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

Scott Sigler is awesome

This author is great! I’ve listened to this before but read by the author himself. Ray Porter does a fantastic job! I got cosmic horror vibes, action, and mystery, good book, highly recommend.

Gruesome, terrifying, and full of gore

This book is a wonderful world builder for the GFL series. The most heavy installment in the GFL universe, and gives true testament to the horrors described on the PUV James Keeling, making the descriptor "nightmare box" a very hauntingly accurate term. I'm ready to scream aim and fire for the next installment in the Crypt series!

Out Of This World- Literally

Loved it! Any book or story written by Scott Sigler is pure gold. Get into the Siglerverse now, you won't regret it.

Another Great Read

As usual, this story does not disappoint. Will be giving as a gift for sure.

For Sigler junkies and lovers of submarine war stories

The crypt shakedown sets a military crew centuries before the YA galactic Football League series aboard a ship no one understands.

It’s full of secrets and violence. If you want red october in space or the first season of Battlestar Galactica this is the first book in an ongoing series

Ray Porter is a great narrator even though he pronounces the Harrah incorrectly.

Brilliantly done SciFi with a mix of horror.

I have been a longtime fan of Scott Sigler and have eagerly anticipated this book. To say I was impressed is an understatement. The story is gripping and keeps you anticipating the next paragraph. Ray Porter is the perfect narrator. An overwhelming master work. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

another great sigler novel

great book and I like how much more depth there was compared to the original podcast. loved the ending even though I might know whats next

definitely going to use cum stain more often now, too.

You hate, love, then they shock you.

Scifi action with characters so complex, you hate, you like, then they terrify you.

Absolutely Fantastic

This is a fantastic story with some awesome buildup of back stories. Scott did a fantastic job with writing and Ray did a spectacular job with the performance

Excellent Sci-fi

I recently dove into "The Crypt" by Scott Sigler and while it started off a tad slow with the introduction of a myriad of characters, it picked up the pace beautifully. By the end, I was thoroughly satisfied, grossed out and wanting more. I wished it was a bit longer, I'm reminded that it's just the beginning of a series, and there's more to come. There were some moments that made me cringe due to their graphic nature (and weirdness, looking at you Sphincter) and the swearing felt a bit much at times, but I suppose that's par for the course in a military space novel like this. All in all, a compelling read that I'd recommend to fans of the genre. Ray Porter is excellent. Been a fan of Scott for nearly 18 years, this is another knockout.