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World's Scariest Places #2
The Catacombs
WELCOME TO THE EMPIRE OF THE DEAD
Paris, France, is known as the City of Lights, a metropolis renowned for romance and beauty. Beneath the bustling streets and cafés, however, exists The Catacombs, a labyrinth of crumbling tunnels filled with six million dead.
When a video camera containing mysterious footage is discovered deep within their depths, a group of friends venture into the tunnels to investigate. But what starts out as a lighthearted adventure takes a turn for the worse when they reach their destination--and stumble upon the evil lurking there.
Paris, France, is known as the City of Lights, a metropolis renowned for romance and beauty. Beneath the bustling streets and cafés, however, exists The Catacombs, a labyrinth of crumbling tunnels filled with six million dead.
When a video camera containing mysterious footage is discovered deep within their depths, a group of friends venture into the tunnels to investigate. But what starts out as a lighthearted adventure takes a turn for the worse when they reach their destination--and stumble upon the evil lurking there.
524 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2015
1342 people are currently reading
5110 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Bates
47 books1,841 followersUSA TODAY and #1 Amazon bestselling author Jeremy Bates has written over twenty novels and novellas, selling more than one million copies worldwide. His work has been translated into multiple languages and optioned for film and television by major studios. Midwest Book Review has likened his storytelling to that of Stephen King and Joe Lansdale, calling him a "master of the art." Bates is a KDP Select All-Star and the recipient of the Australian Shadows Award and the Canadian Arthur Ellis Award. He was also a finalist in the Goodreads Choice Awards, the only major book honors chosen by readers.
His latest novel, *The No-End House*, is a standalone horror story set in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, where a pair of volunteers must navigate nine mysterious rooms in a sinister house. Scheduled for release by Kensington Publishing in July 2025, it’s a chilling tale of survival and escape.
Visit Amazon to get DENISOVANS for a special release-date price now.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F...
Also, MOUNTAIN OF THE DEAD is currently only $0.99 in a limited-time deal.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079KW3N72
Finally, visit Jeremy’s website to receive a free copy of *Black Canyon*, winner of the Lou Allin Memorial Award.
https://www.jeremybatesbooks.com
His latest novel, *The No-End House*, is a standalone horror story set in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, where a pair of volunteers must navigate nine mysterious rooms in a sinister house. Scheduled for release by Kensington Publishing in July 2025, it’s a chilling tale of survival and escape.
Visit Amazon to get DENISOVANS for a special release-date price now.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F...
Also, MOUNTAIN OF THE DEAD is currently only $0.99 in a limited-time deal.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079KW3N72
Finally, visit Jeremy’s website to receive a free copy of *Black Canyon*, winner of the Lou Allin Memorial Award.
https://www.jeremybatesbooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 402 reviews
October 28, 2019
I didn’t like this one as much as a couple of his others but I will read more of them 😉
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
April 17, 2016
Enjoyable read, but not very scary. The only bit that really made my skin crawl was near the beginning, which is a shame. The story is pretty much exactly the same as the first book, just set in Paris instead of Japan, which unfortunately means I won't bother with the rest of them.
I also googled a bunch of stuff to do with the catacombs for fun and interest (as you do!) while reading the book, and was very disappointed to see that many parts of the books are very nearly lifted from blogs where people have gone down to the catacombs and explored (i.e. an observation a character makes is exactly the same as from a blog, etc).
Also the description of the video that sends them down to the catacombs is from a video on Youtube, one of the top hits when I searched people missing in the catacombs! It's called "Man Gets lost in the Catacombs of Paris" and it's about a group that decides to go in to the catacombs after finding a video tape...a tape that's identical to the one described in the book, except it's a man running about in the dark, not a woman. And they go down to see what's happened to him...see where this is going?
Come on Bates, come up with your own stories instead of lifting them from the internet!
I also googled a bunch of stuff to do with the catacombs for fun and interest (as you do!) while reading the book, and was very disappointed to see that many parts of the books are very nearly lifted from blogs where people have gone down to the catacombs and explored (i.e. an observation a character makes is exactly the same as from a blog, etc).
Also the description of the video that sends them down to the catacombs is from a video on Youtube, one of the top hits when I searched people missing in the catacombs! It's called "Man Gets lost in the Catacombs of Paris" and it's about a group that decides to go in to the catacombs after finding a video tape...a tape that's identical to the one described in the book, except it's a man running about in the dark, not a woman. And they go down to see what's happened to him...see where this is going?
Come on Bates, come up with your own stories instead of lifting them from the internet!
June 16, 2022
What an awesome, intense read! Definitely my new favorite Jeremy Bates book. I really connected with the characters.. I felt claustrophobic, fear, and uncertainty right along with them. Imagine being deep underground in the catacombs, vulnerable, and suddenly under attack by monstrosities you couldn't even imagine! 5/5 catacombs skulls 💀
January 26, 2016
I really liked this book, it kept me interested and engaged but I only gave it 3 stars and here's why: This story although in a different place and different characters than the first in this series was almost an exact copy of the first story . What I mean by that is this , scary place:check, main character that lost a sibling :check, group of people all doing something stupid : check, crazed serial rapist/killer : check. I had a very bad case of déjà vu while reading this, had I not read the first book In This series I would have given it 5 stars but it follows same plot formula as the first book in the series (Suicide Forest ) to a T . Now I'm not giving up I will read the next one (Hell Town) because I read that it's not the same story formula . Although I did give it 3 stars , it kept me interested and entertained so it did its job, I just would have liked to see a little more imagination in the story line and characters . I really like this author and I love the idea about writing stories about real scary places. I hope instead of crazy people he will throw in some ghosts that would be creepy and awesome. With these real places and their history's and supposed hauntings and bad things that really happened there is so much that could be done in story plotwise there is pretty much limitless possibilities .
June 17, 2021
Ever since I saw a segment of The Scariest Places on Earth on television decades ago that told an urban legend about a video camera found in the Catacombs under Paris, I have been just a bit obsessed with the tunnels filled with the bones of 7 million people. So of course I wanted to read this book! Plus the name of this series by Jeremy Bates is...World's Scariest Places. Definitely made me nostalgic for that old Halloween season show hosted by Linda Blair!
The basics: Will is in Paris on assignment with the travel magazine where he works. He's trying to rebound from a dramatic breakup and a death in his family. He decides to venture into the Paris Catacombs with a couple of Cataphiles (urban explorers who venture into the tunnels or lead groups into them). It's more than a little scary venturing down into the dark depths that are filled with the bony remains of millions of people. Little do they realize it isn't the dead they have to be afraid of....
This book was more interesting than scary. It had a bit of different vibe from The Suicide Forest, the first book in this series. The Suicide Forest had more scary parts to it....and a faster pace. This book has a slower pace and seemed more psychological than scary. It took awhile for anything to really start happening to the group in the tunnels....but when it did, it was creepy!
I listened to the audio book version of this story. Narrated by Lynn Roberts, the audio is a bit over 9 hours long. Roberts has a nice voice, and did a good job of voice acting. All in all, an entertaining listen.
Definitely listening to/reading more of this series!
The basics: Will is in Paris on assignment with the travel magazine where he works. He's trying to rebound from a dramatic breakup and a death in his family. He decides to venture into the Paris Catacombs with a couple of Cataphiles (urban explorers who venture into the tunnels or lead groups into them). It's more than a little scary venturing down into the dark depths that are filled with the bony remains of millions of people. Little do they realize it isn't the dead they have to be afraid of....
This book was more interesting than scary. It had a bit of different vibe from The Suicide Forest, the first book in this series. The Suicide Forest had more scary parts to it....and a faster pace. This book has a slower pace and seemed more psychological than scary. It took awhile for anything to really start happening to the group in the tunnels....but when it did, it was creepy!
I listened to the audio book version of this story. Narrated by Lynn Roberts, the audio is a bit over 9 hours long. Roberts has a nice voice, and did a good job of voice acting. All in all, an entertaining listen.
Definitely listening to/reading more of this series!
October 5, 2019
From the catacombs, in a labyrinth of tunnels that extend over 300 kilometers under the French metropolis Paris, lurks something more than a darkness. More than a blackness in which you cannot hear or see anything.
In the resting place of six million dead, an unknown something waits for a group of friends who ventured there to investigate a mysterious footage of a discovered video camera. Something dangerous, sinister, something deadly.
The Catacombs are the second book in the World’s Scariest Places series by Jeremy Bates. A gripping page-turner hard to put down. It pulls us into its darkness with the strength of a secret which cannot wait to be revealed to us.
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Follow me on Twitter.
Bernard Jan
In the resting place of six million dead, an unknown something waits for a group of friends who ventured there to investigate a mysterious footage of a discovered video camera. Something dangerous, sinister, something deadly.
The Catacombs are the second book in the World’s Scariest Places series by Jeremy Bates. A gripping page-turner hard to put down. It pulls us into its darkness with the strength of a secret which cannot wait to be revealed to us.
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Follow me on Twitter.
Bernard Jan
September 3, 2022
I've always wanted to visit the Paris catacombs but, after reading this story, I think I'll forego the experience. The tale began slowly as we were introduced to some well fleshed out and interesting characters. The intrepid urban explorers then began their descent into the catacombs and my imagination went into overdrive. The atmosphere at this stage was certainly spooky and claustrophobic. As the group approached their goal the tension was ramped up even further and I thought "what a story". Unfortunately, we then met the protagonists, a mishmash of characters from "Phantom of the Opera", to slack jawed hillbillies, to zombies straight out of central casting. An excellent story suddenly fell apart and my anticipated five star rating went with it. Very disappointed!
December 29, 2025
I liked this one a lot!! It took me forever to read lol but it was worth ittt
January 22, 2018
Now this is far more like it. Having read and been a let down by Bates first helping in the series I wasn't sure about this but I figured he deserved another shot and he pulled it back brilliantly. This isn't a faultless read by any means but at least this time the characters actually try to use their brains and weigh up options rather than charging in all gun-ho and the female characters have a bit of nounce about them and don't just do what they are told, in fact they end up doing a lot of the telling (much more realistic!). I'm not sure I totally liked the ending as it as a little too neat for me but then I do prefer not so happy endings in my horror genre (feel free to all me morbid) but the story was again brilliantly written, fast paced and gripping. I never favoured an e-book over a proper book so much in my life (and I am both slightly ashamed and slightly proud). I'm looking forward to reading the next installment now.
August 11, 2015
What can be scarier than wandering the catacombs under Paris in darkness? You will discover how horrific it can be below the city. The story plunges you underground with the four explorers, as they journey through the catacombs, pursuing a quest inspired by a mysterious video Pascal had found during a previous trip below.
Pascal and Daniele are both experienced cataphiles—the colloquial term for underground urban explorers of the catacombs. They guide Rob and Will through some treacherous terrain and tight conditions. The setting is described fully, and you will feel as if you are there in the tunnels as well, inching through every fissure crack. You want suspense and horror—look no further. The surprise will be not only whom they meet below, but also the shadows they each carry within themselves. As they trek, the characters naturally unfold their own stories.
The bizarre and shocking encounters underground trigger their reveries and innermost thoughts. The reader has a front row seat and glimpses into the past of Will, the main protagonist, as he reveals his nightmare while trying to come to terms with his own ghosts. The author does this with a smooth and compassionate brush.
This brings us right back to their horrendous situation that they are dealing with. We travel beside them, sharing their troubles; the deeper into the tunnels and the story, the bigger the shock becomes. Twists and turns are found not only through the catacombs, but the with each action decision the characters opt as well.
No more details told. I do not want to give anything away. Nevertheless, I have to disclose that I never expected the end as it unfolded. Not a fairytale ending but it is very much acceptable.
Well done—suspenseful to the end!
This is book two in the series "A World's Scariest Places". The first “Suicide Forest” was also a great suspense thriller. For both of these stories, the series name is not enough to prepare you for what you will experience as a reader. You will learn new things about our world, and survive through our worst fears as well.
I have read both books in the series so far, and both are intense. These books have become my favorites, a modern writer surpassing King and Koontz. Jeremy Bates not only delivers maximum suspense and horror, but you are right there with the characters. The style of writing is honest, vivid, compelling and never a dull moment.
There will be no skipping parts—and no putting this book down until it has finished. I recommend this book.
Pascal and Daniele are both experienced cataphiles—the colloquial term for underground urban explorers of the catacombs. They guide Rob and Will through some treacherous terrain and tight conditions. The setting is described fully, and you will feel as if you are there in the tunnels as well, inching through every fissure crack. You want suspense and horror—look no further. The surprise will be not only whom they meet below, but also the shadows they each carry within themselves. As they trek, the characters naturally unfold their own stories.
The bizarre and shocking encounters underground trigger their reveries and innermost thoughts. The reader has a front row seat and glimpses into the past of Will, the main protagonist, as he reveals his nightmare while trying to come to terms with his own ghosts. The author does this with a smooth and compassionate brush.
This brings us right back to their horrendous situation that they are dealing with. We travel beside them, sharing their troubles; the deeper into the tunnels and the story, the bigger the shock becomes. Twists and turns are found not only through the catacombs, but the with each action decision the characters opt as well.
No more details told. I do not want to give anything away. Nevertheless, I have to disclose that I never expected the end as it unfolded. Not a fairytale ending but it is very much acceptable.
Well done—suspenseful to the end!
This is book two in the series "A World's Scariest Places". The first “Suicide Forest” was also a great suspense thriller. For both of these stories, the series name is not enough to prepare you for what you will experience as a reader. You will learn new things about our world, and survive through our worst fears as well.
I have read both books in the series so far, and both are intense. These books have become my favorites, a modern writer surpassing King and Koontz. Jeremy Bates not only delivers maximum suspense and horror, but you are right there with the characters. The style of writing is honest, vivid, compelling and never a dull moment.
There will be no skipping parts—and no putting this book down until it has finished. I recommend this book.
February 21, 2023
this is my second jeffrey bates novel and will undoubtedly be my last. while his plots sound promising, the writing continuously lets the story down. for instance, there was a scene in this where the protagonist is having sex with a woman and he describes her small body as being "like a child's". i mean... what the FUCK?
additionally, anyone who has read both the first in this series and this one, will notice for sure, that the two are almost identical. each book follows a man and a group of people, along with his love interest, as they head into a notorious landmark. one by one, they're bumped off. even more shocking however, is the fact that the author uses the same twist at the end. the villains in both these books are nearly the exact same.
spoiler: the big bad guy is a man who keeps his animalistic children (all of whom are a product of r*pe) captive in some creepy, secluded location. this time, with a literal n*zi officer and a whole bunch of inc*st.
the second star in this rating goes to the only good thing i got out of this book; which was the scene that the protagonist gets stuck in an underground tunnel. the description of him not being able to move may have triggered my claustrophobia a bit which is what i went into this book (lowkey) hoping to achieve.
but other than that, i'm done with bates' books.
additionally, anyone who has read both the first in this series and this one, will notice for sure, that the two are almost identical. each book follows a man and a group of people, along with his love interest, as they head into a notorious landmark. one by one, they're bumped off. even more shocking however, is the fact that the author uses the same twist at the end. the villains in both these books are nearly the exact same.
spoiler: the big bad guy is a man who keeps his animalistic children (all of whom are a product of r*pe) captive in some creepy, secluded location. this time, with a literal n*zi officer and a whole bunch of inc*st.
the second star in this rating goes to the only good thing i got out of this book; which was the scene that the protagonist gets stuck in an underground tunnel. the description of him not being able to move may have triggered my claustrophobia a bit which is what i went into this book (lowkey) hoping to achieve.
but other than that, i'm done with bates' books.
November 25, 2015
Even though it's set in a different place and has different characters to the first book in this series, it is a true horror sequel in the fact that it virtually cuts and pastes the original with a only a few changed to create a second work. Here we have the character with a tragic past (in Suicide Forest a sibling who suicided, here a sibling who drowned but the character was partly responsible for) who is persuaded against their will to go somewhere with a chequered paranormal history (Japan's suicide forest / the Paris catacombs) where they are subjected to apparent paranormal activity (ghosts / sewer monsters) but turns out to be 'normal' (forest rapists and killers / sewer rapists and killers). It's a pageturner, but straight after reading the first it was major deja vu.
June 15, 2020
Love love loved this!! The Catacombs of Paris has always interested me, I'd love to go down there. Maybe not as much now though!
December 6, 2021
I found this book quite fascinating. As with the other books in this series, this is set around an actual location and details a group of explorers and their encounters underground. I was instantly interested in the French Catacombs. The idea of subterranean burial areas really appeals to me, so I was intrigued as to how this would be worked into a story.
A small group of cavers decide to go off the beaten track and investigate some caves that have only been trodden by a select few. The basis of the story being a mysterious video left behind by a previous explorer. From here we experience what occurs when they realise that they are out of their depth. There are some interesting characters in this story and, in places, there are elements of claustrophobic peril (although not as many as I would have liked). One of the main subjects of the story was both a letdown for me and a workable idea, having been used in countless horror stories to the point of being a cliché, but relevant to the setting. You may also feel that this story is similar in format to Suicide Forest (it does change slightly). There are some really descriptive images of underground terrain that make you feel like you are there with them and the flow to the story is paced well with nothing over the top / too far fetched. The encounters with other people are portrayed well, although the main characters didn't really grab my attention as such (Zoltan being the exception). One character was quite promising but then fizzled out into nothing, leaving a disappointing gap. This story offered a lot of potential but had too many ideas from elsewhere to be as enjoyable as I had hoped.
If you are a horror fan who is interested in the other side of France and haven't seen or read too much fiction set underground, you will enjoy this. For others, you will still like it but there will be a sense of déjà vu and an element of cliché involved.
3.75 stars.
A small group of cavers decide to go off the beaten track and investigate some caves that have only been trodden by a select few. The basis of the story being a mysterious video left behind by a previous explorer. From here we experience what occurs when they realise that they are out of their depth. There are some interesting characters in this story and, in places, there are elements of claustrophobic peril (although not as many as I would have liked). One of the main subjects of the story was both a letdown for me and a workable idea, having been used in countless horror stories to the point of being a cliché, but relevant to the setting. You may also feel that this story is similar in format to Suicide Forest (it does change slightly). There are some really descriptive images of underground terrain that make you feel like you are there with them and the flow to the story is paced well with nothing over the top / too far fetched. The encounters with other people are portrayed well, although the main characters didn't really grab my attention as such (Zoltan being the exception). One character was quite promising but then fizzled out into nothing, leaving a disappointing gap. This story offered a lot of potential but had too many ideas from elsewhere to be as enjoyable as I had hoped.
If you are a horror fan who is interested in the other side of France and haven't seen or read too much fiction set underground, you will enjoy this. For others, you will still like it but there will be a sense of déjà vu and an element of cliché involved.
3.75 stars.
April 21, 2019
*Kataphile = Katakombenliebhaber / Subkultur, die ungesicherte Abschnitte der Pariser Katakomben erforscht*
Eine Videokamera mit mysteriösem Bildmaterial, aufgenommen und gefunden in einem abgelegenen Teil der Pariser Katakomben, sorgt für Aufregung in der "Kataphilen - Szene"... Eine Gruppe von Freunden beschließt sich auf die Suche nach genau diesem Tunnel zu machen und die bis dahin vermisste Frau, die im Video zu sehen ist, zu finden. Doch was als aufregendes Abenteuer beginnt, wird bitterer Ernst, denn das Böse schläft nicht und Eindringlinge werden nicht geduldet...
Ich bin eindeutig mit gemischten Gefühlen an dieses Buch gegangen - hat mich doch der Vorgänger ("Suicide Forest") ziemlich enttäuscht... Doch ich wurde tatsächlich positiv überrascht, denn meiner Meinung nach, hat #jeremybates aus vorangegangenen Fehlern gelernt.
Das Setting ist der Wahnsinn - die Katakomben von Paris, ein wahres Mysterium, denn bis heute ist ein Großteil der Tunnel weder kartiert, noch erforscht - also ein toller Ausgangspunkt für eine Geschichte...
Ich persönlich hätte gerne mehr Informationen über die Katakomben generell, plus das Aussehen der Umgebung gehabt.
Die Gruppe an sich war ein ziemlich interessanter Haufen - eine junge Frau, ihr Liebhaber, ihr Schwager und ein in sie verliebter Nerd - da sind Spannungen schon im Vorfeld vorprogrammiert.
Kataphile an sich waren mir bisher unbekannt, hier fand ich die Vorstellung einzelner Gruppen und deren Intentionen zum Aufenthalt in den Tunnel recht spannend - vorallem den "Gemalten Teufel".
Alles in allem gibts diesmal von mir 🖤🖤🖤🖤 !!
Allerdings muss ich gleich dazu sagen, es ist wie beim ersten Teil - wenn man Rezensionen vergleicht... entweder man mag das Buch, oder man ist ziemlich enttäuscht...
Eine Videokamera mit mysteriösem Bildmaterial, aufgenommen und gefunden in einem abgelegenen Teil der Pariser Katakomben, sorgt für Aufregung in der "Kataphilen - Szene"... Eine Gruppe von Freunden beschließt sich auf die Suche nach genau diesem Tunnel zu machen und die bis dahin vermisste Frau, die im Video zu sehen ist, zu finden. Doch was als aufregendes Abenteuer beginnt, wird bitterer Ernst, denn das Böse schläft nicht und Eindringlinge werden nicht geduldet...
Ich bin eindeutig mit gemischten Gefühlen an dieses Buch gegangen - hat mich doch der Vorgänger ("Suicide Forest") ziemlich enttäuscht... Doch ich wurde tatsächlich positiv überrascht, denn meiner Meinung nach, hat #jeremybates aus vorangegangenen Fehlern gelernt.
Das Setting ist der Wahnsinn - die Katakomben von Paris, ein wahres Mysterium, denn bis heute ist ein Großteil der Tunnel weder kartiert, noch erforscht - also ein toller Ausgangspunkt für eine Geschichte...
Ich persönlich hätte gerne mehr Informationen über die Katakomben generell, plus das Aussehen der Umgebung gehabt.
Die Gruppe an sich war ein ziemlich interessanter Haufen - eine junge Frau, ihr Liebhaber, ihr Schwager und ein in sie verliebter Nerd - da sind Spannungen schon im Vorfeld vorprogrammiert.
Kataphile an sich waren mir bisher unbekannt, hier fand ich die Vorstellung einzelner Gruppen und deren Intentionen zum Aufenthalt in den Tunnel recht spannend - vorallem den "Gemalten Teufel".
Alles in allem gibts diesmal von mir 🖤🖤🖤🖤 !!
Allerdings muss ich gleich dazu sagen, es ist wie beim ersten Teil - wenn man Rezensionen vergleicht... entweder man mag das Buch, oder man ist ziemlich enttäuscht...
July 9, 2021
I really enjoyed this story. it kept me hooked from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down. Highly recommend
October 22, 2023
Oof, I don’t think I’ll ever look at the dark the same way again. Nightlights forever! I’ve always had a fascination with the Paris catacombs, so I was really excited to read this! Although now, should I ever visit Paris, I’m sure I’ll think twice before visiting them. Yikes!
After suffering a horrible tragedy that changed his life forever, American Will has temporarily moved to Paris as a travel writer. His friend Daniéle has been teaching him French, and invites him to search for a missing woman in the catacombs with her and her other cataphile friends Pierre and Rob. The catacombs beneath Paris comprise over 180 miles of tunnels and chambers, and are the final resting place of six million dead. So Will definitely has to think hard before accepting.
Once in the catacombs, Will is getting to know the others when they run into a few varied groups of cataphiles, some friendly, some decidedly not. They’re following the route Pierre took when he found the missing woman’s video camera, when they run into an old man named Zolan. He claims rats attacked the woman and then he led her to the surface and saved her. But Daniéle knows that of all the things one may find in the catacombs, rats would never be one of them….
This, like Suicide Forest, was really atmospheric and all about the location. The characters are developed, especially the lead, and the story comes to a crashing conclusion. Well done horror with an awesome contemporary twist, I had a great time reading this!
After suffering a horrible tragedy that changed his life forever, American Will has temporarily moved to Paris as a travel writer. His friend Daniéle has been teaching him French, and invites him to search for a missing woman in the catacombs with her and her other cataphile friends Pierre and Rob. The catacombs beneath Paris comprise over 180 miles of tunnels and chambers, and are the final resting place of six million dead. So Will definitely has to think hard before accepting.
Once in the catacombs, Will is getting to know the others when they run into a few varied groups of cataphiles, some friendly, some decidedly not. They’re following the route Pierre took when he found the missing woman’s video camera, when they run into an old man named Zolan. He claims rats attacked the woman and then he led her to the surface and saved her. But Daniéle knows that of all the things one may find in the catacombs, rats would never be one of them….
This, like Suicide Forest, was really atmospheric and all about the location. The characters are developed, especially the lead, and the story comes to a crashing conclusion. Well done horror with an awesome contemporary twist, I had a great time reading this!
July 15, 2025
3.75 stars for an unexpected story. This was a great read, although not what I was expecting at all. I really enjoyed the character development as well as the imagery that was shared on each page. I will definitely be continuing this series and I think this time I will start with book 1!
December 9, 2021
When a video camera containing mysterious footage is discovered deep within their depths, a group of friends venture into the tunnels to investigate. But what starts out as a lighthearted adventure takes a turn for the worse when they reach their destination—and stumble upon the evil lurking there.
August 4, 2016
Jeremy Bates may be on to something here. At first I thought the "Scariest Places" shtick seemed kind of goofy, but boy does Bates put those places to good use. In the first installment, Suicide Forest, he conjures up a palpable sense of dread, but the characters kept on doing REALLY stupid things, seemingly only in the service of generating plot twists.
The good news is that this second installment, set in the labyrinthine tunnels of the Paris catacombs, feels more authentic. Most of the characters are experienced "cataphiles" -- urban explorers well equipped for the dangers of their passion. (Plenty of batteries, proper equipment, even something like a map.) The only noob is our narrator Will, an American who has come to Paris to recover from personal tragedy. When his alluring language-practice partner Daniele invites him to take a trip underneath Paris with her cataphile buddies to investigate the source of a disturbing found video shot in the tunnels, he goes along on what becomes a nightmare for the entire group.
Again, the location does a lot of heavy lifting - dark, endless, unmapped tunnels full of bones are pretty creepy to begin with - but Bates' descriptive skills bring you on an amazing virtual tour of the Catacombs that you're unlikely to get in real life. And it's not all just bones; along with our intrepid explorers, you'll discover deeply hidden rooms full of murals, or furnished with rotting antiques, even a purported Nazi bunker. But it wouldn't be a horror story without something lurking around the next turn, in the dark. The dark is also a big star in this show.
The details of that lurking fear I'll leave to you, but I will say the plot moves along at a galloping pace, and it's hard to put down once you've started. One thing I didn't love was the way POV chapters were handled. The switch from Will's POV (the primary one) to other, less central characters' felt jarring sometimes, but I'm not sure how the full story could have been told in the way it was without them. Barring that stylistic nitpick, I really enjoyed The Catacombs; it's a quick, atmospheric and suspenseful read. 4 stars.
The good news is that this second installment, set in the labyrinthine tunnels of the Paris catacombs, feels more authentic. Most of the characters are experienced "cataphiles" -- urban explorers well equipped for the dangers of their passion. (Plenty of batteries, proper equipment, even something like a map.) The only noob is our narrator Will, an American who has come to Paris to recover from personal tragedy. When his alluring language-practice partner Daniele invites him to take a trip underneath Paris with her cataphile buddies to investigate the source of a disturbing found video shot in the tunnels, he goes along on what becomes a nightmare for the entire group.
Again, the location does a lot of heavy lifting - dark, endless, unmapped tunnels full of bones are pretty creepy to begin with - but Bates' descriptive skills bring you on an amazing virtual tour of the Catacombs that you're unlikely to get in real life. And it's not all just bones; along with our intrepid explorers, you'll discover deeply hidden rooms full of murals, or furnished with rotting antiques, even a purported Nazi bunker. But it wouldn't be a horror story without something lurking around the next turn, in the dark. The dark is also a big star in this show.
The details of that lurking fear I'll leave to you, but I will say the plot moves along at a galloping pace, and it's hard to put down once you've started. One thing I didn't love was the way POV chapters were handled. The switch from Will's POV (the primary one) to other, less central characters' felt jarring sometimes, but I'm not sure how the full story could have been told in the way it was without them. Barring that stylistic nitpick, I really enjoyed The Catacombs; it's a quick, atmospheric and suspenseful read. 4 stars.
October 30, 2021
I have always been fascinated by the Catacombs. Just the thought of a place not too far under a bustling city filled with millions of bones gives me the willies. Would I ever go down there minus a tour guide? Abso-fuckin-lately NOT. However I gobble up any fiction or films featuring this setting with dumb characters who do and I can’t get enough. The location alone is asking for trouble. The books MC is temporarily in Paris working as a writer. After hearing some bad news from back home he joins a friend and her pals as they go down into the catacombs. The group is in search of a woman they believe went missing or was killed, after a video camera is found abandoned showing her running from ‘something’ and never returning. With little to no fear the group plan to spend the entire night underground searching and experiencing the catacombs. 😳 Two in the group are familiar with the catacombs and consider themselves part of a special group of urban explorers. However even before the group enters the catacombs trouble begins making the initial entry intense which then only continued to grow as the story went on. With miles of both unexplored and explored paths underground one never knows who or what they will run into. One thing you never want to happen is to lose, break or waste your lights. The darkness below is unlike anything a sane person can handle for a long period of time. In this sense the book worked just like a Hollywood slasher and I was here for it. If you don’t nitpick details and just roll with it, it makes for a very fun read that I managed to finish in a few hours. If you’ve seen the films The Depraved & The Catacombs then you have an idea of what you’re in for as the book is like a mashup of the two, Enjoy.! 💀
December 29, 2017
Oh my word. Oh my word.
How do I even begin to explain this? All I can think to say is that this is like The Room of bad books. I feel like Tommy Wiseau would love this book.
Where do I even begin? The awkward writing style. The attempt, only every so often, to give the story any substance with trippy dreams or irrelevant memories. The large-size Times New Roman font that screamed "self-published". The fact that this book was SO CLEARLY written by a man because he couldn't even MENTION a woman without talking about her boobs (including the main character's sister ??) or tying her worth to a male character. Similarly, the fact that everyone who possessed female organs was OBSESSED with main character Will, the most boring F boy of all time. The loosely related tragic backstories that every character seemed to have. THE MOST AWKWARD SEX SCENE OF ALL TIME. If any of those things appeal to you, maybe this is the book for you.
By about a quarter of the way through, I was reading this book as a comedy, because that way, it's honestly hilarious. That is the only light in which I would ever recommend this book. Wow.
How do I even begin to explain this? All I can think to say is that this is like The Room of bad books. I feel like Tommy Wiseau would love this book.
Where do I even begin? The awkward writing style. The attempt, only every so often, to give the story any substance with trippy dreams or irrelevant memories. The large-size Times New Roman font that screamed "self-published". The fact that this book was SO CLEARLY written by a man because he couldn't even MENTION a woman without talking about her boobs (including the main character's sister ??) or tying her worth to a male character. Similarly, the fact that everyone who possessed female organs was OBSESSED with main character Will, the most boring F boy of all time. The loosely related tragic backstories that every character seemed to have. THE MOST AWKWARD SEX SCENE OF ALL TIME. If any of those things appeal to you, maybe this is the book for you.
By about a quarter of the way through, I was reading this book as a comedy, because that way, it's honestly hilarious. That is the only light in which I would ever recommend this book. Wow.
November 23, 2020
This book was action packed and just a fun time. I thoroughly enjoyed it
June 30, 2025
My true rating is 3.9 stars, which is pretty accurate.
Although I have encountered this author’s work previously, I find his writing style somewhat dry, which can make it a bit challenging for me to fully immerse myself in the narrative. Nevertheless, I cannot deny that the stories themselves are quite captivating. The characters are intriguing and multifaceted, although the lack of extensive backstories leaves some gaps. Ultimately, the focus shifts more toward the unsettling locations and the eerie events that transpire within them, particularly when individuals allow themselves to become complacent, believing that danger is far away, only to realize that it lurks just around the corner. In this case, the setting—a claustrophobic network of tunnels—could easily inspire nightmares due to its oppressive size and sinister history.
Paris, France, often celebrated as the City of Lights, is famed for its romantic aura and captivating beauty. However, hidden beneath the vibrant streets and charming cafés is The Catacombs, an extensive labyrinth of decaying tunnels that house the remains of approximately six million souls. This chilling backdrop sets the stage for an exciting yet terrifying tale.
When a video camera containing eerie and enigmatic footage is unearthed deep within the stifling depths of The Catacombs, a group of adventurous friends decides to embark on a daring exploration to uncover the mysteries that lie within. Initially, their journey seems lighthearted and filled with laughter, but the atmosphere quickly shifts as they tread deeper into the darkness, leading them to an unimaginable horror that awaits them.
The storytelling is rife with mystery, artfully maintaining an air of uncertainty about the source of the impending threat. From the outset, readers are engaged in a game of suspense, as the nature of the danger remains unclear—a chilling blend of potential supernatural elements or very real physical threats. This ambiguity is masterfully executed, leaving you second-guessing the very fabric of reality as the plot unfolds.
While there are occasional inconsistencies, such as variations in the spelling of certain names throughout the narrative, these minor issues do not significantly detract from the overall experience. The narrator, Lynn Roberts, does an admirable job of breathing life into the characters, demonstrating her remarkable ability to convey emotions and dialogue across multiple languages, enriching the experience further. Her performance adds an extra layer of depth to the story, allowing the listener to truly connect with the unfolding drama.
Although I have encountered this author’s work previously, I find his writing style somewhat dry, which can make it a bit challenging for me to fully immerse myself in the narrative. Nevertheless, I cannot deny that the stories themselves are quite captivating. The characters are intriguing and multifaceted, although the lack of extensive backstories leaves some gaps. Ultimately, the focus shifts more toward the unsettling locations and the eerie events that transpire within them, particularly when individuals allow themselves to become complacent, believing that danger is far away, only to realize that it lurks just around the corner. In this case, the setting—a claustrophobic network of tunnels—could easily inspire nightmares due to its oppressive size and sinister history.
Paris, France, often celebrated as the City of Lights, is famed for its romantic aura and captivating beauty. However, hidden beneath the vibrant streets and charming cafés is The Catacombs, an extensive labyrinth of decaying tunnels that house the remains of approximately six million souls. This chilling backdrop sets the stage for an exciting yet terrifying tale.
When a video camera containing eerie and enigmatic footage is unearthed deep within the stifling depths of The Catacombs, a group of adventurous friends decides to embark on a daring exploration to uncover the mysteries that lie within. Initially, their journey seems lighthearted and filled with laughter, but the atmosphere quickly shifts as they tread deeper into the darkness, leading them to an unimaginable horror that awaits them.
The storytelling is rife with mystery, artfully maintaining an air of uncertainty about the source of the impending threat. From the outset, readers are engaged in a game of suspense, as the nature of the danger remains unclear—a chilling blend of potential supernatural elements or very real physical threats. This ambiguity is masterfully executed, leaving you second-guessing the very fabric of reality as the plot unfolds.
While there are occasional inconsistencies, such as variations in the spelling of certain names throughout the narrative, these minor issues do not significantly detract from the overall experience. The narrator, Lynn Roberts, does an admirable job of breathing life into the characters, demonstrating her remarkable ability to convey emotions and dialogue across multiple languages, enriching the experience further. Her performance adds an extra layer of depth to the story, allowing the listener to truly connect with the unfolding drama.
August 19, 2018
The Catacombs are a network of tunnels beneath Paris which are said to extend more than 300 kilometers (186 miles) and reach depths of 30 meters (100), too deep for phone coverage. Follow 4 characters who go on an underground adventure to explore hidden treasures etc in this hidden world beneath the streets of Paris.
I thought this thriller from Jeremy Bates was okay. The structure of this novel is similar to his previous book, the Suicide Forest and offers the same huge vocabulary that helps make this story such an adult read. Jeremy manages to capture the atmosphere of the catacombs very well indeed when he writes…
I tried to imagine what it would be like to walk alone in utter blackness, with only your hand on the wall to guide you, your mouth dry from dehydration, your throat and lungs burning from the rank air and the countless hours of screaming for help, your feet weeping with blisters, your legs jellied with exhaustion, nothing around you but tunnels and more tunnels, ad infinitum.
Yes, it is clearly very scary being lost in complete darkness within 300 km of tunnels below Paris knowing that nobody can hear you scream. I felt Jeremy explained these fears very well indeed as our 4 characters tried to exit the nightmare they had become trapped within.
The plot of The Catacombs was okay and was a regular urban legend of a hidden community. The main problem I had with The Catacombs was that I read it straight after Suicide Forest. I thought that Suicide Forest was a GOOD 4 star read and in comparison The Catacombs was simply not as good. For me The Catacombs was an okay 3 stars read because it lacked the wonder threaded within the script of the Suicide Forest.
I thought this thriller from Jeremy Bates was okay. The structure of this novel is similar to his previous book, the Suicide Forest and offers the same huge vocabulary that helps make this story such an adult read. Jeremy manages to capture the atmosphere of the catacombs very well indeed when he writes…
I tried to imagine what it would be like to walk alone in utter blackness, with only your hand on the wall to guide you, your mouth dry from dehydration, your throat and lungs burning from the rank air and the countless hours of screaming for help, your feet weeping with blisters, your legs jellied with exhaustion, nothing around you but tunnels and more tunnels, ad infinitum.
Yes, it is clearly very scary being lost in complete darkness within 300 km of tunnels below Paris knowing that nobody can hear you scream. I felt Jeremy explained these fears very well indeed as our 4 characters tried to exit the nightmare they had become trapped within.
The plot of The Catacombs was okay and was a regular urban legend of a hidden community. The main problem I had with The Catacombs was that I read it straight after Suicide Forest. I thought that Suicide Forest was a GOOD 4 star read and in comparison The Catacombs was simply not as good. For me The Catacombs was an okay 3 stars read because it lacked the wonder threaded within the script of the Suicide Forest.
May 10, 2019
I found this installment of the series entertaining, but gave it a 3 overall. The length of detail of the catacombs, it’s history, and the cataphile community were interesting to read about.
The premise of them going down to the catacombs to rescue a girl they found on a tape is absolutely ridiculous. Nobody would do that versus going to the police, especially when one of the characters knows exactly where the girl disappeared in the catacombs. Why would you go with 2 unarmed, inexperienced tourists, on a mission as important as possibly saving someone’s life? Why does taking drugs, smoking, and having sex sound like a good idea to do when you’re on a mission to rescue this girl that was is in mortal peril in the video??
The characters in “The Catacombs” are so similar to the ones in “Suicide Forest (book 1)” that it became extremely annoying to continue reading. To the point where I felt like I was reading the same story all over again.
The main character: Will (catacombs), Ethan (suicide forest). Both physically similar, and both have similar backgrounds. Both characters had siblings that died tragic deaths. Both are traumatized by it. Both have flashbacks of their siblings during moments of distress. Both talk to the siblings in their moments of blackouts which resolves their inner conflict.
The quiet one: pascal (catacombs), Neil (Suicide forest). Both of these characters were so dull and contributed nothing to the story. Both quiet introverts.
The loud obnoxious one: Robert (catacombs), John Scott (suicide forest). Both of these characters are hot headed idiots
The villain: crazy nazi guy raises his equally crazy offspring for generations in the catacombs who become primal humans that attack anything on site (catacombs). Crazy Japanese guy is left in a forest and raises his crazier future offspring to become primal humans and attack everything on site.
If you’ve read this book, please tell me if you think the same???
The premise of them going down to the catacombs to rescue a girl they found on a tape is absolutely ridiculous. Nobody would do that versus going to the police, especially when one of the characters knows exactly where the girl disappeared in the catacombs. Why would you go with 2 unarmed, inexperienced tourists, on a mission as important as possibly saving someone’s life? Why does taking drugs, smoking, and having sex sound like a good idea to do when you’re on a mission to rescue this girl that was is in mortal peril in the video??
The characters in “The Catacombs” are so similar to the ones in “Suicide Forest (book 1)” that it became extremely annoying to continue reading. To the point where I felt like I was reading the same story all over again.
The main character: Will (catacombs), Ethan (suicide forest). Both physically similar, and both have similar backgrounds. Both characters had siblings that died tragic deaths. Both are traumatized by it. Both have flashbacks of their siblings during moments of distress. Both talk to the siblings in their moments of blackouts which resolves their inner conflict.
The quiet one: pascal (catacombs), Neil (Suicide forest). Both of these characters were so dull and contributed nothing to the story. Both quiet introverts.
The loud obnoxious one: Robert (catacombs), John Scott (suicide forest). Both of these characters are hot headed idiots
The villain: crazy nazi guy raises his equally crazy offspring for generations in the catacombs who become primal humans that attack anything on site (catacombs). Crazy Japanese guy is left in a forest and raises his crazier future offspring to become primal humans and attack everything on site.
If you’ve read this book, please tell me if you think the same???
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2023
This was a mediocre read, and I do not recommend it.
I picked this up because of a recent interest in the catacombs, so I was really excited for this one. Unfortunately, the book is filled with so many errors. Didn’t a professional look this over before it was published? Apparently not.
The characters were so unlikable and flawed in the most uninteresting ways. I pushed through hoping things would get better, and luckily it did towards the last 50 pages - which is why it received two stars instead of one. The escape was the most exciting, but I was happy when i finished the book and everything was over. Thats all I will say so I don’t spoil anything if you decide to read it.
I have an issue with almost all of the sex scenes that are in the book. If you are going to write scenes like this, make it interesting, or don’t include them at all. The protagonist was having sex with another character, and described her body to be “so thin, just like a child.” He then described her to be “so thin. Sexy like a model.” Another scene described a character as “slutty and fearless.” Really?? These are the descriptions you chose? Sick. And not in a good way.
I picked this up because of a recent interest in the catacombs, so I was really excited for this one. Unfortunately, the book is filled with so many errors. Didn’t a professional look this over before it was published? Apparently not.
The characters were so unlikable and flawed in the most uninteresting ways. I pushed through hoping things would get better, and luckily it did towards the last 50 pages - which is why it received two stars instead of one. The escape was the most exciting, but I was happy when i finished the book and everything was over. Thats all I will say so I don’t spoil anything if you decide to read it.
I have an issue with almost all of the sex scenes that are in the book. If you are going to write scenes like this, make it interesting, or don’t include them at all. The protagonist was having sex with another character, and described her body to be “so thin, just like a child.” He then described her to be “so thin. Sexy like a model.” Another scene described a character as “slutty and fearless.” Really?? These are the descriptions you chose? Sick. And not in a good way.
January 31, 2018
Paris, France, underneath the cobbled streets, cafes and boutiques there are The Catacombs, the resting place of 6 million dead, winding through miles and miles of tunnels, here Catophiles wander and explore, trying to find new rooms and tunnels to add to their maps. But something else lurks down there and it's willing to kill to keep it's secrets.
Four Catophiles are on a mission, trying to find a missing woman who was filming herself as she walked around, she dropped it and began screaming as she ran away, they want to find her and ask her what she saw.
All is going well considering they're having to squeeze through tiny holes to get where they need to be and they do encounter a few nutters but that's par for the course I expect. Then shit gets weird and violent and then horiffic.
I'm not going to say anymore because I don't want to spoil it, you should go into this not knowing too much and then have the opportunity to say 'what exactly is this horsefuckery!?' without my telling you about it and then you can decide whether to carry on reading it or not.
Four Catophiles are on a mission, trying to find a missing woman who was filming herself as she walked around, she dropped it and began screaming as she ran away, they want to find her and ask her what she saw.
All is going well considering they're having to squeeze through tiny holes to get where they need to be and they do encounter a few nutters but that's par for the course I expect. Then shit gets weird and violent and then horiffic.
I'm not going to say anymore because I don't want to spoil it, you should go into this not knowing too much and then have the opportunity to say 'what exactly is this horsefuckery!?' without my telling you about it and then you can decide whether to carry on reading it or not.
April 28, 2022
I think I went into this story wanting the vibes of "The Descent" and "As Above So Below" and set my standards too high. Don't get me wrong the setting is great and I do like how Bates set the scenes but I couldn't get past the awkward relationships and overall disappointing twist. I think I expected more of a paranormal horror rather than a hiding Nazi and his eventually inbred children... I just could not get into Zolan's explanations or even feel like the ending was remotely possibly. Also, most of the characters stories of their pasts are irrelevant to the story or how it effects their actions. I couldn't get immersed in this book the way I wanted to.
And by the way, who hooks up in the catacombs like 15 feet away from the woman's brother in law and the guy who is in love with her? I just can't.
And by the way, who hooks up in the catacombs like 15 feet away from the woman's brother in law and the guy who is in love with her? I just can't.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2016
Now I know that when I pick up a book by Jeremy Bates, it'll be very difficult to put it down. Not for claustrophobes, this is a scary, well developed adventure following the same pattern as Suicide Forest - which I suppose is meant like that since they're part of a "scarriest places" series; nevertheless, this brings a feeling of repetitiveness that takes away a bit of the zest of the story. But the writing is effective and so addictive that it certainly compensates for that. On to the the next book...
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