Reviewed by Lee Ashford for Readers' Favorite

Deadly Descent by R.G. Porter is an altogether too feasible scenario, in which a new life form is discovered at the bottom of the Mariana Trench. Having evolved at such an intense pressure, in absolute darkness, the organism undergoes changes when brought aboard the pressure-controlled, well-lit undersea laboratory, “Titan”. Having received an invitation to participate, by none other than her long-time friend and mentor, Dr. Justin Niles, Dr. Tori Cutter was honored and excited to be involved in such a momentous occasion. However, when she is finally brought to the underwater lab in a small submersible craft, Dr. Niles is nowhere to be found, nor has he been seen or heard from over the past several hours. In fact, the entire lower level of the compound has been isolated due to some unknown pathogen incapacitating many of those unfortunate enough to have been on the lower level at that time. What has become of Dr. Niles? Will Dr. Cutter have second thoughts about accepting the invitation to join the team?

Deadly Descent is a fascinating tale, simply because it is realistically feasible. When the time comes that technology has provided a way for humans to survive at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, it would be much, much more surprising if they did NOT discover new life forms! What will happen to those organisms when they are removed from the environment in which they evolved, to be studied in a 1-G, well-lighted laboratory? R.G. Porter has divulged one such possibility, which is frightening simply because we know, on some sub-conscious level, that it could really happen the way Porter presented it. Porter has done an exceptional job of portraying various personalities, too, from the egotistical and arrogant venture capitalist, to the take-charge ex-commando, to the selfless, legitimately concerned doctor who only wants to find a way to stop an epidemic that does not require killing the patients. Deadly Descent by R.G. Porter is one book you will not forget.