Dark Straits: Sudden Quiet: Book II

by Joshua Veith

The grid has gone dark, and the planet’s population, cut to the bone. The Mackinac Bridge is the iron key to Michigan. Various groups—Eco-Elves, Virals, Rangers, and Indigenous—battle in Dark Straits for regional control.In Sudden Book II, gangs of Virals are bossed by “Sharkey,” the CEO of Panzer Pharmaceuticals, who seeks to carve out a Great Lakes fiefdom.
Panzer’s ghoulish paramilitary, the Aghori, raid Washington D.C., torture ELF extremists, and sabotage the Line 5 oil pipeline beneath the Straits. Foster siblings, Miin and Mukwa, flex their green powers, channeling nature’s resurgence to combat infection and petro-pollution.
Dark Straits is a thrilling expansion of the trilogy, pushing readers into deep and dangerous waters.

476 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 12, 2025

About the author

Joshua Veith is an educator, adventurer, and outdoor enthusiast. He graduated from the University of Michigan, later earning an MA in Literature from Eastern Michigan University. Today Joshua lives with his wife and two sons in northern Michigan, fishes and hikes in the same spots that Hemingway enjoyed, and teaches a literature class on JRR Tolkien. As a public school teacher and writer, Josh strives to be an Indigenous ally, recognizing that traditional relationships with the environment offer the most sustainable pathways for humankind’s interaction with the planet.

Reviews

[Micahveith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well thought out and engaging follow up to Island and Main. Dark Straits opens up both the mystical and the all too real, post apocalyptic world. An engaging and enjoyable read.

Can’t wait for book 3!

[Joshua Veith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, reader response for book 1 was really good, but book 2 is even BETTER! Readers report that the main characters continue to grow, the worldview expands, and the battle on the Mackinac Bridge is epic! Lots of cool nods to Tolkien and Hemingway as well. The Indigenous elements are informative and well-executed. Hoping readers won't have to wait too long for the final book of the trilogy..."The Scouring."

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a summation of my thoughts on the first book in the Sudden Quiet, check out my review of Island and Main.

Dark Straits ups the ante in every way from the preceding book. Our character roster evolves, expands and deepens to the point that we understand the actual immensity of what transpires when the few survivors of a viral extinction seek to protect the integrity of a pure place.

Veith writes with the tenacity of King, the accuracy of Weir, the scope of Tolkien and the eye of Walden.

This book subverted my expectations often and that is not easily done. Fans of the first entry are likely to be satisfied, surprised and frustrated in all the ways that a truly good story can accomplish.

Star ratings aren’t my bag, but I will say that it took me less than a week to read the book. Do with that what you will.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Straights is a must read. Admittedly with the first book, I was skeptical because it isn’t my typical genre of reading. But it quickly lured me in and had me waiting for the second book to come out! The writing is sharp and the world he creates is so vivid, both dystopian and eerily familiar. The struggle between morality and survival pushes your thoughts out of a comfort zone and keeps you in suspense. Highly recommend. Great thriller for a fall/winter read!

[Stephen Rheaume · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joshua Veith did it again! I thought “Island and Main” was a super hit, but Joshua hit it out of the park in “Dark Straits”. All your favorite characters in the first book are back, with a whole new group of bad guys showing up. You won’t be able to put it down. I can’t wait to pick up the third book in the series that has just hit the bookstores. Keep writing, Joshua.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Congratulations on this incredible achievement! The B.R.A.G. Medallion (Book Readers’ Appreciation Group) is a prestigious recognition, and it speaks volumes about the quality and appeal of DARK STRAITS: Sudden Quiet: Book II by Joshua Veith. This honor places it among a distinguished group of award-winning, reader-recommended works.

[Nick Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Amazing second part to the trilogy. I laughed, I cried, I questioned society and its modern ways. I would recommend this book and the whole series to any and everyone. Beautiful job Veith!

[Bruce Parliament · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written continuation of the Sudden Quiet trilogy. I am looking forward to the third installment.

[carachampionhotmail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent follow up to an amazing first novel. Well written and easy to imagine but at the same time hoping to never see the world like this. Can’t wait for the conclusion!

[Jack Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read. Brings out the best and worst of humanity. It really gets you to thinking

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really rate it 3.5. Great second book in the series. Picks up right after the second book. Looking forward to reading the third!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good follow up to Island and Main, which I liked better. But it was a great read!