Bodymore Zero

Bodymore Zero by Ian Kirkpatrick is a rollicking ride that thrusts you right into the gritty streets of Baltimore, ten years before the chaos of Bleed More, Bodymore. Ralph Reagan drums for his best friend's band, Bad Ass Idiot Train. They are known for their wild concerts and the rebellious frontman KC; their bond feels unbreakable—until a violent night leaves KC dead, or so Ralph thought. When KC unexpectedly reappears, bloodthirsty and unrecognizable, Ralph must confront a sinister secret lurking beneath the city's graffiti and shadows. As KC's rage spirals out of control, Ralph risks everything to restore their fractured bond—even if it costs him his soul. With a trail of bodies and a relentless detective closing in, Ralph finds himself caught between the ghostly spirits haunting Baltimore and a detective on his heels. Loyalty, loss, and the darkness lurking beneath the city’s surface collide in this gripping prequel of betrayal and redemption.

Ian Kirkpatrick surprised me with her characterization—deft and skilled. The story is well-plotted, and the author pulls the reader into the world of the Bad Ass Idiot Train, mesmerizing with the dynamics of the band and the boisterous character of the relationships among the band members, then raises the stakes with the “death” of one of the members. Ralph is a fully drawn character—sophisticated, intelligent, and driven by the need to rebuild the connection with KC, who is already possessed by a powerful evil. KC’s nefariousness is cracked to the very core, and Bodymore Zero will delight fans of punk, urban fantasy, and light horror. I enjoyed the delicate prose, the unforgettable characters, and the skillful plotting. You’ll find it easy to ride along with these characters, and believe me, you too will root for them.