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Crawl
A hiking adventure honeymoon turns terrifying when Linda and Dillon suddenly find themselves plunged into a living nightmare. Separated, they must battle nature's unpredictable and deadly challenges and the horrors of their worst fears as their mental and physical limits are tested in a fight for survival.It’s live or die alone in the wild.
61 pages, Paperback
Published July 27, 2019
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173 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
August 14, 2025
This was a wild ride that brought me back to The Descent. But the best part here was that our leads, husband and wife, Linda and Dillon were plagued not by cryptids or otherworldly creatures…it was just nature. The bugs, snakes, bears, spiders, and everything else that you’d expect to find inside a cave system in the woods. And this gave each obstacle in their journey justice, never skimping out on the claustrophobic, unnerving situations. Now this is a very short story so, of course, I wanted more development, especially on Linda’s past traumas. And I feel like this would have been better from a first person POV instead of a third person, which would have heightened the experience for the reader. But, even without some issues, this was a very well thought out tale of real world horror.
March 4, 2021
After reading Fear the Gods, I thought I'd try out another Mike Duke book, so I went over to audible and bought CRAWL. CRAWL was a little underwhelming for me. Although the narration was phenomenal, the story itself was just not enough to keep me invested, and I often struggled seeing what the author was describing at times.
Overall I give this one three stars. The writing, which was something I really enjoyed in Fear the Gods, was great, and I can tell Mike Duke is a talented writer. This just wasn't my favorite book by him.
That being said, I was able to finish it and it did have a great ending. So, I think this book deserves a positive rating.
Overall I give this one three stars. The writing, which was something I really enjoyed in Fear the Gods, was great, and I can tell Mike Duke is a talented writer. This just wasn't my favorite book by him.
That being said, I was able to finish it and it did have a great ending. So, I think this book deserves a positive rating.
May 13, 2021
This would definitely not be the ideal honeymoon for any couple! Water, caves, darkness, creepy crawlers and more! It seems like Mike Duke wanted to ensure that his readers heart rate increased with every chapter. If you're looking for panic and adrenaline filled survivor story, this book is for you!
I was not a huge fan of the narrator but I am definitely a fan of the story. First story I've read by Mike and definitely looking forward to reading more.
4.5 out of 5 creepy crawlers
🪳🪳🪳🪳
I was not a huge fan of the narrator but I am definitely a fan of the story. First story I've read by Mike and definitely looking forward to reading more.
4.5 out of 5 creepy crawlers
🪳🪳🪳🪳
July 5, 2023
This book was absolutely terrifying. A honeymoon turns into an underground survival story. The narration was great. The story was fast- paced and uncomfortable. It definitely makes you claustrophobic.
October 24, 2021
A short enjoyable survival story.
It may not be a horror story,in a conventional sense, but it was just as terrifying. There’s nothing supernatural about it. There’s no maniac slicing people up. There’s no cults or satanic rituals going on… It’s just pure terror. Terror in being stuck underground, alone and cold with creepy crawlers everywhere. Survival stories like Crawl are my absolute favorite because they’re realistic.
Not only does a person have to survive the elements….They have to keep from losing their minds in the process, which is hard to do when you’re scared, hungry and dehydrated. It’s absolutely terrifying!!!
I can never get enough of survival stories. Fiction, non-fiction, sci-fi or horror! I love it all!!!
It may not be a horror story,in a conventional sense, but it was just as terrifying. There’s nothing supernatural about it. There’s no maniac slicing people up. There’s no cults or satanic rituals going on… It’s just pure terror. Terror in being stuck underground, alone and cold with creepy crawlers everywhere. Survival stories like Crawl are my absolute favorite because they’re realistic.
Not only does a person have to survive the elements….They have to keep from losing their minds in the process, which is hard to do when you’re scared, hungry and dehydrated. It’s absolutely terrifying!!!
I can never get enough of survival stories. Fiction, non-fiction, sci-fi or horror! I love it all!!!
December 26, 2019
I jumped straight in to this after reading Yuletide Butcher and boy it did not disappoint.
A honeymoon adventure hike turns in to a underground survival situation full of fear and nail biting tension. This author has great momentum in ramping up terror in his quick novellas.
I still need to read more of Duke.
A honeymoon adventure hike turns in to a underground survival situation full of fear and nail biting tension. This author has great momentum in ramping up terror in his quick novellas.
I still need to read more of Duke.
February 9, 2020
Mike Duke has yet again managed to make me feel completely uncomfortable, and reminded me that the woods are a terrible place!
March 10, 2023
Just a awesome creepy, dark, claustrophobic adrenaline rush of a story. Highly recommend
May 5, 2021
If I ever briefly thought about exploring a cave I now know that I will not ever. This book was claustrophobic and didn't hold back on creepy crawlies.
June 5, 2020
This novella is about a newlywed couple that decide to go hiking for their honeymoon. During the hike they both take a tumble down an embankment while chasing their dog, pulling up an old tree in the tumble, and falling down a hole made by the trees root system. This leeds to the couple being separated and going thru their hellish ordeal alone. I love that this is all something that could happen to anyone.
Wow! I'm not claustrophobic but I hate the idea of being underground and having the ceiling cave in on me or having a large rock fall on me making it so I couldn't move. I also hate snakes so this one really got to me!! it was a fantastic story though.
I listened to this one on Audible and it had a fantastic narrator and sound effects that made it even scarier. I love good audiobooks with sound effects!
**Warning this story has a dog in it for a short time and I was stressed out the whole time wondering what would eventually happen to the dog, so if you want to know what happens to him read below....
***spolier alert***
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He lives!!! 💜
Wow! I'm not claustrophobic but I hate the idea of being underground and having the ceiling cave in on me or having a large rock fall on me making it so I couldn't move. I also hate snakes so this one really got to me!! it was a fantastic story though.
I listened to this one on Audible and it had a fantastic narrator and sound effects that made it even scarier. I love good audiobooks with sound effects!
**Warning this story has a dog in it for a short time and I was stressed out the whole time wondering what would eventually happen to the dog, so if you want to know what happens to him read below....
***spolier alert***
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He lives!!! 💜
October 12, 2022
"Crawl" by Mike Duke
Linda and Dillon are newlyweds who've chosen to go on a hiking adventure for their honeymoon. What starts off as a good time suddenly turns deadly, when the couple is separated during a fall. Unsure if the other is safe or even alive, the two newlyweds will have to fight to make it back to the surface and hopefully each other.
This story was a very quick read. It wasn't my favorite but it wasn't terrible either. I felt it was a bit clichéd but it did have some rather creepy scenes, especially the scene with the spiders and centipede.
If you're a fan of the Nutty putty tragedy then this story would definitely be right up your alley. It also has major I Shouldn't Be Alive vibes to it as well.
Linda and Dillon are newlyweds who've chosen to go on a hiking adventure for their honeymoon. What starts off as a good time suddenly turns deadly, when the couple is separated during a fall. Unsure if the other is safe or even alive, the two newlyweds will have to fight to make it back to the surface and hopefully each other.
This story was a very quick read. It wasn't my favorite but it wasn't terrible either. I felt it was a bit clichéd but it did have some rather creepy scenes, especially the scene with the spiders and centipede.
If you're a fan of the Nutty putty tragedy then this story would definitely be right up your alley. It also has major I Shouldn't Be Alive vibes to it as well.
February 29, 2020
Uncomfortable, unnerving and possible.
Mike Duke has brought an adventurous couple’s honeymoon into a day of hell. Immediately you’re pulled into this couple’s mindset when events take a turn in this wilderness horror novella. Duke digs into everyone’s fears regarding critters, tight spaces, caves and water. “Crawl” literally made my skin crawl with Linda’s experiences and how wonderfully Duke conveyed her emotions in each situation. The story is fast-paced and quick, but I do wish there was a little more on the rescue and/or aftermath. Either way, this story just adds one more reason as to why I don’t care for caves let alone hiking by any.
Mike Duke has brought an adventurous couple’s honeymoon into a day of hell. Immediately you’re pulled into this couple’s mindset when events take a turn in this wilderness horror novella. Duke digs into everyone’s fears regarding critters, tight spaces, caves and water. “Crawl” literally made my skin crawl with Linda’s experiences and how wonderfully Duke conveyed her emotions in each situation. The story is fast-paced and quick, but I do wish there was a little more on the rescue and/or aftermath. Either way, this story just adds one more reason as to why I don’t care for caves let alone hiking by any.
February 10, 2021
Worst day ever
I will think of this story next time I complain about a shitty day. Then again, a good dog always helps.
I will think of this story next time I complain about a shitty day. Then again, a good dog always helps.
April 10, 2022
I purchased this based on some reviews in fb boh. I have loved everything I read by mile so far. This one was a wild ride as one of my biggest fears is being trapped and not being able to move. It’s a claustrophobic nightmare mixed with creepy critters and darkness. An easy one sitting read that you’ll enjoy 😉
July 9, 2023
For all the hiking my husband and I do in the woods with our two German Shepherds, I can say that I will forever have this short, frightening read on my mind and thankful for my Shepherds!
Such a creepy-crawly, anxiety-ridden read! Gave me the heebie jeebies quite a few times!
Such a creepy-crawly, anxiety-ridden read! Gave me the heebie jeebies quite a few times!
November 3, 2019
Dillon & Linda are outdoor adventurers. They enjoy hiking and spending time alone together in the wilderness and as such, their honeymoon revolves around the great outdoors. They've spent quite some time planning a lavish vacation full of several waterfalls and hiking several miles worth of terrain in the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina. So Dillon and Linda are hiking along enjoying each other's company when their dog sees a deer and takes off. They both run after the dog and aren't paying attention to the terrain in front of them. In a matter of just a few moments, they both fall into two separate underground cave systems. Their honeymoon at that point in time officially turns into one that you wouldn't wish upon your worst enemy...
"The more he tried to hop on one foot, the more Dillon realized he would not cover any distance like that. He'd have to crawl."
At just 61 pages in length, the action gets started almost immediately and doesn't let up until Mike Duke says so. It's an extremely fast-paced read as you can probably imagine and let me tell you, this story scared the absolute shit out of me. The writing is beyond amazing and so descriptive that it felt like I was in the cave system. Probably doesn't help that I don't do terribly well with claustrophobia. Small rooms don't bother me. Small spaces don't bother me too much, but I don't think I could handle being in a small, enclosed space while being confined at the same time. I mean, these people are in total darkness in a place they've never been. They can't stand up because of how low the cave is where they're stranded. They aren't together any longer so they're both stranded in a blackness none of us can possibly fathom. You can't see your own hand in front of your face. There's cave crickets everywhere, spider webs keep hitting their faces and something is biting them. I mean, every single turn of the page had me screaming out, "ARE YOU SHITTING ME?!" These poor people! I mean, it was one thing after another! And here's the thing, none of it was unrealistic nor silly. I'm talking about downright terror. It's not blood or guts or eyeballs popping out. It's a very realistic everyday scenario that could easily happen to any one of us, especially if you're an avid lover of the outdoors.
Since Dillon and Linda have fallen into two separate cave systems, the story alternates between Dillon and Linda's perspective which I really enjoyed. They both tell their stories of survival. It was interesting to see how each of them 'dig deep' and fight to survive their ordeal. Aside from fighting for survival, they're both desperate to make their way back to one another. All the while, they're wondering if the other is OK. It was a traumatic story that was way too believable for its own good. In addition to being blown away by the sheer volume of shit that keeps happening to them, I never stopped rooting for them. This made it easier for me to devour the book in almost one sitting. I could have easily done so, but I really wanted to savor the story and so, I read it in two days instead of one. HAHAHA. Seriously though, it's a novella I didn't want to put down simply due to the way it gripped me and refused to let go.
I ended up finishing CRAWL last night and had to take a minute to digest everything I just read. I almost felt out of breath in a way due to the sheer exhilaration and sense of adventure! It was an obvious 5-star read for me. The difference between a 4-star and 5-star read for me is the sense of bookish perfection. The 5-star book review for me leaves me thinking about the book that just resonated within me and shook me to my core. There's at least one scene in particular that I found myself thinking about a day after finishing the book and I get the shivers everytime I think about it. Highly recommended for the avid hiker, cave spelunker and horror guru!
"The more he tried to hop on one foot, the more Dillon realized he would not cover any distance like that. He'd have to crawl."
At just 61 pages in length, the action gets started almost immediately and doesn't let up until Mike Duke says so. It's an extremely fast-paced read as you can probably imagine and let me tell you, this story scared the absolute shit out of me. The writing is beyond amazing and so descriptive that it felt like I was in the cave system. Probably doesn't help that I don't do terribly well with claustrophobia. Small rooms don't bother me. Small spaces don't bother me too much, but I don't think I could handle being in a small, enclosed space while being confined at the same time. I mean, these people are in total darkness in a place they've never been. They can't stand up because of how low the cave is where they're stranded. They aren't together any longer so they're both stranded in a blackness none of us can possibly fathom. You can't see your own hand in front of your face. There's cave crickets everywhere, spider webs keep hitting their faces and something is biting them. I mean, every single turn of the page had me screaming out, "ARE YOU SHITTING ME?!" These poor people! I mean, it was one thing after another! And here's the thing, none of it was unrealistic nor silly. I'm talking about downright terror. It's not blood or guts or eyeballs popping out. It's a very realistic everyday scenario that could easily happen to any one of us, especially if you're an avid lover of the outdoors.
Since Dillon and Linda have fallen into two separate cave systems, the story alternates between Dillon and Linda's perspective which I really enjoyed. They both tell their stories of survival. It was interesting to see how each of them 'dig deep' and fight to survive their ordeal. Aside from fighting for survival, they're both desperate to make their way back to one another. All the while, they're wondering if the other is OK. It was a traumatic story that was way too believable for its own good. In addition to being blown away by the sheer volume of shit that keeps happening to them, I never stopped rooting for them. This made it easier for me to devour the book in almost one sitting. I could have easily done so, but I really wanted to savor the story and so, I read it in two days instead of one. HAHAHA. Seriously though, it's a novella I didn't want to put down simply due to the way it gripped me and refused to let go.
I ended up finishing CRAWL last night and had to take a minute to digest everything I just read. I almost felt out of breath in a way due to the sheer exhilaration and sense of adventure! It was an obvious 5-star read for me. The difference between a 4-star and 5-star read for me is the sense of bookish perfection. The 5-star book review for me leaves me thinking about the book that just resonated within me and shook me to my core. There's at least one scene in particular that I found myself thinking about a day after finishing the book and I get the shivers everytime I think about it. Highly recommended for the avid hiker, cave spelunker and horror guru!
May 8, 2021
This book was a huge surprise! 100% surprising. The entire audiobook experience was amazing as it was completely immersive. From the sounds of waterfalls, dog barks, to the skittering of creepy crawlies, it has it all.
The writing was perfection as the listeners are taken on a trip (ha) of almost every fear possible. Are you afraid of the dark? Claustrophobic? Arachnophobic? Fear drowning? Snakes? Dying alone? Then this audiobook is for you to face your fears.
When you combine the writing, the audiobook reader, and the immersion of the experience, you have an absolute winner! Cannot wait to hear/read more from this author.
The writing was perfection as the listeners are taken on a trip (ha) of almost every fear possible. Are you afraid of the dark? Claustrophobic? Arachnophobic? Fear drowning? Snakes? Dying alone? Then this audiobook is for you to face your fears.
When you combine the writing, the audiobook reader, and the immersion of the experience, you have an absolute winner! Cannot wait to hear/read more from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2023
DNF. I feel like the pacing was awful. It felt very skippy, like event after event just kept happening in succession with no lines to fill in the space between them, making it feel clunky. Also, how Linda “wigged out” and “spazzed” just felt so cringey and didn’t match the pace/tone of the writing at all. It just felt a bit juvenile among passages that should’ve been creepy or disgusting. And the dialogue was severely lacking in all aspects. Very repetitive and boring to read.
May 14, 2020
Excellent
I really enjoyed this short but rather suspenseful book. Wow, wow, wow. This book had my blood pressure up, I could not stop turning pages just to see what happened next. Will definitely try more books by this author.
I really enjoyed this short but rather suspenseful book. Wow, wow, wow. This book had my blood pressure up, I could not stop turning pages just to see what happened next. Will definitely try more books by this author.
October 20, 2021
Not for the Claustrophobic
An excellent adventure tale of Dillon and Linda on their honeymoon in the great outdoors. Falling into a sinkhole and separated by the resulting cave in, each face their deepest fears to save themselves and each other.
The story is well worth the time.
An excellent adventure tale of Dillon and Linda on their honeymoon in the great outdoors. Falling into a sinkhole and separated by the resulting cave in, each face their deepest fears to save themselves and each other.
The story is well worth the time.
February 25, 2023
Definitely a nightmare inducing short story!! Everything that could go wrong on this couple’s honeymoon, did go wrong!
I think getting stuck would be my worst fear in this situation.
So glad the dog was ok ♥️
I think getting stuck would be my worst fear in this situation.
So glad the dog was ok ♥️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2023
Another great Mike Duke story! This one pushed a lot of my buttons in the best way. It's creepy and gripping. Especially awesome if you're claustrophobic and don't like creepy crawly things! Definitely recommend this one!
November 12, 2023
I decided to check this out after reading The House of Smarba, one of my favorite books of the year. This was short, fast-paced, and very well written. I've always had a fear of small, tight spaces, which is why I will never go in caves. Awesome job, Mike Duke 👏
March 26, 2022
A quick, pulse pounding, airway constricting psychological thriller! My heart raced for quite a bit after turning the last page and I swear things are crawling all over me!!!
January 13, 2023
Great survival story
Now that wad a rush, terrifying to be in that situation. But felt so surreal. Great read and kept me on my toes.
Now that wad a rush, terrifying to be in that situation. But felt so surreal. Great read and kept me on my toes.
September 6, 2021
I liked this one. Not sure if it would be considered survival horror or a survival adventure story. This story managed to pack a lot action into a short amount of narrative. I also liked that the characters were separated and each went through their own struggles in the caverns. I honestly think this one would make a great feature film option.
January 5, 2023
I gave this a 3 because it wasn’t scary but it was super atmospheric if you are claustrophobic. I was looking for more of a spelunking gone wrong kind of situation. But seriously read this if you’re terrified of real things that go bump in the night and small spaces. Very short read- I did it in two days I believe.
August 17, 2023
Anxiety inducing
For being such a short book this sure packed a heck of a punch and managed to hit every single one of my phobias. Lol. It was well written and fast paced and awesome.
For being such a short book this sure packed a heck of a punch and managed to hit every single one of my phobias. Lol. It was well written and fast paced and awesome.
January 31, 2022
audiobook. the dialog, the pace, the narrator. if it was longer I would have quit 20mins in.
February 4, 2023
Interesting set-up and characters and liked the survival aspects of the story but struggled a little with the dialogue through-out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews