Product guide

Whalefall by Daniel Kraus — 336-page thriller

Daniel Kraus: Whalefall is a suspense novel about Jay Gardiner, a scuba diver swallowed by a sperm whale with limited oxygen and one hour to escape. Its survival plot is intertwined with grief over his father, giving readers both high-stakes adventure and emotional material.

At a glance

A one-hour survival countdown drives the story, as Jay tries to escape from inside a sperm whale before his oxygen runs out.
The premise combines an underwater survival emergency with Jay's guilt and grief following his father's death.
The listing describes the novel as the story that inspired a film from 20th Century Studios.

Price

£8.10Save 19%

Reference price: ~~£9.99~~

Price checked: 12 Nov 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

The clear countdown premise gives the thriller a focused, high-stakes central problem.
The plot also makes room for emotional themes around loss and a strained relationship with Jay's father.
At 336 pages, the listing provides a straightforward guide to the book's length.

Technical specifications

8 specifications

Book details
Publisher	Zaffre
Publication date	8 Oct. 2026
Edition	1st
Language	English
Print length	336 pages
ISBN-13	978-1806177974

Dimensions and installation
Weight listed	230 g
Dimensions	12.9 x 2.1 x 20.1 cm

What to know before buying

Customer feedback reports mixed reactions to the writing style and scientific or technical detail. Readers who prefer minimal technical exposition may want to bear this in mind.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy suspenseful survival stories with a strong central predicament.
Readers interested in adventure that also explores grief and emotional change.
Fans of fiction that includes scientific or technical detail.

Less suited to

Readers who prefer straightforward prose with little technical explanation.
Readers seeking a light, low-tension story rather than a perilous survival plot.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4 / 5 · 4,395 ratings

5 stars40%40%
4 stars35%35%
3 stars19%19%
2 stars4%4%
1 star2%2%

Customer feedback highlights a suspenseful, engaging plot and emotional depth, with some finding the unusual premise plausible and appreciating its blend of emotion and science. Reactions to the writing style and technical content are mixed, including reports of technical jargon and scientific information. That split may matter to readers choosing between a tightly paced survival story and prose with more exposition. The rating distribution leans positive overall but includes a notable middle group, so it does not suggest universal enthusiasm.

Positive themes

Customers describe the plot as captivating and suspenseful, and some say the unusual premise feels plausible.
Feedback also praises the emotional depth and the combination of emotion and science.

Mixed feedback

Some customers like the writing, while others dislike the author's style.
Reactions to the technical content are mixed, with technical jargon and scientific information mentioned as a concern.

Frequently asked questions

What is Whalefall about?

Jay Gardiner is swallowed by a sperm whale while scuba diving and must find a way out before his oxygen runs out. The story also follows his grief and guilt about his father.

How long is the book?

The listing gives a print length of 336 pages.

Does the story include technical or scientific detail?

Yes. The listing's story description includes diving and oxygen details, and customer feedback says the technical content and scientific information receive mixed reactions.

Is Whalefall connected to a film?

The listing describes the novel as the story that inspired a film from 20th Century Studios.