The Dark Descent cover art

The Dark Descent

A Short Story

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The Dark Descent

By: Adam McKim
Narrated by: Daniel Hord
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About this listen

The Dark Descent tells the story of David and Rachel, two adventurous cave divers drawn to a mysterious underwater cave system off the coast of California. But as they plunge deeper into the uncharted depths, the line between discovery and danger begins to blur, pushing their survival to the limit. With dwindling resources and no clear way back, David and Rachel must rely on their training, resilience, and unshakable bond to escape before time runs out. The Dark Descent is a harrowing journey of endurance and love beneath the surface. Will they find their way out, or be lost to the depths forever?

©2025 Adam McKim (P)2025 Adam McKim Anthologies & Short Stories Genre Fiction Horror Sea Adventures Short Stories Suspense Thriller & Suspense Exciting

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All stars
Most relevant

Listener received this title free

Listened to this on a drive home from work. Good story, no faff, look forward to more from the author.

Nice descriptive, easy listen

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Listener received this title free

I’ve watched videos of cave diving incidents and the story always carries over the existential dread that I feel in tight spaces. This didn’t but I don’t even think it was supposed to.
It’s classed as a thriller.

Personally I would have preferred a more open ending to such a short story leaving everything to my imagination.

Nothing wrong with it just not what I was expecting, a nice little palette cleanser

Short but not scary

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Listener received this title free

I'm not a diver but it seems realistic to me
A good short story . You know what happens but you don't know the end.
Good read/listen I heartily recommend it.

A tale of warning

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Listener received this title free

A gripping short story, lots so twists and it made me listen until the end to see how it finishes

A great short story

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Listener received this title free

I found this to be an interesting listen, especially as someone who has never been diving it gave me a glimpse into a new experience. That said, I didn’t find it particularly thrilling; some of the characters’ choices seemed a bit daft to me, which lessened the tension. The ending also fell a little flat—I think it would have been stronger if left more to the listener’s imagination rather than being tied up as it was. Daniel Hord's narration was excellent. Still, for passing an hour or so, it was fine.
I was kindly given a copy of the book by the author and leave this honest review.

Dark Descent.

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