WALKING DEAD: Book Four of the Walker Papers
Book Four of the Walker Papers, WALKING DEAD, is due out September 1, 2009.
Seattle’s a great place to live…if it weren’t for the undead.
For once, Joanne Walker’s not out to save the world. She’s come to terms with the host of shamanic powers she’s been given, her job as a police detective has been relatively calm, and she’s got a love life for the first time in memory. Not bad for a woman who started out the year mostly dead.
But it’s Halloween, and the undead have just crashed Joanne’s party. Now she has to figure out how to break the spell that lets ghosts, zombies and even the Wild Hunt come back. Unfortunately, there’s no shamanic handbook explaining how to deal with the walking dead.
And if they have anything to say about it–which they do–
No one’s getting out of there alive.
Posted: June 30th, 2009
at 8:53am by ce_murphy
Categories: promotional news, teasers, walker papers
Comments: 75 comments
75 Responses to 'WALKING DEAD: Book Four of the Walker Papers'
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Oh, I canNOT wait! Loved The Negotiator, but my most fervent interest is in Joanne Walker. Thank you!
Lene
10 Mar 09 at 3:03 am
Joanne has a love life? When did this happen?!
Trace
10 Mar 09 at 4:02 am
You’ll have to read it and find out! :)
(Oooh, and I see I need to fiddle with the comment boxes so the text is legible when we type things in…)
ce_murphy
10 Mar 09 at 8:50 am
What a beautiful, beautiful cover! I’m so excited to know when this is coming out. It’s going on my list of ‘to buy immediately when it comes out’ books.
Allison
10 Mar 09 at 8:27 pm
Oooh, will there be an excerpt soon? I don’t think I can wait till September!
Zahra
10 Mar 09 at 9:51 pm
There’ll probably be an excerpt somewhere around June. Not before THE PRETENDER’S CROWN comes out, anyway! :)
ce_murphy
10 Mar 09 at 9:53 pm
I am really glad to see that the next Walker book is now a reality. I love the series, and am really looking forward to the next one, and the one after that, and….. :o)
I will take this opportunity to tell you that your Walker Papers books have restarted my interest in urban myth, which had petered out sometime in the mid 90s. Now I look for your stuff and several others, including Jim Butcher and his Harry Dresden books, which I read about in one of your introductions, where you named Butcher as an encouragement/inspiration. Good stuff, both of you! I have your Negotiator trilogy, but haven’t read it yet; it looks really good.
Sadly, I tried to read Queen’s Bastard and couldn’t finish it. :o( I am sorry to say that I felt like the plot was a place to hang a lot of S and M type sexuality, rather than the sex stuff being an integral part of the plot. It is probably just me, so don’t take it to heart or anything, you should write what you want to write. You are very good. Keep going!
Lisa
12 Mar 09 at 2:21 am
Hurray! I hope Jo’s love life is with who I think it is… :) But I was starting to get worried that we weren’t going to see her again at all, and I don’t know how I’m going to wait until September!
Stephi
13 Mar 09 at 12:22 am
Yes! I am so excited! I’ve been waiting for this book since 2007!
Christine
13 Mar 09 at 3:15 am
S’okay that you didn’t like TQB, Lisa. I knew it wouldn’t work for everyone. :) I’m glad you’re liking the other books, though!
*laughs at Stephi and Christine* Breathe deeply, Stephi. You’ll make it.
Christine, if you think that’s bad, I sent my editor the last chapter of book *six* (which I wrote in about 2005) to my editor in 2007 as part of the pitch for books 4-6, and she’s been waiting since *then* for book /seven/. She won’t even get book six for over another year yet, so she’s really going mad. :)
ce_murphy
13 Mar 09 at 9:31 am
Hurrah on the new book coming out. I’ll be putting in a reminder on my calendar. As for Joanne’s love life . . . good for her. Although I have to say that a part of me still hopes that somehow/someway she eventually ends up with Morrison. I mean, come on, the man just casually stroked her drumhead (and that really sounds kind of dirty) and she felt it soul deep. The connection you created between them in the previous books just seemed to strong to fade away easily, even if Joanne said her good-byes at the end of the last book.
But, that said, hooking up with Morrison isn’t the end-all of the story. Even without a Morrison happy ending, I’m thrilled and looking foward to reading the continuing adventures of Joanne.
Thanks for keeping me entertained. -Caeria
Caeria
13 Mar 09 at 4:42 pm
Oh, I do like your stuff, very much. Do you have an idea of how many of the Walker books you want to write, or does it depend on how many people want more (me! me!)?
This is a really nice site too, btw.
Write on! :o)
Lisa
22 Mar 09 at 10:54 pm
There are nine books total planned for the series. :)
Glad you like the site! Thank you! Designed it myself, I did. :)
ce_murphy
22 Mar 09 at 10:57 pm
Huge Fan of The Walker Papers. Keep up the good work, I cant wait for more!
Brandon
23 Mar 09 at 9:19 pm
Yee Hah! Nine! Three threes! Love it!
Good job on the design, btw… hidden talents… :o)
Lisa
23 Mar 09 at 9:56 pm
*laugh* Not that hidden, really. I did web design for years before I got downsized and had the chance to start writing full time.
Yeah, 3 3s. It’s all very tidy. There’s a character growth arc for each 3-book set. :)
ce_murphy
23 Mar 09 at 9:58 pm
I am very happy to keep you entertained. *beams*
ce_murphy
23 Mar 09 at 9:58 pm
Finally, mate. Ugh, September’s much too far away. :(
Ah well. Anticipation just makes the fruit taste sweeter…
Sabriel S.
26 Mar 09 at 9:14 pm
Hi.
the 1st 3 books were just….. awesome:). and i also am relieved to see that you are continuing the series and even better if it’s 9 books. “You’re the best”!!! I don’t know what i am gonna do, guess read other books (hehe). the last 5 or 6 years i have been consumed with reading books meanwhile i was never interested in that stuff, I guess one of you excellent writers got hooked like a fish and now i some time have a hard time to stay away from books, it’s like they call me to them. Just keep the good books coming our way:). Have a wonderful day and weekend.
Cheers
Jaq
Jacques
28 Mar 09 at 6:58 am
Juuuust finished the third book and the ending…. wow. It got me. The thing with Morrison and the promotion – isn’t that like real life and certain sacrifices? Huh? It plays like the Lauryn Hill album.
Wanted to pop in and say my toonies worth: Love The Walker Papers so far and am looking forward to the next book.
Keri
29 Mar 09 at 9:59 am
Okay, I don’t want you to give up the plot, really I don’t. I wouldn’t even presume to ask, not me – I am the soul of discretion. You can count on me. My mouth is zipped. I am a tomb…so, ah…is her love interest Morrison????? You really don’t have to tell me. A hint will be appreciated. I am old…I can die tomorrow…
Gina
29 Mar 09 at 8:28 pm
*laughs* someone told me she was SO FRUSTRATED with that ending that she threw the book across the room because it wasn’t how she WANTED it to end!
…and then she realized the way I’d ended it was *better* than how she’d wanted it to end, and that made it EVEN WORSE! :)
ce_murphy
30 Mar 09 at 3:17 pm
Ah, but here’s the thing: I can keep a secret even better than you can!
ce_murphy
30 Mar 09 at 3:18 pm
OOOOO please please say it’s Morrison (which I know you won’t le sigh)
Awesome, I’m eagerly eagerly awaiting this!
Neatgrl
30 Mar 09 at 8:33 pm
That’s EXACTLY IT!!! Grrr! I wanted the end to be perfect, and was mad when it wasn’t, then realized, it *was* perfect! And if it had ended the way I’d wished, I wouldn’t have liked it as much as I do. That’s probably why you’re the writer, eh? Yet, I’m still hoping for Morrison…there are, after all, 6 more books for them to work it out!
Zahra
31 Mar 09 at 9:48 pm
Hi! I really loved your books and I just cant wait til your next book comes out. Really, I cant wait! I’m soo excited, I loved your books from the moment I read ‘urban shaman’. When I finished reading your book, I had to see what other books you’ve written and soo far I have loved them too. Can u tell me one thing? Is Joanne going to be dating Morrison? because if she is, then that is soo cute! especially after the end of ‘coyote dreams’ when they kissed and then Morrison giving Joanne a promotion. If it continues, can you please tell me? I really cant wait.
Ghazal
1 Apr 09 at 8:16 am
*laughs* Yes, I like to think that’s why I’m the writer. But for what it’s worth, *everybody*, including my agent and editor, was surprised by that ending. I was the only one who thought it was both obvious and the right thing to do. :)
ce_murphy
1 Apr 09 at 8:46 am
I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you! :)
ce_murphy
1 Apr 09 at 8:47 am
What great art work for Walking Dead . . . in fact the art work for Urban Shaman is what grabbed my attention in the first instance – great writing kept me coming back for the rest :)
Can you tell me who the artist(s) is?
CBLA
3 Apr 09 at 11:20 am
The artist is Hugh Syme! I think he’s done an amazing job with the book covers. I love them all. :)
ce_murphy
3 Apr 09 at 11:36 am
One thing I’m really curious about IF you can answer it : is Coyote really dead or did Joanne just assume wrongly? I was very intrigued by the fact that she found out he was human and I feel if he just drops off before she can meet him in person it leaves a really big loose end.. that’s just me though. :)
K
4 Apr 09 at 5:10 pm
*laugh* An intriguing supposition! I cannot, of course, answer it. I can’t answer any questions about the Walker Papers! But it’s good that people ask. :)
ce_murphy
4 Apr 09 at 5:24 pm
Fortunately, you don’t have to wait too much longer. :) Glad you’re enjoying the books!
ce_murphy
4 Apr 09 at 5:24 pm
This just made my day (ok… week… erm, month?). Love your other books, but Joanne has a special place in my heart. Now I just have to somehow wait 5 months. Not easy. Delayed gratification so isn’t my thing.
Lene
5 Apr 09 at 3:34 am
Imagine it from my point of view! I finished writing WALKING DEAD an entire year ago, but it won’t be on the shelves for another five months! Talk about delayed gratification!
…of course, I also know what happens… :)
ce_murphy
5 Apr 09 at 10:19 am
Annn- ti-ci-payyyshun… is making me wait…… :o)
For the record, I loved the ending of Coyote Dreams. It was perfect for the reality factor and for the series… we can’t get all the answers right away, or there wouldn’t be more books, right? It would be like the old Peanuts cartoon where Charlie Brown is (reluctantly) reading a story to Lucy…. “A man was born, he lived and died. The End.” “Hey, what’s on the rest of these pages, advertising??” :oD
So, to me, the ending of CW meant there had to be more coming. I have fallen in love with Seattle, or the Seattle of the series anyway, and wanted to go back. Looks like I get lots of trips!
Write on! :o)
Lisa
5 Apr 09 at 10:56 pm
Er, ahem, CW should, of course, be CD…. I plead fatigue in trying to name your book after a Tony Hillerman novel, Coyote Waits…… But you are in good company there… ;o)
Lisa
5 Apr 09 at 10:58 pm
I am only 14 years of age but i have read both the Walker Papers series, so far, and The Negotiator series, so far, and i absolutely love them both….. it would be so awesome if these series were turned into movies….. Ms. Murphy, or C.E. Murphy (whichever u prefer), if u are listening, i would just like to say that i absolutely love your work and plan on reading your future books…..
Bridget
6 Apr 09 at 9:55 pm
*laugh* I think it’d be awesome if they were turned into movies, too, but don’t hold your breath on that one. :) I’m glad you’re enjoying the books! Thank you!
ce_murphy
7 Apr 09 at 6:41 am
Wow!! I have been a bibliophile since I was six and read my first Nancy Drew book. I have read many things from many spectrums; from Vikki Petterson to Laurell K Hamilton to Jane Austen and loved and hated. This series, however, has truly touched me. Your characters are so real and their world so vibrant and alive. I find myself in eager anticipation…September will not get here soon enough. Thank you, for sharing your imagination and creativity with us!!
Kaythe
8 Apr 09 at 6:36 am
Hey I probably sound like a million other people, but ….whatever lol. I really enjoy your novels though I’ve only found the Joanne Walker series cause I…well….I sorta stole them from my Mom’s friend(evil grin) I have yet to give them back lol.Your novels interest me because..well, myths tend to be far more interesting than real life and I hope to become a fantasy and horror writer someday, you know since I’m already a morbid odd child lol. If you have any tips for me so that I might make it into the writing world I’d really appreciate it!
By the way, can’t wait till Walking Dead comes out :)
Sorcha
9 Apr 09 at 3:38 am
Oh man, is the love life teaser Thor? (sorry, can’t remember his real name) If it’s not it should be! Well maybe…I’m so glad the new Inheritor’s Cycle will be out to tide me over until September. Although Walker’s my fav, Belinda is the one that got me addicted to your writing. I love characters with spikes! :). Thanks thanks thanks!!
ky
9 Apr 09 at 5:41 am
That is what I am hoping. I would love for her and Morrison to FINALLY get together. After all they did share a kiss in the dream state. But I fear it might be with Thor from the garage.
Trace
13 Apr 09 at 12:57 am
It was both obvious and right, yet unexpected, which is what makes it so satifying. Thanks for not giving us what we’ve been trained to expect.
Linear Girl
13 Apr 09 at 10:34 pm
Yay! I’ve been looking forward to the next Walker book. And I’m especially excited about this one because, Yay, Zombies! I *heart** zombies. They are my current obsession.
Andrea Blythe
16 Apr 09 at 8:10 pm
I love the Walker papers and Joanne and Gary. How have you learned about shamanism? There were so many times I was laughing out loud at these books. I totally understand how Joanne feels. Realizing there is more to the world than you’ve been aware of is very disconcerting! The books are great entertainment and I look forward to all of them.
Deb
17 Apr 09 at 2:42 am
Hey love your work and love Joanne!
Like a few people above I’m also a fan of Jim Butchers “Dresden Files.” Guess I’ve developed a thing for magical, endearingly wise-ass detectives. Anyway what I’d love to read more than anything else is an interaction between Harry and Joanne. Just to listen to them out wise crack each other, on no sleep, while the world is about to fall apart. I know that this will most likely never happen in a novel, but…collaborative short story…internet released short…dream sequence?
ah I’ll probably just have to dream. Anyway, love urban fantasy, love the Walker Papers, *great series title by the way* Thanks for your addition to the genre!
Blake
19 Apr 09 at 3:53 pm
*laughs*! I, too, would dearly love to see a Joanne/Harry mash-up. Maybe someday when Jim and I are both not overwhelmed with other stuff…that would be in about 2025, I think. :)
Glad you’re enjoying the books. :)
ce_murphy
19 Apr 09 at 4:20 pm
Just want to say thanks for writing such an epic series! ^.^ Can’t wait to see what happens next with Jo and the gang! As an aspiring writer, I just have to say that strong female protagonists such as Joanne have been a great influence in shaping my own characters. So, I will defs be in line for this one the day it comes out!
Jay
20 Apr 09 at 4:59 am
YAY!!!!!!!!
I’ve been waiting for this since, well, since whenever I first posted on your lj blog all those moons ago.
Doing my little happy dance of joy right now!
Neatgrl
22 Apr 09 at 8:03 pm
OMG! FINALLY! A new Walker book! I love this series and I cannot WAIT to get my grubby little paws on it! Thank you, C. E. for giving us such a wonderful series of books! You are one of my most favorite authors, along with Charles de Lint, Holly Black, and Karen Marie Moning. I can’t wait til September! :D
Love and Blessings to you,
Herne
Herne
23 Apr 09 at 1:52 am
I absolutely can’t wait for this book to come out! It’ll be read so fast. This is such a great series, Thanks.
Claire
25 Apr 09 at 1:56 am
Oh, thank heavens. I was getting worried there! Although I have to admit that I’m in the category of people who thought “WHAT!?!?! That was terrible!” at the end of CD. I reread the end just recently to remind myself what happened and decided that I like the opportunity for character growth for Jo in the promotion better than the gratification of a romance with Morrison. It makes more sense and since when has Jo ever appreciated a good thing right away? Working and waiting for a possible romantic connection with Morrison will be much, much more satisfying for both the readers and Jo. And while I definitely want Joanne to end up with him, who knows? By the end of the 9th book (thank you VERY much for the series being that long!) Morrison may not be the best man for her. And I rather like the idea of her dating Thor in the meantime. Or whoever. :o) Totally looking forward to September 1st…
MeriLyn
27 Apr 09 at 6:21 am
Wow, that’s quite an honorable list to be mentioned among! Thank you very much. :)
-Catie
ce_murphy
27 Apr 09 at 11:08 am
*laughs* We don’t always get what we want out of life when we want it! Not even if we’re fictional! :)
-Catie
ce_murphy
27 Apr 09 at 11:09 am
Too right! If I’d gotten what I wanted when I wanted it then WD would have graced my bookshelf a year ago! But I’ll trust that Jo gets what she needs, which is a far better prospect. After all, “Be careful what you wish for” and all that has a way of haunting fictional and real people alike and can perhaps be stretched to “be careful WHEN you wish for.” Not that that was grammatically correct, but you get my drift. :o)
MeriLyn
28 Apr 09 at 7:34 am
Hiya!
I’m really kicking myself right now for missing the first part of the auctions at P-Con. There was an ARC for Walking Dead wasn’t there?
Can’t wait till September! Also, read Queen’s Bastard (when I should have been working! :-)) Good, different. I believe your writing just keeps getting better and better. And cheers to your publisher, the ebook for The Pretender’s Crown wasn’t geographically restricted (which most ebooks seem to be now).
Melissa from NZ
18 May 09 at 10:42 pm
Oh, hey, Melissa! Yay, I’m glad to see you here!
There was indeed an ARC for WALKING DEAD at the P-Con auction. I think it went for about 50 euro. :)
I shall pass the cheers on to my publisher, who responds well to that kind of thing. Yay! :)
I forget, how long are you in London?
-Catie
ce_murphy
18 May 09 at 10:45 pm
Hiya Catie,
I’m working till December, then travelling (yay!) and going home around the end of January. Love this working holiday. The NZ school year begins in Feb so I’ve got to be back by then though, unfortunately.
Do you usually make a lot of trips to London?
Melissa
Melissa from NZ
19 May 09 at 9:17 pm
Given how incredibly easy it is to *get* to London, no, sadly, I don’t make a lot of trips over there. But I’m kind of hoping to go over at the end of November when the Chance graphic novel comes out, and do a signing at Forbidden Planet, so maybe we’ll get a chance to catch up before you leave!
-Catie
ce_murphy
25 May 09 at 11:54 am
Hey C.E.,
So thrilled to see you replying and communicating with your fans – and the web site looks just *fab* btw – but shouldn’t you be like, you know WRITING MORE BOOKS? :D
Just finished Coyote Dreams, thrilled to see more Walker Papers coming out, but don’t leave us poor Negotiator fans hanging :)
Anna
29 May 09 at 8:16 pm
Ah, thank you, I’m glad you like the website. I was pretty pleased with it. :)
There will probably be more books in the Old Races world eventually, but Margrit and Alban’s story is done. Patience, grasshopper. :)
-Catie
ce_murphy
29 May 09 at 8:45 pm
A love life??? it’s Thor! I was out of new books and pulled book 3 down for a reread and he seemed to be hot for her.
Laura
30 May 09 at 1:28 am
Hey!!
Well… to make a long reader’s story short, I started reading your books maybe 5 years ago when Thunderbird falls ARC came out (I work at a bookstore). I was so intrigued by it, and loved it as I read it! I read Coyote Dreams when it came out, and just finally got the first one and read them all straight through (I hate reading them out of order but I made an exception here) :). I have read several of your other books and series in between but have to say that this one is my favorite. I love Joanne’s character and her relationship with Gary make me smile (or almost cry depending what’s going on) every time I read those encounters. I have to say that if Joanne and Morrison never get together I may have a small inner tantrum, but that’s just how life goes sometimes, so it won’t be a long one. :)
I just found out yesterday that you have a Walking Dead coming in Sept. and can’t wait to see how you continue it!! I’m very glad you have 6 more coming in total because I was afraid there wouldn’t be any more and was getting disappointed till yesterday. So, I just had to come and say “Yay!! I’m excited!!” :)
Sarah Weir
22 Jun 09 at 12:51 am
Yay! I’m glad you’re excited! I’m pretty excited too. It’s been aaaaages since a new Jo story hit the shelves. :)
Have you read “Banshee Cries” from the WINTER MOON anthology? It fits between URBAN SHAMAN and THUNDERBIRD FALLS… :)
-Catie
ce_murphy
22 Jun 09 at 9:04 am
I just discovered your books with “Urban Shaman” and read it in one night! HAD TO go to the bookstore and buy “Thunderbird Falls” and “Coyote Dreams” which all were read and loved within the next few days… Many sleepless nights, but well worth it! I too can not wait until September!!! Shamanism healings have been very helpful for me and I just am so pleased that you portray this almost lost art in such a positive way.
While waiting for the next in the series, I am going to order all your other books too!
Suzanna
24 Jun 09 at 11:09 pm
Ahh, some of my favorite responses are “I stayed up too late!” I’m glad you enjoyed the Walker Papers, and I hope you like the rest of them! :)
-Catie
ce_murphy
25 Jun 09 at 8:17 am
The expert has me wanting more..lol.ive read the negotiator series and it was wonderful but the walker series has my total attention.I like Morrison and always thought it be nice for him and joanie to end up together,but i may have to rethink this with Thor(Edward ..lol)in the picture since he is so sweet too!I just got done rereading the series and it’s a little after 3 a.m so off i go!
Hailey
3 Jul 09 at 8:26 am
Oh how much I long for November(or depending of Thanksgiving’s craziness, December!!!)
yes, November, because the $%&#&#$%& shipping is so $#%&$#& expensive!!
You EVIL woman are gonna cost me an entire MONTH salary (well you and Jim Butcher latest codex Alera book)…
You know why? Because I live in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
You ask yourself were is that? A country were $#%&$#& Amazon charges you a LOT.
You know why I pay it? Because your books are so amazing and I enjoy them so much that my conscience would not let me alone otherwise.
Maria
7 Jul 09 at 6:40 pm
*laughs* I know where Buenos Aires is! I’m honored you like the books so much! What a wonderful compliment that is! Thank you! And, er, I’m genuinely sorry about the whole month’s salary… :)
-Catie
ce_murphy
7 Jul 09 at 7:47 pm
Just finished reading Coyote Dreams. Can’t wait for the next book.
Nancy
Nancy Becker
24 Jul 09 at 6:30 pm
I came across these last year and read them all. Looking forward to the 4th one. Any chance you are coming to Portland, OR on tour?
Judi Maxwell
25 Jul 09 at 8:14 pm
I can not wait for the new book to come out. I picked up the first three books this week and am totally addicted. I am SO glad I found you!!! :))
Lori
1 Aug 09 at 4:30 am
I was really happy when I learned there was another Walker Papers book on the horizon. I’ve had it on pre-order from the time it showed up on Amazon. I’ve enjoyed your writing since Urban Shaman came out, and you keep getting better. I have Pretender’s Crownin my TBR pile and hope to get to it this weekend. Keep up the good work.
Marcia
6 Aug 09 at 2:29 pm
The Walker Series is amazingly written with such reality of most woman’s thoughts and the mystic of Native American and Celtic cultures blended to make Joanne Walker’s character so much fun to follow. I’ve been inviting a lot of different friends to read the series, including the girls in the book store! Todays girls can grow up to be pilots, astronauts, doctors….auto mechanics…whatever they can dream to be and this book gives you an easy read into that simple reality with all the magic to keep you wondering on what is the reality. I love this read!!
Mary Kate Carl
15 Aug 09 at 11:42 pm