What Dwells Beneath the Waves

by Robbie Dorman

Deep below the water, something waits.Journalist Moira Bell is in the Florida Keys to cover climate change, but her investigation soon reveals a series of unreported disappearances on Blackwell Key. Disappearances noteworthy only because the missing people always come back.Come back as something else.Moira ties the disappearances to Butch Blackwell, chief of police and direct descendant of the original settler of Blackwell Key. He’s hiding something on his private island, just offshore. With a massive hurricane approaching, Moira has little time.When Moira sneaks her way onto his island, she finds a dark obelisk. A bloody ritual. Worship of something beyond our world. Something long asleep.Moira must stop Butch before he awakens something that will undo the Earth.

Genres: Horror

236 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 22, 2021

About the author

Robbie Dorman believes in horror. Conquest is his first novel. When not writing, he's podcasting, playing video games, or petting cats. He lives in Texas with his wife, Kim.

Reviews

[Peter Topside · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great premise for an aquatic horror story. Great lore here and some solid visuals of the creatures, ie The Servants and the abyss that housed The One that Dwells Beneath the Waves. Sometimes the scariest things are the ones that you don’t actually see. All the characters were written well and the story just took its time getting to the end, fleshing everything out very well. Moira was a tenacious lead and Butch was a despicable creature, but you loved to see them spare witn one another. Now, on Moira, she had a ton of repetitive dialogue, which wore on me quickly. But her actions and interactions with everyone else made up for that particular shortcoming. It also had an open ending, which doesn’t always work, but with the magnitude of the forces at play here, made sense. This is my third book for this author and so far, so good.

[Chris Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story and a new take on Lovecraftian horror.

[Scott Roche · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read recently where climate change played some role in the plot.

The goods - I really enjoy how Robbie ties current issues into his horror novels. Agree with his politics or not (and I do), he doesn't sacrifice the quality of his story to get his point across. I've always believed that spec fic is an excellent way to have conversations about this sort of thing. That aside, Robbie - as always - has created some great characters. And he's put them in serious peril. The dangers inherent in living on the Florida Keys, hurricanes and rising sea levels, aren't the only things to be worried about. He's included a supernatural element to the risks the protagonist and some of her new friends face. I won't go into details beyond what the cover reveals but there are things in the water (and above the water) causing disappearances. And Moira Bell wants to get to the bottom of it all, without winding up at the bottom of the sea.

The Bads - Nothing really to report here.

Final Verdict - Robbie has pulled off another five-star book in my opinion. I'm a softy for creature features combined with smart commentary.

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly Boring Story About a Woman’s Fear of Water

The beginning of this book is not very good or interesting, and focuses on a woman reporter who drives to the Florida Keys from Miami. Which is really a pretty simple effort, unless you’re the Main Character.

The Author concentrates far, far too much on the Main Character’s fears of the water — yet, The Author places her in the middle of the Florida Keys, surrounded by water, water, and more water, not to mention residents of The Keys who expect no other lifestyle.

If there is a Horror Story within this book, it is beyond my caring to find it … I read about 1/6 of the book, and can’t convince myself to stay interested enough to find out more.

My recommendation is to NOT start this Book, and to instead go find another that will immediately captivate you.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Robbie for the signed copy.

The only annoying thing that stood out to me was the reuse of some words in close proximity to each other, but that was mostly just in the beginning. It was also a little odd that the main character was a reporter, but didn’t seem to care much for documenting the events that play out in the story.

I think the climax was written really well. The story kept mounting tension even as the events were unfolding.

The ending seemed written a bit like a creepypasta, with the dying villain’s overt, self-assured monologue. I don’t mind that at all, but it does make the writing come across as a bit juvenile.

Anyway I really liked the Houseboat character. I had a good time reading this!

[Kelvin Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

"What Dwells Beneath the Waves" (2021) by Robbie Dorman is an entertaining novel about journalist Moira Bell, who travels to the Florida Keys to cover climate change. Instead, she uncovers a mystery surrounding townspeople who disappear for days, then return not quite the same. Eventually, she discovers the terrible truth involving shape-shifting monsters and a sinister plot to take over the world. The wild story actually works due to the portrayal of the main character’s bravery and determination as she works to thwart the plot. A couple of parts drag a bit, but overall an engagement read. Recommended.

[Dorian Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Dime Store Horror Novel

I don't know if dime store horror novel is the correct term or not. For me it just means a creature feature type book that isn't trying to be something it's not. This book was well written, it has tension in the right places and doesn't get sappy with unneeded love interests. Cosmic horror mates invasion of the body snatchers, in a seaside village.

[Lynn craycroft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hallelujah!!

Finally a book I feel deserves a 5. I think I’ve only done that once before. I didn’t have to read half a book to get to the exciting stuff. The engaging characters were so real. There wasn’t a part in the whole book I began to fall asleep at. Exciting, absorbing….what more can one say. Many thanks to the author!

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I thought it was a little far-fetched at the end when the hurricane hits, but then, the creature is also way out there. Good characters that the reader can get to like. If you are looking for something to read, I can suggest this. If it is going to be added to a growing TBR list, pass it by.

[Micky Parise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second book I've read from Robbie Dorman (Underneath), and once again, rather impressive. Storyline and characters were top notch and the book just flowed nicely. Good horror book and would make a good movie. Recommend.

[Jillian R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Captivating and an easy read. Got a little confused in some places because of how it was written but overall a fun read

[LZW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Monster Read

Slow to start, but the last half went by quick! Loved the monster lore, and the cast of heroes in this story. Very atmospheric throughout

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent little Lovecraftian story.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down! It was exciting from start to finish. I can’t wait to read another from this author!