Liz Loves Books.Com.

Publication Date: 13th January 2015 from Gallery Books.

Source: Netgalley

A strange plague called the ’Gets is decimating humanity on a global scale. It causes people to forget—small things at first, like where they left their keys…then the not-so-small things like how to drive, or the letters of the alphabet. Then their bodies forget how to function involuntarily…and there is no cure. But now, far below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, deep in the Marianas Trench, an heretofore unknown substance hailed as “ambrosia” has been discovered—a universal healer, from initial reports. It may just be the key to a universal cure.

When I read “The Troop” by Nick Cutter I was pleased to have found another horror writer that really appealed to me – his next novel, The Deep, is shocking and horrific yet eminently readable. A brilliantly imaginative story which I enjoyed thoroughly.

Taking place mostly 8 miles beneath the sea, it was a taut and claustrophobic tale that creeps up on you and makes you feel vaguely uneasy – playing on the real fears that can plague us, fear of the dark, isolation and what might be under the bed, it is perfectly poised to give you a scare, that little frisson that only comes when reading a decent horror story.  The violence and yuck element that so enthralled me in “The Troop” is also here – Mr Cutter writes proper, in your face horror but offsets that with quietly eerie moments and it is both appealing and shivery.

The flashback sequences were chilling and added to the story perfectly – quite King-esque in the construction of these portions, it made me feel that if Mr Cutter continues to progress in this way he may well, in a few years, be knocking at the door of said Mr King when it comes to scary tales of the unknown (and the known of course) – although he is not there yet, there is definite potential. I’d like to see what a novel of his looked like without the “Ewww” element. Not that I don’t love these bits, I do, not many authors these days can pull off the “ick factor” and still make you want to keep turning the pages – but equally I’d adore to see what he could do with a totally subtle, menacing tale that doesnt include any blood and guts.

I would have liked to know more about the ‘Gets, which sets the scene for the story but then doesnt have that much to do with it – there is definitely room for more from this world, perhaps a surface set tale, yes indeed I would like to see that! I knew that I loved this book  when I started casting in my head for the movie – because surely there should be one.

Overall though this was a really really good addition to the Horror genre, I can highly recommend it (and The Troop) for anyone casting around for a great new (well new to this genre anyway!) writer of scary tales.

Happy Reading Folks!