The Second Great Mortality

by Lonnie Colson

The year is 1436. Sir Richard de Colleville is out hunting with his son when their hounds come upon a pale stranger savagely gnawing the neck of a fawn. Thinking the stranger deranged or simply starving, Richard’s men intervene only to be viciously attacked. What seemed an isolated incident in the forest spurs a deadly turn of events when Richard learns that the man’s corpse bears the unmistakable signs of Plague. Richard tries to allay people’s fears that the Great Mortality is returned to Gloucester, but these fears soon prove true when someone within the manor walls exhibits symptoms. Fear then gives way to unspeakable horror once the true nature of this Pestilence is revealed. As lord of the land, Richard has a responsibility to protect his villagers and tenants, but how can he protect them from the invisible hand of death? Worse yet, how can he protect the survivors—including his wife and daughters—from the victims?

Unlike the classic medieval tales of yore, this novel explores what would have happened had the Great Plague carried more than just buboes and death. It offers a fresh take on the modern zombie story by taking the reader back to a time when sword, armor, and honor were all a man had to protect himself and those he loved.

373 pages, Paperback

First published May 2, 2016

About the author

Lonnie Colson has been writing since grade school, though never in cursive. He lives in Texas with his wife and children. A lifelong medieval history enthusiast, Lonnie enjoys the knightly pursuits of jousting, hunting, and sword fighting.

Reviews

[James Killian · Rating 5 out of 5]

2 Thumbs up!!!

I am a fan of The Walking Dead, and anything medieval... The author did a great job blending the two genres together.
The book reads very easily, and has a great pace that carries through until the end. All in all, brilliant!