Into the Drowning Deep

Imagine Entertainment

Industry	Entertainment
Fate	Discredited due to mermaid expedition
Key people	Theodore Blackwell (representative)

Into the Drowning Deep is a 2017 science fiction horror novel authored by Mira Grant, serving as a follow-up to her 2015 novella Rolling in the Deep. The narrative focuses on Tory Stewart, a sonar specialist whose fascination with mermaids stems from the mysterious disappearance of her sister Anne. Anne, a journalist working for Imagine Entertainment, went missing alongside the crew of the vessel Atargatis during the production of a mockumentary centered on mermaids. Driven by a desire to uncover what truly happened, Tory embarks on a quest for answers.

Plot

Seven years prior, the ship Atargatis, owned by Imagine Entertainment, vanished during an expedition to the Mariana Trench. Although the vessel was later recovered, its crew was nowhere to be found. Leaked video footage suggested that mermaids were responsible for the crew’s demise, but widespread skepticism dismissed it as staged mockumentary content. While some held onto belief in the footage’s authenticity, public interest eventually waned.

The company’s representative Theodore Blackwell arranges a second journey to the Mariana Trench aboard the ship Melusine, with the goal of validating mermaid existence and capturing a live specimen to rehabilitate Imagine's reputation. The expedition comprises hundreds of scientists and crew members, including Blackwell’s estranged spouse Dr. Jillian Toth, sonar expert Tory Stewart, journalist Olivia Sanderson, and the Wilson sisters—who are all researchers.

During the mission, Heather Wilson attempts a descent to the Challenger Deep in a submersible but is killed by mermaids, confirming their reality. Theodore succeeds in capturing a mermaid and confines it within a tank. Over subsequent days, scouting groups of mermaids attack and kill several crew members. Amid escalating threats, Tory and Olivia develop a romantic bond. When mermaids launch a full-scale assault on the ship, most of the crew are killed. Dr. Toth studies mermaid biology to assist the survivors. Hallie Wilson manages to communicate with the captive mermaid through sign language, helping prevent further fatalities. Tory uncovers that all captured mermaids are male, while a colossal female creature approaches the vessel. Employing underwater lights to fend off this giant, and with Olivia repairing safety shutters, they manage to endure until rescue arrives days later.

Reception

Gerry Paige Smith from BookPage commended the book for its originality, stating it "will unnerve and enthrall even seasoned horror fans." Kirkus Reviews delivered an overall favorable critique, emphasizing its claustrophobic horror tone and insightful commentary on climate change and marine mammal exploitation. They drew comparisons to Jurassic Park, though they noted issues with its length and frequent digressions. Publishers Weekly offered a mixed assessment, praising its concept and graphic elements but criticizing the prose as clichéd and unfocused.

External links

• Official website