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Drive-Thru of the Dead: Drayton Falls
Drayton Falls is a strange place. The entire history of the town is rife with tales of the weird and unexplainable, as well as the just plain fucked up as all get-out. Some say the town is cursed, and there are more stories purporting to explain the origins of the curse than there are stars in the sky.
These are some of those stories. Within these pages, you’ll encounter zombies with a strange hunger for fast food, a masked slasher in a cheerleading outfit, a mysterious night-walking phantom, and more, as well as the everyday citizens just trying to forge a regular life in a deeply haunted place. Some of the same faces and names will pop up again and again across stories as all the high strangeness intersects in various unexpected ways.
DRIVE-THRU OF THE DEAD is the first collection of stories originally published exclusively on Bryan Smith’s Patreon. Includes a teaser for the next Drayton Falls story, which doubles as a sequel to THE FREAKSHOW.
The larger tale of Drayton Falls has only just begun…
These are some of those stories. Within these pages, you’ll encounter zombies with a strange hunger for fast food, a masked slasher in a cheerleading outfit, a mysterious night-walking phantom, and more, as well as the everyday citizens just trying to forge a regular life in a deeply haunted place. Some of the same faces and names will pop up again and again across stories as all the high strangeness intersects in various unexpected ways.
DRIVE-THRU OF THE DEAD is the first collection of stories originally published exclusively on Bryan Smith’s Patreon. Includes a teaser for the next Drayton Falls story, which doubles as a sequel to THE FREAKSHOW.
The larger tale of Drayton Falls has only just begun…
150 pages, Paperback
Published June 29, 2025
22 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Bryan Smith
111 books775 followersBryan Smith is the Splatterpunk Award-winning author of more than forty horror and crime books, including 68 Kill, the cult classic Depraved and its sequels, as well as The Killing Kind, Slowly We Rot, The Freakshow, and many more. Bestselling horror author Brian Keene called Slowly We Rot, "The best zombie novel I've ever read."
68 Kill was adapted into a motion picture directed by Trent Haaga and starring Matthew Gray Gubler of the long-running CBS series Criminal Minds. 68 Kill won the Midnighters Award at the SXSW film festival in 2017 and was released to wide acclaim, including positive reviews in The New York Times and Bloody Disgusting.
Bryan also co-scripted an original Harley Quinn story for the House of Horrors anthology from DC Comics. He has worked with renowned horror publishers in both the mass market and small press spheres, including Leisure Books, Samhain Publishing, Grindhouse Press, Death’s Head Press, and more. His works are available wherever books are sold, with select titles also available in German and Italian.
68 Kill was adapted into a motion picture directed by Trent Haaga and starring Matthew Gray Gubler of the long-running CBS series Criminal Minds. 68 Kill won the Midnighters Award at the SXSW film festival in 2017 and was released to wide acclaim, including positive reviews in The New York Times and Bloody Disgusting.
Bryan also co-scripted an original Harley Quinn story for the House of Horrors anthology from DC Comics. He has worked with renowned horror publishers in both the mass market and small press spheres, including Leisure Books, Samhain Publishing, Grindhouse Press, Death’s Head Press, and more. His works are available wherever books are sold, with select titles also available in German and Italian.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 17, 2026
I do love me a collection of interconnected short stories and small towns where the weirdness is just a normal part of life so I had a good time with this one. For the most part the pacing was quite snappy. There was a sense of good humor to the whole thing which I found rather enjoyable especially in its juxtaposition to the more grotesque stuff.
July 6, 2025
I won my copy of this book from Grindhouse Press on their Instagram giveaway and I was pummpeddddd about it because everything I have read by Bryan Smith (so far) has been so dang good. I always feel like I can call the story from afar and he goes on and proves me wrong and I love that about him.
I love anthologies and collections of stories that tie together. I want to know more about Angela Conroy and I love a good for her story. There were a couple of them in this collection.
This book has so many goodies packed into it: aliens, zombies, more than one pervvvv, a shockingly relatable high school story, some slashing, zombies and a carnival.
Bryan Smith always delivers y'all. Snatch this one up when you can.
I love anthologies and collections of stories that tie together. I want to know more about Angela Conroy and I love a good for her story. There were a couple of them in this collection.
This book has so many goodies packed into it: aliens, zombies, more than one pervvvv, a shockingly relatable high school story, some slashing, zombies and a carnival.
Bryan Smith always delivers y'all. Snatch this one up when you can.
July 19, 2025
DRIVE-THRU OF THE DEAD: DRAYTON FALLS
By: Bryan Smith
Release: 7/10/25
Page count: 171
KU: Yes Hoopla: No
Synopsis: Four stories and a teaser, Smith gives us zombies, a not so happy class reunion, sexy time in the woods, and a fangirl gone wrong.
First line: “Once upon a time in a shitty little southern town called Drayton Falls, a lot of fucked up shit happened.”
Favorite line: “It ain’t misogynistic to say the truth.”
“Drive Thru of the Dead” - Dave started his job tonight at the Big Fiesta Burger with Kelsey as his co-worker. He’ll find out quickly that Karen’s in the drive-thru are the least of his worries.
“Class Reunion Slaughter” - What happens when the girl everyone forgot about hasn’t forgotten about their trespasses? Twenty-five year later - there will be a reckoning they won’t be able to forget.
“Lust from Beyond the Stars” - Fat Bob is a bit sweet on Bonnie Grace even if she is the town bicycle (everyone gets a ride). When he finally gets her all alone in the woods, he gets more than he or his Trojans bargained for.
“He Walks at Night” - A once notorious prowler of the night gets his boomer ass in gear to make a comeback until he meets a fan that is a bit too much of a fangirl.
Thoughts: I have been reading these on his Patreon as he released them and I they are even better as a collection. Drayton Falls is such a blast to visit (I’m not going to move there, for sure). Smith is in his element in this wild and crazy universe. I cannot wait until the next story comes out!
Rating: 5/5
Other recommendations: DEAD STRIPPER STORAGE, THE KILLING KIND SERIES
By: Bryan Smith
Release: 7/10/25
Page count: 171
KU: Yes Hoopla: No
Synopsis: Four stories and a teaser, Smith gives us zombies, a not so happy class reunion, sexy time in the woods, and a fangirl gone wrong.
First line: “Once upon a time in a shitty little southern town called Drayton Falls, a lot of fucked up shit happened.”
Favorite line: “It ain’t misogynistic to say the truth.”
“Drive Thru of the Dead” - Dave started his job tonight at the Big Fiesta Burger with Kelsey as his co-worker. He’ll find out quickly that Karen’s in the drive-thru are the least of his worries.
“Class Reunion Slaughter” - What happens when the girl everyone forgot about hasn’t forgotten about their trespasses? Twenty-five year later - there will be a reckoning they won’t be able to forget.
“Lust from Beyond the Stars” - Fat Bob is a bit sweet on Bonnie Grace even if she is the town bicycle (everyone gets a ride). When he finally gets her all alone in the woods, he gets more than he or his Trojans bargained for.
“He Walks at Night” - A once notorious prowler of the night gets his boomer ass in gear to make a comeback until he meets a fan that is a bit too much of a fangirl.
Thoughts: I have been reading these on his Patreon as he released them and I they are even better as a collection. Drayton Falls is such a blast to visit (I’m not going to move there, for sure). Smith is in his element in this wild and crazy universe. I cannot wait until the next story comes out!
Rating: 5/5
Other recommendations: DEAD STRIPPER STORAGE, THE KILLING KIND SERIES
February 2, 2026
A good collection
By far, the best story was the high school reunion. Second best was the zombie one that started it out. The sex bot and phantom didn't connect with me, but I really enjoyed the build-up and eventual finish of the reunion. Very entertaining.
Its a varied collection of stories that are varied enough to keep one interested. An enjoyable ride, for sure.
4 out of 5 severed thumbs-up.
By far, the best story was the high school reunion. Second best was the zombie one that started it out. The sex bot and phantom didn't connect with me, but I really enjoyed the build-up and eventual finish of the reunion. Very entertaining.
Its a varied collection of stories that are varied enough to keep one interested. An enjoyable ride, for sure.
4 out of 5 severed thumbs-up.
December 9, 2025
An effort to build a quirky town ala Stephen King. Sadly hampered by Bryan’s over reliance on his formula. Weak guy taken in by sex crazy violent hot girl. Bryan do research. Go out and meet people. Everything in his stories is stereotypes you get from TV. By the by.. a nail gun as a weapon is something 80s movies invented. They don’t work that way. Get out live a little. Experiences some stuff
July 12, 2025
Dynamite!
An outstanding collection. I enjoyed all these stories, but my favorites were "He Walks at Night" and "Class Reunion Slaughter." You can't go wrong with anything Smith releases. Highly recommended to fans of both traditional and contemporary horror!
An outstanding collection. I enjoyed all these stories, but my favorites were "He Walks at Night" and "Class Reunion Slaughter." You can't go wrong with anything Smith releases. Highly recommended to fans of both traditional and contemporary horror!
September 11, 2025
Fun collection of stories set in Drayton Falls. Great variety of horror. Excited for the Drayton Falls series to continue.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews