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The Wreck of the Melville
THE WRECK OF THE MELVILLE is a novel of 19th-century shipwreck, mutiny, and occult mystery.
A lost manuscript from the late 1800s reveals the trials and tribulations of Gordon: a budding journalist cursed with a restless spirit. After stowing away on a sailing ship to meet his literary heroes traveling onboard, Gordon is thrust into adventure and peril on the high seas—and beyond. The young journalist will have to confront the treachery of his companions, the rage of the sea, and the cosmic threat of entities beyond his own imagination...if he has any hope of reaching shore again.
A lost manuscript from the late 1800s reveals the trials and tribulations of Gordon: a budding journalist cursed with a restless spirit. After stowing away on a sailing ship to meet his literary heroes traveling onboard, Gordon is thrust into adventure and peril on the high seas—and beyond. The young journalist will have to confront the treachery of his companions, the rage of the sea, and the cosmic threat of entities beyond his own imagination...if he has any hope of reaching shore again.
320 pages, Paperback
Published October 2, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 4, 2021
I really loved this book. It's definitely a mix of genres, but that's what makes it so appealing to me! It's written in the form of a modern-day historian presenting the lost journal of a 19th-century adventurer. After a short intro, we're engulfed in the voice of Gordon, a young man craving something more out of life. He subsequently becomes entangled in the adventure of a lifetime — something darker and more sinister than he could have ever imagined.
Throughout the book, you'll find elements of traditional horror, seafaring ship stories, and even survivalist drama. If Jules Verne, William Hope Hodgson, and H.P. Lovecraft all got together, this book would be the result.
Once you get into the story, you'll find it hard to put down, and you'll never expect what happens next. Speaking of that... I thought the ending was quite the crescendo, and it went in a much different direction than I was expecting at the beginning of the book. I can't recommend it enough if you're looking to try something unique that draws its inspiration from some of the best storytellers of the past.
Throughout the book, you'll find elements of traditional horror, seafaring ship stories, and even survivalist drama. If Jules Verne, William Hope Hodgson, and H.P. Lovecraft all got together, this book would be the result.
Once you get into the story, you'll find it hard to put down, and you'll never expect what happens next. Speaking of that... I thought the ending was quite the crescendo, and it went in a much different direction than I was expecting at the beginning of the book. I can't recommend it enough if you're looking to try something unique that draws its inspiration from some of the best storytellers of the past.
October 11, 2021
Without spoilers: The beautiful writing style of the Jules Verne era meets the intensity of Lovecraft in an adventure worthy of Indiana Jones on the high seas. A young writer finds the excitement he's seeking and more as a stowaway aboard the Melville.
October 17, 2021
This is no freshman effort, and is a sincere breath of fresh air! The author is an enthralling writer’s writer: well-read, with an intelligent and researched attention to detail. Too good to miss!
November 14, 2021
Review
20 year old Gordon is a restless journalist determined to secure boarding on the Melville to report on the Eastern sojourn of several great literary minds in session. Gordon’s means of obtaining passage involves meeting some of the characters who call themselves crew and none of whom know the true purpose of the ship’s mission. About 1/3 of the way through the book, the story takes an unexpected turn demonstrating that this is not just a book about a shipwreck, but about forces that are beyond our control. Themes of survival, mortality, and the conflicts that exist in the universe. Is the face we see in the black goat a metaphor about our need to recognize the impact humans have upon this earth, the condition of our world in general, the battle of good and evil, including those battles that are not part of our understanding? If so, then the ending should be of no surprise, yet it is.
20 year old Gordon is a restless journalist determined to secure boarding on the Melville to report on the Eastern sojourn of several great literary minds in session. Gordon’s means of obtaining passage involves meeting some of the characters who call themselves crew and none of whom know the true purpose of the ship’s mission. About 1/3 of the way through the book, the story takes an unexpected turn demonstrating that this is not just a book about a shipwreck, but about forces that are beyond our control. Themes of survival, mortality, and the conflicts that exist in the universe. Is the face we see in the black goat a metaphor about our need to recognize the impact humans have upon this earth, the condition of our world in general, the battle of good and evil, including those battles that are not part of our understanding? If so, then the ending should be of no surprise, yet it is.
November 14, 2025
The Wreck of the Melville pulls you in from the first page with its authentic 19th-century voice and haunting sense of mystery. Gordon’s journey from curious journalist to a man facing mutiny, shipwreck, and cosmic terror is both thrilling and beautifully written. Smeltz masterfully blends maritime adventure with unsettling occult elements, creating a story that lingers long after you finish. A tense, immersive, and unforgettable read.
November 29, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A well written tale that could easily fit in with Jules Verne and Herman Melville (and not because they are referenced in the story). Few books are written so well that you can see what is being described in your mind. The Wreck of the Melville is a gripping tale that keeps you guessing and has surprises at every turn.
A well written tale that could easily fit in with Jules Verne and Herman Melville (and not because they are referenced in the story). Few books are written so well that you can see what is being described in your mind. The Wreck of the Melville is a gripping tale that keeps you guessing and has surprises at every turn.
June 20, 2022
The book written by Mark Smeltz was an amazing first novel. The story, if it is to be believed, gives the characters plenty of material for their 19th century classics. The main character is much like the books author, Smeltz. Adventure is often the way a person lives their lives. This book is certainly such an adventure.
April 3, 2022
This book was just “ok” for me. It was a good story but some of the writing is so tedious. I found myself skipping over paragraphs just to muddle through.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews