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Title: Gil’s All Fright Diner
Author: A. Lee Martinez
Narrator: Fred Berman
Genre: Horror, Humor, Paranormal
Audience: Adult
Format: Audiobook
My Synopsis:
Duke and Earl are speeding through the deep Texas night when Duke decides he’s hungry and stops at Gil’s All Night Diner. While he’s eating, zombies come lurching into the restaurant, intent on their own late-night snack. Lorraine, the owner, is prepared for this regular occurrence and hauls out her shotgun but then realizes she’s out of ammo. Earl tries to step in but he’s quickly overwhelmed. Duke finishes up his chili, transforms into a werewolf, and quickly puts an end to that night’s invasion. Earl, a vampire, climbs out from under the no-longer-walking dead and Lorraine offers them a place to stay if they’ll help her get to the bottom of the unholy happenings that are centered on the diner.
My Review:
This book cracked me up! My best description is that it’s a version of Tucker and Dale vs Evil if Tucker was a werewolf and Dale was a vampire. I can’t watch many horror movies but that one made me laugh, just like this book did.
Earl and Duke aren’t quite as hapless as Tucker and Dale since they’re very aware of their own powers and limitations and know a lot about other paranormal beings. When they meet anything they can’t handle, they just call their buddy Hector, a warlock up in El Paso, and he sets them straight.
I think Martinez throws every horror trope known to man into this book, to an over-the-top, hilarious effect! Zombie cows; a nubile jailbait dark priestess; a horny teenage henchman; old, tentacled gods; and bloodstains that can’t be washed away all make an appearance.
Fred Berman’s narration is just as over-the-top as the book so he was a perfect fit. He reminded me a bit at times of Michael Rooker’s character in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies.
If you’re looking for a horror read that deliberately makes you laugh, this is the novel for you. I especially recommend the audiobook.
Similar Books:
If you liked Gil’s All Fright Diner, you might also like my reviews of
- A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore
- Soulless by Gail Carriger
- Storm Front by Jim Butcher
Purchase:
Buy Gil’s All Fright Diner from Malaprop’s Bookstore in Asheville, NC.
8 Comments
I tried reading this book when I saw somebody recommend it on author Ilona Andrews’ forum. It started off as very quirky and dry… but I think I went in expecting too much humor and gave up by end of Chapter 2. Do the laughs take time to come, and did I give it up in a hurry? Do you think I should pick it up again?
Hmmm… I think it does get funnier as it goes along but I think two chapters is enough to give you a good idea whether or not it’s for you. It doesn’t sound like it’s quite to your taste. Sorry it didn’t work for you!
Hi there Jen! Looks like fun. Not scary at all but still with the Halloween vibe.
I still need to read Soulless by Gail Carriger as well. I wanted to add it for Fraterfest, but didn’t get round to it. It’s still on my TBR though!
Elza Reads
I love Soulless so much! Steampunk vampires and werewolves with a dose of humor? Yes, please!
I have to admit, the title along makes me laugh on this one. 🙂
Oops, typo. The title *ALONE*. Sheesh.
Typos happen to the best of us! 😉
If you like slapstick, slightly crass humor, you might like this one. I didn’t find it scary at all but I did laugh a lot!