Dead Easy (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

What do you get when you mix a squid-headed Ancient One, a mystical force-five hurricane, Rasputin’s privates, the city of New Orleans, and an undead Captain Nemo?  Christopher Cséjthe, the reluctant hero stuck halfway between being undead and alive, is back, and is going to find out, whether he wants to or not.

 

But now he’s in for an underwater Mardi Gras of epic proportions complete with an army of drowned vampire zombies. Not to mention a Lovecraftian take on Gidget and The Creature From The Black Lagoon. Many brave hearts are asleep in the deep, and Christopher may be about to join them. . . . 

 

 

 

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

About the Author

Wm. Mark Simmons is the author of seven novels and one novella.  His first book, In The Net of Dreams, was a finalist for the Compton Crook Award and made the Locus "Best" list in 1991. For Baen, he inaugurated a new fantasy series, which began with One Foot in the Grave, followed by Dead on My Feet, Habeas Corpses, and now Dead Easy. Simmons has worked as a teacher, actor, director, musician, and entertainer, hosting his own shows on both television and radio while winning awards as a journalist and copywriter.  As a professional broadcaster, he has held management positions in both the public and private sectors and currently serves as the Classical Music Director and morning host for the Radio Kansas Network.

 

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Baen (June 5, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416521321
• ISBN-13: 978-1416521327
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #882,450 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Chris takes on the End-Of-The-World, July 1, 2007

By	K. Maxwell "katmax1" (Perth, Australia) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Lupe and Deidre have left Chris and gone to his enemies for protection and won't talk to him, and as a result he's been left clinically depressed and isolated. This state of mind infuses the first 4 chapters of this book and made it hard for me to get into the story at the start. The Depression also makes the constant quips and pop-culture references (which are a real feature of these books) have a some what desperate air to them. At times you want to hit Chris and tell him to shut and listen when people are trying to tell him important things about the coming-end-of-the-world which apparently, much to his disgust, only he can prevent.

I have to say that this book is probably my least favourite in this series so far. All the strengths that have been accumulated in previous books seem to have been mostly expended in this novel as Chris is left isolated and feared by most people around him. The end of the book brings Chris either to a new starting point or a rather sad end. Either way this series needs another book as this would not be a good way to end the series. If I could, I'd probably give this book 3.5 stars as I don't think it lives up to previous instalments in the series, but it's not bad enough to stop me reading any new books which might be published.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't help but feel sorry for Chris, June 17, 2009

By	K. Sozaeva "Obsessive bibliophile" (Athens, GA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Dead Easy (Halflife Chronicles) (Mass Market Paperback)

Our main character, Chris Csejthe, really takes it on the chin in this book, where he ends up taking on Deep Ones and an Elder God at the behest of various Hindu deities. To make matters worse, he's also up against zombies and he's lost most of his backup. What's a guy supposed to do?

There is very little I can tell about the plot without giving away spoilers - this book is packed full of surprises (good and nasty) and far be it from me to ruin them for you! What I can say is that apparently Mr. Simmons takes out all his frustrations with life on poor Chris Csejthe, because Chris just can't seem to win.

Folks who have been following the Half-Life Chronicles (containing, in addition to the reviewed book, One Foot in the Grave, Dead on My Feet (The Halflife Chronicles), and Habeas Corpses) won't want to miss this latest installment. If you haven't been following them ... WHY NOT?? These are awesome books! Get them all, and read them NOW!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Ancient and Outer Gods Are Coming, September 3, 2008

By	Arthur W. Jordin (Smyrna, GA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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Dead Easy (2007) is the fourth fantasy novel in the HalfLife Chronicles series, following Habeas Corpses. In the previous volume, Christopher Csejthe spent some time in an immaterial state, with a silver cord connecting his astral projection to his body. Then Wendy cut the cord and a pair of docs stole his body. He traveled out west and raised chaos among the body snatchers.

Chris recovered his body, but it had been enhanced with nanobots. He returned to New York City within his body, but then bloodwalked among the master vampires of the New York City demesne. After terrifying them out of their traditions, he gave them specific orders. Returning into his physical body, Chris departed NYC and went back to Louisiana.

In this novel, Chris finds himself in a strait jacket within a padded cell. The very blond and voluptuous Doctor Fand was trying to talk him into facing reality. She also wants him to sign a paper releasing his unborn son to foster care.

Despite the drugs, Chris begins to think coherently. He decides that the self-described psychiatrist isn't really a medical doctor. He also notices that the blonde has pointy ears, a violet glow and a nasty disposition.

Chris jams the blonde through the door and escapes his cell. Fleeing through the halls -- that turn into stone tunnels -- Chris confronts the oversized orderly and extends claws from his fingers capable of chipping the stone walls. The man says something about Chris's eyes, then turns and runs away.

In this story, Chris returns to his houseboat to find that he has been gone for three weeks. It seemed like three months, but time passes more quickly in a fairy mound. He manages to stay awake long enough to get a quick briefing on the current situation.

Two enforcers from the New Orleans demesne are on his boat preparing to take Mama Samm to the Big Easy. Marie Laveau has been minding Lupe as she carries his unborn son. Doctors Mooncloud and Barton have been tending to Lupe's needs while she is nearing the end of her pregnancy.

Chris is talking to Zotz the bat god on the rear deck of the houseboat when something pulls the demon into the water. Three fish men come up from the depths and attack him. After they fall into the river, Chris again grows claws as well as metal blades on his forearms. Cutting up the fishmen, he returns to the houseboat.

Apparently the nanobots within his body have activated beyond the basic tissue repair level. They are not only generating personal weapons, but also breathing apparatus to keep him alive under the water. Still, the energy has to come from somewhere and he starts craving even more blood.

This tale introduces Chris to the ancient and outer gods a la H.P. Lovecraft. They infest his dreams and even cause hallucinations while he is awake. Apparently the bad gods are returning to Earth and the not-so-bad gods are trying to prevent their return.

Chris is living in deep doo-doo in these final days. The world is coming to an end and his son, daughter and former wife will be born any time now. The Werewolves are revolting and the vampires are not so friendly. Enjoy!

Recommended for Simmons fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of preternatural creatures, ancient gods, and desperate love.

-Arthur W. Jordin