I love the idea of the “summer novel.” Of people bunkered down on a beach with a frosty beverage in hand, or a koozie wedged into the sand somewhere at their feet. All this while devouring a novel beneath the summer sun. I’ve fallen in love with many books this way, and I always love hearing from readers who’ve experienced my work in a similar fashion. It gets me jazzed in a way I cannot properly describe.
I had that in mind as I was writing Ocean Grave (and if you’re only here for the Amazon link, look no further). I want this to be a book readers take with them on vacation. So I wrote something that I hope moves along at a good clip, features plenty of action, and delivers a few unexpected surprises along the way.
Ocean Grave is my second foray into nautical horror. For those keeping score, Island Red is my first. They’re incredibly different novels by design. When Severed Press asked what I had for “fishy horror”, I went away and came up with two ideas. One was my homage to Italian horror: Gonzo “anything goes” fiction where I was able to let loose and throw as much carnage at my characters as I could muster. A book that would’ve been published by Zebra had it been written back in the day.
Again, that was Island Red.
Ocean Grave, on the other hand, is right down the middle. Sure, I still consider it a horror novel, but those who might’ve been put off by the parasites-turn-people-into-zombies premise of Island Red will probably dig the more straightforward adventure here.
Ocean Grave is my Peter Benchley book. When I was a kid on vacation, I would consume Benchely. My mother would buy his paperbacks for me whenever she came across them, and I think I’ve read all of his novels (of which Jaws might actually be my least favorite). I appreciated the way he wove through genres, and Ocean Grave takes inspiration from him. It’s a creature feature, first and foremost, but there’s also a good, old-fashioned treasure hunt at its core. Lots of obstacles for these characters to overcome, and what I hope are a few twisty mysteries at its core.
What’s it about?
I’m glad you asked! Here’s the official synopsis from Severed Press:
Discover the secret the world was never meant to know…
On their honeymoon in Madagascar, a young couple is drawn into the hunt for lost treasure. Their search grabs the attention of a bloodthirsty pirate who intends to seize the riches for himself. The seedy government agents on his trail have their own reasons for wanting it too. And they’re all in the path of a creature long thought extinct. A creature that has turned the world’s third largest ocean into a hunting ground. A creature that is about to turn their dreams of fortune and glory into a nightmare from which there’s no escaping.
Ocean Grave is available via Kindle ebook today (and the paperback should be up tomorrow). I hope you’ll take me along on all your fantastic getaways this summer. If you do, drop me a line with a picture of Ocean Grave in your vacation environment and I’ll send you a signed paperback of your choice.
For now, you can buy my Severed horror novels via the links below, and I’ll also plug my other 2019 release, Rites of Extinction, which has brought me some of the best reviews of my career so far. As always, if you’ve read any and would consider leaving Amazon reviews, it’s super appreciated.