'Slowly, gingerly, they crept back down the stairway, one step at a time. As they neared the bottom, they turned their head torches towards the end of the tunnel and the platform beyond, and then all sense of reality left them.'
When Rich stumbles upon a secret Victorian underground network, he sees not only a great historical discovery, but also a way out of his humdrum life. He convinces three of his friends to join him, and together, they venture deep into the maze of tunnels beneath London's bustling streets.
A rude girl made good. An aspiring writer. A cinema usher from Wales. A bookseller who dreams of being an urban explorer. Four friends trapped together in one nightmarish situation as they realise some things are kept secret for a reason.
Will any of them manage to escape the horror that lurks in the Deep Level.
This is a terrifying read, full of black humour. Rock has a pithy way of peppering his fast-paced action with comic banter, and it works really well to lighten to darkness, but, be warned, it also takes you off your guard so when the scares come, of which there are plenty, you won’t be ready for them. The story revolves around four friends; three women and one man who go deep into London’s underground to discover what lies beneath a bricked-up train station. Rich films what they uncover for a social media extravaganza – the results of which he hopes will enable him to gain financial freedom.
I love how Rock leaves the question about what the ‘deep level’ actually is, hanging in the narrative for a while, and how he teases the mystery along with the introduction of ornate keys and brass plaques. It is a truly intriguing story and, all the way through, I was desperate to know why the station had been bricked up, what its use was in Victorian times and what, if anything, was still hiding down in the tunnels. Rock inserts flashbacks to fill in the knowledge gaps, for example, a pub scene with Mr Williams explains how it is that Rich knows about the tunnel in the first place and it works well to break up the tension.
The description of the tunnels and the ‘pure silence’ is creepy. There is the ominous smell of decay, ‘ice cold breath’ and terrifying spiders (but at least I understand why I don’t like them now). Rock keeps to the rules of horror, leading you up false staircases and sending you along dark passages, glistening with lichen. At first, the four think they are imagining things and then, when they realise they aren’t alone, the story descends into the stuff of nightmares. It’s a really frightening read but Rock also breathes life into each of his characters, letting you into their own private worlds and sharing their secrets, some of which will have you in tears by the end of the book. I love Rock’s attention to detail; how Fionn measures her time by movies and Syeeda’s definition of how it is she knows she’s a real writer.
Here within the pages of Deep Level lies a graveyard of Victorian steam trains, bricked up doors, witchcraft, libraries and massive cobwebs. If your nerves allow you to reach the end, it is super satisfying, and Rock answers all your questions, letting the story come full circle. Dark, poignant and nightmarish, although very funny at times. A great, disturbing read which also poses one of life’s most important questions – if you were a crisp – what kind of crisp would you be?
I’ve read many a horror tale or two and the first thing that struck me about Richard E. Rock’s “Deep Level” was it’s focus on the characters. I really like that. I like it that we care very much about what happens to the people who become netted in the web of horror – and Rock’s web is pretty vile. It plays on our fear of the dark, of enclosed spaces, of rats and of spiders. Overlaid by our concern for the four people who end up having to confront them, true horror is made.
Deep Level starts off as an urban exploration adventure, into the bowels of the London underground. Rich, a narcissitic, borderline sociopath – takes three female friends with him down into its furthest level, bricked-off because someone in the past realised a deep malevolence lived within. But Rich, intent on fortune and recognition, wants to uncover its secrets and video their – his – discoveries.
A gruesome stage is set, yet Rock manages to make each character totally believable through flashbacking into their lives and what brought them to this place. Some of the motivations are quite complex and are delivered in very relateable dialogue. Rock cares for his creations, made obvious in how he weaves in their backstories. I would have liked these to have been over with by the time they grappled with their demons, though. I think they were included in order to intensify the horror – real people involved in real events. Personally, it threw me out of the narrative at times. It’s a balancing act.
Overall, it was fab – and I’d have loved more, especially if greater time had been given to the club, where the true evil lay. Bones for a prequel, perhaps?
When I signed up for the blog tour for Deep Level by Richard E. Rock, I was so excited to read it. The premise sounded like a book I’d love, and I’m happy to say, I was not disappointed!
The suspense in this novel is amazing. It was completely unsettling and downright creepy. I think what makes horror novels so great is when they get under your skin. That’s what Dewp Level does.
I really liked the concept of this book. Following the characters through the dark was so stressful. I loved the banter of the characters because it broke up some of the tension in the best times.
Overall, I really enjoyed Deep Level. If you’re a horror fan, give this a read!
*I received a free copy of this book from Rachel’s Random Resources to review honestly on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
Deep Level by Richard E. Rock is a horror novella where a small group explores a secret underground Victorian network.
The characters are three-dimensional, and I really enjoyed the insight into Rich’s world, but I didn’t love how much dialogue was throughout the story. It often felt telly or slowed the pacing down a lot. Some of the all-capped words threw me off too. These were meant to portray horror and fear, but they pulled me out. Rock’s strength is description and exploring the characters’ thoughts. I wish there was more of that, rather than all the dialogue and the all-caps sections.
Here’s a good quote:
"This was more than just a cavern; it was an underworld, a subterranean kingdom: huge, open, and grand."
The novella wasn’t for me, but you may like this if you love a lot of dialogue.
In this intense,spine chilling,debut horror,four friend's adventure into the hidden world below the streets of London turns into a terrifying nightmare when they end up fighting for their lives after they encounter a ancient evil that has been trapped below the hustle and bustle of everyday life for decades.
Rich, Syeeda, Ffion and Rosalind were four realistic characters who each had their own unique individual personalities and character traits. I would say that Rich was my least favourite member of the quartet,there was times when he came across as a bit of a introvert. The three women were full of fun and I loved the closeness between them and the way that they teased each other during many of their interactions. But how many,if any members of The Exploresome Foursome as they name themselves will live to tell the tale of the horrors hiding in the dark.
There is a fifth narrator in this tale,someone who lived decades ago and worked in a world of debauchery,a rich man's playground where anything could be bought if you were prepared to pay the price, the underprivileged were treated with disdain and people were prepared to betray anyone,even their own mother if the price was right. (If you think about it,even with the passing of time,nothing much has changed in that regard) This person also found themselves in a terrifying situation that would change their life forever but who was this person and how did their story fit in with the events that were unfolding in the present day?
Wow...just,wow, this is a extremely well written debut, it's intense,atmospheric,spine chilling and makes your skin crawl in places but is also laced with moments of humour. It's perfectly paced and the story had me hooked in from the first page and glued to my kindle. I would love to watch a film adaptation of this captivating book and would give it far more than five stars if I could. One of my favourite reads of this year so far and I look forward to reading many more of this author's books in the future. very very highly recommended.
Deep Level is one of those horror novels that isn't exactly scary so much as it's unsettling and creepy. I found the buildup to everything more horrifying than what was really going on down there in the deep level of the tunnels. Just waiting with anticipation for something to happen stressed me out way more than the horrors that lay beneath the streets. That's not to say the stuff that happened in the darkness of the deep level wasn't strange or spooky. It just didn't hold a candle (ha!) to the suspense of going down into the tunnels. The story follows four friends--Rich, Ffion, Syeeda, and Rosalind--as they go on a trek into these sealed tunnels under the streets of London. Rich wants to become an urban explorer, and with the help of the three ladies, he knows he can film something no one has seen in decades and make a ton of money from selling the footage. He can then use that money to divorce his wife and go on his merry old way. With a map from a curious old man, some night-vision goggles, and some headlamps for the ladies, Rich is ready to see what really resides in the deep level of these sealed tunnels. Too bad these four will get way more than they bargained for once they're down there. This book was definitely interesting. Like I said above, it was a bit stressful because I kept expecting so many horrible things to happen in the dark on the way down. As soon as the rock rolled out of the darkness and that weird cough sounded, I would have run away so fast. But the characters apparently weren't as spooked as I would have been and continued their trek into the depths of hell. And what they find in the deep level might as well be hell. It's definitely a nightmare. With characters who share humorous banter, a creepy and unsettling locale, and a fascinating plot that will keep you on your toes, Deep Level is a book fans of the horror genre should definitely pick up. 4 stars from me!
Warning: if the thought of being lost in the freezing dark of underground tunnels paralyzes you with fear, do not read this book.
However, if that thought merely scares and creeps you out a little, and you're into being scared and creeped out a little, then by all means enjoy.
Four friends head down into a section of the London Underground that was built in the Victorian era and has been sealed off for seventy years. It's dark, cold, labyrinthine, and absolutely, claustrophobicly terrifying. Just the atmosphere had me creeped out before anything dangerous even showed up. I went physically cold as I read.
In the first part of the book, the creep factor is offset by some seriously funny dialogue between the three female friends, and then their gradual quieting lets you know things are about to get serious. And then the screams begin.
In full disclosure I must mention that this book suffered, though only slightly, from the plague of most small press printer books: lack of proper editing. A few misspellings and some places where two words were crammed together with no space between, and one place where the timing doesn't match up. But these were few and far between and just slipped in under the radar of excusability. And personal note: I would love to get more backstory on the long-ago happenings in this place that led to the horror that dwells in the tunnels. A prequel perhaps?
Let me just say, you will never catch me underground, period, and this book is one of the reasons why.
Rich wants to be an urban explorer, not husband and father, so when he convinces his three friends, Fiona, Rosalind, and Syeeda to find a secret underground train tunnel where he opens to find something never seen before (so he can become rich and divorce his wife), none of them know the danger they will be in when they reach the deep level and realize they aren’t alone.
The first part of this book (Book One) was a little slower as we get to know some of the characters and their dynamics together. (Rich is really a jerk, why are these women friends with him?) When they make an alarming discovery in Book Two and decide to turn back, the real action begins. Something is down here with them. Chasing them. And there’s SPIDERS so many SPIDERS (UGH, spiders are one of my big nope right out of here fears). Will any of them make it out?
This was a very fast read at under 200 pages. I enjoyed this book but it did feel somewhat disjointed at times. It was good and entertaining but not great and I rate it a solid 3 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️. For a hardcore horror fan I would consider this more creepy and “horror lite”.
Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources and Richard E. Rock for the review copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own
What a refreshing set of characters! It was so realistic, the story is told through 4 friends who are from completely different backgrounds, not your stereotypical bunch of friends that you see in films or I usually read about in other books.
Also, the fact that they were from various races and cultures made it even more real, because this is what a lot of friendships in London look like (thanks Richard for making it so realistic)
I fell in love with Ffion immediately within the first few pages, the other women grew on me, but I really couldn’t bring myself to like Rich, much – maybe it’s the ‘mum‘ in me, that couldn’t see past his failures as a father – but none of us are perfect…
The story is well paced and the writing style is SO good, it jumps back and forth between characters and flashbacks from the past and back to the present day – this format keeps the narrative fresh and truly keeps you on your toes.
I was hooked from the end of Chapter 1 and the tension grows so intense but is sprinkled delicately with humour in just the right places.
Some parts are super scary and what these characters encounter, I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.
A must read book for horror fans – an excellent book!
I will look out for more from this author in the future
I took this one outside with me a few days ago to read while keeping my dog out of trouble, and let's just say that the dog did in fact get in trouble a few times because I paid him zero attention. Deep Level was the perfect book for an afternoon spent reading, though once it got darker, I got a bit jumpy. It was chilling, attention grabbing, and fascinating.
The book follows a group of four friends as they explore mysterious tunnels underneath London. The first part of the book takes some time to introduce each of them. This was a bit slow at first, but I loved watching the group interact; it was realistic and comical.
The second half of the book follows their exploration in the tunnels. I couldn't put the book down for even a second once their exploration started. I never knew what would happen next, so it kept me on the edge of my seat wanting more.
I've been trying to get into other horror authors besides Stephen King for almost two years now, but I always end up disappointed in whatever horror novel I've picked up. This book is the second non-King horror novel I've read this year, and I really enjoyed it. If you're a horror fan, you absolutely need to pick this one up.
Disclaimer: I received a gifted copy of this book via the author and Rachel's Random Resources. This did not influence my opinion in any way.
Lately, I’ve been feeling like it’s time to sit down and really sink my teeth into a good horror story. I do have Stephen King’s If It Bleeds on my bookshelf, staring me down every time I glance in its general direction. But I’ve been wanting something different.
When the Blog Tour for Deep Level came along, I thought this would be a great opportunity to try a new voice in the Horror genre and satisfy my craving for a good scary read. I was right! This book was so much fun!!
Comical best friends, an underground exploring adventure in the tunnels under London, some creepy crawlies (honestly, those I could ALWAYS do without), age-old secrets revealed and some really, really scary action scenes.
Of course, I read the last half of this book at night, in bed. I was so scared. Holding my breath, racing to the next page to see what was going to happen. It. Was. FABULOUS!! I loved it!
I loved that the book was only 149 pages. I read it in one evening, which was actually perfectly matched to the quick pace of the book. If you are looking for a fun, scary, adventure read, this should be the next book you pick up!
At 149 pages, this creepy debut horror novel packs a perfect punch with just the right amount of character dialogue, back stories, and the creepy!!
You can (and will want to) read it in one sitting.
The book is set around 4 friends in London. Roz, Syd, Fee and Rich are Urban Explorers that are going underground to a mysterious deep level of underground train tunnels used by the rich during the Victorian era.
There is a whole lot of creepy underground and I absolutely loved this read because it had the creep factor without too much gory!!
If you’ve read Creepers by David Morrell (I Loved It), then this one is a great fit for you!!
Thanks to the author, @rachelsrandomresources and @darkstrokebooks for this read!
This is a quick read at under 150 pages, but it is jam packed with action and very fast paced. I liked the fact the synopsis doesn’t give too much away, other than 4 characters go exploring and come into trouble. It definitely keeps you guessing.
This is a Horror Novel, it has some scary aspects but it is the unknown at what your mind eludes to, rather than what is on the page.
I am not a huge horror fan but actually I really enjoyed this and could have read more. It is definitely worth a read.
A quick 150 page debut read. This book was certainly unlike one I've come across before and I was surprised how quickly it gripped me as this is far out of my comfort zone as my go to rea. It's dark, intense, creepy and really the stuff nightmares are made of. Well written, and vividly descriptive, the storyline is pacey which kept me hooked. Definitely one to give a read and perfect for fans of horror. A Book I enjoyed reading more than I had anticipated.
Friends: Episode 666 Today Let's Go To Hell. I didn't know what to expect, but it wasn't that I was going to adore the group brought together to go exploring the underground. I just loved their interactions, the way they talked. The creatures, so creepy. The atmosphere of dread, claustrophobia and just freaking out was so strong I could feel it. It would truly be a nightmare for me. I loved it.
Deep Level - Four friends venture into a network of tunnels under London and get trapped in a nightmarish situation. Very well written. Strong, well defined characters & a chilling page-turner plot. If you like horror, you’ll love Deep Level. A great scary read.
I dont think I have read a book quite like this before.
The first half of the book really had me gripped and the descriptions of deep level were amazing and creepy at the same time. I felt like I was underground as well.
The second half of the book goes into a bit of background for each character and didnt grip me as much but it was still so intriguing to read as this is where the story reaches its highest point, what is actually underground and I was wanting to know more. ⭐⭐⭐.5
How can I start this review without giving too much away? It was incredible! For a rather short book (149 pages) there was a lot packed in to the pages and it didn’t disappoint! From the characters to the places, my brain was filled with an extraordinary experience!
The book starts with three female friends, Ffion, Rosalind and Syeeda, meeting in a cafe set in modern day, early morning London and having a good catch up and gossip before being met with their male friend, Richard. Each character has their own back story which we are introduced to along the way, and I have to say I wasn’t a huge fan of the way Richard saw the family aspect of his life, but I suppose each to their own and you never really know how you’ll feel until these moments are presented to you. But Ffion was a girl after my own heart-Welsh, food loving and a devoted mother. Syeeda and her sense of humour just creased me (her CV was hilarious!) and Rosalind with her survival instincts was the sort of woman we all need in our corner to help us fight our wars!
This foursome, who seem like the most unlikeliest of companions in a way, take a trip to discover the secrets held within the lost underground stations beneath London. They want to unearth the long forgotten depths and share them with the rest of the world, but little do they know that only one will get out alive.
The gang come across abandoned train carts and platforms as well as a sealed-up tunnel deep underground, with them suspecting that they have stumbled upon an underground station for the Victorian era’s wealthy elite when in reality they have stumbled upon something far worse.
If you want a book that isn’t going to have you yelling out WTAF (or contacting the author wanting explanations-which I did!) then this book isn’t for you. There isn’t a brilliantly and deliriously happy ending and the cliff hanger is ludicrous BUT so very good! I have been left wanting more and my own imagination has gone in to over drive with analysing various parts of the plot and the mystery of the Deep Level. This book is a stroke of genius that I couldn’t put down. I need a sequel or prequel! And quick!