Rose

Bryant debuts with a comic zombie tale that doubles as an entertaining whodunit, blending suspenseful twists and turns with the heartfelt story of a woman finding her place in the world. Katya, a housewife recovering from a traumatic accident that ended her pregnancy and necessitated an emergency heart transplant, is shocked when an undead woman knocks on her door, claiming to be the source of her new heart. After some initial confusion, both women discover that they mean each other no harm, and the pair strike up an unlikely friendship. When it becomes clear that the undead woman has no memory of her life (though she does remember Jason Momoa and Mythbusters), Katya recruits her husband, Vijay, to help the zombie rediscover who she is and solve the mystery of her death. Bryant writes with panache, immediately drawing the reader in with his vibrant cast and gripping mystery. The horror elements, meanwhile, lead to some good jump scares. This captivating tale of redemption and revenge will win over even the most jaded genre fan. (Apr.)