Once an Omega, always an Omega.
Molly Bigelow is an ordinary middle school girl, who happens to like hanging out at the morgue. Her late mother used to work there. After getting attacked by a zombie, Molly learns of a secret group called the Omegas, who police and protect the undead in New York City. And her mother was a legendary member. This book by James Ponti was published in 2012. It was followed by two sequels, called Blue Moon and Dark Days.Dead City contains examples of:
- Academic Athlete: Molly describes Alex as having "supergeek brains in a quarterback's body". Molly herself also qualifies as one since she attends an extremely selective science magnet school while also being a good fencer and martial artist.
- Action Girl: Natalie and Molly are trained Omegas who fight and defeat several undead.
- Annoying Younger Sibling: Grayson's younger brothers constantly argue and barge into his room.
- Attractive Zombie: Many zombies look like ordinary humans, and can pull off an attractive look. Natalie becomes a zombie in Dark Days, and retains her model looks.
- Aloof Big Sister: Beth normally ignores Molly due to not wanting to be associated with her “weird” little sister.
- Alpha Bitch: Jessica is a minor one who takes up the unofficial role of the Swans’ leader. She refuses to let another girl be part of the group since there can only be seven. When Molly leaves them, she takes to mocking her for eating alone.
- Big Eater: Alex always eats an enormous lunch that would easily feed a group.Natalie: Alex eats more than any three people you've ever met. Try not to stare, he's very sensitive about it.
- Chekhov's Gunman: The lunatic who attacked Molly's mother turns out to be Marek, one of the very first and most dangerous undead.
- Fingore: Molly catches a severed finger when visiting a crime scene with Dr. H and Natalie.
- Friendly Zombie: The Type 1 zombies act like living humans and just want to live normal lives. Molly's mom completely retains her human personality after becoming a zombie (and continues working for Omega), and Natalie, who becomes a zombie in Dark Days.
- Gender-Equal Ensemble: The main team consists of two males (Grayson and Alex) and two females (Molly and Natalie).
- Girl Posse: Beth forms one with the Salinger sisters. Mrs. Papadakis has an older example with her group of elderly women called the Leather Bags. Molly used to be part of one with six other girls who called themselves the Swans.
- Hypocritical Heartwarming: Beth will mock Molly for being weird but steps in to defend her the second Ms. Papadakis tries to insult her.
- In Medias Res: The book starts after Molly has killed a zombie, and is waiting for the other Omegas to help her hide the body. Then it explains what happened before.
- Innocently Insensitive: In Blue Moon, Molly worries she might be this when she realizes that she's invited Liberty to a pizza joint, even though zombie taste buds don't work quite the same way as humans. He assures her that greasy pizza is considered delicious by zombies and humans alike.
- Location Title: Dead City is the sewers, aqueducts, catacombs, and abandoned tunnels under Manhattan. Zombies spend time there so they won't attract attention.
- Missing Mom: Molly's mother died before the story begins.
- Pretend We're Dead: For Molly's final exam, she has to blend in with a group of zombies.
- Secret Legacy: Molly's late mother used to be an Omega.
