Rise of the Mudmen

by James F.W. Thompson

Alex used to believe that bad things didn’t happen on sunny days…but now he knows better. On an otherwise normal October day, his neighborhood becomes a place of horror. Missing parents, a chaotic evacuation and a school in flames are only the beginning of a nightmarish world overrun by bloodthirsty creatures--creatures who were once neighbours, friends, and family. Thrown together by chance with no adults coming to their rescue, Alex, Nicole, David and Kaitlyn must rely on themselves and each other to survive. As they struggle to defend themselves, create a safe haven, and learn to work together, they discover that there's more than one kind of enemy...and that sometimes the worst ones come from within... Set in Cape Breton in 1986, Rise of the Mudmen will take you back to a time that never was. "Rise of the Mudmen is an eerie and enjoyable novel with lots of heart." - 5* Goodreads review "The story moves quickly, with unexpected, dramatic events that kept me turning the pages." - 5* Goodreads review "Well-developed young characters, who talk and think the way real young people do, are the glue that holds together this somewhat nostalgic story about a zombie outbreak in a small town in the nineteen-eighties." - 5* Goodreads review

Genres: Horror

358 pages, Paperback

Published September 22, 2017

Reviews

[Brandon]

Set in Sydney, on the island of  Cape Breton in 1986, Rise of the Mudmen follows a group of teenagers as they deal with the fallout from a virus that is spreading like wildfire through the east coast community turning their friends, family and neighbors into the undead.

The story is told through alternating viewpoints of four main characters - Alex, Nicole, David and Kaitlyn.  Before coming together, each character offers up their own experience of Sydney’s breakdown as the virus quickly swallows the town.  As a reader, I really enjoy this method when implementing a larger cast as it allows for a greater exploration of a story when it comes to world-building.  Although I’m sure he wasn’t the first to do it, the collection of teens reminds me of Stephen King’s It and the kids that make up The Loser’s Club.  They’re likeable and you really care about them - which is important when it comes to horror, otherwise it’s all just blood and guts and apathy.

To date, I haven’t read a lot of fiction that takes place in my hometown, so it was really fun seeing familiar spots used as set pieces as well as locations around town that are mentioned in passing.  With the 80s very much in fashion these days, it was refreshing that Thompson doesn’t rely heavily on the trend of using it strictly as a plot device.  I imagine it was chosen more so for the fact that information did not spread as quickly as it does now in 2018, allowing gossip and the odd newscast to fill in the gaps - at least in the beginning.

Although it can be classified as a YA novel, Rise of the Mudmen isn’t conservative when it comes to violence nor does it shy away from the scares.  There are moments when tension is built to an almost unbearable degree; like watching characters in a movie venture into a dark and murky basement or when kids split up in the forest at Camp Crystal Lake.  There’s also lots of rooms for those jump-scares we all love, when things appear safe and sound before something wicked has to spoil all the serenity.

Rise of the Mudmen is an eerie and enjoyable novel with lots of heart.  I had a blast reading it and look forward to what James has planned for the future.

[Jo-Ann]

Rise of the Mudmen is a well-written debut novel with a YA flavour. The story is based around Alex, fifteen years old and his dog, Shadow. The setting is 1986, Sydney, Cape Breton. A virus is spreading. Alex, along with hundreds of school kids and adults gets lost in mass chaos as zombies, or mudmen as Alex like to call them. They spread and attack, killing friends and family and turning them into mudmen. There is some gore and carnage.

Alex joins up with others seeking refuge and they eventually create a safe haven for themselves. Foraging for food and supplies is a dangerous adventure into the unknown. They learn to work together to survive and protect one another. Unfortunately, in this new, uncertain world, they must also learn who they can and cannot trust.

Each of the characters involved have unique personalities, all with something to offer. The story moves quickly, with unexpected, dramatic events that kept me turning the pages. The story was entertaining and suspenseful and I have to say that I loved all the references to local places of interest.

[Joel Inglis]

Well-developed young characters, who talk and think the way real young people do, are the glue that holds together this somewhat nostalgic story about a zombie outbreak in a small town in the nineteen-eighties.

The story unfolds quickly from an ordinary day (just kids going to school - or skipping school for justified reasons) and progresses steadily to an all-out survivalist life for a group of mismatched young locals. This all takes place in a little over a week, with the chapter laid out as the days since the mysterious outbreak.

Some of the characters know each other from school or recognize each other as a passing acquaintance. The same can be said for the relationship between the characters and the zombie horde which the fend off with deft skill.

[Myza]

Really loved this book. I read it in 2 days,
As I was always wanting to know what happened next. Lots of surprises throughout the novel and I would recommend this to anyone who likes zombie fiction.