Doll Parts [Paperback]

After reading Drop Dead Gorgeous by Wayne Simmons, I was keen to return to the bleak post-apocalyptic Belfast that the author had created and left wide-open for a return at the end of DDG in which, . And so, I eagerly set about reading its sequel, Doll Parts.

Doll Parts picks up almost immediately from where Drop Dead Gorgeous left off with our protagonists still fighting for survival against the savage onslaught of the undead. In keeping with the flow of the story from the end of DDG, Doll Parts starts off at breakneck pace and simply does not let up. Where DDG progresses patiently towards its inevitable and bloody conclusion, Doll Parts rockets along as if the reader had merely turned the page to a new chapter rather than picking up a new book entirely. In keeping with this tempo, Simmons ramps up the bodycount and gorehounds will not be left disappointed. The action and deaths within Doll Parts are brutal and the author festoons his work with brains and other assorted viscera as if they were punctuation marks.

Simmons introduces new characters to proceedings and once again creates painfully real individuals who bring their own fallacies, dark secrets and "quirks" of their personalities to proceedings, which ultimately, for many of them, prove to be their undoing; and Simmons is in no way hesitant about despatching his protagonists. I would suggest to you that it is this aspect of crime and consequence that elevates both Drop Dead Gorgeous and Doll Parts above many other works within the walking dead sub-genre.

Much of the sectarianism that provides fuel for the fire of division among characters in Drop Dead Gorgeous is left behind in Doll Parts, rendering it more akin to a straight-up action/horror novel. However, to categorise it as such would be unfair since Simmons continues the evolution of his unique antagonists in a direction that I had not anticipated, making the reading of Doll Parts all the more satisfying.

Despite the characters having transportation and being able to move with relative freedom around what remains of Belfast, Simmons creates a sense of dread and foreboding throughout proceedings due to the near omni-present walking dead, no matter where the characters run to.

Critically, the pace of Doll Parts may leave a reader fresh to the universe that Simmons has created a little lost or intimidated. However, I would suggest that Doll Parts is not intended to be read as a stand-alone novel and I am grateful that the author has bypassed much of the recapping that is prevalent in many follow-up works. Moreover, Simmons spent much of Drop Dead Gorgeous developing his bleak and foreboding Belfast and ought not to have to retread old ground unnecessarily.

Doll Parts is a well-written, bloody sequel to the fantastic Drop Dead Gorgeous that due to the author's style, pace and content, will not take long to read at all. If you have yet to read either book, I would suggest that you obtain Drop Dead Gorgeous before starting Doll Parts; it can only enhance your appreciation of both books.

Doll Parts is the sequel to Wayne Simmons novel 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' starting were the previous book left off. Filled with action, gore, horror and a brilliant story. This book starts off running and never slows down - giving the reader a thrill ride to remember.

I can honestly say that this is one of the most original horror novels I have read in many years. Simmons has created a monster that will stay in your head and gut for years after finishing the book. He has taken the 'zombie' and turned it on its head - maybe even turning it into something altogether different (I'll let you discover what by yourself).

With harrowing scenes and blood soaked action, this book is a page turner. Never relenting in gut wrenching horror and shocks that will keep you glued to its pages. I couldn't put it down.

Over the last year I have became a massive fan of this authors work and I have to admit that this is his best book to date. It's originality and fresh angle works wonders for the story and his great skill at creating diverse and interesting characters shines in this novel.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. I cannot wait to see what Wayne Simmons has in store for us next.

Received a copy to review from the author through the Goodreads Firstread program. As always this book delivers punch after blood soaked punch to the gut. A fantastic sequel to Drop Dead Gorgeous , jumps straight into the action , grabs you by the throat and never lets up. It's so nice to have a good British horror writer to read. I love apocalypse novels especially zombie type ones and to have the end of the world occurring on our own shores is fantastic. This book is definitely a keeper and will make a worthy shelfmate to my collection. If you enjoyed Survivors or any other classic 70's British horror, I can highly recommend this.