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V. M. Zito
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The Return Man Kindle Edition

by V. M. Zito (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 225 ratings
The outbreak tore the U.S. in two. The east remains a safe haven. The west has become a ravaged wilderness. They call it the Evacuated States. It is here that Henry Marco makes his living. Hired by grieving relatives, he tracks down the dead and delivers peace.

Now Homeland Security wants Marco for a mission unlike any other. He must return to California, where the apocalypse began. Where a secret is hidden. And where his own tragic past waits to punish him again.

But in the wastelands of America, you never know who -- or what -- is watching you.
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  1. Print length
    439 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Orbit
  4. Publication date
    April 1, 2012
  5. File size
    3.9 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Thrilling, melancholy, and stomach-churningly gory... This is a sturdy and crowd-pleasing novel that squarely hits its target." (Publishers Weekly )

"A hair-raising quest ... Zito expertly piles on thrills, cliffhangers and numerous twists ..." (The Guardian (UK) )

"V.M. Zito manages to do away with many of the most common elements of the zombie novels...some books of this ilk lurch from scenario to scenario like levels in a videogame, but here it's all done smoothly...enjoyable." (SFX )

"An overload of thrills, spills and adventure." (The Sun (UK) )

"Unputdownable ... A page-turning, action packed, well-crafted debut novel that will take your breath away. Highly recommended." (The Founding Fields )

'Hands down one of the best zombie novels I've read in a long, long time. From first page to last, THE RETURN MAN is an astonishing read. With characters you genuinely give a damn about and a story that'll keep you turning page after page, this is an outstanding debut.' (David Moody, author of Autumn )

". . . a perfectly balanced layer cake of action and horror . . . This is a stunning debut and matches the feelings I had when I first read the likes of World War Z and Hater . . . you are unlikely to experience a better crafted and adrenalin fuelled thrill ride than V.M. Zito's novel The Return Man." (Liberation Frequency )

'Zombies, action, and overlapping schemes make this a sure winner.'

Best Horror Novel of 2011 (drying-ink.blogspot.com )

About the Author

V.M. Zito resides in Connecticut, USA with his wife and daughter. When not writing, he spends his weekdays working as Creative Director at a New England ad agency and his weekends running on forested trails. THE RETURN MAN is his first novel.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0073J66N6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Orbit (April 1, 2012)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 1, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.9 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 439 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 225 ratings

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V. M. Zito

V. M. Zito

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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
225 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's original zombie storyline with its plot twists and turns, describing it as an action-packed thrill ride. The writing is well-executed and easy to read, while the characters are engaging.

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30 customers mention "Storyline"30 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of the book, particularly its original zombie narrative and plot twists and turns.

"...I could visualize what I was reading and follow the story without a question. I really liked how intricate, it turned out to be...." Read more

"...The story moves along quickly and takes you on a thrilling ride and ends with a couple of great twists that I did not really expect...." Read more

"...I was hooked right away. This is a zombie story, but so much more. Vivid. Thrilling. Lots of great lines and twists and turns...." Read more

"...The story was also well-paced, and as most good stories, was driven by the characters and their development rather than mindless plot...." Read more

18 customers mention "Enjoyment"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thrilling and fun to read, describing it as an action-packed ride, with one customer noting it has just the right amount of suspense.

"...Great read, and I was hooked on the first page. It caught me immediately, and I just kept on reading. And it is a good length too!..." Read more

"...The story moves along quickly and takes you on a thrilling ride and ends with a couple of great twists that I did not really expect...." Read more

"...I was hooked right away. This is a zombie story, but so much more. Vivid. Thrilling. Lots of great lines and twists and turns...." Read more

"...It was enjoyable despite the below mentioned weaknesses. The writer obviously knows nothing of American military operations...." Read more

8 customers mention "Character development"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters engaging, with one review highlighting the well-written emotional development.

"...It was entertaining, and had action and complex characters. I could visualize what I was reading and follow the story without a question...." Read more

"...I found it easier to relate to him and made the story more enjoyable...." Read more

"...in a few other post-apoc books I read lately - a well-written emotional character development and story...." Read more

"...The main character had depth. The rail aspect was good. Ending felt a little tied up too neatly but not bad. Worth the price of admission...." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written and easy to read.

"...I am not great at reviewing books, but this guy excels at writing them. Can't believe it's his first novel!..." Read more

"...The book has excellent writing style, a very fun plot (with twists) and - something missing in a few other post-apoc books I read lately - a well-..." Read more

"I found this book easy to read and quick to get into...." Read more

"...Very well written and flows well. It is a great book about the possibility of a divided nation after the outbreak...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • K-ride
    5.0 out of 5 stars ORIGINAL
    Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This is such an original storyline. I really loved reading it. It was entertaining, and had action and complex characters. I could visualize what I was reading and follow the story without a question. I really liked how intricate, it turned out to be. Great read, and I was hooked on the first page. It caught me immediately, and I just kept on reading. And it is a good length too! My only dislike, and it’s very minor, was the writer’s use of the hyphen. Sometimes it was to hyphenate a word and sometimes it was for a pause, almost like a comma. So this was a little off putting on the pacing of the book at times. Maybe if there was a space for the pause hyphen and no spaces for the words being hyphenated, so they would be visually different, it would have worked better.
    One person found this helpful
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  • BV
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great take on the Zombie genre
    Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I find that most zombie stories follow a similar formula. This story is a little bit of a different take on the zombie apocalypse. It focuses on a man who capitalizes on the apocalypse financially by killing (again) the zombified loved ones of survivors in the zombie-free zone. (Not a spoiler....you find this out in the first few pages). The main character is neither the tough-guy military type or the brainiak scientist type, but a normal every day person. I found it easier to relate to him and made the story more enjoyable.

    The story moves along quickly and takes you on a thrilling ride and ends with a couple of great twists that I did not really expect. The author left the door open for a sequel which I will be eagerly anticipating.

    I did not give it 5 stars only because...it is a zombie story. I just do not love this genre.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Green Guy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling. Great ending
    Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I heard about this book on The Zombie 'Cast (a podcast). They had an interview with Zito. Then I saw it on a bookshelf. Then I downloaded a sample on the Kindle. I was hooked right away. This is a zombie story, but so much more. Vivid. Thrilling. Lots of great lines and twists and turns. I am not great at reviewing books, but this guy excels at writing them. Can't believe it's his first novel! What the future holds, I can only imagine. I read this in a couple of days. Devoured it. Raarrr!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Schlitze
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good book with a crap rant in it
    Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I had to knock a few stars off because of the politically biased crap that is skewed and venomous. I would listen to talk radio if I wanted to hear that. I don't care what party you root for a head bashing of this level is totally NOT the fabulous literary work other reviewers somehow take it for. It was enjoyable despite the below mentioned weaknesses.

    The writer obviously knows nothing of American military operations. In the first 20% of this book I had a long list of unbelievable, inaccurate, and just plain silly things that shatter any attempt to get absorbed in the story! Come on, a high ranking government official hanging out in a crappy apartment for days to talk to a guy who might not show?! And the premise, why they need him, totally weak.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Jeffrey Ellis
    4.0 out of 5 stars As good as or better than any other zombie story out there
    Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    The zombie story has not yet become as tiresomely prolific as the vampire story, but it's getting there. So I was glad that Zito included a few story elements that made his novel seem like a fresh take. The military-political intrigue and the medical/scientific aspects in particular elevated this story above most in this genre. Major kudos to Zito for actually coming up with an extremely interesting and seemingly legitimate medical basis for zombies. The story was also well-paced, and as most good stories, was driven by the characters and their development rather than mindless plot. Really I only have one complaint about this story: the protagonist makes way too many "humorous" wisecracks right in the middle of the action and fighting. Way overdone.
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  • Matt
    5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining
    Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Action packed. Having read many books of this genre my standards are very high and all though at the end there were some parts I didn't really think were all that great it pulled itself together and finished okay. All in all I would recommend hearing it out because the first 95% of the book flowed well and was an action packed thrill ride that is worth the mediocre last couple of pages. You may be more satisfied with the ending then I found my self being.
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars More than your ordinary zombies
    Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    it's a zombie book, right? What's so special. Well, it's a different set up, a well thought out plot and more twists a turns than a tomcat being chased by a greyhound. I enjoyed it a lot. I would have given it 5 stars, but the ending, while completely logical, left me feeling I would have handled it differently. Funny. Who am I to judge, Zito is a good writer.
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  • Anton Chuvakin
    5.0 out of 5 stars A well-written and striking book
    Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2014
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    I really liked this book about post-apocalyptic US (not to reveal too much, but think zombie epidemic) and for many reasons. The book has excellent writing style, a very fun plot (with twists) and - something missing in a few other post-apoc books I read lately - a well-written emotional character development and story.

    All in all, a fun read that will not just entertain but actually affect you!
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • a customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Zombie novel
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I'm gonna give this book 5 stars because I couldn't put it down and had to keep reading to find out what happended next. This in my view indicates a good book. Were there flaws and holes in the story? Hell yeah!! Other reviewers have mentioned a few of them, including Marco's ability to get out of seemingly impossible situations. Also can you ride an SUV along a train track? I dunno, I'm not from the the US but in the UK/Ireland I would say no you can't. But these are minor complaints. Overall it was a well planned out and constructed novel that kept up the suspense and intrigue right to end and even beyond, because there sure as hell will be a sequel.
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  • A
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Return Man - Masses of gore, but not enough to cover the gaps in the plot
    Reviewed in Germany on June 6, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This novel is one of the better zombie related books, the author's style is good, the details are vivid, red and full of intestines.
    Nontheless, only four stars because one of the main twists of the plot is expectable and a second one a bit too unlikely. A good read and definetly a recommendation - but do not expect a second "World War Z" here.
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  • V. Ryan
    4.0 out of 5 stars Dead Enjoyable
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 30, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    In a genre that has been done to death over the years (excuse the pun) 'The Return Man' gives us another take on the Zombie story and I have to admit I was thoroughly entertained.

    Marco is our protagonist and as with most main characters in the Zombie genre he is a loner, has past issues and is searching for something.

    Whilst many of the twists and turns are predictable (Roger and Danielle)the underlining story regarding corruption within the government and how Marco is walking into a no win situation is compelling.

    The action is intense and extremely gory which is what you need in a Zombie tale in my opinion. The scene where the Horseman 'Big Skull' is trapped is as grim and slaughterous as you are going to get.

    There are some problems with the story of course such as the fact they were nearly out of petrol when on the quad but seemed to never run into problems again.

    The character of Wu is probably the most interesting as he is the one that is difficult to read and work out what he is going to do.

    It certainly is a book that you can imagine as a film although with the recent tv series 'The Walking Dead' it would need to be done in a totally different way.

    If you don't like the zombie genre or books with fierce bloody scenes then obviously this is not for you, but this is a enjoyable read, suspenseful and you will be hooked right up until the end.
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  • Justina
    3.0 out of 5 stars straight forward no fancy writing etc but the content is very bland bordering on boring really. The reviews splashed about on bo
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 21, 2015
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    Gave this 3 stars as it is well written, straight forward no fancy writing etc but the content is very bland bordering on boring really. The reviews splashed about on both covers made me wonder if A do they actually read these books and B how much do they get paid!!! I did stick with it to the end but not a lot happens really.
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  • Abby
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ate this up like a zombie on a highway
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 21, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    For me I am a huge lover of zombie books, the last time I was this thrilled with a book was when Jonathan Maberry released Dead of Night: A zombie novel. This book had all the concepts of any other zombie book. A hero, the heros lover, a shady government, people hiding in 'safe states' and of course zombies. However the author completely blew me away with how he made the hero seem so realistic.

    To me Henry Marco is not one of those over the top zombie killers to me he is a character I can relate to! He is just like any other normal person (except he doesn't have a cell phone!) he doesn't have unlimited ammo, he has emotions, he is paranoid and most importantly he has determination while fighting through the grief. This book lets you inside the head of Marco and another character whom I shall not mention because I fear it would give to much away.

    Throughout the story I was hooked, the author mentions little bits throughout that will leave you hooked and determined to read this book through to the end.

    With many twists, turns and surprises The Return Man is now officially in my top 5 zombie books. To recommend a similar book with zombies would be Dead of Night: A Zombie Novel by Jonathan Maberry.Dead of Night: A Zombie Novel
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