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Cave Diver
Listening Length 11 hours and 45 minutes
A high-octane, fast-paced novel from a new voice in adventure writing and the winner of a Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. For fans of Clive Cussler.
Acclaimed explorer Rob Nash has lost his way. Grieving the death of his wife, and blaming himself, he sees no reason to carry on. But when 'Uncle' Frank Douglas offers him the chance to lead a cave-diving expedition in the jungles of Papua, Nash can see some light at the end of the tunnel.
But the expedition might not be what it seems. With a decades-old Japanese submarine buried deep in a cavern, and a team hellbent on unleashing the treasures it hides, Nash finds himself on a ship heading for danger. With a lethal band of criminals on board, who will stop at nothing to get the gold, Nash is fighting for his life. Whilst battling his own demons, can he forgive himself for the wrongs of his past - and survive the perils of the deep?
A high-octane, fast-paced novel from a new voice in adventure writing and the winner of a Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. For fans of Clive Cussler.
Acclaimed explorer Rob Nash has lost his way. Grieving the death of his wife, and blaming himself, he sees no reason to carry on. But when 'Uncle' Frank Douglas offers him the chance to lead a cave-diving expedition in the jungles of Papua, Nash can see some light at the end of the tunnel.
But the expedition might not be what it seems. With a decades-old Japanese submarine buried deep in a cavern, and a team hellbent on unleashing the treasures it hides, Nash finds himself on a ship heading for danger. With a lethal band of criminals on board, who will stop at nothing to get the gold, Nash is fighting for his life. Whilst battling his own demons, can he forgive himself for the wrongs of his past - and survive the perils of the deep?
12 pages, Audible Audio
First published July 10, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
September 28, 2021
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
Cave Diver by Jake Avila is an explosive action packed adventure thriller that will have you jumping out of your seat during some of the terrifying scenes.
Rob Nash has been fighting his demons since losing his wife in an accident that he blames himself for. He finds it hard to carry on with life since Natalie’s death, his name has been trashed, all his projects have dried up and he’s struggling financially and heavily in debt.
An incredible opportunity arises for Rob to lead a cave diving expedition for a TV outfit in the exotic jungles of Papua. But is this opportunity too good to be true and what is Rob really getting himself caught up in?
It soon becomes apparent to Rob that the expedition appears to be guarded in excessive secrecy and something feels off. The project soon becomes a story of survival as Rob's suspicions come to fruition, can he survive the perils of this adventure?
Cave Diver is well written and meticulously researched and the jungle and underwater scenes were very atmospheric.
If you love adventure, thrills and terror you’ll love this! An incredible read.
Note: Cave Diver was the winner of the 2019 Adventure Writer’s Competition, Clive Cussler Grandmaster Award. It then went on to win the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize in 2020.
Publication Date 3 August 2021
Thank you to the wonderful team at Echo Publishing for an ARC of the book.
Cave Diver by Jake Avila is an explosive action packed adventure thriller that will have you jumping out of your seat during some of the terrifying scenes.
Rob Nash has been fighting his demons since losing his wife in an accident that he blames himself for. He finds it hard to carry on with life since Natalie’s death, his name has been trashed, all his projects have dried up and he’s struggling financially and heavily in debt.
An incredible opportunity arises for Rob to lead a cave diving expedition for a TV outfit in the exotic jungles of Papua. But is this opportunity too good to be true and what is Rob really getting himself caught up in?
It soon becomes apparent to Rob that the expedition appears to be guarded in excessive secrecy and something feels off. The project soon becomes a story of survival as Rob's suspicions come to fruition, can he survive the perils of this adventure?
Cave Diver is well written and meticulously researched and the jungle and underwater scenes were very atmospheric.
If you love adventure, thrills and terror you’ll love this! An incredible read.
Note: Cave Diver was the winner of the 2019 Adventure Writer’s Competition, Clive Cussler Grandmaster Award. It then went on to win the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize in 2020.
Publication Date 3 August 2021
Thank you to the wonderful team at Echo Publishing for an ARC of the book.
August 5, 2021
Cave Diver is an award-winning action-adventure thriller set against the exotic backdrop of Papua New Guinea. After controversially losing his wife in a cave diving accident, acclaimed explorer Rob Nash has developed a secret terror of confined spaces. Dumped by sponsors and shunned by friends, the quest to locate a World War II Japanese treasure submarine laden with gold in a bottomless Papuan cavern offers the very opportunity to resurrect a once glittering and stellar career in cave diving exploration. But as the salvage expedition winds its way upriver, greed and ideology fracture alliances and the situation becomes increasingly fraught. Nash soon learns the price of redemption will consume every last molecule of his last reserves of self-belief. Not only must he battle his demons in the murky darkness below, but he must also vanquish fanatical terrorists hell-bent on unleashing a monstrous weapon lost in the depths for over seventy years.
Alliances disintegrate and Nash quickly realises not everyone is who they seem. Will Nash and his Uncle Frank manage to complete the mission and film a documentary on this particular cave diving expedition? This is an enthralling and compulsively readable underwater adventure featuring a troubled protagonist, Rob, and his attempt to get his career and life back on track. The story is a slow-burner with rich descriptions of the jungles and nature of Papua New Guinea that bring the destination vividly to life. There are a plethora of twists and turns that keep you guessing and feverishly turning the pages and the action never let’s up throughout. Avila has clearly done his research on this topic giving a sense of authenticity to proceedings and it's very well written. It is a debut novel with an absorbing cinematic quality to it, set against the searing heat of Papua New Guinea, this contemporary thriller is full of peril and oozing with unexpected surprises. Highly recommended.
Alliances disintegrate and Nash quickly realises not everyone is who they seem. Will Nash and his Uncle Frank manage to complete the mission and film a documentary on this particular cave diving expedition? This is an enthralling and compulsively readable underwater adventure featuring a troubled protagonist, Rob, and his attempt to get his career and life back on track. The story is a slow-burner with rich descriptions of the jungles and nature of Papua New Guinea that bring the destination vividly to life. There are a plethora of twists and turns that keep you guessing and feverishly turning the pages and the action never let’s up throughout. Avila has clearly done his research on this topic giving a sense of authenticity to proceedings and it's very well written. It is a debut novel with an absorbing cinematic quality to it, set against the searing heat of Papua New Guinea, this contemporary thriller is full of peril and oozing with unexpected surprises. Highly recommended.
July 13, 2021
Husbands review
As an avid adventure book reader, I love a book that takes me out of my comfort zone and to places where I would never really find myself.
Cave Diver takes its troubled protagonist Rob Nash away from home and his misery and puts him in the jungles or Papua New Guinea, looking to make a documentary on a cave diving expedition with his Uncle Frank. With a slow building story and a very descriptive narrative, PNG comes alive and the expedition becomes a matter of life or death in the search for a WWII Japanese submarine loaded with gold.
As someone who is not a fan of confined spaces, the book made me uncomfortable at times, with twists and turns in the narrative and the jungle cave systems.
A good read, plenty of action in the vein of Matthew Reilly. I could see a movie with a minor Hemsworth in the lead role. I assume Jake Avila has either a lot of experience in cave exploration pr has some superb research skills. It felt real and takes the reader along on the ride at a pace that doesn't give up in the last 3rd of the book.
Thanks to Allen and Unwin for the advanced copy of this book to read.
As an avid adventure book reader, I love a book that takes me out of my comfort zone and to places where I would never really find myself.
Cave Diver takes its troubled protagonist Rob Nash away from home and his misery and puts him in the jungles or Papua New Guinea, looking to make a documentary on a cave diving expedition with his Uncle Frank. With a slow building story and a very descriptive narrative, PNG comes alive and the expedition becomes a matter of life or death in the search for a WWII Japanese submarine loaded with gold.
As someone who is not a fan of confined spaces, the book made me uncomfortable at times, with twists and turns in the narrative and the jungle cave systems.
A good read, plenty of action in the vein of Matthew Reilly. I could see a movie with a minor Hemsworth in the lead role. I assume Jake Avila has either a lot of experience in cave exploration pr has some superb research skills. It felt real and takes the reader along on the ride at a pace that doesn't give up in the last 3rd of the book.
Thanks to Allen and Unwin for the advanced copy of this book to read.
August 16, 2021
An exciting, action-packed thriller but humourless and with poor female characterisation. Nevertheless, there are some great sequences, especially with the cave diving scenes, which are truly claustrophobic. The sense of danger is strong and it doesn't just come from the baddies - there are some rivers you just don't want to go swimming in. There is a lot packed in - evil billionaire fathers, rabid muscle men, explosions, bits of bodies, angst, mud, witchcraft, gold and even Nazis. It rattles along at quite a pace and I read it quickly. But there are problems with the way in which women are depicted and used as plot devices. Mia is particularly unbelievable. It also take itself too seriously and there were times when I longed for Dirk Pitt to come strolling in to lead a dive. 2.5 stars rounded up.
September 12, 2021
If you’re not holding your breath, you’re not reading it properly. This book (first third = scene setting, remainder = action packed) follows Nash, former cave diver, traumatised and depressed since the death of his wife, Natalie. The appearance of an old family friend with an offer too good to refuse (eventually) finds them on their way to make a documentary. Or salvage Nazi gold. Who knows? Those who are pulling the strings, that’s who. Throw in an Indonesian TV personality/father issues, a psychotic South African (why did I keep picturing the Bond villain ‘Jaws’?), and an assortment of Indonesian/PNG support crew, you have a rip-roaring story that wouldn’t have much difficulty translating to an action-packed movie. There’s a lot of death, and I suspect it’s not going to be a big seller in Indonesia/Papua New Guinea, but it’s no spoiler to say that good wins out. Eventually. And breathe out now.
Loved that the author used New Guinea Pidgin for the locals (and I had a lot of fun trying to translate it - which is easier than it seems).
Loved that the author used New Guinea Pidgin for the locals (and I had a lot of fun trying to translate it - which is easier than it seems).
August 16, 2021
The future of adventure writing is in trouble if this book is the winner of the awards with the names of Clive Cussler and Wilbur Smith. One-dimensional characters, who even initially described as very smart, proceed to act illogically on every step - especially in the second half of the book.
The title is more suitable for a textbook, but then ironically... (spoiler) there is very little cave diving and even more ironically... (big spoiler) the submarine that is supposed to be salvaged is not even in an underwater cave.
The ending lacks complete drama - it sounds like the author had a limit of 450 pages and once reached decided (a final spoiler) to just kill everyone off.
The title is more suitable for a textbook, but then ironically... (spoiler) there is very little cave diving and even more ironically... (big spoiler) the submarine that is supposed to be salvaged is not even in an underwater cave.
The ending lacks complete drama - it sounds like the author had a limit of 450 pages and once reached decided (a final spoiler) to just kill everyone off.
October 7, 2021
CAVE DIVER is an action-packed, seat of the pants styled thriller, with huge villains, big threats and a single flawed protagonist trying to save the day. It recently won a Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize, along with an Adventure Writers Competition Clive Cussler Grandmaster Award and is one of those books that readers of thrillers are going to love, or hate, depending mostly on whether the high-octane pace, and action packed pages do enough to distract you from some things that kind of feel a bit flat for this reader - a fan of big, wild ride thrillers normally.
The protagonist in this novel is Rob Nash, an acclaimed explorer and bit of a daredevil, he's grieving the death of his wife, blaming himself for the accident that killed her. The novel starts out with him in a self-inflicted slow death spiral of his own, "rescued" by the offer to lead a cave diving expedition in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. Of course the assignment goes pear-shaped pretty quickly, and you soon discover the story of treasure-laden Japanese submarine buried deep in the cavern, competing teams trying to get into that cave, evil billionaires (of course), although with the twist of a particularly vicious daughter thereof; rabid muscle men; witchcraft; dangerous natural threats; explosions and bits of bodies seemingly showing up / flying everywhere; witchcraft and in case that wasn't enough to be going on with, Nazi's.
So lot's happening in CAVE DIVER as you'd expect from one of these high-octane thrillers, with a really strong sense of danger from all sides, and some nasty types lurking around most corners. It's also very serious in it's approach, which sort of didn't work for this reader - there's so much happening, and so many tickbox elements, I really would have liked the occasional wink to camera, or a bit of humour to break up the relentless, maybe making it all seem just slightly more real.
The biggest disappointment however was the female characters that didn't work. Mia should have been such a pivotal part of the book but she just didn't ever seem real or believable, and then there's Sura, daughter of General Wijaya Suyanto, he of the immense wealth and corruption. She of the constant sex, (I will admit the line at the start of Chapter 2 - "Leaving her lover sprawled in bed like a fallen colossus..." was the closest to laughing I got in the book), and the complicated daughter / father relationship never really convinced. Then there's her relationship with her lover, Jaap (as described: "The gigantic Afrikaner could have been carved from a block of white marble. A chiselled study in muscle, everything about him was over-sized, except his intellect"). He never quite reached the levels of nuance that you could expect even from a James Bond henchman.
But none of that's probably the point, this is all about big action, high-octane, athletic sex, with a sense of over the top peril, set in tropical and steamy, wet climes. All in all CAVE DIVER is most probably exactly the sort of book you'd expect to win a Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. Despite it being many years since I read a Wilbur Smith novel, there's something here that's more than reminiscent and I can see it appealing to fans of exactly that style of adventure thriller writing.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
The protagonist in this novel is Rob Nash, an acclaimed explorer and bit of a daredevil, he's grieving the death of his wife, blaming himself for the accident that killed her. The novel starts out with him in a self-inflicted slow death spiral of his own, "rescued" by the offer to lead a cave diving expedition in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. Of course the assignment goes pear-shaped pretty quickly, and you soon discover the story of treasure-laden Japanese submarine buried deep in the cavern, competing teams trying to get into that cave, evil billionaires (of course), although with the twist of a particularly vicious daughter thereof; rabid muscle men; witchcraft; dangerous natural threats; explosions and bits of bodies seemingly showing up / flying everywhere; witchcraft and in case that wasn't enough to be going on with, Nazi's.
So lot's happening in CAVE DIVER as you'd expect from one of these high-octane thrillers, with a really strong sense of danger from all sides, and some nasty types lurking around most corners. It's also very serious in it's approach, which sort of didn't work for this reader - there's so much happening, and so many tickbox elements, I really would have liked the occasional wink to camera, or a bit of humour to break up the relentless, maybe making it all seem just slightly more real.
The biggest disappointment however was the female characters that didn't work. Mia should have been such a pivotal part of the book but she just didn't ever seem real or believable, and then there's Sura, daughter of General Wijaya Suyanto, he of the immense wealth and corruption. She of the constant sex, (I will admit the line at the start of Chapter 2 - "Leaving her lover sprawled in bed like a fallen colossus..." was the closest to laughing I got in the book), and the complicated daughter / father relationship never really convinced. Then there's her relationship with her lover, Jaap (as described: "The gigantic Afrikaner could have been carved from a block of white marble. A chiselled study in muscle, everything about him was over-sized, except his intellect"). He never quite reached the levels of nuance that you could expect even from a James Bond henchman.
But none of that's probably the point, this is all about big action, high-octane, athletic sex, with a sense of over the top peril, set in tropical and steamy, wet climes. All in all CAVE DIVER is most probably exactly the sort of book you'd expect to win a Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. Despite it being many years since I read a Wilbur Smith novel, there's something here that's more than reminiscent and I can see it appealing to fans of exactly that style of adventure thriller writing.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
August 16, 2021
see the locations in the novel
I'm not too keen on water. I'd swim if I had to but I have never wanted to go diving. Well, it's about time to try I told myself. Get yourself on an expedition to an old submarine with the characters in this book. Ha! It might only be a fictional journey but OMG I felt the shivers and the bends.
This journey appealed not just for the diving but the fact it's set in Papua New Guinea. Rob Nash heads out there despite him not liking confined spaces. He's a keen and experienced explorer but has suffered some tragedy and loss of confidence. Not risky going diving then....
Well, getting the treasure off this submarine is going to raise his profile and confidence again so off he goes. Nothing is as easy as it seems for the caverns and waters off PNG are ruthless and wild. I swear I felt a bit sick in places as you dive and explore with those in the book. I felt the sea ebb and flow, the debris hit me and the darkness overwhelm me.
And if that were not enough, there is a bunch of fanatical terrorists hell-bent on unleashing a weapon which has been dormant for many many years. Nash really has his work cut out and this thriller starts slow but BUILDS and EBBS and FLOWS unpredictably like the sea itself. Those caves are so well described and evoked that I swear I could smell the damp and feel the pressure and darkness envelope me. PNG is a country I've never been to in real life, but I've had a whirlwind tour here of its jungles, caves, caverns and wildlife. Then there's the heat! Oh get that fan at the ready if when you whip through the pages, that breeze is not enough to revive you.
A lot of fun this was but I am seriously in need of a lie down.
August 5, 2021
I think all my life I’ve been fascinated by the sea and all the secrets that are hidden in the depth of the ocean… also the beautiful creatures and dangerous perils that you’ll never expect. That’s what attracted me of this story, a non-stop thriller about the sea and the humanity's greed.
Our main character, Rob Nash, is hunted by the events from a year ago, losing her wife and their unborn child… now he is only part of who he was, with no energy or happiness. He takes the dubious job to dive in a Papua cave to make his friend ‘Uncle’ Frank Douglas happy. The mission will not be as they expect and they will be risking their lives since the first moment, the people that contracted them have a very dangerous mission in their minds… who will win?
This is an action packed story, full of adrenaline and dangerous situations, it will not be difficult to fell transported to the story and almost see the bullets around you!
Since the first page you can feel that the story will be dangerous and that not all the characters will survive, but that’s what happens when you mix with dangerous people, because Suna, the evilness of this story is quite dangerous and with only one thing in her mind; win against her father.
I would have loved to know a little bit more of Suna and her past, we only know her need for money and to escape from her father, but we don’t really know how dangerous is him… Maybe in another adventure we’ll see more? Fingers crossed! If you are looking for an exciting adventure that will be impossible to put down, this is your read, believe me! ;)
Are you ready for the “Cave Diver”?
Our main character, Rob Nash, is hunted by the events from a year ago, losing her wife and their unborn child… now he is only part of who he was, with no energy or happiness. He takes the dubious job to dive in a Papua cave to make his friend ‘Uncle’ Frank Douglas happy. The mission will not be as they expect and they will be risking their lives since the first moment, the people that contracted them have a very dangerous mission in their minds… who will win?
This is an action packed story, full of adrenaline and dangerous situations, it will not be difficult to fell transported to the story and almost see the bullets around you!
Since the first page you can feel that the story will be dangerous and that not all the characters will survive, but that’s what happens when you mix with dangerous people, because Suna, the evilness of this story is quite dangerous and with only one thing in her mind; win against her father.
I would have loved to know a little bit more of Suna and her past, we only know her need for money and to escape from her father, but we don’t really know how dangerous is him… Maybe in another adventure we’ll see more? Fingers crossed! If you are looking for an exciting adventure that will be impossible to put down, this is your read, believe me! ;)
Are you ready for the “Cave Diver”?
August 17, 2021
Excellent book! I was going through a period of not being able to get into any book til this one...I have always been Wilbur Smith fan so I was immediately hooked...The action never lets up..and when I have to put it down, I find myself thinking about the story, anxious to pick it up again....great storyline! Great characters! Loved it!
August 5, 2021
I loved the sound of this book, the plot sounded good and a little different from my usual reads. Having had a truly awful time of late, Rob gets an offer he can't refuse to go and lead a cave diving expedition, he can finally breathe again. But not everything is as it seems, Rob is also trying to battle with his own personal issues, can he find a way to help himself or is he in even deeper water than he thought? I liked this read it was different and refreshing to read a thriller that is completely different. The ending was good though not what I was expecting at all.
January 2, 2022
thrilling book for sure. Although, it took almost 250 pages to get to the “action” part and for them to actually go diving. In addition, there is very little parts where the characters actually go cave diving. Not my cup of tea unfortunately.
Edit: took a few months to figure that there are actually more scenes of shipwreck diving rather than actually cave diving. Although I’m not I’m expert on cave diving, there is a major difference between cave and shipwreck. Just because they are both claustrophobic inducing places does not mean they are the same. There are many different techniques for a person to go shipwreck diving, they might use a line or they might not, whilst in cave diving it is a necessity to use a line as a point of reference. I just wanted to read a book about cave diving, although I don’t mind reading about shipwreck diving, it is a disappointment.
Edit: took a few months to figure that there are actually more scenes of shipwreck diving rather than actually cave diving. Although I’m not I’m expert on cave diving, there is a major difference between cave and shipwreck. Just because they are both claustrophobic inducing places does not mean they are the same. There are many different techniques for a person to go shipwreck diving, they might use a line or they might not, whilst in cave diving it is a necessity to use a line as a point of reference. I just wanted to read a book about cave diving, although I don’t mind reading about shipwreck diving, it is a disappointment.
August 5, 2021
Australian, Rob Nash is a broken man. Once an acclaimed cave diving explorer, Rob's last great underwater adventure led to the death of his pregnant wife Natalie, and he has been unable to drag himself from a pit of despair ever since. He spends his nights longing for death while flirting with danger, surfing colossal waves, and his days hidden away in the house he used to share with Natalie, avoiding the TV news crews who are desperate to goad him into admitting culpability for her death - even though the inquest deemed the incident an accident.
Then, a twist of fate offers him a chance to try to regain something of his former life when his 'Uncle' Frank Douglas contacts him about an offer from an Indonesian businessman to lead a cave diving expedition in the jungles of Papua. This might be just what he needs - if he can overcome his own demons enough to regain the passion for cave diving that used to drive him.
But things are not as they appear to be. The Indonesian business man backing the expedition is after more than an artfully shot documentary about the Hoosenbeck Gorge. An old WWII Japanese submarine, rumoured to be packed with treasure, lies hidden in a cavern somewhere in the cave system, and our ruthless tycoon is desperate to lay claim to these riches to fund his political ambitions. To achieve his aim, he is willing to send Sura, his own daughter, into enemy territory with a band of unscrupulous mercenaries masquerading as a film crew - unaware that she wants the gold for herself, and is not afraid to double cross darling daddy with a few dastardly plans of her own.
Rob and Douglas start to become suspicious of the motives of their employer, but it is not until they are joined by an unexpected team member in US medic, Dr Mia Carter, on her way to a remote mission hospital - whose medical director is somehow linked to the mystery of the Japanese gold - that the expedition takes a menacing turn. The three are in big trouble and about to get caught in the all too real crossfire between rival parties. Will they survive their adventure, or become collateral damage in the greedy schemes of some very dangerous villains?
What a cracking adventure story! It starts with the slow-burn threads of a broken man with no reason to live, who takes the chance to pull himself from the blackest of of depressions with an offer too good to refuse, and an ambitious young Indonesian woman desperate to escape her suffocating life as the daughter of a controlling father, who sees the chance to use his own greed against him - two very different people looking for a lifeline.
As the mystery of how the treasure came to be hidden in the depths of a jungle cave system unfolds, and Rob and Douglas' fates become tied to the schemes of Sura and her violent crew, the pace of the story ups by notches - especially when Dr Carter becomes involved in the murky goings on and romance blossoms between her and Rob - and the tension increases exponentially until I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat with my heart on my mouth for almost the whole of the final third of the book.
There are so many delicious elements here; an exotic landscape filled with dangers of the animal, human and environmental kinds; a compelling mystery story; the baddest of baddies who you long to see come to a very sticky end; and engaging protagonists who work their way into your heart and add a lovely human interest side to the story. There are more thrilling scenes that you can poke a stick at too, with enough bangs, crashes and explosions to give you everything you need to make the kind of adventure story that pays out in glorious technicolour in your imagination. Think action on the scale of Indiana Jones, with a fascinating cave diving twist!
Incidentally, the cave diving dimension of this tale is brilliant. It is clear that Jake Avila has done his homework here, based on the detailed technical knowledge he divulges about the underwater world of Rob Nash. As someone with an innate fear of the scrapes and claustrophobic spaces he seems to find himself in time and time again, this added a really chilling undertow to the whole piece for me, which was rather entertaining in a weirdly terrifying way.
It's easy to see how this debut has won the accolades of the 2019 Adventure Writer's Competition Clive Cussler Grandmaster Award, and the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize for 2020. It's proper grown-up adventure story telling and promises great things from the pen of this new author. There is scope for a sequel here that I would love to read, so I really look forward to seeing what Jake Avila has up his sleeve next!
Then, a twist of fate offers him a chance to try to regain something of his former life when his 'Uncle' Frank Douglas contacts him about an offer from an Indonesian businessman to lead a cave diving expedition in the jungles of Papua. This might be just what he needs - if he can overcome his own demons enough to regain the passion for cave diving that used to drive him.
But things are not as they appear to be. The Indonesian business man backing the expedition is after more than an artfully shot documentary about the Hoosenbeck Gorge. An old WWII Japanese submarine, rumoured to be packed with treasure, lies hidden in a cavern somewhere in the cave system, and our ruthless tycoon is desperate to lay claim to these riches to fund his political ambitions. To achieve his aim, he is willing to send Sura, his own daughter, into enemy territory with a band of unscrupulous mercenaries masquerading as a film crew - unaware that she wants the gold for herself, and is not afraid to double cross darling daddy with a few dastardly plans of her own.
Rob and Douglas start to become suspicious of the motives of their employer, but it is not until they are joined by an unexpected team member in US medic, Dr Mia Carter, on her way to a remote mission hospital - whose medical director is somehow linked to the mystery of the Japanese gold - that the expedition takes a menacing turn. The three are in big trouble and about to get caught in the all too real crossfire between rival parties. Will they survive their adventure, or become collateral damage in the greedy schemes of some very dangerous villains?
What a cracking adventure story! It starts with the slow-burn threads of a broken man with no reason to live, who takes the chance to pull himself from the blackest of of depressions with an offer too good to refuse, and an ambitious young Indonesian woman desperate to escape her suffocating life as the daughter of a controlling father, who sees the chance to use his own greed against him - two very different people looking for a lifeline.
As the mystery of how the treasure came to be hidden in the depths of a jungle cave system unfolds, and Rob and Douglas' fates become tied to the schemes of Sura and her violent crew, the pace of the story ups by notches - especially when Dr Carter becomes involved in the murky goings on and romance blossoms between her and Rob - and the tension increases exponentially until I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat with my heart on my mouth for almost the whole of the final third of the book.
There are so many delicious elements here; an exotic landscape filled with dangers of the animal, human and environmental kinds; a compelling mystery story; the baddest of baddies who you long to see come to a very sticky end; and engaging protagonists who work their way into your heart and add a lovely human interest side to the story. There are more thrilling scenes that you can poke a stick at too, with enough bangs, crashes and explosions to give you everything you need to make the kind of adventure story that pays out in glorious technicolour in your imagination. Think action on the scale of Indiana Jones, with a fascinating cave diving twist!
Incidentally, the cave diving dimension of this tale is brilliant. It is clear that Jake Avila has done his homework here, based on the detailed technical knowledge he divulges about the underwater world of Rob Nash. As someone with an innate fear of the scrapes and claustrophobic spaces he seems to find himself in time and time again, this added a really chilling undertow to the whole piece for me, which was rather entertaining in a weirdly terrifying way.
It's easy to see how this debut has won the accolades of the 2019 Adventure Writer's Competition Clive Cussler Grandmaster Award, and the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize for 2020. It's proper grown-up adventure story telling and promises great things from the pen of this new author. There is scope for a sequel here that I would love to read, so I really look forward to seeing what Jake Avila has up his sleeve next!
August 25, 2021
If you are looking for a gripping, thrilling, adventure then look no more this book will have you hooked from the first page until the end. Written with such vivid descriptions I felt I was in Papua New Guinea, especially once the drama really sets in. This is a book that I could easily imagine being made into a great film. I found myself trying to decide who could play Rob Nash and Mia Carter.
The prologue takes the reader back to January 1946, Papua New Guinea, Sepik River. The Second World War had ended six months earlier an Australian patrol boat was patrolling the river. They found a cylinder floating, inside were human the remains, looking for ID they found two bits of silver a knights cross with M.H. 1941 engraved on it and a badge of the Waffen SS . The body was let go, the medals would be handed in when they got back. Who was M. H.?
In the present day, Rob Nash was an explorer, a cave diver, surfer he loved the water or at least he had until a year earlier he had lost his wife Natalie. A death he blamed himself for and a death many others blamed him for, hounded by reporters accused of leaving his wife to drown. He had lost weight and lost interest in living. His family are worried about him, his sister Jacqui visits him, begging him to move on, telling him his uncle Frank was trying to get hold of him, when he checks his emails there’s one from Frank a tv outfit wants them to shoot a major documentary in an area that had been his boyhood dream to explore. The Hoosenbeck, discovered in the late 60’s by a Dutch speleological team. They had never found how deep it was, or how far it went. But where it is had prevented further exploration by anyone, it’s situated five or so kilometres inside Indonesian Papua, with impenetrable mountains and inaccessible rainforests but also a vicious guerilla war had raged for decades. Can Rob face this? Can he face his fears? The job pays well, and he needs the money.
Sura Suyanto is an ambitious woman, she had spent 2 years researching and looking for a particular medal with the initials M.H. 1941 it had cost her a lot of money to purchase when she finally found it. Now she could go to her father General Wijaya Suyanto triumphant. But would it get her what she wanted? Not only has she found the medal she had also found where she believed a submarine I-403 containing gold and opium had sunk. The commander of that submarine was SS Standartenfuhrer Martin Heider. But would her father let her lead the expedition as she wanted?
Dr Mia Carter is just returning from three months holiday to go back to working at the Ford Hospital Mission, Papua. She loved the people there and loved working with Dr Paul Ford, she hoped to learn how to run and fund a hospital such as this one. Except when she arrives back in the country it’s not as easy to get to the Hospital Dr Paul isn’t there in his plane to collect her. So Mia has to try and find a way to get to the remote hospital. But it’s a dangerous place to be as a woman on her own.
I can definitely see how this book won the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize in 2020. There are some brilliantly created characters both good and bad which are believable. You are definitely rooting for the good to win and survive. The plot will keep you engrossed, as the tensions builds from the beginning gradually building to a dramatic climax at the end that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Full of drama and action. This book has it all. A must read.
This is an absolute 5⭐️ read especially for readers of Clive Cussler or Wilbur Smith this would definitely be right up your street
The prologue takes the reader back to January 1946, Papua New Guinea, Sepik River. The Second World War had ended six months earlier an Australian patrol boat was patrolling the river. They found a cylinder floating, inside were human the remains, looking for ID they found two bits of silver a knights cross with M.H. 1941 engraved on it and a badge of the Waffen SS . The body was let go, the medals would be handed in when they got back. Who was M. H.?
In the present day, Rob Nash was an explorer, a cave diver, surfer he loved the water or at least he had until a year earlier he had lost his wife Natalie. A death he blamed himself for and a death many others blamed him for, hounded by reporters accused of leaving his wife to drown. He had lost weight and lost interest in living. His family are worried about him, his sister Jacqui visits him, begging him to move on, telling him his uncle Frank was trying to get hold of him, when he checks his emails there’s one from Frank a tv outfit wants them to shoot a major documentary in an area that had been his boyhood dream to explore. The Hoosenbeck, discovered in the late 60’s by a Dutch speleological team. They had never found how deep it was, or how far it went. But where it is had prevented further exploration by anyone, it’s situated five or so kilometres inside Indonesian Papua, with impenetrable mountains and inaccessible rainforests but also a vicious guerilla war had raged for decades. Can Rob face this? Can he face his fears? The job pays well, and he needs the money.
Sura Suyanto is an ambitious woman, she had spent 2 years researching and looking for a particular medal with the initials M.H. 1941 it had cost her a lot of money to purchase when she finally found it. Now she could go to her father General Wijaya Suyanto triumphant. But would it get her what she wanted? Not only has she found the medal she had also found where she believed a submarine I-403 containing gold and opium had sunk. The commander of that submarine was SS Standartenfuhrer Martin Heider. But would her father let her lead the expedition as she wanted?
Dr Mia Carter is just returning from three months holiday to go back to working at the Ford Hospital Mission, Papua. She loved the people there and loved working with Dr Paul Ford, she hoped to learn how to run and fund a hospital such as this one. Except when she arrives back in the country it’s not as easy to get to the Hospital Dr Paul isn’t there in his plane to collect her. So Mia has to try and find a way to get to the remote hospital. But it’s a dangerous place to be as a woman on her own.
I can definitely see how this book won the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize in 2020. There are some brilliantly created characters both good and bad which are believable. You are definitely rooting for the good to win and survive. The plot will keep you engrossed, as the tensions builds from the beginning gradually building to a dramatic climax at the end that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Full of drama and action. This book has it all. A must read.
This is an absolute 5⭐️ read especially for readers of Clive Cussler or Wilbur Smith this would definitely be right up your street
May 7, 2025
Mr Avila certainly took his readers on an action-packed adventure in Cave Diver. I can see why this debut novel won the Clive Cussler Grandmaster Award in 2019 and the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize in 2020.
The untamed Papuan jungle and river journey give the novel a suitable Joseph Conrad feeling, which serves to build the reader’s anticipation of what is to follow. This is a world remote from all the comforts and safeguards of modern life, where the oppressive atmosphere presages what is to happen later. The protagonist, Rob Nash, is flawed, but all the more interesting for that, as one gradually learns of his backstory. The political intrigues and motivations of the other characters – greed, lust, politics and power - are cleverly interwoven into the plot.
After the slow burn of the first half of the novel, where the gradually unfolding tensions between the characters are developed, the final chapters of the book erupt into a gripping, fast-paced thriller. Apart from this, what struck me was the meticulous research that the author obviously undertook to create this world, not to mention the stiflingly claustrophobic diving sequences. The love interest between Nash and Mia, although secondary to the main action, is believable and lends a tenderness which balances the narrative.
I love Avila’s writing style. The descriptions of the scenery and the underwater sequences are beautifully crafted, providing a fitting backdrop to the action. I thoroughly recommend this book, which would so easily translate into a film.
The untamed Papuan jungle and river journey give the novel a suitable Joseph Conrad feeling, which serves to build the reader’s anticipation of what is to follow. This is a world remote from all the comforts and safeguards of modern life, where the oppressive atmosphere presages what is to happen later. The protagonist, Rob Nash, is flawed, but all the more interesting for that, as one gradually learns of his backstory. The political intrigues and motivations of the other characters – greed, lust, politics and power - are cleverly interwoven into the plot.
After the slow burn of the first half of the novel, where the gradually unfolding tensions between the characters are developed, the final chapters of the book erupt into a gripping, fast-paced thriller. Apart from this, what struck me was the meticulous research that the author obviously undertook to create this world, not to mention the stiflingly claustrophobic diving sequences. The love interest between Nash and Mia, although secondary to the main action, is believable and lends a tenderness which balances the narrative.
I love Avila’s writing style. The descriptions of the scenery and the underwater sequences are beautifully crafted, providing a fitting backdrop to the action. I thoroughly recommend this book, which would so easily translate into a film.
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November 7, 2021Pacu fish are omnivorous in the South America waters and sometimes termed as "vegetarian piranhas". But when introduced to the Sepik River in Papua New Guinea, these big fishes affected local river life and have been know to bite humans. These invasive speaks are perhaps more deadly than the local venomous taipan snakes.
But these biological terrors pale in significance when (in this novel) humans fight over a shipment of gold and opium. A Japanese submarine with Nazis on board started on a secret mission to bring the gold and opium to Germany at end of World War 2. It gets hijacked and ends up in the cavernous and unexplored Sepik River of Papua New Guinea.
Great adventure story . I am not sure if it is fair to paint the Indonesian commandos in somewhat dim light in this novel as I read elsewhere as a proud elite professional force.
Lots of interesting tidbits on limestone geology , subterranean rivers and of course about scuba diving in deep underwater caves. Adrenaline all the way - like "Raiders of the Lost Ark" but set in PNG and deep river canyons.
But these biological terrors pale in significance when (in this novel) humans fight over a shipment of gold and opium. A Japanese submarine with Nazis on board started on a secret mission to bring the gold and opium to Germany at end of World War 2. It gets hijacked and ends up in the cavernous and unexplored Sepik River of Papua New Guinea.
Great adventure story . I am not sure if it is fair to paint the Indonesian commandos in somewhat dim light in this novel as I read elsewhere as a proud elite professional force.
Lots of interesting tidbits on limestone geology , subterranean rivers and of course about scuba diving in deep underwater caves. Adrenaline all the way - like "Raiders of the Lost Ark" but set in PNG and deep river canyons.
July 4, 2023
I ploughed through this book. It is an action packed adventure story that keeps the reader engaged until towards the end.
However, the biggest flaw is the plot itself, which is quite frankly nonsense. The strongest part of the book is the fact that the actual main plot is essentially irrelevant for 80% of the content.
Robert Nash is a cave diver tortured by the loss of his wife in a caving accident. He takes a commission to dive an unexplored cage on the Indonesia and Papua New Guinea border and gets involved with corruption, inter-state tension & Nazi gold in a lost Japanese submarine. Frankly, if the author had found a way to create a lot to get his protagonist to the destination without the submarine nonsense, it would have been much better.
Also for a man with such a specific cave diving skill set, the author should have made much more of this in the final sequences.
However, the biggest flaw is the plot itself, which is quite frankly nonsense. The strongest part of the book is the fact that the actual main plot is essentially irrelevant for 80% of the content.
Robert Nash is a cave diver tortured by the loss of his wife in a caving accident. He takes a commission to dive an unexplored cage on the Indonesia and Papua New Guinea border and gets involved with corruption, inter-state tension & Nazi gold in a lost Japanese submarine. Frankly, if the author had found a way to create a lot to get his protagonist to the destination without the submarine nonsense, it would have been much better.
Also for a man with such a specific cave diving skill set, the author should have made much more of this in the final sequences.
October 5, 2023
Cave Diver won the 2020 Wilbur Smith Adventure writing prize. For anyone who enjoys reading novels by Matthew Reilly or enjoys reading fast paced, action/adventure books then I highly recommend this book.
The central protagonist Rob Nash is an acclaimed explorer who has lost his way after grieving the death of his wife after an expedition that went horribly wrong and blaming himself. However, his uncle Frank Douglas offers him an opportunity to lead a cave diving expedition in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. However, the expedition may not be what it seems with a team hell-bent on unleashing the treasure it hides and stopping at nothing to get it.
The author has meticulously researched the subject of cave diving and it is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
The central protagonist Rob Nash is an acclaimed explorer who has lost his way after grieving the death of his wife after an expedition that went horribly wrong and blaming himself. However, his uncle Frank Douglas offers him an opportunity to lead a cave diving expedition in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. However, the expedition may not be what it seems with a team hell-bent on unleashing the treasure it hides and stopping at nothing to get it.
The author has meticulously researched the subject of cave diving and it is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
July 6, 2024
I finished this book would be the kindest review I could possibly give, even at 1 star.
The plot is nonsense, the cave diving is near non-existent and the female characters exist only to give the male characters who are equally badly written something to wank over - including in one case an older man perusing naked pictures of his own daughter.
The portrayal of a large number of characters is racist, and when they're not being racially sterotyped it's because they're mindlessly slaughtering the "primitive" locals of Papua New Guinea.
The cover is directly misleading, and the eventual location of the treasure is underwhelming at best. The writing is of a poor caliber, and the descriptive language used is disconcerting at best.
The plot is nonsense, the cave diving is near non-existent and the female characters exist only to give the male characters who are equally badly written something to wank over - including in one case an older man perusing naked pictures of his own daughter.
The portrayal of a large number of characters is racist, and when they're not being racially sterotyped it's because they're mindlessly slaughtering the "primitive" locals of Papua New Guinea.
The cover is directly misleading, and the eventual location of the treasure is underwhelming at best. The writing is of a poor caliber, and the descriptive language used is disconcerting at best.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2026
I wanted to love this book because of the cave diving aspect and Papua New Guinea setting, but the truth is that it almost sent me into a reading slump because the last 1/3rd dragged. I’m a caver and it’s a pretty low bar for me to find a cave book fascinating, so this hit the mark although it was a little lighter than I hoped on the cave diving content. But it definitely made up for it by going into depth about the geography and culture of Papua New Guinea. This book would have been 5 stars had it not been for the drag near the finish line.
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November 2, 2023(DNF @ 25%) RIP to all the female characters who had to die so that men in books could experience Feelings.
Action-adventure is not my genre, so I was prepared to give this one some grace, but ... so far, there's not much action? Or adventure? And, oof, the characters are SO cartoonish.
Action-adventure is not my genre, so I was prepared to give this one some grace, but ... so far, there's not much action? Or adventure? And, oof, the characters are SO cartoonish.
August 29, 2021
Jake Avila's, Cave Diver is a phenomenal read for any fans of the genre. Nash makes an excellent protagonist, skilled and determined but not a one man war machine or military man that is so often a protagonist in this style of novel. His struggles and success (alongside an great cast of foes and friends alike) makes for truely gripping fiction!
September 2, 2021
An old fashioned macho adventure novel set in Papua New Guinea. A damaged hero, an exotic location, a beautiful maiden, a grizzled veteran, Nazi treasure and some suitably unpleasant villains. I haven’t read anything like it in years but it works. It’s great fun, superb tech detail, gruesome body count and some pretty horrible local wildlife, not to mention the cave diving.
August 30, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had me hooked from the start and I consumed it in a few days. The characters are complex, the locations are exotic. It is so well researched and beautifully written. I highly recommend this book to all readers!
May 21, 2022
This would make a great movie! Story was great - engaging characters and all that good stuff. But brush up on your knowledge of submarines and their layout because some of the descriptions of the characters location get a bit technical.... That's my only criticism though - a great adventure read.
December 6, 2023
Ok but some of the facts need checking. Papua New Guinea is in the tropics and the author on numerous occasions referred to the icy cold water and risk of hypothermia- in a country where the temperatures vary from 23 to 33 degrees C - this kept nagging me and spoiled the book.
February 16, 2024
A fast paced adventure full of danger and gore. Makes you feel the claustrophobia emanating through the pages.
Gripped throughout and couldn’t put it down.
Great character development and leaves you wanting a sequel. Excellent read, highly recommend.
Gripped throughout and couldn’t put it down.
Great character development and leaves you wanting a sequel. Excellent read, highly recommend.
February 18, 2024
I'm a casual freediver and love stuff about underwater adventures. Although the book isn't all about cave diving experience, I can say the thrill and adrenaline rush of this book really got me. Every chapter gets even better to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2025
What a massive disappointment this was! Clive Cussler and Wilbur Smith had their names on it, unbelievably, which is distinctly suspect. There wasn't even any diving for the first half of the book. In my opinion this book has been hyped up beyond belief.
August 24, 2021
Brilliant , full of suspense . I could not put it down.
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