What do you think?
Rate this book
The Depths
When Jen Adams’ son is kidnapped and her boss is brutally murdered, she and her husband are thrown into a hunt to find out why.
The mystery takes her and a team of soldiers and scientists deep beneath the Atlantic Ocean — to a research station lying under five miles of water one of the deepest oceanic trenches on the planet. The station has been abandoned for over thirty years, and no one knows what to expect when they get there.
As they begin to learn more about the station, however, they find out there's something the base is trying to hide — something that could prove devastating for the rest of the world…
The mystery takes her and a team of soldiers and scientists deep beneath the Atlantic Ocean — to a research station lying under five miles of water one of the deepest oceanic trenches on the planet. The station has been abandoned for over thirty years, and no one knows what to expect when they get there.
As they begin to learn more about the station, however, they find out there's something the base is trying to hide — something that could prove devastating for the rest of the world…
381 pages, Paperback
First published May 7, 2014
1517 people are currently reading
2225 people want to read
About the author
Nick Thacker
108 books438 followersNick Thacker is a thriller author from Texas who lives in Hawaii. In his free time, he enjoys reading in a hammock on the beach, skiing, drinking whiskey, and hanging out with his beautiful wife, two dogs, and two daughters.
For more information, visit Nick online at www.nickthacker.com
In addition to his fiction work, Nick is the founder and lead of Sonata & Scribe, the only music studio focused on producing “soundtracks” for books and series. Find out more at www.SonataAndScribe.com.
In addition to his fiction work, Nick is the founder and lead of Sonata & Scribe, the only music studio focused on producing “soundtracks” for books and series. Find out more at www.SonataAndScribe.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
July 19, 2024
The Depths is probably my fifth or sixth Nick Thacker thriller completed. I think I own at least five or six more that I haven't read yet. That should tell you that I trust the guy's work. The reason that I judge this one as just good, it's because I sometimes get caught scratching my head due to the technobabble. It does not happen very often, but because the novel is on audible, I sometimes have to stop the audio and return to parse the jargon that had me confuzzled.
Another issue, (admittedly a minor one that is not Thacker's fault) was the fact that I just completed a suspense novel also with a "ticking clock" trope making me feel as if I had "been there done that." Unfortunately, many thrillers include that element to enhance suspense. Clearly, this did not preclude me from finding joy in the book, and I was still thrilled.
The Depths is a techno-thriller involving a traditional family unit on the edge of transforming by marital separation. Jen's boss is murdered and then her son is kidnapped. When the police are called, they obviously believe that the two incidents are related, and consequently, a heart-wrenching, nerve-wrecking, pulse pounding thrill ride begins.
The soon-to-be ex-husband, Mark, and Jen team-up to find their son, which leads them to getting abducted, on a submarine, to an underwater research station off the coast of Puerto Rico, where they discover a secret project, involving genetic manipulation, political intrigue, and an extinction level event that would cause a massive loss of life. They must stop it, at all costs. Good story, with really great beats, but for my caveats.
Another issue, (admittedly a minor one that is not Thacker's fault) was the fact that I just completed a suspense novel also with a "ticking clock" trope making me feel as if I had "been there done that." Unfortunately, many thrillers include that element to enhance suspense. Clearly, this did not preclude me from finding joy in the book, and I was still thrilled.
The Depths is a techno-thriller involving a traditional family unit on the edge of transforming by marital separation. Jen's boss is murdered and then her son is kidnapped. When the police are called, they obviously believe that the two incidents are related, and consequently, a heart-wrenching, nerve-wrecking, pulse pounding thrill ride begins.
The soon-to-be ex-husband, Mark, and Jen team-up to find their son, which leads them to getting abducted, on a submarine, to an underwater research station off the coast of Puerto Rico, where they discover a secret project, involving genetic manipulation, political intrigue, and an extinction level event that would cause a massive loss of life. They must stop it, at all costs. Good story, with really great beats, but for my caveats.
February 7, 2015
Although The Depths sounds like a promising adventure thriller that takes readers into the depths of the ocean, it only manages to trudge along like an anchor, weighted down by continuity issues and lackluster writing.
The story itself is about Jen Adams, a research assistant who finds out her son is kidnapped at the exact same moment she finds her boss murdered (sigh), who is dragged by British Marine to a secret undersea station that was abandoned 30 years ago in order to find the secret that her blackmailers are after. Nobody knows exactly what that secret might be, but they're certain to know it when they see it unless the blackmailers get there first.
Wait ... what? As the novel transforms itself into race-against-the-clock predictable straight to digital script, readers can expect to grow increasing frustrated by the nick-of-time saves, inappropriately timed sentiments, and a writing style that stops everything in its tracks over and over again.
The story itself is about Jen Adams, a research assistant who finds out her son is kidnapped at the exact same moment she finds her boss murdered (sigh), who is dragged by British Marine to a secret undersea station that was abandoned 30 years ago in order to find the secret that her blackmailers are after. Nobody knows exactly what that secret might be, but they're certain to know it when they see it unless the blackmailers get there first.
Wait ... what? As the novel transforms itself into race-against-the-clock predictable straight to digital script, readers can expect to grow increasing frustrated by the nick-of-time saves, inappropriately timed sentiments, and a writing style that stops everything in its tracks over and over again.
October 21, 2014
You've got to be kidding me
I realize that not everyone served in the Military and even less aboard Submarines. A Corporal is never saluted, ever. He/She is an NCO. This means noncommissioned Officer. Outside of basic training there are only two sets of Military ranks that warrant a salute. Warrant Officers and Commissioned Oficers, The one exception to this is a Congressonal Medal of Honor recipient. On a Submarine the captain is God. Mr Thacker needs to do some more research on his chosen genre.
I realize that not everyone served in the Military and even less aboard Submarines. A Corporal is never saluted, ever. He/She is an NCO. This means noncommissioned Officer. Outside of basic training there are only two sets of Military ranks that warrant a salute. Warrant Officers and Commissioned Oficers, The one exception to this is a Congressonal Medal of Honor recipient. On a Submarine the captain is God. Mr Thacker needs to do some more research on his chosen genre.
March 20, 2016
Terrible read.
One of the worst books I've ever wasted time on. I would've been better off with a sharp stick and my eye. On second thought something worse. Hard to list everything wrong. Characters are haphazardly developed on a poor plot. Backplote was uselessly presented and I still don't know why it is even included! The whole thing is unorganized drivel. The writer needs to rediscover a story board along with a grade school education. Prose by itself has no value without a purpose. I will never try to read this author again even if it was for free.
One of the worst books I've ever wasted time on. I would've been better off with a sharp stick and my eye. On second thought something worse. Hard to list everything wrong. Characters are haphazardly developed on a poor plot. Backplote was uselessly presented and I still don't know why it is even included! The whole thing is unorganized drivel. The writer needs to rediscover a story board along with a grade school education. Prose by itself has no value without a purpose. I will never try to read this author again even if it was for free.
February 4, 2016
"The Depths" (by Nick Thacker) is an odd mixture of a good concept and somewhat illogical presentation. Jen Adams discovers her boss's body in her car and then learns from her husband Mark that their son Reese was kidnapped by eco-terrorists. The ransom note gives them four days to find the "answer". And she has no idea what they're talking about.
A British military team, "commanded" by a corporal (!), takes her and hubby to an abandoned secret research station five miles (!) deep in the Atlantic Ocean. They of course are attacked by a mystery submarine (never really explained) as they dock at the dome/station, and their own transport sub is destroyed, but they make it inside OK. They meet some zombie-like "scientists" in the "abandoned" station (for 30 years, supposedly), along with several soldiers with zombie-like tendencies who don't act very welcoming toward the new visitors (as in killing and shooting them).
There are too many illogical things (for me) happening in the story. As one example, the head Bad Guy (Jeremiah Austen) is easily attacked at one point by Mark, who then leaves him alive while he searches for Reese. But Bad Guy figures out that the entire remaining contingent will come together and then pick the elevator over the passages and the stairs to get to a particular level, even though they've never tried the elevator before and even though they're probably under observation and know that the electrical systems are under their opponent's control. So Bad Guy quickly gets to a different level (he apparently got better in a hurry) and waits for them to walk into that particular trap so he can spring it and intercept the elevator. There's also an uninteresting side trip involving a couple of detectives who are asked (and then non-asked) for investigative help -- which they never do provide.
And, oh yeah, the actual motive behind the Bad Guy's actions? Even for an "eco-terrorist", it's reaching, by quite a bit.
Still, it was mostly an interesting book, and worthy of 3 stars for the effort, I suppose.
A British military team, "commanded" by a corporal (!), takes her and hubby to an abandoned secret research station five miles (!) deep in the Atlantic Ocean. They of course are attacked by a mystery submarine (never really explained) as they dock at the dome/station, and their own transport sub is destroyed, but they make it inside OK. They meet some zombie-like "scientists" in the "abandoned" station (for 30 years, supposedly), along with several soldiers with zombie-like tendencies who don't act very welcoming toward the new visitors (as in killing and shooting them).
There are too many illogical things (for me) happening in the story. As one example, the head Bad Guy (Jeremiah Austen) is easily attacked at one point by Mark, who then leaves him alive while he searches for Reese. But Bad Guy figures out that the entire remaining contingent will come together and then pick the elevator over the passages and the stairs to get to a particular level, even though they've never tried the elevator before and even though they're probably under observation and know that the electrical systems are under their opponent's control. So Bad Guy quickly gets to a different level (he apparently got better in a hurry) and waits for them to walk into that particular trap so he can spring it and intercept the elevator. There's also an uninteresting side trip involving a couple of detectives who are asked (and then non-asked) for investigative help -- which they never do provide.
And, oh yeah, the actual motive behind the Bad Guy's actions? Even for an "eco-terrorist", it's reaching, by quite a bit.
Still, it was mostly an interesting book, and worthy of 3 stars for the effort, I suppose.
February 2, 2015
Interesting premise and parts were good but for me it dragged starting at about two thirds the way through. Maybe I just didn't connect with any of the characters but also the writing was "rough" and could do with more editing.
April 7, 2016
Confusion
Confusion and mayhem. Find the answer but no one knows the question. Top secret plans, top secret agents, top secret locations! It just goes on and on and on, never an answer. Kidnapper says no police. So you don't! Really? Solve it on your own?
Confusion and mayhem. Find the answer but no one knows the question. Top secret plans, top secret agents, top secret locations! It just goes on and on and on, never an answer. Kidnapper says no police. So you don't! Really? Solve it on your own?
February 21, 2021
I’ve always been a sucker for books about underwater habitats. There is something about the isolation deep beneath the ocean with the constant threat of the immense pressure of the sea water cracking the shelter that ramps up the excitement for me just about every time. Unfortunately, The Depths is the exception to the rule. It starts out okay with a kidnapped child and a parent desperately trying to locate him, but the story never quite finished grabbing my attention. There were too many irrational actors and many little details such as a lack of understanding of military protocol that really damaged my suspension of disbelief. Ultimately, the story just couldn’t hold my attention.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
August 20, 2022
I chose this for a vacation read, and it was a fun way to pass time while sitting in airports. It did require a willingness to suspend belief to fully enjoy.
The husband and wife that are the protagonists sort of needed some of the supporting cast to supply the completely rounded out hero. But the villain was worthy of an early Bond movie, with an over-the-top scheme.
The setting, which the reader is regularly reminded is under 5 miles of Atlantic Ocean pressure, was an added appeal to me. Pure brain candy.
The husband and wife that are the protagonists sort of needed some of the supporting cast to supply the completely rounded out hero. But the villain was worthy of an early Bond movie, with an over-the-top scheme.
The setting, which the reader is regularly reminded is under 5 miles of Atlantic Ocean pressure, was an added appeal to me. Pure brain candy.
June 26, 2018
Entertaining Undersea Thriller
Not a bad book but Clive Cussler has nothing to worry about. A decent read for fans of this particular genre though.
Not a bad book but Clive Cussler has nothing to worry about. A decent read for fans of this particular genre though.
September 9, 2017
1 star
Jennifer Adams leaves work to receive a phone call in which no one spoke. She then reached her car to find her boss Dr. Elias Storm dead in the driver’s seat. At the same rime she receives a call from her husband Mark telling her that their son Reese has been kidnapped. Mark neglects to tell the police that a ransom note was left. The kidnappers are giving Jen four days to find whatever Dr. Storm was working on and tell them.
When they go to Dr. Storm’s office at the university, they are “taken” by a pair of British commandos. Corporal Cater, who is in command of the commando team, tells them that they are to go to an undisclosed location to search for Dr. Storm’s papers. They assure Jen and Mark that Reese is fine and will be returned to them unharmed.
After they fly to Miami, they are startled to see that they will be boarding a submarine to journey under the sea to a research station. Naturally, Jen and Mark are frightened. Their trip is uneventful until they are fired upon by another sub. Once they dock at the station, their submarine is destroyed by the enemy sub.
As they go exploring the station, they are under attack by two hostile forces. One of their team members gets killed and Carter goes missing. Mark finds Reese safe and well on the station and they make their escape. Mark and Reese meet Carter outside an elevator and Mark swiftly disables him after being attacked by Carter and runs into the elevator with Reese in tow. The elevator sticks between floors and they are then captured by Russian agents.
When the two teams of Russians meet up, Jen, Mark and Reese meet up again. Then Mark drops a bombshell. The Russians tell them of their catastrophic plans.
This book lost me in a few places. I had to page back and said to myself, “Huh?” The premise was interesting, but the characters were just plain odd and I really didn’t care about any of them. Overall, I didn’t like the novel. I seriously doubt that I will read any more of Mr. Thacker’s books. There are just too many books to read and not enough time to do it.
Jennifer Adams leaves work to receive a phone call in which no one spoke. She then reached her car to find her boss Dr. Elias Storm dead in the driver’s seat. At the same rime she receives a call from her husband Mark telling her that their son Reese has been kidnapped. Mark neglects to tell the police that a ransom note was left. The kidnappers are giving Jen four days to find whatever Dr. Storm was working on and tell them.
When they go to Dr. Storm’s office at the university, they are “taken” by a pair of British commandos. Corporal Cater, who is in command of the commando team, tells them that they are to go to an undisclosed location to search for Dr. Storm’s papers. They assure Jen and Mark that Reese is fine and will be returned to them unharmed.
After they fly to Miami, they are startled to see that they will be boarding a submarine to journey under the sea to a research station. Naturally, Jen and Mark are frightened. Their trip is uneventful until they are fired upon by another sub. Once they dock at the station, their submarine is destroyed by the enemy sub.
As they go exploring the station, they are under attack by two hostile forces. One of their team members gets killed and Carter goes missing. Mark finds Reese safe and well on the station and they make their escape. Mark and Reese meet Carter outside an elevator and Mark swiftly disables him after being attacked by Carter and runs into the elevator with Reese in tow. The elevator sticks between floors and they are then captured by Russian agents.
When the two teams of Russians meet up, Jen, Mark and Reese meet up again. Then Mark drops a bombshell. The Russians tell them of their catastrophic plans.
This book lost me in a few places. I had to page back and said to myself, “Huh?” The premise was interesting, but the characters were just plain odd and I really didn’t care about any of them. Overall, I didn’t like the novel. I seriously doubt that I will read any more of Mr. Thacker’s books. There are just too many books to read and not enough time to do it.
July 13, 2014
Jennifer Adams is having a bad day. First she finds her boss, Dr Storm, dead in her car, then she gets a call from her estranged husband to say their son has been kidnapped by eco-terrorists. He doesn’t tell the police, but there’s a ransom note: they have four days to find “Dr Storm’s answer”.
What follows is a fast-paced thriller set in a self-contained biosphere five miles under the ocean (think the Eden Project meets The Abyss meets Stephen King’s The Dome). It’s supposed to be uninhabited, so where did that submarine come from? Who is the strange man in white? And how does this all relate to finding Dr Storm’s answer, and saving Reese?
Jennifer was a good character—intelligent and driven, but her family still came first. Mark, her husband, was a harder character to like at first, but he developed well as the story progressed, and I could see why he had been secretive at first. The plot was complex and detailed, with lots of twists and an ending that was reassuringly unpredictable.
There were a few typos, as well as some writing glitches (overuse of italics, and errors like a saluting a corporal). The “he thought” lines felt wrong (point of view tells us who’s thinking), although I did find I stopped noticing the errors as I got into the story and the pace increased. And increased, to the point it felt too fast. It was one action scene after another, with no down time between scenes to reflect on what was happening (something I felt was necessary both for me as the reader, and for the characters. People who act without thinking invariably make mistakes …).
The concept was great, the characters were interesting, and while The Depths isn’t Christian fiction, it was free from swearing, sex and graphic violence (there was a lot of violence, but it didn’t go in to unnecessary detail). Good, but could be better.
Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.
What follows is a fast-paced thriller set in a self-contained biosphere five miles under the ocean (think the Eden Project meets The Abyss meets Stephen King’s The Dome). It’s supposed to be uninhabited, so where did that submarine come from? Who is the strange man in white? And how does this all relate to finding Dr Storm’s answer, and saving Reese?
Jennifer was a good character—intelligent and driven, but her family still came first. Mark, her husband, was a harder character to like at first, but he developed well as the story progressed, and I could see why he had been secretive at first. The plot was complex and detailed, with lots of twists and an ending that was reassuringly unpredictable.
There were a few typos, as well as some writing glitches (overuse of italics, and errors like a saluting a corporal). The “he thought” lines felt wrong (point of view tells us who’s thinking), although I did find I stopped noticing the errors as I got into the story and the pace increased. And increased, to the point it felt too fast. It was one action scene after another, with no down time between scenes to reflect on what was happening (something I felt was necessary both for me as the reader, and for the characters. People who act without thinking invariably make mistakes …).
The concept was great, the characters were interesting, and while The Depths isn’t Christian fiction, it was free from swearing, sex and graphic violence (there was a lot of violence, but it didn’t go in to unnecessary detail). Good, but could be better.
Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.
December 29, 2015
I recently discovered this author as a result of an advertisement touting him as being better than James Rollins. I'm a Rollins fan so I ordered the advertised book and it sits on my shelf and my TR list. Shortly after this the author posted an ad on FB offering free ebook downloads of three of his books. Free right? What could it hurt? I downloaded the freebees even though I hate ebooks. I read the first one recently only to discover it ended in a cliffhanger which really annoyed me. Now I have read this book and my opinion of it and its author are mixed. The author has talent as a writer but I have problems with his plot. I understand this is fiction and liberties can be taken and inventions created to further a plot. However, if you want to keep from sounding silly your plot and its inventions must be given credibility. Now it is, of course, possible to go off totally into the impossible and implausible and this is called science fiction and Rollins' first few books are good examples of this genre. For awhile I thought that was where this book was headed. It wasn't. This is a thriller that borders on science fiction but its basis and the actions and devices of the characters and the plots are grounded in present day technical reality and the author fails to demonstrate sufficient mastery of the various technical fields to hold on to credibility and the reader's trust. This book has the elements of a good scifi/political thriller but it needs a serious rewrite and refocus. I am also completely troubled by the inclusion of apparently two "major" characters that turn out to have no meaningful function at all. I'll read the last book I have from this author but I am not in any hurry to do so. Oh, by the way the pressure at 5 miles under water is about 1, 647,000 pounds per square foot. I doubt the author bothered to learn that during whatever research he did.
July 21, 2018
The story is wow. Full marks for the idea. The fiction lover in you is definitely going to love this. I did too, to the level that I'd love to see it turn into a feature film. The modern graphics technology might just be able to do justice to the author's imagination. I even imagined Jimmy Smits playing the role of Dr. Sanjay Pavan (a character in the book) while I was reading his dialogues aloud.
You'd be confused as to why I have given the book only 3 stars when I have written nothing but praise for the book and its story. Because there are a few catches (without these it is definitely a 4-star at the least).
Firstly, the story has a few inaccuracies and contradictions here-and-there. A character deduces/states something, and then goes back on his deduction a couple of pages later, without any apparent reason! The author should hire an editor next time he tries his hands on fiction.
Secondly, the book could really do with a proofreader or two. There are a lot of grammatical mistakes, to the point that one gets frustrated and starts ignoring them by the time the book is finished.
Both the above things have a negative impact on the reading experience.
Verdict: The plot is strong with this one. A republication after a round of editing and proofreading, and we've got ourselves a must read imaginative novel.
You'd be confused as to why I have given the book only 3 stars when I have written nothing but praise for the book and its story. Because there are a few catches (without these it is definitely a 4-star at the least).
Firstly, the story has a few inaccuracies and contradictions here-and-there. A character deduces/states something, and then goes back on his deduction a couple of pages later, without any apparent reason! The author should hire an editor next time he tries his hands on fiction.
Secondly, the book could really do with a proofreader or two. There are a lot of grammatical mistakes, to the point that one gets frustrated and starts ignoring them by the time the book is finished.
Both the above things have a negative impact on the reading experience.
Verdict: The plot is strong with this one. A republication after a round of editing and proofreading, and we've got ourselves a must read imaginative novel.
March 20, 2023
The Depths - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
A nefarious plot located mainly in the eponymous depths, sets a FEMA Team on a rescue mission, that, if unsuccessful, will endanger many, including the President.
What happens in the disused undersea laboratory could alter the course of history. How're Jeremiah Austin and Sylvia involved?
Can Jen Adams, her son Reese, husband Mark plus team members Saunders and Nelson save themselves - and life as we know it?
Nick Thacker weaves a spectacularly thrilling tale of risk, bravery, death, danger and more, in The Depths...grab your copy today, and buckle up for a wild ride!
A nefarious plot located mainly in the eponymous depths, sets a FEMA Team on a rescue mission, that, if unsuccessful, will endanger many, including the President.
What happens in the disused undersea laboratory could alter the course of history. How're Jeremiah Austin and Sylvia involved?
Can Jen Adams, her son Reese, husband Mark plus team members Saunders and Nelson save themselves - and life as we know it?
Nick Thacker weaves a spectacularly thrilling tale of risk, bravery, death, danger and more, in The Depths...grab your copy today, and buckle up for a wild ride!
August 27, 2014
Nouvelle terre - a new earth
I really wanted to like this book more. I usually like underwater adventures and the plot sounded like one I would enjoy.
But...way too many extraneous characters to keep track of; flat characters that I couldn't get involved with; lack of editing as far as content goes (science details, continuity for examples); wooden dialogue.
And it's too bad because I think the storyline could have been a good one. There was room for thrills and chills with this worldwide terrorist plot but the pieces never came together.
It wasn't the worst thriller I've read. There were sections of it I enjoyed. I hope author Thacker gets a good substantive editor on future books because I think the potential is there.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I really wanted to like this book more. I usually like underwater adventures and the plot sounded like one I would enjoy.
But...way too many extraneous characters to keep track of; flat characters that I couldn't get involved with; lack of editing as far as content goes (science details, continuity for examples); wooden dialogue.
And it's too bad because I think the storyline could have been a good one. There was room for thrills and chills with this worldwide terrorist plot but the pieces never came together.
It wasn't the worst thriller I've read. There were sections of it I enjoyed. I hope author Thacker gets a good substantive editor on future books because I think the potential is there.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 19, 2016
Felt that the focus of the book was too much on the chase and running around rather than the actual mystery. Wish that a little more time had been spent on the main components such as Nouvelle Terre and how it changed, the reasons for Agartha base being created and abandoned, what and how was the connection built between the President and Nouvelle Terre, how did they plan on getting the President out of there, if not then what was the plan after? Why could they have not just taken Mark?Why the whole family? And if the whole family then why not just kill Reese after Mark had made it to the base? Too many questions which could have been answered and made the book way more interesting than keeping track of who was missing and trying to imagine the whole structure in your head for no real reason.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2014
I give it a 3 for effort. It took me a lot longer to read this than normal and I figured out it was because I didn't care. The first half was interesting, but then after that it just got bogged down in fighting and reasons why they were fighting. The characters didn't grow any, and the technical discussion between the father and his young son seemed dropped in, like he needed to explain and only had a kid to do it with. Didn't ring true.
Then the book actually ends 93% of the way thru and the rest is a preview of another book. All in all I finished even though I skimmed like the last 30 pages...I admit it.
Then the book actually ends 93% of the way thru and the rest is a preview of another book. All in all I finished even though I skimmed like the last 30 pages...I admit it.
November 22, 2014
It's a good story - entertaining and definitely worth the read., November 20, 2014
By Real Laplaine (Göteborg, Sweden)
This review is from: The Depths (Kindle Edition)
The Depths is a thriller with an interesting technological twist. As I read the book, and as the ride proceeded deep into the ocean, five miles beneath the sea, I could feel the claustrophobia turning on, the pressure-cooker rising inside of me, and the need to finish the book and get relief from a plot which kept one running to find out how it would end. It's a good story - entertaining and definitely worth the read.
By Real Laplaine (Göteborg, Sweden)
This review is from: The Depths (Kindle Edition)
The Depths is a thriller with an interesting technological twist. As I read the book, and as the ride proceeded deep into the ocean, five miles beneath the sea, I could feel the claustrophobia turning on, the pressure-cooker rising inside of me, and the need to finish the book and get relief from a plot which kept one running to find out how it would end. It's a good story - entertaining and definitely worth the read.
May 19, 2016
At a third into the book I considered giving up on this book, I read some reviews and many agreed on the fact that there was a good story that was missing a good editor, i decided to keep going. Having finished the book I agree with those reviews. I was between 2 stars (for all the issues with how it is written) and 3 (for the way the story kind of captivate you). Going with 3
February 29, 2020
Nick Thacker can do better than this! This book was horrible. An unbelievable story line throughtout this book. How come the sonar guy on the sub didn't hear the screw on the enemy sub? The President of the U.S. involved. What dreadful, horrible,rotten trash.
June 4, 2019
I enjoyed this book, I love "sciency" thrillers and I have a soft spot for underwater adventure so it was right up my alley. It's fast paced, you want to know what's going to happen next and why everything is happening, a real page-turner. Well written, I want to read more of the same author.
April 6, 2018
Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Dr. Jen Adams (ex-wife/mother, PhD; associate Professor Energy Systems Engineering) had just got done with her academic lecture.
Mark Adams (husband/father) called & informed her Reese Adams (12, their son) was not home.
Just as Jen was about to leave she noticed Dr. Elias Storm (PhD; Professor, Jen’s boss) dead body with 2 rods sticking out of his skull.
The next thing she knew when she woke Officer Rodriguez & Officer Sanderson were asking her a bunch of questions.
Gregory “Greg” Durand (asst. to the Head of the National Environmental Terrorism Agency, Vertrund (NETA), British intelligence organization) had called from London, England Detective Craig Larson & informed him there had been a kidnapping in New Bedford, MA.
Dr. Pritchett (military) was making sure Mark was secure in his hospital bed.
Corporal Daniel Carter (British Royal Marines, Amphibious Task Division), & Lance Corporal Rachel Saunders (British Royal Marines, Amphibious Task Division) explained to Jen & Mark why they are in this predicament.
The other team members are: Gregory, Captain Volstik, Lieutenant Johannes, Lieutenant Miranda Lopez (Logistics Officer), Chief Petty Officer Warren Hynes (Aussie, Steward), Stuart "Hog" Nelson (British Royal Marines, Amphibious Task Division), Lance Corporal Gary Mason Jr. (British Royal Marines, Amphibious Task Division), Petty Officer Carl Jenkins (head cook), & Private Malcolmon.
The group are aboard the Aura (Austere-class submarine).
Reese was not very happy about answering the kidnapper’s: Sylvia “Grey” Etienne-Gray & Jeremiah Austin (boss) questions.
He just wanted to go back home.
The environmentalist group Nouvelle Terre (New Earth) are behind the killing & kidnapping.
Dr. Mitchell Strom (brother, PhD; Professor, Storm Energy Systems, Agartha) & Jeremiah Dr. Dr. Jeremiah Austin (40+, scientist) helped design/build the research facility in Puerto Rico where the crew is headed.
Dr. Sanjay Pavan (Indian-American, marine archeologist, Dalhousie U, Nova Scotia, Archeological/Geological Oceanography) Dr. Lindsay Richards (American geologist/oceanographer), & Erik Statnik (26, Lindsay’s understudy) will join the group there.
An enemy sub was following. DIVE! DIVE!
Mark Adams had managed to escape from Dr. Austin.
Nouvelle Terre (pseudo-secret organization). Sylvia (2nd-in-command), & Ms. Etienne-Grey (associate), also worked with/under Dr. Austin.
Would Jen & Mark find Reese Adams (son)?
Will the Nouvelle Terre be dismantled?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written scientific thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great scientific thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Turtleshell Press; BookFunnel; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Mark Adams (husband/father) called & informed her Reese Adams (12, their son) was not home.
Just as Jen was about to leave she noticed Dr. Elias Storm (PhD; Professor, Jen’s boss) dead body with 2 rods sticking out of his skull.
The next thing she knew when she woke Officer Rodriguez & Officer Sanderson were asking her a bunch of questions.
Gregory “Greg” Durand (asst. to the Head of the National Environmental Terrorism Agency, Vertrund (NETA), British intelligence organization) had called from London, England Detective Craig Larson & informed him there had been a kidnapping in New Bedford, MA.
Dr. Pritchett (military) was making sure Mark was secure in his hospital bed.
Corporal Daniel Carter (British Royal Marines, Amphibious Task Division), & Lance Corporal Rachel Saunders (British Royal Marines, Amphibious Task Division) explained to Jen & Mark why they are in this predicament.
The other team members are: Gregory, Captain Volstik, Lieutenant Johannes, Lieutenant Miranda Lopez (Logistics Officer), Chief Petty Officer Warren Hynes (Aussie, Steward), Stuart "Hog" Nelson (British Royal Marines, Amphibious Task Division), Lance Corporal Gary Mason Jr. (British Royal Marines, Amphibious Task Division), Petty Officer Carl Jenkins (head cook), & Private Malcolmon.
The group are aboard the Aura (Austere-class submarine).
Reese was not very happy about answering the kidnapper’s: Sylvia “Grey” Etienne-Gray & Jeremiah Austin (boss) questions.
He just wanted to go back home.
The environmentalist group Nouvelle Terre (New Earth) are behind the killing & kidnapping.
Dr. Mitchell Strom (brother, PhD; Professor, Storm Energy Systems, Agartha) & Jeremiah Dr. Dr. Jeremiah Austin (40+, scientist) helped design/build the research facility in Puerto Rico where the crew is headed.
Dr. Sanjay Pavan (Indian-American, marine archeologist, Dalhousie U, Nova Scotia, Archeological/Geological Oceanography) Dr. Lindsay Richards (American geologist/oceanographer), & Erik Statnik (26, Lindsay’s understudy) will join the group there.
An enemy sub was following. DIVE! DIVE!
Mark Adams had managed to escape from Dr. Austin.
Nouvelle Terre (pseudo-secret organization). Sylvia (2nd-in-command), & Ms. Etienne-Grey (associate), also worked with/under Dr. Austin.
Would Jen & Mark find Reese Adams (son)?
Will the Nouvelle Terre be dismantled?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written scientific thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great scientific thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; Turtleshell Press; BookFunnel; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
October 20, 2019
A stand-alone action thriller with science fiction elements.
Jennifer Adams a research assistant to Doctor Elias Storm at the Massachusette’s Maritime Academy. She’s separated from her husband Mark who is a computer expert. They have a twelve-year-old son Reese. When Jen’s leaving from her work, Mark calls him to tell that their son has disappeared but when she’s answering her cell she find her boss murdered, in her own car.
When the police leave, Mark reveals that the kidnappers have left a note: they have four days to find Dr. Storm’s answer. Jen is desperate to get her son back but she doesn’t know what the kidnappers mean. So, she drags Mark back to the academy to search Storm’s office. But while there, a group of British soldiers threaten them. Quickly, the solders tell that they know a lot about the kidnapping and that Jen and Mark should go with them. A little reluctant, Jen agrees. The soldiers take the couple to a submarine and head over to a underwater research station. It’s at the bottom of the sea, five miles down, and has been abandoned for thirty years.
Meanwhile, in Washington detective Craig Larson and his partner Dawson are asked to look into the kidnapping and research the mysterious eco-terrorist group which could be behind it.
I wanted to like this book more than I did. It has an interesting premise but I didn’t really care about any of the characters and some of the plot twists didn’t really work for me. For example, I find it really hard to believe that Jen and Mark would trust the British soldiers and just go on a submarine to adventure to the unknown, when their son has been kidnapped and they have a pretty tight deadline. After the end reveals, I don’t even understand why the villains wasted time kidnapping Reese at all. The underwater base was mostly great and I liked the characters exploring it, but what they found there just didn’t add up. Also, I found it very unlikely that an achievement like the underwater station was just abandoned without a pressing reason. Also, the book has lots of spelling errors.
I mostly enjoyed reading it but when I think about it, the plot just falls apart.
Jennifer Adams a research assistant to Doctor Elias Storm at the Massachusette’s Maritime Academy. She’s separated from her husband Mark who is a computer expert. They have a twelve-year-old son Reese. When Jen’s leaving from her work, Mark calls him to tell that their son has disappeared but when she’s answering her cell she find her boss murdered, in her own car.
When the police leave, Mark reveals that the kidnappers have left a note: they have four days to find Dr. Storm’s answer. Jen is desperate to get her son back but she doesn’t know what the kidnappers mean. So, she drags Mark back to the academy to search Storm’s office. But while there, a group of British soldiers threaten them. Quickly, the solders tell that they know a lot about the kidnapping and that Jen and Mark should go with them. A little reluctant, Jen agrees. The soldiers take the couple to a submarine and head over to a underwater research station. It’s at the bottom of the sea, five miles down, and has been abandoned for thirty years.
Meanwhile, in Washington detective Craig Larson and his partner Dawson are asked to look into the kidnapping and research the mysterious eco-terrorist group which could be behind it.
I wanted to like this book more than I did. It has an interesting premise but I didn’t really care about any of the characters and some of the plot twists didn’t really work for me. For example, I find it really hard to believe that Jen and Mark would trust the British soldiers and just go on a submarine to adventure to the unknown, when their son has been kidnapped and they have a pretty tight deadline. After the end reveals, I don’t even understand why the villains wasted time kidnapping Reese at all. The underwater base was mostly great and I liked the characters exploring it, but what they found there just didn’t add up. Also, I found it very unlikely that an achievement like the underwater station was just abandoned without a pressing reason. Also, the book has lots of spelling errors.
I mostly enjoyed reading it but when I think about it, the plot just falls apart.
September 9, 2017
1 star
Jennifer Adams leaves work to receive a phone call in which no one spoke. She then reached her car to find her boss Dr. Elias Storm dead in the driver’s seat. At the same rime she receives a call from her husband Mark telling her that their son Reese has been kidnapped. Mark neglects to tell the police that a ransom note was left. The kidnappers are giving Jen four days to find whatever Dr. Storm was working on and tell them.
When they go to Dr. Storm’s office at the university, they are “taken” by a pair of British commandos. Corporal Cater, who is in command of the commando team, tells them that they are to go to an undisclosed location to search for Dr. Storm’s papers. They assure Jen and Mark that Reese is fine and will be returned to them unharmed.
After they fly to Miami, they are startled to see that they will be boarding a submarine to journey under the sea to a research station. Naturally, Jen and Mark are frightened. Their trip is uneventful until they are fired upon by another sub. Once they dock at the station, their submarine is destroyed by the enemy sub.
As they go exploring the station, they are under attack by two hostile forces. One of their team members gets killed and Carter goes missing. Mark finds Reese safe and well on the station and they make their escape. Mark and Reese meet Carter outside an elevator and Mark swiftly disables him after being attacked by Carter and runs into the elevator with Reese in tow. The elevator sticks between floors and they are then captured by Russian agents.
When the two teams of Russians meet up, Jen, Mark and Reese meet up again. Then Mark drops a bombshell. The Russians tell them of their catastrophic plans.
This book lost me in a few places. I had to page back and said to myself, “Huh?” The premise was interesting, but the characters were just plain odd and I really didn’t care about any of them. Overall, I didn’t like the novel. I seriously doubt that I will read any more of Mr. Thacker’s books. There are just too many books to read and not enough time to do it.
Jennifer Adams leaves work to receive a phone call in which no one spoke. She then reached her car to find her boss Dr. Elias Storm dead in the driver’s seat. At the same rime she receives a call from her husband Mark telling her that their son Reese has been kidnapped. Mark neglects to tell the police that a ransom note was left. The kidnappers are giving Jen four days to find whatever Dr. Storm was working on and tell them.
When they go to Dr. Storm’s office at the university, they are “taken” by a pair of British commandos. Corporal Cater, who is in command of the commando team, tells them that they are to go to an undisclosed location to search for Dr. Storm’s papers. They assure Jen and Mark that Reese is fine and will be returned to them unharmed.
After they fly to Miami, they are startled to see that they will be boarding a submarine to journey under the sea to a research station. Naturally, Jen and Mark are frightened. Their trip is uneventful until they are fired upon by another sub. Once they dock at the station, their submarine is destroyed by the enemy sub.
As they go exploring the station, they are under attack by two hostile forces. One of their team members gets killed and Carter goes missing. Mark finds Reese safe and well on the station and they make their escape. Mark and Reese meet Carter outside an elevator and Mark swiftly disables him after being attacked by Carter and runs into the elevator with Reese in tow. The elevator sticks between floors and they are then captured by Russian agents.
When the two teams of Russians meet up, Jen, Mark and Reese meet up again. Then Mark drops a bombshell. The Russians tell them of their catastrophic plans.
This book lost me in a few places. I had to page back and said to myself, “Huh?” The premise was interesting, but the characters were just plain odd and I really didn’t care about any of them. Overall, I didn’t like the novel. I seriously doubt that I will read any more of Mr. Thacker’s books. There are just too many books to read and not enough time to do it.
November 21, 2022
Good Yarn, Flawed by Poor Edit
The story is engaging and fun. I believe credit is owed the author who created a great story that needed the attention of a good editor.
My particular suggestion has to do with an obvious lack of edit. This becomes obvious in the lack of continuity of events within the story itself.
Early on, two detectives begin to investigate a shadowy group that have kidnapped a kid and murdered a professor. They seem to do little investigating before one is killed in a house fire. After that, the remaining detective is simply forgotten for the most part.
There is an undersea research facility that is the scene for the majority of the story. It was believed to be abandoned but when a group of Royal Marines, aling with a smattering of scientists arrives at the installation, they run into fights with Russian soldiers. Later, they encounter a group of scientists who seem dysfunctional and mindless. They kill a couple of the scientists and aren't part of the story after that. Almost as though their part of the story was an afterthought. Just something to fill pages without adding much to the overall plot.
Finally, in the last two chapters, prior to the epilogue, a submersible is recovered from the ocean and hosted to the deck of a research vessel. The next chapter has the submersible in the water rather than the deck before the hatch is opened.
It is my hope the author will invest in a proper edit in future writings. While I was not keen on the continuity errors, those were not the only issues with the manuscript.
Read the story, enjoy the novel, just be forgiving as you enjoy the story.
The story is engaging and fun. I believe credit is owed the author who created a great story that needed the attention of a good editor.
My particular suggestion has to do with an obvious lack of edit. This becomes obvious in the lack of continuity of events within the story itself.
Early on, two detectives begin to investigate a shadowy group that have kidnapped a kid and murdered a professor. They seem to do little investigating before one is killed in a house fire. After that, the remaining detective is simply forgotten for the most part.
There is an undersea research facility that is the scene for the majority of the story. It was believed to be abandoned but when a group of Royal Marines, aling with a smattering of scientists arrives at the installation, they run into fights with Russian soldiers. Later, they encounter a group of scientists who seem dysfunctional and mindless. They kill a couple of the scientists and aren't part of the story after that. Almost as though their part of the story was an afterthought. Just something to fill pages without adding much to the overall plot.
Finally, in the last two chapters, prior to the epilogue, a submersible is recovered from the ocean and hosted to the deck of a research vessel. The next chapter has the submersible in the water rather than the deck before the hatch is opened.
It is my hope the author will invest in a proper edit in future writings. While I was not keen on the continuity errors, those were not the only issues with the manuscript.
Read the story, enjoy the novel, just be forgiving as you enjoy the story.
April 25, 2018
Lent with Kindle Unlimited.
Ok-ish, if you want something like James Rollins or the standalones from Preston / Child.
At least one error, which I sent to Amazon to be corrected (the book says Mark reads a binder to suggest to Mark to look into it, obviously a different person (Erik?) should read the binder so say that to Mark).
Some expressions and feelings do pop up too often for my taste, seems repetitive.
So writing is not top-notch, and it felt too long, a long stretch you and most of the people in the story do not know everything needed and it while the action-fight-scenes are good, there is too much searching without the facts to support the purpose.
Then a lot happens near the end, with a few twists I did not see coming, but then, the main part of the story ended as expected nearly from the get-go.
So, barely 3 stars. Lent it, so did not really pay for it, but this is what more than half the books I lent (I had a 2 month trial and will cancel today or tomorrow) felt like. As I often buy books (or snatch up free promos), the Kindle Unlimited is too expensive and not enough good books for me. This is one for a rainy day, could be read in one sitting in a day, I think, took me longer as I had to force myself to finish it. So, not really recommended, sorry to say.
If you like books playing in the ocean, there are better ones, I suggest Lincoln Childs Deep Storm. (will later edit it, so can click on it, does not work for me currently).
Ok-ish, if you want something like James Rollins or the standalones from Preston / Child.
At least one error, which I sent to Amazon to be corrected (the book says Mark reads a binder to suggest to Mark to look into it, obviously a different person (Erik?) should read the binder so say that to Mark).
Some expressions and feelings do pop up too often for my taste, seems repetitive.
So writing is not top-notch, and it felt too long, a long stretch you and most of the people in the story do not know everything needed and it while the action-fight-scenes are good, there is too much searching without the facts to support the purpose.
Then a lot happens near the end, with a few twists I did not see coming, but then, the main part of the story ended as expected nearly from the get-go.
So, barely 3 stars. Lent it, so did not really pay for it, but this is what more than half the books I lent (I had a 2 month trial and will cancel today or tomorrow) felt like. As I often buy books (or snatch up free promos), the Kindle Unlimited is too expensive and not enough good books for me. This is one for a rainy day, could be read in one sitting in a day, I think, took me longer as I had to force myself to finish it. So, not really recommended, sorry to say.
If you like books playing in the ocean, there are better ones, I suggest Lincoln Childs Deep Storm. (will later edit it, so can click on it, does not work for me currently).
September 15, 2017
I found this book to be mostly entertaining, but I seriously had to suspend my disbelief.
As a computer professional, the thrill of reading computer bits in a novel is finding out whether or not the author can pull off the tech stuff. If done well, then my BS meter stays well in the green and the non-computer people also feel as though they aren't kept in the dark. If done poorly, then my BS meter pings red, the non-computer people are confused -- or both.
In this case that I had to pause and look up the man pages, only to find that the specific usage listed in the book is undefined. Since there was no explanation of what the character was attempting to do, I spent a few minutes trying to figure out what he may have been attempting. This, really, is technobabble in that it may make non-initiates believe that the character knows what he's doing by spewing a few lines of tech talk, but it doesn't pass muster in the eyes of someone who actually works in the field.
That's a minor nit to pick, but it made me question other parts of the narrative. Do police officers really think those sorts of thoughts to themselves? Would a submarine really behave like this? Is the plot reasonable? And so on.
So, having said all that, I still enjoyed some of the fantasy of this book, enough to overlook most of the flaws.
As a computer professional, the thrill of reading computer bits in a novel is finding out whether or not the author can pull off the tech stuff. If done well, then my BS meter stays well in the green and the non-computer people also feel as though they aren't kept in the dark. If done poorly, then my BS meter pings red, the non-computer people are confused -- or both.
In this case that I had to pause and look up the man pages, only to find that the specific usage listed in the book is undefined. Since there was no explanation of what the character was attempting to do, I spent a few minutes trying to figure out what he may have been attempting. This, really, is technobabble in that it may make non-initiates believe that the character knows what he's doing by spewing a few lines of tech talk, but it doesn't pass muster in the eyes of someone who actually works in the field.
That's a minor nit to pick, but it made me question other parts of the narrative. Do police officers really think those sorts of thoughts to themselves? Would a submarine really behave like this? Is the plot reasonable? And so on.
So, having said all that, I still enjoyed some of the fantasy of this book, enough to overlook most of the flaws.
August 31, 2017
Available Kindle Unlimited, but got this one thru one of my free book sites. Read also in more mystery less thriller} but enjoyed them. Used ku to read Killer Thrillers: 3 Bestselling Novels which has the Enigma Strain one but also has The Golden Crystal and The Depths in that 3 set. Also had first read 1-3 (Harvey Bennett Thrillers Box Set) which has Enigma Strain, Amazon Code, Ice Chasm.
Jen Adams, a research assistant, finds that her son has been kidnapped and her boss is brutally murdered, she and her computer programmer husband are thrown into a hunt to find out why.The mystery takes her and a team of British Royal Marines and other scientists deep beneath the Atlantic Ocean -- to a forgotten research station buried under five miles of water in one of the deepest oceanic trenches on the planet. The station has been abandoned for over thirty years, and no one knows what to expect when they get there.As they learn more about the station, however, they find out there's something the base is trying to hide -- something that could prove devastating for the rest of the world...
Jen Adams, a research assistant, finds that her son has been kidnapped and her boss is brutally murdered, she and her computer programmer husband are thrown into a hunt to find out why.The mystery takes her and a team of British Royal Marines and other scientists deep beneath the Atlantic Ocean -- to a forgotten research station buried under five miles of water in one of the deepest oceanic trenches on the planet. The station has been abandoned for over thirty years, and no one knows what to expect when they get there.As they learn more about the station, however, they find out there's something the base is trying to hide -- something that could prove devastating for the rest of the world...
April 14, 2021
An interesting premise that was poorly executed.
The novel follows a couple who were forced to an abandoned underwater research base after their son was kidnapped.
The plot started off okay with a good blend of mystery, suspense and action. However, as the novel progressed the plot got worse. There was still plenty of action but it was illogical, unbelievable and downright formulaic. Stereotypical baddies, unrealistic fight scenes, bad science and bad military tactics filled the novel.
The characters were bland, a year and a half finishing the novel I can’t remember one thing about any of the MCs.
The one thing I really liked was the setting. Although I am left with lingering questions about how and why a multimillion dollar base would be abandoned I liked the atmosphere it created. It was creepy and unsettling, reminded me of Aliens strangely enough.
Overall this was a disappointing novel. I haven’t given up on Thacker as an author though as I believe he has great potential.
The novel follows a couple who were forced to an abandoned underwater research base after their son was kidnapped.
The plot started off okay with a good blend of mystery, suspense and action. However, as the novel progressed the plot got worse. There was still plenty of action but it was illogical, unbelievable and downright formulaic. Stereotypical baddies, unrealistic fight scenes, bad science and bad military tactics filled the novel.
The characters were bland, a year and a half finishing the novel I can’t remember one thing about any of the MCs.
The one thing I really liked was the setting. Although I am left with lingering questions about how and why a multimillion dollar base would be abandoned I liked the atmosphere it created. It was creepy and unsettling, reminded me of Aliens strangely enough.
Overall this was a disappointing novel. I haven’t given up on Thacker as an author though as I believe he has great potential.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews