High-concept thriller with a supernatural edge from world-famous director, whose films include Pan's Labyrinth and Hellboy. A plane lands at JFK and mysteriously 'goes dark', stopping in the middle of the runway for no apparent reason, all lights off, all doors sealed. The pilots cannot be raised. When the hatch above the wing finally clicks open, it quickly becomes clear that everyone on board is dead -- although there is no sign of any trauma or struggle. Ephraim Goodweather and his team from the Center for Disease Control must work quickly to establish the cause of this strange ocurrence before panic spreads. The first thing they discover is that four of the victims are actually still alive. But that's the only good news. And when all two hundred corpses disappear from various morgues around the city on the same night, things very rapidly get worse. Soon Eph and a small band of helpers will find themselves battling to protect not only their own loved ones, but the whole city, against an ancient threat to humanity.

About the Author

Guillermo Del Toro has enjoyed huge critical and commercial success as a film director in both his native Mexico and Hollywood. His works include Pan's Labyrinth, The Devil's Backbone, Blade II and Hellboy. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and children. Chuck Hogan was a video store clerk in Boston when his first thriller, 'The Standoff', was published to critical acclaim and went on to become a US bestseller, translated into fourteen international editions. The film rights to his third novel, 'Prince of Thieves' is in development with Warner Brothers, with Ben Afflect signed up to direct and star.

Reviews

Book 1 in the filmmaker's new vampire trilogy; reader TBA. Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

'The first in a trilogy that soars with spellbinding intrigue.Truly, an unforgettable tale you can't put down once you read the first page. I can't wait until the next one.' Clive Cussler 'Blood and apocalypse mix in a terrifying story that feels like it was ripped from today's headlines. Vividly wrought and relentlessly paced, THE STRAIN haunts as much as it terrifies. I cannot wait to see where Del Toro and Hogan take us next.' James Rollins 'A rattling piece of escapism' The Times 'An entertaining mix of action blockbuster and vampire myth ! with Del Toro's talent for creating fantastical, macabre characters shining through ! an exciting page-turner' Metro 'Del Toro and Hogan succeed in constructing a driving plot and delivering a gripping conclusion. Great characters ! and a flair for striking scenes get this trilogy off to a first-rate start. Kirkus Reviews

An ancient vampire is brought into New York by an immortality-seeking financier and infests the city with bloodthirsty, light-shunning revenants. Can two doctors, an elderly folklore professor, an exterminator and a gang member stem the monstrous tide? The delightfully rumbling voice of Ron Perlman, who has appeared in several of Del Toro's films, does the honors. The listener may quibble with his inconsistent pronunciation of the character name "Ephraim," but on the whole, Perlman's narration and dialogue are creditable, particularly his convincing, Eastern European-accented portrayal of Professor Setrakian. Del Toro and Hogan favor a discursive style, and their lengthy descriptions and the repetitive nature of many of the vampire attacks mean that the story is somewhat slow to gather steam, but it does get there in the end. A Morrow hardcover (Reviews, Apr. 13). (June) Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.