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Sanctuary at Sea: Book two: The Deal Zombie Chronicles
The ferry was meant to be salvation.
Instead, it became a target.
Fleeing the fallen shores of England, Sydney and the survivors of Deal believed the sea would keep them safe. But sanctuary is never empty for long. When a ruthless warship begins hunting the Channel, the living are forced to confront an enemy far more dangerous than the dead.
As alliances fracture and loyalties are tested, Sydney must lead his people toward a last refuge—an island scarred by war and haunted by silence. Beneath its stone and tunnels, a desperate stand is prepared. Traps are laid. Lines are drawn. And sacrifices are made that can never be undone.
But some threats cannot be outrun.
Some men do not stop hunting.
When the dead mass at the gates and the living turn on one another, survival will demand more than courage. It will demand blood.
The sea offers no mercy. The war for the living has begun.
Instead, it became a target.
Fleeing the fallen shores of England, Sydney and the survivors of Deal believed the sea would keep them safe. But sanctuary is never empty for long. When a ruthless warship begins hunting the Channel, the living are forced to confront an enemy far more dangerous than the dead.
As alliances fracture and loyalties are tested, Sydney must lead his people toward a last refuge—an island scarred by war and haunted by silence. Beneath its stone and tunnels, a desperate stand is prepared. Traps are laid. Lines are drawn. And sacrifices are made that can never be undone.
But some threats cannot be outrun.
Some men do not stop hunting.
When the dead mass at the gates and the living turn on one another, survival will demand more than courage. It will demand blood.
The sea offers no mercy. The war for the living has begun.
475 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 4, 2026
This is a great followup book. It does not repeat the first. It adds to the story in a new and interesting way. Stuart Smith expands on the story line with *Sanctuary at Sea*. Their escape to the sea brings new problems to their quest and expands the character development. A great read in the genre.
April 6, 2026
Stuart Smith delivers an absolutely gripping continuation of The Deal Zombie Chronicles with Sanctuary at Sea. From the very first page, the tension is suffocating—and it never lets go.
What I loved most about this book is how it goes far beyond a typical zombie story. Yes, the undead are terrifying as ever, but the real danger comes from the living. The introduction of the warship and its ruthless intent adds a whole new layer of suspense and unpredictability. It transforms the story into something deeper—a battle not just for survival, but for humanity itself.
Sydney is a fantastic lead—flawed, determined, and burdened with impossible choices. Watching him try to hold his group together as fear, desperation, and mistrust creep in is both compelling and emotionally intense. The fractured alliances and moral dilemmas feel real, making every decision hit harder.
The setting is another standout. The sea, which should represent escape and hope, instead becomes a claustrophobic, unforgiving battlefield. And the island? Chilling, atmospheric, and filled with a sense of looming dread. You can practically feel the tension in every tunnel and stone wall.
Smith’s writing is sharp, cinematic, and brutally honest. The action scenes are intense, the pacing is perfect, and the emotional stakes are high throughout. There are moments in this book that genuinely shocked me—and stayed with me long after I finished.
If you enjoy post-apocalyptic fiction with depth, strong characters, and relentless suspense, this is a must-read. It’s darker, more intense, and even better than the first installment.
Absolutely deserving of 5 stars. I can’t wait for the next one.
What I loved most about this book is how it goes far beyond a typical zombie story. Yes, the undead are terrifying as ever, but the real danger comes from the living. The introduction of the warship and its ruthless intent adds a whole new layer of suspense and unpredictability. It transforms the story into something deeper—a battle not just for survival, but for humanity itself.
Sydney is a fantastic lead—flawed, determined, and burdened with impossible choices. Watching him try to hold his group together as fear, desperation, and mistrust creep in is both compelling and emotionally intense. The fractured alliances and moral dilemmas feel real, making every decision hit harder.
The setting is another standout. The sea, which should represent escape and hope, instead becomes a claustrophobic, unforgiving battlefield. And the island? Chilling, atmospheric, and filled with a sense of looming dread. You can practically feel the tension in every tunnel and stone wall.
Smith’s writing is sharp, cinematic, and brutally honest. The action scenes are intense, the pacing is perfect, and the emotional stakes are high throughout. There are moments in this book that genuinely shocked me—and stayed with me long after I finished.
If you enjoy post-apocalyptic fiction with depth, strong characters, and relentless suspense, this is a must-read. It’s darker, more intense, and even better than the first installment.
Absolutely deserving of 5 stars. I can’t wait for the next one.
April 17, 2026
The difficult trick with a sequel is not to repeat what worked but to deepen it. Stuart Smith understands this, and *Sanctuary at Sea* arrives as a markedly more confident, more textured novel than its predecessor — which was already a strong opener.
Sydney Carter and his battered group of survivors flee the English coast in the immediate aftermath of the first book, seeking refuge on the water. But the sea, which should represent escape, becomes its own kind of prison — claustrophobic, unforgiving, and no less dangerous than the land they abandoned. The introduction of a warship with ruthless intent transforms the narrative from survival horror into something closer to political thriller: a story about power, trust, and who gets to define safety when civilisation has collapsed. The zombies remain terrifyingly present, but Smith's sharpest insight is that the living are worse.
Sydney continues to grow as a reluctant leader burdened by impossible choices, and the arrival of new factions — including a French contingent that adds welcome complexity — tests every alliance he has built. The pacing is relentless, the action sequences brutally cinematic, and an island setting late in the book delivers atmosphere thick with dread. Smith writes with increasing assurance, his characters more intricate, his world more lived-in. The grammatical rough edges of the first book have smoothed considerably. This is a series finding its full voice — darker, more intense, and demanding to be continued.
*The shore offered no safety. The sea offers less. And somewhere between the waves and the dead, Sydney Carter discovers that leadership is just another word for choosing who you fail.*
Sydney Carter and his battered group of survivors flee the English coast in the immediate aftermath of the first book, seeking refuge on the water. But the sea, which should represent escape, becomes its own kind of prison — claustrophobic, unforgiving, and no less dangerous than the land they abandoned. The introduction of a warship with ruthless intent transforms the narrative from survival horror into something closer to political thriller: a story about power, trust, and who gets to define safety when civilisation has collapsed. The zombies remain terrifyingly present, but Smith's sharpest insight is that the living are worse.
Sydney continues to grow as a reluctant leader burdened by impossible choices, and the arrival of new factions — including a French contingent that adds welcome complexity — tests every alliance he has built. The pacing is relentless, the action sequences brutally cinematic, and an island setting late in the book delivers atmosphere thick with dread. Smith writes with increasing assurance, his characters more intricate, his world more lived-in. The grammatical rough edges of the first book have smoothed considerably. This is a series finding its full voice — darker, more intense, and demanding to be continued.
*The shore offered no safety. The sea offers less. And somewhere between the waves and the dead, Sydney Carter discovers that leadership is just another word for choosing who you fail.*
April 13, 2026
Having read book one of The Deal Zombie Chronicles, I felt compelled to check in on the range of interesting characters remaining from Stuart Smith's original zombie fest. Following up a good novel with a great novel is a big ask, but is answered in abundance in Sanctuary at Sea. Everything has improved on what was already impressive. The ever present threat of zombies all the more pervading. The bad guys new and even more villainous and the character development noticeably more intricate. Sydney, the reluctant leader of a bedraggled group of zombie apocalypse survivors is challenged for control with the introduction of a new group. Using his wits and dogged determination he rises to meet this and even more dangerous situations as the group flee the land in search of new sanctuary in the immediate aftermath of the first book. The action and pacing is relentless and never for a moment dull, there is barely time to rest before peril pervades from the very pages themselves. Easily a match for any of The Walking Dead novels. It is safe to say that I am becoming quite hooked on this better British version that feels natural in terms of how events unfold with believable characters and situations (given the rise of a world of zombies of course.) If you are a zombie fan, or even if you just dabble or feel tempted to try, this is the series for you.
May 13, 2026
I picked up Sanctuary at Sea right after finishing the first book, both of which I borrowed from a friend. I wanted to see whether the series could actually evolve beyond the usual “survivors running from zombies” setup. Thankfully, it does. Instead of retreading the same ground, the story opens things up in a way that feels bigger and more tense without losing the personal side of the characters.
Moving the group onto the water was a smart decision. The sea initially feels like a chance at safety, but it quickly becomes clear that isolation creates an entirely different kind of danger. The atmosphere throughout the book feels more claustrophobic and desperate, especially once new groups and conflicting agendas are introduced. I also appreciated that the threats weren’t just zombie-related — the human dynamics were often more stressful than the infected themselves.
Moving the group onto the water was a smart decision. The sea initially feels like a chance at safety, but it quickly becomes clear that isolation creates an entirely different kind of danger. The atmosphere throughout the book feels more claustrophobic and desperate, especially once new groups and conflicting agendas are introduced. I also appreciated that the threats weren’t just zombie-related — the human dynamics were often more stressful than the infected themselves.
April 9, 2026
I always thought about survivors of a zombie apocalypse fighting or hiding on the seas, on a mountain, an island, or various other places-- from the earliest episodes of shows like The Walking Dead. Well, Stuart Smith takes some of these ideas and runs with them. I really liked this book and might have to read others in the series. The French contingent also reminds me of Daryl Dixon's show that continues the Walking Dead series. If you like fast-paced action, zombie thrills, and a good premise, you won't be disappointed by this book. Recommended.
April 12, 2026
Wow what can I say. What a book, brilliantly written. I thought book one was good but book two is even better. The story flowed brilliantly from the first to the second. The characters’ struggles and tough decisions make the journey they are on so feel intense and realistic. I look forward to reading the next instalment in the series.
Stuart Smith
Stuart Smith
April 18, 2026
I didn't think this story could get more gripping but it continues at a fast pace full of twists and turns. Sorry for spoilers but I've been shocked at the brutal killing of central characters which only highlights further the cruelty of this new world.
I can't wait to read the final instalment.
I can't wait to read the final instalment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2026
Stuart Smith is really finding his feet with the Deal Zombie Chronicles. Fast paced action, character depth and grisly environments.
A publisher should really pick these up and take them to the next level!
A publisher should really pick these up and take them to the next level!
March 21, 2026
The first book was brilliant. The second even better. Bloody, shocking and brilliant.
The ending is great and leaves you not just wanting but needing to read more!!!!
The ending is great and leaves you not just wanting but needing to read more!!!!
April 3, 2026
loved it!
April 24, 2026
Wow I thought you couldn't top book 1 but book 2blew me away! Can't wait for number 3!
April 25, 2026
Great booj rwally enjoyed it
April 17, 2026
I like this book because it blends action, survival, and tension in a very gripping way. The idea of survivors searching for safety at sea adds a fresh twist to the zombie genre. As new dangers appear and trust becomes harder to maintain, the story keeps the suspense strong. The characters’ struggles and tough decisions make the journey feel intense and realistic. It’s a solid continuation of the series that keeps readers invested in the fight for survival.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews