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Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite
The Black Halo by Carl Monuto starts by introducing readers to Dr. Thomas Farrington, an arrogant man but an ambitious and brilliant scientist. His research was focused on the untapped potential of the human mind, enhanced memory capacity, speed and a digital platform for a neuro-mechanical interface. When the world’s economy plummeted, health sciences and clinical research became the priorities for federal research as the public demanded better health care. Other research funding suffered draconian cuts. Dr. Farrington soon found his research operation on the brink of insolvency until someone from the military came to see him. Fast-forward six months later, we meet Pete Dubois, who is commuting to Boston when he receives a terrifying headline on his phone – “Psychosis Outbreaks Across the U.S., Canada - Thousands Dead.”
Thinking that it might be a hoax, Pete and the other train commuters are shocked when a group of hysterical, wild men wearing black police uniforms attacks people at the North Station platform. From that point, it is all about survival for Pete and the others. It is chaos everywhere - crazed and violent Federal security police officers, including military personnel, terrorizing the neighboring civilian communities. Airmen and petty officers abandon their bases and roam the streets. One just couldn’t help but point a finger at Dr. Farrington and the mysterious visitor that came to his lab on that fateful day.
Overall, The Black Halo is a stimulating zombie/apocalyptic story that successfully hooks you in and keeps you reading to see what happens next. The characters are quite an ensemble, but the nice surprise is the character of Jackie 'Sully' Sullivan, an old local whose wit alone makes him my favorite character. The storyline is something that I'm quite familiar with, having read several zombie-themed novels this year, so personally it is not entirely unique for me. However, this is a minor imperfection in The Black Halo and the adrenaline-pumping, graphic scenes are more than enough to make up for it.
