Out now — a novel by Joshua Hobday
The Dead
“When the dead rise, survival becomes the only truth.”
A routine flight to New Orleans turns into a living nightmare when a mysterious sickness erupts midair. Hundreds of miles away in Illinois, ER nurse Josh McCoy watches the same impossible virus flood his hospital — and realises it doesn’t just kill. It hijacks the body, and it is spreading fast.
★ 4.4 on Amazon · 256 pages · Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle & Audiobook
The Synopsis
One city at a time
A handful of passengers escape that aircraft alive. What they witnessed is only the beginning.
Patients flood Josh McCoy’s emergency room with horrifyingly similar symptoms, and the blood tests come back impossible. As cities descend into chaos and the military enforces ruthless quarantines, Josh fights to protect his children while uncovering the truth behind the infection.
What begins as a medical mystery escalates into a nationwide collapse involving secret research, covert operations, and a virus that may have been engineered to do far more than wipe out humanity.
From collapsing hospitals and burning streets to hidden laboratories and infected war zones, The Dead follows multiple survivors as the world falls apart.
Some people don’t just survive the infection. They change.
What’s inside
Built for fans of the genre
Perfect for readers of World War Z, The Walking Dead and The Stand.
Relentless Pace
A cinematic, fast-moving outbreak thriller that never lets the pressure drop.
Medical & Military Realism
Written by a registered nurse — the hospitals, the triage and the collapse all ring true.
Evolving Undead
This virus doesn’t just reanimate. It adapts, and so do the things it leaves behind.
Family & Sacrifice
Underneath the horror, a father doing whatever it takes to keep his children alive.
The Survivors
Meet the survivors
Original character artwork from the world of The Dead.
Josh McCoy
Age 39 · Former military sniper
A ghost in the military and a legend in the field, Josh came home a different man. When the world falls, he stops running from his past and starts fighting for his children’s future.
“They’re my reason for fighting now. They’re all I have left.”
Lana McCoy
Age 16 · Natural leader
Brave beyond her years. Lana leads with her heart but never backs down from a fight — and she’ll burn the world down before she lets the people she loves get hurt.
“I’m not just fighting to survive. I’m fighting so we all get to.”
Dylan McCoy
Age 16 · Scout & runner
Fast feet, sharp mind, big mouth. Dylan grew up running track and knows the city better than anyone, which makes him the one they send ahead. Competitive, quick-thinking, and fiercely loyal to his people.
“Don’t take life too seriously — but take the finish line very seriously.”
Jacob McCoy
Age 13 · Clever & resourceful
Curiosity drives him. The world is falling apart and Jacob still asks questions — taking things apart, searching for answers, daring to try. Timid at first, but once he believes in someone he’ll risk everything.
“Why does that work? Can we fix it? I want to see what’s inside.”
Adam McCoy
Age 33 · Former U.S. Army sniper
Josh’s brother. He served with distinction, then built a life off the grid in Wisconsin, far from the noise. Quiet, watchful, always prepared — because the world never stays quiet for long.
“I don’t need much. Just my family, and a place to keep them safe.”
Viper
Military veteran · Recon specialist
The humor in the darkness. Viper keeps spirits up and never lets the weight of the world break him — but don’t mistake the jokes for weakness. When it’s time to fight, he moves first.
“The day I stop joking is the day you should start worrying.”
Hobbs
Military veteran · Combat specialist
One of the best combatants Josh has ever known: strong, dependable and brutally effective. He doesn’t talk about his past, but when it comes to survival nobody is better to have watching your back.
“I don’t need people to like me. I need them alive.”
Private Reece
Military intelligence · Recon operative
A mind built for information and influence. Reece listens more than he speaks, offers just enough, and always seems to know what others need to hear. In chaotic times, people look for answers — and Reece always has them.
“The person asking questions is usually the one in control.”
The Setting
It starts in the Midwest
The outbreak lands in Illinois and moves outward — through hospitals, along the interstates, into the heart of Chicago and the lakefront beyond it.
The hardcover is illustrated throughout, with original artwork opening each chapter and mapping the ground the survivors have to cross.
About the Author
Joshua Hobday
Joshua Hobday is a registered nurse specialising in clinical documentation improvement, where precision, clarity and attention to detail shape his daily work. Beyond healthcare he is a volleyball coach and a storyteller at heart, driven by a deep passion for writing and for building immersive worlds where the impossible feels real.
His work explores tension, survival and the unknown, pulling readers into narratives that challenge comfort and linger long after the final page. Whether grounded in reality or pushing into darker, speculative spaces, his stories aim to blur the line between what is and what could be.
Outside his professional and creative pursuits, Joshua is a dedicated father to five children — Lana, Dylan, Jacob, Connor and Cameron — who remain his greatest source of purpose and inspiration. Balancing career, fatherhood and creativity, he continues to develop his voice as a writer and future publisher, committed to crafting stories that don’t just entertain, but leave a lasting mark.
Once the outbreak begins
There is no cure. There is no mercy.
There are only The Dead.
Publisher ASP&Co. · Published 9 January 2026 · 256 pages · ISBN 979-8994235973
Available in Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle and Audiobook
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One response
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Dead by Joshua Hobday is a gripping and thought-provoking read that pulls you in from the beginning. The story does a great job of building suspense while keeping you invested in the characters and their journey. Hobday creates an atmosphere that is both intriguing and unsettling, making it difficult to put the book down.
What stood out most was the way the story kept me wondering what would happen next. The pacing kept things moving without feeling rushed, and the twists added another layer of excitement. There are plenty of moments that make you stop and think while still delivering an entertaining story.
If you enjoy suspense, mystery, and stories that keep you guessing, The Dead is definitely worth picking up. Joshua Hobday has created a memorable read that stays with you even after you finish the last page. Highly recommended!
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