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  • The Crypt: Shakedown

  • The Crypt, Book 1
  • Written by: Scott Sigler
  • Narrated by: Ray Porter
  • Length: 16 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (22 ratings)

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The Crypt: Shakedown

Written by: Scott Sigler
Narrated by: Ray Porter
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Publisher's Summary

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

What the critics say

"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

What listeners say about The Crypt: Shakedown

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Take your time and really enjoy this one!

As always this author did an amazing job of world building and character development.

BUT TAKE YOUR TIME WITH THIS STORY. Not because it is difficult to follow, but because every scene has so much detail. You don't want to miss a second of it!


The characters are all really enjoyable and easy to relate to. Even the characters that were technically unlikable and overall bad guys were just so enjoyable to learn about.

This book was an adventure and a half! I'm dreading listening to the last half of the epilogue because I just don't want the book to be over.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great ride into the submarine style space ship known as the Crypt

If you have read any of Sigler’s other works then you will love this one. Not shy on the blood and gore. Strap in and get ready to dive in if you’re a fan of horror, sci-fi or space marines.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Dark and compelling

Complex characters in close quarters, no one really “in the know” of when, why or how, brilliant narration by Ray Porter. Was totally engaged. Loved it. Want more. I eagerly look forward to the next installment in this series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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killer slow burn

Scott's best work. you gotta read/listen or you're missing out big time. fdo ftw, baby

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    5 out of 5 stars
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FDO FOR THE WIN

I'm mean, come on. Another touchdown for Scott.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Sci Fi angle of removing effective computers. I can't think of anything that has taken this tactic. This book is very visceral and would be great as a movie or video game adaptation.

I can't wait for my next hit of The Crypt.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A synthesis

Space Battleship Yamato meets Wizard of Oz. It needed more levity for my tastes though.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wow!!

Half an hour in, and I started a subconscious countdown, absolutely dreading the end of the book. I savored every minute of this ride and could not stop listening. Truly one of Mr Siglers best, and of course Ray Porter brought to scary life like no other could. Thank you to a power duo for one of the years' absolute best!!!

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Great start!

what can you say about Ray Porter, love most of Scott's books I really like the Event Horizon feel it gives me.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Another hit by Scott !!

Once again a masterpiece of storytelling. Scott Sigler will one day be known as " One of the great tellers of fiction that ever was. To the junkies that knowcl his work, Scott already is a master of his art !!!!!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Riveting story, solid performance...

Coming off the Asperger's echo-chamber of the Bobiverse series, I was reluctant to start another spacey book but had come across Sigler's "The Fifth Day of Deer Camp" and decided to give this one a try. Glad I did, because it was pretty damn good.

The setting is intriguing, with just the right amount of mystery peeled back, with more layers revealed underneath. At no time did I feel cheated, or that the author took the lazy way out with characters or plot points.

In fact the only real gripe I have with the story is that, at least in the first third of the book, there appears to be some assumptions of understanding based on reading prior entries of the existing universe. Not a dealbreaker, though, and after the first third you've got enough detail to just get on with it.

I think I saw a comment somewhere from the author that he'd begun working on this piece somewhere in the late 2000s, and only very recently became aware of the similarity between part of the setting / plot and the WH40K universe. I find this difficult to believe, all things considered.

To summarize, this is a Star Trek Event Horizon jaunt into Species 8472's territory, fighting hyper-Catholics, using the ship from Farscape, all as an analogy to WWI-WWII submarine warfare. Will most definitely pick up whatever continuation entries the author produces...

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