Half-Moon Trench

G.O.R.E Sector #4

by Michael Cole

In the Pacific Ocean, three miles deep, lies a deep gorge known as the Half-Moon Trench. It is a place of literal darkness, unknown to most of the world. Now, it is home to an advanced deep-underwater mining facility known as the Scarlett Caldera. Owned by a powerful corporation, it operates with the goal of harvesting the secret to renewable energy.

But now, the Scarlett Caldera has inexplicably gone dark. Computer logs reveal the departure of escape pods, but none arise to the surface; grainy security footage shows staff members fleeing some unseen force within the facility; and all radio contact is gone.

Dispatched by G.O.R.E Sector, Raptor Pack sets out to investigate. Equipped with state-of-the-art exploration technology and combat weapons, Thomas Rodney and his team make the three-mile descent into the trench.

There, they find the station dark, vacant, and deathly quiet. Thin grooves line the bulkheads, bloodstains soak the decks, but no bodies are found. But something moves within the darkness.

Watching.

Waiting.

As the team presses further, they uncover the true purpose of the Scarlett Caldera’s operations, as well as the deadly consequences.

With disaster looming, Raptor Pack must race against time to rescue a small group of survivors and destroy all mutations inside Half-Moon Trench.

161 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 18, 2025

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name

Among authors of this name:

*Michael Cole - Rare, Antiquarian Books
*Canon Michael Cole - Editor, Christian periodicals
*Michael Cole - Children's books
*Michael Cole - Psychology, Children's development
*Michael F. Cole - Infectious Diseases
*Michael R. Cole - Horror, Science Fiction

Reviews

[Charissa Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overview: Thomas Rodney and his Raptor Pack are being shipped out to a deep sea mining operation. Brom-Caylen has lost contact with the Scarlett Caldera, even though there were signs of emergency subs being ejected. Can Raptor Pack find any survivors, while eradicating the mutants? And could Brom-Caylen be hiding something? Let's find out.

Dislikes: Durall is a monster in human form. I guess you could call him a sociopath.

The purpose of the Scarlett Caldera was horrifying to say the least.

Likes: The banter between the Raptor Pack members was fun to read. Take note jocks! The nerds can be dangerous.

Sean Regal was a good man. When you see the evil and then try to stop it, then you redeemed your arc, so to speak.

Durall's escape was a great proof of cosmic justice.

Conclusion: This is a fun story. If you like creature features, then this book is for you. Enjoy the read.

[Amanda Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Cole GORE Sector series is

...A good story line that just gained a whole new level of adversity. Not just fighting freaks of nature anymore, there is a new element of conflict to drive future stories toward.

...A potential love story with a burgeoning romantic twist ahead. There are some more hints toward a relationship between a couple of the Raptor Pack members. Can't wait to see that play out.

...A reliable "good-ending" tale. The good guys win and the monster gets defeated.

Ready for the next book!

[Addam Dallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Undersea Mayhem

Half-Moon Trench by Michael Cole is yet another fun addition to the G.O.R.E series. The overall story was really good and flowed well. It has plenty of funny moments in it as well as tense moments. There is plenty of gore and kills by the creatures in this one as well. I enjoyed how there were multiple creatures in this one. Overall I would definitely recommend this to anyone.

[Chance · Rating 4 out of 5]

using the location for the name wasn’t interesting title

G.O.R.E the last defense in adverting a monster world if big Corps don’t stop them for a bottom line. Only time will tell who will in this series if giant battles

[Andrea Stott · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun

I love these books. They are like the best OG monster killing fun books ever. I wish they would bake them into movies, we need good monster movies so badly. Fun and gory and cheeky. I wholeheartedly recommend them.

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raptor Pack are back and this time they are heading to the bottom of the ocean, as more mutated monsters appear. Up against a corporate firm, who are trying to keep a secret hidden, it is not only the monsters they have to contend with.

[jean mary jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A briliant adventure !!!!!!!!!!

This is another brilliant adventure from the GORE team.As usual lots of fighting shooting blood heroes and villains.Each adventure is so exciting I cannot wait for the next one.Recommended

[Barbara Berry Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Equal adversaries

As usual the team are well worth keeping track of. Non stop action, impossible odds, and very amusing teammates. I love the series and can't wait for the next event.

[Fred Rayworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Half Moon Trench was another outstanding icky bug. It had a regular cast of heroes from previous books and plenty of victims. I love that it was so short and sweet and to-the-point. Plenty of action, no rambling and a great ending. Highly recommended.

[Calvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrifying

As someone who is scared of sharks and deep water, this book was a double whammy for me. It was a nest idea bringing in the shadowy company so the team isn't just facing off against creatures this time. This book just reinforces why I should never go in water again.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun quick read

A fun quick read that takes us deep into the ocean. Short novel and that gives the reader a glimpse of what is coming up for the team.

[Bellerophon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Cole tale

Thanks. Loved this one. Good beasties and bad guys. Liked the characters. The location was very cool too. Keep them coming.

[niamh · Rating 3 out of 5]

it's a less exciting less horrifying version of The Deep by nick cutter

[Chelocatte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cliche dialogue but fun read overall

This felt like a B movie read. Fun monsters but things happened a bit too easily and the dialogue was pretty cheesy and unbelievable at times.

[Claudia A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

Each new case brings even more adventures and scary creatures. The characters on the team are awesome. I can't wait to read the next one.

[Stitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good versus evil, who will win?

[Taylor Orr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay two big momma's just want to keep their babies safe. But to find out that a powerful corporation is doing experiments on them. Now G.O.R.E. sector is up to new stuff and new challenges to stop this before they become someone's dinner