Review: Even the Dead Will Bleed (Tell Me When I’m Dead Book 3) by Steven Ramirez

Finishing a trilogy always comes with a certain amount of pressure, as the disparate narrative threads must all come back together, and if loose ends are left untethered, it can often seem anticlimactic for a loyal reader. Fortunately, Steven Ramirez didn’t struggle at all with this challenge, and delivers a knockout final installment with Even the Dead Will Bleed, the last book in the Tell Me When I’m Dead series.

As with the prior two novels, the action is carried not only by a stunning unique protagonist – flagrantly flawed Dave Pulaski – but also by a plot that gets deeper and more complex with every book, chapter, and page. The government experiment that devastated Dave’s town of Tres Marias, and plunged the populace into a small-scale zombie apocalypse, may be over, but the damage it has done is irreparable. Rather than lying down and accepting that his life has been further devastated, Pulaski takes the fight to the man responsible.

While the previous books were more couched in survival, zombie-smashing action, this gritty thriller is a classic revenge novel, and the hardness of the writing reflects that. Ramirez has delved deep into these characters to pull out relatable and inspiring elements of human nature. The body count and gory detail in this novel is no less impressive than in the others, but there is more savage realism here, as the enemies are not always the undead Draggers and psychopathic Cutters.

In this final installment, there is also the incorporation of a few intriguing new characters, such as Sasha, a young Russian who is mysteriously tied in to the story of Hellborn and Walt Freeman, the man Dave is determined to kill. Pursued by a trained killer, Pulaski must summon all his waning strength and put his own demons to the side to protect those he has taken under his wing.

As in the first book, the religious side of the author’s larger theme does come out, but it isn’t expressed in a proselytizing way. Faith does play a role in Pulaski’s ability to rise above the chaos of his own life, but it is a powerful theme woven seamlessly in the text, rather than being used as a bludgeon for the author’s message. The action-filled scenes crackle with electricity and the dialogue is sharp and believable, something that has gradually improved over the course of this series. The brutally terse and matter-of-fact style of narration creates a constant mood within the story that is hard not to admire, and matches up with other masters of the thriller genre.

On the whole, the worst thing about this finale is that it means the series is over, because this trilogy has been a wild ride from start to finish. This compelling and edge-of-your-seat story has unfolded gradually like a slow-burning blaze, but this last installment delivers in a major way. For anyone who loves action-heavy thrillers, zombie dystopias, government conspiracies, and anti-heroes who are both vulnerable and determined, this series should be next on your reading list.