2007, Necessary Evil Press (NEP)


For those who might be unfamiliar with the Publisher, Necessary Evil Press, Don Koish and his great staff put out some truly fine books. The bindings, design, layout and fonts are always well conceived and executed, the artwork included is usually first rate, and the books are reasonably priced. DEEPER is no exception to this rule. It has been published in two editions; a hardcover limited edition of five hundred numbered copies signed by author James A, Moore at $45.00, and a deluxe hardcover lettered edition of twenty-six copies at $250.00. The artwork, both cover and interior is by justly famous artist Alan M. Clark, who truly outdoes himself with the artwork gracing this particular book. However, the "star" here is the story - and the author.

James A Moore has written extensively, having written over twenty novels and many shorter works. Among his works are the Serenity Falls Trilogy of novels featuring Moore's anti-hero Jonathan Crowley, his hugely entertaining novel HARVEST MOON recently published by Cemetery Dance Publications, and three fabulous books he wrote/co-wrote which have been published by Earthling Publications, BLOOD RED, BLOODSTAINED OZ (with Christopher Golden) and THE HAUNTED FOREST TOUR (with Jeff Strand). If you have not yet read these books, you should strongly consider placing them on your "Must-Read" List, as they are each unique and brilliant. Simply put, Moore has superior writing "chops." He writes so well and so compellingly, a reader finds him/herself not just "hooked," but totally committed to any of author Moore's books he or she picks up and begins, and loses track of time until they find themselves, hours later, finishing the last page, breaking the trance.

Based upon all my past experiences with author Moore's books, I actually looked forward to receiving his latest title, and approached the assignment with high expectations. Messrs. Moore and Koish did not let me down. DEEPER is as instantly and totally captivating as any of Moore's previous titles, and is a book that a reader is not going to want to put down until its finished. In DEEPER, Moore presents his own take, his own "riff," on a Lovecraftian Mythos tale. While the "mythos' links are very present and expertly accomplished, Moore places his own distinctive slant upon the story, and truly makes it distinctive and memorable.

Briefly, the story is related by its protagonist, Joseph Alexander Bierdan, "Joe." Joe, who lives with his attractive and loving wife, Isabella ("Belle") in the New England seaport town of Bowden's Point is the owner of a couple of fishing boats and yachts which he rents out for parties and fishing adventures during the tourist season. When he is approached as the "season" is ending, and offered a goodly amount of money for a full month's usage of his largest yacht, it is the kind of job offer that he can hardly either ignore or resist, despite his own misgivings and those of his best friend, right-hand man, and first mate, Charlie Montcrief. The boat, and its crew (Joe, Charlie, and a couple of able-bodied local lads), are hired by a University Professor, Doctor Martin Ward, to take the Professor and a bunch of his college students, under the watchful eye of the Professor's assistant and chief diver, Diana, to the coastal area of the ocean, immediately outside the mysterious and unfriendly town of Golden Cove. Jutting out from the ocean is the small rocky outcropping known as "The Devil's Reef." Also accompanying the Professor on the voyage are the famous parapsychologists, Jacob and Mary Parsons, whose numerous television specials concerning ghosts are very popular throughout the country.

Author Moore develops his plotline expertly; is the Professor hiding things, is there any truth to the stories of the numerous shipwrecks, and sightings of both ghost ships and their ghostly crew in the area of The Devil's Reef? What of the beautiful but obviously troubled Diana - is she truly the sole survivor of a previous diving team investigation into the same submerged caves allegedly existing under the Devil's Reef? Is there any truth to the persistent rumors that the town of Golden Cove has been built over the ruins of a prior city known as Innsmouth, and that Innsmouth had terrible secrets, which led to that town's utter destruction by secret order of the United States Government, itself? What of the legend of the Deep Ones, supposedly human-like aquatic creatures of fearsome strength and sinister purpose? These barely scratch the surface of what's involved within the pages of this novel, and author Moore answers all these questions, and many more besides, within the pages of the novel.

While there is a great deal that goes on during the course of the story, and there's plenty of action, excitement, and terror, Moore does more. In DEEPER, Moore creates very real, three-dimensional characters that you will learn to care about. His characters are all multi-layered and display real motivations, even the book's villains. Moore's talent with characterization doesn't end with his human characters, he also creates some of the most compelling and frightening monsters and supernatural creatures it has been my pleasure to encounter in recent years. This novel has everything, is exceptionally well done, and it would not surprise me in the least, if some smart producer didn't snap up this particular novel to bring to the screen, as it would make an equally entertaining film.

DEEPER is simply a blast to read, and is yet another brilliantly conceived and executed novel by an extremely talented writer who is very much on top of his "game." You will kick yourselves if you pass this one by - go out and nab a copy while they are still available. DEEPER receives my highest recommendation.