Trapped in the Abyss: A Review of Chris Butera’s Claustrophobic Debut ‘The Darkest Deep’
Ever wonder what would actually happen to your mind if you got stuck, alone, in a long, dark tube under the ocean? Not a pleasant thought, is it. That unsettling, squirming feeling in your gut is precisely the engine that drives Chris Butera’s debut psychological thriller, The Darkest Deep. This isn’t your average haunted house story; the house here is a defunct, waterlogged train tunnel, and the ghost might just be the protagonist’s own crumbling psyche.
Let’s clear the air, or the murky tunnel water, right away. This is The Darkest Deep by Chris Butera, a new 2025 release from Podium Publishing. Don’t confuse it with the 2018 middle-grade novel The Darkdeep by Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs. That one involves kids and misty coves and has a sort of Goonies-meets-strange-horror vibe. Butera’s book is a different beast entirely. It’s for adults. It’s meaner. And it’s all about that suffocating pressure, both physical and mental.
The premise hooks you immediately: the Transatlantic Train Tunnel, a would-be wonder connecting New York and London, is a dead, bankrupt relic. Its only visitors are scrappers like Ben Breckenridge, picking its bones for cash. Ben’s down there for the money, sure, but maybe also to outrun some personal demons. Then a bulkhead door slams shut. He’s trapped. With limited air, his only choice is to go deeper into the darkness to find another way out. What follows is a masterclass in mounting, drip-fed dread. The real question becomes: what will give out first, Ben’s oxygen tank or his grip on reality?
The book’s greatest strength is its atmosphere. Butera, who’s done narrative design for television, understands how to build a set piece you can feel. You feel the cold seep of the ocean through the curved walls, hear the echo of every panicked breath in the helmet, and sense the immense, crushing weight of the sea above you. It’s the literary equivalent of that scene in every submarine movie where the hull groans, but for 288 pages.
And then there’s the psychological unraveling. As Ben staggers through the endless, identical passage, his mind begins to turn on him. Memories warp. Sounds distort. Is that something moving in the shadows ahead, or is it a figment of his oxygen-starved brain? The novel cleverly blurs the line between internal monster and external threat. The terror isn’t just about a potential creature in the tunnel; it’s the terrifying prospect of being locked in with your own worst memories and regrets, with nothing to do but listen to them.
Speaking of the author, Chris Butera isn’t some overnight sensation. He’s been honing his craft in the trenches. He holds an MA in creative writing and publishing from City, University of London, has short stories in reputable magazines, and, perhaps most tellingly, serves as the comic and prose editor for Conan the Barbarian. You can see that pulp sensibility here, that understanding of primal fear and visceral stakes, but filtered through a modern, psychological lens.
Now, a book this single-minded in its setting and tension isn’t for everyone. The experience is intentionally monotonous and oppressive. This is a high-concept thriller, and if you don’t buy into the central claustrophobic conceit, there’s not a B-plot or a cast of characters to fall back on. It’s Ben, the dark, and his thoughts. The journey is emotionally heavy, with several readers noting it’s “quite depressing”. You don’t come up from this read feeling sunny.
So, who should dive into The Darkest Deep? If you’re a fan of relentlessly tense, single-location horror-thrillers like The Martian (if The Martian was a nightmare) or the trapped-at-the-bottom-of-the-ocean sections of films like Sanctum or Underwater, this is your next read. It’s for readers who want to feel a book viscerally, who don’t mind a story that feels like a slow-motion avalanche in a confined space. It’s a stark, impressive debut that announces Butera as a writer who understands that the most profound fears are often the simplest: darkness, silence, and being utterly, hopelessly alone with yourself.
Just maybe don’t read it before a long subway ride.
The Darkest Deep by Chris Butera
A FAST-PACED PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER DEEP BENEATH THE OCEAN’S SURFACE
A scavenger trapped in a defunct undersea train tunnel struggles to escape as his air supply–and his sanity–dwindles in this debut psychological thriller.
The Transatlantic Train Tunnel, connecting New York and London, was meant to be the next Wonder of the World. But after the disastrous maiden voyage seven years ago, it’s generated nothing but protests, lawsuits, and bankruptcy. The only traffic the tunnel sees these days is scrappers harvesting its useless remains before it’s fully dismantled.
Not everyone is willing to take a tedious job one hundred and fifty feet below sea level, but Ben Breckenridge doesn’t have a choice. He needs the money, and the work will help quiet his anxieties. That is, until one of the bulkhead doors mysteriously locks, trapping him inside.
With limited air supply, Ben must race deeper into the tunnel to find a way out. Yet the farther he goes, the more his mind disintegrates. To survive, he’ll have to reckon with the monsters in his head. Only then will he be able to face the actual monster that’s now hunting him down . . .
“An intense, claustrophobic thriller that grabs you by the throat and won’t let go. Chris Butera has outdone himself; this is a book I won’t forget anytime soon.” –Samantha Downing, international-bestselling author of Too Old for This
“An incredibly riveting read–intense, breathtaking, and emotional. The kind of book that will have you racing to get to the end. Highly recommended.” –Brendan Deneen, bestselling author of Alien: Uncivil War and The Chrysalis
“A unique and delightfully creepy riff on the ‘haunted house’ genre. That alone would be reason enough to recommend it. What makes this novel truly special, however, is how author Chris Butera forces us to be content with true horror: the human mind, robbed of all distraction and comforts, is forced to contend with itself.” –Shaun Hamill, author of A Cosmology of Monsters
Horror Book Reviews: Ginger Nuts of Horror, Your Premier Horror Website for 17 Years
For every horror enthusiast searching for authoritative horror book reviews and a definitive horror website, your journey ends at Ginger Nuts of Horror. As a trusted pillar of the dark fiction community, we have spent over 17 years building a reputation for the most passionate, insightful, and credible coverage in the genre.
Our dedicated team of reviewers lives and breathes horror. Our collective expertise, forged over nearly two decades, ensures every review is a deep, critical analysis. We don’t just summarise plots; we dissect the terror, explore the thematic depths, and connect you with the very emotional core that makes horror books so compelling.
Why Ginger Nuts of Horror is the #1 Resource for Horror Fans
Unmatched Depth & Legacy in Horror Book
Reviews: With 17 years of reviewing horror, we offer an unparalleled perspective. Our reviews expertly guide you from mainstream bestsellers to under-the-radar indie gems, helping you find your perfect, terrifying read.
Exclusive Access to Horror Authors: Go behind the scenes with in-depth interviews that reveal the minds behind the madness. We connect you with both legendary and emerging horror authors, exploring their inspirations and creative processes.
Award-Nominated Authority & Community: Founded by Jim McLeod, Ginger Nuts of Horror has evolved from a passion project into an award-nominated, essential horror website. We are a global hub for readers who celebrate horror literature in all its forms, from classic ghost stories to the most cutting-edge dark fiction.
Experience the Difference of a Genre-Dedicated Team
What truly sets us apart is our dedicated team of reviewers. Their combined knowledge and authentic enthusiasm ensure that our coverage is both intelligent and infectious. We are committed to pushing the genre forward, consistently highlighting innovative and boundary-pushing work that defines the future of horror.
Ready to dive deeper?
For horror book reviews you can trust, a horror website that champions the genre, and a community that shares your passion, Ginger Nuts of Horror is your ultimate destination. Explore our vast archive today and discover why we’ve been the top choice for horror fans for over 17 years.
