Dead Fire

Slow Burn #4

by Bobby Adair

Dead Fire picks up following an infected attack on Sarah Mansfield’s fortified house, during which 3 people seek shelter with the Zed Zane and his fellow survivors. In the confusion, however, Murphy is gunned down, and an unthinking, emotional Zed strikes out to enact revenge.

Unfortunately, the shooting and commotion have only attracted more Whites. A diversion plan emerges to rid the horde of the Smart One trying to figure a way through the gates, and lead the other infected away from the compound. Momentarily safe, the survivors turn to the matter of where to bury the dead.

Zed, being now the only one available who would not attract the attentions of the infected, accompanies Freitag on this morbid mission. In short order, Zed is once more embittered and hardened against trust, when he finds himself stranded.

After a series of developments that prove the Whites to be more formidable foes than he ever dreamed, he finds his way back to Sarah’s house to find the compound overrun with infected and his friends mysteriously vanished without a trace, leaving Zed to rely once more solely on his wits to survive...

Genres: Zombies, Horror, Post Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Fiction, Apocalyptic, Dystopia

225 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2014

About the author

A bio is a weird thing to write.

Just trying to imagine presenting the highlights of ME sets off alarm bells in my head. Why would anybody want to know anything about me? What about me is remarkable enough to tell?

When I think about these questions, I recall lying on my bed back in high school, headphones muffed over my ears, heavy metal blasting through my head. As with most teens, music’s power seduced me, and as I listened, I found myself admiring the albums' cover art (yeah, I’m old enough that I used to by LP’s) and I found myself reading about the singers and guitar players and drummers in the liner notes. Why? Because those musicians had created something that was deeply personal, passionate, and wonderfully emotional, and they’d shared it with the world. They’d shared it with me.

It made me want to know them through more than just their music. So, I read.

Through the years, I found myself reading about writers I’d enjoyed, historical figures I’d admired, politicians who weren’t dipshits, and business leaders who’d built great companies. Again, why? Who the hell knows? We’re all just people. I think we find each other interesting. We like to feel connected.

And that was my answer, at least as to the WHY.

On the WHAT I can say about me, for those who feel moved by my work: I’ll give it a quick go.

I was born an Air Force brat and lived in a dozen states before I graduated high school. I’ve worked my way through a wide variety of jobs, left most on a whim, owned businesses, lived through times when I had more money than I knew what to do with, and worried my way through times when I wondered how I’d pay the rent.

Life has been boring at times, and it’s been plenty exciting, too. So far.

I’ve traveled to India, stood atop the tallest mountains around, swam with sharks, smarted-off to cops, and been arrested. I’ve tried beer and weed, but never made a thing of either one. I’ve been brushed too close by death a few times. Thankfully, doctors, EMT’s, and nurses were kind enough to put all the pieces together again. I've ridden my bike so deep into the mountains it felt like I was alone on the edge of heaven, and I've watched the red sun sinking on an evening so clear it looked like it was falling off the edge of the world.

I’ve always had a hard time being where I am, wherever that is. My daydreams forever call from just over the horizon.

I’ve been asked by a dozen bosses where I see myself in five years, and I've lied every time, always telling them what they wanted to hear. Because the only thing I knew for sure, was that I wanted to be anywhere but there.

Find out more:
http://www.bobbyadair.com/
https://www.facebook.com/BobbyAdairAu...

Reviews

[Claude's Bookzone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Book 7 of my Zombie-a-thon 2022!

Zombie chain gangs! Zed was impossibly dense in this one with a super obvious betrayal meaning he was on his own again and desperately trying to get back to his friends. It's a dead human eat live human world with lots of live humans out to bring other survivors down, Zed! Wise up!

[Tess (Mondi) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author outdid himself with this volume. I’ve been growing increasingly more fond of this series and this book finally topped it for me with a solid five out of five.
Yet again I need to praise the author’s realistic story telling and especially the emotions in this book were incredible real and strong. I also liked the occasional guilt the main character begun to deal with, it truly made the characters seem human.
Now that the characters build connections with each other over several books, the dynamics between them are truly becoming beautiful and the loyalty and respect they have for each other is amazing. This especially comes to light, with new characters joining the story and the difference you see in the groups dynamic with them.
Generally I have grown very attached to the characters by now and damn does this book make me feel a lot. I’m endlessly rooting for characters and worrying about them, adding wonderfully to the tension.
The zombie evolution is getting more intense and I am truly grateful for how creative and unique it is. I practically flew through this book, the story hooking me. I also love how the author brought in the idea of how disgusting those zombies most be, painting a vivid image with descriptions of scent and feeling of touching them. This was a wonderful addition to the horror loving heart and truly rooted you in this zombie infested story.
And if you thought the escapes were amazing and creative in the previous book, well this book tops it. I honestly struggled to stop reading and I was getting so vested, when I noticed how few pages I had left, I am honestly dying to read the next one.

[Cherry Mischievous · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Thoughts:
Like the previous book, this one also started right where Destroyer left off. And again, same old, same old. Same tune. Different day. But then again, the story telling quality is also good enough to keep me reading this series still.

Quantitative Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 4.5
Character development = 4.5
Story itself = 4
Writing Style = 4
Ending = 3
World building = 5
Cover art = 3
Pace = 4
Plot = 3

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

[Mark Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Onto 5, still good

[Carolyn F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am reading this in the Slow Burn Box Set: The Complete Post Apocalyptic Series boxed set

Didn't he learn anything?! She's constantly giving you dirty looks and complaining about you. It's the same that happened before! 4 stars.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Bobby Adair has done it again. I devoured this book in less than 2 days but was a little let down with the ending. I am not going to give it away, but it wasn't your typical BA ending. Sort of left you with a feeling of Huh?! Otherwise, he took things to a new level. Everything you thought you knew about the Smart Ones or zombies in general, toss it out the window. The game is changing and humans are now hunted. The Smart Ones are figuring out what it takes to get us outside of our protection or to break IN. Because Zed is a slow burn he can blend in with these creatures, but as he finds out, even he isn't immune to the craziness the Whites bring. I am looking forward to another book and another chance to read what crazy situations he can get himself into and if his luck truly holds out for one more day in the ZA.

[Janene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to put down. Even with some spelling errors and some lack of research (rigor mortis isn't permanent. It goes away after a few hours. Would not be present in a severely rotting corpse.) (Trained death investigator)

On to #5!

[joe wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, just like the other 3 in the series so far...

I ended up staying home sick from work today so I had the extra time to read books 2 and 3 in one sitting and was fortunate that this one was just released. easily one of my new favorite authors in this genre. I highly recommend this book and the others in the series... good work Mr. Adair I look forward to more of your work in the future.

[Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best apocalyptic series I've ever read.

This series is way above any other zombie apocalypse I've read. Most of them are so similar I cant tell one from the other. The difference with this series is Adairs' writing. The characters are so realistic. He brings Zed, Steph, Russell, and the others to life, but he also gives life to the zombies. Every book, in the series so far, has been an impossible to put down, heart in your throat thrill ride.

[G.G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read each one of the sequels so far and all I can say is that it gets even better. As if that could be possible, this fourth installment was the best so far. Not only do we learn more about the smart ones and the bald naked group but Zed takes us right there with them for a close encounter of how much more dangerous they are.
Can't wait for number 5!

[Schweighsr · Rating 2 out of 5]

What started out so well became suddenly repetitive. Our hero just doesn't seem to learn from his mistakes and every time he meets up with a new group of people they end up turning on him. I just couldn't force myself to read any further, which is a shame because the first few books were a lot of fun.

[Stephen · Rating 1 out of 5]

So, the traitor abandons Zed, attracts zombies to get him before leaving, abandons his friends taking their food, and still he helps her out……. Nope! I’m done!

[❤ArtfullySinful❤ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rage was not my friend. It was my favorite addition, but it only ever led to tears and regret.

Zed Zane was a man losing his ropes, slipping down an obsolete venture into his own personal Hell amongst the apocalypse outside his doors. With a miscalculation, his entire life would change in an instant, one that leads to u told pains, death, and a quest to be reunited. Allowing Specialist Freitag and Specialist Harris shelter to their compound, leads to the cruel demise of Harvey Marin and the shot fired to the side of Murphy’s head. Stunned with rage, silenced by the pounding in his ears it was Steph and Dalhover who took the momentum in stride securing the property once more as Zed gawked. While the Whites were busily shoving at the walls to gain their meals, a rush inside the mansion was imminent. With Murphy severely unconscious and unresponsive, Zed takes to his own as he tried to gain a reading off the two newcomers without realizing the betrayal in the midst of them.

One step into my run, Dalhover said, “Zed, wait. Pick up the hand.” “What!?” “Pick up the hand.”

Holding a deceased man’s hand in his, he felt the disgust recoiling off of him yet felt morally bounded to Freitag in the disposal of a man who was quite fond of her Aumt now forever lost in the clutches of the new world. As they rounded corner after corner on the river within the ski boat, it was decided he would lay Harvey to rest while she stayed behind out of the reaches of the whites. As he rested the man, she whined the engines attacking every calloused feeder for miles to descend upon the stranded Zed. Angered with a loss for words, he was distracted allowing two Smart Ones, nicknames Nancy and Bubbles to capture him and secure a chain to his neck to join their heard of chained Whites to carry precious silvers. Starving and dehydrated, he learned of their fear of water and refusal to step foot to close to the banks except for a sip of water. While chained, he encountered another fellow Slow Burn, Nico Wright. With a desire to be free and reunite with his friends, they devise a plan and use the River to tug them further out of reach with the assistance of Scuba equipment and a need to survive.

With no mortal consequences waiting in the wings, there for few limits to the indulgence of personal ignorance. Mistakes were paid for in blood.

As they escaped, they remained chained by the throats to one another and encountered an old man who was seemingly unaware of the crisis outside of his newly shattered door. In a rush for freedom, Nico stayed behind with him, and Zed Zane hustled back to the mansion where an entire gathering of hairless, naked to the barest flesh Whites has gathered and he was angered as they tore at his clothes and they his hair, his scalp bleeding but thankfully unable to feel the agony. Taking on the toll to find the truth he watched the tapes showing the overrun, seeing Harris perish to save Mandi and saw his friends and Freitag make their getaway with little casualties. Hunting her down became a priority, and upon finding her demanded the answers he so craved. Satisfied with it he made a beeline to their original escape house, where he found those he loved and cherished most in the twisted world.

Kill the Him. Kill the Her. Kill them all.

With a failure to ignite the mansion, Zed felt disappointed brewing as he allowed Thousands of the Whites to live, including Mark, the man he swore vengeance for after Amber’s brutal murder. He battled deep within himself as his feelings for Steph began materializing and haunted by those he’s lost among his journeys.

We were all commuters, traveling, serially to the same unsatisfying future, the same dead end.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a shameless fan of the "zombie apocalypse" genre. It really has nothing to do with horror, but I enjoy reading stories about people overcoming adversity and surviving in a world that has been radically affected by a massive catastrophe.

I've read a LOT of books in the genre, and I consider myself a bit of an aficionado. Therefore, when I say that this is one of the best series I've read in the genre, I'm not kidding.

This book is one of a series of books, and I'm leaving the same review for ALL of the books, because I read them all in a back-to-back binge on my Kindle. In my mind, it's all one lengthy well-told story, and I don't see any point in trying to isolate each book for a review. The series is awesome. By them all, read them in order, and you will enjoy them!

So WHY is this series so good? Well, for one thing, Bobby Adair is a very good writer, and the books are well-written with interesting characters and lots of action.

In this series, the "zombies" are people infected with a virus that essentially fries their brain with fever, leaving them more or less mindless and violent. The interesting twist is that not all "zombies" are equally infected. Some zombies retain some of their intellect, and some remain essentially ALL of their intellect, although they cosmetically appear just as infected as the others. I'd never read a zombie story told from the perspective of someone infected, yet not fully mindless, and what it's like to experience persecution from all sides. The other zombies want to eat you, and the "normal" immune survivors don't trust you since you have the pale skin of the infected.

I also REALLY like the fact that the story is set in Austin, Texas. I'm a native Texan myself, and for a while I in Austin, so it was very interesting to me to read a story that's set in a familiar setting. Bobby Adair knows what he's talking about when he writes about what it would be like to experience the collapse of civilization in central Texas in the blazing summer heat of August.

I also really like the fact that the main characters are interesting. For instance, the character "Zed" isn't a bad ass who was a Green Beret, and he wasn't a prepper before the apocalypse. He's a bit of a loser, who graduated from UT with a philosophy degree yet works at Starbucks, and probably drinks too much and smokes too much weed, and is drifting through life thanks to a lack of motivation from his shitty childhood. He's not an angel, and he makes mistakes, and that makes him very easy to relate to.

I might also add that the book is laugh-out-loud funny in many places. The banter back and forth between Zed and Murphy is hilarious and very believable, and really made the characters come alive in my mind.

Read these books! You will thank me!

[Natalie Giron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had enjoyed the first 3 books and wanted to continue on with the series. This book only took me a little over a day to get through this book. I just love these End of the world/zombie books so much! Keeping you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next! Zed the main character being a slow burn he is like the whites but still is as normal of a person as his friends. He does have the white skin, looks like death which helps him getting around and finding supplies and good. I really loved their house they had, it was perfect being secluded and safe. Or so you thought...They had power and clean water! Those are luxuries now! Of course in zombie world things won’t stay safe forever though. Zed notices a change of how some of the whites are acting. Some are real smart and they’re learning how to do new things which puts the healthy survivors in more danger. I’m excited to continue on the series, I most definitely enjoy Bobby Adair’s books.

[Nigel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is based on the Audible audio book narrated by Phil Thorn.

Probably a 3.5 star book, which continues the Slow Burn series with Zed and his friends 'settled' in Sarah Mansfield’s fortified house, after the battle which left Murphy injured. Trouble starts when they let in a couple of other survivors one of whom is injured but is unlikely to survive. Zed takes his body and his girlfriend down the river in order to find a suitable place to be buried. She abandons Zed who later get's captured by some of the 'smart' whites and by the time he gets free and back to Mansfield's he finds it overrun by whites and his friends gone. Are they alive? Can he finds his friends (if they are still alive) before they get into too much trouble?

[Henrik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still enjoying this series as a palate cleanser between more challenging reads. I like the concept of different zombie types which seems to be expanding and I enjoy a post-apocalyptic setting. As an audiobook these books work well, I’m not so sure I would have been as positive if I read these, but then again, I got nine books for 2 dollars so I can’t complain.

Not all the plot points work and some of the characters are rather shallow or naïve to make the plot work, but as a light read/listen this works as intended.

[Livvy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Think I said I was going to wait until next boxset after reading books 1-3 because of the high Price's for short fast paced read. Lol
Zed can't caught a break can he. Group came along and Murphy gets hurt by them. Then zed got blindsided by that chick and left behind. Also smart ones or crazy ones more like it having chain gang. Poor zed! When he finally makes it back compound is raided with white's. At least he did find them at the end.

[Tiffany Tinkham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 is Amazing!

Book 4 of the story of Zeb and his new found friends continue in this epic series! Just like the first 3, book 4 is full of action and adventure against the whites aka zombies. Zeb learns more about the whites when he encounters trouble and new people join is haggard group of sruvivors. But can they be trusted? Read this series yourself and be emerged in the fight for survival!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Almost brought to tears.

Action galore. Intense at times, scary, hoping for the best and holding my breath more times to count. Going from having a few friends, being betrayed, and hoping for survival were all Zed went through. Starvation, dehydration and fear to even hope, without clothes, he befriended a few whites in order to save his own life. What comes his way is more than a person alone should need to deal with. But, he does and more.

[Moses R. Demmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book even better Series

I have read a lot of books in the zombie genre, like A LOT. This Series is one of few I've actually bought most I just rent through kindle unlimited but the Slow Burn Series I buy soon as they come out. Every book is good makes me laugh and sometimes almost cry all get read binge style I think at least well every time a new book is released. Bobby Adair is great I've read more of his books and haven't found any that I didn't like

[Call me Jeeves · Rating 3 out of 5]

The series is kind of leveling off and getting into the rhythm of living on the edge. There are so many things I shout out, why don’t you do is or do that. I smack my head saying it’s all wrong.
When the zombie apocalypse comes to my town I know what I gonna do, and I’m not telling you bitches because you’re gonna follow me, and next t go ing you know I’m in a little dingy floating down there river. So to speak.

[Renato R. Chacon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining

Binging on the series, it's entertaining. I like the genre, the lead character is likable, dumb, & somewhat heroic. It's a good thing.

Writing can kind of change it's tone & vernacular sporadically, but it's not too bad. It takes place in the characters mind, not quite a narration, so it's kind of normal

[Christine Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

👍 👍 I give this book two thumbs up!!

Man Zed has it rough in this book!! Bobby Adair really put him through hell, but in the process we learn some valuable information about the way the smart ones communicate. And Adair gives us a happy ending although I’m sure it won’t last. Can’t wait to start reading book 5.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the omnibus edition of this series but just wanted to say that book four has developed the story into a more psychological area. The infected are becoming more interesting, while Zed's psyche is expanding on many levels - great stuff.

Lots of action and characters to hate!

Highly recommended.

[julie brain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Zombie Books Ever!! Thank you Bobby!


This is my second time reading the series. I love the way he writes. He keeps the story going full speed , never a dull moment. I love to think "What would I do in these situations?" as I go. Would I be a zombie? Eaten? A slow burn? Or immune. You never know who or what is around the corner for Zed. Love it!

[Billy Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great! This series just seems to keep getting better and better. There was a lot of Zed on his own in this one, which cut down on the (sometimes) mundane chatter between him and others. A lot of action and some really really unique and cool "zombie apocalypse" ideas here. Really digging this series and can't wait to lick into the next one.

[Mkittysamom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew

That was a nail biter.. I wasn’t sure if Zed’s plans would come to fruition or not. I’m happy just to have a happy ending! No cliffhangers! Yeah! But now I wonder what Zed will do next...?

[Janrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I got one answer and 1000 questions. Dead Fire is one of those can't-put-down-what's-gonna-happen-next-is-he-going-to-make-it type of books that makes you love the author and want to punch him in the throat at the same time. (No disrespect) Awesome read.

[Rosemary Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zed becomes seperated from the group, thanks to a colleagues underhanded trick. He tries to make his way back, but has a couple of misadventures along the way.
Life is difficult as is, without those that haven't turned or a slow burners turning on each other.