Dead and Alive

Name: Dead and Alive
Price: 16.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9798364140814

✍️ David Haltinner

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$16.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A father rescues his undead son, facing police pursuit and moral decay.

This work examines the consequences of defying natural order through Mike Banner’s actions. The plot tracks his efforts to care for Tommy while evading authorities who view the situation as a crime scene rather than a tragedy. The central conflict arises from Tommy’s transformation into a predator, challenging Mike’s ability to protect him without enabling further violence. Haltinner uses this premise to investigate themes of grief, denial, and the corruption of innocence. The story does not offer easy resolutions but instead focuses on the immediate, terrifying reality of raising a monster. It is structured as a continuous narrative of survival and ethical erosion.

Key Themes

parental grief undead child moral dilemma

Literary Context

Published in 2022 by Independently Published, this title fits within the contemporary American horror genre. It draws on traditions of gothic fiction and supernatural tragedy, focusing on modern family dynamics disrupted by the unnatural return of a deceased child.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Stephen King's 'Pet Sematary' · Joe Hill's 'Locke & Key' · Clive Barker's early short stories · The film 'It Follows'

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Independently Published 📅 2022 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798364140814

📝 Description: Dead and Alive

David Haltinner’s Dead and Alive presents a harrowing narrative centered on Mike Banner, a father who refuses to accept the death of his six-year-old son, Tommy. The story begins with the tragic loss of Tommy, whose neck was torn open during a playground incident. When Mike witnesses his son’s body moving in the morgue, he rescues him before burial, initiating a desperate journey to restore the boy to life. This act places Mike at odds with law enforcement, forcing him to hide while managing his son’s deteriorating condition. The novel explores the dark intersection of parental grief and supernatural horror. Tommy returns but exhibits disturbing changes, including an intense craving for raw meat that eventually shifts toward human flesh. Haltinner constructs a tense psychological thriller where the protagonist must balance nurturing a child with preventing him from becoming a killer. The narrative focuses on the moral dilemma of saving a loved one who has crossed into undeath. It appeals to readers who enjoy visceral horror and stories about the lengths parents will go to for their children. Those seeking lighthearted supernatural tales may find the subject matter too grim.

💎 Our verdict on Dead and Alive

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Haltinner delivers a tense psychological thriller that prioritizes moral dilemma over jump scares. The narrative excels in depicting the visceral horror of raising a monster, blending parental love with visceral dread effectively. By focusing on the immediate reality of Tommy’s deterioration, the story maintains a claustrophobic intensity that suits readers who enjoy grim, character-driven horror. It is best for those willing to engage with themes of grief and denial without seeking redemption. The continuous narrative of survival creates a relentless pace, though it may be too dark for casual readers. Ultimately, it stands as a strong example of horror that uses the supernatural to explore profound human failings.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers who gravitate toward visceral horror and psychological thrillers will find this narrative compelling. It appeals specifically to those interested in the dark intersection of grief and the supernatural, offering a grim exploration of parental denial. Fans of stories that examine the corruption of innocence and the ethical erosion required to protect loved ones will appreciate the intense, unrelenting tone. The book is ideal for audiences who prefer horror that focuses on immediate, terrifying realities rather than abstract cosmic dread or lighthearted supernatural adventures. It provides a harrowing look at the lengths one might go to defy natural order, making it a potent choice for those seeking emotional weight alongside terror.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Haltinner delivers a tense psychological thriller that prioritizes moral dilemma over jump scares. The narrative excels in depicting the visceral horror of raising a monster, blending parental love with visceral dread effectively. By focusing on the immediate reality of Tommy’s deterioration, the story maintains a claustrophobic intensity that suits readers who enjoy grim, character-driven horror. It is best for those willing to engage with themes of grief and denial without seeking redemption. The continuous narrative of survival creates a relentless pace, though it may be too dark for casual readers. Ultimately, it stands as a strong example of horror that uses the supernatural to explore profound human failings.