Empties [Hardcover]

George Zebrowski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2009

In this nightmarish tale, a third-rate detective is faced with an impossible crime, as bodies are turning up without their brains and without any indication of how the organs were removed. His only lead—an attractive landlady—becomes more than a lead and drives him into a world of terror, where his sanity is questioned and he must stop the monster before she does more evil. Or should he join her? Does he even have a choice, or will he just be driven by terror?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Reductive gender stereotyping and sloppy pacing sink this ambitious foray into psychological horror. When the autopsy of a homeless man reveals that his brain has mysteriously vanished from his unopened skull, Detective Benek is initially alone in his determination to pursue the matter. Then a dead priest is discovered in a church with his brain lying beside him and a woman named Dierdre Matera passed out in a back pew. Even after Matera drugs and rapes Benek and demonstrates her brain-snatching abilities on various other victims, Benek can't convince anyone of her evil predations. Zebrowski (Macrolife) builds a simplistic and biased portrayal of the mating game, casting women as cold predators and men as befuddled innocents. As the characters become mired in repetitious reflection, the reader is likely to feel as confused as the hapless protagonist. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"This engrossing genre bender combines police procedural, male romantic suspense, science fiction, and/or fantasy, nourish pursuit thriller, and gross-out horror story."  —Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine

"This is no book for the squeamish, since it describes horrific procedures, steamy sex, and some pretty out there occult beliefs. That said, Empties can be a fascinating adventure for mystery fans who like a dash of weirdness with their murders."  —Mystery Scene No. 110

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 163 pages
• Publisher: Golden Gryphon Press; Limited/ First Edition edition (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930846592
• ISBN-13: 978-1930846593
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #562,555 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A recommendation for both fantasy and mystery libraries alike, July 10, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Empties (Hardcover)

George Zebrowski's EMPTIES is a recommendation for both fantasy and mystery libraries alike. When impossible things begin to happen to a seasoned police detective, it brings magic and mystery in this fine survey of Detective Benek's great challenge. Both are top picks for general and fantasy lending libraries.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Rich Narrative, April 12, 2009

By 

Mark Levy - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Empties (Hardcover)

Built on a fascinating premise, this novel reads like a police procedural infused with mot justes of history, mythology, allusions to literature, and, as we expect from Zebrowski, philosophy. The characters are well defined but unpredictable, just like in real life. Highly recommended.