Title: The Deep
Author: Alma Katsu
Published: 2020
Call #: FIC Katsu
The Titanic and its sister ship the Britannic both suffered tragic ends and The Deep explores the idea that there might have been something sinister aboard the ships. Annie Hebbley survived the Titanic with a number of demons but now she’s hoping for a fresh start as a nurse on the hospital ship, the Britannic. Boarding the ship that is nearly identical to the Titanic, though, has her revisiting her previous sailing. Aboard the Titanic, Annie, along with a number of passengers like Madeleine Astor and William Stead, worry that something otherworldly is traveling with them. While they try to uncover the truth, nothing can prevent the ship’s devastating end. Meanwhile on the Britannic, Annie reconnects with Mark Fletcher, who she’d previously met on the Titanic. Is it fate that brings them together again or something more malevolent?
This was an intriguing look at these two historic ships. While labeled horror, the supernatural elements of this novel are merely eerie rather than scary. It is far more a historical fiction look at the events as the novel is filled with real people who were aboard the Titanic. The novel also explores a number of passengers from the Astors, W.T. Stead, Lady Duff-Gordon, Benjamin Guggenheim, and two boxers. Some of their stories seem irrelevant to the overall storyline, but they were an intriguing addition to the historical story. Fans of historical fiction and those interested in the Titanic should pick up this book.
Mary-Megan K.
Popular Materials Asst.