Down Into the Sea

by Dan Franklin

Fourteen-year-old Eric Ross is struggling. His father is in prison for murder. His mother has slipped into addiction. Even if he can survive the bullying and the sudden run of disappearances, he has little hope for a future outside of the sleepy Massachusetts fishing town he calls home.

But there is something far more important on his mind.

He found her down beneath the local entertainment pier, and she seems just about perfect. Except for the teeth. But she doesn’t want to simply be a part of his world. She wants more…

From the author of These Things Linger and The Eater of Gods, Down Into the Sea is a vicious twist on coming-of-age horror, on the unyielding, transformative power of desire, and the dangers of standing in its path.

Genres: Horror, Coming Of Age, Novella, Fiction, Audiobook, Mermaids

180 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 2, 2024

Reviews

[Peter Topside · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This was like a mix between Let Me In and The Little Mermaid. Very powerful plot points involving trauma, depression, neglect, bullying, and abuse, all wrapped around a horrifying coming of age premise. But Dan Franklin really knocked it out of the park. Near perfect balance of it all. And I really liked the ending, where the most terrifying piece of the story was left open for interpretation. But not in a way where you felt like it was neglected. It was purposefully and masterfully handled, which almost emphasized the horror aspect involved in a unique fashion. Eric, our lead, was a tremendous lead character and every one of his interactions with R'Hial, the mermaid, felt significant. Nothing was just done to waste pages. One of the beautiful aspects of this experience was how the story, even as it could have easily been made into a bigger spectacle, was kept close-knit with select characters and a rather quieter, deep story. Just a really great horror experience. It's been awhile since I've had an initial read with an author be so positive, but this was a pleasant surprise.

[LTJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Down into the Sea” by Dan Franklin is an intriguing book for those seeking a “A Little Mermaid” with a horror twist. The book cover drew me in, and I was excited to see where this story would take me. It was a decent read, but it left me wanting more.

Before I dive into my review, here are the trigger warnings I found while reading...

- Domestic abuse
- Violence against dogs
- Homophobic slurs
- Bullying
- School shootings

If any of these trigger you, please do not read this book. Moving along, this is the first time I’ve ever read Franklin, as he has a solid writing style and told a pretty interesting story. I’ve never read mermaid horror before, so this unique concept intrigued me. I enjoyed the main characters, Eric and R’hial, but this book needed more of what initially hooked me. I wanted more mermaid horror, and it ultimately fell a bit flat for me in that area.

All the gory, bloody, violent scenes with R’hial were fantastic. Franklin did a great job with these few scenes. The only issue I had was that “Down into the Sea” becomes too slow-paced due to the heavy dialogue interspersed with the horror. Several times while reading, I felt that the story dragged on.

If this book had been trimmed down a bit to make it tighter without the excess dialogue, it would have been a better horror read. Aside from that, I did enjoy the ending, especially the climactic part, which had a great buildup. Don’t worry, I would never spoil anything for my fellow horror readers, but it was one of several reasons I loved R’hial’s scenes.

I give “Down into the Sea” by Dan Franklin a 3/5 for being an okay read with a good story and characters, but it needed a bigger injection of horror. I wanted more crazy horror scenes with R’hial and less dialogue. I enjoyed it as it wasn’t terrible, but nothing extraordinary. If you love sea or mermaid horror, this is worth the read, especially if you want more story than horror. Either way, I plan to read more of Franklin’s work since he has a new fan in me.

[Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good!l Review to come

[Irene Well Worth A Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sins of the father are visited upon Fourteen-year-old Eric Ross. He has had his life upended by events beyond his control. There was a time that he had a happy home life. There was a time when he had friends, and hopes, and dreams. Now he knows only hunger and neglect, with his father in prison and his mother unable to cope, drowning her depression in pills and alcohol.

He spends most of his energy avoiding bullies, missing his father, and hanging out at the pier. That is where he sees her, a strange looking woman that at first appears to be a corpse in the water. This unusual pair become ill-fated friends.



In between the missing people and occasional carnage, I forgot this was a horror story because fear is only one of many emotions this powerful novella evokes. I could feel Eric's loneliness and his love for his parents. I could feel his mother's shame at being unable to take better care of him. Then there was my own apprehension over his unlikely friendship with this woman under the pier.

If you're looking for a read that will leave you alternately terrified and heartbroken this is it. I have an emotional hangover from my splash Down Into The Sea.

5 out of 5 stars

My thanks to the author and Cemetery Dance Publications.

[myreadingescapism · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reminded me so much of the Mira Grant book as for ONLY the mermaid aspect (nothing else) and I absolutely loved that book. This was amazing, as well!

[Paul Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Out on the pier he was like all those other kids who didn’t have a dad who shot a boy to death. For a moment, he felt free.”
Okay, so there is this description in the first two paragraphs of the story of what you see, hear, and feel while riding a Tilt-a-Whirl. It is perfection. It is magical. It spun me right into this book to stay. I was pressed up against the back of the ride vehicle as it whipped me around and no matter how uncomfortable it got, all I could do was hold on and be a witness for all that 14 year old Eric had to go through.
You see, Eric is metaphorically on this whirling ride and all he has had to deal with before comes spinning back into his life in almost a mirror like way.
Grief and shame are a heavy anchor and you just want to believe that your luck can change. When you finally find something to look forward to, you hold on to that as long as you can.
Dan’s writing is as wonderful as his characters are damaged. I am hooked and will be back for anything he has to write.

[Leigh Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another masterful outing by Dan Franklin. I shouted from the rooftops about his last book, and I will probably do the same this time round. An absolute instant-buy for me, Franklin is creating characters like very few authors can. Each cast member seems built from the ground up, main and background characters alike, but Franklin breathes life into them in a way that immerses the reader into their lives so fully.
Who is the antagonist? Who's side are we on? There are no straightforward heroes in Dan Franklin's universe. And it's those flaws that make his characters so very real. Their personalities, along with their decisions, are as unpredictable as any walking, talking human.

And if that plotline seems familiar to you, then congratulations on being a fan of that particular studio headed up by the red-dungaree clad mouse. You know the one. Formally known as Michael. Me too!!
This story, plus the subgenre, happens to be a favourite of mine that is far too underutilised in horror.

Grab this one as soon as you can. Dive in. Float through the pages, and remember, she just wants to be part of your world.

[Krissy (books_and_biceps9155) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soooo after finishing this, I set the book down and immediately went and purchased Franklin’s backlog. That’s how freaking amazing it was. Its really hard to describe this except think: a horror retelling of The Little Mermaid, mixed with some coming of age, grief horror and a bit body horror all in one. Whew and its only 167 pages?! Talk about mind blown.

Franklin does an incredible job with characterization and getting you to feel all of the emotions for the characters in just a few short pages. The imagery and setting was so vivid I felt like I was watching a movie. I read it so fast and so feverishly I was beyond sad when it was over. I don’t even like retellings and HANDS DOWN best one ever. I cant wait for my new books to arrive so I can devour them!
Thank you to @cemetrydancepub for my signed copy! It’s gorgeous!

[Carm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well… I didn’t have “get my heart broken by a horror retelling of The Little Mermaid” on my bingo card for 2024, but here we are. This was so frickin’ good! I need some more Dan Franklin stories in my life.

[Chandra Claypool (WhereTheReaderGrows) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun mermaid horror book! I truly felt for Eric and even his love, the mermaid that captures his attention while his bullies continue to torment him. Pick this up if you have a love for mermaid horror and a love for a kid who had been through it.

[lucky 13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Round up to 4.5 really enjoyed this coming of age sad horror story. hard to put down fast read. my first by author Dan Franklin But not my last

[Jessica Dotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan Franklin is more than an author, he’s an artist. His writing is beautiful, vivid, engaging, and paints a perfect picture. This book follows a young teenage boy that makes a startling discovery at the pier near his house, a girl in the water that wants him to come and swim. What follows is a brutal look into the grim reality of a broken home, grief, bullying, and desperation for friendship albeit unconventional. Dan Franklin’s words are poetry, leaping off the pages, ripping your heart out and taking you into the sea with them. Do not sleep on this author. He is an auto buy for me and I insist on having autographed copies of everything he does.

[Devon · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unexpected KU find where the cover sold me. I appreciated the spooky siren take but felt more thought could’ve gone into the ending? Or just even remove the last chapter? I don’t know.

[Shandi York · Rating 5 out of 5]

Down into the Sea was a bit coming of age, a bit grief horror while also being a retelling of The Little Mermaid in the most haunting and heartbreaking way. With short chapters and captivating writing, you will fly through this story in one sitting.

There’s no way I can put into words how much I felt for our main character that would ever do it justice. This was my first read from Dan Franklin but I need to immediately go through his backlog, because it definitely left a mark on me. I think that speaks to the talent and ability of the author to be able to pack so much emotion in a novella. I really enjoyed this one.

Many thanks to the author, Dan Franklin and Cemetery Dance Publications for my gifted copy. Down into the Sea will be published 8/2 and is the perfect read to take to the beach or to start spooky season!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan Franklin captured my reader’s heart with his first two books and didn’t let me down with his newest. He just has a way with capturing grief in so many of its forms and letting the words spill gorgeously across the pages. Down into the Sea is brilliant. This story was as beautiful as it was heartbreaking. Eric was tragic, raw, and real. Struggling to adjust to a world where his father is absent, his mother is more interested in pills than her son, and an absent sister, his life is a cycle of bullying and pain, both physical and emotional. In his search for a reprieve, he finds himself drawn to the water under the pier, in search of a mysterious girl he glimpsed from above. But as he gets to know her, Eric must ask himself not only what he truly wants, but her as well.

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trying to suppress my tears (I'm a big boy, after all). This one really hit home. I hate mermaids; but this isn't about cryptids or sea creatures as such. It might be a love story, but there's so much realism, such a brutal portrayal of small town life, bullying, wrong choices, failure and moral stagnation, that even horror takes a back seat and quiet desperation prevails throughout the narrative. Although it's a short novella, it feels like a novel; in fact, it's a breath of fresh air in cryptid fiction. The story itself is unique, you can hear everybody's voices, palpable with fear and anxiety. The heart-breaking ending shows that not even monsters can escape. And perhaps they shouldn't.

[Shannon M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I’m ANGRY about that ending. It was so good but also HOW DARE YOU?? Poor Eric.
This is a short, dark reimagining(ish) of Little Mermaid. I was impressed with how much story you got in so few words, honestly.
Thanks to whoever pointed this out in the BoH group! I’m excited to check out this authors other books 🥰

[Brett Grossmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was going so well. Real page turner. Loved it. Then it ended like a bad belly flop. One of those books you reread the last few paragraphs to see if you missed anything. I didn’t. Neither should you. Throw this catch back and keep fishing

[Barby Helena Messorem · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Despite the kind of in the middle rating, most of this book had me thoroughly impressed. My main criticism? It needed to be longer. Dear God, I wish it was longer. I enjoyed the dynamic between Eric and his mysterious underwater friend so much, but I hardly got to know anything about either of them. I knew Eric was in pain, that his father committed a crime and his mother had developed a drug dependency, but I wanted more backstory there too. I wanted more scenes of Eric at the pier. When the abrupt ending surfaced, I wanted more of EVERYTHING.

This was beautifully written. Truly visionary. With believable and complicated characters, a moody vibe, and several scenes of real sadness and dread. But to quote the Little Mermaid herself, “I want more.”

It’s just that by the time everything came to a close, I felt like we had so much more story to read. And I enjoyed every second of the setting, the complicated cast, and the beautifully written angst. But I wanted more adventures, a longer conclusion, what have you. Just some more information! I didn’t want to leave this story so soon!

I guess it’s not such a bad thing if an author leaves you thirsty for more, but I truly believe this should’ve been much longer. I couldn’t get enough of all the potential I saw, and I think there’s too much story here to be crammed into such a small book. That said though, gorgeous writing, amazing way to elicit sympathy for our main character, and creative concept. Can’t wait for whatever Dan Franklin has in store for us next.

[Peter Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Down Into the Sea by Dan Franklin


Fourteen-year-old Eric Ross is not having a good life. His mom’s a junkie. His dad is in jail for murder. Worse, his dad murdered the brother of an older boy at his high school, who has made it his mission to bully and beat Eric.

Then, he meets a mermaid.

The mermaid’s name is R’hial, and she knows someone named R’Scylla. (I’ll wait here until the penny drops.)

This mermaid is not your cute and soft Disney “little mermaid.” R’hial has evolved to live in the dark and cold as a predator. But she is attracted to the hustle and bustle of life at the tourist pier that Eric haunts. She also likes to sing. She might want to visit the pier. She likes the gift of a spork that Eric brings her.

But she is an apex predator in the world she lives in, and she has the instincts of an apex predator.

And people are disappearing from the beaches.

This is a short read. It is well-written. It is not anything like the Disney version of the story.

[Escapereality4now · Rating 3 out of 5]

Down Into The Sea" is set in a small town in Massachusetts. Eric's father was in prison for murder. After the arrest, his neglectful mother slipped into addiction. She has given up on life. There piles of dirty laundry, a sink full of dirty dishes and filth everywhere. Eric dodges bullies at school. His grades are slipping and he has neglected his hygiene. He spends his days hanging out alone at the pier. It all seems pretty miserable, until one day, Eric meets a mermaid. We all love those beautiful creatures with a fishtail. R'hail is no ordinary mermaid though. She has claws on her hands, sharp teeth and feasts on meat.

"Down Into the Sea" felt like a gritty horror retelling of The Little Mermaid. Eric and R'hail form a bond that gives him hope. The story evokes many different emotions. The reader can feel Eric's loneliness. R'hail brings him a sense of joy and purpose.

I think I was expecting more of a horror feel. Do not get me wrong - there is some there for sure - but ultimately it felt like a story filled with elements I was not expecting. I am giving this one three stars. It was well done but I was not overly impressed.

"Down Into the Sea" is a fun summer story. One that will tug at heart strings. Check this out if you want a dark gritty story.

Thank you to Cemetary Dance for an advanced copy.

[Stacy40pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Down Into the Sea by Dan Franklin. Thanks to the author and @cemeterydance for the gifted copy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fourteen year old Eric is having a hard time on his own. His dad’s in prison, his mother is addicted to pills, and bullies are out for him. Then he meets a a woman at pier, if you can call her that. Most women don’t have such sharp teeth…

This novella packs a lot into a short amount of pages. It dives right into the dark and mysterious entity and doesn’t let up. It’s also a coming of age story, which I always love. The ending shocked me but with a multiple fast paced and exciting scenes. I definitely recommend for a quick and fast paced horror read!

“In his fourteen years he’d never seen anything like it and could barely process what he was looking at until her eyes flickered open and focused on him.”

Down Into the Sea comes out 8/2.

[Emily Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Down into the Sea by Dan Franklin offers a dark and compelling twist on the classic mermaid tale. Set in a coastal tourist town, it tells the story of a boy named Eric who is struggling with a troubled home life, bullying, and loneliness. His solace comes from a mysterious dark mermaid lurking under the town's pier. Dan Franklin’s writing beautifully captures Eric’s emotional journey, making it a gripping and thought provoking coming of age story!

A tiny little detail I loved is that it mentioned Gloucester, which is a beach city right up the street from me. That also just happens to be the home of one of my favorite reading spots, Wingaersheek beach!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Joan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Dan Franklin

The MMC is living through some very dark times both at home and at school. His family has fallen apart after his father is sent to prison, his mother becomes an addict and his older sister leaves home for good. His favorite place is near an amusement park near a pier in a nowhere town where he lives. The pier holds a dark mystery. Several people are missing without a clue. What happened to these people no one knows? The MMC befriends a mysterious woman. Read to find out what the connection is.

I enjoyed the unfolding of this coming of age story. I really felt what the MMC was going thru.

This is the third book I have read from this author. He is definitely one to keep an eye on.

[Beatrix Starling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was halfway through this novella when it hit me just how much i love it.
I have a soft spot for mermaid horror, and this was a very different one at that.
Tragic characters trying to survive their own dark murky lives, lost in their own pain and grief, be it the hero or the antagonist.
Part dark Ariel retelling, part coming of age struggles, glued together by a beautifully written heartache of grief and loss, sprinkled by a smidge of hope and yearning.
A fantastic book that I would highly recommend for anyone enjoying horror books with depth and tragic beauty.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eric is fourteen. His older sister ran away, his dad's in prison, and his mom is a pill addict. The only bright spot in his life is the Pier. The carousel, the Ferris wheel, the lights and music. Eric loses himself there, drawn like a moth to the flame.

Then one day, he climbs down the Suicide Stairs to the beach below, where he meets a girl in the water. She's beautiful, enigmatic, and probably not human.

This is the second book of Franklin's I've read, and he's a really strong author. Great character work, and he really taps into loss and grief in a way that heightens the horror considerably. Looking forward to his next one.

[Jo | HonkIfYouRead · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up
Loved this little retelling. It was such a sad read but written beautifully. I wouldn’t necessarily put this in the horror category for me personally, unless we’re discussing the horrors of being a teenager… but I guess I’m not really sure where else it would fit other than dreadful sci-fi/fantasy 😂 very thankful for having received this copy! It was my first DF book and I look forward to many more!

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually very good horror story hard to put down. Started reminding me a little of Let Me in almost, although not due to author borrowing anything. The end made me think of a demented little mermaid a bit, not sure if that was out of left field or not. Interesting and tragic backstory with the MC and the side characters of Mr Yarrow and the sherriff came to life grimly and full force. Very well done.

[Ghastly · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up to 5. Proper review coming.

[Rhonda Ofstad · Rating 4 out of 5]

New published book

This book is very interesting as creepy and thriller. Story was sad, creepy and mysterious. It took a day to finish the book. Easy to read as I enjoyed it