Books by Forrest Carr
Book Description
It's not the Zombie Apocalypse. It's worse. And it could
really happen.
Without warning, a jetliner falls from the clear blue sky
ahead of a startled motorist, who manages to capture the last
few seconds of the doomed flight on his cell phone. As
frightening as the video is, none of the horrified viewers
watching it play out on newscasts across the globe that
evening understand its true significance. The last sane day
on planet Earth is already behind them. And it will only
get worse.
The day before, John Cruz had awakened to find himself in
unfamiliar surroundings. He learns that he's been in a mental hospital for nearly three years - confined there for a crime he does not remember, a crime the hospital staff refuses to discuss with him. But soon he discovers something even more bizarre. While he and other mental patients like him are mysteriously recovering, the rest of the world is beginning a descent into madness, thanks to a mysterious disease that causes many of its victims to go violently insane. Meanwhile, overhead, a spectacular apparition splits the skies, as the largest comet in recorded history makes a close approach to planet Earth. Some scientists believe that not only is the comet somehow connected to the spreading madness, but that this has happened at least once before in human history, with apocalyptic consequences. As events close in, John will have only one task, and one question: will his mind slip away again before he can save the love of his life from the growing chaos?
Based on a mysterious, real pandemic that has truck twice before in human history, and could strike again.
A Journal of the Crazy Year is intended for mature audiences, 17+.
Selected Reader Reviews
"Linda" (from Amazon.com, U.S.)
Five Stars. "A great read! Absolutely loved it, had everything I look for in a book. As soon as I started reading about the historical dreadful plague that came to London in 1665, and then the disease that swept 1916 wartime France that caused soldiers to sleep and not wake up, I was sucked right in to the very end. I especially liked John's character. He had a wonderful blend of innocence, smart independence, and a great sense of humor. Anyone who likes suspense and ‘I can't wait to see how this ends’ kind of books will really enjoy this one. A definite 5 stars!”
Lisa Romo (from Amazon.com, U.S.)
Five Stars. Couldn't put it down! This book caught me right from the beginning and I couldn't put it down. Highly recommend it and have done so to many of my friends who loved it as well.
"RandiTS" (from Amazon.com, U.S.)
Five Stars. This is a unique take on a "zombie" type of book which made it fun and interesting! A large comet is coming toward Earth - no, it isn't going to crash into us but lots of strange side effects may (or may not depending on who you believe!) come of it coming into our orbit. The main character is a man who is extremely intelligent, highly amusing, and apparently crazy. Or, at least he used to be.... Because all of the "insane" are now becoming "sane" and no one knows why. John is actually one of the last "holdouts" to the miraculous cure of people all over the world. Unfortunately, for the rest of the world, others are now falling ill to a strange ailment. They either (a) fall asleep and don't wake up; (b) fall asleep, eventually wake up and are okay or; (c) turn extremely violent and behave "like zombies" in that they attack and "eat" the people that they subdue in their violent fits. The twists and turns make it hard to put down (thanks for no sleep that night when I found myself finishing it up at 4 am on a work night!) and the ending was just so unexpectedly PERFECT. It is not your "traditional" zombie book but it is full of moral dilemmas, things that make you think deeply (Dante's Circles of Hell for example) and an overall great read.
"Bee" (from Amazon.com, U.S.)
Five Stars. A number of twists in this which I thoroughly enjoyed and found very intriguing. Very surprising ending, quite unusual, wasn't what I expected to happen at all.... This was magnificent. I know this will stay with me for a while; it was certainly a page turner, so hard to put down. I can also see a lot of research and study went into this book, so well done Forrest.... I can't wait to read more of your outstanding work.
"Alpinenewt" (from Amazon.com, United Kingdom)
Five Stars. This book was both thought provoking and freaked me out at the same time. Not what you expect from the genre but in a good way.
Jon Wallace (from Amazon.com, United Kingdom)
Five Stars. A different twist to an apocalyptic novel. Well written and the technical and medical details were explained in layman's terms and were done with the right balance. Flesh eating zombies, human trees, the mad are sane and the sane are mad, and with humour thrown in to create a very readable and believable book. Could a comet affect the world as in the book? Who knows, but it does make you think of the possibility.... Look forward to more novels from this author.
Sarah Wright (from Amazon.com U.S.)
Five Stars. I don't write many reviews, so I apologize for the brevity. My family almost didn't have mashed potatoes or cranberries on Thanksgiving, and it's thanks to this book! Could NOT put it down. Absolutely loved it.
Judy (The Voracious Reader) (from Goodreads)
4.5 Stars. I don’t usually like a lot of the Sci-Fi horror zombie type books that come across my desk. This one surprised me. I loved it. I found the mental haves and have nots a great concept. Loved the link of the comet.... Will look forward to more from this author.
Editorial Reviews
"Fresh thinking and feeling animate this heartfelt postapocalyptic novel.... The book is stuffed with untrimmable, character-driven, cogent dialogue, and Carr’s sincere investment in the concept of people groping their way through hell on Earth makes his story a fascinating read all the way to its chilly, barely hopeful conclusion."
--Publishers Weekly (the full review is available here--note, new URL)
"A pandemic helps humanity destroy itself in this wry apocalyptic thriller... Carr employs jet-black humor reminiscent of Vonnegut... A truly unconventional ending makes for a worthy trip. A great case made for the idea that the end isn’t nigh—it’s already here."
--Kirkus Reviews (the full review is available here)
"An apocalyptic horror novel about a doomsday that involves a mysterious zombie-like plague and a comet.... Carr's impressive scientific and historical details elaborately frame the danger of the unknown. The origins of the comets and some cool references to Atlantis and the Genesis flood, interestingly make a point that history is about to repeat itself. There's education and mystification in the midst of the thrilling narrative, and they fit well.... If you like World War Z, Cell, or other apocalyptic stories that inquisitively examine the humans' dark psyches and moral tendencies, A Journal of the Crazy Year is worth checking out."
As discussed on
Fiction, or prophecy?
Real-life events are ripping
headlines from this novel! Details here.
What the critics are saying about
A Journal of the Crazy Year:
"Fresh thinking and feeling animate this
heartfelt postapocalyptic novel.... The book
is stuffed with untrimmable, character-driven,
cogent dialogue.... a fascinating read all the way
to its chilly, barely hopeful conclusion."
--Publishers Weekly
"Carr employs jet-black humor reminiscent
of Vonnegut... A great case made for the idea
that the end isn’t nigh—it’s already here."
--Kirkus Reviews
"Impressive." A "thrilling narrative."
--Fantascize.com
"I know this will stay with me for a while.
It was certainly a page turner, so hard to put down."
--Amazon.com 5-star reviewer
"Thanks for no sleep that night when I found myself
finishing it up at 4 am on a work night! And the ending was just so unexpectedly PERFECT."
--Amazon.com 5-star reviewer