What do you think?
Rate this book
Hell Ship
1944, The Malacca Straights; Blood slicks the deck of a Japanese ship as a terrible ritual is enacting to aid the failing Imperial Forces against the Allies. The ritual rends the very fabric of our world giving access to another realm beyond the ken of man. Nine survivors from the torpedoed Empire Carew are left adrift in a lifeboat but after weeks in the water they find haven on an abandoned ship they find floating in a strange fog – The Shinjuku Maru. Nine souls are heading straight for hell. The Shinjuku Maru has been there before…
- GenresHorror
142 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2018
3 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 10, 2023
We are in the times of the Pacific War. The Empire Carew sinks and a small number of people can rescue themselves. After a while they find a Japanese ghoster, the Shinjuku Maru. What felt like a big hope soon turns out into a nightmare. What happened on the ship? Why are the shipwrecked people harassed and by who? Can someone get offboard and survive? Compelling ghost ship story with many eerie elements and some interesting historical background. Would liked to have known more about the priest and what he did to the POWs. A page turning and sinister adventure on high seas. Highly recommended!
November 14, 2018
The Empire Carew is torpedoed in The Malacca Straights in 1944. Nine survivors make it to a lifeboat (a motley crew comprising three seasoned sailors, a rookie officer, a radio operator, a singer and her manager, a cook and an Australian nurse) but then spend weeks existing on it with no supplies until they come across The Shinjuku Maru, a ship floating in a strange fog. They board it, to find blood on the decks and no crew on board and then things start to go from bad to worse.
I like variety in my horror and have no problem mixing the quieter, supernatural stuff with the lurid, over-the-top style so beloved of paperback writers in the 70s and 80s and in that regard, Jones is my ideal writer. Having read his “Slaughter Beach”, a cracking piece of pulp, a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it, I was looking forward to this and wasn’t disappointed, even though it’s a completely different beast. Opening with a harsh and harrowing prologue, it sets about introducing the crew of the lifeboat and the characters leap off the page, instantly living and breathing. We share their predicament - resorting to shooting seagulls to drink the blood before they eat them - and it’s a relief when they finally spot the ship. Here, though, the novella really moves into horror territory and Jones makes the best of his restricted location, ramping up the sense of tension, isolation and claustrophobia, while hinting at darker forces gathering in the shadows in the corners of rooms. When hell finally does break loose - and it properly does - the pace whips you through the pages, as our crew is split up and picked off, featuring bone crunching violence that is brutal, realistic and never gratuitous.
Scary, thrilling, often amusing (especially in the interplay between some of the characters) but above all relentless, this has a great pace and a superb sense of location, which is well realised and maintained. If you’re looking for a grim and gruesome horror novella, this is ideal and I highly recommend it.
I like variety in my horror and have no problem mixing the quieter, supernatural stuff with the lurid, over-the-top style so beloved of paperback writers in the 70s and 80s and in that regard, Jones is my ideal writer. Having read his “Slaughter Beach”, a cracking piece of pulp, a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it, I was looking forward to this and wasn’t disappointed, even though it’s a completely different beast. Opening with a harsh and harrowing prologue, it sets about introducing the crew of the lifeboat and the characters leap off the page, instantly living and breathing. We share their predicament - resorting to shooting seagulls to drink the blood before they eat them - and it’s a relief when they finally spot the ship. Here, though, the novella really moves into horror territory and Jones makes the best of his restricted location, ramping up the sense of tension, isolation and claustrophobia, while hinting at darker forces gathering in the shadows in the corners of rooms. When hell finally does break loose - and it properly does - the pace whips you through the pages, as our crew is split up and picked off, featuring bone crunching violence that is brutal, realistic and never gratuitous.
Scary, thrilling, often amusing (especially in the interplay between some of the characters) but above all relentless, this has a great pace and a superb sense of location, which is well realised and maintained. If you’re looking for a grim and gruesome horror novella, this is ideal and I highly recommend it.
November 13, 2018
I am more familiar with author Benedict (Ben) Jones as a writer of dark crime thrillers – his Charlie Bars series gleefully mixes noir-ish narrative with horror tropes, wrapped up with a gritty South London bow. ‘Hell Ship’, though, belongs squarely in the realm of horror, and its historical/nautical setting is a unique and interesting hook. A combination of clear, uncomplicated prose, authentic dialogue and well-paced plot makes this an easy book to breeze through in a sitting or two. A solidly crafted and enjoyably pulpy yarn in which tension is king, and a strong addition to the Sinister Horror Company’s oeuvre.
January 31, 2022
I liked it :)
January 10, 2019
Around two years ago, I became interested in independent publishers; more specifically my lack of familiarity with with the novella led me to publishers who are promoting shorter works of fiction (horror in my case) and seem to making a mark in the industry.
I haven’t figured out the genesis of my interest, but, in part, I can attribute it to listening to horror / pulp / bizzarro podcasts that turned me on to searching out these small publishers. It seems to me that the smaller presses, such as This is Horror, Lovecraft Ezine, Sinister Horror Company, and Grimscribe Press have found a niche for publishing chap books and journals with some success.
My latest venture into this rich environment of fiction was with Benedict J. Jones’ novella, “Hell Ship” (Published by Sinister Horror Company). From the back cover:
This was a fun read! Upon completion, this isn’t one of those stories that is going to stick with you for years. In fairness, I believe I’ve probably thought about it for a few days (enough that I can write a review about it). But, you know what? That isn’t bad! Mr. Jones entertained me for the two days that I read it. I’m a slow reader, but it kept my interest throughout!
The writing is competent. This isn’t one of those “And then he said…” to which “She replied…” I wasn’t tossed out of the story by poor writing or editing. The story is well written.
While this was my introduction to Jones work, he has written quite a few stories, which I intend to check out. Understand, I don’t want to reveal any spoilers for “Hell Ship”. If I may sum up my impressions of the story….
“Hell Ship” could easily be made into a low budget horror movie, and given the right treatment could possibly become a classic. I believe the story is a natural for a cinematic treatment. It isn’t a cerebral tale. It is told in a straightforward manner and doesn’t leave the reader questioning any ‘universal truths’. “Hell Ship” is a gritty story of shipwrecked survivors going from a bad situation into a hellish one. Only a few make it out the other side. Their story is gripping, entertaining and well worth the read.
I look forward to reading more of Benedict J. Jones’ tales.
I haven’t figured out the genesis of my interest, but, in part, I can attribute it to listening to horror / pulp / bizzarro podcasts that turned me on to searching out these small publishers. It seems to me that the smaller presses, such as This is Horror, Lovecraft Ezine, Sinister Horror Company, and Grimscribe Press have found a niche for publishing chap books and journals with some success.
My latest venture into this rich environment of fiction was with Benedict J. Jones’ novella, “Hell Ship” (Published by Sinister Horror Company). From the back cover:
Hell is not on Earth.
It is at Sea.
1944. The Malaca Straights:
Blood slicks the deck of a Japanese ship as a terrible ritual is enacting to aid the failing imperial forces against the allies. The ritual rends the very fabric of our world. Giving access to another realm beyond the ken of man.
Nine survivors from the torpedoed Empire Carew are left adrift in a lifeboat but after weeks in the water they find haven on an abandoned ship they find floating in a strange fog -- the Sinjuku Maru.
Nine souls are heading straight for Hell.
The Shinjuku Maru has been there before.
This was a fun read! Upon completion, this isn’t one of those stories that is going to stick with you for years. In fairness, I believe I’ve probably thought about it for a few days (enough that I can write a review about it). But, you know what? That isn’t bad! Mr. Jones entertained me for the two days that I read it. I’m a slow reader, but it kept my interest throughout!
The writing is competent. This isn’t one of those “And then he said…” to which “She replied…” I wasn’t tossed out of the story by poor writing or editing. The story is well written.
While this was my introduction to Jones work, he has written quite a few stories, which I intend to check out. Understand, I don’t want to reveal any spoilers for “Hell Ship”. If I may sum up my impressions of the story….
“Hell Ship” could easily be made into a low budget horror movie, and given the right treatment could possibly become a classic. I believe the story is a natural for a cinematic treatment. It isn’t a cerebral tale. It is told in a straightforward manner and doesn’t leave the reader questioning any ‘universal truths’. “Hell Ship” is a gritty story of shipwrecked survivors going from a bad situation into a hellish one. Only a few make it out the other side. Their story is gripping, entertaining and well worth the read.
I look forward to reading more of Benedict J. Jones’ tales.
August 3, 2018
This is a book that, despite the short length manages to take its time developing a great level of tension before we're all off to the races. Jones offers up a great mix of atmosphere and brutal detail. The characters are sketched nicely and the pacing is spot on. As a fellow fan of Hellraiser and Event Horizon, I thought he provided a great taste of those films in a brilliant setting, a ship that is scary enough in its own right. And I think the best compliment you can give a book definitely applies here as all I want to know is when I get more!
If you're a fan of his previous novella, Slaughter Beach, this is one you will like. If you haven't read Slaughter Beach, read that after reading this.
If you're a fan of his previous novella, Slaughter Beach, this is one you will like. If you haven't read Slaughter Beach, read that after reading this.
June 19, 2019
With a terrific prologue that grips the reader, and opening chapters that reminded me of Noel Cowerd's In Which We Serve, this a thoroughly entertaining read, with fully-realised characters and a nigh-on perfect pace and setup.
Definitely recommended, although with my editorial cap on, the lapses into second-person within the narrative I would have removed - mixing point-of-views in narrative rarely works. Also, and this could prove controversial: despite praising the prologue, it could be argued that it takes away the mystery of the ship - we're one step ahead of the characters, making the author's job more difficult since we're already second-guessing the story.
But, these are just minor niggles which in no way detract from the enjoyment of the reading.
Definitely recommended, although with my editorial cap on, the lapses into second-person within the narrative I would have removed - mixing point-of-views in narrative rarely works. Also, and this could prove controversial: despite praising the prologue, it could be argued that it takes away the mystery of the ship - we're one step ahead of the characters, making the author's job more difficult since we're already second-guessing the story.
But, these are just minor niggles which in no way detract from the enjoyment of the reading.
August 1, 2019
Good short read
After reading Hell Ship in a few hours, I was impressed with the control the author demonstrated in the level of gore and detail some books like this can have. The author was clever enough to only give you brief descriptions of the horror in the book, not too much to ruin the readers imagination but just enough to set your imagination going.
I did notice however there were quite a few mistakes in some of the passages, which is a little bit disappointing; and a book called Hell Ship, which the novels overall plot may be a bit generic for some and unoriginal. But none the less I e enjoyed the authors take on this style of novel and would happily read others they have written.
After reading Hell Ship in a few hours, I was impressed with the control the author demonstrated in the level of gore and detail some books like this can have. The author was clever enough to only give you brief descriptions of the horror in the book, not too much to ruin the readers imagination but just enough to set your imagination going.
I did notice however there were quite a few mistakes in some of the passages, which is a little bit disappointing; and a book called Hell Ship, which the novels overall plot may be a bit generic for some and unoriginal. But none the less I e enjoyed the authors take on this style of novel and would happily read others they have written.
December 14, 2019
After a strong beginning the book meandered a lot and the author forgot to do any characterization of, you know, characters. You can barely distinguish one from another and then it appears black goo and I was like "oh, no, zombies"
Then I saw the 3.9 stars and was "whaaaaat" and of course, there are only 20 reviews.
Author has a strong voice, but no structure of plot - some things went too quickly, others too slow, as I said, the characters are bare bones. Then when things start to happen, they become even more unlikable.
If this book was given to a good editor it could become a really good novel, in the state that it is, it mostly half though ideas without developing.
Then I saw the 3.9 stars and was "whaaaaat" and of course, there are only 20 reviews.
Author has a strong voice, but no structure of plot - some things went too quickly, others too slow, as I said, the characters are bare bones. Then when things start to happen, they become even more unlikable.
If this book was given to a good editor it could become a really good novel, in the state that it is, it mostly half though ideas without developing.
September 30, 2018
Enjoyed the historical atmosphere of this book! Author takes you on a horror filled journey, and he gets it done by the end! Good characters, beginning to end, I enjoyed this whole, unique take on a zombie story!! Bravo!!
August 9, 2018
Very interesting.
October 25, 2023
If you enjoy maritime horror with a side of ghosts, and a story with shades of Event Horizon (sort of) but on a boat, this is a good read!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews