Mandibles

by Jeff Strand

Available in a Kindle edition.

Fire ants. Even when they’re normal sized, they’re horrible, wretched insects whose sting causes burning pain.

But these ants are far from normal. And the city of Tampa, Florida has become infested with the oversized creatures.

From the demented author of GRAVEROBBERS WANTED (NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY) and PRESSURE comes a relentlessly paced novel of insect terror. As the city descends into pure chaos on a hot summer afternoon before the Fourth of July weekend, four groups of survivors must make their way to safety, past thousands of hyper-aggressive ants that can finish you off with just one searing sting.

Dustin, an entomologist, may have the secret to what is happening. Unfortunately, he’s being held hostage by a pair of psychopathic convenience store robbers who are just as happy to let the city burn.

Packed with humor, action, and thrills, MANDIBLES is an over the top, large-scale, carnage-filled, insects-on-a-rampage extravaganza!

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“No writer working today comes close to Jeff Strand’s perfect mixture of comedy and terror.  If you don’t enjoy Mandibles, you obviously take your horror way too seriously.”

—Cemetery Dance

“Does it deliver? Is it fun? Hell, yes! I couldn’t put the damn thing down until I had to. During a very busy week for me, I sat down for a few minutes each evening to spend a few minutes with it. I found myself looking forward to sitting quietly with this horrific Irwin Allenish disaster story for a few minutes, and on the night I finished it, I was sorry. It picks you up, moves you fast, and drops you at the end left breathless and sweaty.”

—Blood Rose

  

REVIEWS:

“Strand believes in [character] development, and in a major way.  His characters become multidimensional, and at such speed that sometimes it felt like I knew the character and witnessed their death in less than two pages.”

—Kansas City InfoZine

“Mandibles is a hell of a lot of fun. The author has concocted a page turning blend of humor, action and horror. Strand keeps the various elements in balance and never lets things get too serious or, conversely, too silly.”

—CultCuts

“Jeff Strand is renowned for writing some extremely warped and twisted novels and Mandibles is no exception.”

—Eternal Night

“A hugely enjoyable read and one that I would wholeheartedly recommend.”

—Terror Australis

“Author Jeff Strand has a sharp wit and knows how to pace a story. His wicked humor had me chuckling out loud several times as the book’s characters think of creative ways to outwit the giant ants. Not that it’s all joking around here; there’s plenty of unsettling violence, blood, and bug guts to leave you cringing and creeping out.”

—Page Horrific

“[A] funny, loopy, and extremely readable giant ant horror extravaganza.  Grab yourself a giant bag of Cheetos and settle down for some plus-size laughs.  (But be sure to clean up any crumbs.  Ants, you know…)”

—Creature Feature Tomb of Horror

“An awesome book…Strand is one sick cookie.”

—Huntress Reviews

“If you’re looking for high art and deep insight into the human condition, this is not the book for you. Go read Shakespeare or Tolstoy or Hemingway. But if you’re in the mood for a light, entertaining read filled with giant insects and plenty of carnage, then pick up a copy of Jeff Strand’s Mandibles.”

—ChiZine

“A very enjoyable, if not a little skin-scratching, read.”

—The Film Asylum

“You’ll want to take a deep breath before opening these pages, because they’ll swallow you faster than a sixteen legged spider.  It’s fast, fun, and accessible.  Horror fans and science fiction fans will love it.”

—Steve Vernon, author of Nothing to Lose.

“Rather like a B-pic horror movie.  Don’t take it too seriously or you’ll miss out on the fun.”

—Word Weaving

“Mandibles is a great deal of fun!  Author Jeff Strand has created a cast of characters who are each individual, interesting, and gripping in their own ways. If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary and need a good laugh this is the book for you.

—eBook Reviews Weekly