Primordial by David Wood and Alan Baxter
Primordial: A Sam Aston Investigation (Sam Aston Investigations Book 1) was co-written by David Wood and Alan Baxter. Weighing in at 298 pages, this horror thriller adventure novel was released on December 19, 2017 by Adrenaline Press, an imprint of Gryphonwood Press.
Primordial is the first book in a series about Sam Aston, a renegade marine biologist who attracts sharks - loan sharks. Desperate to pay off some thugs, he reluctantly accepts a job offer from billionaire Ellis Holloway, a benefactor hungry for the glory of providing scientific evidence of a legendary creature in Lake Kaarme, a remote body of water in Finland. Like most exciting adventure stories, there’s a team of people with secrets, a town unwilling to give up its legendary monster to outsiders, and a fantastic creature that brings thrills, suspense, and a hunger for flesh.
I first found Primordial after reading one of Alan Baxter’s horror books. I’m a huge creature feature fan, and the cover’s colors as well as its gorgeous monster drew me right into its clutches. So much so, I didn’t even pay attention to the fact that it’s the first book in a series. That being said, I’m now very interested in picking up more books involving Sam Aston after reading this one. It’s a definite “Take my money, please” situation.
I’ve loved the Loch Ness Monster since I was a very young kid, so reading this book felt like a no-brainer. I love creature stories that play with science and watery depths. Yep, you guessed it, I’m an avid fan of Jaws and Shark Week.
I’m also a huge fan of Michael Crichton and Jurassic Park, so when I got a sense that Holloway was a bit of an homage to the late John Hammond in the JP series, I was elated to find an Easter egg hidden in the text that verified it. Thank you, Wood & Baxter! I was like a kid in a candy store at that point.
Throughout the expedition, we’re put into various situations where the fear and suspense are gripping. There are scenes where mysterious things are occurring. Each pulled me further into the story and kept the pages flying. I knew the action and fight scenes would be good with Wood’s and Baxter’s extensive collections of action books as well as Baxter’s martial arts background. Having a past in martial arts, as well, I caught myself tensing up and really getting into the descriptions as I read those scenes. Excellent job.
There’s a lot of great lore in this novel. I wished I could have been sitting at a campfire listening to the tales. Not only are readers privy to the small town’s local legends about the creature, but we’re given local “historical” reasons behind what’s happening. I felt like I was uncovering invaluable clues and knowledge alongside the characters. There were many jaw dropping moments, and I hated to have to put this book down for a second.
I was never disappointed in the characters or the storyline while reading. There are quite a few characters who get introduced during the exploration, and each plotline flows well together. I found myself actually wanting to know more about some of the side characters. As is always fun in a book like this, at its heart it’s a lake monster story, but make no mistake - the human monsters are always lurking ready to attack.
I read a lot of horror, but books in the action, adventure, sci-fi, and fantasy genres are my other loves. This was a fantastic read, and I’m ready for more.
Need more David Wood & Alan Baxter?
Read more of my Alan Baxter reviews:
Served Cold podcast & interview with Alan Baxter from Unsettling Reads:
My first taste of Baxter’s work was Served Cold. I fell in love with the cover when I saw it on social media, snatched it up, and I haven’t looked back since. Though I have read it, it’s not currently on this website. It was the first book we read and reviewed on our then-running Unsettling Reads podcast. That episode is still available on Spotify - CLICK HERE.
We also interviewed Alan Baxter. I fear I sounded like a total fangirl, but you can also listen to that interview if you CLICK HERE.
Who is Alan Baxter?
Alan Baxter is a multi-award-winning author of horror, supernatural thrillers and dark fantasy liberally mixed with crime, mystery and noir. This Is Horror calls him “Australia’s master of literary darkness” and the Talking Scared Podcast dubbed him “The Lord of Weird Australia.” He’s also a martial arts expert, a whisky-soaked swear monkey, and dog lover. He creates dark, weird stories among dairy paddocks on the beautiful south coast of NSW, Australia, where he lives with his family and other animals.
If you enjoy Primordial, check out my reviews of:
The Maw by Taylor Zajonc
The Cavern by Alister Hodge
Lure by Tim McGregor
Below by Laurel Hightower
Man-Beast by Deborah Sheldon
Ice Cave by Toby J. Nichols
The Lost Sea by Toby J. Nichols
The Roo by Alan Baxter
Gills by Abe Moss
Who is Adrenaline Press?
Are you looking for action and adventure? You need a shot of Adrenaline! We publish the best in in contemporary and classic adventure and thrillers! Adrenaline is an imprint of Gryphonwood Press.
***Taken from the Adrenaline Press website
Who is David Wood?
I’m the USA Today bestselling author of the Dane Maddock Adventures series and several stand-alone works, as well as The Absent Gods fantasy series under my David Debord pen name. I love history, archaeology, mythology, and cryptozoology, and I try to work all of these varied influences into the Dane Maddock books, in particular.
I draw inspiration from the places I visit, and enjoy visiting sites of historical interest. Washington DC is another favorite vacation spot, but I’m just as happy in the mountains, in a cave, or on the beach, though nothing beats the view from our home in the hills outside Santa Fe, New Mexico!
I’m a proud member of International Thriller Writers and I co-host the Authorcast podcast. When not writing, I can be found coaching fast-pitch softball, watching The Big Bang Theory or reruns of The Office, or rooting on the Atlanta Braves. On occasion, I even pick up a book. My favorite authors are too many to count, but some of the works that hold a special place in my heart are the Pendergast books by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt Adventures, everything James Rollins ever wrote, The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan, and many of the old pulp adventures.
I love to discuss books and publishing, so feel free to connect with me on Facebook or Twitter, or message me via my Contact page.
***Taken from David Wood’s website
