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The Morganville Vampires #4.5
Dead Man Stalking
Originally published in the IMMORTAL anthology, edited by P.C. Cast.
Living in West Texas is sort of like living in Hell, but without the favorable climate and charming people. Living in Morganville, Texas, is all that and a takeout bag of worse. I should know. My name is Shane Collins, and I was born here, left here, came back here—none of which I had much choice about.
This story was first published in the BenBella Books anthology Immortal, edited by none other than P. C. Cast, so if you want to read some other killer YA vampire tales, go in search of it! You won’t be disappointed.
I decided to do an action-oriented story from Shane’s point of view. There was a running joke at the time that I should throw some zombies into Morganville, and while I didn’t succumb to the temptation in the books, I veered into it here … in a way. We get to visit some great Morganville locations, fight some zombies, and find out where Michael has disappeared to … and what Shane’s father has been doing just beyond the town’s borders that might change everything.
This story is set sometime after Michael’s transformation to full vampire, but not long after; Shane’s still getting used to the idea that his best not-a-vamp friend has switched sides. There’s a little bromance, and a lot of Frank Collins.
I might have been thinking just a little bit about the iconic Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode ‘The Zeppo’ … but only in the undead football player sense. And yes, I quoted the eighties movie Buckaroo Banzai. Guilty as charged.
Living in West Texas is sort of like living in Hell, but without the favorable climate and charming people. Living in Morganville, Texas, is all that and a takeout bag of worse. I should know. My name is Shane Collins, and I was born here, left here, came back here—none of which I had much choice about.
This story was first published in the BenBella Books anthology Immortal, edited by none other than P. C. Cast, so if you want to read some other killer YA vampire tales, go in search of it! You won’t be disappointed.
I decided to do an action-oriented story from Shane’s point of view. There was a running joke at the time that I should throw some zombies into Morganville, and while I didn’t succumb to the temptation in the books, I veered into it here … in a way. We get to visit some great Morganville locations, fight some zombies, and find out where Michael has disappeared to … and what Shane’s father has been doing just beyond the town’s borders that might change everything.
This story is set sometime after Michael’s transformation to full vampire, but not long after; Shane’s still getting used to the idea that his best not-a-vamp friend has switched sides. There’s a little bromance, and a lot of Frank Collins.
I might have been thinking just a little bit about the iconic Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode ‘The Zeppo’ … but only in the undead football player sense. And yes, I quoted the eighties movie Buckaroo Banzai. Guilty as charged.
25 pages, Unknown Binding
First published December 18, 2010
6 people are currently reading
2939 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Caine
210 books19.4k followersRachel Caine was a pen name of Roxanne Longstreet Conrad.
She has also published as:
Roxanne Longstreet
Roxanne Conrad
Julie Fortune
Ian Hammell
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She has also published as:
Roxanne Longstreet
Roxanne Conrad
Julie Fortune
Ian Hammell
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
June 26, 2012
Dead Man Stalking is book #4.5 in the Morganville Series by Rachel Caine. This short story is from Shane's point of view. Shane is abducted by Jerome, a local dead guy. He's not entirely shocked by this development because, well, this is Morganville. He is shocked to find that his dad is behind the abduction and raising the dead. Frank tries to get Shane to join him in the human and now zombie war against the zombies. Shane pretends to contemplate joining to get more details on the zombie raising. When he discovers that Frank has Michael chained up for his blood, he's filled with fury. He fights his father, saves Michael, beats Jerome, and destroys the accrued blood. Jerome is no longer useful to Frank and he puts him down. I really enjoyed this slice of Shane and it's a must read for Morganville fans.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2013
found this short in here: Immortal: Love Stories With Bite
My epiphany was that one day I woke up and realized that if I lost Morganville and everybody in it...I'd have nothing at all. Everything I cared about was here. Love it or hate it.
I love Shane. Seriously, he is just wonderful vampire butt-kicking attitude bundled into a sassy hot boy. And him with Claire.
best thing ever. Truly, the changes he's made just this far in the series - he's really become amazing and fun to read about.
and his sarcasm and wit never gets old!
and wow, this DOES add to the series, and I'm so glad I read it!
but ugh, most ominous:
"He's coming back," she finally said. "Your dad's not going to forget us, is he?"
My epiphany was that one day I woke up and realized that if I lost Morganville and everybody in it...I'd have nothing at all. Everything I cared about was here. Love it or hate it.
I love Shane. Seriously, he is just wonderful vampire butt-kicking attitude bundled into a sassy hot boy. And him with Claire.
best thing ever. Truly, the changes he's made just this far in the series - he's really become amazing and fun to read about.
and his sarcasm and wit never gets old!
and wow, this DOES add to the series, and I'm so glad I read it!
but ugh, most ominous:
"He's coming back," she finally said. "Your dad's not going to forget us, is he?"
May 24, 2015
Hey look, zombies. I guess we had to go there in the end considering the countless references made throughout the series.
As with some of the other short stories this would have worked well as a major event within the series. Sadly, however, through being such a short story it became too focused upon Shane and his father and the fact that there could have been a zombie invasion was lost in the wind.
It was interesting to read but failed to truly grab my attention.
As with some of the other short stories this would have worked well as a major event within the series. Sadly, however, through being such a short story it became too focused upon Shane and his father and the fact that there could have been a zombie invasion was lost in the wind.
It was interesting to read but failed to truly grab my attention.
February 27, 2015
Read on January 17, 2012
Dead Man Stalking - Rachel Caine - 3 Stars - Well that was shorter than I expected or maybe it just went by so fast. It was nice to see things from Shane's POV. We all knew his dad was a nut job but wow this was wayyyyy out there.
Dead Man Stalking - Rachel Caine - 3 Stars - Well that was shorter than I expected or maybe it just went by so fast. It was nice to see things from Shane's POV. We all knew his dad was a nut job but wow this was wayyyyy out there.
July 7, 2024
A quick read
March 16, 2024
Fck Frank Collins man. Except for when he saves Claire. And then when he sacrifices himself with the grenade. But just like with Snape, one or two valiant efforts do not erase an entire lifetime of selfish and shitty decisions.
Also, poor Michael. Always being someone’s damn captive lol.
Also, poor Michael. Always being someone’s damn captive lol.
July 22, 2016
read for free here: http://morganvilletexas.com/index/a-l...
This was an interesting short story from Shane's point of view. It wasn't really what I was expecting and I liked the little nod to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
7 out of 10.
This was an interesting short story from Shane's point of view. It wasn't really what I was expecting and I liked the little nod to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
7 out of 10.
February 16, 2016
I enjoyed having a novella about Shane, I am intrigued by his character. I'm nervous as to what this novella is foreshadowing for the next book though. I love how Caine always makes me feel a sense of urgency to get on to the next book or novella in the series. There is always this eagerness to keep reading and, to me, that is the sign of a great book or series.
July 5, 2012
Zombies? Always something new in Morganville!
December 6, 2013
review to come.
April 23, 2015
Bueno, sabíamos que el padre de Shane estaba loco... esta historia solamente lo demuestra.
October 12, 2024
Zombies in Morganville? I guess with vampires around it wouldn't be surprising that a different type of undead would be around and of course creating havoc in Shane Collins life. And of course who else would be behind Shane's abduction than daddy dearest. Shane's dad just never knows when to quit but he was able to raise a zombie by having this mystical tattoo that he got in Mexico by an old priest who knew about the practices of the Aztecs. Dig up a fresh 'ish' body and some vampire blood and you've got yourself a zombie. Makes you wonder what else there could be out there. We've got vampires and now zombies, what's next? Werewolves? That would be so cool.
Of course, the vampire used to raise the zombie was newly turned Michael. Despite the sheer hatred Shane has for the undead in general, at the end of the day Michael is still his best friend and roommate. The second he saw Michael he knew he had to end things quick and I guess that was what he needed to finally face his dad and beat him down like he has done to him for so many years. It's definitely a bittersweet moment when you finally stand up to a parent who has abused you for yours. The child in you feels proud and courageous to finally stand up for themselves but on the flipside you also feel sadness and guilt for the situation. I know from my experience when I finally had enough of my mother's abuse it felt great to finally stand up for myself and say enough is enough but there's still a part of you that is sad from the entire situation. Parents should be the guiding light in their child's life. Unfortunately, a lot of people should not be parents.
I liked seeing this side of Shane that we typically aren't privy to. This short story was Shane's way of also closing the chapter on his dad. No matter how much his dad says he cares, he'll never care more than killing vampires. However, this definitely was a bonding moment between Shane and Michael. Michael was literally tied and weakened but Shane wouldn't let his hatred of vampires overshadow the fact that they're best friends. Loved this short story!
Of course, the vampire used to raise the zombie was newly turned Michael. Despite the sheer hatred Shane has for the undead in general, at the end of the day Michael is still his best friend and roommate. The second he saw Michael he knew he had to end things quick and I guess that was what he needed to finally face his dad and beat him down like he has done to him for so many years. It's definitely a bittersweet moment when you finally stand up to a parent who has abused you for yours. The child in you feels proud and courageous to finally stand up for themselves but on the flipside you also feel sadness and guilt for the situation. I know from my experience when I finally had enough of my mother's abuse it felt great to finally stand up for myself and say enough is enough but there's still a part of you that is sad from the entire situation. Parents should be the guiding light in their child's life. Unfortunately, a lot of people should not be parents.
I liked seeing this side of Shane that we typically aren't privy to. This short story was Shane's way of also closing the chapter on his dad. No matter how much his dad says he cares, he'll never care more than killing vampires. However, this definitely was a bonding moment between Shane and Michael. Michael was literally tied and weakened but Shane wouldn't let his hatred of vampires overshadow the fact that they're best friends. Loved this short story!
January 7, 2019
A short story about Shane and his dad, Frank who has found a way to resurrect a dead person.
Frank asked Shane to join him in his quest of killing the Vamps with help from zombies, but Shane refused his offer and even helped Michael to escape from his dad. I can't wait to read more about Frank, he always brings surprises.
Frank asked Shane to join him in his quest of killing the Vamps with help from zombies, but Shane refused his offer and even helped Michael to escape from his dad. I can't wait to read more about Frank, he always brings surprises.
April 7, 2019
Read in Midnight Bites.
Told from Shane's point of view. Shane's dad is back, Michael is a vampire, and Shane has to save the day.
An exciting story with zombies. Well, not exactly zombies, but still fun.
Told from Shane's point of view. Shane's dad is back, Michael is a vampire, and Shane has to save the day.
An exciting story with zombies. Well, not exactly zombies, but still fun.
June 25, 2017
Lizard: 2⋆.
Wombat: 2⋆.
Overall: 2⋆.
Wombat: 2⋆.
Overall: 2⋆.
August 21, 2017
Really liked the overall story, but what was the point of adding a zombified boy into the mix of a world of vampires. I really don't get that at all. It really should have been a werewolf.
August 3, 2018
I didn't really enjoy this short story that much. It was okay. I've read some of The Morganville Vampires books in the past and quite enjoyed them, but I just couldn't really get into this one.
March 30, 2020
I love Shane stories!!!!
October 27, 2021
How could I not give this delightful little Morganville short story a 5 star rating? References to Buckaroo Bonzai and Douglas Adams with a little Buffy thrown in for fun. 😁
December 31, 2021
Loved getting this story from Shane's perspective, at this point of time! It was a fantastic story!
July 9, 2022
This was an intriguings and interesting story.
September 9, 2022
Damn, makes me hate myself for liking Frank a tiny bit when he’s just a brain, ugh. And what is this bringing people back from the dead shit at random?
January 12, 2024
3.5 stars 🌟
June 19, 2024
This one was actually really interesting and fun to know one of my other favorite vamp authors p.c. Cass edited it
August 2, 2014
Short episode from Shane's life...
"Living in West Texas is sort of like living in Hell, but without the favorable climate and charming people. Living in Morganville, Texas, is all that and a takeout bag of worse...
So, for you fortunate ones who've never set foot in this place, here's the walking tour of Morganville: It's home to a couple of thousand folks who breathe, and some crazy-ass number of people who don't. Vampires. Can't live with 'em, and in Morganville, you definitely can't live without 'em, because they run the town."
Shane is enjoying his quiet evening with the best hamburger in town and still under protection of the hospital bracelet. Until he spots a dead person walking outside. Not like vampire dead but the real dead dead. At first he thought he imagined it but when that dead person smashes his face in Eve's car, puts him in it and drives away, he realizes that this is really happening.
Morganville is a city of vampires, true. And a whole lot of supernatural crap going around. But zombies? That's a stretch even for a town like Morganville. The dead guy takes him outside city limits on an abandoned farm. And guess who he meets there? Frank Collins (Shane's dad).
Frank has come back, ready to fight again and he wants Shane to join him. Again. Shane is in a real pickle here and it only gets worse once he realizes that his father's vampire captive is his best friend.
Review .
This short story didn't impress me as much as Eve's episode from the past. But it was none the less interesting to read.
Perhaps I didn't enjoy it as much as I should because I had a lot of question left unanswered when the story finished. How the hell did that tattoo worked? Who was that priest? Why was Shane eating out, a hamburger, all alone while Claire was waiting for him at home? How the hell did Frank manage to grab and imprison Michael especially with the help of only one zombie?
Frank was his usual self, a dick at its finest. He still thinks he can control Shane and decide whether he lives or dies and he still throws punches at him like at a punching bag.
What did get my spirit up was the usual omnipresent humor. Sometimes spiced with irony, sarcasm and just enough wickedness.
1. Shane at the burger place:
"There goes your tip," I said. Marjo, already heading off to the next victim, flipped me off.
"Like you'd ever leave one, you cheap-ass punk."
I returned the gesture. "Don't you need to get to your second job?"
That made her pause, just for a second. "What second job?"
"I don't know, grief counselor? You being so sensitive and all."
"Screw you, Collins, I'm running a business here, I don't have time to stare out windows. You want something else or not?"
"Yeah. Ketchup."
"Go squeeze a tomato."
2. Shane and his father Frank:
"Shane," he said. "You knew I'd come back for you." "Yeah, that's really sweet.
The last time I saw you, you were trying to blow my ass up along with a whole building full of vampires, remember? What's my middle name, Collateral Damage?" He'd have done it too. I knew my dad too well to think anything else.
"You also left me to burn alive in a cage, Dad. So excuse me if I'm not getting all misty-eyed while the music swells.
I was saying what he wanted to hear. First rule of growing up with an abusive father: you cope, you bargain, you learn how to avoid getting hit.
"I'm fighting for humanity," he said. His last, best argument. It had always won me over before.
I turned and looked him full in the face. "I think you already lost yours."
3. Shane and his best friend Michael (on giving Frank five minutes head start on running away):
"Yeah," he said. "I need an ambulance."
And then he slumped forward, over the steering wheel. The cop let out a squawk of alarm and got on his radio. I reached out to ease Michael back. His eyes were shut, but as I stared at him, he murmured, "You wanted five minutes."
"I wasn't looking for a Best Supporting Actor award!" I muttered back.
Michael did his best impression of Vampire in a Coma for about five minutes, and then came to and assured the cop and arriving ambulance attendants he was okay.
4. Eve at her finest:
"Hey," she said, and looked up at Michael with big, dark-rimmed eyes. "Seriously. You can bring back dead guys with vampire juice! That is so wrong."
Michael almost spit out the blood he was swallowing. "Vampire juice? Damn, Eve. Thanks for your concern."
March 14, 2015
3.5 stars. Short story about Shane's father, Frank Collins' newest plan to annihilate the Morganville vampires.
Love how Shane hates his father, but still loves him too. Shane and Michael seem to be back to their old buddy selves.
With-reservations:
language, hand gestures (and I'm not talking about ASL), torture, kidnapping, raising dead, violence, psychological abuse, threats, unreasonable anger and abuse, underage drinking
Found this at: Dead Man Stalking and as part of Immortal: Love Stories with Bite.
Love how Shane hates his father, but still loves him too. Shane and Michael seem to be back to their old buddy selves.
With-reservations:
language, hand gestures (and I'm not talking about ASL), torture, kidnapping, raising dead, violence, psychological abuse, threats, unreasonable anger and abuse, underage drinking
Found this at: Dead Man Stalking and as part of Immortal: Love Stories with Bite.
October 31, 2013
I just love Shane! I love his sarcasm and the digs he was throwing at Dead Jerome were nothing short of hilarious!! I loved that his character has really grown over the course of the series.
He is such a sweet guy with a heart of gold and so good for our girl Claire!! I really love this series! The characters really make me laugh and sometimes I'm on the edge of my seat during the whole book! I can't wait to see where Ms. Caine is going to take us next!
He is such a sweet guy with a heart of gold and so good for our girl Claire!! I really love this series! The characters really make me laugh and sometimes I'm on the edge of my seat during the whole book! I can't wait to see where Ms. Caine is going to take us next!
November 24, 2015
My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.
I enjoyed the characters, and their world and hope I get the chance to read the story again and/or to read more within the series.
November 19, 2017
So this was a weird short story, that was well... weird. I felt like this had no real place among the Morganville series, and was just the author's after thought. I can't really place it in the series either. The reading list suggests it goes after Feast of Fools, I honestly can't place it to be sure. I don't think this short story was for me. I like Shane and his point of view, but this story just didn't fit right.
April 22, 2013
Frank Collins is beyond really messed up.
Poor Jerome to be a guinea pig like that.
Poor Michael.
AND Shane...it is amazing he turned out as "level headed" as he is. Depsite all he's gone through, he has a good heart and soul. I truly hope Morganville doesn't suck him dry.
It is really interesting to get Shane's point of view in some of these extras.
Poor Jerome to be a guinea pig like that.
Poor Michael.
AND Shane...it is amazing he turned out as "level headed" as he is. Depsite all he's gone through, he has a good heart and soul. I truly hope Morganville doesn't suck him dry.
It is really interesting to get Shane's point of view in some of these extras.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews