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PREY
A Deep-Sea Thriller from the Coast of Maine
"The ocean is a wilderness reaching round the globe, wilder than a Bengal jungle, and fuller of monsters, washing the very wharves of our cities and the gardens of our sea-side residences." —Henry David Thoreau
"Prey" is a gripping and terrifying tale set in the serene town of Ft. Lupton, Maine. In this small New England town, the fishing has always been exceptional, attracting tourists from far and wide. But, as spring sets in, something inexplicable is happening. The fish are disappearing, and visitors are reporting strange occurrences.
As the tension builds up, Nick Traverse and his adopted son, Chris, find themselves in the midst of a terror they never imagined possible. They soon realize that the culprit behind the disappearances is not just any ordinary predator but a deep ocean creature that has awakened from its slumber.
With a skillful blend of mystery, horror, and suspense, Dan Durkee takes you on a journey into the deep ocean, where a terrifying predator is on the hunt. From the chilling encounters with underwater creatures to the pulse-pounding moments of terror, this horror mystery book will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Read "Prey" If you are a fan of mysteries books for adults, thriller mystery books, or books on ocean creatures, this is the perfect addition to your reading list.
Get your copy of "Prey" today and join Nick and Chris on their perilous journey into the unknown.
"The ocean is a wilderness reaching round the globe, wilder than a Bengal jungle, and fuller of monsters, washing the very wharves of our cities and the gardens of our sea-side residences." —Henry David Thoreau
"Prey" is a gripping and terrifying tale set in the serene town of Ft. Lupton, Maine. In this small New England town, the fishing has always been exceptional, attracting tourists from far and wide. But, as spring sets in, something inexplicable is happening. The fish are disappearing, and visitors are reporting strange occurrences.
As the tension builds up, Nick Traverse and his adopted son, Chris, find themselves in the midst of a terror they never imagined possible. They soon realize that the culprit behind the disappearances is not just any ordinary predator but a deep ocean creature that has awakened from its slumber.
With a skillful blend of mystery, horror, and suspense, Dan Durkee takes you on a journey into the deep ocean, where a terrifying predator is on the hunt. From the chilling encounters with underwater creatures to the pulse-pounding moments of terror, this horror mystery book will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Read "Prey" If you are a fan of mysteries books for adults, thriller mystery books, or books on ocean creatures, this is the perfect addition to your reading list.
Get your copy of "Prey" today and join Nick and Chris on their perilous journey into the unknown.
- GenresHorror
302 pages, Paperback
Published February 15, 2023
142 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 30, 2023
This book felt like a movie. I literally couldn’t put it down. A sea creature is killing people over & over. Until it killed the son of a very rich man. He hires the best of the best and pays him $1,000,000 to kill it. I really loved Chris & Nicks relationship. The way Nick took Chris in & raised him after his mom died, so precious. Very easy read, quick chapters, & a quick read.
August 28, 2024
This was a lot of fun. Reminds me of the old 80’s monster movies and fiction. My only complaint was the ending came too soon.
January 30, 2025
The plot of this book was actually rather good. But what I couldn’t deal with was the narrator on audible. His voice was just boring no matter what scene he was reading. He often repeated words. Not repeat as in add the same word twice. But would stumble over a sentence and re read it. Maybe on a YouTube reading this would be fine. But this is the official book version.
I’ll try this book on my kindle later this year and I’m sure I’ll have a better time with it, but for now it remains a 2 star
I’ll try this book on my kindle later this year and I’m sure I’ll have a better time with it, but for now it remains a 2 star
March 18, 2026
Do editors exist anymore?
Alright, so the story is decent. The basic run of the mill Jaws knock-off albeit with a different creature. One that just seems to show up and despite its massive size, would rather waste its time chasing humans, than prey more befitting its digestive needs. There are a few open ends with some of the characters as the book ends that could've had some sort of closure to their part. If you like sea monsters and really don't need much else but a simple storyline with people getting eaten, then this is a good read for you.
All that considered, my main issue was with the writing itself. For one thing, a forgotten character! In the beginning there are six men drinking on the boat, not five (Bart Parento, Hello!) but the author just seems to have completely forgotten that he put him there. No mention of him thereafter, even stating the number of occupants as one less than there should be. Then there is Sheriff Wilkerson/Peterson. The author can't seem to decide during the story which last name he wants to stick with, and there is just one sheriff. He starts out as Sheriff Wilkerson, then all of a sudden he becomes Sheriff Peterson. Okay, change of heart maybe? Nope, then he's back to Sheriff Wilkerson again. However, we're not done. He switches back to Sheriff Peterson. Doesn't anyone proofread anymore?
Alright, so the story is decent. The basic run of the mill Jaws knock-off albeit with a different creature. One that just seems to show up and despite its massive size, would rather waste its time chasing humans, than prey more befitting its digestive needs. There are a few open ends with some of the characters as the book ends that could've had some sort of closure to their part. If you like sea monsters and really don't need much else but a simple storyline with people getting eaten, then this is a good read for you.
All that considered, my main issue was with the writing itself. For one thing, a forgotten character! In the beginning there are six men drinking on the boat, not five (Bart Parento, Hello!) but the author just seems to have completely forgotten that he put him there. No mention of him thereafter, even stating the number of occupants as one less than there should be. Then there is Sheriff Wilkerson/Peterson. The author can't seem to decide during the story which last name he wants to stick with, and there is just one sheriff. He starts out as Sheriff Wilkerson, then all of a sudden he becomes Sheriff Peterson. Okay, change of heart maybe? Nope, then he's back to Sheriff Wilkerson again. However, we're not done. He switches back to Sheriff Peterson. Doesn't anyone proofread anymore?
January 6, 2024
As a horror fan, I would have liked more sightings and more rampaging by the monster in this story.
There, I said that, now I can move on. The setting for this story was beautiful and perfect for the location of this tale, and it sounds like somewhere I would love to visit. The book has it's share of vivid characters, the arrogant young guy that goes monster hunting, is quite the monster himself and it is very easy to hate him. The polar opposite is Nick and Chris and Sharon and they bring a lot of heart and warmth. I love that this story has a loving and plucky boy that has Down Syndrome, and every time he was the focus, he brought a smile to my face. This took the story for me from a regular "let's go get the sea monster" book, into something that makes you more invested in the outcome and totally uplifting. Good job.
There, I said that, now I can move on. The setting for this story was beautiful and perfect for the location of this tale, and it sounds like somewhere I would love to visit. The book has it's share of vivid characters, the arrogant young guy that goes monster hunting, is quite the monster himself and it is very easy to hate him. The polar opposite is Nick and Chris and Sharon and they bring a lot of heart and warmth. I love that this story has a loving and plucky boy that has Down Syndrome, and every time he was the focus, he brought a smile to my face. This took the story for me from a regular "let's go get the sea monster" book, into something that makes you more invested in the outcome and totally uplifting. Good job.
May 8, 2025
A good monster feature
I read some of the reviews and was expecting something good, but basic. I was not disappointed. The story, as such, is a true and tried formula, nothing new. Well written, though, so quite enjoyable. That being said it needed at least one more developmental edit and certainly at least one more proof read. Good characters, little depth, but it is a short book. The pace is good, some chapters were a little long and I had to leave them in the middle for later, but the story didn't suffer from that. In short, an enjoyable read.
I read some of the reviews and was expecting something good, but basic. I was not disappointed. The story, as such, is a true and tried formula, nothing new. Well written, though, so quite enjoyable. That being said it needed at least one more developmental edit and certainly at least one more proof read. Good characters, little depth, but it is a short book. The pace is good, some chapters were a little long and I had to leave them in the middle for later, but the story didn't suffer from that. In short, an enjoyable read.
February 27, 2026
I am an easy mark when it comes to creature movies and books. I just flat out enjoy them and can suspend belief and credibility with the best of them. But though the plot itself came through, the writing itself just did not.
There is a fine line differentiating having thoughts in your head that the reader can see and actually saying those things out loud. And this book just chose to verbalize some of the worst dialogue rather than keep it as a peek into the characters thoughts. But even beyond that, some of the writing was just too simple for me.
With slightly better writing, this book would easily be three stars.
There is a fine line differentiating having thoughts in your head that the reader can see and actually saying those things out loud. And this book just chose to verbalize some of the worst dialogue rather than keep it as a peek into the characters thoughts. But even beyond that, some of the writing was just too simple for me.
With slightly better writing, this book would easily be three stars.
March 3, 2026
It's a mystery to me how this book got such good ratings. What could have been a fun sea monster story is ruined by poor writing. The dialog is stilted and wooden. (Doesn't the author realize that people use contractions in everyday speech?) The narrative is told in so simplistic a style of expression it could have been written by an 8th grader. And the characters are no more than stereotyped cardboard cutouts. By the end I was definitely rooting for the sea monster.
March 1, 2024
I really liked this! It jumps between the heart-warming, feel-good relationship of Nick and Chris to the thrills and chills with the sea monster. Quite a contrast! I'm getting ready to now read his novel SURVIVE (and hopefully even more to come). Have a good day and remember to rotate your tires.
November 26, 2024
Review of this book.
This was an awesome book. The action was nonstop and the suspense was incredible. The continuity was flawless. The action changed direction many times but only added to the story. The author kept his focus on the action and how the story was developing and it made the book that much better.
Op
This was an awesome book. The action was nonstop and the suspense was incredible. The continuity was flawless. The action changed direction many times but only added to the story. The author kept his focus on the action and how the story was developing and it made the book that much better.
Op
December 23, 2024
Fabulous!!
This story had me from beginning to end. Every time that I tried to stop for a break; it was so hard and I would wonder all day about what would happen next. This is my kind of sea creature story. Creature, small town, descriptive kills. The full works!! Enjoyed it immensely!🤗
This story had me from beginning to end. Every time that I tried to stop for a break; it was so hard and I would wonder all day about what would happen next. This is my kind of sea creature story. Creature, small town, descriptive kills. The full works!! Enjoyed it immensely!🤗
February 9, 2025
Hated the ending
I really got into the book from the very beginning and really loved it. However the ending was bad. I don't want to ruin it for anyone because it really is a good book, but they fight this thing, everyone is dying, and then they do a quick kill of the beast and then it just ends.
I really got into the book from the very beginning and really loved it. However the ending was bad. I don't want to ruin it for anyone because it really is a good book, but they fight this thing, everyone is dying, and then they do a quick kill of the beast and then it just ends.
January 26, 2026
This was pretty good. Your typical monster book, and yes it could be made into a movie. I thought it was really nail biting through the whole book but the ending seemed to fall short for me. The characters were all very likable, except for one in which he got what was coming to him!! Happy Reading :)
December 4, 2024
GOOD READ
This story was really great. It held my attention from beginning to end to end. I was sorry it was over when I finished it. I’m hoping the author has more like it!!!!
Ms. Connie Loach
This story was really great. It held my attention from beginning to end to end. I was sorry it was over when I finished it. I’m hoping the author has more like it!!!!
Ms. Connie Loach
December 13, 2024
Fish are getting scarce in the oceans
A very hungry sea beast from the very depths of the oceans. A lot of men on
the oceans to give it a easy meals. A great story to read In one setting.
A very hungry sea beast from the very depths of the oceans. A lot of men on
the oceans to give it a easy meals. A great story to read In one setting.
March 13, 2025
A very good story
I loved the back drop of the small coastal town. I helped make the characters more believable. This was a story one could just read and enjoy and not have to unravel a mystery. Yes, a bit predictable but not in the classic way. A solid adventure story.
I loved the back drop of the small coastal town. I helped make the characters more believable. This was a story one could just read and enjoy and not have to unravel a mystery. Yes, a bit predictable but not in the classic way. A solid adventure story.
March 27, 2025
GREAT READ!!! Just remember to breathe.
There aren't enough words to describe this exciting adventure. It's worth all the time it takes to read it. So, do yourself a favor and dive in.
There aren't enough words to describe this exciting adventure. It's worth all the time it takes to read it. So, do yourself a favor and dive in.
September 20, 2025
That is what I call an Eel. !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blood,guts and distruction. The adventure of a lifetime?I just had to keep on reading to find out what or who was dying next and who would survive. Recommended
Blood,guts and distruction. The adventure of a lifetime?I just had to keep on reading to find out what or who was dying next and who would survive. Recommended
November 23, 2024
great book
I was completely engrossed from the first page! Will look for more books by Dan Durkee and will enjoy them.
I was completely engrossed from the first page! Will look for more books by Dan Durkee and will enjoy them.
January 20, 2025
Great from the start
Pace an excitement ,action suspense, an very good storyteller storytelling, Intrigue from beginning to end I highly recommend great book
Pace an excitement ,action suspense, an very good storyteller storytelling, Intrigue from beginning to end I highly recommend great book
January 27, 2025
wow!
Exciting. Very rewarding. The creature is terrifying!
I am looking forward to another book by this author!
It was totally amazing. And so worth reading
Exciting. Very rewarding. The creature is terrifying!
I am looking forward to another book by this author!
It was totally amazing. And so worth reading
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews