Starred Review. In Sigler's riveting horror thriller, alien seeds from outer space infect a number of unlucky humans, who develop some unusual symptoms—itchy, blue triangular growths on their skin—that eventually result in the carriers becoming screaming, homicidal maniacs. CIA agent Dew Phillips must find out why these formerly docile citizens are running amok, aided by Margaret Montoya, a Centers for Disease Control epidemiologist, who reported the first of the strange cases. One of the infected, former football player Perry Dawsey, doesn't take any crap from anybody, not even the aliens residing in his body. Sigler (
Ancestor) leads the reader from one startling detail to the next—the creatures learn to speak (feed us we hungry); they grow little black eyes—until even hardened genre fans will find themselves whimpering at each new revelation. This terrifying page-turner could be the author's breakout book, fueled by an extensive online podcast campaign.
5-city author tour. (Apr.)Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
"Part Stephen King, part Chuck Palahniuk,
Infected blends science fiction and horror into a pulpy masterpiece of action, terror, and suspense. Three recommendations: don't read it at night, or just after you've eaten a full meal, or if you're weak of heart. You've been warned!"
—James Rollins,
New York Times bestselling author of
The Judas Strain and
Black Order“Powerfully written . . . an unforgettable central character.”
—
Dallas Morning News“Sigler is masterful at grabbing the reader by the throat and refusing to let go. Just when I thought I knew what abyss he was leading me across, he knocked the bridge out from under... I think I screamed the whole way down...
Infected is a marvel of gonzo, in-your-face, up-to-the-minute terror.”
—Lincoln Child,
New York Times bestselling author of
Deep Storm and
Death Match
“Fraught with tension . . .
Invasion of the Body Snatchers meets
The Hot Zone.”
—
Rocky Mountain News“Sigler is the Richard Matheson of the 21st Century…smart and creepy,
Infected is a flawless thinking-person’s thriller.
Bravo to a bold new talent!”
—Jonathan Maberry, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of
Bad Moon Rising and
Ghost Road Blues
“Riveting . . . even hardened genre fans will find themselves whimpering at each new revelation.”
—
Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Horror mavens rejoice!
Infected is a revelation -- a novel that lives up to its hype. From page one, the story of a mysterious smart-virus that turns its hosts into deadly drooling drones creeps up on a reader like the ratchet of a roller coaster climbing toward its inevitable crest. Sigler brings the folksy character detail of Stephen King, the conceptual panache of Clive Barker, and the oozing, shuddery pathologies of a David Cronenberg movie.
Zombies, spies, conspiracies, and gallons of goo make this the fastest read in the west! Highest recommendation!"
— Jay Bonansinga, national bestselling author of
Shattered, Twisted, Frozen, and
The Sinking of the Eastland"Sigler has a unique talent for keeping readers on the edge of their seats; I absolutely had to know what was going to happen next. Infected is full of mayhem, action, and gore--and you won’t be able to put it down."
— Dave Wellington, author of
13 Bullets and the
Monster Island trilogy
"Scott Sigler's
Infected is a bucking pulp pony that throws you this way and that, and just when you think you've got your balance, that ole pony bucks the other way.
All in all, one hell of an exhilarating ride, and highly recommended."
—Joe R. Lansdale, World Horror Convention Grand Master and six-time Bram Stoker Award-winning author of
Bubba Ho-Tep and
Lost Echoes"
Infected is as unnerving as a scream in a morgue…a breakout novel that gets under your skin. If the voice in your head is Sigler's, you're locked in for a very scary night."
—E.E. Knight
From the Hardcover edition.