zombie Candy," masterfully weaves a tale of sex, lies, love, secrets, betrayal, revenge and, yes, zombies too! This dark, humorous story illustrates how we are all prisoners of our own minds and choices, whether on the battlefield of war or the battlefield of love!

Annie is an army veteran, back from war and trying her hand at a new career as a private investigator. Her best friend from college, Candace, a gourmet cook, treats A...more

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Jun 17, 2012 Pam rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks-read-in-2012, paranormal-read-in-2012, read-in-2012

This is one of the most entertaining books I've every read. Candace is a married woman who has put on a little weight since her college years and soon becomes suspicious that her husband Larry is cheating. She hires her best friend Annie and her partner Salvatore to trail him to see if he is cheating. It is soon discovered that Larry is not only obsessed with Zombie movies but is a total horndog. When Candace finds out about the cheating she flips out and what person wouldn't.

I truly hate Larry...more

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Jun 17, 2012 Paranormal Reads rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is one of the most entertaining books I've every read. Candace is a married woman who has put on a little weight since her college years and soon becomes suspicious that her husband Larry is cheating. She hires her best friend Annie and her partner Salvatore to trail him to see if he is cheating. It is soon discovered that Larry is not only obsessed with Zombie movies but is a total horndog. When Candace finds out about the cheating she flips out and what person wouldn't.

I truly hate Larry...more

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Jun 11, 2012 Emlyn Chand added it

Zombie Candy sneaks up and takes you by surprise. “Zombie” is a prominent word in the title, and the book is also dubbed a mystery, then you start reading, and it’s really quite funny. So what is it, already?! Zombie Candy is genre-bending done right. Not a fan of mystery myself, I expected to think “eh, not so much” (even after approving it for tour based on Fred’s stellar quality of writing). But then I started reading, and I saw myself in these characters–especially Candace… Then I saw Candac...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Louisa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Oh, fantastic novel, very funny on how elaborate she made it, with the zombies, and such, very funny! Really enjoyable book!

*Full Review first posted on Words I Write Crazy on 15/06

So this is an awesome book, simply from the characters, and the unique ways they go about things, like Candace, and her husband's cheating, to Annie and her partner on ways to get evidence about said husband's cheating, and the way that they teach him a lesson, it was very elaborate, and inventive, and tailor fit to L...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Heidi rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

First impressions can make or break a book, and in 17 chapters zombies were only mentioned a handful of times. I patted myself on the back for getting that far in a zombie book without any zombies to speak of. So many times I wanted to stop reading Zombie Candy because it wasn’t turning out to be nearly as funny as other reviewers had made it seem. I had hoped that by the time I had reached chapter 17 I would be laughing so hard my stomach would hurt. Instead I was so bored I could barely keep m...more First impressions can make or break a book, and in 17 chapters zombies were only mentioned a handful of times. I patted myself on the back for getting that far in a zombie book without any zombies to speak of. So many times I wanted to stop reading Zombie Candy because it wasn’t turning out to be nearly as funny as other reviewers had made it seem. I had hoped that by the time I had reached chapter 17 I would be laughing so hard my stomach would hurt. Instead I was so bored I could barely keep my eyes open.

The story is about Candace, a slightly overweight cooking teacher. She is married to Larry, a zombie movie loving, cilantro eating, sex addict. The author made sure that the character of Larry was virtually unlikable, as there was no way the reader was going to sympathize with him and his unsavory ways. Candace tries everything to keep her marriage alive by dressing as sexy as she can, but due to life she has gained some weight which her Russell Crowe lookalike husband loves to point out. When Candace finds another woman's bra in her husband’s bag she decides to confront her husband in front of their dinner guest and friends. I felt the first half of the book was a very long version of the reality television show, Cheaters. Only in this drawn out episode of Cheaters, the reveals of his infidelity and escapades take up the bulk of the running time. The revenge is still sweet, but it would have been much sweeter had the book not taken 48 chapters to finally pay off.

The chapter bounces back and forth from the present day to Candace's past in Italy where she spent a semester, met and dated a man, and fell in love. I found this to be tedious because I felt what could have been succinctly described in 6 chapters or fewer was drawn out into 17 chapters. For example, in Chapter 5 the author makes a big deal about Candace driving her car and almost being attacked by a sick man who sneezes blood onto her shirt. It didn't add to the story except to make Larry even more the bad guy which we already understand at this point. The author brings in Annie Candace's best friend and war veteran who is now a private investigator. Annie and P.I. partner Salvatore investigate Larry for several chapters, a fact which again, doesn't really add much except to further illustrate the idea that Larry is a dirt bag and won’t change.

I really never felt connected to Candace. She seemed whiny for the first half of the book and the second half she is almost absent from the narrative. I enjoy the revenge aspect, and how creative Candace was at systematically dismantling her husband’s life and how she went about getting back at him for sleeping with more than 88 women. It is at this point that zombies are finally brought into the story, and in that respect, it was a nice twist and a somewhat fun way to get back at Candace's Zombie loving husband.

The book felt like it just ended without much closure. If it had, it would make the book feel more complete in my eyes. They reference the titular Zombie Candy once and if the reader doesn't pay attention they will completely miss it. I was hoping for something along the lines of Zombieland humor and gory, goofy fun but instead I could it turned cyclical and boring until the last few chapters. It doesn't add anything to the zombie genre and it only mention zombies a handful of times, and then then, not until the end.

I connected with Annie as she watched her friend try to figure out her life, and how she never stepped in until Candace asked her for help. She was a good friend who did everything she could to help Candace find out the truth and gain closure.

I had a difficult time with all the inconsistences I found in Zombie Candy. For example the author has Candace tell her husband about family secret and says he never told anyone. Than right towards the end of the book the author has Candace tell her best friend the same secret and he says "No one knows not even Larry." Yet Candace told her husband the same story several chapters earlier.

I loved that at the end of the book they had all of Candace's recipes that are mentioned throughout the book. That was a nice touch.

Despite the book being described as a black comedy, I didn't not find this book to be a very effective black comedy unless you consider the last few chapters dark and funny. This is not a book about zombies as it is about relationships and the extremes Candace takes to get rid of her soon to be Ex-Husband.
There are lot depictions of sexual scenes and some language but not as much as I had expected for the topic that is discussed.(less)

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Jun 12, 2012 Jonathan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: blog-reviews, reviewed

I am not a mystery fan; at least, not the standard mystery as we’ve come to know it: someone is murdered, clues clues clues, plot twist plot twist, big reveal. Yes, I know this isn’t every mystery plot, but the genre does have a formula and there’s a good reason for that formula that I can respect while not enjoying it. Hell, I get why people love them, as I enjoy a good “fantasy” mystery (for lack of a better word) in my stories.

As a result, I went into this novel with some trepidation. In addi...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Tonya rated it 4 of 5 stars

For anyone who is looking for a darkly humorous yet realistic view of the emotional journey through the destruction of a marriage, this book covers the essentials effectively. I would recommend this to anyone who appreciates a psychological journey of a story, and doesn’t mind some graphic gore. The second half, focusing on the “reindoctrination of Larry Roach, liar, cheat and sex addict” is where the real irony kicks in and earns the book the giggle-worthy humor that allows me to recommend this...more

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Jun 27, 2012 Lubna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Those who know me, are well aware that I hate horror stories and stay well away from books written by Edgar Alan Poe or Stephen King. But I knew this book was not just a mindless book on Zombies. The theme did run across the book and how, but the book was about human emotions and interplay between people - be it Larry (the splitting image of Russel Crowe) who cheats on his wife Candace, or that between Candace and her best friend Annie, who after being a war veteran in Iraq has just got her priv...more Those who know me, are well aware that I hate horror stories and stay well away from books written by Edgar Alan Poe or Stephen King. But I knew this book was not just a mindless book on Zombies. The theme did run across the book and how, but the book was about human emotions and interplay between people - be it Larry (the splitting image of Russel Crowe) who cheats on his wife Candace, or that between Candace and her best friend Annie, who after being a war veteran in Iraq has just got her private investigator license or the unique friendship (a platonic one) that developed between Larry and Roberta, who he once wanted to get in bed with.
Larry is addicted to sex and to zombie movies and has since long stopped caring for his wife. His utter disregard for her, is aptly captured through his actions such as sprinkling heaps of chopped cilantro on her gourmet meals - thereby drowning their very flavours, pinching her midriff - even as she is sensitive about being called fat (thanks largely to her need to get over her depression of a failing marriage by binging, and her gourmet cooking classes). The novel opens up with Candace finding an itsy bitsy black bra in Larry's suitcase - it certainly doesn't belong to her. There is a showdown, just as the couple, Annie, Annie's sister and husband are sitting down for a meal lovingly prepared by Candace. Annie reluctantly takes up the task of unearthing more skeletons in Larry's cupboard with her former instructor, Salvatore. Well, Larry falls for each and every bait thrown in his wake, perhaps with the sole exception of Roberta who becomes his close confidant. His infidelity opens up old wounds and the going is tough not just for Candace but also for Annie -- but their friendship continues to be strong.
Candace has enough evidence on her hand to get a divorce, but she wants revenge and it does not stop at her scratching Larry's car or even shooting him (her aim isn't that good anyway, she is a beginner). She uses his fantasy of Zombies to get back at him and how! Set in the quaint Italian town of Monte Chianti, Candace becomes quite the icon for the village belles, who never again will take things lying down. I shall not add spoilers by saying how the book ends, believe me you, there are many unexpected twists and turns. I loved the setting of Monte Chianti, the importance of 'family' to Italians was well brought out.
A big bonanza are Candace's recipes which are available at the end of the book. I can't wait to try out Eggplant Cutlets with Spicy Red Pepper and Yoghurt sauce (Eggplant with Youghurt are basic ingredients of an Indian recipe called Baigan Ka Bharta). But just like the book, this recipe promises to be different and interesting. I say yes, to cilantro (just a sprinkling of it), but I also say a big YES to this book.
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May 15, 2012 Lynn Messina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Candace Roach is willing to put up with a lot in her marriage, including her husband's obsession with zombies and his habit of putting cilantro on every gourmet meal she cooks. But when he returns home from a business trip with another woman's bra in his suitcase, she snaps (and even tries to put on the ridiculously small item of clothing in a scene that's equal parts hilarious and mortifying). With her best friend, Annie Ogden, a newbie private detective, she cooks up a plan of revenge so outra...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Naomi Leadbeater rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Also the epic fail of scheduling posts before writing them

"my own zombie review"

That was it. My entire review. I'm beginning to thinkI'vebecome the zombie. In actuality I neglected to change the scheduled time of my post to later on.

Later on you say? Why later on?

First (and I kid you not) I had to deal with the cilantro...

nom nom zombie nom and also, screw you absentmindedness.

You see, I have a cilantro problem. My pallet garden escapade, and the subsequent forgetting to take the seed packets...more

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Apr 11, 2013 Jennifer Mosher rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm a little conflicted over this book because I found the storyline a bit far fetched. However, when I just relaxed and ran with it, I did enjoy it, so I suppose it's a lesson not to take things too seriously.

The one thing Mr Brooke does well is invent interesting and diverse characters to populate his stories with. The sensitivities he showed when writing about Candace and Roberta were wonderful. It would be easy for a less talented writer to create tasteless caricatures of these women, but Mr...more

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Jun 30, 2012 Karen Toz rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Nobody was more shocked than I was that I was reading a “zombie” book, but since I loved Frederick Lee Brooke’s first book, Doing Max Vinyl, I just knew I had to see what Zombie Candy was all about. I’m so glad I did. While I am admittedly not a fan of zombie stories, I am a fan of Frederick Lee Brooke’s writing style, and this book had all the humor and quirkiness from Doing Max Vinyl that I loved – and it was not a true Zombie story, which actually made it more enjoyable for me.

Instead, this i...more

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Zombie Candy (Annie Ogden #2)

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