Stridor

by Tyler Jones

In this chilling novella from Tyler Jones, author of Midas, Heavy Oceans, Criterium, and Burn the Plans (one of Esquire Magazine's Best Horror Books of 2022), a pediatrician finds herself not only haunted, but stalked by her mistakes.A dark and terrifying exploration of guilt, and the ways in which regrets and secrets can define our lives in unexpected and horrifying ways.“Tyler Jones’ stories are a manifesto for how horror can move, disturb, amuse, and devastate...written with such heart and humanity that you close the book feeling refreshed, confident that horror still has much to offer.”—Esquire Magazine on Burn the Plans"...smart...thrilling...Tyler Jones has written one for the ages...one of my favorite reads in years."- Josh Malerman, author of Bird Box and Spin a Black Yarn on Midas"A grisly tale, an ever-so-slow twisting of a knife. A triumphant piece of fiction."- Philip Fracassi, author of Boys in the Valley on The Dark Side of the Room"This is small-town Bradbury with a world-weary mean even the magic here seems perfectly happy to break your bones and drag your face across asphalt."- Jeremy Robert Johnson, author of The Loop on CriteriumTyler Jones writes with the lyrical complexity and haunting tenderness of masters like Matheson and Straub while remaining entirely new and inventive. A true visionary of contemporary horror fiction."—Eric LaRocca, author of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke on Almost Ruth"Gripping, visceral, and supremely unpredictable."- Nat Cassidy, author of Nestlings on Heavy Oceans

Genres: Horror

98 pages, Paperback

Published February 25, 2024

About the author

Tyler Jones is the author of CRITERIUM, THE DARK SIDE OF THE ROOM, ALMOST RUTH, BURN THE PLANS, TURN UP THE SUN, HEAVY OCEANS, MIDAS, and LONGSIGHT M40.

His upcoming books include:
DEPTH CHARGE (Shortwave Publishing)
NIGHT OF THE GLASS KNIVES (Shortwave Publishing)
GO (Clash Books)

His work has appeared in the anthologies BURNT TONGUES (edited by Chuck Palahniuk), ONE THING WAS CERTAIN, 101 PROOF HORROR, CAMPFIRE MACABRE, PARANORMAL CONTACT and in Dark Moon Digest, Coffin Bell, Aphotic Realm, Cemetery Dance, LitReactor, and The NoSleep Podcast.

He lives in Portland, Oregon.

He is represented by Elizabeth Copps at Copps Literary Agency and Alec Frankel at IAG for Film/TV.

Reviews

[Ali O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stridor by Tyler Jones
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Another excellent story by Tyler Jones! It wasn’t what I was expecting, but was even better! This is a short story, which deals with a lot of deep feelings and emotions. For a short story, it packs in a lot! It’s very well written and deals with real life horrors.

I listened to the audio version and the narrator did a great job!
Thank you to Tyler Jones for an audio copy. I have found all of his books to be fantastic!

*This one is on the Short Smack list and is a great contender!! It’s a quick read/listen, so grab this one!!*

[Paulo "paper books only" · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started yesterday and finished today.

First of all I have to say that the way it's written it flows so well that you can read this in 1h / 1h30. The way it's written is very poetic and made me want to read more and more.

This book is under 100 pages yet it develops a lot the main character. I felt so invested that I wanted to stop reading and ask my wife about this kind of personality (she is a psychologist).

In this novella we follow a woman who is becoming guilt because she has been unfaithful. First it's nothing, but as the pages go on, you see it killing her slowly and becoming destructive towards herself and her husband who she loves. I mean the author explains that although she loves him, she wants more and this can only be given by these flings.

There is a parole about a frog and a scorpion travelling the river, frog does not want but it's convinced because the scorpion says he won't sting him because they will both drown. As they are travelling the Scorpion stings the Frog and as they both are drowning he frog asks why did he do it since they both drown and the scorpion says, it's in his nature.

This is our main character.

We don't understand the reason the DOG but it's a allegory of guilt consuming oneself. The Romanian family is also interesting.

The ending was brilliant. Overall I enjoyed a lot , my favourite so far from him and I am sorry for Damian. He didn't deserve that. 93/100

[RobLovesBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's was OK. I wanted the story to go more the way of Tampa (Alissa Nutting). Our good Doctor has *an event* that you just know is going to bite her towards the end of this story. The scary part of the story is her inner voice. Stridor is just a slight detour to keep the story interesting.

[Joseph Murnane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m on a roll today and just finished Tyler Jones’ Stridor. Man, this is my second from him and I’m just so amazed at how much he can pack into such a short tale.

Stridor makes a promise right at the beginning, and then almost lulls you into forgetting that promise with deeply human characterization before kicking your teeth out right at the end while delivering the goods.

An excellent exploration of guilt, shame, secrets, and wrath. 5/5

[Nat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is a gut punch of guilt. What starts off as a tale of an unfaithful spouse turns into an emotionally grueling horror story including vicious white eyed dogs and spooky wheezing cell phone calls. I couldn’t put this one down and stayed up past my bedtime finishing it and didn’t feel guilty.

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stridor by Tyler Jones -

My introduction to Tyler Jones came when I had the opportunity to read Heavy Oceans last year. I devoured that book, and immediately set out to find Tyler’s other works. I became an instant fan.

Today I listened to Tyler’s new short story Stridor, which I’ve learned he has entered into the Short Smack!

Tyler has a gift for writing short stories that are satisfying, compelling, and sometimes heartbreakingly gut-wrenching. If you haven’t read his short story collection - Burn the Plans - you should check that out as well. Some absolute bangers in that collection! But that’s not why we’re here. Back to Stridor!

This is a short story, so if I say too much it will give things away. Let’s just say I was not at all prepared for where this story went, and I mean that in the absolute best way. My jaw literally dropped a few times - especially in the last chapter of the book. At one point I audibly gasped.

Man! This little book was so good! Do not hesitate to put this one on your short list for the short smack. Read it NOW so you can vote it in! This book absolutely deserves to be there!

[Beverly Laude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tyler Jones has once again created a great short tale that will stick with the reader for a long time. This will grab you from the first page and never let go. The main character is a fairly unlikable female Pediatrician that I wanted to shake for her poor choices! But, those choices are what drives this book to its terrifying conclusion.

If you enjoy a well-written, complex tale of the horrors that lurk in our world, this book is perfect. The narrator did an excellent job and added a lot to my enjoyment of this one.

[Denisse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing Short Story
I loved the short story, it kept me engaged until the end.
You will keep guessing on what comes next! The narrator did a great job as well! Definitely worth the listen!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written novella, with a sad and unsettling tension building towards an ending I didn’t see coming!

[Louise Storey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very poetic! Tyler very kindly gave me a free audible code and with this book being entered into the shortsmack I wanted to get through as many as possible I jumped at the offer.
I am more of a reader than a listener however I have to give credit to the narrator Jennifer Pickens as she really brought the story to life.
Brilliant short story which links in the horrors of real life decisions and repercussions.
My first Tyler read but hopefully not my last.