Where All Light Dies

by Michael Penning

Some wrecks are graves. This one is a prison.

When a cutting-edge submersible is discovered adrift in the North Atlantic, U.S. Coast Guard Commander Freya Keating is tasked with a routine recovery. It should be simple, but what she doesn’t expect is a deadly mystery.

The vessel is intact. No damage. No distress call. But its entire crew has vanished.

The sub was exploring the wreck of the SS Celestine, a World War II passenger liner lost under suspicious circumstances and long shrouded in dark rumors. Official records call it a maritime tragedy. But deep inside its shattered hull lies something the Nazis were willing to kill to possess.

And it was never meant to be found.

As Freya takes command of the investigation, the mission spirals fast. Crew members lash out without warning. Critical systems fail. Fear spreads through the ship, turning trained professionals into violent threats.

With a storm closing in and her crew fracturing around her, Freya must descend into the wreck herself to stop whatever was sealed inside before it escapes the deep... and reaches the world above.

If you love high-stakes mysteries and relentless suspense, dive into Where All Light Dies now and hold your breath until the final page.

Genres: Horror

379 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 19, 2026

About the author

Michael Penning is a bestselling author and award-winning screenwriter of horror and dark fiction, crafting stories so chilling they could make a ghost shiver. He has been weaving nightmares since before he could finish his own sack of trick-or-treat candy. When he's not conjuring new ways to make readers sleep with one eye open, he enjoys traveling, photography, and brewing beer. He lives in Montreal with his wife and daughter, who have yet to flee in terror. For free giveaways and updates on new releases, visit www.michaelpenning.com and sign up for Michael's newsletter.

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review received from author Michael Penning.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

"Dire is the ocean, dread in all it's forms!" I've been reading The Odyssey, and this quote couldn't be more perfect for Where All Light Dies. The deep sea always adds an extra layer of creep for me. Michael Penning delivers an atmospheric deep sea horor story, rife with action, mystery, and historical and paranormal aspects.

Coast Guard Lieutenant Freya Keating is called to rescue a private sub that had been diving around the off limits Celestine shipwreck in the cold and stormy North Atlantic. The sub had disappeared without a trace four days ago, but Freya's team quickly locates it, albeit empty. Not a trace of the crew, but the state of the art submersible is in perfect condition. When the company who owned the ship tells Freya there's more to the story, including a curse, her logical mind refuses to accept it. Until she starts experiencing things she can't rationally explain. Callum is an occult scholar, who tried to talk the company out of making this dive. He thinks he knows what is causing the inexplicable, and why the shipwreck has been off limits for so long. But can he get Freya to trust him before it's too late?

I've read just about all of Michael Penning's books, and I've never been disappointed. Where All Light Dies is no exception. I love that Penning always writes bad ass female leads, but I do wish we got to know Freya and Callum a little better. I also wanted to know more about the magic relic. Inquiring minds need to know! But to my utter delight, it looks like this is going to be a series, so hopefully my wishes will be granted.


Thank you to the wonderful Michael Penning for the ARC, and for continuing to write amazing stories that I can't put down.

You won't want to miss Where All Light Dies, coming out August 19, 2026.

[Sharron Joy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

A state of the art submersible rises from the waves undamaged, still sealed after disappearing for days, the five crew members have vanished. As the US coastguard investigate above and inside the wreckage of a torpedoed WWII civilian ship, strange music is heard, ghostly images are seen and something ancient calls out from the depths.

A deep sea supernatural horror that reads like a high octane thriller with a cloying sense of claustrophobia and creeping dread throughout. The haunted wreck lies broken 200 feet down, lost with hundreds of souls, the underwater imagery is eerie and breathless. The uncontrollable power of the ocean, the constant danger, the bravery of those called to save the helpless, it leaves you feeling chilled to the bone with the faint tang of salt swirling around you.

As always with this author’s books the characters are exceptional, in a few short sentences you instantly know who they are and can visualise them clearly. Freya, the no-nonsense captain, Adrian, the voice of clarity, Corinne, the bossy businesswoman, Noah, the stalwart seaman, Callum, the adventurous academic, all of them surrounded by professional sailors and divers.

A tense, nerve tingling, fast paced, thrilling story of the power of the ocean, the human cost of exploring places that should be left alone and the occult forces that stalk the unwary!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Title: Where All Light Dies (Gravewardens Book 1)
Author: Michael Penning
Publisher: Independent (Michael Penning)
Pub Date: August 19, 2026
Dates Read: June 17, 2026 – July 12, 2026

🗣️ 𝚀𝚞𝚒𝚌𝚔(𝚒𝚜𝚑) 𝚃𝚊𝚔𝚎: Michael Penning never ceases to impress me with his vastly different storylines, and Where All Light Dies was no exception. This was a bit reminiscent of Into the Drowning Deep, though entirely its own and every bit as creepy. I was hooked from the very first chapter as I usually am with one of this author’s books, and I loved the way suspense was built as the story went on. No Penning story would be complete without a little bit of witchcraft, and he definitely delivered on that as well. The visualization I had with this storyline was absolutely impeccable, and it freaked me the F out. If you are a horror fan, or you loved Mira Grant's Into the Drowning Deep, this is a must-read!

🎧 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬: N/A

T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 🧜🏼‍♀️🦷🩸🚢👻

𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫
𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: N/A

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[scott brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where All Light Dies by Michael Penning is a tense deep-sea horror thriller that blends claustrophobic suspense, supernatural mystery, and military-style survival into a fast-paced story that’s hard to put down.

The introduction to the cast was exceptionally well done, giving each character a distinct voice and personality that made them feel real and memorable. It felt less like reading fiction and more like stepping into the personal journals and lives of each character.

The setup alone is creepy: a drifting submersible in the North Atlantic with its entire crew mysteriously missing. From there, the story pulls you deeper into the wreck of the SS Celestine, a lost World War II ship hiding something dark beneath the ocean floor. The atmosphere is one of the book’s strongest elements — cold water, failing systems, isolation, and paranoia all combine to create constant tension.


Commander Freya Keating is a strong lead character. She feels capable and grounded, which makes the escalating horror around her even more effective. As the crew begins unraveling and strange violent behavior spreads through the ship, the story shifts from mystery into full psychological and supernatural terror.

Commander Freya was an especially compelling character. I became deeply invested in her journey and emotions as she struggled to deny the paranormal events unfolding around her, despite clearly experiencing them firsthand. Adrian, on the other hand, brought a strong sense of tension and awareness to the story, recognizing that something supernatural was taking place and believing that Freya understood it too, even if she could not bring herself to admit it. Their dynamic added another layer of depth and suspense to the novel. As for the crew they begin unraveling what's happening and strange violent behavior spreads through the ship, the story shifts from mystery into full psychological and supernatural terror.

Michael Penning does a great job mixing horror with cinematic action. Fans of underwater thrillers like The Abyss will love this book. The pacing stays tight, the mystery unfolds at the right speed, and the deeper the crew goes, the darker and more unsettling the story becomes.


What really stands out is the sense of dread. The ocean already feels unknowable, and the novel uses that fear perfectly. Every descent into the wreck feels dangerous, suffocating, and unpredictable.

This novel perfectly blends fast-paced action with chilling horror, creating a story that is nearly impossible to put down. I found myself staying up until 1 a.m. reading, even with a 4 a.m. wake-up for work, because I constantly needed to know what would happen next. Michael’s introduction of the spirits and paranormal elements was genuinely unsettling, delivering several edge-of-your-seat moments that stayed with me long after reading.


I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again — Michael Penning has become my favorite author. His writing is truly something special. The way he creates characters is incredible; they don’t just exist on the page, they become real while you’re reading. Long after I finish one of his novels, the characters still stay with me, lingering in my thoughts for days. Some of them even begin to feel like distant family members that I genuinely care about.

That’s especially true with the Book of Shadows series. I find myself waiting for the next book not just for the story itself, but because I want updates on the lives of these characters I’ve grown attached to. That’s the mark of an amazing storyteller — someone who can create a world and characters that readers emotionally connect with so deeply.

So with all of that said, thank you, Michael, for bringing these incredible stories to life and giving readers like me worlds we can escape into, characters we can care about, and stories we will never forget. I cant wait for book 2 now LOL.

Overall rating: 10/10

If you enjoy atmospheric horror, cursed discoveries, WWII conspiracies, and survival stories set in isolated environments, Where All Light Dies delivers a chilling ride from start to finish.


Pre order it today https://a.co/d/09JMPvuo

[Stevan Radonjic · Rating 5 out of 5]

In “Where All Light Dies,” Michael Penning expertly blends supernatural and psychological horror with historical fiction in a tense and propulsive thriller set in the deep sea. Horror and thriller readers can always count on Penning to deliver the goods and his latest is a chilling addition to his growing list of standalone novels.

The story follows Commander Freya Keeting and the crew of Coast Guard vessel, The Catamount as they attempt to unravel the mystery surrounding a recently resurfaced commercial submersible that went offline during an attempt to explore the SS Celestine, an ocean liner that was sunk during the Second World War. But the routine recovery and rescue operation takes a highly unusual turn when it is discovered that the crew of the state-of-the-art submersible, the DRX-1, has seemingly vanished without a trace or any reasonable explanation. It soon becomes evident that there is a supernatural force inside of the historic shipwreck, something longing to escape its deep sea prison and reach the surface.

Penning knows what scares us, knows how to play on our primal fears and of the unknown. His writing is always visual and cinematic. His attention to detail is one of his greatest strengths and really pulls the reader into the environment of his characters. You can really feel the sense of claustrophobia and lack of air that his characters do. And the way he weaves historical fact into his narrative is masterful, and really creates a sense of realism amid the supernatural occurrences.

As always, Penning does a fantastic job giving each of the story’s characters a distinct voice. The main character, Freya is strong and grounded. She bears responsibility for her ship and crew and the fact that her father died doing the same line of work, puts her in a somewhat adversarial position with the sea. It’s as if she’s partly motivated to do this kind of work out of obligation to her father, to carry on his legacy of trying to protect people from the threatening environment of the sea. It’s almost as if she has something of a love/hate relationship with the sea. And even though she is experienced at navigating the sea, she still acknowledges and respects its power and the potential threat it presents.

Adrian, the second in command, is the voice of reason. His open-minded and superstitious nature makes him the perfect counter-balance to Freya’s no-nonsense reliance on “facts, procedures, and possibilities.” The story’s non-supernatural antagonist, Dr. Corinne Temple is provided with depth and complexity as she weighs the corporate interests behind the DRX-1, with the reality of the submersible’s missing crew. And finally, there’s Callum, the historical academic who adds intrigue by providing the history of the ocean liner as well as the lore surrounding the lost artifact it was transporting. The bond that develops between Freya and Callum towards the end of the story is nuanced and perfectly paves the way for further exploration. And the ending certainly seems to suggest that there could potentially be more to come.

“Where All Light Dies” is a suspenseful thriller that is expertly executed. It is a fast-paced, tense, and atmospheric novel that perfectly balances the supernatural with psychological dread. This one is a five star. I highly recommend it.

[Pan | Book Reviews and Recommendations · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Penning’s 'Where All Light Dies' is a razor‑sharp, atmospheric deep‑sea thriller that blends maritime horror, WWII secrets, and psychological unraveling into a story that never loosens its grip. It’s the kind of novel that reminds you why the ocean is the perfect place for nightmares.


A state‑of‑the‑art submersible is found drifting in the North Atlantic, fully intact, yet completely empty. U.S. Coast Guard Commander Freya Keating is sent to recover it, expecting a routine operation. Instead, she steps into a chilling mystery.


The missing crew had been exploring the wreck of the SS Celestine, a World War II passenger liner surrounded by dark rumors and Nazi‑era secrets. Something hidden deep within its shattered hull was so valuable and so dangerous that people once killed to keep it buried.


As Freya leads the investigation, her own ship begins to unravel. Crew members turn violent without warning, systems fail, and fear spreads like a contagion. 


With a storm closing in and her team falling apart, Freya must descend into the Celestine herself to confront whatever was sealed inside the wreck before it escapes the ocean’s depths and threatens the world above.



Michael Penning delivers a tense, claustrophobic, and relentlessly engaging thriller that feels engineered to keep your pulse elevated. From the moment Commander Freya Keating boards the abandoned submersible, the novel locks you into a world where every shadow hides a secret and every silence feels like a warning.


What makes the book so effective is its precision. Penning doesn’t rely on cheap scares, instead he builds dread through detail, pacing, and the slow, methodical peeling back of a mystery that stretches from the modern North Atlantic to the darkest corners of World War II. The wreck of the SS Celestine is more than a setting; it’s a character, a myth, and a wound that never healed.


As the storm closes in and Freya descends into the wreck herself, the book shifts from mystery to full‑on survival horror. The pacing becomes surgical. Every chapter feels like a countdown. When the truth of what was sealed inside the Celestine finally surfaces, it lands with the weight of something ancient, inevitable, and deeply unsettling.


Penning’s prose is crisp, cinematic, and immersive. You can feel the cold metal, hear the groaning hull, and sense the crushing pressure of the deep. It’s a novel that plays on primal fears, darkness, confinement, the unknown, and does so with elegance.


Where 'All Light Dies' is a standout thriller. It's smart, atmospheric, and genuinely haunting. 

If you enjoy books that blend history, horror, and high‑stakes suspense, this one deserves a place at the top of your reading list.

[Tania Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic! I'm thrilled that this is being marked as Gravewardens: Book One because I can't wait to read the rest of them!

Where All Light Dies has all of the elements of a classic ghost story: a current problem, deep history, personal connections and traumas, a believer, a skeptic, and a cover-up. Michael Penning's balance of all of these elements is perfect. This takes me back to my earlier comment about Gravewardens - the setup in this book is perfect for launching an entire series.

I absolutely loved the combination of a traditional ghost story with a deeply atmospheric underwater setting. There is something uniquely terrifying about ghosts beneath the ocean, and Penning makes excellent use of that. The underwater sequences were creepy, genuinely scary, and, frankly, scared the shit out of me in the best possible way. The ghosts were terrifying, but they were also completely awesome.

The pacing is deliberately slow in the beginning, but I think that it works beautifully. Penning takes the time to establish the history, the characters, the mystery, and all of the pieces that eventually come together. That slow build makes the payoff so much more effective. When the shit finally hits the fan, it REALLY hits the fan, and when it does, man oh man, does this book get good!

I also really loved Freya. She's intelligent, capable, determined, and willing to keep pushing even when things don't make sense. In fact, she reminded me quite a bit of Captain Janeway from Star Trek: Voyager, which is probably one of the highest compliments that I can ever give a character. 😂

The occult elements were another huge win for me. I loved the way they were woven into the story and the larger mystery. (Then again, I love anything having to do with the occult, so maybe I was always going to be an easy sell on that front, lol.)

Overall, Where All Light Dies was exactly the kind of supernatural horror story that I enjoy: atmospheric, creepy, mysterious, historical, and genuinely frightening without relying solely on shock value. It feels like a complete story while also opening the door to something much, much bigger.

If this is what Gravewardens is going to be, I'm absolutely along for the ride. Bring on Book Two!

[Jolene · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some books that entertain you, and then there are books that completely pull you in and refuse to let go. Where All Light Dies is definitely the second kind. Michael Penning has written a story that feels dark, haunting, and incredibly atmospheric. I found myself saying "okay just one more chapter" over and over until I realized I'd flown through the book. The tension builds so naturally that even the quieter moments had me feeling uneasy, and once things started escalating, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

What really stood out to me was the characters. They felt real, flawed, and easy to connect with, which made everything they went through hit that much harder. The emotional moments landed just as well as the horror, and that balance made the story feel so much more impactful.

Without giving anything away, there were several moments that genuinely caught me off guard. I love when a horror novel can still surprise me, and this one did. It delivered the creepy atmosphere I was hoping for while also telling a story that had real heart.

This is the kind of book that sticks with you after you've finished it. I kept thinking about it after I turned the last page, and that's always the sign of a great read for me.

Huge thank you to Michael Penning for the opportunity to read this ARC. I'm so grateful I got to experience this story early, and I'll be recommending it to everyone. Add to your TBR!! 📚

[Mary Zuelke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eerie, somber, and action packed. This Supernatural Horror left me with chills from the first page. The characters weren't only human. The ship that had sunk eighty years ago was massive — her jagged-edge torpedo hole, rusting support beams, and the dead portholes made the Celestine come to life. Along with her, unnatural evil dwelled in the dark depths of the North Atlantic.

Penning's writing was lyrical and descriptive. Every scene took me on a journey. I could feel the cold wind, the rain battering my face, the pressure of the dive. All with clarity.

The story took unexpected turns, keeping you on the edge of disaster every moment. Its blend of fantasy and historical elements worked. The downed ship, the occult, World War 2 — all pieces of a mystery surrounding something darker.

An expressive supernatural horror that keeps you guessing. A great read for those who love high atmosphere, uncertain outcomes, non-stop tension, and dread. It left me with chills and with the frightening emptiness I saw reflected in Freya's eyes.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
This is an intense, atmospheric, suspenseful horror story all taking place in the ocean, on ships, submersibles and deep down in the sea. It is claustrophobic, suspenseful & tension building.

Freya, a Coast Guard commander & her team are on what they believed would a be routine rescue mission.

They were not prepared for what they found!

There were scenes that literally gave me goosebumps & creeped me out!!
The descriptions of moments, feelings & scenes were so vivid, I could see & feel what the characters in the book were experiencing.

I learned a fair amount about maritime which I really enjoyed.

If you enjoy deep sea horror books, you will enjoy this one! Highly recommend!!

[Amanda Ruzsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gripping. Where All Light Dies takes the isolation and darkness of the deep sea and transforms them into something truly terrifying. The atmosphere is deeply suffocating, the mystery just keeps getting deeper, and once the crew begins to unravel, the tension becomes almost unbearable. It is immersive, unsettling, and it will stick with me for a long time. The characters are so well described it’s hard not to feel everything they do, specifically fear. And dread. Lots of it. You’ll live in this story, and I hope you survive it.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tense and atmospheric deep-sea thriller that hooks you quickly and doesn’t let go. The mystery of the empty submersible is compelling, and the connection to the WWII wreck adds depth and intrigue. Once again, Michael Penning has created a steady, believable female lead as the situation spirals into paranoia and fear. The claustrophobic setting and mounting dread make this a gripping, fast-paced read.

[Chelsea L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced and non-stop, this book takes us deep into the depths of the ocean in a way Michael Penning does so very well, eerie and spin-chilling. Coast Guard Commander Freya Keating is set to recover a missing submersible, but quickly discovers this mission is far from routine. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. A little history mixed with the supernatural that moves at a thrilling pace that keeps you on your toes!

[Shawn McAlear · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought getting hantavirus aboard a ship would be terrifying enough - I was wrong. Michael Penning’s latest thrill rides does it again. It was exciting, it was intense, it was (sometimes) too much to take in. I needed to take breaks to catch my breath. All in all, it was wonderfully written and a fantastic read. I will just be staying on land for the foreseeable future.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a love hate relationship with the ocean. Its beautiful but also terrifying. This book helped amplify the terror.

Thank you Michael Penning for the ARC

[Cattie Whaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I have read all of Michael Penning's books, so I was super excited to get this opportunity. Where All Light Dies is set aboard a Coast Guard ship that has been sent to rescue an "pod" that disappeared completely from all radar systems for days and then mysteriously pops back up with one problem...no passengers and a sealed hatch. This book had me up way past my bedtime most nights because I just wanted to keep going. There is a lot of history about the Celestine and her watery grave in the Atlantic. There were several times I got spooked, which is hard to do! I don't want to give a lot of details away because I really want you to read this book and not have it spoiled. If you like spooky ghost ships, weird paranormal devices and kick-ass female lead characters, you are going to love this book. And the ending made me happy because it means there is going to be more! Highly recommend!!