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The World of Dane Maddock #14
Curse of the Cryptid: A Dane Maddock Adventure
Something lurks in the darkness…When former Navy SEAL turned adventurer Dane Maddock arrives at a secluded South Carolina inn, he expects a simple investigation. Instead, he stumbles into a deadly mystery where secrets lie hidden at every turn and death awaits.. And at the heart of it all—whispers of an ancient creature lurking in the swamp. But is the creature truly the monster they should fear?
A pulse-pounding adventure filled with mystery, danger, and shocking discoveries. Don’t miss this thrilling new chapter in the Dane Maddock universe!
Classic adventure for the modern reader! Fans of Clive Cussler and Indiana Jones will love Dane Maddock!
Praise for David Wood and The Dane Maddock Adventures! “With the thoroughly enjoyable way Mr. Wood has mixed speculative history with our modern-day pursuit of truth, he has created a story that thrills and makes one think beyond the boundaries of mere fiction and enter the world of ‘why not’?” David Lynn Golemon, Author of the Event Group series
“What an adventure! A great read that provides lots of action, and thoughtful insight as well, into strange realms that are sometimes best left unexplored.” Paul Kemprecos, author of Cool Blue Tomb and the NUMA Files
“Dane and Bones.... Together they’re unstoppable. Rip roaring action from start to finish. Wit and humor throughout. Just one question - how soon until the next one? Because I can’t wait.” Graham Brown, author of Shadows of the Midnight Sun
“A page-turning yarn blending high action, Biblical speculation, ancient secrets, and nasty creatures. Indiana Jones better watch his back!” Jeremy Robinson, author of SecondWorld
“Let there be no David Wood is the next Clive Cussler. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop until the last mystery plays out in the final line.” Edward G. Talbot, author of 2012: The Fifth World
“A twisty tale of adventure and intrigue that never lets up and never lets go!” Robert Masello, author of The Einstein Prophecy
“I like my thrillers with lots of explosions, global locations, and a mystery where I learn something new. Wood delivers! Recommended as a fast paced, kick ass read.” J.F. Penn, author of Desecration
“David Wood has done it again. Within seconds of opening the book, I was hooked. Intrigue, suspense, monsters, and treasure hunters. What more could you want? David’s knocked it out of the park with this one!” Nick Thacker- author of The Enigma Strain
“The literary equivalent of a theme park roller coaster!” BookAnon
A pulse-pounding adventure filled with mystery, danger, and shocking discoveries. Don’t miss this thrilling new chapter in the Dane Maddock universe!
Classic adventure for the modern reader! Fans of Clive Cussler and Indiana Jones will love Dane Maddock!
Praise for David Wood and The Dane Maddock Adventures! “With the thoroughly enjoyable way Mr. Wood has mixed speculative history with our modern-day pursuit of truth, he has created a story that thrills and makes one think beyond the boundaries of mere fiction and enter the world of ‘why not’?” David Lynn Golemon, Author of the Event Group series
“What an adventure! A great read that provides lots of action, and thoughtful insight as well, into strange realms that are sometimes best left unexplored.” Paul Kemprecos, author of Cool Blue Tomb and the NUMA Files
“Dane and Bones.... Together they’re unstoppable. Rip roaring action from start to finish. Wit and humor throughout. Just one question - how soon until the next one? Because I can’t wait.” Graham Brown, author of Shadows of the Midnight Sun
“A page-turning yarn blending high action, Biblical speculation, ancient secrets, and nasty creatures. Indiana Jones better watch his back!” Jeremy Robinson, author of SecondWorld
“Let there be no David Wood is the next Clive Cussler. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop until the last mystery plays out in the final line.” Edward G. Talbot, author of 2012: The Fifth World
“A twisty tale of adventure and intrigue that never lets up and never lets go!” Robert Masello, author of The Einstein Prophecy
“I like my thrillers with lots of explosions, global locations, and a mystery where I learn something new. Wood delivers! Recommended as a fast paced, kick ass read.” J.F. Penn, author of Desecration
“David Wood has done it again. Within seconds of opening the book, I was hooked. Intrigue, suspense, monsters, and treasure hunters. What more could you want? David’s knocked it out of the park with this one!” Nick Thacker- author of The Enigma Strain
“The literary equivalent of a theme park roller coaster!” BookAnon
80 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 29, 2025
32 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
David Wood
100 books309 followersDavid Wood is the USA Today bestselling author of the Dane Maddock Adventures and many other titles and series. He also writes Science Fiction under the pen name Finn Gray and fantasy as David Debord. He is also a book reviewer, podcaster, and a member of International Thriller Writers and The Horror Writers Association. David and his family live in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Visit him online at www.davidwoodweb.com.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 11, 2025
Dane Maddock's stories are some of my favorites. David Wood has created a terrific character who always stumbles into a fun adventure. Curse of the Cryptid is yet another action-filled book by Wood, one of my favorite authors. He is a yarn spinner and as imaginative as anyone in the marketplace.
This is a fast read and serves up a feast of well-fleshed characters and an interesting plot. Sometimes, the story reminded me of an old movie, "Creature of the Black Lagoon," but it took a sharp turn and read like a Murder She Wrote book. I was not disappointed, and in the end, I found it to be one of my favorites of his.
Whenever times get challenging, the first books I surf through are David Wood's. They are guaranteed to remove you from stressful situations to roller-coaster adventures. So, hop on, you'll enjoy the ride
This is a fast read and serves up a feast of well-fleshed characters and an interesting plot. Sometimes, the story reminded me of an old movie, "Creature of the Black Lagoon," but it took a sharp turn and read like a Murder She Wrote book. I was not disappointed, and in the end, I found it to be one of my favorites of his.
Whenever times get challenging, the first books I surf through are David Wood's. They are guaranteed to remove you from stressful situations to roller-coaster adventures. So, hop on, you'll enjoy the ride
February 4, 2025
One Sitting Read Perfect Introduction To Author. This is one of those novellas that is *so* short that it is actually possible to read it in one sitting - by the time most anyone (barring certain medical conditions) will need to get up again... you're already done with this 80 ish page book.
And yet it really is a perfect introduction to Wood's style of storytelling and this ever expanding "Dane Maddock Universe" in particular. There's enough references here to prior events that newer readers will be enticed to go back to read about those particular adventures, and these same references make it fun for longer term fans to remember "oh yeah, that happened in that book".
So either for long term fans looking for the next bit of fun or people new to Wood and these characters, you're going to have fun with this one sitting read.
And yes, it had a bit of particular interest *for me* since it happened to take place not far from an area I lived in for several years - this particular swamp where this takes place is basically on the other side of Columbia, SC from where I lived and worked on the shores of Lake Murray, just across and outside town.
Overall a fun, quick read for anyone, and thus a great one to help hit those reading goals either at the end of a month or perhaps at the end of a year.
Very much recommended.
And yet it really is a perfect introduction to Wood's style of storytelling and this ever expanding "Dane Maddock Universe" in particular. There's enough references here to prior events that newer readers will be enticed to go back to read about those particular adventures, and these same references make it fun for longer term fans to remember "oh yeah, that happened in that book".
So either for long term fans looking for the next bit of fun or people new to Wood and these characters, you're going to have fun with this one sitting read.
And yes, it had a bit of particular interest *for me* since it happened to take place not far from an area I lived in for several years - this particular swamp where this takes place is basically on the other side of Columbia, SC from where I lived and worked on the shores of Lake Murray, just across and outside town.
Overall a fun, quick read for anyone, and thus a great one to help hit those reading goals either at the end of a month or perhaps at the end of a year.
Very much recommended.
February 2, 2025
Enjoyable, but short.
Enjoy this series and was intrigued by the cover and the sample. Laughed out loud to a reference. "What's a Slestak?". Not sure what the world is coming to when the characters had no clue. I remembered it and saw it in my mind's eye as soon as I read the sentence. Cryptids, all kinds of monsters, earthly or celestial, are almost always a good read. Looking forward to more.
Enjoy this series and was intrigued by the cover and the sample. Laughed out loud to a reference. "What's a Slestak?". Not sure what the world is coming to when the characters had no clue. I remembered it and saw it in my mind's eye as soon as I read the sentence. Cryptids, all kinds of monsters, earthly or celestial, are almost always a good read. Looking forward to more.
February 9, 2025
A very short read but packed with all the essentials. David Wood is one of my favourite authors and he never disappoints. Of course I recommend reading this book. Better yet read all the Maddock and Bones adventures.
February 9, 2025
A good sample of Dave Wood thriller-horror work, in a Short Story. Well written and tightly plotted, it does have a few issues that keep it from being a polished work.
And the conclusion - classic cliff hanger. Will they, did they, should they see and divulge the mystery?
And the conclusion - classic cliff hanger. Will they, did they, should they see and divulge the mystery?
February 1, 2025
A good addition to the Maddock universe and has reminded me that I need to catch up on a few I have missed reading.
February 2, 2025
A good read
The story is terrific. It is quick and kept me riveted! The plot had interesting twists and the characters were interesting. I read it in one sitting!
The story is terrific. It is quick and kept me riveted! The plot had interesting twists and the characters were interesting. I read it in one sitting!
February 26, 2025
This was a good read. Lots packed into this story. Very enjoyable. Recommended.
April 30, 2025
M
Needed Bones. Maddock and Bones are a team a
Alone the books are only 1\2 as good. Please do not separatethem
Needed Bones. Maddock and Bones are a team a
Alone the books are only 1\2 as good. Please do not separatethem
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews