Synopses & Reviews
Besieged and attacked, a mother and her children must escape a post-apocalyptic nightmare world of cannibals and betrayalJack Murphy thought hed found the perfect escape for his family from a world gone horribly mad. He thought wrong. Matthew Costello's Home begins mere minutes after the terrible sacrifice made by Jack to save his family at Paterville Camp. Barely escaping, Jacks wife, Christie, and two children, Kate and Simon, must accept that their lives and their future have changed forever.
In this intimate and human survivalist horror story, the three of them will face even greater dangers, as well as yet-unknown horrors, to simply stay alive as together they search for a road “home” in this intense and original postapocalyptic thriller.
Review
“Costello creates a sense of urgency and fatigue as Christie tries to protect her family. He wastes no time with extraneous detail but keeps the pages turning with action and emotion that rings true. Readers need not have read the previous book, as this one works well by itself, but those who enjoy it will probably turn to more from the author.”
—Library Journal
“The book is a neat twist on the zombie theme, and the story moves at a brisk clip, with plenty of mayhem.”
—Booklist
“The second Murphy family post-apocalyptic horror tale is a gripping survivor thriller as three innocents struggle to stay alive...readers will want to travel the road with the Murphy family who believe in Schwartzs Law as their namesakes law proves too optimistic."
—genregoroundreviews.blogspot.com
“In this series, Matthew Costello offers up his version of zombie apocalypse (but his creatures arent quite zombies), and after plowing through Vacation in record time, I couldnt wait to get back to this terrifying world. The prose style is short sentences, short chapters, and plenty of tension and suspense. I love it. He doesnt waste words and because of that, theres a constant feeling of immediacy and dread that will have you turning the pages with lightning speed. It will probably hit a nerve with parents, in particular, because this is Christies story, and her strength, determination, and willingness to defend the ones she loves, especially her children, at all costs will certainly resonate. This series is perfect for fans of post-apocalyptic fiction and of course, zombie fic, but to ignore it as a just plain good thriller would be a mistake. Im hoping the author has more plans for this series, and if so, I cant wait.”
—MyBookishWays.com
Praise for Vacation:
“I absolutely devoured Vacation by Matthew Costello. Its dark, subversive, deeply disturbing and absolutely compelling.” —Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of The King of Plagues and Dead of Night
“Costello takes a typical family and throws them headfirst into a situation that's anything but. What would you do to protect those you love at the end of the world? A thrilling, fast-paced story of priorities, secrets, and survival.” —David Moody, author of the Hater and Autumn series
"Costello is a master at lean, swift pacing. I read this book in three big gulps. And had life not intruded I'd have swallowed it whole..." —Jack Ketchum, award-winning horror author
"Unstoppable... undeniable... un-put-down-able... Matthew Costello's Vacation is a hybrid horror/action/SF classic! Working at the height of his powers, Costello crafts a lean, terse, terrifying juggernaut of a book, which blends the minimalist punch of James Ellroy with the ravenous blitzkrieg of Danny Boyle's fleet-footed zombies in 28 Days Later. Set aside several uninterrupted hours, because once you crack this open you're going to be sprinting breathlessly to the last page. Highest recommendation! —Jay Bonansinga, National Best-selling co-author of The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor, Frozen, and The Sinking of the Eastland
“Truly epic in scope, this astounding science-fiction/horror hybrid has ‘Soon to be a Major Motion Picture written all over it.” —Bentley Little, Stoker Award-winning author of The Store
"Not since Mathesons I Am Legend has there been such a cool twist on the horror/thriller genre. Matt Costello gives us a fast paced and violent glimpse of a terrifying near-future through the eyes of an ordinary family. Just when I thought it was safe to go on Vacation…" —Brian Yuzna, writer/director of Bride of Re-Animator
"Vacation is a tense, visceral trip through a violent, unraveling world, and a portrait of hope in a hopeless time. Matthew Costello has painted a breathless nightmare that is slick, compelling, and impossible to put down." —Christopher Golden
"Costello offers a terrifying view into a dystopian future and a perhaps even more frightening look at the baser side of humanity. The cracking pace makes this a perfect choice for horror fans who want to be kept up late reading." —ALAs Booklist
“Patrolman Jack Murphy, forced to leave a besieged New York City where he battles feral cannibals, gathers his family and heads for the hills in this tense apocalyptic thriller." —Publishers Weekly
Review
“Costello creates a sense of urgency and fatigue as Christie tries to protect her family. He wastes no time with extraneous detail but keeps the pages turning with action and emotion that rings true. Readers need not have read the previous book, as this one works well by itself, but those who enjoy it will probably turn to more from the author.”
—Library Journal
Praise for Vacation:
“I absolutely devoured Vacation by Matthew Costello. Its dark, subversive, deeply disturbing and absolutely compelling.” —Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of The King of Plagues and Dead of Night
“Costello takes a typical family and throws them headfirst into a situation that's anything but. What would you do to protect those you love at the end of the world? A thrilling, fast-paced story of priorities, secrets, and survival.” —David Moody, author of the Hater and Autumn series
"Costello is a master at lean, swift pacing. I read this book in three big gulps. And had life not intruded I'd have swallowed it whole..." —Jack Ketchum, award-winning horror author
"Unstoppable... undeniable... un-put-down-able... Matthew Costello's Vacation is a hybrid horror/action/SF classic! Working at the height of his powers, Costello crafts a lean, terse, terrifying juggernaut of a book, which blends the minimalist punch of James Ellroy with the ravenous blitzkrieg of Danny Boyle's fleet-footed zombies in 28 Days Later. Set aside several uninterrupted hours, because once you crack this open you're going to be sprinting breathlessly to the last page. Highest recommendation! —Jay Bonansinga, National Best-selling co-author of The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor, Frozen, and The Sinking of the Eastland
“Truly epic in scope, this astounding science-fiction/horror hybrid has ‘Soon to be a Major Motion Picture written all over it.” —Bentley Little, Stoker Award-winning author of The Store
"Not since Mathesons I Am Legend has there been such a cool twist on the horror/thriller genre. Matt Costello gives us a fast paced and violent glimpse of a terrifying near-future through the eyes of an ordinary family. Just when I thought it was safe to go on Vacation…" —Brian Yuzna, writer/director of Bride of Re-Animator
"Vacation is a tense, visceral trip through a violent, unraveling world, and a portrait of hope in a hopeless time. Matthew Costello has painted a breathless nightmare that is slick, compelling, and impossible to put down." —Christopher Golden
"Costello offers a terrifying view into a dystopian future and a perhaps even more frightening look at the baser side of humanity. The cracking pace makes this a perfect choice for horror fans who want to be kept up late reading." —ALAs Booklist
“Patrolman Jack Murphy, forced to leave a besieged New York City where he battles feral cannibals, gathers his family and heads for the hills in this tense apocalyptic thriller." —Publishers Weekly
About the Author
MATTHEW COSTELLO is an award-winning novelist, screenwriter and video game writer. He lives in Katonah, New York.