Book Review: Madness from the Sea (Jonathon T. Cross)

The master of cosmicism in literary form, H.P. Lovecraft should need little introduction as most will be aware of his influences on sci-fi and horror, even if they’ve never read a single word of his work. Just say the name ‘Cthulhu’ and see the reaction. The cosmic entity is a pop-culture icon these days with influence that spreads far and wide. So much so, that it’s easy to forget just how terrifying a concept it is.

Back in 2023, I reviewed a novella by author Jonathon T. Cross called Madness from the Sea: Cthulhu’s Lure. In it, Cross used the mythos to tell his own Cthulhu-based story and would follow that up in 2024 with Madness From the Sea: The Dreamlands. Both were published by That Spooky Beach, and both were filled with Lovecraftian horrors and delights, but importantly, had their own voice too. Jonathon T. Cross has been inspired by Lovecraft’s mind, not controlled by it, and the result was two very compelling reads.

So, what does Jonathon T. Cross bring us now? It’s the third part of the Madness From the Sea story, but not as expected. You see, instead of releasing another novella, Cross has combined the first two acts; Cthulhu’s Lure (Act I) and The Dreamlands (Act II), rewrote them with additional scenes and details that help tie them together, and finished the story arc off with the third part, The Necronomicon (Act III). This results in a full novel called – Madness from the Sea.

Having reviewed the first two acts already, I’m not going to repeat myself here. You can read the individual reviews of those stories below.

Madness From the Sea: Cthulhu’s Lure Review
Madness From the Sea: The Dreamlands Review

However, I will add that both stories are still hugely enjoyable reads and the flow between them and the third act is smooth. This over-arching story, in particular how grand it is as it goes on, is kept tight and energised, even when some aspects from The Dreamlands threaten to send it spiralling. Such is the madness of Cthulhu’s mythos, which Cross truly does a fantastic job of portraying.

Be warned, there will some spoilers for Cthulhu’s Lure and The Dreamlands here.

The Necronomicon aka The Book of the Dead, unsurprisingly, introduces Abdul Alhazred’s fictional book, but also Lovecraft’s The Nameless City, as well as continuing the main Cthulhu, Frances Smith, Finn, and Nyarlathotep storylines. Alongside these series’ mainstays, a number of new and unique characters entry the fray, which allows Cross to get a bit wilder with a breathless final act.

That’s the word that comes to mind as I look to summarise the third act, The Necronomicon. It’s breathless, energetic from the word go and filled with the kind of vibrancy that allows the imagination to run wild. As great as Cross is for painting a memorable canvas with his descriptive words, when combined with the reader’s mind, it becomes even more colourful.

Often that colour is blood red, and it oozes from every page, turning this story into one of the most violent so far. It has to be though as this is the end and with that comes a frantic attempt to tie up a ton of loose ends. It isn’t perfect, and Cross gets a little loose with some of the connecting plot points, particularly nearer the end, but it doesn’t stop it being satisfying.

If you’ve been along for the ride, you will want to see how the Frances Smith story ends, but a clever idea sees Cross go back and show how everything that has happened to her has been part of some grand design. Cthulhu and the cult has been connected to her for far longer than even she knows, and this detail adds even more weight to an already hefty read. Not in a ‘length’ kind of way but in a depth kind of way. Each novella was packed out, and as one complete story, it delivers richness throughout, proving to not just be a page turner, but the kind of story that you will simply struggle to put down.

I’ve loved the journey and I’m going to miss being part of this world, but I can’t wait to see what Jonathon T. Cross comes up with next.

Madness has arrived, and it’s not leaving without a fight.