The Crypt: Shakedown

The Crypt, Book 1

By: Scott Sigler

Narrated by: Ray Porter

The only way out is to die...

Few know the warship’s actual name. Fewer still know what it really is. And almost no one knows of its unique ability, an ability that could tilt the balance of power if not outright win the war.

But everyone has heard the rumors. Rumors about the worst place the Planetary Union Fleet can send you. Rumors of a ship with an eighty percent crew mortality rate. In these hushed, fearful whispers, the ship does have a name.
People call it “the Crypt,” because those aboard are as good as dead.

The PUV James Keeling can do something no other vessel in existence can do—slip into another dimension, travel undetected, then re-emerge onto our plane and surprise enemy targets. But the thing that makes the Crypt unique also makes it a nightmare for those onboard; interdimensional travel causes hallucinations, violent behavior, and psychotic breakdowns.

Keeling could be the Union’s greatest weapon, a game-changing asset that can defeat the bloodthirsty zealots of the Purist Nation, the Union’s mortal enemy. If, that is, the brass can find the right crew.

But with those dark rumors traveling at lightspeed throughout Fleet, sailors with connections, with favors to call in, or those with careers on the rise pull any string they can to avoid being assigned to the Crypt. The brightest and best shield themselves from this top-secret craft, yet the brass must send it out on critical missions.

As the war drags on and casualties pile up, Fleet crews the ship by assigning the worst of the worst. If you are convicted of assault, fraud, cowardice, theft, rape, murder—or you cross the wrong Admiral—you may find yourself aboard the Crypt. Most are given a choice: serve a two-year stint on the Keeling and have your record expunged, or be executed for your crimes.

Welcome to the PUV James Keeling, where the only way out… is to die.

#1 New York Times Bestseller Scott Sigler returns with this highly anticipated Military Sci-Fi series, THE CRYPT. It's BATTLESTAR GALACTICA meets EVENT HORIZON in this tale of service and solitude. Pre-order your copy today!

©2023 Scott Sigler (P)2023 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"Sigler grinds his dastardly cast of misfits into the teeth of unrelenting action and unspeakable horror to craft a gritty tale of cosmic dread that is mad, bad, and dangerous to know."—Pierce Brown, number one New York Times best-selling author of the Red Rising Saga

"Crazy, fun, and very cinematic! It's like Hunt for Red October meets Event Horizon."—Peter Clines, New York Times best-selling author of Paradox Bound

"Deeply researched, wildly entertaining, and highly recommended. Space opera with a very sharp edge!"—Jonathan Maberry, New York Times best-selling author of the Joe Ledger Series

Another Masterpiece by Scott Sigler

Beautifully written novel that kept me on the edge of my seat to the last page.

I bought the audio book in addition to the dead tree version so that I could listen to it while driving into work this morning. Ray Porter gives an amazing performance, as always.

This book is a bad motha, shut yo mouth!

This book was totally awesome kinda reminds me of Aliens crew
Scott needs a clone I need book 2 neeeeeow!

Cosmic submarine horror/warfare done so very right

Legitimately brilliant updating of the classic submarine war story, combining the best of Old Man’s War and Lovecraftian cosmic horror. Sigler excels at constructing believable, clever, sci-fi worlds and relatable and engaging characters… with some truly funny one-liners sprinkled throughout. The legendary Ray Porter on narration really pushes this over the top. Highly recommended!

Faaantastic

Scott has been improving over the years, but this is definitely his best. I cannot wait for the rest.

So worth the wait!!!

This book has been a long time coming and so worth the wait.

Great for Sigler Junkies - enough of the podcast to still make you happy.

Great for newbies - totally new story.

Great for completionists - it is a part one!!!

The detail is phenomenal and characters you want to love/hate/slap/hug.

The only problem? Now we have to wait for part two. But I can handle that wait. Relistening to GFL at the moment. 😁

Get that stank on!

Psycho in all the right ways!

Ray Porter’s narration is top notch. Really gives life to Scott’s work. There are a few things that I could tell were new terms to Ray, but have been included in Scott’s other stories, that he didn’t have the same pronunciation on. With that MINOR note out of the way… this was a hell of a ride and would recommend it to anyone into this genre!

Excellent

This book flew by. Since it’s a new story, it took me a while to understand all of the characters so there was some initial confusion at first. That was entirely due to me listening while commuting and occasionally missing a few sentences. I’ll listen to it again immediately.

Great book and exceptional narration

I thought the story was very well done but the narration was in a class of its own, one of the best I have heard to date.

Awesome!

Great story and an excellent performance! Well worth the wait. Look forward to the next installment.

Well Worth the Wait

FDØ made us wait, but he definitely did not let us down. Few small pronunciation differences by Porter, but nothing you couldn't get over.