There have been a lot of zombie books out in the past year or so: enough to make a horde. Most of them are nice and bloodthirsty, but few try to see the funny side of the zombie apocalypse. An exception to that rule is Undead by Kirsty McKay, which manages to pack in the humour along with the carnage.

Bobby has just moved to Scotland, where at school the curse of the new kid is upon her. She’s teased mercilessly by her classmates for her American accent, so when the class goes on a skiing trip, Bobby isn’t exactly looking forward to it. During a rest stop, she stays on the bus so she can get a bit of peace and quiet until the others come back. Except the only person who comes back is Alice – the annoying princess whose goal is to make Bobby’s life a living hell. Alice explains that everyone is dead (apart from those who have risen from the grave, that is), which Bobby has a hard time accepting. But when their teacher arrives with a distinct thirst for brains, Bobby realises she’s got a full-blown case of zombies on her hands. Now Bobby and a couple of other classmates are trying to outrun the undead – but in a snowstorm in the middle of nowhere, that’s not easy.

While this isn’t the most brain-blowingly original zombie novel I’ve ever read, it will definitely whet the appetite of those hungry for more zombie action, as well as serve up plenty of laughs.

Holly Harper is from Readings Carlton