The Whispering Crypt: A Dark Archaeology Short Story

by Ernest Dempsey, Anne Storer (Editor), James Slater (Editor)

Something ancient has awakened beneath the sands of Egypt.
And it’s calling names.

When a forgotten tomb is unearthed deep in the Saqqara plateau, archaeologist Dr. Hatem El-Amin hears something impossible—a whisper echoing from inside a sealed sarcophagus that hasn’t been opened in four thousand years. Days later, his workers flee the site, leaving behind a half-buried camp and a single survivor who won’t speak.

Enter Tara Watson and Alex Simms, field investigators for the International Archaeology Agency’s Paranormal Archaeology Division. Tasked with uncovering what happened at the dig, they arrive to find a deserted camp, an archaeologist on the edge of madness, and a discovery that defies every law of history.

But they’re not the only ones interested in the tomb.
A corrupt, ruthless financier arrives with a team of mercenaries, claiming authority from the Egyptian government. His true to recover a hidden artifact said to grant its possessor unnatural power.

When Moreau forces open the chamber, the whispers return—stronger, hungry, alive. What begins as an archaeological mystery becomes a desperate fight for survival as the sands of Saqqara tremble with something that remembers being buried.

Now Tara and Alex must face an ancient intelligence that doesn’t speak in words but in resonance, using sound itself as a weapon. The deeper they go, the more they realize the tomb wasn’t built to honor the dead.

It was built to contain them.

If you're looking for halloween books for adults, this novella will keep you on the edge of your seat.

155 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2025

About the author

Host of AuthorsAccess podcast, president of Loving Healing Press Inc., author of numerous anthologies of health and healing."

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa. Talk about scary.... Once again, the IAA sends Alex and Tara to an eerie and totally strange job to explore a strange occurrence in an ice cave in Iceland. There is a strange chamber, a secreted and well hidden sarcophagus, and a strange magnetism and the feeling of whispering voices what are felt more in the bones than in the ears. Determining that the entire ice cave needed to be contained and its existence erased from history, Tommy and the IAA are called in to take care of it. While this is occurring, in Egypt, Dr. Hatem El-Amin seems to have located another of these mysterious, unknown caves. Dr. El-Amin’s archeology crew have been adversely affected by what was encountered when they entered the cavern and Alex and Tara were immediately dispatched to investigate and deal with the issue. Just as they are preparing to investigate by going underground, a ruthless madman arrives out of nowhere with his mercenaries in order to take over the find so he can become, what he believes, the ruler of the world. Once again, Alex and Tara are thrust into an impossible circumstance and must use all of their talents to outwit the madman and his mercenaries who are in total control, and the mysterious and totally evil force that has been awakened in the sarcophagus far below, with the same magnetism and whispering incurred in Iceland - only much, much stronger. This tomb was built to honor anyone or anything - it was built to hide away an incredible evil forever.

[Debbie Vetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great! Keeps you interested.

It was so good to read a Tara and Alex escapade. They have grown up so much. Tara and Alex had just finished at one dig site in Greenland when they were sent to a dig in Egypt. This site had much the same feel as the first-evil. Both sites had something that should never be opened, never be released. Strange things happened causing crew to behave like in a trance. Shortly after Tara and Alex got there 2 cars arrived with armed men and equipment. The leader wanted to release whatever it was and he had an artifact that should help him. You need to read what Tara, Alex and the site leader go through and experience trying to keep the world safe. Great job. Thank you. I hope to read more of Tara, Alex, Tommy and Sean adventures.

[David Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I saw Ernest Dempsey had a new short story our that belongs to the Paranormal Archaeology Division stories, I knew I had to read it. I mean how can you not grab a copy, sit down and follow Alex and Tara on their adventures after artifacts and archeological oddities that could spell doom for mankind or the world.

When I finally turned past the last page, I was smiling from ear to ear having spent some quality time being entertained by Mr. Dempsey.

If you enjoy archeological thrillers, you owe it to yourself to give The Whispering Crypt a shot. I bet by the time you turn past the last page you will be looking for more of Mr. Dempsey’s stories and books.

[Kip Gochenour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ernest Dempsey’s imagination for the unexplained is vividly revealed in this story. I am thoroughly impressed with the amount of detail in this book. It is like a dream remembered in exquisite detail. Like dreaming with a pen and paper in hand catching every single nuance. Amazing storytelling at its finest. Thank you for keeping me entertained.

[Suzanne Tidwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heady stuff

The Whispering Crypt was perhaps the spookiest of Ernest Dempsey's books. It's almost a horror story. I felt a little echo of Nightmare on something street. It's over. Now it's over. Is it over now? Whew. Creepy.

[Marty Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Whispering Crypt Shouts...

I am always so stoked when reading anything from Earnest Dempsey. But, this series of stories is the very best read possible.
That's why I'm planning to reread it from the start...

[CHRISTOPHER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read

This spooky story kept my interest as Dempsey’s writing always does. Great to revisit Tara and Alex on another adventure.

[James Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good quick novel to read it grabs you from the start and you are there I read this book in one day lots of excitement and a touch of the paranormal I hope there will be more

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sound of Silence

What a desperately moving story. An amazing story. I'm not sure even how-to describe it in words. Absolutely phenomenal. Incredible writing!

[C'est · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting angle

for an excellent eldritch tale.

Good pace, plot & characters.

Grabbed the rest of the books & looking forward to reading them.

[Phil Webb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book a bit confusing as it seemed to jump about and missing bits. Not up to his normal standard

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very confusing read parts of the story are missing. How did Alex, Tara and Dr. El-Amin escape the chamber? What happened to Tariq and all the men who stayed above ground? I know some died but where are the vehicles they arrived in. I went back and re-read these pages still no answer.
This was Ok did not hold my interest. I always finish a book I have chosen to read even if is dull.