Dust

Turner's debut novel balances on the following premise: What if zombies weren't merely shambling corpses but were sentient unto themselves, with their own language, structure, and desires? Actress/narrator Eva Amurri delivers a stellar performance: her gritty voice, unemotional delivery, and clear understanding of character motives put listeners alongside her in every scene. Unfortunately, there are some massive plot holes—e.g., knowing, as they do, that the buried dead rise as zombies, wouldn't the powers that be have opted to cremate our young protagonist rather than burying her following her death in a car accident?—and the narrative requires significant suspension of disbelief. Recommended only where this genre does well. [The Ace: Berkley hc was a zombie fiction roundup selection, LJ 10/15/10.—Ed.]—Jodi L. Israel, MLS, Salt Lake City