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Drag Me Under
Marine Biologist Dr. Maggie Reid and her science team set sail for the Puerto Rico Trench, where destiny in the form of an undocumented species awaits, which she hopes will catapult her career and provide a glimmer of light into her tumultuous personal life.
Halfway through their journey across the Atlantic, the unlikely crew cross paths with an unconscious woman floating in a tattered lifeboat. When she eventually regains consciousness, she recounts an experience that seems too strange to be true. This sends the group into disarray, and soon after the new arrival settles in, the situation turns dire and descends into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse aboard the RRS Pioneer.
Also on board the state-of-the-art research vessel is Chef Jamie Wentworth, who is running from her horrific past, and Robert Francis, the ex-military security officer who has more than one cross to bear. Leading the voyage is the malevolent Captain Ratliff and deep within the bowels of the ship roams the mysterious ex-Soviet engineer simply known as Mr. Chaika, among others.
Personalities clash from the first lift of the anchor and it seems every crew member has a dark secret they are desperate to hide. The question is, who can you trust?
Halfway through their journey across the Atlantic, the unlikely crew cross paths with an unconscious woman floating in a tattered lifeboat. When she eventually regains consciousness, she recounts an experience that seems too strange to be true. This sends the group into disarray, and soon after the new arrival settles in, the situation turns dire and descends into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse aboard the RRS Pioneer.
Also on board the state-of-the-art research vessel is Chef Jamie Wentworth, who is running from her horrific past, and Robert Francis, the ex-military security officer who has more than one cross to bear. Leading the voyage is the malevolent Captain Ratliff and deep within the bowels of the ship roams the mysterious ex-Soviet engineer simply known as Mr. Chaika, among others.
Personalities clash from the first lift of the anchor and it seems every crew member has a dark secret they are desperate to hide. The question is, who can you trust?
347 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2022
24 people are currently reading
1158 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 12, 2022
This book was so bad that I don’t even know where to begin. Let’s just say that it left me utterly disappointed.
The plot was disjointed and disorganized. You were thrown back and forth between different POVs with abrupt stops. It was obvious that the author wanted us to suspect everyone. I kept thinking; so he/she too has a past full of secret, imagine all of them ending up in the same confided space? There was a lot of butchering in the last chapters, and the twist was just suddenly there without preamble. I absolutely disliked the twist. I can’t say too much, but the author has used a stereotype portrayal (seen in movies) and I don’t felt it reflected how a client with that problem would behave and feel.
This book gave me nothing but a headache and slight relief when it ended.
The plot was disjointed and disorganized. You were thrown back and forth between different POVs with abrupt stops. It was obvious that the author wanted us to suspect everyone. I kept thinking; so he/she too has a past full of secret, imagine all of them ending up in the same confided space? There was a lot of butchering in the last chapters, and the twist was just suddenly there without preamble. I absolutely disliked the twist. I can’t say too much, but the author has used a stereotype portrayal (seen in movies) and I don’t felt it reflected how a client with that problem would behave and feel.
This book gave me nothing but a headache and slight relief when it ended.
October 15, 2022
Everyone on board has secrets, who can you really trust?!
Must read!!! Release date October 15’ 22
Louis Van Schalkwyk had me hooked with his debut novel The Discarded. So when I found out he was writing a new book I couldn’t wait!
Drag Me Under is so different from his first book but the same great writing and suspense.
So many characters to get to know and Louis does a good job introducing them all and giving their back stories. You can picture everything like watching a suspenseful movie.
The terror of being trapped at sea with this group is so intense.
My favorite is Jamie the chef. She is strong and smart! She doesn’t put up with anyone’s crap and speaks her mind.
So many twists I did figure a couple out but a huge twist I didn’t see coming made it so jaw dropping!
I recommend this book to anyone wanting a good thriller.
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Must read!!! Release date October 15’ 22
Louis Van Schalkwyk had me hooked with his debut novel The Discarded. So when I found out he was writing a new book I couldn’t wait!
Drag Me Under is so different from his first book but the same great writing and suspense.
So many characters to get to know and Louis does a good job introducing them all and giving their back stories. You can picture everything like watching a suspenseful movie.
The terror of being trapped at sea with this group is so intense.
My favorite is Jamie the chef. She is strong and smart! She doesn’t put up with anyone’s crap and speaks her mind.
So many twists I did figure a couple out but a huge twist I didn’t see coming made it so jaw dropping!
I recommend this book to anyone wanting a good thriller.
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 13, 2022
Drag me under. Wow what a book, everyone on board has secrets. Who can be trusted ? Read and find out . What a book.
October 23, 2023
This book definitely had me on the edge of my seat. My goodness. I really thought this was a unique story too. I definitely enjoyed it. Not to mention that fact that I enjoyed how the author included an "Eight Months Later" and wrapped things up. Sometimes a book will leave loose ends and I'm glad this book wasn't one of them. I will say that some things seemed a little too far-fetched, in my opinion. Another thing to add is that there were Brits and Americans on board but their respective terminologies would cross. As in an American would talk about meters and a Brit would talk about lbs. Just something I noticed. I think 4 stars is a deserved rating for this book. Still suck at whodunits 😅 I don't think I will ever guess correctly lol.
October 27, 2022
I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
It's going to be very hard to review this without spoilers because when I went to give my boyfriend a blurb, I accidentally caved and explained the entire plot in complete detail. What I'm saying is that I liked this book. I really, really liked this book, and I didn't see the twist coming at all.
The characters were so layered and interesting that I was immediately sucked into the book. It actually only took me 3 and a half hours to read it, which is unheard of for me.
I liked that the culprit (no hints here) wasn't just a two dimensional psychopathic villain, but I did feel that said culprit was a little over-the-top crazy when it came to motive. Maybe that just added to the story, though, because I was clutching my sleeping boyfriend's hand for the last 25% of the book, eyes glued open, staring intensely at my screen, desperate to know the who, why, and how.
I also just flicked back through to the beginning and there are hints all the way through that are making me scream because I missed them. Crazy!
I'm pretty new to thrillers, but I loved this one. Schalkwyk has some serious talent and I can't wait to read what he writes next!
It's going to be very hard to review this without spoilers because when I went to give my boyfriend a blurb, I accidentally caved and explained the entire plot in complete detail. What I'm saying is that I liked this book. I really, really liked this book, and I didn't see the twist coming at all.
The characters were so layered and interesting that I was immediately sucked into the book. It actually only took me 3 and a half hours to read it, which is unheard of for me.
I liked that the culprit (no hints here) wasn't just a two dimensional psychopathic villain, but I did feel that said culprit was a little over-the-top crazy when it came to motive. Maybe that just added to the story, though, because I was clutching my sleeping boyfriend's hand for the last 25% of the book, eyes glued open, staring intensely at my screen, desperate to know the who, why, and how.
I also just flicked back through to the beginning and there are hints all the way through that are making me scream because I missed them. Crazy!
I'm pretty new to thrillers, but I loved this one. Schalkwyk has some serious talent and I can't wait to read what he writes next!
October 30, 2022
Drag me under review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Firstly I’d like to thank Louis for sending me an ARK of his second book. After I finished Drag Me Under I had to take the time to process it, because my first thought was WOW, then my second thought was WOW WOW. I didn’t know how to feel but I knew I had to give it 5 stars straight up. I have read both of Louis’ books and I can tell you both have left me completely satisfied, from the writing style, the story building and the complete shock ending.
Louis knows how to build suspense and you will never guess what is going to happen. Louis masterfully let’s us know the past of his characters, of which some will shock you and then blends this seamlessly with the current events. A scientific mission out to the depths of the ocean turns deadly, who will survive this treacherous voyage. Louis has quickly become one of my favourite authors and I can’t wait to see what else he comes up with. I highly recommend this book Drag Me Under and Louis’ first book The Discarded. Both deserve ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Firstly I’d like to thank Louis for sending me an ARK of his second book. After I finished Drag Me Under I had to take the time to process it, because my first thought was WOW, then my second thought was WOW WOW. I didn’t know how to feel but I knew I had to give it 5 stars straight up. I have read both of Louis’ books and I can tell you both have left me completely satisfied, from the writing style, the story building and the complete shock ending.
Louis knows how to build suspense and you will never guess what is going to happen. Louis masterfully let’s us know the past of his characters, of which some will shock you and then blends this seamlessly with the current events. A scientific mission out to the depths of the ocean turns deadly, who will survive this treacherous voyage. Louis has quickly become one of my favourite authors and I can’t wait to see what else he comes up with. I highly recommend this book Drag Me Under and Louis’ first book The Discarded. Both deserve ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 11, 2022
This kind of felt a bit like a grown up boy’s own story. It features a cast of misfits who are all employed onboard a research vessel sailing towards the Puerto Rico Trench, where the marine biologist Dr Maggie Reid is hoping to discover a new species which will massively improve her career prospects. A locked room drama at sea and I didn’t have a clue who to trust. It did take a while to get my head around who everyone was but as the numbers dwindle it gets easier!
Briefly, mid Atlantic an unconscious woman is rescued from a lifeboat. Fairly soon afterwards one of the crew is killed. With everyone on tenterhooks, when another crew member goes missing, everyone is suspecting everyone else…
An exciting fast paced story that is very far fetched but still an enjoyable read. I did find the writing a bit disjointed in places but it didn’t affect the flow. Good marine whodunnit.
3.5⭐️
Briefly, mid Atlantic an unconscious woman is rescued from a lifeboat. Fairly soon afterwards one of the crew is killed. With everyone on tenterhooks, when another crew member goes missing, everyone is suspecting everyone else…
An exciting fast paced story that is very far fetched but still an enjoyable read. I did find the writing a bit disjointed in places but it didn’t affect the flow. Good marine whodunnit.
3.5⭐️
October 23, 2022
Drag Me Under
The crew on board the RRS Pioneer sets sail for its journey to document a new species in the Puerto Rico trench. As the journey progresses a research mission becomes a fight for survival and everyone is hiding secrets and no-one knows who to trust.
It amazes me how being trapped at sea can feel so claustrophobic. This book had a much slower start to his first book but I did enjoy the build up and once the action hit it kept coming. Great read would definitely recommend. I would also highly recommend his first book The Discarded.
Thank you to Louis Van Schalkwyk for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
The crew on board the RRS Pioneer sets sail for its journey to document a new species in the Puerto Rico trench. As the journey progresses a research mission becomes a fight for survival and everyone is hiding secrets and no-one knows who to trust.
It amazes me how being trapped at sea can feel so claustrophobic. This book had a much slower start to his first book but I did enjoy the build up and once the action hit it kept coming. Great read would definitely recommend. I would also highly recommend his first book The Discarded.
Thank you to Louis Van Schalkwyk for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 22, 2022
Drag Me Under - Louis Van Schalkwyk.
Marine Biologist Dr. Maggie Reid and her science team set sail for the Puerto Rico Trench, where destiny in the form of an undocumented species awaits, which she hopes will catapult her career and provide a glimmer of light into her tumultuous personal life. Halfway through their journey across the Atlantic, the unlikely crew cross paths with an unconscious woman floating in a tattered lifeboat. When she eventually regains consciousness, she recounts an experience that seems too strange to be true. This sends the group into disarray, and soon after the new arrival settles in, the situation turns dire and descends into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse aboard the RRS Pioneer.
Really enjoyable read. Great story. 4*.
Marine Biologist Dr. Maggie Reid and her science team set sail for the Puerto Rico Trench, where destiny in the form of an undocumented species awaits, which she hopes will catapult her career and provide a glimmer of light into her tumultuous personal life. Halfway through their journey across the Atlantic, the unlikely crew cross paths with an unconscious woman floating in a tattered lifeboat. When she eventually regains consciousness, she recounts an experience that seems too strange to be true. This sends the group into disarray, and soon after the new arrival settles in, the situation turns dire and descends into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse aboard the RRS Pioneer.
Really enjoyable read. Great story. 4*.
October 22, 2022
Drag me Under by Louis Van Schalkwyk is an exciting adventure set mainly at sea. A small crew and a group of scientists start to be picked off one by one. Nobody feels safe. There’s a claustrophobic feeling in this, because of the setting. It becomes very exciting as the crew is reduced. I loved the ending which was very satisfying. Here and there I felt the writing could have been sharper but it’s a definite good read.
November 18, 2022
A claustrophobic, closed room thriller set on a research vessel in the middle of the ocean. Took a little while for me to get to know all the characters and nobody knows who to trust as one, by one they are picked off. Hard to divulge plot points without spoilers but there are plenty of thrilling twists and one or two good shockers. First by this novelist for me but definitely recommend and would read another by him.
November 28, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
I’ve given this book 3.5 stars because on a whole I found it a good read with some really tense parts, good amount of gore (but not too much for those worrying about it), and I found it ended really well and everything was tied up nearly.
The reason I didn’t mark it higher is because I just couldn’t connect with the characters and I did find it a little bit slow going in the middle.
I’ve given this book 3.5 stars because on a whole I found it a good read with some really tense parts, good amount of gore (but not too much for those worrying about it), and I found it ended really well and everything was tied up nearly.
The reason I didn’t mark it higher is because I just couldn’t connect with the characters and I did find it a little bit slow going in the middle.
November 10, 2022
Heart stopping, scary. This book is soo intense it actually made me jump a couple of times. A research trip could not possibly go more awry than the one on RRS Pioneer. Gruesome, violent and chilling. Kept me gripped from start to finish.
October 30, 2022
Wasn’t sure what to think when I got this book. Needn’t have worried it was an exciting fast paced adventure. Read in one sitting as wanted to get to the end to find out what had happened and who the murderer was. I don’t mind if it’s a little far fetched it all added to the excitement.
August 8, 2023
the story was interesting, although i wish it would have ended two chapters sooner. there was so much information about some characters, but not enough about others.
there was also the occasional grammatical/formatting mistake, such as double spaces in between words.
there was also the occasional grammatical/formatting mistake, such as double spaces in between words.
September 5, 2023
Had a twist at the end I didn't see coming. It was a quick read and I liked the premises of a killer on board a ship with limited suspect list. Good back story on the characters. Once I started, couldn't stop reading.
November 7, 2025
A tense, thrilling voyage into mystery and human darkness
Drag Me Under is a masterful thriller that hooks readers from the first page and never lets go. Louis van Schalkwyk blends high-seas adventure, psychological suspense, and rich character dynamics into a story that feels cinematic in scope.
Dr. Maggie Reid’s scientific ambition collides with the personal secrets of the ship’s crew, creating a pressure cooker of tension, mistrust, and danger. Each character is compelling and flawed, from the haunted Chef Jamie Wentworth to the enigmatic Mr. Chaika, making the stakes feel both real and unpredictable.
The isolation of the RRS Pioneer amplifies the suspense, transforming the research vessel into a claustrophobic stage for human greed, fear, and survival instincts. A must-read for fans of action packed, intelligent thrillers that combine mystery, psychological complexity, and high-seas adventure.
Nicole B. (nicole.b.publicist@gmail.com
)
Drag Me Under is a masterful thriller that hooks readers from the first page and never lets go. Louis van Schalkwyk blends high-seas adventure, psychological suspense, and rich character dynamics into a story that feels cinematic in scope.
Dr. Maggie Reid’s scientific ambition collides with the personal secrets of the ship’s crew, creating a pressure cooker of tension, mistrust, and danger. Each character is compelling and flawed, from the haunted Chef Jamie Wentworth to the enigmatic Mr. Chaika, making the stakes feel both real and unpredictable.
The isolation of the RRS Pioneer amplifies the suspense, transforming the research vessel into a claustrophobic stage for human greed, fear, and survival instincts. A must-read for fans of action packed, intelligent thrillers that combine mystery, psychological complexity, and high-seas adventure.
Nicole B. (nicole.b.publicist@gmail.com
)
October 10, 2022
Wow 😳. This book was crazy and had me on a wild ride. When Louis van Schalkwyk asked me if I wanted to read an arc of his new book, I jumped at the chance. I read his debut book , and was blown away. This book is about a group of people who go on a scientific journey and find out that it’s more than they expected it to be. I was mesmerized by the dysfunction of the characters as I found out their stories. Everything is not as it seems and it surprises you at every turn. I throughly enjoyed it and was scared at the same time lol.
May 3, 2023
Cartoonishly bad
I actually hate to give a review this bad but oh my. The idea of people getting killed on a stranded ship on the ocean sounds intriguing. But the people are bad caricatures and we learn about them with a seemingly endless series of flashbacks. The explanation at the end was handled very poorly and unrealistically. Things that were supposed to be dramatic were laughable. And nobody was really likeable. I won this on Goodreads and am voluntarily giving a review
I actually hate to give a review this bad but oh my. The idea of people getting killed on a stranded ship on the ocean sounds intriguing. But the people are bad caricatures and we learn about them with a seemingly endless series of flashbacks. The explanation at the end was handled very poorly and unrealistically. Things that were supposed to be dramatic were laughable. And nobody was really likeable. I won this on Goodreads and am voluntarily giving a review
November 11, 2024
This book just didn't stop with the suspense until the very end. It was hard to keep going because you were always bracing for the next event. That said, I did read the entire thing and it did keep my attention throughout.
About 10 individuals set sail on a research vessel, each with their own tragic past. We learn about all of them as the story progresses.
About 10 individuals set sail on a research vessel, each with their own tragic past. We learn about all of them as the story progresses.
January 16, 2023
Wow! What an absolutely gripping read, I loved this book from the very start and it totally hooked me in.
Loved the premise of everyone on board having secrets- I did not see some of those beauties arriving!
Highly recommended but clear your day
Loved the premise of everyone on board having secrets- I did not see some of those beauties arriving!
Highly recommended but clear your day
Read
November 29, 2024Not a huge fan. Stopped reading it 40% through and it took me over a month to just get that far. Just not for me.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews