Okay, it was mostly funny. I did enjoy the characters, Earl the Vampire and Duke the Werewolf. This story is light and breezy, a quick read, probably a good YA book. Vampire turkeys? Funny! But skip this one if you enjoy Christopher Moore. ( )

I discovered this author while checking out another reader's blog. Martinez has a few books out that all look like fun and since this was his first one, I decided to start here. The story is a light-hearted horror tale in which our two heroes are a slovenly, overweight werewolf and a lovelorn vampire in overalls with a comb-over. Low on gas, they pull up to the titular diner and take on a job from the owner to help her with her current zombie problem. Throw in a jailbait sorceress, undead cattle, and the local sheriff (Sheriff Marshall Kopp) and you've got a swift-moving tale that's just fun to read. It could stand a shot of joe to get things going a little quicker but based on this outing, I'm looking forward to this author's other two books, one of which tweaks the fantasy realm and the latest of which has a robot P.I. Good times. ( )

When Duke, a werewolf, and Earl, a vampire, come across the small Southern town of Rockwood, their biggest problems, or so they think, are the facts that they're out of gas, out of beer, and out of cash.

The pull up to Gil's, a 24-hour diner, and before they can figure out what to do next, they find themselves helping the proprietor, Loretta, fend off a wave of zombie attacks, which in part explains why the nearby cemetery is somewhat vacant.

Loretta needs help, both around the diner, and help with the zombies, so she hires on Duke and Earl, offering them money, which will get them both beer and gas, and help them on their way.

While investigating the source of the zombie attacks, they discover mysterious cult activity in the little town of Rockwood, and must deal with the Rockwood sheriff, a couple of ghosts, a teenage sorceress, and her one-person cult to get to the bottom of things.

Gil's All Fright Diner is a delightful first novel by Martinez, blending humor, hurror, and urban fantasy. It's not knock-down, drag-out hilarious, but will definitely make you chuckle from time to time.

So, if you're sick of creepy vampires and angsty werewolves, then stop on by Gil's for a story that will satisfy. ( )

Duke a werewolf and Earl a vampire are driving through a small town and stop to eat at a diner. Gil's All Night Diner. Here they meet the manager Loretta. Well it seems Loretta is having problems with zombies breaking in and destroying her cafe at night. Duke and Earl decide they will help her out. Eventually this innocent stop brings them into a whole war against the Ancient Gods who are trying to come up through the portal, which happens to be in the middle of the diner. The Ancient Gods are having a lot of help from a teenage girl who practices the dark arts and her dopey and hormone happy boyfriend.
This was a great light read. The werewolf and vampire were not at all like what I normally read in paranormal books. These two were like good ole country boys. Duke is overweight with a gut and Earl is a stringbean. Earl actually falls in love with a ghost from the cemetary across the street. And of course you have the indifferent sherrif and just for good measure a ghost dog. It was a fun and enjoyable read. ( )

Gil's All Fright Diner is a hilarious romp into the supernatural. Meet Earl the vampire, Duke the 800 pound werewolf, and Cathy the lonely ghost as they fight zombies, an evil teenage witch and Armageddon itself at an all night diner in the middle of the desert.

What makes this book of supernatural terrors so funny? Picture Earl the vampire with his bad comb over and worn out overalls, and 800 pound ex-truck driver Duke with his bushy hair exploding out of his truck driver hat. Now listen in as they squabble like an old married couple about EVERYTHING. Hang out with Loretta, the plus size woman who runs the diner despite nightly visits by ghouls. Go the rounds with the Sheriff, Marshall Kop, as he tries to keep the peace in his small desert town despite the mayhem created by zombie cows run amok.

So, does good triumph over evil and is the world saved from Armageddon? I can't tell you that! It would spoil the fun!

If you like Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels, you'll probably have a screamingly good time reading Gil's All Fright Diner. ( )