The Dark Convoy: A Cosmic Horror Novel

by Calvin Ness

How far down the road to ruin would you drive for the people you love?

Pizza delivery boy Gavin Reser's future looks as bleak as his hometown—until a mysterious shooting star leads him to the Dark Convoy.

The Dark Convoy, an underground criminal organization, deals in forbidden knowledge, murder, and missions so horrific they'd drive the average person insane. Their offer to Gavin is Complete five jobs as one of their getaway drivers, and he’ll be set for life. The catch? Fail, and he loses everything—including his girlfriend Charlotte, the only person who believes in him.

As Gavin plunges into a world of sci-fi horror and heart-pounding heists, life becomes one gigantic gray area. Does Gavin have the guts to defy death and dive headlong into an occult mystery as vast as outer space? Can he maintain hope that despite the paranormal nightmare he's fallen into, love might still find a way? Or will the supernatural forces and disturbing horrors destroy his sanity for good?

From the action-packed opening to the jaw-dropping finale, The Dark Convoy is a relentless page-turner. Part psychological thriller (The Silence of the Lambs), part gritty crime fiction (Blacktop Wasteland), and part science fiction horror with pitch-dark humor (John Dies at the End)—

The Dark Convoy is a fast-paced BUY NOW novel. Buckle up for a mind-bending, edge-of-your-seat thrill ride that will have you questioning reality long after the final page turns.

Genres: Horror

229 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 29, 2024

About the author

Calvin Ness lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, three sons, and two beloved Boxer dogs. The Dark Convoy is his debut novel. When he's not writing, Calvin spends time with his wife, helping their boys discover the magic of reading, story, and our wonderful world.

Subscribe to his Substack newsletter—Reflections from the Road to Nowhere—for short stories, news, and resources for writing and publishing.

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a ride.
In this book, we follow a pizza delivery expert who gets force recruited into a secret group called the Dark Convoy because he is an excellent driver. This book pushes the limits on what you would be willing to do to keep your closest loved ones safe. Join Gavin as he inadvertently leaves a trail of bodies in his wake while grappling with what is right and wrong in his new life that reads like a fever dream.
I personally haven't read a ton of cosmic horror, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. If you like mobster style action books and the book 'The Hike' by Drew Magary, you'll love The Dark Convoy. It was action-packed and fast-paced with a fair amount of character development. I found myself very invested in our main characters story outcome. I really enjoyed the gore and body horror (there was a part where I was eating an uncrustable and immediately regretted reading while doing so), as well as the use of portals and magical in between places. There were some really fun back story chapters to events that were happening that transformed it into a truly cinematic experience.
You know by now if you are no stranger to my reviews that a good ending is important to me. I feel like we spend hours and hours reading, traveling that 'road to nowhere', hoping for a solid destination. The ending was perfect! It set us up very nicely to continue the series without feeling like we didn't get any closure. What a delicate line to tread!
Calvin Ness is an awesome fella, and I am very grateful to be a part of his transition from film to paper. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is super fast paced and a lot of fun! It follows Gavin who starts out as a pizza delivery guy and ends up working for The Dark Convoy. He has choices to make and witnesses things he definitely can't unsee. Morally gray at it's best- loved it!

[C.P. Bearden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book threads the needle of having an incredibly unique story while simultaneously feeling familiar and was a blast to read. It’s fast and gritty and I loved it!

[Anny Wilkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quickly paced story with such imagination! This cosmic horror will leave you breathless as this journey unfolds and forces you into the corner of your own fears. Though laced with tension and a sense impeding doom, there are some tender moments between characters peppered throughout the story. Emotionally fortified characters, a perilous quest, and embracing the morally gray is the recipe for this novel. And it was utterly delicious. Hammer down!!

[Beau Branch · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an outstanding wild ride this book was!! I’ve never experienced a writing style like this and it did not disappoint! Highly recommend!

[Dice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it

Was a fun journey through a dark, trippy, science fiction/fantasy world. Not much of a horror guy, but I still liked the horror parts.

[Penelope Minor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️ (fade to black & light kissing)

OMG u guyssss, this was an ooey gooey ride. I loved it. Makes you want to order your favorite pizza & keep all the lights on when you go to bed. Started reading this at night and the dark corners of my room were screaming at me but I couldn’t put the book down.

The characters, especially our main one, Gavin, are so loveable & relatable. There’s romance, sci-fi, action, murder, and most of all, comedy. I giggled more than once for sure. Calvin really knows how to set the scene, I felt like I was in the driver seat reading this.

“No one’s ever been better off after eating a Filet-O-Fish.” no cus right. 😭

“A steering wheel in my hands, the Road to Nowhere under my tires-it was a high. Something to live for. Something to die for.” 🛸🫟

As a side note - I met this author, Calvin, on a flight I was working a few weeks back. He is an incredibly nice person and clearly talented at what he does. We talked for a while in the galley about our favorite books, him being an author & where it all started for him. I’m so happy I met him and was introduced to his book, The Dark Convoy. Can’t stop recommending to my flight attendant friends. This is an aft galley, red eye read. “Hammer down” Calvin, and give the people what they want! More books by you! 👏🏻

[The Mick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so fun! It felt kinda like I got to follow a dark side in the Men in Black universe. Definitely more horrifying than the MiB universe, but still reminded me of it in a way. I love the touch of real life horrors like serial killers and such as well.. The Dark Convoy deals in all things dark, not just extra terrestrial. I wanted to add that info because, in general, I don’t read or enjoy science fiction or ET books, but this wasn’t strictly that and I really enjoyed it. This has something in it to love for ALL types of horror readers. The writing is fantastic, the Characters lovable and the villains hateable.. I’m a huge fan of extreme horror and Splatter punk.. this is neither of those imo, but there’s some body horror in this book that definitely made me need to take a break as it somehow found my ONE trigger and got me gooood 😅 but I loved it! I like to be challenged. I do want to add, my one trigger(that I refuse to even type) is not a common thing and could be fine for the average reader to get through. Haha. This book was great and I look forward to more stories from the Dark Convoy and Calvin Ness!

[Sabetha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down, fantastic pacing and execution. Wow.

At no point in this read did I know what would happen next and I loved it. The thrill of the unknown, so many questions being presented, most for information not solutions. It's a wild ride.

I still can't believe the chaos that unfolded is the dark convoy going to regret hiring Gavin? Is there going to be a follow up novel? I want more! Even if it's just following a different new recruit. This needs to be a series! But more than anything I want more Charlotte. How did the events in this story change her?

The way the plot flowed kept the tension high. Interludes, side information, back story, it all just kept pulling the end of the book closer, at a pace that sped up as the chapters went on. Thoroughly enjoyed the structure of the chapters.

You'll love this book if you enjoy anything by Keith Rosson, other worldly hidden in plain sight tales with action and reflection.

Thank you to hidden gems for a copy of this book.

[Crys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book was a wild ride and non-stop from the first word and I loved every bit of it. Gavin is a solid dude with a good head on his shoulders who finds himself in a no-win situation. But he takes the reins and does the best he can every step of the way, even when confronted with doubt as he navigates situations he knows aren’t kosher. I rooted for him the whole way. This is Calvin’s debut novel and he knocked it out of the park. I can’t wait to see what else is in that brain of his.. he will be an auto buy author for me for sure. If you love cosmic horror, this book will be right up your alley. I told Calvin that the book gave me Fever House vibes and it certainly does, but vibes is the only similarity between the two, really. The Dark Convoy is nothing like any of the cosmic horror books I’ve read before. Such a great read 💜

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page up to the last, The Dark Convoy has had my stomach aching. I couldn't breathe as well from the action-packed scenes that never let up beyond the final chapter. Since it closed out on a cliffhanger, are we to expect a second book?

This is Calvin Ness' first novel, and for a debut, he did swimmingly well with this marvel of a book. Having is a character you'd hate to love and someone you'd root for until the end.

For an EH/SP fan who craves gore and guts, The Dark Convoy provided me with an ample amount of it, all the while allowing me to enjoy the horror of the magic in each chapter.

Read this one. It'll keep you hooked.

[Theycallmegreg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thriller horror was petal to the metal, hammer down from the beginning of the prologue to the end of the epilogue. You won’t have time to catch your breath before the next task is needed to be done. We follow our MC as he learns to walk the lines of morally grey to save not only himself, but his girlfriend and best friend. You will delve into a secret organization that seems out of this world and take part in a bloody grotesque and phobia triggering adventure that is The Dark Convoy.

[Gabrielle Branch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow! This blew me away! I had no idea what cosmic horror was going into it, but I was completely enthralled by the entire book. I haven’t physically read a book this fast in a LONG time! The gory parts were perfectly done and not too over the top. The story was so unique and ended just the way I needed it to. I’m ready for the 2nd one! Thank you Calvin for sending me a copy!!

[Graveyardreads Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovecraft meets Mission Impossible meets The Silence of the Lambs. That's how unique this book is. Calvin Ness's debut novel is a complete winner that I can see as a cult classic movie in the future. Not only is this exciting from beginning to end, but the imagination from Ness is to be respected. His detailed writing is fantastic and gives new meaning to sci-fi horror.

[Sabelle C · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This was a truly dark and chaotic read
Great debut novel for Calvin Ness
Tons of suspense
The action and chaos was out of this world

There were a lot of scene jumps and a ton of horrific violence including kidnapping, captivity, and brutal assault and bodily mutilation that made it very difficult for me personally to get through

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dark Convoy is cosmic horror that is quite an acid trip with some intense fever dreamy moments. You follow a pizza delivery driver with a good heart and intentions to save those who matter most to him. The book did a great job at being simultaneously funny and sinister.. and downright gross. It gave me Bill and Ted’s excellent adventure vibes, but make it horror with a touch of Umbrella Academy and a serial k!ller.

[Lindsey Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Debut Novel! 5/5

This is not normally a genre I read but I am SO glad that I did. The ride with Gavin and the Dark Convoy was such a thrill. You get love, action, horror and…jellyfish. Trust me, it’s worth it! It’s fast paced, easy to read and the Interlude between chapters were a story within a story. I will be recommending this book!!

[Matt Fleetwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first cosmic horror novel, and it was such a fun ride. I don't have anything to compare it to, but my understanding is that cosmic horror themes include human insignificance, gray morality, existential struggles and sacrifice, and much more. The book was a trippy experience and I liked how it used this mundane and boring guy as a main character which helped the story feel relatable even though the genre is inherently deep.

[Jen Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book finished me, I did not finish this book. OH MY GAAHHH...what an incredible ride!! It was absolutely brilliant. Well thought out, well described without being too wordy, fast paced, action packed and so much fun...and suspense. And humor. Just all the good things!!!!

[Giselle's Reading Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know we’re only in January, but I already know this is going to be one of my favorite reads this year. The writing was fantastic. The plot was fresh and unlike anything I’ve read in a long time within the horror genre. I loved the characters and the skin crawling ick was perfect. A great start to the reading year. I can’t wait for books 2 and 3.

[Mandy Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. Very confusing timeline and sporadic plot. Idk

[Jocelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow wtf did I just read? I guess cosmic horror is what describes this book. Short, fun, weird..fast-paced…dark… Men In Black-ish… kinda book? 😂

[Marshae Bearden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting and wildly creative

I love how the book throws you into the action from the first page. The gritty style made it a page turner that I blew through

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly entertaining read. Ness takes you on a wild ride through the horrific and super natural. I can’t wait for the next book!

[Geoffrey Waring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calvin Ness's debut novel is a non-stop thrill ride through a cosmic horror landscape. A little bit of Lovecraft, a little William Shakespeare, and a whole lot of peel-out, high-octane, pedal-to-the-metal action. Oh, and there are outhouse witches.

For those who have followed Ness's award-winning rise on the NoSleep forums on Reddit, this book is both a long-anticipated delight and no surprise. Few authors have such a mastery of multiple genres and mixes them as well. Highly recommend The Dark Convoy to fans of horror, action, cinema, and good writing.

[Una · Rating 4 out of 5]

Men in black , meet butterfly garden meet i don’t even know.. this was very entertaining but I wish there was more explanation for what was happening.. a background story.. something

[kelly thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

I enjoyed this a lot! This book was fast paced and entertaining! Good world building. I can't wait for the follow-up!

[Max Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gavin, a pizza delivery driver, hasn’t got much going for himself, aside from his girlfriend, his best mate, and the fact that he’s a good driver.
After an otherworldly encounter, he’s quickly recruited by the dark convoy: an organisation whose business is the otherworldly.
Gavin has a choice: complete five jobs and be set for life, or fail and suffer dire consequences.
This book is fast paced, action packed, and full of cosmic horror.
Ness’s writing is on point and puts you in the front seat for one hell of a ride.
I look forward to reading more from him.

[Reading In The Dark · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an Amazing Debut Book from this Author. It’s a wild and Trippy Ride. I found myself thinking about the book when I wasn’t reading It. I loved the main Character Gavin. I think the book is more Bizarro. But it could also be a Horror so it’s a Hybrid I can’t wait to read more from this Author

[K. Enterante · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dark Convoy is a very solid, very fun, extremely fast-paced debut from Calvin Ness that combines shades of Stephen King and Jason Pargin to deliver a wild ride through a mysterious shadow organization whose ultimate purpose never gets fully explored.

The punchy, easily consumable prose pushes you alongside Gavin Reser, a pizza delivery boy and self-proclaimed burnout who's inexplicably talented behind the wheel of a car. One night, he follows what appears to be a falling star and then winds up in The Dark Convoy, a shadow organization that claims to have had their eye on Gavin all along for his driving skills. Gavin must now complete five tasks for the Convoy in order to protect himself, his girl, and his best friend from certain death.

For me, one of the book's greatest strengths--the lightning-quick pacing--sometimes seemed to work against the story at large. I found myself wanting the book to slow down for some character moments and plot development. We do end up getting a nice scene with Gavin and his best friend, but I would've liked to see the book slow down for Gavin's girlfriend, who turns out to be far more important than the book had me believing (we only learn about her from a distance, mostly as a vehicle for Gavin to tell the reader how much of a burnout he is compared to his girl). The ultra-fast pacing also resulted in some issues with continuity; I couldn't really get a full sense of how long or how short people work for the Convoy. People simultaneously seem to be there forever while others, like Gavin, are in and "out" in a matter of days.

The interludes also showcased some of the book's stronger scenes, but I found myself wanting them to have more impact on the overall plot. It could've been cool, for example, to see these interludes connect back to the "important work" the Keeper--serial killer and the book's overarching antagonist--does for the Convoy, which could've helped bolster the story's already strong climax. What the Keeper does for the Convoy is one of several questions that this book probably should've answered in service to the story's stakes. Instead, the Dark Convoy remains almost as mysterious as when they first emerged in Gavin's life, and the reader is left wondering what it is they do and who or what it is they are up against. Seemingly there are other shadow organizations at play, but I was never exactly sure of that.

Overall, I can honestly say that I very much look forward to my second trip on the Road to Nowhere; I remain exceedingly confident in the author's ability to get back behind the proverbial wheel and steer us into the great unknown once more--but with greater command.