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The Big Blue
"Blue seas all around. Waves lapping gently at the sides of the raft. We sit in silence amidst the debris of wrappers from the now empty survival pack. Occasionally one of us begins to cry as our minds remind us of all that we've lost. All that we may never see again. Blue skies tease us that it could be a pleasant day if the situation was different. But it's not different. It's not a pleasant day. We've lost our friends, our family, our way, our strength - and if we're not rescued soon, our lives."
When a cruise-liner goes down, four strangers find themselves trapped on a life-raft with little chance of survival in this tense, psychological horror from Matt Shaw.
When a cruise-liner goes down, four strangers find themselves trapped on a life-raft with little chance of survival in this tense, psychological horror from Matt Shaw.
- GenresHorror
108 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 20, 2015
29 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Matt Shaw
529 books2,191 followersBiography
MATT SHAW was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit – beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.
Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.
Favourite books
"Roald Dahl's Collection of Short Stories"
Tim Burton's Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Anything, really, written by himself. Because he is that good.
MATT SHAW was born, quite by accident (his mother tripped, he shot out) September 30th 1980 in Winchester hospital where he was immediately placed on the baby ward and EBay. Some twelve years later (wandering the corridors of the hospital and playing with road kill when he was on day release), the listing closed and he remained unsold, he was booted out of the hospital to start his life as a writer and hobbit – beginning with writing screenplays and short stories for his own amusement before finally getting published when he was twenty-seven years and forty-five seconds old.
Once Published weekly in a lad's magazine with his photography work, Matt Shaw is also a published author and cartoonist. Has to be said, can be a bit of a flirt and definitely, without a shadow of a doubt, somewhat of a klutz.
Favourite books
"Roald Dahl's Collection of Short Stories"
Tim Burton's Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy
Anything, really, written by himself. Because he is that good.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 14, 2025
So as a general rule, I tend to avoid books under a hundred pages. They tend to just be too abbreviated and underdeveloped for my liking. But being such a fan of Matt Shaw, I had to make an exception here. Now I am always excited to see his unique takes on certain concepts, with the best example being his Loch Ness story. Going into Big Blue, I assumed it would be an anxiety-producing tale of survivors on a raft, deciding who to eat first and possibly dealing with aggressive sharks. But, surprisingly, Shaw took this idea and turned into a rather deep and thought provoking adventure. It did take some time for me to get into the characters, but I stuck it out and was pleased with where everything went. You also understand the situations of each character and why they acted in certain ways. The brief flashbacks helped a great deal there and were a welcomed way to break up a story, rather than just have everyone sitting in the raft, being starved and dehydrated, waiting for each other to die. But this was another solid story from the great talent that is Matt Shaw.
March 11, 2022
There's none of Shaw's usual gore or violence, yet I found this to be absolutely terrifying! I've always been creeped out by oceans and not knowing what lies beneath. The idea of floating in a life raft with absolutely nothing in sight except endless water is pretty much my worst nightmare. I loved the way the story unfolded as we learned about each characters back story. I'm usually a slow reader and find my attention can wander but that was not the case with this story which kept me hanging off every word. 5 stars!
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May 31, 2016I received an ARC of this book from the writer and wanted to leave a review while the book is still relatively fresh in my head.
I actually believe that this- away from Matt Shaw's true horror stuff - could potentially be some of his best ideas to date.
The story was very well paced; very dark and claustrophobic throughout. We are only gradually introduced to each of the characters, which draws out the suspense and never really reveals the intricate details of their previous relationships until the latter part of the story.
The ending was the clincher for me and is something straight out of The Twilight Zone. Nobody is going to see that ending coming. You will believe, just as I did, that you know exactly how this is going to end and if you're expecting a full-on Shaw gore-fest, you're wrong. This is something completely new. Shaw has moved slightly outside of the horror genre to give us a truly surreal experience.
I am really impressed with this story and hope there is more like this to come.
I actually believe that this- away from Matt Shaw's true horror stuff - could potentially be some of his best ideas to date.
The story was very well paced; very dark and claustrophobic throughout. We are only gradually introduced to each of the characters, which draws out the suspense and never really reveals the intricate details of their previous relationships until the latter part of the story.
The ending was the clincher for me and is something straight out of The Twilight Zone. Nobody is going to see that ending coming. You will believe, just as I did, that you know exactly how this is going to end and if you're expecting a full-on Shaw gore-fest, you're wrong. This is something completely new. Shaw has moved slightly outside of the horror genre to give us a truly surreal experience.
I am really impressed with this story and hope there is more like this to come.
May 14, 2019
Not sure about horror
Hopelessness, life or death, anxiety, sorrow, anger, unforgiving hatred, fear of the unexplained, the blame game, infidelity, hallucinations, repercussions from a deep seeded guilt. Those are the words I would use to describe my reactions to this book.
Hopelessness, life or death, anxiety, sorrow, anger, unforgiving hatred, fear of the unexplained, the blame game, infidelity, hallucinations, repercussions from a deep seeded guilt. Those are the words I would use to describe my reactions to this book.
August 14, 2022
Matt Shaw never disappoints. This is a tense read that keeps you guessing into the very end. If you have a fear of the water, this will get under your skin and stay there for awhile!
May 31, 2022
If you ever wanted to take a cruise, this book might make you rethink it. A super quick read about being stuck on a raft after a cruise ship sinks. It has a very ambiguous ending that some people might love or hate.
May 17, 2022
3.5 rounded up to 4
This book contains more traditional and tame storytelling than readers usually get from Matt Shaw. The horror here is being isolated in a life raft in the middle of the ocean after a passenger ship has capsized, and losing hope of rescue as the days pass by. There are random nods to the supernatural, but I’d say this is ultimately a character study of the four souls stuck together in the raft, and how their fears and regrets play on their psyches.
The story unfolds by taking the reader back through time to learn more about each individual in the raft. After reading all the backstories, I felt like I knew the characters well and sympathized with them.
I wasn’t totally surprised by the reveal near the end, but I thought it was a pretty satisfying conclusion to this minimalist short story. A little redundant at times, but well written and with good pacing.
This book contains more traditional and tame storytelling than readers usually get from Matt Shaw. The horror here is being isolated in a life raft in the middle of the ocean after a passenger ship has capsized, and losing hope of rescue as the days pass by. There are random nods to the supernatural, but I’d say this is ultimately a character study of the four souls stuck together in the raft, and how their fears and regrets play on their psyches.
The story unfolds by taking the reader back through time to learn more about each individual in the raft. After reading all the backstories, I felt like I knew the characters well and sympathized with them.
I wasn’t totally surprised by the reveal near the end, but I thought it was a pretty satisfying conclusion to this minimalist short story. A little redundant at times, but well written and with good pacing.
May 1, 2024
I didn't enjoy this one at all. The premise was superb: four people trapped in a lifeboat after a cruise ship sinks. What's not to like about that?
I was expecting shark attacks, cannibalism...
I got a lot of talking. There was one punch. More talking.
I'm not even sure I entirely got the ending either. I honestly don't really care.
I was expecting shark attacks, cannibalism...
I got a lot of talking. There was one punch. More talking.
I'm not even sure I entirely got the ending either. I honestly don't really care.
December 31, 2021
Expected more...
I've been reading a lot of Matt Shaw's horror books and this one was a bit of a let down. I liked the characters and the story line but it wasn't Matt's usual kind of book. Not a horror but definitely psychological! You'll see what I mean if u choose to read this book...
I've been reading a lot of Matt Shaw's horror books and this one was a bit of a let down. I liked the characters and the story line but it wasn't Matt's usual kind of book. Not a horror but definitely psychological! You'll see what I mean if u choose to read this book...
July 16, 2023
Matt Shaw does it again!
When a cruise goes wrong and four people are on a life raft in the middle of the ocean. Are these individuals connected to each other more then they know? This psychological horror book has a few great twists, sharks, and a watery Hell!
When a cruise goes wrong and four people are on a life raft in the middle of the ocean. Are these individuals connected to each other more then they know? This psychological horror book has a few great twists, sharks, and a watery Hell!
July 18, 2020
The big blue
This was really good. It’s excellent writing. Matt Shaw is very easy to read and depicts the situations great. Thanks again for another
This was really good. It’s excellent writing. Matt Shaw is very easy to read and depicts the situations great. Thanks again for another
April 23, 2023
The Big Blue didn't feel very original to me. The ending was clever, but overall, I didn't enjoy this book. It felt very rushed and incomplete.
July 13, 2023
All my water fears wrapped up in this little book.
September 6, 2025
I made this account to warn readers about this book.
Lazily written. Boring AF. Predictable, pathetic, a real slog to finish even though its very, very short.
DONT WASTE YOUR TIME.
Lazily written. Boring AF. Predictable, pathetic, a real slog to finish even though its very, very short.
DONT WASTE YOUR TIME.
April 29, 2019
[Copied from my Amazon review] Four strangers find themselves trapped on a life raft after a horrible storm, strong enough to rip the Cruise Liner they were on apart. With none of the other life rafts in sight they find themselves wondering if they will ever be rescued.
* Beth who was on Holiday with her family hopes they are safe on another raft,
* Fiona who was working her first major job in one of the many the floating restaurants on board,
* The man who can't remember who he is or how he got there after receiving a blow to the head when the Cruise Liner sank,
* And finally, Alex the very hostile, angry man man who carried him on board the raft.
Watching the aftermath of the sinking Cruise Liner, as each character reflects on their life prior to, and after finding themselves on the life raft, their supplies are limited to a survival pack placed on each life raft, they can only wait and hope for rescue, yet for some reason they are alone, separated from the other survivor's rafts. Will they be found before it's too late? A gripping tale that keeps you reading till the end. You won't want to put it down until the very last page.
Characters are well developed, no noticeable typos or errors in sentence structure, the storyline was well thought out. Highly Recommended.
NOTE: I first read this as part of the Kindle Unlimited 30 day Free Trial then bought it to add to my collection.
* Beth who was on Holiday with her family hopes they are safe on another raft,
* Fiona who was working her first major job in one of the many the floating restaurants on board,
* The man who can't remember who he is or how he got there after receiving a blow to the head when the Cruise Liner sank,
* And finally, Alex the very hostile, angry man man who carried him on board the raft.
Watching the aftermath of the sinking Cruise Liner, as each character reflects on their life prior to, and after finding themselves on the life raft, their supplies are limited to a survival pack placed on each life raft, they can only wait and hope for rescue, yet for some reason they are alone, separated from the other survivor's rafts. Will they be found before it's too late? A gripping tale that keeps you reading till the end. You won't want to put it down until the very last page.
Characters are well developed, no noticeable typos or errors in sentence structure, the storyline was well thought out. Highly Recommended.
NOTE: I first read this as part of the Kindle Unlimited 30 day Free Trial then bought it to add to my collection.
March 16, 2015
Nail-biter!
Another winner for Matt Shaw! I thought this story was terrifying because throughout the story, one was never sure what was going to happen.
Four people are trapped on a life raft after their vacation goes horribly wrong when the cruise liner they are on is rocked to pieces as a violent storms crashes wave, after wave against the boat. These four are trapped in the big blue unsure if help will arrive before they run out of supplies.
I was on the edge of my chair or biting my nails as I read this psychological thriller. When surrounded by black endlessly deep water, fear of the unknown and unseen are far more terrifying than blood, gore, and serial killers.
Another winner for Matt Shaw! I thought this story was terrifying because throughout the story, one was never sure what was going to happen.
Four people are trapped on a life raft after their vacation goes horribly wrong when the cruise liner they are on is rocked to pieces as a violent storms crashes wave, after wave against the boat. These four are trapped in the big blue unsure if help will arrive before they run out of supplies.
I was on the edge of my chair or biting my nails as I read this psychological thriller. When surrounded by black endlessly deep water, fear of the unknown and unseen are far more terrifying than blood, gore, and serial killers.
March 7, 2015
So this is my biggest nightmare! The reason I will not take a cruise. I think Matt Shaw took this straight from my head. It makes me shiver.
This is a story of four survivors who wind up on a raft after their cruise ship sinks. Luke, Alex, Beth and Fiona.Think about it, what would you do if you were stuck in a hopeless situation? And the end of this will blow your mind!
Matt Shaw is becoming one of my favorite authors with all of his twists and turns he puts in his stories. Another win for Mr. Shaw!
This is a story of four survivors who wind up on a raft after their cruise ship sinks. Luke, Alex, Beth and Fiona.Think about it, what would you do if you were stuck in a hopeless situation? And the end of this will blow your mind!
Matt Shaw is becoming one of my favorite authors with all of his twists and turns he puts in his stories. Another win for Mr. Shaw!
September 8, 2015
The Big Blue !! Yes, Wow!!!
That is what I'm talking about!! From the first page to the last I was hooked, water,ship, lifeboat? What really happened to these four people?? This was so terrifying to put yourself in that lifeboat, but did any one survive? This kept me wanting more couldn't stop reading it was too short. I think this was one of the best by Shaw. I recommend this one for sure.
kozetteksmith
That is what I'm talking about!! From the first page to the last I was hooked, water,ship, lifeboat? What really happened to these four people?? This was so terrifying to put yourself in that lifeboat, but did any one survive? This kept me wanting more couldn't stop reading it was too short. I think this was one of the best by Shaw. I recommend this one for sure.
kozetteksmith
March 2, 2015
You have to read this book!! Honestly, it's incredible. You will never ever guess how it ends. The only criticism I have is that at one point Luke looks at the time on his watch, then later on says he doesn't own a watch, but I'm just being picky :p
It's my new favourite of Matt's 'normal' (not black cover) books and I will definitely recommend to friends.
It's my new favourite of Matt's 'normal' (not black cover) books and I will definitely recommend to friends.
November 28, 2015
This is a very very good read. Different to many of Matt's other books, but variety is great as it keeps you guessing on exactly what is going to happen next and how it is going to end. The setting and the characters worked well. The strangeness of it all I loved. The ending worked. Well done Mr Shaw. Keep up the good work.
November 13, 2015
First of all Matt Shaw is my favorite author. I've read almost everything he's written. I love his books. This one just wasn't a favorite for me. I think it's more to do with me than the story. It was well-written with a very surprising ending. I just wasn't in love with this one.
March 2, 2015
Another great story from Matt!
Reminded me of Hitchcock's Lifeboat in the beginning but ended with a trademark Matt Shaw twist! Actually enjoyed it more than Lifeboat and wish it had been a little longer.
Reminded me of Hitchcock's Lifeboat in the beginning but ended with a trademark Matt Shaw twist! Actually enjoyed it more than Lifeboat and wish it had been a little longer.
June 22, 2015
It was hard to put down
It was hard to put down and interesting because I wanted to know how it would end. I'm not familiar with this author so I'm not sure how he wanted the reader to perceive the ending. I wish it was more clear as to what happened.
It was hard to put down and interesting because I wanted to know how it would end. I'm not familiar with this author so I'm not sure how he wanted the reader to perceive the ending. I wish it was more clear as to what happened.
October 23, 2015
An interesting kind of neo-twilight zone novel, dealing with a group of four shipwrecked people stranded on a raft. The story takes a sort of Saw-esque turn as it turns out that the people aren't as innocent as we come to believe they are, and the ocean may not be what we think it is either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2015
Not one of Matt shaws best books I'm afraid. I felt like he really rushed the telling of this story as the idea was a really good one which he could have spun out a bit more. I'm a fan of this authors horror stories, and didn't find this one to be in the same league really
September 9, 2016
Great book
I loved this story it was great from the first page to the last. I really enjoyed the twist toward the end. I've never heard of such a situation and I would never wish it upon anyone.
I loved this story it was great from the first page to the last. I really enjoyed the twist toward the end. I've never heard of such a situation and I would never wish it upon anyone.
March 20, 2015
My new favorite author! I highly enjoyed this book. It was more tame than some of his other titles, but it certainly did not disappoint! Well written with a twist!!
April 6, 2015
3 1/2 stars
Good story and well written, the characters all have distinct personalities. It also has a surreal, dreamlike quality to it in the latter half.
Good story and well written, the characters all have distinct personalities. It also has a surreal, dreamlike quality to it in the latter half.
April 22, 2015
Totally in love with this book!! Suspense, drama, and chaos! Who could ask for more? Plus Shaw's endings are always surprising and leave me wanting MORE!!!
April 23, 2015
Big blue
Another great book by Shaw! I had no clue what was going to happen and loved it. Definitely making me think twice about ever going on a cruise
Another great book by Shaw! I had no clue what was going to happen and loved it. Definitely making me think twice about ever going on a cruise
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews