Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter

Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter #1

by C.A. Verstraete

New 2nd edition!

Every family has its secrets…

One hot August morning in 1892, Lizzie Borden picked up an axe and murdered her father and stepmother. Newspapers claim she did it for the oldest of reasons: family conflicts, jealousy and greed. But what if her parents were already dead? What if Lizzie slaughtered them because they’d become… zombies?

Thrust into a horrific world where the walking dead are part of a shocking conspiracy to infect not only Fall River, Massachusetts, but also the world beyond, Lizzie battles to protect her sister, Emma, and her hometown from nightmarish ghouls and the evil forces controlling them.

* Read the continuation in Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter 2: The Axe Will Fall! - under name C.A. Verstraete.

Genres: Horror, Zombies, Historical, Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published September 13, 2016

About the author

Also listed as Goodreads author
Christine Verstraete.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

BOOKS:
Book 1 - Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter
A new 2nd edition is available on Kindle!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CN71RFG

New! Book 2: Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter: The Axe Will Fall -
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
https://www.amazon.com/Lizzie-Borden-...

The Haunting Of Dr. Bowen: A Mystery in Lizzie Borden's Fall River
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Girl Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie

New story, "Thirteen Horses" in Descent Into Darkness, 700+ pg. anthology
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Dollhouse books:
Dollhouse Decor & More
In Miniature Style II

See blog:
http://girlzombieauthors.blogspot.com

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter (Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter) by C.A. Frustrates a different kind of book, for sure! I would guess that Lizzie would've preferred this version than real life. What I know from history books is her step-mother and her hated each other. Her father was wealthy but wouldn't have some of the basics in the house like a bath! He also was an unscrupulous business man that probably got him killed because he was not at all liked. Lizzie was stuck there due to society's rules and laws. At least in this book she gets to kick some zombie buns and solve mysteries.

[Laurie (barksbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fast paced zombie/ghoul slaying tale that answers the question you never knew you had about the Lizzie Borden case. What if a zombie plague were the reason Lizzie Borden wacked her parents with an ax?

I LOVED this set up and that it jumps right into the grisly murders. And they are grisly. Unfortunately, for me at least, I had a little trouble with the aftermath of it all. The story follows the Borden trial and tries to stay true to events that happened in real life all while a zombie plague is brewing in the town. Lizzie stays mute about the truth and this is where I had trouble shutting off my brain because I felt she should’ve been screaming the truth from the rooftops in order to prove her innocence. That’s what I would’ve done instead of sitting in jail and having the town turn against me and thinking I was a murderess of innocents. I suppose I’m selfish like that. Worse though was that she was covering up for some fickle man and a secret ghoul slaying society and that irritated the heck out of me.

So, because of this, I found the book a little bit of a struggle for me personally. Lizzie’s motivation and strange romances didn’t sit right with me either. With that said, it was certainly gruesome and action-packed and there was a nice ghastly twist at the end that made me cringe and there isn’t much that makes me cringe these days.

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been following C A Verstraete for a little while now, and was ecstatic when she asked if I wanted to review Lizzie Borden: Zombie Hunter and my reply was a resounding…YES.

Want to know what really happened in the Borden household on that fateful night? It’s not what you’re thinking and I love what the author has done with this familiar story of murder and betrayal. Sooooo, be prepared for a savage tale of survival.

Lizzie Borden: Zombie Hunter by C A Verstraete was a lot of what I expected, but the author has treated me to some twists and turns, suspense and savage do or die fighting that makes this an action packed story that kept me flipping the pages.

I loved watching Lizzie grow and change throughout the story, becoming the zombie hunter she knew she could be. The battles to survive are savage, brutal, with blood and heads flying along with the bullets.

I wondered how Christine would twist the story, and a conspiracy fits very nicely.

I love the ending and want to see what happens in the next sword slashing, gun blazing zombie killer story.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Lizzie Borden: Zombie Hunter by C A Verstraete.

See more at fundinmental

[Anna Willett · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Lizzie Borden discovers her father and stepmother have turned into flesh hungry zombies, she has no choice but to grab an axe and dispatch them. But when the police are called, Lizzie quickly finds herself on trial for their murders. Caught in the middle of a zombie outbreak and sworn to secrecy by a shadowy organisation battling the undead, Lizzie is drawn into a battle with the growing wave of zombies that threaten her town.
Lizzie Borden Zombie Hunter is fun take on a real life story that has fascinated readers for over a hundred years. This story is well written and obviously thoroughly researched with plenty of zombie action and a surprising ending. If you’re a fan of true crime and zombies, this book is a must read.

[Angela Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is in no way reflected in my opinion of this story.

Most of us know the tale of Lizzie Borden and her ill-fated parents thanks to the mysterious nature of the crime and the folk rhyme "Lizzie Borden took an axe And gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done She gave her father forty-one." C.A. Verstraete has turned the legend on it's head in Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter, an adventurous romp through a nightmare landscape peopled with evil villains and monsters. I had so much fun reading this book! Lizzie is a strong willed heroine who must help solve the mystery of what is causing the zombie outbreak and how her father was involved, all while trying to stay out of prison. I loved her bad-assitude and take charge manner as she learns how to deal with the ever rising zombie threat. The action is fast paced and exciting with a great twist at the end. If you liked Pride and Prejudice and Zombies or Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter you're going to love this gem of a book. A perfect 4.5 star fall read just in time for Halloween, highly recommended.

[Red Lace Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lizzie Borden is in trouble - after killing her father and stepmother, she faces the scrutiny of officials, but what the law and the masses hurling insults outside her home don't know, is that she had to defend herself from them. They were no longer living flesh, but were mindless and intent on causing harm. Determined to protect her sister and help with the threat to society, Lizzie accepts the consequences of her actions. She just hopes the noose doesn't get to her first, before she can solve the mystery surrounding her family.

(WARNING: This review contains minor spoilers.)

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I thank C.A. Verstraete for giving me the opportunity.

What struck me first and foremost was the creative concept - we all have heard of dear ol' Lizzie Borden, right? ❝Lizzie Borden took an axe, And gave her mother forty whacks, When she saw what she had done, She gave her father forty-one!❞ Implementing zombies into the mix promised entertainment of the undead variety, and that's indeed what Verstraete succeeded in doing. Whilst staying true to historic events as much as possible, a mystery involving Lizzie's deceased father brought with it an air of intrigue. There were secret societies, many battles, and a nefarious plot with all the trimmings. The writing was also quite decent as well, if not for the over-use of certain words when describing the zombies (though I imagine there's only so many ways to describe a rotting corpse).

I did have some other issues that I'll get into. The "romance" aspects didn't make much sense to me; they added nothing other than a thirty-something year old woman pining over men like a teenager. I wouldn't even consider it romance per se - there was very little development and chemistry between characters. It merely consisted of Lizzie swooning over how handsome they (yes, more than one) were. The saturation of romance in fiction bothers me a great deal, because it's not needed to make, or improve, a story. Friendship can be equally heartwarming, and definitely a better option than a shoehorned relationship that brings nothing to the table. I also believe that, taking into account Lizzie's monologue about being a spinster and proud of it, she was awfully hypocritical. Lizzie's motivations certainly weren't clear, and I would have preferred more depth, and less of the bizarre man-lusting.

There's also the fact that weapons seemed to materialise out of thin air, just when they were needed. Hatchets, pipes, and whatever else were conveniently in place to save the day multiple times. It's these little bits and pieces that were glossed over; suspension of disbelief relied upon. There were glaring flaws I found in the plot, as well. Lizzie immediately acted guilty of murder - hiding and destroying evidence - when she could have easily admitted to self defence. I understood the desire to stay close to the documented, real life happenings, but more thought could have gone into the execution.

As fun as I think the book was when it comes down to it, it held many holes that stood out to my critical mind. The biggest strength was the ending, which was grim in a way I thoroughly enjoyed. It was a nice surprise indeed.

In conclusion: Action-packed and full of decay, this instalment as the first of a duology had promise. It served well for a bit of pleasant amusement, but as soon as I started thinking about it too much, certain elements - like the lack of character building - got to me.

Notable Quote:

Her father's face, never handsome yet commanding just the same, resembled an image from one of her childhood nightmares.

© Red Lace 2018

Wordpress ~ Twitter

[Erika Messer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge Lizzie Borden fan, so anything that even has her name on it is fodder for my obsession and this fit that bill perfectly, and zombies too? Well that was too good to pass up. The first book started out pretty normally, just like the events of that day - but the difference is that Lizzie comes upon her stepmother (or stepmonster as some people who follow the case would call her) in the bedroom and when she turns around Lizzie sees something unspeakable and has no idea what is happening. Abby Borden is SOMETHING, but of course you are reading the book and you have to consider that back in her day, they would have not even known what the word zombies was. Then of course her father has also turned and both of them are axed to death by Lizzie with the help of her sister Emma. Now if you follow the case, Emma was supposedly out of town at the time of the murders so she was never a suspect. What I love about this book is that every chapter starts with a REAL question from Lizzie's inquisition that she faced. And then follows a story about how Lizzie has to realize that although SHE and The Society as she comes to know them know of the zombies, no one else does and she is still seen as a murderer by the people. The difference is that her sister does not, she knows what really happened that day. But neither can say anything because The Society has told them they can have no part in the case or in the public eye. Soon the streets are filling up with zombies and even though the neighbors start to come out their doors, they don't seem to realize what is going on - but of course who would? In those days that was unheard of. I think that is what makes this series so great is that Lizzie becomes a heroine in her own right rather than someone who is looked upon as a possible murderess from the readers' perspective. I personally never thought Lizzie committed the crimes, but that is my own opinion.

I really enjoyed watching Lizzie's character go through the changes, becoming an amazingly strong and efficient killer of zombies. And she also realizes that her father is somehow involved in all of these people being turned but she has to figure out how and she has to do it quickly, quietly and not get turned herself and at the same time protect Emma. And all this while preparing for her own trial, knowing that she is innocent and knowing she could prove it if she found out the truth, but wondering how that will be possible with The Society involved. It's definitely a page-turner and after finishing this one I couldn't wait for the second book to find out what really happens. In a big way, this book also reminded me of the Pride & Prejudice & Zombies book because the females became the well-trained and intelligent ones and they learned how to defend themselves. I give this book 5 stars :)

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all know the story of Lizzie Borden and the mystery of her father and step-mother's deaths persist to this day. In Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter C.A. Verstraete takes a different approach to the killings; Lizzie did indeed kill her father and step-mother, but only because she had to. In this fun, un-dead filled and intriguing re-telling, Lizzie appears as not a murderess or a victim, but the hero. Lizzie takes up not only an ax, but a sword and gun to protect her home and her sister, Emma from the new scourge of the un-dead that her father had some hand in releasing.

I really enjoyed this outlook on Lizzie's story with a fascinating blend of historical fiction and zombies! I was very impressed with the amount of facts that were able to be worked into the story; from the inquest, to Lizzie's relationship with her sister to her father's frugality. The mystery of just how the zombies originated and what her father was doing with was infectious and kept the reading at a good pace. The writing impressed with a good tone for Lizzie's point of view and the inclusion of zombies into a historical setting. With a few surprises at the end, Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter will be sure to please Lizzie fans and zombie fans alike.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

[Fleur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the twist on twist on the Lizzie Borden story, Lizzie is a level headed girl who likes to stay in control of situations and just get on with life but after strange and horrible things occur with Mrs Borden her step mother and her farther she learns life has many a horror hiding in plain sight. Life changes for Lizzie after she meets John who is to help her prepare for her trial and potential jail sentence. John introduces her to real life and what he and others have been doing in secret as to not alarm the general population and after she gets a taste she finds a new calling in life however it isn't easy as she must train to do well, find out what her farther had to do with these horrors lurking in the dark as well as find who she really is and keep her sister Emma safe. I was absolutely hooked on this read as I felt I felt I was there in their time and didn't know what twist or surprise would happen next and seeing everything Lizzie went through emotionally as well as physical was addictive. But be warned you know the ending is coming but still when you read it you are still gutted, thankfully we have book 2 to see what happens next!!!

[Joyce Stokley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievably awesome

Wow I loved this twist on this true crime. As I'm a horror and true crime junky knew was gonna be good but was blown away how she took fact threw in zombies and produced this unbelievable work of art

[Laura Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m sure a lot of you are fascinated by the legend of Lizzie Borden. Did she truly hack her parents to death with an axe and get away with it? And, if so, why such a violent killing method?

Well, this book will answer your question. Perhaps, they were zombies? Oh yes. They were in this tale. And Lizzie had no choice but to whack them multiple times to make sure they died, again.

This was a fast, entertaining tale. You’ll get the events, the trial, and what comes after. The author follows much of the true story, adding in zombies and conspiracy to really make it thrilling. She did a fine job too. Many parts are recognizable, and when she weaves in the zombie aspect, she does it smoothly, making it darn near believable.

Lizzie goes to extraordinary limits to protect her beloved sister, Emma, and find out who’s behind the zombie epidemic. I enjoyed this version of Lizzie. She’s much in character with her strong love and protectiveness for her sister. She may start out timidly, but she soon becomes quite proficient at taking out the shufflers.

The conspiracy was good too. The zombies had to come from somewhere, right? The motive was as old as time. The mess was something else altogether.

As the zombie numbers continue to grow, so do the encounters. Some scenes are pretty hairy. Have you thinking the worst. As with all zombie stories, anything can happen. Characters you’ve become fond of can, and sometimes do, die.

I enjoyed how the author opened each new chapter with excerpts from Lizzie’s trial. Much of the story took place afterwards and the trial wasn’t the main focus, so these were especially interesting.

A thrilling read from the get go, with well fleshed out characters, which I’m sure the zombies appreciate!, and plenty of zombie action for all who love the genre.

I received this book for my honest review.

[Angela Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of us know the tale of Lizzie Borden and her ill-fated parents thanks to the mysterious nature of the crime and the folk rhyme "Lizzie Borden took an axe And gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done She gave her father forty-one." C.A. Verstraete has turned the legend on it's head in Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter, an adventurous romp through a nightmare landscape peopled with evil villains and monsters. I had so much fun reading this book! Lizzie is a strong willed heroine who must help solve the mystery of what is causing the zombie outbreak and how her father was involved, all while trying to stay out of prison. I loved her bad-assitude and take charge manner as she learns how to deal with the ever rising zombie threat. The action is fast paced and exciting with a great twist at the end. If you liked Pride and Prejudice and Zombies or Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter you're going to love this gem of a book. A fantastic 4.5 star highly recommended.

[Boundless Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always heard about Lizzie Borden, but I did not really know her story before reading this book. I decided to research a little to understand the book a little better. I found that this book, while just a book of fiction, also followed the truth very well. This subject was very well researched. 

This is a classic and very true crime story. Lizzie Borden is arrested for the murders of her father and stepmother. She is later found not guilty because of lack of evidence. BUT, What if she did do it? What if she had a good reason? What if they were zombies? This is what this story presents to you. A truth that is not so easy to believe, but makes perfect sense. It is quite a wild ride. Lizzie is attacked, she kills her family, and she finds out about a secret society that takes care of these types of things. She is also in fear for herself. Since, she knows others will not believe such a crazy story, of dead people walking the earth. She accepts her fate while protecting the world from the real truth of horrors unknown. 

This book was a crazy ride from beginning to end. It was also quite interesting. It follows the facts so well that, even though you know that zombies are not real. It still makes you wonder what if? I guess that makes this a really well written book. I'd definitely have to recommend this book to any horror, history, or zombie lover. It covered all three and is very much worth the read....Stormi 

http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com

https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a simple man—I see Lizzie Borden or zombies, I'm interested, and this is definitely a book for fans of either! I liked how zombies were a part of the world without there needing to be a complex explanation. I was a little disappointed in the fact that the murder of Lizzie's father and stepmother and subsequent trial were only the first third of the book, which gave way to just exploring the world with zombies happening to be there. I really liked the ending—I predicted it a few pages before the reveal but all the same, damn what a twist! I could definitely be persuaded to read the sequel, and any film or TV adaptations would be more than welcome!

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got part way thru this book and for some reason, I just couldn't care about the characters. I usually like a good zombie book. This one had just too much gore for my tastes.

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our story opens with Lizzie Borden taking an axe to her step-mother and then her father on a hot morning in August of 1892. Why did Lizzie take an axe to her father and step-mother? Was it greed, the want of more money? Or was it self-defense?

When Lizzie woke that morning hearing a noise in another room she goes to investigate just as her step-mother attacks her, chopping and growling trying her best to get to Lizzie to bite her. What is wrong with her step-mother? Why is she attacking Lizzie? Why is she trying to bite her? Wait, is she even alive?

After having to kill her step-mother Lizzie hears another noise and goes to investigate and finds her father has been infected as well and has now become one of the walking dead. When he attacks Lizzie she has no choice but to kill him as well.

Knowing that her neighbors will never believe her if she tells them the truth Lizzie hides the fact that her father and step-mother were already dead and that they attacked her and she had to kill them for the second time.

After seeing what happened to her father and step-mother Lizzie and her sister Emma are determined to find out how they became infected. On their hunt will they find more truths and secrets than they can possibly handle?


With all the dead walking around and attacking people Lizzie decides that it is time to learn how to fight so she hires a man to teach her how to fight the dead so she can protect herself and her sister Emma.

I love zombies and lately I have become kind of fascinated with the Lizzie Borden story so when I saw that book one and book two of the Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter was up for review I knew I had to read it ASAP.

I loved all the characters but especially Lizzie and how she was always putting her sister, Emma first and wanting to take care of her keep her safe, protect her at all cost. It was kind of surprising that Lizzie was the protector when she was the younger of the two. The ending was very shocking one that I never saw coming. I can’t wait to dive into the next book Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter 2: The Axe Will Fall to see where Lizzie is going to take us next. Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter has been one amazing read that kept me turning the pages so fast the words on the page were almost a blur. The only problem I had with it was that it ended too quickly.

If you like the Lizzie Borden story and The Walking Dead then you are going to love Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter. Pick up your copy today to begin this awesome story of a girl and her axe plus lots of zombie killing.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have all heard of Lizzie Borden, the young girl who whacked her parents with an axe and the subsequent trial, but did we know why she did it. Well we do now.
Trying to keep the reason for their deaths a secret, she gets involved with a secret society. With the help of her lawyer John Fremont and his colleagues, she learns how to battle the walking dead and becomes a one woman fighting machine.
The author had definitely done her research on the Lizzie Borden as each chapter opened up with an excerpt of either the trial or a quote of a newspaper article. This made the story more believable. Whilst the trial is mentioned, the majority of the story takes place after the event and we see Lizzie and her sister Emma try to get the bottom of their father’s involvement in the whole thing.
Lizzie was a strong willed girl and I was surprised that she was the younger sister, as she was always making sure that Emma was ok. When she was a suspect in her parent’s murder, I liked how she took charge of her life, learning how to fight and even starting a love interest with John. Even when she was shunned from people she still held her head up high.
Battling zombies is dirty work and this book does not shy away from this fact. Full of action, blood and gore, made this a well written exciting story. The twist at the end was unexpected but not a complete surprise and the way the book ended gives scope for further books.
If you like history meets fantasy than this is a great book to read. Move over Elizabeth Bennett, there is a new zombie hunter in town.

[Rachel (TheShadesofOrange) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 Stars 
Lizzie Borden was such a fancinating historical figure. While I don't read a lot of historical fiction, I love reading anything surrounding the Borden murders. 

But what do I love to read about even more than Lizzie Bordon? Zombies! Needless to say, when I read the synopsis for this novel, I couldn't wait to check out this bloody historical story for myself. 

The novel was very fast paced, pushing the reader right into the action from the first chapter. The fateful murders took place almost immediately and the rest of the novel dealt with the aftermath of that fateful day.  While the story had incredibly narrative drive, I found it lacked character depth. At several times, I struggled to understand the characters' motiviations. Each chapter began with an excerpt from the trial transcripts, which was one of my favourite details in the novel. 

For a zombie story, I honestly expected there to be more zombies. This was the start of a series so perhaps there will be more zombies to come in the sequel. 

I read this story via Kindle Unlimited in lieu of a review copy from the author. 

[Donny Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I wasn't sure about this story when I started. I'm not much on reading historical fixtion, but this story of course is a bit different. As I got further into the story, I was more intrigued and Interested in how this would end. I can't wait to see where this story will go next!

[Robert Vanneste · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up

[Myra Nour · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book a 4 1/2 stars. I like the author’s premise of “what if” Lizzie Borden killed her father and step-mother because they were zombies. A different, intriguing view of an old story.

It was interesting that Verstraete put quotes at the beginning of each chapter from the trial of Miss Borden. The plot of the story follows Lizzie from the murders, through the trial and after. I can tell the author did her research, including the clothes, language of the times, buildings, etc., giving it an authentic feel. The author writes well, which always makes a book more enjoyable.

Shortly after Lizzie takes out her zombie family, John, a handsome lawyer appears at her door. He is a member of the Saint Alphonsus Society, a group of men who have undertaken the task of killing the zombies in their town. AND keep it from the public eye.

John and Lizzie go through her father’s holdings, including offices and warehouses, trying to discover if her father was tied to the undead outbreak. One warehouse contains many zombies; John, Lizzie and members of the Society take down those locked inside.

Lizzie finds clues in her father’s paperwork that seem to implicate him with the dead, but she isn’t sure how. Interestingly, she hires a fellow Society member, Pierre, to train her in fencing and fighting maneuvers. I’m glad the author included this in the story; otherwise it would have been unbelievable that a lady of that century could fight so well. Lizzie was tough from the very beginning when she had to kill her father & step-mom, so becoming proficient in fighting didn’t seem unrealistic.

By the end, Lizzie does discover how her father was involved and it was horrifying to her what he was doing.

Two areas threw me out of the story with “what?”, One, that Emma (Lizzie’s sister) was clearly not a fighter. But she was left by herself in the carriage more than once by John & Lizzie while they went hunting for clues. Zombies were around the area, so she could have easily been eaten. It didn’t make sense to me why she was dragged along with them.

Two, John took Lizzie with him everywhere in the beginning. Investigating the first warehouse was fraught with danger. I thought when I read it, “why didn’t he bring her the paperwork instead of putting her into that kind of dangerous situation?”. Indeed, later he did bring her paperwork to go through. I understand the author used this device so Lizzie “could see” the action and therefore convey it to the reader. There are other ways this could be shown to the reader.

This is a good read, even with the two areas that were problematic for me. If you like zombie novels, historical horrors, and/or Lizzie Borden’s story, this will be an interesting book for you; a recommended read.

[Chloe moran · Rating 5 out of 5]

great

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have all heard of Lizzie Borden, the young girl who whacked her parents with an axe and the subsequent trial, but did we know why she did it. Well we do now.
Trying to keep the reason for their deaths a secret, she gets involved with a secret society. With the help of her lawyer John Fremont and his colleagues, she learns how to battle the walking dead and becomes a one woman fighting machine.
The author had definitely done her research on the Lizzie Borden as each chapter opened up with an excerpt of either the trial or a quote of a newspaper article. This made the story more believable. Whilst the trial is mentioned, the majority of the story takes place after the event and we see Lizzie and her sister Emma try to get the bottom of their father’s involvement in the whole thing.
Lizzie was a strong willed girl and I was surprised that she was the younger sister, as she was always making sure that Emma was ok. When she was a suspect in her parent’s murder, I liked how she took charge of her life, learning how to fight and even starting a love interest with John. Even when she was shunned from people she still held her head up high.
Battling zombies is dirty work and this book does not shy away from this fact. Full of action, blood and gore, made this a well written exciting story. The twist at the end was unexpected but not a complete surprise and the way the book ended gives scope for further books.
If you like history meets fantasy than this is a great book to read. Move over Elizabeth Bennett, there is a new zombie hunter in town.

[Shawn Remfrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not what I was expecting!

If you've read Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter or Anna Karenina and the Robots or any of those wonderful books, then you have an idea of what you're in for here. It's a classic tale, or history, that has been retold to include the monstrous. I've loved every book that I've read in this genre, and this book falls into that category perfectly.

The unexpected part for me is that we start off with the killing of Lizzie's parents. I was expecting that to be the crux of the story, but it isn't. It's the opener! Most of the story is actually about the mystery of where the zombies have come from and how her parents became afflicted. Secondary to that is the unfolding of Lizzie and her sister's lives as they attempt to get past their parents' deaths.

Where this book differs from others in this genre, that I've read anyway, is that there are historical facts pulled in. Verstraete adds in news clippings and first account witnesses as well as pieces from the actual trial of Lizzie Borden. I actually learned a few things from this book! It also lends an extra facet of realism to the story.

I do wish that I could have gotten to know Lizzie better as a character. You get to see plenty of her thoughts and emotions, as well as her motivations. I just felt like she was a bland person, though. I couldn't see myself having tea with her because I didn't know enough to strike up a conversation with her. I wanted to really bond with her and start a He-Woman Zombie Haters Club or something.

[Helen Robare · Rating 4 out of 5]

WARNING: DO NOT READ WHILE EATING! . I like reading about the macabre and had just finished reading another zombie genre book that was pretty good. So when I saw this, I thought "what the heck...I'm bored". I expected it to be another cheesy not well thought out zombie book but boy was I wrong! This book grabbed and caught me from the first page. It was horrifying, disgusting, and strangely interesting. It puts Lizzie Borden into a whole new light and believe it or not, it all makes sense! I also like the fact that the book wasn't crowded with extra characters and their facts. There were the main characters: Lizzie, Emma, and Pierre and that was pretty much it except for the doctor (who later gets his own book but I'm not sure it's connected to the two Lizzie Borden Zombie books). I am now very interested in what happens next so I bought the 2nd book in the series also. :) For anyone interested in another angle to the Lizzie Borden history or for those who simply like reading books of the zombie genre, give this book a try. You won't be disappointed (IMO).

[Denise Keef · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been fascinated with the story of Lizzie Borden and her trial ever since I saw the movie with Elizabeth Montgomery and her portrayal of Lizzie Borden in the 1975 movie “The Legend of Lizzie Borden”. So being a fan of C.A. Verstraete, Lizzie Borden and zombies, I knew I had to get a copy of it. I have to say, it is a book that once you start you won’t put it down. I was immediately drawn into the world of the Borden family, the slaying, the trial and maybe…the true reason why Lizzie had done this dastardly deed! C.A. Verstraete takes this crime to a whole new level and spins a tale of a totally believable story with her very creative writing. I absolutely loved this story and if you are a lover of zombies and maybe a fan of Lizzie’s, you will love it too. This is a must add to everyone’s reading list!

[Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer · Rating 4 out of 5]

While putting a horror-spin on a true story or a historical figure is nothing new (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter comes to mind), this is first one I've read involving the Borden ax-murders of 1892.

Yes, tossing in a bunch of zombies into the Lizzie Borden tale could of backfired, but it works quite nicely here. The author wastes no time by starting the first chapter with Mr. Borden's murder, which it turns out he's actually a flesh-eating zombie. The descriptions are excellent, the dialogue is snappy, and Lizzie's character is likeable.

Overall, I enjoyed reading Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter. It was surprisingly well-written and fast-paced with short chapters (not James Patterson short).

[Tim Cahoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting twist

I enjoyed the book. Interesting twist on the Lizzie Borden story. A little to much of the Victorian female fainting for me. But that's a nit. Story was sound and interesting.

[Daniel Simmonds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies may not have been the first historical zombie novel but it did bring the idea into the mainstream. There is something about an undead uprising before the advent of modern technologies that is endlessly entertaining to read about. Of course Pride and Prejudice's big thing was that it was the original text from Jane Austen but with extra parts slotted in. Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter is slightly similar, though this time around a fictional book has been written about real world Lizzie Borden who was on trial in the late 19th Century for the axe murder of her father and stepmother in Massachusetts, and who was acquitted of the charge. This book theorises what if she really did commit the murders, but with the twist that it was down to her parents both being zombies.

After finding her parents infected with a strange affliction that causes them to try and violently attack her, Lizzie Borden is forced to kill them. John Fremont; a member of a secret group named 'The Society' introduces himself to Lizzie and tells him that people have been returning from the dead all over the city, and that his group are dispatching them in secret so as not to cause a panic. However due to the clandestine nature of their actions they can't stop Lizzie from being arrested for murder. Without even knowing if she is going to be locked away for her perceived crimes she must work with John and others to investigate just how this plague came to the city, and what part her father may have had to play in all this.

This book starts off with no slow introduction, instead we are thrown straight into Lizzie's first contact with the undead. This abrupt start didn't really resonate with me as I felt more confused than anything at what was going on. Not at the actual events, more that the main character is in the midst of action with no feeling of what sort of person she was. However the book then settles down into something more familiar with the main bulk being the investigations that Lizzie, her sister Emma, and John carry out on various properties her father once owned. This leads to a lot of localised zombie fighting. I liked the idea of a secret society trying to contain an undead apocalypse from coming to pass and I liked what they did with the character of John. Initially it seems he is to be Lizzie's love interest, for me I couldn't stand his character as it felt like he was using her for his own ends, so it was good to see him fade out the story, I had worried this off putting nature of his was accidental on Verstraete's part, but it wasn't at all. Of the other main characters it is Lizzie who stands out as the best one. She is strong willed, but there was also a vulnerability to her character on the many occasions she bites off more than she can chew. The less said about her sister Emma the better though, she came across as a perpetual damsel in distress whose meek nature and poor sensibilities just created no end of situations where she need to be rescued from the ghouls.

I did wonder if basing this character on a real life woman was a good move, she may have been acquitted of the charge but there are many to this day who believe she was guilty of murder. However it has been over a hundred years so is not exactly like it matters too much in modern day. It leads to most the chapters starting with a real excerpt from her trial that was fun with the twist this story gives her motivations. There was a decent sense of Crime and Punishment at times with Lizzie living in fear of being arrested, but that whole element of the story is dealt with at around the halfway point. With the verdict already known it was less being worried about what would happen to her and more wondering how she would manage to avoid jail. The story is simple, but it is fun to read and leads up to an escalation, even if it does all get resolved frustratingly off the page for the most part.

As always it is cool to see how people of a different time deal with the undead, here it is mostly pistols and bats that leads to a lot of exciting scenes. There are comparisons of the zombies to things more well known of at the time such as Dante's Inferno, and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein which was a nice touch, while with the corpses themselves there is a little addition in that they are so full of insects that they often spill out upon the reanimates passing.

After a sudden start Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter slows down into a more structured read, one that doesn't create too many memorable characters but is still a good yarn told in a well written and engaging style. If your after a fix of olden days zombie slaying then this should do you fine.

[O. D. Book Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Description:
A retelling of the legend of Lizzie Borden that explains why she had to kill her parents, because they were zombies. After slaying her zombie parents and then being acquitted in court she begins her investigation into the dark conspiracy that brought zombies to her town.

“She gagged and held her breath at the rotten stench hanging thick as fog in the air around her. Hands shaking, she pointed the gun again and fired.”

In Short:
This is an exciting zombie horror with elements of mystery. If you like zombie horror I would recommend it. Though full of historical facts, I didn’t find the character to be a believable portrayal of Lizzie Borden.

“The body went limp in a pile of nasty smelling rot and still wriggling maggots.”

Pros:
This story was very fast paced and action packed. I liked how the fiction was weaved into the historical timeline, staying true to most key points but now with a zombie flare. The zombies smelt horrible which was great. Not enough books and shows honestly depict how bad they would have to smell. I enjoyed the little twist at the end. I liked that the chapter headings featured quotes from inquest, or newspaper headlines, it set the mood for the chapter and gave it a feel of realism.

“Everywhere they went Lizzie saw nothing but destruction, chaos, and horror.”

*Spoilers Ahead*

Cons:
My first issue came with the slaying of Mr. and Mrs. Zombie Borden. It was self defense, yet covered up like it was premeditated and overall unconvincing. Firstly, why was there already a hatchet in an upstairs guestroom, even if there was a fireplace in there which I don’t think there was. Secondly, the description of Andrew’s slaying doesn’t work with the real crime scene photos. After the bloody incident that was described here he couldn’t have been dragged across the carpet to the couch without leaving blood on the carpet. As a big zombie buff the use of weapons bothered me. They would change, appear, disappear randomly. At one point Emma is given a sword, but then she is using a pipe, the sword is then thrown to Lizzie who then uses a bat which she was absurdly dual wielding with the sword. During one fight Lizzie switched weapons 4 times, that didn’t really make sense to me, why go from a sword to a bat. Her weapon of choice I would have imagined to be a hatchet or axe, maybe dual wielding hatchets and throwing them when necessary, and a large 2 handed axe for melee, but not a bat being her main choice, randomly alternating with swords, daggers, and a gun.

“Holding both the sword and her bat high, she ran waving her arms at the group [of zombies] gathered on the left side of the pit.”

I didn’t feel Lizzie was authentic. Too many things seemed off like her thinking about what if her female church friends were on the jury, the real Lizzie knew women couldn’t serve on juries so that seemed pointless. Also her feeling her father wasn’t to blame, after discovering he was the mastermind. Her romantic relationships didn’t make sense and ended without explanation. I would have found it more believable if her relationships had been with women, thus explaining the secrecy. This Lizzie for no real reason abruptly ends her romance solely to remain historically accurate it seems. But it wasn’t historically accurate because she certainly wouldn’t have remained a spinster with so many eligible bachelors throwing themselves at her. I also didn’t like that it seemed like Lizzie and Emma always needed to be saved by men. She committed 2 murders in one morning, she don’t need no man, she just needs her axe. Overall I didn’t find the plot, characters or dialogue to be convincing.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for judgement in the Indie Horror Book Awards.