A Man’s Gotta Eat What a Man’s Gotta Eat by Dana Fredsti

What would happen if Raymond Chandler and Frank Miller conceived a child in a cheap motel room while a Romero marathon played in the background?  Dana Fredsti’s, ‘A Man’s Gotta Eat What a Man’s Gotta Eat.’

The story centers around a private eye named T-Bone in a world where zombies are the dominant species and humans are collected to feed the population.  I am generally biased against these grand dark worlds, but Fredsti creates a vivid believable world comprised of small details rather than sweeping vistas and statements.  The world created is through and consistent supporting itself naturally within the narratives progression.  The best comparison I can make in successes, is Hell in Edward Lee’s infernal series. 

T-Bone himself speaks with a clear and distinct voice.  The story is told through his perspective.  He is a fully developed character in a fully conceived world.  What is most impressive about this feat, is how quickly Fredsti accomplishes this in the confines of a short story. 

The story itself revolves around a missing person’s case brought to T-Bone, by who else a sexy (for a decomposing body) fatale.  Fredsti respects the standard pulp/noir conventions.  This keeps the archetypes from delving into self parody and cliché.  Zombie and pulp fans should both be pleased with this fast paced distinct offering.       

A Man’s Gotta Eat What a Man’s Gotta Eat can be found in Danger City from Contemporary Press.