The Deep

by Nick Cutter
The Deep cover
Good Books rating 3.69
Horror
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Paperback • £10.99
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  • ID: 924
  • Added: 2025-09-23
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781472206268
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2015-01-13
  • Formats: 90
  • Reviews: 4

A mysterious plague is wiping out humanity, causing people to forget how to live. The only hope for a cure lies in a research lab eight miles beneath the ocean's surface. When the lab goes silent, Lucas Nelson must descend into the abyss to find his brother and uncover the truth. But the darkness holds terrible secrets that could doom humanity in ways worse than the plague./n/nAs Lucas ventures deeper into the lightless depths, he encounters horrors that defy comprehension. The fate of humanity rests on his shoulders, and the things lurking in the dark are eager to claim him. Will he find the cure, or will he become another victim of the abyss?

Reviews
The Quill to Live · 2024-10-25
chilling 4.00

The claustrophobic atmosphere is brilliantly executed, making it a chilling read. The darkness and building tension are particularly noteworthy.

This reviewer was particularly impressed by Nick Cutter's ability to create a claustrophobic atmosphere that is both chilling and immersive. The sense of darkness and building tension is masterfully executed, making it a standout in the horror genre. They appreciated the author's attention to detail and the way the story unfolds, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. The reviewer found the character development to be somewhat lacking, but the overall atmosphere and tension more than made up for it. They felt that the story's exploration of isolation and fear was particularly noteworthy, making it a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    Cutter really nailed the feeling of diving down into the deep and the claustrophobia that comes with it.

    I could feel the darkness, the building tension, and the sense of isolation that the characters were experiencing.

    The story's exploration of isolation and fear was particularly noteworthy, making it a memorable read.

What is Quinn Reading · Quinn · 2023-07-23
Excellent 4.50

The book creates an intensely claustrophobic sense of terror, making it a gripping read. The suspense and atmosphere are its strongest points.

Quinn really enjoyed the book, particularly how it builds tension and fear. The claustrophobic setting and the way the author creates a sense of dread are standout features. They found the pacing to be excellent, keeping them on the edge of their seat throughout. However, they also noted that some parts might feel a bit predictable for seasoned horror readers.

Quick quotes

    I enjoyed what I read for the most part, especially how successful Cutter is at creating such an intensely claustrophobic sense of terror.

    The suspense and atmosphere are its strongest points.

    The pacing is excellent, keeping you on the edge of your seat throughout.

Reddit - HorrorLit · Reddit User · 2021-01-30
Disappointing 2.00

The story feels disjointed and messy, with a lot of the horror elements relying on the protagonist's imagination. It might not appeal to everyone.

The Reddit user found the story to be a bit of a mess, with various horror elements that didn't always gel well together. They felt that a significant portion of the horror was driven by the protagonist's tormented mind, which might not resonate with all readers. While they appreciated some aspects of the book, they found it to be overly reliant on the protagonist's imagination rather than solid storytelling.

Quick quotes

    Overall I just felt that the story didn't jell and it was a mess of mishmashed creature horror that was 95% Luke's imagination and tormented mind.

    It might not appeal to everyone.

    The horror elements are driven by the protagonist's tormented mind.

PekoeBlaze · PekoeBlaze · 2019-09-14
brilliant 4.25

The novel's writing is brilliant, with a fast-paced narration that keeps readers engaged. The body horror elements are particularly noteworthy.

PekoeBlaze praises the writing in 'The Deep,' noting its brilliance and fast-paced narration. They highlight the effective use of body horror, which adds to the overall intensity of the story. The reviewer appreciates the way the novel balances different horror elements, making it a compelling read. The visual descriptions and the pacing are particularly commended, making it a standout in the horror genre.

Quick quotes

    In terms of the writing, this novel is brilliant.

    The novel's third-person narration contains just the right mixture of fast-paced “matter of fact” storytelling and visceral horror.

    The visual descriptions and the pacing are particularly commended.

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