Derek Stone just turned fourteen. He's lived in the heart of New Orleans with his dad and older brother, Ronny, his whole life. He's a little overweight. He can't hear well out of his left ear.

Oh, and he's on the run from the dead.

Derek never imagined that the dead could be anything but dead. But there's no denying it. They're back -- and they're after him.

He just doesn't know why.

And he doesn't have long to figure it out.

Excerpt from CITY OF THE DEAD:

I'll tell you straight: the dead are coming back.

You won't believe it, of course. You'll say it's crazy. It's impossible. It's whatever.

Fine. I get it. Most of the time I don't believe it myself. But it's happening, and it affects all of us.

If you're smart, you'll listen and be afraid.

If you're really smart, you'll run.

And you'll do it now, because pretty soon there won't be anywhere to run to.