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Invading troops with a deadly virus.
A young man fighting for his life.
Will flesh-eating monsters run out the clock on America's future?

Northern California, 1985, Former high school quarterback Leo Cecchino sacrificed his dreams his family. Unfulfilled by the daily grind of their ailing farm, he can't help but feel resentment.But he's soon redirecting his smoldering frustration into battle rage when his small town is invaded by bloodthirsty Russians armed with a zombie virus.

Forced from his home to a secret hideaway, Leo tries desperately to spread the word and defend his country. But with the Soviets and their ravenous puppets firmly in control, it may rest on Leo and his hastily created counterattack playbook to save them all form a grisly death.

Can Leo snatch victory from the undead jaws of defeat?


Running Time => 9hrs. and 25mins.

286 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 25, 2020

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About the author

Camille Picott

45 books92 followers
Camille loves to read, write, eat, and run obscene distances. (Not always in that order.) She considers sleep to be highly over-rated.

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5 stars
55 (51%)
4 stars
34 (31%)
3 stars
16 (14%)
2 stars
2 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Profile Image for Tracy  .
797 reviews12 followers
February 5, 2022
Clever and original new spin on a zombie series. 'Red Virus' (book #1) introduces insidious Russian powers who have developed a vaccine which gives them immunity from contracting the zombie virus. They have created a zombie apocalypse on purpose, with the goal of reigning supreme over the United States. Excellent series first book - dynamic plot, lots of action, and excellent character development. Enjoy 'Snipers' (book #2) next.
Profile Image for Ian.
1,365 reviews188 followers
February 1, 2022
The Russians invade and unleash a deadly zombie virus. A plucky group of teenagers fight back. Think Red Dawn meets the A-Team.
Honestly it's kind of hokey and the research on firearms and explosives was a bit lacking but it was strangely a lot of fun.
574 reviews1 follower
September 28, 2020
I got a Red Dawn flashback which was okay because I really enjoyed that movie, the original. All-American main characters with with just enough elder knowledge. The teens' issues help meld together the group. I love Noona, a deal spitfire. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my honest review .
678 reviews10 followers
September 25, 2020
Camille Picott has another hit novel. This one is very original and in part goes with the older style Zombies. The kick in this book is that the Russians are the ones who start the Zombie virus and plan to take over the USA. There is continual action along with some great characters. Young love and family devotion is also included. You will really enjoy reading about these young people fighting Zombies and Russians.
Profile Image for Sam.
1,862 reviews20 followers
September 25, 2020
An absolutely excellent start to this exciting end of the world with zombies series! Brilliant, set in the 80's, great idea, characters & story! A really enjoyable read! I do strongly recommend this writer's work! Can't wait for the next one!!
Profile Image for James T. Wilson.
Author 1 book58 followers
March 4, 2021
Red Virus pulls you in

Very reminiscent of one of my all time 80s moves... Red Dawn. But instead of the great Russian threat.... These heroes also face zombies. This was an easy, fun read and it didn't take long to be drawn into a thrilling ride and root for #teamsniper
Profile Image for Iseult Murphy.
Author 27 books114 followers
April 8, 2021
Weaponized zombies in the 1980s!

It’s the height of the Cold War, and the soviets are invading the US with a weaponized zombie virus!
If that isn’t enough to entice you (and honestly, it should), there’s loads of action from a lovely family of apple growers, a badass nonna and a hero with great backstory.
Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Nancy (The Avid Reader).
2,412 reviews105 followers
January 31, 2021
Red Virus starts out slow and builds up to all the action letting you get to know the characters before dropping the bomb on you so to speak. When I first started reading Red Virus I kept thinking, well, where are the zombies? Then the Russians attacked, again I was wondering where are the zombies? Then I thought I guess the Russians are the zombies. Yeah, well I was closer than I thought.

The Russians may not be the zombies per se but they did bring the zombie virus with them and released it upon the United States. The Russians came in attacked with all intentions of taking over The United States but the American citizens were not about to let that happen as they picked up arms and fought back. Fought them back with the Russians own weapons that is.

Leo Cecchino, a former high school quarterback with the help of his family and his best friend Dal return fire on the Russians. Leo and Dal has no intentions of ever letting anyone come in and take over their home without at least trying to fight back, to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Red Virus may be slow to reveal the action but once it does it is on then. Once the Russians have boots on the ground and release the zombie virus then that is when the adrenaline starts to race and the real fighting begins. It is fight or die then. I was so proud of Leo, Dal, and Lena when they fought back against the Russians and then the zombies. They were so brave putting others before themselves. They never gave it a second thought. They just picked up a gun and started firing.

I like books like Red Virus with a slow build-up, pulling you in deeper and deeper until you are lost in its depths and then when you least expect it, bam it hits you in the face and the race is on and never lets up from beginning to end. And you are shocked when you reach the end, a place you hoped never to see. Yeah, well I am just glad that I have the next book waiting and I can dive right into it after this review is written of course.

Reasons to read Red Virus...

The characters are all wonderful people...

The world-building is out of this world...

Twist on zombies is awesome…

Gives you that zombie high...

Brilliantly written story…

Need more now, please…

Can’t wait to read more by this author...

Oh, wait I have the next book, Snipers…


Enough said! Now it is time to one-click your copy of this amazing book, Red Virus and step into this Russian, zombie fighting world today!
Profile Image for Jessica Bronder.
2,015 reviews23 followers
March 28, 2021
It is 1985 in Northern California and we meet the Cecchino family. The family has a small apple farm that they work. One day while everyone goes about their normal lives the Russian’s attack. They arrive on the Grey Hound bus and start shooting people with automatic rifles and dart guns. It is unknown what kind of attack is happening but it’s clear that we are being invaded.

It seems the Russian’s have a plan to stop all communication, turn people into zombies, then invade after the zombies have died out. The Cecchino family on the other hand is trying to get everyone back to the farm them up to a hunting cabin. Not everyone will make it but they are all willing to fight for their country and those that have already lost their lives.

I really enjoyed Ms. Picott’s Undead Ultra series and was excited to start reading Red Virus. I am just old enough to remember 1985 and really enjoyed being back there with Leo, Dal, and Lena. Although I absolutely loved Nonna, I hope to be like her when I’m her age.

Of course, when I got to the end, I just had to purchase book 2, Snipers. I can’t wait to jump back into this world. I was also surprised to received book 3, Scattered from the author. Now I just need a weekend to bing these books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
Profile Image for Insert Name Here.
313 reviews7 followers
October 2, 2020
Small town America isn't the usual starting point for a zombie invasion, but it works really well in this exciting new story from Camille. Large parts of the story hang on the main characters' intimate knowledge of the town and surrounds.

It took me a while to get all the characters straight, but that's entirely like me and doesn't reflect on the book. They each have their own place in this story and no one felt superfluous.

Unlike the other story of Camille's that I've read, the action doesn't start until chapter five in this one. Up until then it's all set up and character establishment. I enjoyed it, it just wasn't what I was expecting.

Although this is the first of a series, it doesn't exactly cliff hang at the end; the group is relatively settled, they know the timeline, they know what they're doing next, but no one is in imminent danger, which is nice. I also liked the zombie's lifespans; it's a very clever plot by the Russians, you have to give them that.

This is an excellent read for fans of zombie stories, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of the series.
Profile Image for Lisa Lewis.
15 reviews
October 6, 2020
Have you ever wondered what would happen if the 80s movies Red Dawn and The Breakfast Club got together and had a baby? Well, it would definitely be something like Red Virus (Zommunist Invasion Book 1)! Red Virus is a fast-paced thriller with heart. The main protagonists, Leo and Dal, have been best friends since childhood. They grew up on neighboring apple farms in Northern California during a time when the Cold War between Russia and the United States was active. However, in the 1980s the thought was any action from the Russians would involve nuclear airstrikes. No one suspected something microscopic, a virus, would be the weapon of choice used by invading Russian troops! Red Virus is filled with intrigue, action, romance, and a family secret or two, and flesh-eating zombies. I can’t recommend this book enough. I enjoyed reading it so much! I eagerly look forward to the next installment of Leo and Dal’s story.

***I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for David Taylor.
1,129 reviews16 followers
October 1, 2020
Camille Picott’s latest story, Red Virus, not only has characters who are well developed and, in some cases, likeable and in others somewhat detestable, but is built on a foundation of foreign invasion of America as well as a virus. Kind of like Red Dawn or Tomorrow when the War Began meets Contagion all happening in California’s agricultural area. I sat down to read a couple of chapters in this story, and before I knew it the evening was gone and I had read the entire book.
If you are familiar with Camille’s writing or a fan of movies like Red Dawn, grab a copy of Red Virus and settle in for a very enjoyable story and some interesting characters and a few unexpected twists. I received an Advance Reader Copy and chose to provide this review.
Profile Image for Oralee.
132 reviews2 followers
October 2, 2020
Zombie "old school" love it! Camilla Picott has created another zombieverse as good as her Undead Ultra series. This time the Russians are to blame in a plot to take over the US. I enjoyed this book as it takes me back to movies like Red Dawn and throws in a nasty zombie twist. Picott again has well developed character, some likable and some not so much but they draw you into the story. Looking forward to #2! I did receive a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review.
Profile Image for Billie.
5,655 reviews62 followers
December 3, 2020
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Profile Image for Johanna.
50 reviews2 followers
August 4, 2021
It was very much like Red Dawn in that it is young people vs. Russians but there was so much more. The story of one family, along with a few friends, rising to the challenge of the Russian invasion. Throw in zombie creating dart guns and Russians inoculated against them and you have mayhem of the grandest level. Don't fall in love with any one particular character as you never know who will be taken down, by virus, zombie or Russian bullet.
Profile Image for Cynthia Nicola.
1,218 reviews6 followers
October 14, 2021
Sometimes these types of books end up being poorly written and not enjoyable. I was wonderfully surprised by this book! The story has Red Dawn feels because the US is being attacked on our own soil but then the story goes in a very different direction (obviously by the title, there are zombies)!
I will most definitely read the rest of the series!
353 reviews1 follower
May 22, 2021
Great reading

I am really enjoying the books by this Author. The books are really thought out and the characters interesting and well rounded. This is the second series of books I have read by Camille Picott the first series was brilliant and I hoping this is as good.
Profile Image for Jay Ward.
103 reviews2 followers
June 21, 2021
Red Dawn meets Day of the Dead

Outstanding character development. Incredibly compelling back stories help you to really get to know them. The main plot is of course great, but it's the characters who really drive the plot & who are at the heart of our journey with them.
Profile Image for Marjorie Paden.
12 reviews1 follower
November 9, 2021
Red Dawn with Zombies

This book is really a retailing of the movie Red Dawn buy with zombies. But I did like it, you care about the people. It’s also pretty fast paced. If you like zombie books, it’s a different twist.
37 reviews1 follower
November 9, 2021
Original, creative, well-written

Characters have depth, storyline interesting, conversations realistic, lots of action, and editing deserves an A. Worth reading. Follow this author.
9 reviews1 follower
April 7, 2022
Excellent book!

I wish I could give it more than 5 stars, honestly. Fast read, relatable characters, and an 80s themed story line? Definitely on my list of books to save when the zombies come!
Profile Image for Diane.
30 reviews
January 21, 2021
I enjoyed this book with the throwback 80's setting. The premise of how zombies start and spread is interesting and I got attached to the characters.
471 reviews2 followers
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March 8, 2021
Wahoo! Evil Commies!

I liked this book it's got zombies ( woohoo!) And evil Soviet communists coming to take over california , does it get any better?
Profile Image for Kat Hill.
215 reviews3 followers
September 20, 2021
Good series

It's got the action, a good plot, characters you instantly like. Add that to good story telling and you don't want to put the book down!
124 reviews
October 19, 2021
Fun book

I enjoyed this book as a 43 year old woman and mother. It is definitely geered more towards the teenage crowd in my opinion but that makes it an easy, fun read.
Profile Image for Angie Anderson.
534 reviews2 followers
October 23, 2021
A great read!

Camille Picott not only built a world, but she developed her characters in the first two chapters. That is an amazing feat and I am so glad I found her work.
436 reviews3 followers
February 17, 2022
5 stars

Another winner by this author. Great character development and an engaging plot make this series a must read for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews

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