At first the book was giving The Martian vibes with all the detailed information about this specialized career that the main character has, a saturation diver. However, the main character is not witty and funny but she definitely has a ton of depth. This story really touches on mental stability and the ability to push through extremely stressful situations. I really did enjoy this book but it definitely won’t be for everyone. Then you also have the murder mystery part of the book which is what really kept my interest. I definitely wanted to know what was going on and how all these people were ending up dead. This is definitely a slower more technical book. I’m so thankful I was able to read it early!

Wow! I was totally not expecting a thrill ride! I've got to admit, this book had me on edge. It did start out a little bit slow and I was not sure if it was something I would finish. But then it picked right up, grabbed me full force, and kept me going. The author did a great job of telling a story of how The Chamber and life is below the depths inside and outside while beneath sea level. I found it captivating to know and although it is fiction, it was amazing!

Chamber" takes your breath away! It sends shivers down your spine, makes every hair on your body stand up! It makes you feel trapped, paranoid, delirious, sweaty, dizzy, helpless! You feel like one of the six people caged in the chamber, forming conspiracy theories about who wants to kill you, who the main villain is: somebody inside or anyone working in the corporation sending your food, your drinks, equipment you use. Who? Even writing these sentences made me hyperventilate.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it in your local and online bookstores and libraries on August 6, 2024.

I am a huge fan of Will Dean, and while I did enjoy my time reading this book, the ending fell a little flat for me and unltimately it was not my favorite book by this author.

We have a cast of characters in a chamber where they cannot leave for five days once they are in and at pressure. When members of this team start to die, tension gets insanely high and it feels like racing the clock, but with no way to beat the clock.

The premise was fantastic and my tension was through the roof in the best possible way while I was reading this. The ending, however, left a lot to be desired. We are given and initial conclusion and then jump ahead with no in-between to another scene where the first conclusion was not really what happened and we are told what really happened. For a book that was so excellent at showing not telling, this ending felt like a sudden switch completely incongruous with the rest of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.

Omg lol. I was hoping to finish this in July since apparently it was my worst reading month (ratings-wise) and it would have been nice to keep the bad vibes out of August... but I kept falling asleep on the last day of July when trying to finish this book!

THE LAST ONE was one of my favorite thrillers last year. I know a ton of people had mixed ratings based on the infuriating ending but I kinda loved it. The book was so addicting; nothing could stop me from turning pages. I was so excited to see how his style would translate to this book and I have very few words to describe how disappointed I was. 

This book was as boring as his previous book was enthralling/addicting. I could literally sum up this entire plot in three sentences (which I immediately did for my husband). The same thing happens over and over for 80% of the book, no exaggeration. The divers tell stories from their time in the military or about their diving careers for more than 3/4 of the book while people die off. There is no suspense or intrigue, just repetitive events and conversations I did not care about.

It was not claustrophobic or creepy like I was promised; I could barely picture what it looked like despite diagrams and a glossary! I don't know what didn't click for me but I basically pictured a small bunk area with a table. I know it was small and cramped; the reader is supposed to feel like they can't breathe or this desperation to get out of there but I felt none of that. 

There weren't any clues for the reader to use to try to solve the mystery. I barely even bothered making an attempt because I had no idea how it was going to end. THE LAST ONE almost caused me to throw my Kindle across the room by the ending. Same vibe for the ending here except because it was terrible, not shocking or wild. I still am kind of confused and don't fully know what even happened. 

I don't know the last time I rated a book this low but am fairly certain it's been like 10 years lol. I am so floored by how bad and utterly boring this was!!!!!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for allowing me the ARC of this book. Overall I liked the book. I appreciated the abbreviations and what they meant at the beginning of the book. I liked the characters and I liked the backstories that were revealed. However, it felt like the book took a long time to read and it felt like it just kept going. Overall, I would give this book 2/5 stars.

The Chamber is a locked room mystery of a high, caliber chock-filled with claustrophobic atmosphere guaranteed to give you the willies.

Six Sat divers enter the chamber but not all will return. The reader will most likely learn quite a bit about Sat diving and how it is different than other diving careers. Deadly and intense, the divers live for a short period of time in a chamber not much bigger than 15' long x 6 feet wide. Six people. All breathing shared helium. Pressurized. And in The Chamber, a body.

I loved this book from start to finish even though some of the details of sat diving equipment went over my head. What did sink in was the intensity of the size of the Chamber and the need for absolute trust the divers had to place in those outside watching and supplying their every need for survival. Atmospheric doesn't even begin to describe how intense the descriptions are that impact the divers both mentally and physically, which also qualifies this book for a psychological thriller.
I loved learning the backstories of the divers and the diversity among them. They all seem to be a bit unhinged if for no other reason than to take on Sat Diving as a career. But there are others that are more unhinged than the rest.

Thank you to Atria/Emily Bestler Books and author for an early copy via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

The Chamber - Will Dean
Pub Date: 8/6/24
Rating: 2/5

Thoughts: Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion. The premise of this book surrounds six saturation divers who are locked into a hyperbaric chamber together. They work together in shifts to complete their tasks, while living in the same cramped space together following a strict set of rules to keep them alive. Everything was going well until someone is found dead in their bunk. The divers need four days to come back to the surface to depressurize and in the meantime will have to question everyone's motives. One by one, more and more bodies are piling up. Who is doing this....and why?

I absolutely loved the trope of this book and was excited to dive in! This one took a while for me to get into- and I even ended up stopping and reading something else in the interim. The writer created a very technical atmosphere where I was lost some of the time, and other times very bored with the stories each were telling each other that were not relevant to the story at all. It dragged on and was nearly a DNF for me, but I held on hoping it would get better. When i got to the end, I found myself confused. I think I know what happened....but the why....is where the author lost me. Maybe it was one of those ambiguous endings? No clue-- this one wasn't for me.

An absolutely suffocating read that leaves you staring off into the distance wondering what just happened to you. How fantastic.

If you want water-based horror stories, if you want to hear the worst way diving can go, and on top of that the reminder that people are The Worst - this is for you. It's frightening in this slow creeping way, suffocating you. By the time one of the big reveals came I was wound so tight that I burst into tears.

Claustrophobic, unreliable, unique and educational, and this will haunt me forever.

I’m picky about Will Dean’s books, and I thought I would enjoy this one like I did last year. However, after 30% I still couldn’t remember who was who due to using nicknames and first names. The technicalities of sat diving also took me out of the story. I am so glad this author is loved by many, and I think it’s time for me to quit trying.

Six saturation divers are locked inside a hyperbaric chamber, taking turns and shifts in twos welding. Locked inside a tiny chamber, they work in close quarters, breathing the same ‘air’, with little to no privacy. 5 men, 1 woman. Then one of them is found dead in their bunk. What happened? Who’s responsible? The other divers must remain calm, under pressure, while they wait for decompression. It will take 4 days to decompress until they can open the hatch and get back to dry land. This book is a thriller that keeps you on your toes. It was my first book by Will Dean I’ve read. Great job keep the suspense building. If you love thrillers, like King and Riley Sager, then you’ll love this book. Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books/Emily Bestler Books for the opportunity to read this. Mark it on your calendars, AUGUST 6th, 2024!
#netgalley #netgalleyreads #willdean #willdeanauthor #atriabooks

Will Dean’s “The Chamber” is a masterful locked-room thriller that delivers a claustrophobic, suspenseful reading experience. Set against the backdrop of a high-pressure diving environment, Dean keeps readers on edge with a gripping mystery centered around a series of mysterious deaths among divers.

The novel provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of a saturation diver, highlighting the intense and hazardous conditions of this unique profession. While the detailed exploration of the science behind saturation diving adds authenticity, it occasionally veers into overly technical territory, which some readers might find a bit repetitive.

The suspense is well-maintained throughout, though the resolution may leave a few lingering questions. Despite some confusion regarding the ending, “The Chamber” remains an engaging read with a tightly woven plot and a palpable sense of tension. Dean’s skillful storytelling ensures that the book is both intriguing and thought-provoking, making it a worthwhile read for fans of the thriller genre.

Book Review: The Chamber by Will Dean
Will Dean's The Chamber is a gripping thriller that combines elements of suspense, mystery, and psychological tension. Known for his atmospheric settings and intricate plotting, Dean delivers a compelling narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Overview
The Chamber follows the story of protagonist Tuva Moodyson, a deaf journalist living in a remote Swedish town. When a series of gruesome murders disrupts the community, Tuva finds herself drawn into the investigation, uncovering secrets and facing dangers that threaten to consume her.

Themes and Style
Dean masterfully explores themes of isolation, both physical and emotional, through the lens of his protagonist. The remote setting of the Swedish forest enhances the sense of seclusion, creating an almost claustrophobic atmosphere that permeates the novel. Tuva's deafness is portrayed not as a limitation but as a unique perspective that enriches her character and the story.

The novel also delves into the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of small communities, where everyone knows each other, but secrets are buried deep. The tension between the idyllic appearance and the underlying menace is a central theme that Dean navigates with skill.

Characterization
Tuva Moodyson is a standout character, characterized by her resilience, intelligence, and determination. Her personal struggles and the challenges she faces as a deaf person in a hearing world are depicted with nuance and sensitivity. The supporting characters are equally well-developed, each contributing to the sense of unease and mystery that drives the plot.

Dean's portrayal of Tuva's investigative journey is both thrilling and authentic, with her journalistic instincts leading her into increasingly dangerous situations. The relationships she forms along the way add depth to the narrative, highlighting her vulnerability and strength.

Writing and Atmosphere
Will Dean's writing is taut and evocative, with a strong focus on creating a vivid sense of place. The Swedish landscape is brought to life through his descriptive prose, making the setting almost a character in its own right. The cold, dark forest, the small-town dynamics, and the looming threat of violence all contribute to the book's chilling atmosphere.

The pacing of The Chamber is expertly handled, with a slow burn that builds to a heart-pounding climax. Dean's ability to maintain suspense and keep readers guessing until the very end is a testament to his skill as a storyteller.

Conclusion
The Chamber by Will Dean is a masterfully crafted thriller that will appeal to fans of atmospheric mysteries and psychological suspense. With its compelling protagonist, rich setting, and intricate plot, the novel offers a captivating reading experience that is both thought-provoking and deeply satisfying.

If you're looking for a book that combines intense suspense with well-drawn characters and a richly atmospheric setting, The Chamber is an excellent choice. Dean's ability to weave a gripping narrative with emotional depth makes this novel a standout in the thriller genre.

The Chamber is a claustrophobic locked door suspense thriller that is extraordinarily well researched. Watching Jaws as a kid taught me that the depths of the ocean are none of my business, so I had never even heard of saturation divers. In just the first few chapters, I learned a heap of information about diving and the intense subsection of divers that go even deeper and spend a month living in a pressurized chamber breathing a special concoction of oxygen and helium. The amount of research that Will Dean must have done to enter this realm is staggering.

After their first dive, though, our main character returns to the pod to find one team member dead. In a traditional setting, specialists would be called and the body would be taken away and the investigation would commence from there. Here, however, the team lives in a pod Dean compares to the size of a "traditional family bathroom" and the hatch can't be opened without a 4-day depressurization process without turning the occupants into "raspberry jam." If this paragraph has you breathing in a little deeper and stretching your body out just because you can, you're getting the general vibe of this book.

This unique setting and team of people require extensive set-up so that the reader can fully understand the scene and challenges the plot lays out. As such, this was not a page turning, fast paced thriller for this reader. Reading the blurb, I expected something akin to TJ Newman's Drowning and I think it's important to note that this book is not that. It's more of a slow-burn suspense that kept me interested but not necessarily on the edge of my seat. However, Dean's writing provides a very atmospheric reading experience that firmly placed me in the story. I found myself checking for sweat dripping off my own nose and feeling the walls closing in around me.

If you need me I'll be sitting here taking deep breaths and spinning around with my arms wide spread to soak up all this fresh air and personal space I currently enjoy. Thank you to NetGalley, Will Dean, and Atria for the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Are you claustrophobic?

If there’s one thing you definitely can’t be if you want to be a saturation diver, it’s claustrophobic. You have to train even the slightest amount of animal instinct to back out of too-tight spaces out of your system in order to be a saturation diver. You also have to quickly grow okay with the idea of being packed into a very tight space (smaller than a train car) with five other fully-grown adults under increased pressure and temperature while you’re all up in each other’s business for about a month.

Thank goodness we’re merely readers, so all we have to worry about is if these kinds of things trigger us before we read. If they don’t, then we just get treated to a suspense thriller about six saturation divers who go down in their chamber while in the North Sea and they start mysteriously dying.

This is advertised as a locked-room mystery, but it really isn’t. If you go into this expecting it to be a traditional locked room, you’ll be disappointed. It’s closer to a closed-loop, but it’s not even truly that because there’s almost an element of possible conspiracy to the mystery in this story. Every time it seems as if the field of suspects has narrowed, Will Dean creates opportunities for the list of suspects to either widen or to shift, changing the perspective and/or the motive.

That’s the largest part of the charm behind The Chamber: Divers, just like other people who live their lives on the sea and do their jobs based on a very strict set of rules and rituals, can be set very off course by ill omens and superstitions. One bad omen can shift a character’s (maybe more than one) entire point of view and it could roll into a completely unrelated event, tainting it with a seeming darkness that otherwise may not have colored it so. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Or maybe it’s not all in your mind. Or maybe it’s both.

Will Dean’s last two books have been absolutely bangers for me, but The Chamber left a little to be desired in the way of excitement for me. I felt the suspense. I felt the claustrophobia. I felt the paranoia and germaphobia. I felt the pressure, the heat, and the fear. For some reason, though, I didn’t feel engaged with the story or compelled to keep reading. The story lacked propulsion. I couldn’t put my finger on what it was while I was reading and I still can’t. I just felt like I could walk away from this book and it wouldn’t really matter.

Will Dean is a wonderful writer and this is a great book, so I totally recommend it. I just didn’t feel like I needed to finish this story in order to get on with my life. This is a wonderful story, though.

I was provided a copy of this title by Netgalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Murder Thriller/Psychological Thriller/Suspense Thriller

I liked that the main character was female as all other characters were male in a predominantly male career field. The claustrophobia aspect of it all freaked me out. I do think this book would have a specific target audience, unfortunately that was just not for me.

Even though there was a glossary there was way too much terminology that I didn’t understand. On top of that, all that build up for a silly ending

3.5 Stars! Unfortunately, I struggled to get through this one. I’m usually a big Will Dean fan, but this one just didn’t do it for me. The first 25-40% of the book had me hooked, but some of the descriptions felt repetitive and unnecessary.

This won’t defer me from reading another Will Dean novel though!

Thank you @atriabooks #emilybestlerbooks #partner for the gifted copy of this eARC!

Claustrophobia. Shortness of breath. Anxiety. Racing heart. These are all symptoms and side effects you may experience while reading this book. Talk about a mind game. 👀

Six saturation divers are locked inside a hyperbaric chamber. They all know what they are doing so everything should be fine…right? WRONG! 😑 One ends up dead and then slowly everything unravels. They don’t have much more time until they can get out…just 4 more days where minutes becomes hours and hours become what feels like years. Another diver ends up unresponsive and so it begs the question…who or what is causing this? They all start to question each other and wonder if it’s fatigue, delusions, or maybe something more dubious.

This books was epic in the sense that there was such an impending sense of doom. I am claustrophobic and this book…made me want to go outside and breathe fresh air! Will does create such an upsetting and stressful experience which I have to say is why I read thrillers! This book was fabulous, heart pounding, unimaginable and realistic which just solidifies why I will continue to buy his books!