Beneath the Surface: A Review of Diamond Reef
Review by Rob Shields
Diamond Reef by Douglas Pratt is an energetic, fast-paced ocean adventure that delivers exactly what it promises: danger in the tropics, high-stakes mystery, and enough tension to keep readers eagerly turning pages. It is the kind of book that leans fully into its genre, embracing the thrill of deep-sea exploration while weaving a plot that touches on greed, ambition, and the inevitable peril that follows. While not a perfect novel, Diamond Reef succeeds by being exciting, accessible, and consistently engaging, striking a balance between character-driven drama and pure escapist fun.
The story follows a former marine who looks to help an old friend and get far more than he expected. This premise alone sets the stage for an adventure that moves between shimmering Caribbean landscapes and the darker, claustrophobic world beneath the ocean’s surface. Pratt clearly has an affection for the ocean, with Pratt often creating scenes that feel alive, textured, and urgent, and they give the story a cinematic quality that helps elevate it.
What grounds the book, however, is its protagonist, Chase Gordon. He is flawed, resilient, and deeply human, carrying the emotional weight of past mistakes and unhealed guilt. He is not the type of hero who always makes the right choices, and that tension creates some of the novel’s most interesting moments. As he joins a crew of treasure hunters, tension builds between loyalty and self-preservation. His internal struggles play out against the physical danger of the expedition, creating a layered sense of conflict. Although some supporting characters fall into familiar archetypes, the Chase’s depth helps offset this and gives the narrative heart.
The plot itself is structured like a series of descending dives. It begins with a sense of wonder and possibility, then gradually darkens as deeper obstacles emerge. Pratt balances action and exposition well enough to keep the story moving, though there are a few points where pacing dips. Certain transitions rely heavily on dialogue or internal monologue when a more streamlined approach might have kept the momentum tighter. Still, once the dive sequences begin in earnest, the novel rarely loses its intensity. The combination of environmental danger, human greed, and the unknown makes the final third particularly gripping.
What Pratt does exceptionally well is underscore the unpredictability of the ocean. The reef itself becomes a character, both beautiful and threatening. Readers are reminded of the razor-thin line between awe and catastrophe. This tension heightens the stakes and gives the action sequences real weight. Even when the plot veers toward the expected, the setting keeps it fresh. The locations feel authentic and lived-in, from small island towns to the serenity of open water to the eerie silence inside underwater caverns.
One of the novel’s strengths is its ability to blend adventure with subtle commentary. Without slowing the action, Pratt folds in themes of exploitation, environmental impact, and the moral ambiguity of treasure hunting. These ideas are not explored with heavy-handed seriousness, but they add depth. The characters are forced to question what they owe to the ocean and what they owe to each other. It is a welcome layer of complexity in a story that could have been purely action-driven.
The book does have shortcomings. The pacing, particularly early on, wavers between engaging and slightly sluggish. There are stretches where the dialogue leans toward exposition or where motivations feel underdeveloped. Some emotional beats could have been more fully earned with additional buildup. And while the ending provides closure, it arrives quickly, leaving a few character arcs less explored than they could have been. More time spent in the aftermath of the climax might have provided a more satisfying resolution.
Despite these issues, Diamond Reef remains an entertaining read. Pratt delivers what fans of ocean adventures crave: tension, beauty, danger, mystery, and a protagonist worth rooting for even when he falters. The book feels both escapist and grounded, offering an experience that is equal parts thrilling and reflective. It is easy to imagine this story as a film, given the striking visual potential of the reef, the sense of isolation, and the escalating danger that surrounds the characters.
For readers who love nautical thrillers, diving adventures, or stories centered on the natural world’s hidden dangers, Diamond Reef is a satisfying choice. It captures the allure of the ocean and the unsettling truth that its mysteries often demand a significant price. While not flawless, it stands confidently within its genre and offers enough suspense and heart to make the journey worthwhile.
Ultimately, Diamond Reef succeeds because it knows exactly what it is: an exciting, immersive story that pulls readers into an underwater world filled with beauty, peril, and human drama. Those who dive into its pages will find a memorable adventure full of tension, atmosphere, and hard-won truths lurking beneath the waves.
Rob’s Grade: 8/10
You can find this book on Amazon.
