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The Dark Pit
Not yet published
Expected 27 Aug 26When a daring investment strategy goes wrong, costing the company millions of dollars, Michael Kaatz finds himself in hot water at work. Desperate to undo the damage, he accepts a mysterious offer: becoming a contestant in the Game, a top-secret, high-tech, high-stakes, high-risk venture that could not only recoup the loss, but make Michael richer than he ever dreamed. All he has to do is complete nine “experiences” within 24 hours, and the prize money will be his.
Little does he know what he’s gotten himself into. Each “experience” will test him in ways he never could have imagined, subjecting him to one horrific scenario after another. He’ll be pushed to, and beyond his limits, not just physically but mentally, emotionally, and morally as well. The penalties, and rewards, for his performance are severe.
And he must play through to the very end; there is no backing out. His fortune, his future, his family, and his very life are on the line. The clock is ticking. The Game has begun.
Little does he know what he’s gotten himself into. Each “experience” will test him in ways he never could have imagined, subjecting him to one horrific scenario after another. He’ll be pushed to, and beyond his limits, not just physically but mentally, emotionally, and morally as well. The penalties, and rewards, for his performance are severe.
And he must play through to the very end; there is no backing out. His fortune, his future, his family, and his very life are on the line. The clock is ticking. The Game has begun.
170 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication August 27, 2026
About the author
David Lopera
8 books10 followersDavid's passion for exploring the complexities of the human condition, fueled by his deep interest in philosophy, religion, and art, informs his writing. His novels delve into moral dilemmas, the search for meaning, and the enduring power of the human spirit. When not crafting stories, he can be found riding his motorcycle, hiking through nature, or losing himself in a good comic book or horror novel.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
**Nine experiences. Twenty-four hours. Zero mercy.**
Michael Kaatz gambles a fortune he doesn't have and loses. Then he's handed a way out — nine "experiences," one day, one prize. Reader, I'd have taken the deal too. And reader, I'd have been so, so sorry.
Let me get this out of the way: the 👀 had me 🤢🤢🤢 for longer than I care to admit. I pushed my dinner away. I did not pick it back up. Lopera writes the grotesque with a steadiness that's almost worse than gore for gore's sake — he doesn't flinch, so you can't either.
But the sick feeling isn't the point. It's the toll booth you pay on the way to the real question.
Because this book is intricately woven, and it is *built* to trap you. Every level tightens the screw. Every choice costs Michael something he can't get back. And somewhere around the halfway mark I realized I wasn't reading anymore, I was negotiating — with myself, in my own head, about what I'd be willing to do to walk out alive. Would you cross the line? Or would you dip out at level 2, like I swore I would the entire time I was reading, page after page, not putting it down?
That's the trick. He makes you complicit. The casino glitter, the Wonderland logic gone rancid, the room-by-room dread of Clue — it's a gorgeous con, and you fall for it right alongside Michael.
And let's admire this cover art!!! Chandelier blazing gold, staircase sweeping down, a woman broken at the bottom of it in a spreading red. Beautiful. Awful. It tells you exactly what you're in for, and the book delivers every promise it makes.
The Game has begun. Good luck putting it down.
And thank you for allowing me to read an advanced copy. 😊
Michael Kaatz gambles a fortune he doesn't have and loses. Then he's handed a way out — nine "experiences," one day, one prize. Reader, I'd have taken the deal too. And reader, I'd have been so, so sorry.
Let me get this out of the way: the 👀 had me 🤢🤢🤢 for longer than I care to admit. I pushed my dinner away. I did not pick it back up. Lopera writes the grotesque with a steadiness that's almost worse than gore for gore's sake — he doesn't flinch, so you can't either.
But the sick feeling isn't the point. It's the toll booth you pay on the way to the real question.
Because this book is intricately woven, and it is *built* to trap you. Every level tightens the screw. Every choice costs Michael something he can't get back. And somewhere around the halfway mark I realized I wasn't reading anymore, I was negotiating — with myself, in my own head, about what I'd be willing to do to walk out alive. Would you cross the line? Or would you dip out at level 2, like I swore I would the entire time I was reading, page after page, not putting it down?
That's the trick. He makes you complicit. The casino glitter, the Wonderland logic gone rancid, the room-by-room dread of Clue — it's a gorgeous con, and you fall for it right alongside Michael.
And let's admire this cover art!!! Chandelier blazing gold, staircase sweeping down, a woman broken at the bottom of it in a spreading red. Beautiful. Awful. It tells you exactly what you're in for, and the book delivers every promise it makes.
The Game has begun. Good luck putting it down.
And thank you for allowing me to read an advanced copy. 😊
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ominous, Macabre, Bloodcurdling
Michael Kaatz career spirals beneath him and currently at stake. As Michaels losses keep plummeting due to an investment strategy that went south, owing the company millions. How will Michael Un-do all the damage? Michael went to a local pub, running into an unknown person who offers him an opportunity of a life time. "And what a strange person he'd been. Like some sort of imp from an old Fairytale. How strange it all was." Michael accepts the "game" to win the grand prize all he has to do is complete 9 experiences within 24 hours. Sounds easy right? Well guess again Michael is in for one hell of a ride!
This book was a roller coaster ride of uneasiness, panic stricken and nightmarish. This book is not for the faint of heart, the experiences ramp up throughout the book and will literally make you say WTF. What Michael is enduring is unimaginable, hoping he makes the right choices and bargains correctly to not affect his price pot. You truly get inside Michaels head as if you're right there with him, trapped in this sinister game.
I couldn't put this book down and read it in less than 24 hours! To all you horror lovers out there if you need a book that will leave you shocked, scared and give you heart pounding moments, this is the book for you!
I want to give a huge shout out and thank you to David for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!
The Dark Pit will be released August 27, 2026
Michael Kaatz career spirals beneath him and currently at stake. As Michaels losses keep plummeting due to an investment strategy that went south, owing the company millions. How will Michael Un-do all the damage? Michael went to a local pub, running into an unknown person who offers him an opportunity of a life time. "And what a strange person he'd been. Like some sort of imp from an old Fairytale. How strange it all was." Michael accepts the "game" to win the grand prize all he has to do is complete 9 experiences within 24 hours. Sounds easy right? Well guess again Michael is in for one hell of a ride!
This book was a roller coaster ride of uneasiness, panic stricken and nightmarish. This book is not for the faint of heart, the experiences ramp up throughout the book and will literally make you say WTF. What Michael is enduring is unimaginable, hoping he makes the right choices and bargains correctly to not affect his price pot. You truly get inside Michaels head as if you're right there with him, trapped in this sinister game.
I couldn't put this book down and read it in less than 24 hours! To all you horror lovers out there if you need a book that will leave you shocked, scared and give you heart pounding moments, this is the book for you!
I want to give a huge shout out and thank you to David for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!
The Dark Pit will be released August 27, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is my second book from David, and I'm learning that I should not eat anything before I dive in! This book is full of stomach churning scenes, suspense, and terror. We follow Michael Kaatz on his journey to try to get out of his financial troubles. The lengths he goes to will have you squirming.
The ONLY thing I wish was that the ending wasn't so abrupt. My hope is that there will be a follow up. I'd love to know what happens next.
If you like Squid Games, Battle Royale, Hunger Games, or any story that puts people in situations that will test their resolve, check out The Dark Pit.
And shout out to Sandeep Karunakaran for the amazing cover art!
The ONLY thing I wish was that the ending wasn't so abrupt. My hope is that there will be a follow up. I'd love to know what happens next.
If you like Squid Games, Battle Royale, Hunger Games, or any story that puts people in situations that will test their resolve, check out The Dark Pit.
And shout out to Sandeep Karunakaran for the amazing cover art!
Review of advance copy received from Author
What would you do to become a millionaire? Would you participate in a game? Where the stakes are high and time is limited? Each level proves to be more difficult than the last.
This was a fast paced easy read. It reminds me of the movie “Hostel” and Aron Beauregard and Daniel J Volpes books “Through the Eyes of Desperation.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was an amazing concept and executed beautifully. I read it in one sitting, eager to see what was next in the game.
I would love to see this story expanded into another book (hint hint, nudge nudge). There are a lot of things I still need to know!
I would love to see this story expanded into another book (hint hint, nudge nudge). There are a lot of things I still need to know!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am so thankful I was an ARC reader for this! I laughed, I was shocked, I held my breath and I had wide eyes most of the time! If you enjoy books that take you on a ride then this book is for you. Buy it, loan it and enjoy it.
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was another amazing story done by the author i have read a couple or her recent works now, and they just leave me wanting more and loving how I feel so into the story when reading them.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews