The Loch

Marine biologist Zachary Wallace once suffered a near-drowning experience in legendary Loch Ness, and now, long-forgotten memories of that experience have begun haunting him. The truth surrounding these memories lies with Zachary’s estranged father, Angus Wallace, a wily Highlander on trial for murder. Together the two plunge into a world where the legend of Loch Ness shows its true face.

Loch Ness holds secrets, ancient and deadly. Does a monster inhabit its depths, or is it just myth? Why, after thousands of reported sightings and dozens of expeditions, is there still no hard evidence? Marine biologist Zachery Wallace knows, but the shock of his near-drowning as a child on Loch Ness have buried all memories of the incident. Now, a near-death experience suffered while on expedition in the Sargasso Sea has caused these long-forgotten memories to re-surface. Haunted by vivid night terrors, stricken by a sudden fear of the water, Zach finds he can no longer function as a scientist. Unable to cope, his career all but over, he stumbles down a path of self-destruction...until he receives contact from his estranged father...a man he has not seen since his parents' divorced and he left Scotland as a boy.

Angus Wallace, a wily Highlander who never worked an honest day in his life, is on trial for murdering his business partner. Only Zachary can prove his innocence - if he is innocent, but to do so means confronting the nightmare that nearly killed him seventeen years earlier.

Incorporating the latest research and "new evidence," that leads to real answers concerning the monster's identity, best-selling author Steve Alten weaves a tale of horror about the most publicized and controversial creature ever to exist.

Kirkus Reviews

After spending three books with a 60-foot prehistoric shark (Meg, 1997, etc.), Alten takes on Nessie in a supercharged monster thriller. All of this author's gigantidramas carry a vast ballast of scientific research and stabilizing facts that lend sweet belief to fairy tales full of big bad beasts. Most people may think that the fabled Loch Ness monster doesn't exist, but marine biologist Zack Wallace knows better. Born and raised by Loch Ness until his mother divorced his philandering father and moved to the States, Zack still carries the scars on his back and buttocks from the bite Nessie gave him when he was nine. Oh-and he drowned as well; in fact, he drowns under horrible circumstances three times here but is pumped or electro-paddled back to life. We first meet Zack in a submersible under the Sargasso Sea. Using new sonar equipment, he sends out recorded bait sounds to entice a monstrous 60-foot squid up to his film cameras. The squid comes, tears the submersible to pieces and Zack drowns for the second time. As he recovers, his half-brother, Scottish lawyer Max Rael, appears to tell him he's needed back at Loch Ness. Their father is on trial for murdering big-time bad guy Johnny Cialino. Angus claims that he merely struck Johnny C., who then fell into the frigid Loch and was swallowed by Nessie. Nobody believes him. To save his detested father, Zack must prove that Nessie exists. Soon monster-hunting teams from all over fill the Loch with pinging sonar signals, trying to sight the beast deep in the great trench in which the lake rests. Dirty deeds arise, as well as a surviving team of Black Knights Templar and the sexy captain of a tourist boat. Heart-stopping action and horrorthat will give night terrors to the most jaded thrill-seeker. $400,000 ad/promo

A native of Philadelphia, Steve Alten earned a Bachelor’s degree from Penn State, a Masters from the University of Delaware, and a Doctorate from Temple University. He is the author of the bestselling MEG series, Domain series, and Goliath. Steve now resides in South Florida.