The Deckhand: A Haunting Ocean Thriller of Survival, Secrets, and Redemption
- Dust and Echoes
- Aug 29
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 29
Some Jobs Pay Cash, Others Pay in Blood.
In The Deckhand is a gripping new audiobook-style story written and performed by the author, James Cawley. When an ex-con boards a nameless fishing vessel hoping for a fresh start. What he finds instead is something darker than the deep. This isn’t just another post-prison redemption story. This is maritime horror with teeth. A noir survival tale wrapped in fog, salt, and blood.
Welcome to Fleet Harbor
Joey Miller is a good man who made some bad mistakes. A freshly released convict. A broken compass. A motel flier promising work at sea, no questions asked.
When he takes a one-way job aboard a steel-hulled trawler bound for Whittier, Alaska, he’s not looking for adventure. He’s looking for escape.
But what waits beyond the breakwater is not just a transfer job, it's trap, one that smells like rust, bleach, and forgotten names. And the man called Captain Cook?
He’s not just a sea captain. He's evil.
A Maritime Thriller in the Vein of The Terror and Deadliest Catch
Fans of gritty, atmospheric ocean thrillers will feel right at home in The Deckhand. If you've searched for:
“Books like The Terror by Dan Simmons”
“Dark sea survival stories”
“Audiobooks about fishermen and murder”
“Podcast thrillers set on the ocean”
Then you’re already in the right waters. With nods to The Perfect Storm, Deadliest Catch, and No Country for Old Men, this tale pulls no punches and never lets up.
Listen to the Podcast Audiobook Now
Dust & Echoes delivers this story in cinematic style:
Narrated by the author, James Cawley
Cinematic sound design that puts you on the deck
Chilling voice performance that captures the paranoia, betrayal, and desperation.
👉 Listen Now on Spotify
Prefer to read? A paperback print version is coming soon!
Why The Deckhand Hooks So Hard
High-stakes thriller tension: You feel every pulse-pounding moment on the open sea.
Character-driven horror: Joey isn’t a hero. He’s just a man trying to survive.
Layered narrative: From incarceration to redemption, the themes resonate deep.
Real-world terror: The idea that parolees could disappear without a trace... isn’t far-fetched.
This isn’t a ghost story. It’s a truth story, dressed in diesel, blood, and fog.
Who Should Listen to or Read The Deckhand?
Fans of true-crime-meets-fiction
Listeners who loved The Black Tapes, The Magnus Archives, or Limetown
Readers drawn to ocean survival horror
Listeners who enjoy short fiction podcasts with killer atmosphere
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is The Deckhand a true story?
A: No, but it’s inspired by real places, maritime dangers, isolation, and post-prison challenges. Its realism adds to the horror.
Q: Where can I listen to The Deckhand?
A: Spotify via the Dust & Echoes Podcast.
Q: Will there be a written version of this story?
A: A written edition is coming soon! Subscribe to Dust & Echoes or follow James Cawley for updates.
Q: Is this part of a larger universe?
A: Yes. The Deckhand is set in James Cawley's Dust & Echoes Universe and features a collection of original, chilling stories with shared thematic DNA with emotional depth, horror, and cinematic storytelling.
Listen Now. Share It. Then Ask Yourself:
Would you have looked over the rail? Would you have made it to the flare gun in time? Would you know how to blink S.O.S.?
Only one way to find out.
Comments