1980/90s horror with voodoo zombies and a cop in New Orleans

[James]

A midlist horror novel set in New Orleans. It was written in (I am pretty sure) the late 80/early 90s (I would lean closer to early 90s).

The story involved a friend/partner (can't recall which) and possibly a love triangle with a woman. The friend/partner ends up a zombie and used against the cop.

Another detail is that I have a very strong recollection that this author may have penned a "how to write horror" book, around the same time.

[Tab]

Maybe, The Darker Saints ?

Do you remember the cover?
Part of a series?
Time period the story takes place?
Was the zombie portion a big part of the story? How soon into the book does the friend turn into a zombie?

[James]

I don't believe it is Darker Saints, by Brian Hodge. I remember being surprised that the author had written a how-to-write book (around, I think, the same time).


I don't remember the cover.

Not part of a series (at least, not when it came out).

Contemporary.

The zombie element was, as I recall, pivotal. Especially including whether they retained any self-awareness. As I (hazily) recall.

I don't recall when the friend was turned, but I don't think it was very late. Maybe right near the beginning.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

James, you started a thread about this already here -

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

so I'm closing this thread. One thread per book please, otherwise it gets confusing.

Please bookmark the original thread so you don't lose it, and can bump it every so often.