CRABS

by Dan Forrester

SANTA exists. They just don’t want you to know.

When wannabe spy Lucy Simmons discovers a plot by the criminal organisation CRABS to replace world leaders with clones under their control, no-one takes her seriously. But when someone starts assassinating agents, Lucy learns of a traitor in their midst and must go rogue with a team of secret agents known by their code name SANTA to find the mastermind before it’s too late.

Traitors, assassins and interfering mums. That’s why spies work in the shadows.

268 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2025

About the author

Dan Forrester graduated from college back when he was still young and happy. Several years later, with life having addressed that, he took up writing and has since won awards for his short stories from both the National Association of Writers’ Groups and the Lancashire Authors’ Association. He has also had short stories published by Reader’s Digest and Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook amongst others, and his first novel Havock won Judges’ Pick in Grindstone Literary’s International Novel Prize.

Dan lives in West Yorkshire with his wife Angela and likes to spend time reading or watching a good sit com. The rest of the time he mostly does as he’s told.

You can find more at www.danforrester.co.uk if you find yourself at a loose end.

Reviews

[Sassy Mystic Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

SANTA is out to save the world from a madman! Love the concept of this acronym for this story about spies and villains. This is a fun read and it makes you laugh out loud literally. I found myself captivated and my attention remained intrigued from the beginning to the end of the story. I enjoy the writing style of this author he makes reading fun! Happy reading!

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, thrilling, taking a sledgehammer to worn tropes and formulaic patterns

After Dan Forrester ’s debut novel, Havock, I was hoping for something equally thrilling. I wasn’t disappointed.
CRABS is a different genre, not fantasy but a spy thriller. Lucy, an MI5 analyst who wants to be a spy, is an original and fresh heroine. She teams up with a pair of experienced secret agents, code name: SANTA. And then...
No, no spoilers. I’ll just say, Crabs avoids worn tropes and formulaic patterns. This is a brilliant read for anyone, fans of the spy genre or not.

Five stars for Dan Forrester’s, Crabs, and I’ll be keeping an eye on Dan’s website for the announcement of novel number three.

[elizabeth odonnell naimo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crabs by Dan Forester is not your typical spy novel—and that’s exactly what makes it such a delight. Lucy, an ambitious analyst with dreams of becoming a spy, is whisked into a world of intrigue where espionage meets comic misadventure. The author takes both Lucy and the reader on a rollercoaster of suspense and hilarity.

I found myself laughing out loud more than once, mostly while wondering: how on earth does Lucy expect anyone to take her seriously? She’s equal parts determined and delightfully awkward, like James Bond’s well-meaning but accident-prone cousin.

This novel manages to balance espionage thrills with quirky charm, making it a refreshing break from the usual brooding spy tropes. If you’ve ever wanted to see what happens when spreadsheets meet spycraft, this book delivers.

I received an ARC at no cost, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily—

[Viking Jam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review: This was a weird booky. The story line reads like a comic book with obtuse characters of the non-believable sort. Brevity, pointed sarcasm, then from out of nowhere, brutal violence that creates a bizzare tapestry. Big question is whether or not this dichotomy reads cogently while entertaining. Me, I like weird shjt, especially writing that is not formulaic but expresses the authors unique creative intent.

The MC seems to be fairly one dimensional while Bradbury and Watkins lack of expressive detail speaks volumes from their subtle interactions. Deacon is way too OTT to be believable yet is rendered so simplistically funny, that you root for his demise.

This was a fun read that begs a series.

I received this ARC for an honest review.

3.6/5

[Gill James · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a romp. Larger than life characters though no less lovable for that – even the baddies. Fabulous acronyms = CRABS, LICE and SANTA.
This will make you at least chuckle if not laugh out loud.
Great entertainment though one suspects some of this could come true.
Tightly written and plenty of pace.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy is highly under-rated as a heroine. I liked her tenacity and perseverance. This was entertaining and riveting. A believable scenario of cloning with humor and intrigue. I loved it . I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crabs is a spy novels by Dan Forester. Lucy is an analyst who wants to be a spy. The author takes Lucy and the reader on a wild ride. I laughed and wondered if anyone would take Lucy seriously. This is a different spy novel. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.