Reviews
★★★★★David"Listening to Joanna Penn narrate her audiobook version of this story was an entertaining experience. Along with bringing the story to life, she breathed life into each of the characters."
5 star Goodreads review
★★★★★Kay"Atmosphere, chills ... rich in ancient myth and the supernatural."
5 star Shopify review
★★★★★Jeffrey"Atmospheric and thrilling dive into ancient mysteries and supernatural forces ... Engaging, balancing suspense with Penn’s meticulous attention to archaeological detail, which enriches the story without overwhelming the reader."
5 star Shopify review
★★★★★Betsy"Be sure you have time to finish since you won’t want to stop once you start ... a thrilling story of discovery, recovery and imminent danger ... Well worth the read."
5 star Goodreads review
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I really enjoyed this story, especially as I live in Norfolk and know this area well. The plot was exciting and mysterious, and the fusion of ancient myth with modern technology was handled very well. I was disappointed at the end though, as the story didn’t resolve. Perhaps there will be a “Part Two”! If so, I’ll definitely buy it!
I always like J. F. Penn's writing, she's quite the wordsmith, it would be cool to see her co-write a novel with Stephen King, they both are masters at packing in so many elements into their writing, and it would be one epic hellacious read.
It's a treat to read her short stories or novels, she puts you right into the story, her characters are well developed, even with the religious elements added in the storyline, it's educational in a way, what a master of research and it enables her to add fictional elements into the story so beautiful. You don't know it till the end, when you read her blurb about the inspiration for the story.
One thing for sure with this one is, that Marine archaeologist Dr. Evelyn Price would make a character for a new series by her or add her to the Arkane Series as a Marine archaeology expert for the team.
Seahenge/GR
Another great short story
Really interesting story. When something shows up on the beach and the archeologists are trying to figure out what it is and what it's suppose to do. I really enjoyed this story.
Dr. Evelyn Price and her team come upon a mysterious discovery. Not knowing the consequences would be deadly. They also discover a creature of the unknown and must find out how it is all connected. Mysterious shadows appear in the water and not a good sign of what is coming. An intense and great short story.
This was a great story! Thank you JF Penn! This story just wasn’t long enough!
- 5 stars: 29 (94%)
- 4 stars: 2 (6%)
- 3 stars: 0 (0%)
- 2 stars: 0 (0%)
- 1 star: 0 (0%)
I really enjoyed this story, especially as I live in Norfolk and know this area well. The plot was exciting and mysterious, and the fusion of ancient myth with modern technology was handled very well. I was disappointed at the end though, as the story didn’t resolve. Perhaps there will be a “Part Two”! If so, I’ll definitely buy it!
I always like J. F. Penn's writing, she's quite the wordsmith, it would be cool to see her co-write a novel with Stephen King, they both are masters at packing in so many elements into their writing, and it would be one epic hellacious read.
It's a treat to read her short stories or novels, she puts you right into the story, her characters are well developed, even with the religious elements added in the storyline, it's educational in a way, what a master of research and it enables her to add fictional elements into the story so beautiful. You don't know it till the end, when you read her blurb about the inspiration for the story.
One thing for sure with this one is, that Marine archaeologist Dr. Evelyn Price would make a character for a new series by her or add her to the Arkane Series as a Marine archaeology expert for the team.
Seahenge/GR
Another great short story
Really interesting story. When something shows up on the beach and the archeologists are trying to figure out what it is and what it's suppose to do. I really enjoyed this story.
Dr. Evelyn Price and her team come upon a mysterious discovery. Not knowing the consequences would be deadly. They also discover a creature of the unknown and must find out how it is all connected. Mysterious shadows appear in the water and not a good sign of what is coming. An intense and great short story.
This was a great story! Thank you JF Penn! This story just wasn’t long enough!
The story grips you right away and the anticipation of what’s to come keeps you hooked.
Seahenge by J.F. Penn is a story about underwater archaeology and what can go wrong when we ignore the wisdom of the ancients. A major storm on the coast of England has uncovered an ancient timber circle. Marine archaeologist Dr. Evelyn Price and her team rush to salvage and preserve the site before the next storm and the sea reclaims it. As she works, her colleague, Samuel Chen uses an AI program he has developed to unlock the secrets of Seahenge before they make a catastrophic and irreversible mistake and release a devastating ancient power.
This story has a fast-moving plot highlighting dilemmas of rushing into a project and has a couple of twists that you don’t see coming. For a short story, the characters are well developed and the narrative is exciting. It offers a thrilling insight into the world of marine archaeology. I highly recommend Seahenge by J.F. Penn.
Great service delivered very quick
I found Seahenge exciting and interesting. It was a story about someone's mission of gaining access to historical treasures to use for traditional display, but to do so meant that the possessor of the treasure ended life as it was intended to be due to a spell on the desired object that brought about total destruction. Who knew? I thought that the curator should have known. But she didn't. It was surprise ending for me. But I enjoyed the entire story.
So with all of her books, I get to the end and want more!!! Another in the series maybe or if the story had just gone on two more weeks what would have happened? Hah she writes really well. I get fabulous visuals off her descriptions. And as always there’s a creep factor-but it’s not high enough to actually creep you out but just enough to haunt you a bit till you can get back to reading it. Bravo again JF Penn!
SeaHenge, a short story by J. F. Penn, demonstrates her remarkable ability to tell a short story. This one is set along the English coast. She tells a story about a discovery made when one force of nature butts against the force of time. J.F. Penn has a deep respect for the sea, and past events which might be connecting with the present. While sitting on coastal rocks, I've observed wave after wave come crashing in, beauty, awesome power, deep respect, love/fear. So when Dr. Evelyn Price is summoned to the English coast, she discovers an ancient timber circle. As each wave recedes, more and more of the past is washing away. Dr. Price begins the arduous task of protecting the timber for removal for further study....Yet, as her team's work continues, a storm begins to brew! Angry water begins to pull back from the coast. Evelyn.......
No spoilers here. J.F. Penn has written an exceptional short story, yet I can sense more, so much more could be told, read/listen and imagined....
Penn delivers the words with her voice; aww, you just need to listen to her tell her story. I could almost taste the sea salt from my skin as my hair is tousled! I highly recommend this outstanding short story, bring your mind with your imagination
J.F. Penn is a master short story writer. In a relatively few pages, she captures the sea, the atmosphere, the emotions, the people, the horror when the ancient meets modern technology in a deadly battle. Generally, I am not a fan of short stories, but J.F. Penn's are different. She has the ability to write a memorable story, even a short story. Seahenges are magical places, wooden structures placed back in a distant time, that appear occasionally and then are reclaimed by the waves. I find them fascinating, especially after reading this brilliant story.
This was a great short story, I read it much more quickly than I had anticipated. I also purchased the audiobook companion and really enjoyed Joanna reading the story to me. As the plot unfolds and you get closer to the outcome, the book pushes you to read faster and faster, a great tale and very well written.
Wildly descriptive, suspenseful, and tentilating... I want more. The slow build and beautiful scenery created excitiment with edge of your seat suspense fir such a short story. Can't wait to return to this world.
Another great short story
Really interesting story. When something shows up on the beach and the archeologists are trying to figure out what it is and what it's suppose to do. I really enjoyed this story.
Seahenge is a real historical site in Britain, shrouded in mystery and fascinating to learn about. The story, inspired by actual events, is written by J.F. Penn, who masterfully blends history with imaginative "what if" scenarios. She takes readers on a journey back to a time before written history when the sea gradually consumed the land. It’s a short story, but full of suspense and depth. As always, J.F. Penn surprised me with her creative writing and storytelling. And I would like to recommend everyone read this book.
Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book, but the comments are my own. Just a wonderful read, with lots of room to imagine what is not written, allowing one's imagination to runwild and come up with a story within a story.
A very short story, however, what it lacks in word count, it certainly makes up for in atmosphere, chills, and is rich in ancient myth and the supernatural. All of which I love in abundance.
If you know the author's work, you will know just how much research goes into each piece, and it's all worth it. You can tell, as the story feels robust and full of life. This is well-written, with full characters, and, I was going to say "enjoyable", but it's not. You'll see what I mean when you read it. ;)
Writing short stories is an art form in itself, not every author is able to get their message across in such a small and precise format. Ms Penn has NO problems in that area. I would love to read a longer novel on this subject.
I chose to read an ARC of this work which I voluntarily and honestly read and reviewed. All opinions are my own. My thanks to the author.
The juxtaposition of two worlds colliding in the use of cutting-edge technology with the ancient languages and the ancient world coming back to reclaim its treasure ripped away by the modern world left me on the edge of my seat. It ended all too soon. I'd love to see this story expanded into a series!
Seahenge is a real place, with a real history, and I remember my fascination when I read about it some years ago. Most of the interesting archaeology seems to happen in South America or the Middle East, but this was actually in Britain, back before written history began, and before the sea crept in and swallowed the land.
Like so many of this author’s brilliantly descriptive tales, this story is based on fact. J F Penn has a great knack of taking real-life happenings and saying, “What if…?”
There is not much you can say about a short story without giving too much away, so I will just say, Don’t look at the ending first!
This short story is an atmospheric and thrilling dive into ancient mysteries and supernatural forces.
Its plot is engaging, balancing suspense with Penn’s meticulous attention to archaeological detail, which enriches the story without overwhelming the reader.
Characters, especially Evelyn and Samuel, are well-drawn and relatable, though secondary characters feel less developed, leaving some relationships under explored.
The absence of the mermaid’s backstory means we miss out on exploring the ancient rituals that were crucial in defeating the evil forces.
Penn’s writing shines in her vivid descriptions of the coastal setting, capturing both the eerie beauty of Seahenge and the growing sense of dread.
The suspense builds from start to finish, although the climactic scenes would benefit from a slower pace to heighten emotional impact.
Overall, Seahenge is an enjoyable, fast-paced read, especially for fans of supernatural archaeology and those intrigued by ancient myths resurfacing in modern times.
While deeper character exploration could enhance its emotional resonance, the story’s unique blend of mystery, history, and myth makes it a standout.
Readers who enjoy thrillers with a touch of the supernatural will find Seahenge both engaging and thought provoking.
A violent storm has revealed a Neolithic circle of tall wooden spars (similar to Stonehenge) off the coast of Norfolk, England. In the center is an inverted tree root with a strange object in the center of the roots. Marine archaeologist Dr. Evelyn Price and her crew are attempting to excavate all for further study. Meanwhile, Samuel Chen, resident Tech has utilized a drone to map a 3D map of the structure, discovering a pattern which seems to be a kind of language on the spars. Turning to AI, Samuel is attempting to translate some of it. On top of that, another violent storm is appearing in the distance. At this point I was on the edge of my seat! I loved this story! I highly recommend you read this short story to see what happens next. You won’t be disappointed! I have never been disappointed with any writing by this author and I have read many of her books and can highly recommend all of them. I read an ARC of this story but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
Well, is this a very good short sharp read or what. As with all this authors books I have read, well crafted and thought through. I loved it, couldn’t put it down till I’d finished it. I wanted to see what happened next right up to the ending I didn’t see coming at all. Though I should have done, shouldn’t I. Highly recommended.
It's amazing how much J.F. Penn can pack into a short story. I think I held my breath for much of the time I was reading it. The detail, atmosphere, and description put you right in the story, and the terror is palpable. She is a master at short story horror.
A fast-paced short story that tells how it is not always a good thing to mess with the unknown. I really enjoyed it.
"All good short stories should end with a twist" - that's what I was taught at uni, and it certainly hits the mark with this one!
Without giving the story away, I always really enjoy J.F. Penn's descriptions that give you a wonderful sense of the place, setting the scene, and then following the "what if premise" you have a story looking at an unexpected archaeological site
And, as I first said, an unexpected (but perhaps possible?) ending!
I enjoyed reading this story Seahenge. All of Penn's short stories are good and the endings never fail to leave the reader with questions. I would really enjoy a full length novel feathuring the Seahenge.
Dr. Evelyn Price and her team come upon a mysterious discovery. Not knowing the consequences would be deadly. They also discover a creature of the unknown and must find out how it is all connected. Mysterious shadows appear in the water and not a good sign of what is coming. An intense and great short story.