What do you think?
Rate this book
Dragged Down Deep
Logan Osborne has spent his life chasing the shadows of the past.
As a child, he watched helplessly as his father was snatched from a fishing boat by what he swore was a mermaid. No one believed him then. No one believes him now.
Determined to prove that mythical creatures exist, Logan is drawn back to the small coastal town where his nightmares began after another mysterious disappearance stirs the waters.
Teaming up with his pragmatic colleague Elliot Sheppard and his fiercely loyal friend Penny Swanson, Logan dives headfirst into an adventure packed with danger and deception. As they dig deeper, the trio faces resistance at every turn—a secretive agency with its own agenda, a suspiciously unhelpful police force, and Logan’s old flame, who may know more than she’s letting on.
What they uncover is far darker and more terrifying than Logan ever the truth about his father, the secrets of Minatuck, and the horrifying reality of the Mermaid of the Hamptons.
Will Logan and his friends expose the lies that have haunted him for years, or will they be Dragged Down Deep into the swampy, secretive underbelly of a town that guards its mysteries with deadly intent?
As a child, he watched helplessly as his father was snatched from a fishing boat by what he swore was a mermaid. No one believed him then. No one believes him now.
Determined to prove that mythical creatures exist, Logan is drawn back to the small coastal town where his nightmares began after another mysterious disappearance stirs the waters.
Teaming up with his pragmatic colleague Elliot Sheppard and his fiercely loyal friend Penny Swanson, Logan dives headfirst into an adventure packed with danger and deception. As they dig deeper, the trio faces resistance at every turn—a secretive agency with its own agenda, a suspiciously unhelpful police force, and Logan’s old flame, who may know more than she’s letting on.
What they uncover is far darker and more terrifying than Logan ever the truth about his father, the secrets of Minatuck, and the horrifying reality of the Mermaid of the Hamptons.
Will Logan and his friends expose the lies that have haunted him for years, or will they be Dragged Down Deep into the swampy, secretive underbelly of a town that guards its mysteries with deadly intent?
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 27, 2024
7 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
About the author
Michael Okon
7 books616 followersMichael Okon is an award-winning and best-selling author of multiple genres including paranormal, thriller, horror, action/adventure and self-help. He graduated from Long Island University with a degree in English, and then later received his MBA in business and finance. Coming from a family of writers, he has storytelling in his DNA. Michael has been writing from as far back as he can remember, his inspiration being his love for films and their impact on his life. From the time he saw The Goonies, he was hooked on the idea of entertaining people through unforgettable characters.
Michael is a lifelong movie buff, a music playlist aficionado, and a sucker for self-help books. He lives on the North Shore of Long Island with his wife and children.
Michael is a lifelong movie buff, a music playlist aficionado, and a sucker for self-help books. He lives on the North Shore of Long Island with his wife and children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 28, 2025
I have read a couple other Michael Okon novels and loved them, so grabbing a copy of Dragged Down Deep was a no brainer. His novels are not your run of the mill creature features or paranoramal stories. They stretch the imagination and I love it.
Dragged Down Deep is about mermaids…or is it? Logan Osburne saw the mermaid, when she snatched his father from their fishing boat. No one believes him. Would you?
Logan is a scientist, but not your run of the mill type of scientist. He searches for those creatures of legend, like the Thunderbird and…
Now, he’s older and he’s going home to prove once and for all that mermaids are real. People and animals are missing. Why are the police doing more of a cover up than an investigation? And…who are the men in black?
Michael Okon’s books never take me where I expect to go, and that is true for Dragged Down Deep. Above the water, in the water, below the water, there is danger. That doesn’t stop Logan, Elliot and Penny from doing their own investigation. They ignore the danger and return time and time again.
Dragged Down Deep by Michael Okon is a fast paced thriller with a mystery buried deep in the town’s history. Michael’s books that I have read have been stand alone, all in one story books, but I see where he could make this a series. There are plenty of legends out there to by proven true or false.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Dragged Down Deep by Michael Okon.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
Dragged Down Deep is about mermaids…or is it? Logan Osburne saw the mermaid, when she snatched his father from their fishing boat. No one believes him. Would you?
Logan is a scientist, but not your run of the mill type of scientist. He searches for those creatures of legend, like the Thunderbird and…
Now, he’s older and he’s going home to prove once and for all that mermaids are real. People and animals are missing. Why are the police doing more of a cover up than an investigation? And…who are the men in black?
Michael Okon’s books never take me where I expect to go, and that is true for Dragged Down Deep. Above the water, in the water, below the water, there is danger. That doesn’t stop Logan, Elliot and Penny from doing their own investigation. They ignore the danger and return time and time again.
Dragged Down Deep by Michael Okon is a fast paced thriller with a mystery buried deep in the town’s history. Michael’s books that I have read have been stand alone, all in one story books, but I see where he could make this a series. There are plenty of legends out there to by proven true or false.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Dragged Down Deep by Michael Okon.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
February 12, 2025
In Dragged Down Deep, we meet a middle-aged male scientist who is searching for clues on his father's death. Logan is our MMC who is a cryptozoologist, and he is looking for clues on his father's death and what his father was studying which is a mythical sea creature. Kind of like in Scotland Nessie;) Logan in this book is also like his father and finds out about mythical creatures in various places around the world. He brings along two friends Elliot and Penny on his journey to solve his dad's death and what his father was looking for. Down deep. Aimee, Logan's former flame, re-emerges in this story with her secrets that bring Logan's past into light. That was interesting to read about as a reader.
I loved the writing in this book, the author does a great job with pulling you in as a reader and you want to know more about the mystery and also about the mythical creatures. There are so many things in this book: mythical creatures, mystery, high speed chases with cars, secrets and lies, secret government agents, corrupt government and the people who work for it, and a tiny bit of romance included in the book which I was so happy to see.
The beginning of the book took me on an intriguing and pull you in chapter number 1. I loved that about this book and was hooked to the end! I loved the ending and hope there is more to the story!
I loved the writing in this book, the author does a great job with pulling you in as a reader and you want to know more about the mystery and also about the mythical creatures. There are so many things in this book: mythical creatures, mystery, high speed chases with cars, secrets and lies, secret government agents, corrupt government and the people who work for it, and a tiny bit of romance included in the book which I was so happy to see.
The beginning of the book took me on an intriguing and pull you in chapter number 1. I loved that about this book and was hooked to the end! I loved the ending and hope there is more to the story!
January 30, 2025
Dragged Down Deep
Absolutely thrilling! I was hooked from the start caught up in this mystery of myths and legends of creatures unimaginable.
Action-packed, mysterious, and dangerous. This book had a bit of everything with various creatures, high stakes, crime mystery, high speed chases, cloak and dagger sneaks, hidden truths, secret government agents, corrupt officials and a sprinkle of romance as well.
Logan was a character that was easy to identify with and root for. I enjoyed his story and how his past shaped his life.
The story reminded me a bit of Destination Truth with the search of these creatures of myth except this was more exciting and with more danger.
I can’t wait for the next book and to see where things go.
Absolutely thrilling! I was hooked from the start caught up in this mystery of myths and legends of creatures unimaginable.
Action-packed, mysterious, and dangerous. This book had a bit of everything with various creatures, high stakes, crime mystery, high speed chases, cloak and dagger sneaks, hidden truths, secret government agents, corrupt officials and a sprinkle of romance as well.
Logan was a character that was easy to identify with and root for. I enjoyed his story and how his past shaped his life.
The story reminded me a bit of Destination Truth with the search of these creatures of myth except this was more exciting and with more danger.
I can’t wait for the next book and to see where things go.
December 19, 2024
In prolific author Michael Okon's sweeping novel, Dragged Down Deep, a middle-aged scientist determined to appease his late father's death finds himself plunged into a well-planned and dangerous conspiracy involving the hidden existence of a mythical creature.
Logan Osborne, a cryptozoologist, had missed the good old days as a child before his mother had left. His father, an ichthyologist, later receded into a shell, being labeled a weirdo by the local community due to his obsession with proving the existence of a mythical creature, drawing further away from traditional subjects. Now an adult, Logan painfully recalls the death of his father following a tragic attack on one of his nightly excursions with him to find the mermaid of Minetuck. This incident would remain etched in his mind twenty years later and was the source of his unending nightmares as well.
Surviving a near-death experience in his expedition on an Arizona mountain to prove the existence of the Thunderbird, a legendary bird whose known information was scanty, he embarks on a new mission to validate his father's research of a mysterious creature based on true findings together with his faculty colleague Elliot Sheppard and friend Penny Swanson. They find themselves plunged into a long-minded and precarious road marked by well-covered secrets, mysterious disappearances, a corrupt police system, and unexplained hostility from the locals. Aimee, Logan's former flame, re-emerges with her secrets that go back to his past.
Once in a while, you stumble upon a book so good that it is well worth your reading time. This tale delivers more than it promises in its synopsis, taking you deep into a beautifully-realized setting packed with action, supernatural elements, and mystery. Okon melds complex yet relatable characters demonstrating his tenacity in handling complex themes that are relevant today. The book starts on a trifecta, with a high-voltage scene wrapped with insight and verve, with Logan high up on an Arizona mountain with a local guide, in a once-in-a-lifetime quest, hoping the result would legitimize cryptids. The potent storyline adds new characters effortlessly, offering ample backstories that make readers feel at ease with them.
Quill says: Dragged Down Deep by Michael Okon is one of those books that do not disappoint. It will appeal to readers who enjoy an exhilarating odyssey full of adventure and action. Every scene leaps out of the pages with ease demonstrating the proficiency of Okon's artistic pen.
Logan Osborne, a cryptozoologist, had missed the good old days as a child before his mother had left. His father, an ichthyologist, later receded into a shell, being labeled a weirdo by the local community due to his obsession with proving the existence of a mythical creature, drawing further away from traditional subjects. Now an adult, Logan painfully recalls the death of his father following a tragic attack on one of his nightly excursions with him to find the mermaid of Minetuck. This incident would remain etched in his mind twenty years later and was the source of his unending nightmares as well.
Surviving a near-death experience in his expedition on an Arizona mountain to prove the existence of the Thunderbird, a legendary bird whose known information was scanty, he embarks on a new mission to validate his father's research of a mysterious creature based on true findings together with his faculty colleague Elliot Sheppard and friend Penny Swanson. They find themselves plunged into a long-minded and precarious road marked by well-covered secrets, mysterious disappearances, a corrupt police system, and unexplained hostility from the locals. Aimee, Logan's former flame, re-emerges with her secrets that go back to his past.
Once in a while, you stumble upon a book so good that it is well worth your reading time. This tale delivers more than it promises in its synopsis, taking you deep into a beautifully-realized setting packed with action, supernatural elements, and mystery. Okon melds complex yet relatable characters demonstrating his tenacity in handling complex themes that are relevant today. The book starts on a trifecta, with a high-voltage scene wrapped with insight and verve, with Logan high up on an Arizona mountain with a local guide, in a once-in-a-lifetime quest, hoping the result would legitimize cryptids. The potent storyline adds new characters effortlessly, offering ample backstories that make readers feel at ease with them.
Quill says: Dragged Down Deep by Michael Okon is one of those books that do not disappoint. It will appeal to readers who enjoy an exhilarating odyssey full of adventure and action. Every scene leaps out of the pages with ease demonstrating the proficiency of Okon's artistic pen.
February 13, 2025
I’m always searching for the next cryptid story. I even watch those cheesy documentaries where they search for mythical creatures. And Michael Okon is one of my favorite authors on the things that stay hidden, that prowl those hard to reach places. I’ve read all his books and when I spotted this one it was a no brainer. A mermaid? A killer mermaid? I was all in!
This had everything I could have hoped for. Big Brother cover ups. Threats of death around every corner. Believable characters that you can empathize with. Worthy villains. And a creature that mesmerized and terrified me in equal measures. The suspense was almost continuous.
Michael takes you from the past to the present throughout the book. His choice of telling the story that way was dead on. Kept me so invested in wanting to know all about the characters and the events that occurred. When I finished reading Dragged Down Deep, which is a perfect title, I felt like I could have been watching the movie. I could imagine myself sitting in the dark, the surround sound cranked up, hugging a pillow and covering my face with my hands, peeking between my fingers so I wouldn’t miss anything.
Bravo, Michael. You continue to make this lover of all things cryptid happy.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
This had everything I could have hoped for. Big Brother cover ups. Threats of death around every corner. Believable characters that you can empathize with. Worthy villains. And a creature that mesmerized and terrified me in equal measures. The suspense was almost continuous.
Michael takes you from the past to the present throughout the book. His choice of telling the story that way was dead on. Kept me so invested in wanting to know all about the characters and the events that occurred. When I finished reading Dragged Down Deep, which is a perfect title, I felt like I could have been watching the movie. I could imagine myself sitting in the dark, the surround sound cranked up, hugging a pillow and covering my face with my hands, peeking between my fingers so I wouldn’t miss anything.
Bravo, Michael. You continue to make this lover of all things cryptid happy.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
February 13, 2025
Logan Osborne is dedicated to proving the field of cryptozoology is a legitimate science. He travels the world during summer breaks searching for the truth of legends and rumors. He has gone “looking for chupcabras in South America, mermaids in the middle east, dragons in China,” and climbed the mountains of Turkey looking for Yeti. At one point he explored with his colleague Elliot and the woman he thought was the love of his life, Aimee. But when Aimee left to work for a big corporation, Logan continued with only Elliot’s support. And on his latest mission to find proof of the Thunderbird from Native American legends, he was totally on his own while Elliot was tending to wedding details.
Now his childhood friend Penny has called asking for his help. It seems the Mermaid of Minatuck, which everyone claims was a figment of his imagination, has now claimed more lives. To help Penny and uncover the truth, Logan will have to return to the town where he lost his father twenty years ago. He will have to face the resistance of the locals, the hostility of the police chief, and try to sort out his own memories. Did he really see some watery creature steal his father away, or was it all PTSD as the authorities repeatedly assured him? And will Logan and his friends survive the investigation?
The author has created a complex character caught up in complicated relationships and his desire to “validate a new field of science and vindicate his father’s reputation.” Readers will be carried along through one dangerous situation after another, while also rooting for Logan to discover the truth. If a young Indiana Jones hunted for cryptids rather than historical artifacts, he would probably be either a coworker or a competitor of Logan Osborne.
Now his childhood friend Penny has called asking for his help. It seems the Mermaid of Minatuck, which everyone claims was a figment of his imagination, has now claimed more lives. To help Penny and uncover the truth, Logan will have to return to the town where he lost his father twenty years ago. He will have to face the resistance of the locals, the hostility of the police chief, and try to sort out his own memories. Did he really see some watery creature steal his father away, or was it all PTSD as the authorities repeatedly assured him? And will Logan and his friends survive the investigation?
The author has created a complex character caught up in complicated relationships and his desire to “validate a new field of science and vindicate his father’s reputation.” Readers will be carried along through one dangerous situation after another, while also rooting for Logan to discover the truth. If a young Indiana Jones hunted for cryptids rather than historical artifacts, he would probably be either a coworker or a competitor of Logan Osborne.
March 13, 2025
Who knew that Cryptozoology was an actual career path? Not me! However, now that I have read this book, I find the field intriguing. While I don't know how much I believe in the unexplainable, like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster, something must have happened to create this interest.
Logan is chasing his past and trying to uncover what happened to his dad the day the mermaid drug him out of the boat. Did he imagine it, or did it really happen? Whatever the answer, since he was nine, he struggled through life. This event sparked his interest in Cryptozoology and the search for the unexplained. He thought he had the perfect partner in Aimee, but she may not be who she appears to be.
This novel is fairly fast-paced as we follow Logan across his trek to find a Thunderbird and now the Mermaid of Minatuck. He heads back to the Hamptons at the request of his long-time friend, Penny, because her brother, Rory, is missing. Did the mermaid get him, too, or are there other forces at work?
I thought Logan had a one-track brain. He was determined to uncover the truth at his own expense. He also wanted to do it alone. However, his friends Elliott and Penny are determined to help him find the truth, especially since it is Penny's brother who is missing. As they investigate, they are thwarted at multiple turns. What are the police hiding, and will they uncover the truth? The questions are answered near the book's end, so I will not spoil it for you, but it was quite an interesting twist. And you know if the government is involved, that it has to be something crazy!
This was an intriguing story and one I might not have picked up, but I'm glad I did read it, as it expanded my thoughts on mythical creatures. Do they exist or not?
We give this book 4 paws up.
Logan is chasing his past and trying to uncover what happened to his dad the day the mermaid drug him out of the boat. Did he imagine it, or did it really happen? Whatever the answer, since he was nine, he struggled through life. This event sparked his interest in Cryptozoology and the search for the unexplained. He thought he had the perfect partner in Aimee, but she may not be who she appears to be.
This novel is fairly fast-paced as we follow Logan across his trek to find a Thunderbird and now the Mermaid of Minatuck. He heads back to the Hamptons at the request of his long-time friend, Penny, because her brother, Rory, is missing. Did the mermaid get him, too, or are there other forces at work?
I thought Logan had a one-track brain. He was determined to uncover the truth at his own expense. He also wanted to do it alone. However, his friends Elliott and Penny are determined to help him find the truth, especially since it is Penny's brother who is missing. As they investigate, they are thwarted at multiple turns. What are the police hiding, and will they uncover the truth? The questions are answered near the book's end, so I will not spoil it for you, but it was quite an interesting twist. And you know if the government is involved, that it has to be something crazy!
This was an intriguing story and one I might not have picked up, but I'm glad I did read it, as it expanded my thoughts on mythical creatures. Do they exist or not?
We give this book 4 paws up.
November 23, 2025
Dragged Down Deep is a gripping supernatural thriller that pulls readers straight into the murky depths of conspiracy, folklore, and coastal terror. Michael Okon blends myth and mystery with cinematic pacing, crafting a story that feels both eerie and immersive.
Logan Osborne’s lifelong obsession with proving his father was taken by a mermaid sets the tone for a novel that is equal parts emotional and adrenaline-charged. As Logan returns to Minatuck, the tension builds with every unanswered question, every hostile encounter, and every thread of conspiracy uncovered. The supporting cast pragmatic Elliot, loyal Penny, and an enigmatic old flame adds layers of conflict and chemistry to the narrative.
Okon’s strength lies in keeping the reader on edge: secretive agencies, strange disappearances, a police force that seems intent on obstruction, and the looming nightmare of what truly lurks beneath the surface. Equal parts creature feature, mystery, and small-town thriller, Dragged Down Deep is atmospheric, unsettling, and impossible to put down.
A standout for fans of myth-driven horror and coastal conspiracy thrillers.
Logan Osborne’s lifelong obsession with proving his father was taken by a mermaid sets the tone for a novel that is equal parts emotional and adrenaline-charged. As Logan returns to Minatuck, the tension builds with every unanswered question, every hostile encounter, and every thread of conspiracy uncovered. The supporting cast pragmatic Elliot, loyal Penny, and an enigmatic old flame adds layers of conflict and chemistry to the narrative.
Okon’s strength lies in keeping the reader on edge: secretive agencies, strange disappearances, a police force that seems intent on obstruction, and the looming nightmare of what truly lurks beneath the surface. Equal parts creature feature, mystery, and small-town thriller, Dragged Down Deep is atmospheric, unsettling, and impossible to put down.
A standout for fans of myth-driven horror and coastal conspiracy thrillers.
December 15, 2025
I read this book because I really liked the idea of the story. An adventurous kid is chasing mythical creatures and goes on fun adventures, what can go wrong?
The book feels like it’s very full of holes, hell I was halfway through it and felt like barely anything had happened. There’s pretty much no character development, the grammar isn’t great in places, and it seems pretty rushed. I think the idea had a lot of potential, but maybe needed an editor at the least to figure out how to convey the proper story.
I only gave it more than one star because I enjoyed to overall story tho I definitely asked myself more than a couple times why was I still reading? Certain parts seemed like they were written by someone with English as a second language who just learn about basic metaphors and writing techniques. This is a book that I found during a few days on a boat, and is only to be read as a last resort!
The book feels like it’s very full of holes, hell I was halfway through it and felt like barely anything had happened. There’s pretty much no character development, the grammar isn’t great in places, and it seems pretty rushed. I think the idea had a lot of potential, but maybe needed an editor at the least to figure out how to convey the proper story.
I only gave it more than one star because I enjoyed to overall story tho I definitely asked myself more than a couple times why was I still reading? Certain parts seemed like they were written by someone with English as a second language who just learn about basic metaphors and writing techniques. This is a book that I found during a few days on a boat, and is only to be read as a last resort!
February 1, 2025
"Logan Osborne has spent his life chasing the shadows of the past."
Dragged Down Deep had me captivated from the beginning and I was turning pages until the very end. I was totally hooked with the mystery of this book, mythical creatures and more. I liked all of the characters in this book, especially Logan. All of the characters were easy to root for as well. Overall, this was an action packed mysterious book that you do not want to miss. I highly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to any reader who loves mysteries or supernatural thrills. Thank you to Pump Up Your Book Tour and Author for this great read in exchange of my honest review of Dragged Down Deep by Michael Okon.
Dragged Down Deep had me captivated from the beginning and I was turning pages until the very end. I was totally hooked with the mystery of this book, mythical creatures and more. I liked all of the characters in this book, especially Logan. All of the characters were easy to root for as well. Overall, this was an action packed mysterious book that you do not want to miss. I highly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to any reader who loves mysteries or supernatural thrills. Thank you to Pump Up Your Book Tour and Author for this great read in exchange of my honest review of Dragged Down Deep by Michael Okon.
April 16, 2025
Congratulations on this incredible achievement! The B.R.A.G. Medallion (Book Readers Appreciation Group) is a prestigious recognition for self-published books, and it speaks volumes about the quality and appeal of DRAGGED DOWN DEEP by Michael Okon. This honor places it among a distinguished group of reader-recommended works.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews