The Astronomer's Crypt

by David Lee Summers

Two years ago on a stormy night, in the dead of winter, Mike Teter experienced something that would change his life forever. Mike was a telescope operator at the world renowned Carson Peak Observatory in New Mexico. We won’t tell you what he saw that night on the mountain nor what happened afterward on a dark stretch of highway, because it would haunt you just as it has haunted Mike. But what we will tell you is that Mike is back at Carson Peak. And what he witnessed that night two years ago is about to become a reality…

Genres: Horror, Science Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published December 11, 2016

About the author

David Lee Summers is an author, editor and astronomer living somewhere between the western and final frontiers. He is the author of eleven novels including The Solar Sea, Owl Dance, and The Astronomer's Crypt. His short fiction and poetry has appeared in such magazines as Realms of Fantasy, Cemetery Dance, The Martian Wave, Star*Line and The Santa Clara Review. He has edited the science fiction and fantasy magazine, Tales of the Talisman and the Full-Throttle Space Tales Anthologies Space Pirates and Space Horrors. Over the years, David has also worked at numerous observatories in the U.S. including Kitt Peak National Observatory.

Reviews

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Astronomer's Crypt" by David Lee Summers is a horror story with a mix of ghosts, Apache legends, nasty drug smugglers, a desperate drunk combined with the inner workings of an observatory for astronomers. Oh and very bad weather.
Mike Teter saw something terrifying two years ago when he was working as a telescope operator at Carson Peak Observatory in New Mexico. Against his better judgement, he is back at the observatory and he is about to realize that what he saw was not his imagination.......
The story is well written and I was drawn in very easily but I did not find it scary at all. I was more fascinated by the author's very detailed description of what people actually do in an observatory. I would love to read another book by the author based on his experience working in a real observatory. I found that the added drama of drug smugglers took away from the story itself. I was more interested in what Mike Teter saw, the Apache legends and as I said, the observatory. I almost felt like the story ended on a bit of a cliff hanger and would be interested in reading a sequel.
I received an ARC of this book from the publishers via Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Fran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok horror tale that tries just a little too hard. Science, Native American lore, ghosts, drug runners, monsters....just a little too much.

[Joy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this because I like the premise and the setting. Using an observatory is a cool idea, and I knew there'd be interesting background because David Summers is an astronomer. The setting--the observatories and New Mexico--and even the weather--is fascinating. Lots of detail. Those observatories are huge--so many spaces to hide--and lurk in. I enjoyed learning about all that equipment and the work involved. There is danger, suspense, villains, and monsters--and I appreciated how all the subplots came together. I'd say more, but it's too easy to add spoilers. Wait! There are ghosts too.

Note: Some adult content--and lots of blood and guts. This is the beginning of a series obviously, and I hope to see more of Mateo and Jerome Torres and have them do more--utilizing their heritage...

Note to author: With some editing, this would be an interesting and educational story for younger readers. (I've seen authors of historical novels do that: One version for adults and one for children.)

[Robert Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was particularly intrigued when I discovered this book because it combines two of my favorite things: horror and science. Now admittedly, astronomy isn’t exactly my strongest science. I only took a minor in astrophysics when I was in college, so it’s safe to say that while I have a great admiration for astronomy, I probably don’t know the field nearly as well as the author, who has worked professionally as a telescope operator for observatories, which brings a great deal of credibility to the novel.

Regardless, the book caught my interest immediately, because I was quite excited by the idea of setting a horror story not in some stereotypical haunted mansion or cabin in the woods, but at an observatory. We all know that a sense of isolation is often an essential ingredient for a good horror story, but we don’t need to limit ourselves to the traditional isolated locations. Observatories, by necessity, are also quite remote because they tend to operate on skeleton crews who live nocturnal lives, and they’re usually located far away from civilization to get away from light pollution.

Combine those elements with a cast of characters ranging from petty criminals to professional scientists, add a monstrous entity from Native American lore, and you’ve got the essential ingredients for The Astronomer’s Crypt.

Importantly, though its setting in an observatory was a big part of what caught—and indeed, held—my attention, you don’t need to be an astronomer yourself to understand the book. It reads just like any other horror novel. It starts off with a horrific bang, and then takes its time letting us get to know the characters before it delivers its climax. Admittedly, it could probably use a few more scares to build the tension more gradually, but it’s nevertheless a delightful read sure to please any horror fan, and that goes doubly for those of us who also happen to appreciate the scientific setting and cast of characters.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I am a telescope engineer and saw this book involving a telescope setting so had to read it. I don’t usually read horror as it makes it hard to sleep. I read this book and it made it hard to sleep!
David did an amazing job capturing the feel of an old telescope. The old ones are cold drafty places at night with creaks and groans the norm, on remote mountaintops with very few people around (500 ton steel structures creak and groan as they move—trust me). David describes it so well I got goosebumps - and I work at a telescope! I always thought they’d be a perfect setting for a scary story. It’s hard to describe the eerie feeling on a mountain at night in New Mexico — even those of us who don’t put stock in the supernatural feel like the veil is thin there.
David captured the atmosphere and mood very well. And the scientists and operators were 100% believable.
An excellent read. I think it deserves a sequel.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The astronomers crypt by David Lee Summers.
Two years ago on a stormy night, in the dead of winter, Mike Teter experienced something that would change his life forever. Mike was a telescope operator at the world renowned Carson Peak Observatory in New Mexico. We won’t tell you what he saw that night on the mountain nor what happened afterward on a dark stretch of highway, because it would haunt you just as it has haunted Mike. But what we will tell you is that Mike is back at Carson Peak. And what he witnessed that night two years ago is about to become a reality…
A good read with good characters. Likeable story. 4*.

[Sandi Layne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like others, I was prompted to buy this book because the author, David Lee Summers, is an astronomer and so I knew I'd learn something in this story. Also, it's October so I was thinking "thematic!"

The Astronomer's Crypt reminded me of the work of Dean Koontz in how the story was presented, with layers of personalities, tension, and the elements of supernatural fear. The elements of the Apache legends were appreciated and so were the elements of criminality. Well mixed, creepily done.

If there's ever a sequel, I'll want it!

[Ahbet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Immensely entertaining

This has it all- astronomy, close knit families, visions, Apache legends, ancient talismans, ghosts, drug dealers, cocaine, drunks, and primordial beings. And death. You j.g ave to read this to see how all these elements fit together. It's a crazy, thrilling story and you have no clue about what's next, a great horror read if you like the aforementioned list of characters. I loved it and found it hard to put down.

[Ilene G> · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is scientists verses the supernatural.

This story is filled with unexpected twists and turns. Astronomers find themselves fighting an Apache legendary monster, as well as some human ones at an observatory. There are some detailed graphic scenes in here, so be warned. I liked many of the characters and the suspense Summers wrote.

[Angela Vanasselberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads giveaways in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the way this story moved it kept me going easily, I really enjoyed the astronomer theme. I only wish he would revisit the cover, bleeding cowboy font is too much for the feel of the cover.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I read the first paragraph of the description and got hooked. I just had to see what happened. Wow

It is a scary story. This book has a few Indian legends. It is an amazing tale.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story and look forward to the next installment. I think I would like more character development, at least for the ones who survived... The Apache mythos is interesting, I would like to get some more detail in the future as well.

[Peter Cornell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really that good

Not worth the effort to plow through it to the end. I saw disappointed after reading the advertising. Didn't bother to read it all.

[Rebecca Rodgers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story.

Not what I expected. Still it was enjoyable. It gave a hint of a possible sequel. I recommend the book.

[H M Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read

I reserve give stars for one author only, otherwise this book would have got them! It is a great combination of suspense, science and the supernatural. Recommend.

[Rrlgrrl · Rating 2 out of 5]

A friend told me about this book, and the setting is *very* familiar. The story was a bit campy - full of the horror tropes. I'm not sure I liked how negatively the astronomers were viewed in this book. Instead of shouting at the screen, like in a movie, I ended up shouting at my Kindle at various points. Mostly hilarious for the people in the know.

[Polly Krize · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Very well written and a compelling read! Just a little light on horror, though there certainly is a horrifying monster. I would tend to classify this one more as an adventure story with some science thrown in for good measure. What Mike Teter saw in the New Mexico Carson Peak Observatory was unreal, but returning to it a couple of years later takes a lot of grit.