The Loch

by Steve Alten

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 076536302X
• Release Date: April 2009
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 560 Pages
• Weight: 0.79 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.5" x 1.2" x 4.3"

Customer Reviews

One of the best Sci-Fy novels I’ve ever read!

Steve Alten has an amazing way of keeping you enthralled with his novels while maintaining accuracy. The Loch has you biting your nails and learning something new at the same time. The visual story that Mr. Alten writes has you immersed in the story and makes you feel like you are living the story with the main character!

Great read!

Amazing book that adds science to a fictional story that is believable. Really enjoyed reading this and can't wait to start the 2nd book in the series.

Has become my favorite book of all time.

This book is incredibly amazing from the beginning to the end it’s captivating there’s not a second in the book where it’s boring, I love that he actually use scientific evidence for a mythical creature it makes reading this book a lot more indulging because it gives you a sense of reality. He uses real cultural representations of the country that the book is based on which is Scotland and it’s just incredibly well written and I highly recommend anybody buy it you will not be disappointed.

Fantastic book! Could not put it down!

An epic if I've ever seen one!

I'm a fan of Mr. Alten's work, but my exposure to his writing, up until the point I got this book, mainly consisted of the Meg novels, so I was a little wary about this book. I wasn't disappointed. Mr. Alten paints such a vivid picture in this selection. He has no trouble taking the reader all over the world, from the U.S. to Scotland... and, boy, he does the Loch Ness legend great justice with the story itself. I recommend "The Loch" to any reader who likes an action-packed story with great scenery, fleshed out characters and twists and turns in every chapter. A fascinating read!

Great Book

First of all I read for escapism...and this book was a great way to escape from the reality of Afghanistan (I'm active duty USAF)if only for a short while. I think Steve Alten has a great imagination and he really does his homework before writing his stories. His theories are interesting which is why I enjoy his writing. I became hooked on the MEG series after reading the first one. I read the first chapter of The Loch online and decided I had to get it. I started to read the book the day I received it and I didn't put it down until I finished it. I thought it was an outstanding story. His idea about the origin of the Loch Ness monster was very unique and shows an ability to think outside the box. I'm not one to dissect someone's work and critique every little thing. Steve the book was great...keep the stories coming. Guys like me who are away from home always enjoy a good book .

Och, Nessie ate my homework!

In this case more specifically Nessie made an Elevenses out of the business associate of the father of Marine Biologist Zach Wallace. Wallace is coming home after nearly drowning in the Sargasso Sea. He was on an expedition in search of a giant squid. His return home is not something he is expected to be a happy occasion. Angus, his father and he are estranged. Worse, the father is under a lot of stress since he is accused of murdering his business partner. Things fall to Zach to help prove his father's innocent based on the claim there really is something in the loch, Nessie or otherwise, and it occasionally likes a people appetizer. The sole defence Zach's father puts forth was that "something" are his business partner. Of course, since this slander against Nessie comes on the fact Angus had just punched his partner in the face causing him to fall into the water, it doesn't help to make people believe Angus. As the case goes to trial it becomes a media event - would you expect otherwise? But this mania is blown full force when more people begin to go a-missing and half-eaten body parts are discovered along the shore of the Ness. Zach must have to come to terms with his father and their estrangement, build a bridge so he can mount a defence to prove Angus is telling the truth. Not only must Zach put with news hounds, he must deal with Nessie Watchers, rival scientists and even a Knights Templar. Written in first person, Zach's narrative hooks the reader. From Zach's coming to terms with his estrangement from his country of birth, his father, to just what is Angus really up to - did something get his partner or is this a convenient way to commit murder and get away with it - Alten keeps you guessing the whole way. Fans of Alten won't want to miss this one. Not a fan? This is a good place to become one. Riveting storytelling. Slainte Mohr!!

An engaging read...

What lives in the water of the famous Loch Ness? That question have plagued mankind's mind for years. Eyewitness sightings and photographs aplenty. Steve Alten attempts to answer the question of what the famous Loch Ness Monster is in his latest thriller. The novel grabbed me from page one and didn't let go, the mix of science, fiction, and history make The Loch Steve's novel the best to date. But the book is more than just a tale of a mythical sea monster, at it's heart the book is about family. If you are a fan of Steve Alten's work, this book will not disappoint you. If you have never read a Steve Alten book, this is the one to start with. It takes the reader and draws him or her in, letting you get to the know characters and the rich history of Scotland. A must read for anyone who wants to know "What lives in The Loch?".

If you have never read Steve Alten before, NOW is the time!

I have been a HUGE fan of Steve Alten and his boundless imagination ever since he published 'Meg' several years ago. My how time flies and Steve has continued to thrill and impress me over and over again. If you have read some of his earlier stuff, you KNOW he can spin a yarn about mythical, or even prehistoric monsters...but how will he do with one of the best known myths of the past 100 years? In a word: GREAT. This story captures you virtually from the first page. Written in first person, I immediately found it engaging and it kept me highly interested in what would happen next. I could hardly turn the pages fast enough. I KNOW that sounds like a tired and overused cliche, but with Steve Alten, it simply is TRUE. The entire Wallace family has deep roots in Scotland, and more specifically, in and around famous Loch Ness. The latest Wallace (Marine Biologist Zachary) intends to break these roots as he finds himself terribly estranged from his Father Angus, who would rather find warmth in the arms of virtually any woman other than his wife. Zach moves with his American Mother back to the States and because of a deep hatred of his Father, works twice as hard to prove himself -- not to his Dad, but to himself. Eventually he succeeds becoming world renown and teams with National Geographic to attempt to capture on film a living Giant Squid in the Sargasso Sea. The resulting tragic accident nearly kills Zach and plunges him into a bottomless pit which quickly spins out of control. Out of a job, home and with the sudden phobia of the water, Zach simply doesn't know where to turn, until his half brother unexpectedly shows up begging him to come back to Scotland and help support their Father who is on trial for murder. This is where the story takes a turn from merely entertaining to a virtually scorching hot read as events continue to snowball out of control around the Trial of the Century in Great Britain. Has Angus sent for young Zach for moral support, or has he other dark nefarious plans in place? Well you can guess for yourself what it may be, but I'll wager you won't guess true. Is there something truly in the waters of the great Loch Ness that can scientifically be explained? According to Steve Alten and many others, the answer is a qualified YES. The really interesting part is exactly what *It* really IS. I must admit it took me by surprise. Don't believe in big myths like the Loch Ness Monster? You just might after you finish this book. Twists & turns enough to make you dizzy and a VERY engaging plot with a great novel written by someone with true storytelling talent makes The Loch one of those rare thrillers you cannot afford to miss. If you consider yourself a fan of Steve Alten's stuff, you will NOT be disappointed with this one. Caution: starting this will force you to miss work, sleep and who knows what else...but don't worry, you'll put the book down...after the NEXT chapter...or maybe the one after that...