The Deep is the "terrifying new novel" by Peter Benchley, author of Jaws. It's a solid adventure, but even in 1976 I can't see it being terrifying. Filmed in 1977 starring Jacqueline Bissett and Nick Nolte, I remember the promotion being mostly about Bissett in an unzipped white wet suit, luring people in with the promise of another Jaws instead of a deep sea treasure story.
Submerge yourself in unbearable suspense...
Gail and Sanders are honeymooning in beautiful Bermuda when they chance upon an old wreck while diving. Could there be treasure aboard? The locals are tight and unhelpful - the message stay away. Further dives reveal it is actually resting on top of another, older wreck that could be a lost Spanish Galleon rumoured to contain a vast treasure of gold. As they continue to dive, with the help of a local expert, they are continually attacked by enemies unknown. Someone else is after the gold!
It's a formulaic thriller, but solid, especially if you are into deep sea diving - this is the book for you. There are whole sections of underwater exploration for those who like that kind of thing. I didn't find it surprising or tense. The characters were good, the setting beautiful. There is a big but unsurprising finale you can see coming, but it was nice to spend a few hours in the Bermuda sun.
One of my airplane books I begin while waiting to board the plane and finish when landing.
My other reviews of Peter Benchley:
1976 / Paperback / 294 pages
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