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Hunger
Lies aren’t just dangerous. They’re deadly.
John is a loving husband and father. He takes his daughter swimming every weekend. He tells her stories to coax her to sleep every night. He often buys his wife wine and bouquets of flowers… All to disguise the guilt.
John is secretly living two lives. And this time, it’s going to bite him on the ass. Literally.
He’s with his bit-on-the-side when victims of a deadly virus spill across the entrance of his hotel. Trapped, he has no way to get back to his family to protect them.
Can he escape and get to them before it’s too late? Or will he remain trapped with his mistress? A mistress with a dark and sinister secret…
Enjoy this thrilling page-turner FREE now.
**Includes an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at the best-selling post-apocalyptic series Resistant !**
John is a loving husband and father. He takes his daughter swimming every weekend. He tells her stories to coax her to sleep every night. He often buys his wife wine and bouquets of flowers… All to disguise the guilt.
John is secretly living two lives. And this time, it’s going to bite him on the ass. Literally.
He’s with his bit-on-the-side when victims of a deadly virus spill across the entrance of his hotel. Trapped, he has no way to get back to his family to protect them.
Can he escape and get to them before it’s too late? Or will he remain trapped with his mistress? A mistress with a dark and sinister secret…
Enjoy this thrilling page-turner FREE now.
**Includes an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at the best-selling post-apocalyptic series Resistant !**
113 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 23, 2017
532 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
About the author
Perrin Briar
118 books110 followersPerrin Briar is an English author best-known for his Blood Memory series, black comedy Keeping Mum, and revenge tale Square. He was born in Huntingdon, grew up in Norfolk, graduated from Bournemouth, worked in London, and then chucked it all in to live in South Korea.
He has written for BBC radio, and worked in the production and development departments of the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.
** Sign up to Perrin's newsletter at www.perrinbriar.com/mailing-list/ and get four free stories, news of forthcoming new novels, competitions, special prices, advanced novel previews and exclusive email-only serial story Skip! **
He has written for BBC radio, and worked in the production and development departments of the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.
** Sign up to Perrin's newsletter at www.perrinbriar.com/mailing-list/ and get four free stories, news of forthcoming new novels, competitions, special prices, advanced novel previews and exclusive email-only serial story Skip! **
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
November 17, 2018
If a zombie apocalypse were ever to happen, this short story is a good example about how things would turn out: a virus slowly spreading over the population, outbursts in big, crowded cities, news on TV, and the cold, terrible truth when it reaches you.
John is a bastard. He's going through a crisis, conveniently blaming his wife for his infidelity. Oh, and the aforementioned apocalypse finds him in a hotel room, with his mistress. At the beginning, one might think this is a superhero story, or maybe a redemption one, but the way things turn out is just fine.
You can currently get the e-book for free, from Amazon.
John is a bastard. He's going through a crisis, conveniently blaming his wife for his infidelity. Oh, and the aforementioned apocalypse finds him in a hotel room, with his mistress. At the beginning, one might think this is a superhero story, or maybe a redemption one, but the way things turn out is just fine.
You can currently get the e-book for free, from Amazon.
July 31, 2018
This one was free and, for a kindle freebie, decent enough, if only barely so. The editing was up to par, which is already a huge plus. The story itself…well, there are zombies. It’s barely a novella, more like a novelette, just over 50% of the total volume, the rest is taken up by a promo for one of the author’s serials, which are his bread and butter. So this one was a mere appetizer then and a fairly insubstantial one at that. Either a zombie tale heavily featuring cheating or a heavy handed morality tale about the evils of cheating, featuring zombies. Bizarrely enough rife with tons of highlighted banalities. So someone must have found it profound and quotable before. No likeable characters, nothing challenging, just a very quick mindless sort of read.
March 26, 2018
Novellas are a hit or miss for me, and I wasn't expecting Hunger to be hit so hard.
It starts with an unlikeable main character, John, who's an asshole and blames his wife for cheating on her. This definitely wasn't a good beginning in the way I didn't connect with him since the start, but as the story moved forward, that changed.
John claims he still loves Catherine and their daughter, but that doesn't stop him from encountering with his mistress, and in one of the days he's staying with her in an hotel, a deadly virus that turns people into zombies awakes.
This novella was perfectly paced and written because although I never loved John, Perrin Briar quickly hooked me on the story, and never let me go. I felt that I was with the characters and I feared for them. Besides, John evolved as a character in a short time! Hunger had a lot of action and unpredictable twists which make it unique.
And that ending.
Man, it was outstanding.
Hunger is free on kindle, and I urge you to read it!
It starts with an unlikeable main character, John, who's an asshole and blames his wife for cheating on her. This definitely wasn't a good beginning in the way I didn't connect with him since the start, but as the story moved forward, that changed.
John claims he still loves Catherine and their daughter, but that doesn't stop him from encountering with his mistress, and in one of the days he's staying with her in an hotel, a deadly virus that turns people into zombies awakes.
This novella was perfectly paced and written because although I never loved John, Perrin Briar quickly hooked me on the story, and never let me go. I felt that I was with the characters and I feared for them. Besides, John evolved as a character in a short time! Hunger had a lot of action and unpredictable twists which make it unique.
And that ending.
Man, it was outstanding.
Hunger is free on kindle, and I urge you to read it!
December 16, 2017
This is a short story with a zombie theme at the end that will have you thinking twice in the future about fooling around !
The main character is married with a daughter but finds that too boring and wants some excitement on the side and has been carrrying in with a younger model.
He arranges a ‘Training session’ that requires an overnight stay and will soon regret that decision. A nice little tale about how an immoral act can come back and bite you in the a**.
Makes you think about your actions and the impact they have on others - even though it is such a short story.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
The main character is married with a daughter but finds that too boring and wants some excitement on the side and has been carrrying in with a younger model.
He arranges a ‘Training session’ that requires an overnight stay and will soon regret that decision. A nice little tale about how an immoral act can come back and bite you in the a**.
Makes you think about your actions and the impact they have on others - even though it is such a short story.
I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
August 17, 2020
Decent zombie apocalypse story...novella, not full length. I needed a palate cleanser as I am trying to get through the new Mary Trump book. Yes, zombies as a palate cleanser! (We *are* talking about Donald Trump here, guys)
The story focuses on the main character who isn’t a great guy, but somewhat relatable. Zombie apocalypse breaks out whilst he’s having an illicit tryst with his lover at a hotel a couple of hours away....what does one do? He loves his family, even if he is an ass....lots of narrative dilemma and drama as he works through the mistake he’s made and tries to figure out if he can get out and fix it. Worth the read. Quick and interesting.
The story focuses on the main character who isn’t a great guy, but somewhat relatable. Zombie apocalypse breaks out whilst he’s having an illicit tryst with his lover at a hotel a couple of hours away....what does one do? He loves his family, even if he is an ass....lots of narrative dilemma and drama as he works through the mistake he’s made and tries to figure out if he can get out and fix it. Worth the read. Quick and interesting.
December 22, 2017
Awesome
Love this guys imagination. Great story telling, great characters development and as long as I can read his works for free I will
Love this guys imagination. Great story telling, great characters development and as long as I can read his works for free I will
October 20, 2018
This book is freaking amazing
This is a story about John. A tired accountant. Tired of his life, work wise and marry life. He need it more exciment. Was tired of always arguin with his wife. and apologizing when it wasnt his fault. He couldnt leave though because he had a beautiful little girl whom he loved. He loved his wife too, he thinks. He looked for exciment and he found it. But was it more than he could handle? Could he turn back time and fix his marriage or will it be done for ever?
Briar Perry did an excellent job. No way i was going to put this book down. I need it to find out the outcome of the situation. I absolutely loved it❤
This is a story about John. A tired accountant. Tired of his life, work wise and marry life. He need it more exciment. Was tired of always arguin with his wife. and apologizing when it wasnt his fault. He couldnt leave though because he had a beautiful little girl whom he loved. He loved his wife too, he thinks. He looked for exciment and he found it. But was it more than he could handle? Could he turn back time and fix his marriage or will it be done for ever?
Briar Perry did an excellent job. No way i was going to put this book down. I need it to find out the outcome of the situation. I absolutely loved it❤
February 26, 2018
Very interesting. Again as with the first of this author's I read, this is a VERY short story. Also over half of the book is a lead-in to another book. Story overall well written. Deep little short about the zombies and one man's struggle to deal with his choices leading up to the end. Nice little cryptic messages about the choices we make and how they affect others.
January 28, 2018
eeewwww i hated this story, it reminded me of the movie legend except bad i hated it. to be fair to the story i hate zombies (waking dead) all that so i don't know why i even tried to read this i guess the cover drew me in.
September 23, 2019
Nice book
December 28, 2017
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As anyone who knows what I enjoy reading will know that I love a good zombie book. I have read books by this author before and I have really enjoyed his stories. They are full of good and steady action along with good characters.
In Hunger I knew I would be getting a good story and with it being a novella I was just hoping it would be good and not leave with a cliffhanger. Not only does the cover look amazing but the story was pretty darn good and I was able to finish it in one setting.
We are introduced to John who really loves his little girl but doesn't want to bring himself to divorce the wife he doesn't really love anymore. We see what happens to John when what is suppose to be a one night stay with his mistress becomes a nightmare.
It seems that a virus has become unleashed onto the world though we are never told how it was unleashed just that it takes weeks to truly show itself in the person. A man's actions will come to bite him but not in the way he is hoping.
If you are looking for a short read that involves zombies check it.
As anyone who knows what I enjoy reading will know that I love a good zombie book. I have read books by this author before and I have really enjoyed his stories. They are full of good and steady action along with good characters.
In Hunger I knew I would be getting a good story and with it being a novella I was just hoping it would be good and not leave with a cliffhanger. Not only does the cover look amazing but the story was pretty darn good and I was able to finish it in one setting.
We are introduced to John who really loves his little girl but doesn't want to bring himself to divorce the wife he doesn't really love anymore. We see what happens to John when what is suppose to be a one night stay with his mistress becomes a nightmare.
It seems that a virus has become unleashed onto the world though we are never told how it was unleashed just that it takes weeks to truly show itself in the person. A man's actions will come to bite him but not in the way he is hoping.
If you are looking for a short read that involves zombies check it.
April 6, 2022
Hunger is an enjoyable short story about one guy's relationship problems and a marriage verging on staleness. Looking for a little more spice in his life, John has taken his mistress away for a weekend of nookie. Unfortunately for both of them, this weekend is the big coming-out party for the walking dead.
All-in-all, Hunger is well written. Though I did wish Briar had checked a thesaurus, now and then, as I quickly got tired of "he said", "she said", "John said", they all bloody "said". A few synonyms such as "he stated," or "she answered," or "John babbled," or "they all bloody joked," would have made for less monotony in the dialogue. However, the conversations were perfectly okay. They sounded realistic and believable. It was just all those "said"'s - and they were the only thing that irked me.
In fact, once I got into the cheater's tale, I was engrossed. I kept turning the pages until the very satisfactory conclusion. And Briar even slips in his own twist on the Zombie mythos, which I won't tell you here; you'll have to read it yourself. Let me state that it is well worth the two hours of your time. I didn't know the time had passed.
All-in-all, Hunger is well written. Though I did wish Briar had checked a thesaurus, now and then, as I quickly got tired of "he said", "she said", "John said", they all bloody "said". A few synonyms such as "he stated," or "she answered," or "John babbled," or "they all bloody joked," would have made for less monotony in the dialogue. However, the conversations were perfectly okay. They sounded realistic and believable. It was just all those "said"'s - and they were the only thing that irked me.
In fact, once I got into the cheater's tale, I was engrossed. I kept turning the pages until the very satisfactory conclusion. And Briar even slips in his own twist on the Zombie mythos, which I won't tell you here; you'll have to read it yourself. Let me state that it is well worth the two hours of your time. I didn't know the time had passed.
January 7, 2018
Perrin Briar has written quite a few zombie books (a whole 11 book series) but this one is a bit different. A short stand alone story about a man who wants to be with his family instead his mistress when the zombie apocalypse breaks out.
I liked the characterization of the male protagonist and the ending is perfect.
Only thing that ruined it was the „sniffing“ (if you have read the book I hope you know what I mean, if not, this is hopefully not a spoiler). The main character could have had his epiphany without the „sniffing & no action“ but instead this nearly destroyed the story for me as the logic went down the drain.
Anyway, if you are looking for a quick „an accountant can never be a hero“ story, look no further (sic!).
I liked the characterization of the male protagonist and the ending is perfect.
Only thing that ruined it was the „sniffing“ (if you have read the book I hope you know what I mean, if not, this is hopefully not a spoiler). The main character could have had his epiphany without the „sniffing & no action“ but instead this nearly destroyed the story for me as the logic went down the drain.
Anyway, if you are looking for a quick „an accountant can never be a hero“ story, look no further (sic!).
January 3, 2018
Granted most of what I know about zombies comes from movies and tv shows like The Walking Dead, if that type of infection were to happen in real life I could totally see the events mentioned in this story taking place.
In this particular story we follow along with John, a married man and father who is hiding an affair. One night away for one of his 'special' rendezvous all hell seems to break loose for him when this mysterious illness that has been going around shows up in the hotel in which he is staying.
This isn't some fantisful tell with serous butt kicking action like something that could found in Resident Evil but that of one of the many things that could happen to us regular folk.
In this particular story we follow along with John, a married man and father who is hiding an affair. One night away for one of his 'special' rendezvous all hell seems to break loose for him when this mysterious illness that has been going around shows up in the hotel in which he is staying.
This isn't some fantisful tell with serous butt kicking action like something that could found in Resident Evil but that of one of the many things that could happen to us regular folk.
July 8, 2018
two stars because this is no zombie novel. if you expect to enjoy zombie killing with kickass apocalypse survivors, Hunger is simply not the one. The story is more mainly dramatic and so far away from being horror or adventurous. And the writing is pretty bad. I needed to pull myself together a lot to get through the early parts because the writer just pretty much 'tells' us what's going on rather than 'showing' us. I'm not sure but I think it's free on kindle so you can try reading to kill the time. This is like a 50 min read. Nothing to lose here anyway.
December 29, 2017
A new take on Zombiedom - a sexually transmitted disease! This is the tale of a guilt riddled man who disparately is trying to get home to his wife and child and away from his mistress and the hordes of infected that have surrounded them. A disease that silently sweeps the world then bursts forth at the most inopportune time, just as our philandering husband is about to get it on with his mistress...
Definitely different.
Definitely different.
April 6, 2018
Predictable but good
The whole story was a bit predictable and a cliche but overall still good. It was hard to tell if this was set in a world where they had never heard of zombies before or if the characters were just that oblivious. Overall it was well written and has a great internal struggle with the main character. His final realization is one to think over and question if he really dies or becomes undead once he hits. Good short story
The whole story was a bit predictable and a cliche but overall still good. It was hard to tell if this was set in a world where they had never heard of zombies before or if the characters were just that oblivious. Overall it was well written and has a great internal struggle with the main character. His final realization is one to think over and question if he really dies or becomes undead once he hits. Good short story
August 21, 2018
I've read worse, but then again I've also read better. Not quite sure what I was expecting from this seeing as it was a freebie from Amazon. Basically a short story about a cheating husband who realises that he and his mistress are absolutely fucked in the midst of a zombie outbreak. It's got pretty good writing, so I'll give it that but the book itself really isn't that interesting. But hey, if you want to kill an hour or so this is the book for you.
January 10, 2018
This is a really good short story.
It got me a bit bored at first with its lack of zombies, but when they did appear it was really great.
I wished it went a little bit further. Can we please have a sequel to get to know what happened at the other side (Carolyn and Emily)?
Congrats Perrin - very enjoyable.
It got me a bit bored at first with its lack of zombies, but when they did appear it was really great.
I wished it went a little bit further. Can we please have a sequel to get to know what happened at the other side (Carolyn and Emily)?
Congrats Perrin - very enjoyable.
April 4, 2018
I was enjoying the story, but then it ended up being a super short, nothing new zombie tale. nothing to differentiate between any other story. I hated the ending. it didn't make sense. First, he's infected so the zombies don't eat him, then his newly turned zombie mistress takes bites out of him. why? I just think it could have been better.
June 8, 2018
this isn't just another zombie apocalyptic tale. it is brilliantly thought out and engrossing due the outstanding detail oriented style. It was a great read for me. I Loved It!!!. Author Perrin Briar is a highly skilled writer and it shows in this book don't pass go and collect $200 get this book Now!
June 16, 2018
It was only.
It was good. Didn't understand way she was biting him when the other's walked away after smelling him but she bite him when he talked. Plus he didn't know if he had the virus or not. And he had no clue what she was going to say could of been about his wife or this Tony guy. I guess ending made this good read nosedive for me.
It was good. Didn't understand way she was biting him when the other's walked away after smelling him but she bite him when he talked. Plus he didn't know if he had the virus or not. And he had no clue what she was going to say could of been about his wife or this Tony guy. I guess ending made this good read nosedive for me.
January 3, 2018
Short but Good
It was definitely worth a quick read! From the time I started it, my attention was grabbed and at the very end, it came together to give the impression there was a moral to the story.
It was definitely worth a quick read! From the time I started it, my attention was grabbed and at the very end, it came together to give the impression there was a moral to the story.
March 22, 2018
Good zombie story!
Need your zombie fix, then this quick read is for you. Well written tale about a man who finds himself in the middle of a zombie infestation. Highly recommend, easily read on your lunch hour or just a break from the daily grind.
Need your zombie fix, then this quick read is for you. Well written tale about a man who finds himself in the middle of a zombie infestation. Highly recommend, easily read on your lunch hour or just a break from the daily grind.
May 9, 2018
Excellent book
This book was a unique take on the zombie genre. Without giving up the end, this story doesn't end up the way typical zombie apocalypse stories do. It's a nice tightly written story that I highly recommend to any fan of this genre.
This book was a unique take on the zombie genre. Without giving up the end, this story doesn't end up the way typical zombie apocalypse stories do. It's a nice tightly written story that I highly recommend to any fan of this genre.
June 6, 2018
Started with promise
I initially enjoyed the story, but it turned into a self wallowing tale. Not even a true feeling of desperation. I skimmed the included excerpt for the next book and it showed promise, but i'd be hard pressed to recommend hunger.
I initially enjoyed the story, but it turned into a self wallowing tale. Not even a true feeling of desperation. I skimmed the included excerpt for the next book and it showed promise, but i'd be hard pressed to recommend hunger.
June 8, 2018
Hunger is in no way groundbreaking or new. It sticks pretty closely to the well worn tropes of zombie stories. However, it is well written and engaging, providing that any story will become a gem in the hands of a skilled writer. I would definitely read more of Perrin Briar's work.
August 20, 2018
👍 pretty good book 🌠
Kept my interest in the story going. Pretty good 👍 book the only thing that distracted from the story a little bit was the excessive use of (,example : John said then she said he said ECT ect) But all in all a pretty good book🌠🌠🌠🌠
Kept my interest in the story going. Pretty good 👍 book the only thing that distracted from the story a little bit was the excessive use of (,example : John said then she said he said ECT ect) But all in all a pretty good book🌠🌠🌠🌠
February 17, 2020
Short story
So I didn’t realize this was a short story. I liked it though but of course wanted more lol it focused oh John and his family and his affair. The virus breaks out while he’s in a hotel room with the other woman. I thought it was interesting how it ended.
So I didn’t realize this was a short story. I liked it though but of course wanted more lol it focused oh John and his family and his affair. The virus breaks out while he’s in a hotel room with the other woman. I thought it was interesting how it ended.
January 22, 2018
Creepy. It was a combination of Zombies or Walking of the Dead. In it's own way it was good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews