Before we look at zombie apocalypse novels set in London, let’s acknowledge that London is also a top destination for zombie films. Shaun of the Dead and 28 Days Later will forever appear on fans’ favourite lists, with iconic scenes of chaos set against familiar streets and landmarks. Cillian Murphy’s Jim wandering across Westminster Bridge is one of those images that lingers, much like the opening scene in Wyndham’s The Day of the Triffids.
And where the films go, the books usually got there first. Wondering Why London? – we’ve got you covered. If you love London, horror, and the undead, these are five bloody recommendations worth your time.
The Enemy – Charlie Higson
Kids hole up in Waitrose while zombie adults swarm Arsenal Stadium. Lord of the Flies meets undead North London – a seven-book YA binge.
A virus that only infects adults leaves London’s children forming supermarket gangs. Higson (SNL, Young Bond) introduces a Waitrose scavenging crew in Tufnell Park, each kid with a role as zombie parents lurk nearby. North London crawls with undead, feral dogs, and rival Morrisons gangs.
Arran leads his team through Archway, dodging the Arsenal stadium zombie nest. Higson makes each kid distinct – their fears, loyalties, longing for responsible adults made flesh-eating monsters. The Grown-Ups are slow, disorganised – at least they had been.
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London (Surviving The Evacuation) – Frank Tayell
They say things that start in America end up coming to the UK; unfortunately, in this book, that means an undead infection. The plot and writing are a real page-turner, and this long-running series is very popular.
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Zombies! The Fall of London – Kassandra Alvarado
The polite English in 1824 are struck by a mysterious plague and have to evade brain-seeking unmentionables at every turn!
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Dead South – David Brinson
No British zombie novel is complete without a bit of gallows humour – and this one delivers. A must-read with pub sieges and Tube escapes – proper undead apocalypse.
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Zombie Apocalypse – Mark Morris
You would expect some gore from a book with a subtitle of Horror Hospital, and you will not be disappointed. East End doctor fights gore-soaked hordes post-Trafalgar riots – gritty trilogy hospital horror.
Want to read it?This is our curated list of zombie books set in London. Where authors play out gruesome scenes with the backdrop of famous buildings, such as Big Ben and Tower Bridge. So, was that all too much gore for you or are you crying out for more? Did we miss one of your favourite zombie books? Which London-set zombie book would you add to this list?
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