21st Century Dead: A Zombie Anthology

Zombies run wild in this new anthology featuring stories by Orson Scott Card, Jonathan Maberry, and Simon R. Green, just to name a few. Editor Christopher Golden's selections fit together nicely, particularly when coupled with a strong collection of narrators that includes the likes of Scott Brick and Stefan Rudnicki. Much credit for this entertaining audio edition must go to its director: while the 19 stories are variously humorous, sentimental, and deeply disturbing, the production has a consistent tone throughout. Regardless of the narrator, each reading boasts a strong delivery that avoids the kind of melodrama into which zombie stories can easily devolve. Even when moans and groans are part of the story, there's a conscious effort to attempt a degree of minimalism%E2%80%94going with less, but in doing so, giving more to listeners. A St. Martin's Griffin paperback. (July)