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Depths of Darkness
Inside these pages are nautical-themed horror stories from the minds of 15 Indie horror authors, all with their own story to tell.
Across the centuries, the ocean has carried more than just cargo. Its waves have hidden secrets, held onto regrets, and claimed the dead.
Depths of Darkness is a chilling horror anthology that dives into the dark waters that carry not just ships, but the creatures that hide in its murkiest of waters. Stories born in the inky darkness and dragged to the dismal horizon.
From screams below deck to monsters of the sea, you’re sure to find a firm favourite in these sea-drenched stories.
All proceeds from this anthology will be donated to the charity The Reader
Charity Registration Number 1126806 (SCO43054 Scotland) Company Registration Number 06607389.
Stories by the following
Paul J Kearns
Martin Tracey
MJ Mars
Stephen Barnard
Peter Caffrey
DE McCluskey
Benjamin Langley
Brad Thomas
Catriona Mowat
Jim Ody
Matthew Cash
David K Slater
Lula Von Goth
E.R. Vickers
Alex Secam
Across the centuries, the ocean has carried more than just cargo. Its waves have hidden secrets, held onto regrets, and claimed the dead.
Depths of Darkness is a chilling horror anthology that dives into the dark waters that carry not just ships, but the creatures that hide in its murkiest of waters. Stories born in the inky darkness and dragged to the dismal horizon.
From screams below deck to monsters of the sea, you’re sure to find a firm favourite in these sea-drenched stories.
All proceeds from this anthology will be donated to the charity The Reader
Charity Registration Number 1126806 (SCO43054 Scotland) Company Registration Number 06607389.
Stories by the following
Paul J Kearns
Martin Tracey
MJ Mars
Stephen Barnard
Peter Caffrey
DE McCluskey
Benjamin Langley
Brad Thomas
Catriona Mowat
Jim Ody
Matthew Cash
David K Slater
Lula Von Goth
E.R. Vickers
Alex Secam
219 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 23, 2026
A diverse collection of water themed horror. It was great to try out some short stories from authors I know and love, also some that were totally new to me.
A few entries were absolutely chilling, and all of them were unique and imaginative. Some were a little too short- cutting off right when the most interesting part is happening. That’s probably my only critique.
I loved the overall theme- there’s something so mysterious and unnerving about the hidden depths of the ocean in my opinion. Even just being on the surface and not knowing what’s below you, what could be watching and circling closer, absolutely terrifies me! Good job to the editor as well for rounding up some fantastic tales.
A few entries were absolutely chilling, and all of them were unique and imaginative. Some were a little too short- cutting off right when the most interesting part is happening. That’s probably my only critique.
I loved the overall theme- there’s something so mysterious and unnerving about the hidden depths of the ocean in my opinion. Even just being on the surface and not knowing what’s below you, what could be watching and circling closer, absolutely terrifies me! Good job to the editor as well for rounding up some fantastic tales.
May 25, 2026
A collection of 15 nautical-themed stories, and what fantastic tales they are. Each author has created something truly memorable and, hand on heart, I loved every single one. I find that’s quite unusual for an anthology, but this collection is a rare exception. Every story feels distinct, each taking its own unique course into the unknown.
The stories range from witty and unsettling to sinister and deeply atmospheric, with something to satisfy every kind of horror reader. From sea witches and gothic mysteries to grotesque sea creatures and exotic, perfume-laced sea swirls, there’s a tale here for everyone.
The proceeds from each sale of this book go towards a wonderful charity called The Reader, who bring people together through the power of reading aloud. They work with adults and children in places such as cafès, hospital's and prisons, helping to create connections, comfort, and wellbeing through shared stories.
The stories range from witty and unsettling to sinister and deeply atmospheric, with something to satisfy every kind of horror reader. From sea witches and gothic mysteries to grotesque sea creatures and exotic, perfume-laced sea swirls, there’s a tale here for everyone.
The proceeds from each sale of this book go towards a wonderful charity called The Reader, who bring people together through the power of reading aloud. They work with adults and children in places such as cafès, hospital's and prisons, helping to create connections, comfort, and wellbeing through shared stories.
Review of advance copy received from Author
15 authors, 15 diverse stories across the genre with the unifying emphasis on the horrors that lie beneath the rivers, seas and oceans.
The Promise by Paul J Kearns provides a heartbreaking and haunting opener on the promises that must be kept, even after death.
Whatever Gets You Thru the Night by Martin Tracey explores the legends and folklore of Liverpool with the ever-hungry passengers of a cruise ship.
Ravaged by MJ Mars dissects the perils of pearl diving, a lucrative but competitive hustle. If only pearls could be harvested in an easier way.
Kracken Island by Stephen Barnard brings a unique cosmic flavour to the nautical theme. Being tied to a lamppost is commonplace on stag nights, but this is a far away from any ordinary stag prank.
The Boatbuilder’s Lament by Peter Caffrey is immersive and skin crawlingly creepy. Amelia is precious. All Amelias are precious.
One Foggy Night by DE McCluskey spins a disorientating, claustrophobic narrative, despite being 100ft in the air. The fog is enveloping; suffocating…comforting.
A Gift For Lady Dymphna by Benjamin Langley entices you aboard a vessel named after the Patron Saint of Lost Souls. Peter has stowed away on the wrong boat, or he may be exactly where he should be.
Below the Waterline by Brad Thomas takes a simple premise and intensifies the ordinary into a claustrophobic and panic building tale of isolation.
HMS Garland by Catriona Mowat takes you into the horrific forced transit of enslaved people. When you can suffer the pain and heartbreak no more, every possible source of salvation must be explored.
Missing Little Souls by Jim Ody immerses you in a town where children go missing. The legend of the black creature must be true; the lighthouse must hold the answers.
No Man’s Thought by Matthew Cash is an irreverent and witty story of an author trying to find inspiration for a nautical themed horror anthology, with added gristle.
Offshore by David K Slater is a bleak soulful decline of a man and his father, providing a haunting realisation of the terrors that linger after trauma.
Home is Where the Heart Is by Lula Von Goth wilfully abandons you with a shipwrecked crew. The distortion of mental anguish; the detached terror of what it takes, and the cost of survival.
Blue by ER Vickers beckons you aboard to pay witness to the unexplained deaths of healthy crew members, their bodies piling up in the freezer in the ship’s galley.
The Merseyside Swirl by Alex Secam brings his trademark social commentary to the heart of the Mersey. Where a mysterious apparition is swiftly normalised to entrance and allure the social movers and shakers.
The Promise by Paul J Kearns provides a heartbreaking and haunting opener on the promises that must be kept, even after death.
Whatever Gets You Thru the Night by Martin Tracey explores the legends and folklore of Liverpool with the ever-hungry passengers of a cruise ship.
Ravaged by MJ Mars dissects the perils of pearl diving, a lucrative but competitive hustle. If only pearls could be harvested in an easier way.
Kracken Island by Stephen Barnard brings a unique cosmic flavour to the nautical theme. Being tied to a lamppost is commonplace on stag nights, but this is a far away from any ordinary stag prank.
The Boatbuilder’s Lament by Peter Caffrey is immersive and skin crawlingly creepy. Amelia is precious. All Amelias are precious.
One Foggy Night by DE McCluskey spins a disorientating, claustrophobic narrative, despite being 100ft in the air. The fog is enveloping; suffocating…comforting.
A Gift For Lady Dymphna by Benjamin Langley entices you aboard a vessel named after the Patron Saint of Lost Souls. Peter has stowed away on the wrong boat, or he may be exactly where he should be.
Below the Waterline by Brad Thomas takes a simple premise and intensifies the ordinary into a claustrophobic and panic building tale of isolation.
HMS Garland by Catriona Mowat takes you into the horrific forced transit of enslaved people. When you can suffer the pain and heartbreak no more, every possible source of salvation must be explored.
Missing Little Souls by Jim Ody immerses you in a town where children go missing. The legend of the black creature must be true; the lighthouse must hold the answers.
No Man’s Thought by Matthew Cash is an irreverent and witty story of an author trying to find inspiration for a nautical themed horror anthology, with added gristle.
Offshore by David K Slater is a bleak soulful decline of a man and his father, providing a haunting realisation of the terrors that linger after trauma.
Home is Where the Heart Is by Lula Von Goth wilfully abandons you with a shipwrecked crew. The distortion of mental anguish; the detached terror of what it takes, and the cost of survival.
Blue by ER Vickers beckons you aboard to pay witness to the unexplained deaths of healthy crew members, their bodies piling up in the freezer in the ship’s galley.
The Merseyside Swirl by Alex Secam brings his trademark social commentary to the heart of the Mersey. Where a mysterious apparition is swiftly normalised to entrance and allure the social movers and shakers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I thoroughly relished this nautical-themed anthology! Each tale (fifteen in total) plumbs the depths of the sea in each own way, yet they're all unapologetically horrific, and perhaps even savage in their approach to the fates of their characters. The brevity of the stories adds to the mystique, not one word is wasted, in fact many were very well thought-out and intricate despite being a bit too short, yet always packed with the right kind of detail about life in the sea and the terrifying creatures one might encounter there.
All stories are worth reading, they all kept me turning pages, and the superb editing was a bonus. The ones I myself enjoyed the most were the following six: Peter Caffrey's "The Boatbuilder’s Lament," the volume's creepiest tale in its implied (lack of) ending, I read it as the story of a demented Noah who never escaped the Deluge; MJ Mars' "Ravaged," where a pearl diver's incredible discovery turns into an industry of pain and shocking body horror; Jim Ody's "Missing Little Souls" - boys go missing in a coastal town, two teenagers think they can catch the creature responsible in the act, but the lighthouse has a different view on the matter; "Kracken Island" by Stephen Barnard, a stag party prank transforms into maritime cosmic horror; "A Gift For Lady Dymphna" by Benjamin Langley, offering the cruelest ending in my opinion (Mars' and Ody's stories close seconds) - when a boy tries to escape his abusive stepfather, he picks the wrong boat to stow away on; and "Below the Waterline" by Brad Thomas, a tale of isolation horror at its best, figuring a sailor in quarantine who has to listen to his crewmates going crazy - or not.
Venture into those chilling "Depths", you're in for a thrilling read! Plus, all proceeds from this anthology will be donated to the charity The Reader!
All stories are worth reading, they all kept me turning pages, and the superb editing was a bonus. The ones I myself enjoyed the most were the following six: Peter Caffrey's "The Boatbuilder’s Lament," the volume's creepiest tale in its implied (lack of) ending, I read it as the story of a demented Noah who never escaped the Deluge; MJ Mars' "Ravaged," where a pearl diver's incredible discovery turns into an industry of pain and shocking body horror; Jim Ody's "Missing Little Souls" - boys go missing in a coastal town, two teenagers think they can catch the creature responsible in the act, but the lighthouse has a different view on the matter; "Kracken Island" by Stephen Barnard, a stag party prank transforms into maritime cosmic horror; "A Gift For Lady Dymphna" by Benjamin Langley, offering the cruelest ending in my opinion (Mars' and Ody's stories close seconds) - when a boy tries to escape his abusive stepfather, he picks the wrong boat to stow away on; and "Below the Waterline" by Brad Thomas, a tale of isolation horror at its best, figuring a sailor in quarantine who has to listen to his crewmates going crazy - or not.
Venture into those chilling "Depths", you're in for a thrilling read! Plus, all proceeds from this anthology will be donated to the charity The Reader!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC Review
Depths of Darkness is a fantastic charity anthology with submission from some of the finest Indie Horror authors the UK has to offer.
With the sea as our running theme, the contributors have all found their own unique voice and tale to tell.
Humorous, stark, menacing and claustrophobic; this book has something for every taste in horror. Especially horrifying for those of us afraid of the sea in the first place!
From ancient gods hell bent on revenge to the suffocating loneliness of an isolated death, these 15 stories will keep you on the edge of your seat and wary of dipping your toes in on your next trip to the beach
Depths of Darkness is a fantastic charity anthology with submission from some of the finest Indie Horror authors the UK has to offer.
With the sea as our running theme, the contributors have all found their own unique voice and tale to tell.
Humorous, stark, menacing and claustrophobic; this book has something for every taste in horror. Especially horrifying for those of us afraid of the sea in the first place!
From ancient gods hell bent on revenge to the suffocating loneliness of an isolated death, these 15 stories will keep you on the edge of your seat and wary of dipping your toes in on your next trip to the beach
Review of advance copy received from Author
An anthology of 15 nautical themed stories, this book is such a fun read! Each of these amazing indie authors offer a completely unique take on both horror and water, and their stories give an excellent snapshot into the amazing quality of writers the indie horror community has to offer.
The money raised from proceeds also goes to the charity, The Reader, to support their vital work. I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy at indie horror Chapter 4: Liverpool Horror Book Con!
The money raised from proceeds also goes to the charity, The Reader, to support their vital work. I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy at indie horror Chapter 4: Liverpool Horror Book Con!
Review of advance copy received from Author
well I have got to say I absolutely loved this. 15 stories of pure terror. I loved the story about the sea witch so much
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews