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Deadfall: A Carved in Stone SciFi Mystery - Book 1

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Digger’s delight.

From the minute the blast exposed the ruins, contenders from every class raced for the trophy. But the shrine had other thoughts, and cut them down one by one.

With visions of gold, treasures, every version of ancient vaults imaginable, they called for bigger friends with bigger guns. But the shrine had other thoughts, and began plaguing their nights with horrors.

Then the sacrifices began. Ten, twenty, more. The ancients hungered for life—and left no drop of blood unclaimed.

Dr. Penthor knew from the start this was no ordinary tomb. It had been locked away—not forgotten.

The deeper she digs, the clearer she finds that the powers without are just as deadly as the secrets within.

She’s no match for their military might. Can she collect her own hidden strengths and outwit the threats from all sides in time? Together, can they unlock the mystery of the ages—and spare her own life and blood—before it becomes her own burial vault?

"From the moment that tomb cracks open, you can feel the dread creeping in and it doesn’t let up. The shrine in this story isn’t just cursed, it’s alive. It watches, it waits, and then it starts picking people off in the most unsettling, mind-breaking ways. What hit me hardest wasn’t just the traps or gore it was the psychological unraveling. You’re watching these characters lose their grip on reality page by page, and it’s honestly terrifying." - Robert Matte, Goodreads

"This book is pure chaos in the best way possible. From the moment that shrine is uncovered, it’s clear that nobody is making it out unscathed. You can feel the weight of ancient power pressing down on every scene, turning what should be a dream discovery into an unfolding nightmare." - Lillie Marie, Goodreads

496 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 7, 2024

1 person is currently reading

About the author

S.D. Nightshade

23 books4 followers

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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Profile Image for Robert Matte.
51 reviews6 followers
May 14, 2025
From the moment that tomb cracks open, you can feel the dread creeping in and it doesn’t let up. The shrine in this story isn’t just cursed, it’s alive. It watches, it waits, and then it starts picking people off in the most unsettling, mind-breaking ways. What hit me hardest wasn’t just the traps or gore it was the psychological unraveling. You’re watching these characters lose their grip on reality page by page, and it’s honestly terrifying.

Dr. Penthor is such a standout character. She’s not your typical action heroine she’s smart, grounded, and way over her head, but still fighting tooth and nail to figure it out. She’s dealing with ancient evil, internal conflict, and enemies within her own group, and she handles it all with grit and brains. Her character arc was such a satisfying mix of intellect and emotional resilience.

This book is fast-paced, atmospheric, and deeply creepy in the best way. If you love thrillers that mess with your head just as much as they make your heart race, this one’s for you.
Profile Image for Lilly Marie.
40 reviews4 followers
April 14, 2025
This book is pure chaos in the best way possible. From the moment that shrine is uncovered, it’s clear that nobody is making it out unscathed. You can feel the weight of ancient power pressing down on every scene, turning what should be a dream discovery into an unfolding nightmare.

And let’s talk about the horror. It’s not just traps and curses—it’s the creeping, psychological kind. The way the shrine invades their minds, their dreams, their sanity before even demanding blood is next-level chilling. By the time the sacrifices start, it’s already won.

Dr. Penthor is an amazing lead. She’s got no army, no weapons, just her mind—and that might be the most dangerous tool of all. Watching her outthink forces beyond her control was edge-of-your-seat intense.

This book is for anyone who loves high-stakes survival, ancient mysteries, and horror that crawls under your skin and lingers. Dark, brutal, and absolutely impossible to put down.
Profile Image for Rachel Moss.
20 reviews1 follower
April 19, 2025
The second that tomb is exposed, you know something horrible is about to happen, and oh boy, does it ever. The shrine is no passive relic it fights back, punishing looters in ways that get darker and more nightmarish as the story unfolds.

What I found most fascinating was the psychological horror. The deeper they dig, the worse the visions become. It’s not just about guns and greed—the tomb wants something, and it will take as much blood as it needs. By the time the sacrifices begin, you’re practically screaming at the characters to run.

Dr. Penthor is such a strong, compelling lead. She’s not a soldier, not a warrior, just a scientist with more courage than common sense. Watching her navigate both human enemies and supernatural horrors made for an absolutely gripping read. Highly recommend for anyone who loves thrillers with ancient evil, unpredictable twists, and a creeping sense of dread.

Profile Image for Robert Brown.
52 reviews3 followers
May 14, 2025
This book is pure, glorious chaos in the best possible way. From the second that ancient shrine is uncovered, you know everything is about to go sideways and it does, fast. But what really sets this one apart isn’t just the cursed tomb vibes. It’s the way the horror sneaks up on you. It’s not just blood and booby traps (though, yeah, there’s plenty of that too). The shrine gets inside their heads whispers in their sleep, twists their thoughts, and makes them question what’s real before it ever demands blood.

And then there’s Dr. Penthor. She’s a phenomenal lead no combat skills, no backup team, just her brain and sheer determination. Watching her navigate both the human greed and the supernatural madness had me absolutely glued to the page. It’s high-stakes survival mixed with mind-bending horror, and I loved every minute of it. If you’re into ancient mysteries with a serious edge of dread and some brilliant psychological tension, this is a must-read.

Profile Image for Peter Robinson.
37 reviews1 follower
May 14, 2025
Whoa. This book does not hold back. From the moment that first explosion exposes the ruins, it's a relentless, heart-pounding adventure. The mix of ancient curses, deadly traps, and human greed made this an absolute page-turner.

Dr. Penthor is a fantastic protagonist smart, determined, and in way over her head. The stakes keep getting higher, and the tension never lets up. The shrine isn’t just another dusty tomb; it’s alive in the most terrifying way possible.

If you love stories about ancient mysteries, eerie supernatural elements, and a heroine who has to fight her way out of an impossible situation, read this. It’s a wild, blood-soaked ride from start to finish.

Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews

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