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Depth Charge
Not yet published
Expected 10 Nov 26304 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 10, 2026
About the author
Tyler Jones
25 books205 followersTyler 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 1, 2026
Flawless. Review to come.
Depth Charge is a deeply unnerving novel about an artist who can see death in his own paintings, yet, an even more disturbing idea comes to mind: can we somehow change that future? Julian Le Sang's gift is as grotesque as it is fascinating. His blood is the medium through which he is able to glimpse what is to come, and Jones uses that premise to craft a horror story that feels both immediate and enormous. What grows from a bullied child who finds a sense of belonging with friendship expands into something that is incredibly dangerous, drawing Marcy and her son into her longtime friend Julian's orbit. It is a nightmare of secrets and forces that seem to make fate unavoidable. A rather compelling element is the way Jones keeps the story's emotional center in Julian and Marcy. Their relationship gives the supernatural elements weight, making the question of whether anyone can stop fate feel like more than simply a plot device. This becomes a question of how much we can bear to know about the people we love most, and whether knowing what may happen is even a power at all. Jones has a knack for making the uncanny and strange feel pressing. The blood paintings, the visions, and an increasingly terrifying threat all contribute to the oppressive dread our characters carry. There is a palpable sense of desperate momentum, leading us readers somewhere we have no power over, but the emotional consequences hit just as heavy. Depth Charge is an imaginative and affecting horror novel, its very own piece of art. This kind of book leaves you wondering whether some futures are meant to be changed, or whether that attempt is what makes them all the more inevitable. Thank you Tyler for sending me an early copy of Depth Charge for review. You can preorder directly from Shortwave Publishing, which includes a companion chapbook. You don't want to miss this one so make sure you pick it up. Depth Charge publishes November 10, 2026! Full coverage to come over at Cemetery Dance soon.
Depth Charge is a deeply unnerving novel about an artist who can see death in his own paintings, yet, an even more disturbing idea comes to mind: can we somehow change that future? Julian Le Sang's gift is as grotesque as it is fascinating. His blood is the medium through which he is able to glimpse what is to come, and Jones uses that premise to craft a horror story that feels both immediate and enormous. What grows from a bullied child who finds a sense of belonging with friendship expands into something that is incredibly dangerous, drawing Marcy and her son into her longtime friend Julian's orbit. It is a nightmare of secrets and forces that seem to make fate unavoidable. A rather compelling element is the way Jones keeps the story's emotional center in Julian and Marcy. Their relationship gives the supernatural elements weight, making the question of whether anyone can stop fate feel like more than simply a plot device. This becomes a question of how much we can bear to know about the people we love most, and whether knowing what may happen is even a power at all. Jones has a knack for making the uncanny and strange feel pressing. The blood paintings, the visions, and an increasingly terrifying threat all contribute to the oppressive dread our characters carry. There is a palpable sense of desperate momentum, leading us readers somewhere we have no power over, but the emotional consequences hit just as heavy. Depth Charge is an imaginative and affecting horror novel, its very own piece of art. This kind of book leaves you wondering whether some futures are meant to be changed, or whether that attempt is what makes them all the more inevitable. Thank you Tyler for sending me an early copy of Depth Charge for review. You can preorder directly from Shortwave Publishing, which includes a companion chapbook. You don't want to miss this one so make sure you pick it up. Depth Charge publishes November 10, 2026! Full coverage to come over at Cemetery Dance soon.
July 31, 2026
DEPTH CHARGE is one of those special kind of books. In one way, it is a page-turning thriller, impossible to put down because of short chapters and a need to know what happens next. In another, it is a deeply thought-provoking story about life, death, and how we spend our time knowing an end result is inevitable. Tyler Jones is such a strong writer and he just GETS character. The connections you build with the characters, Marcy (the narrator) and her son, as well as Julian, the artist who sees visions of death in his blood, are so important to take this from “just” another conspiracy thriller to a whole other level.
I also really appreciate how Jones does not pull his punches. He looks difficult topics in the face and makes you sit with them along with the characters. He does this so well in many of his works, but does it exceptionally with DEPTH CHARGE.
There are some really cool Easter eggs and full-on connections with some of his other works. DEPTH CHARGE is an expansion of his amazing short story “Full Fathom Five”, but I was pleasantly surprised to see a connection to another story from his collection Burn the Plans (I’ll let you discover that for yourself). I’m also looking forward to seeing where the world building regarding The Shed goes and how he builds off of that in the future, as it reminds me a lot (in a good way) of King’s use of The Shop.
DEPTH CHARGE is one of those books I will be thinking about for a long time. I only wish I had even more time to spend with these characters. A must-read novel from one of the best writers in genre fiction.
Thank you to the author and Shortwave for an eARC for review!
I also really appreciate how Jones does not pull his punches. He looks difficult topics in the face and makes you sit with them along with the characters. He does this so well in many of his works, but does it exceptionally with DEPTH CHARGE.
There are some really cool Easter eggs and full-on connections with some of his other works. DEPTH CHARGE is an expansion of his amazing short story “Full Fathom Five”, but I was pleasantly surprised to see a connection to another story from his collection Burn the Plans (I’ll let you discover that for yourself). I’m also looking forward to seeing where the world building regarding The Shed goes and how he builds off of that in the future, as it reminds me a lot (in a good way) of King’s use of The Shop.
DEPTH CHARGE is one of those books I will be thinking about for a long time. I only wish I had even more time to spend with these characters. A must-read novel from one of the best writers in genre fiction.
Thank you to the author and Shortwave for an eARC for review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I can’t stop thinking about Depth Charge. I went into this book thinking it would be a gory tale about a young artist who can see the future in blood paintings. While that IS the premise, the book is SO much more and I’m rating it 10 out of 5 stars (my math is fine, I’m just obsessed with this).
First let me start with the gore factor - the visceral reactions I had to the author’s descriptions of blood made my stomach turn. I could smell and taste the blood on the page. I am not talking about descriptions of violent acts or torn open dead bodies, just… blood. It feels THAT real.
Now, aside from blood, there is a story that will make you think about the universe in ways you weren’t expecting. There is life, death, and all of the in-between… and this book challenges you to question what everything means and how it is all connected. There were times I had to stop reading, close my eyes, and just.. think. Think about the universe and our place in it. Not many stories allow me to do that, but Tyler Jones has a way of explaining so clearly the path he wants the reader to take and allows them the space to proceed on that journey.
I felt such deep emotions with each character, and yes, I shed a few tears. Tears I wasn’t expecting to shed. There is a character that can speak to everyone, and I think I saw myself in a few.
This novel is complex, profound, sad, happy, beautiful, terrifying, and ultimately I think it’s a book everyone should read (only after checking any trigger warnings)!
I am so thankful to Tyler Jones for creating a work of art that has affected me so deeply, and I hope this book gains all of the momentum it deserves once it is published.
Thank you so incredibly much to NetGalley and Shortwave publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First let me start with the gore factor - the visceral reactions I had to the author’s descriptions of blood made my stomach turn. I could smell and taste the blood on the page. I am not talking about descriptions of violent acts or torn open dead bodies, just… blood. It feels THAT real.
Now, aside from blood, there is a story that will make you think about the universe in ways you weren’t expecting. There is life, death, and all of the in-between… and this book challenges you to question what everything means and how it is all connected. There were times I had to stop reading, close my eyes, and just.. think. Think about the universe and our place in it. Not many stories allow me to do that, but Tyler Jones has a way of explaining so clearly the path he wants the reader to take and allows them the space to proceed on that journey.
I felt such deep emotions with each character, and yes, I shed a few tears. Tears I wasn’t expecting to shed. There is a character that can speak to everyone, and I think I saw myself in a few.
This novel is complex, profound, sad, happy, beautiful, terrifying, and ultimately I think it’s a book everyone should read (only after checking any trigger warnings)!
I am so thankful to Tyler Jones for creating a work of art that has affected me so deeply, and I hope this book gains all of the momentum it deserves once it is published.
Thank you so incredibly much to NetGalley and Shortwave publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Release Date: Nov 10 2026
How would your life change if you knew exactly how it would end? That question sat with me all the way through "Depth Charge," a dark, emotional thriller about an artist haunted by visions of death and their close childhood friend whose life is upended by them.
Continuing to defy my expectations and predictions the whole way through, I read Depth Charge at breakneck speed as the clean, direct prose flowed so easily. Chapter after chapter I was intrigued, never quite able to guess where the story was headed next. In the end, I finished wishing it were longer! It felt like so much time was spent building background, with most of the plot packed into the last third of the book, only for the story to end ambiguously. And I think this feeling came down to the structure and pacing; IMO the three titled parts of the book had very distinct themes and subject matter. Trying not to give too much away: part one felt like necessary context and buildup; part two then mainly explored mortality, life choices, and parental grief; then part three took a dramatic turn into thriller action regarding supernatural powers (becoming even a bit sci-fi thematically). The transition and pace from part two to part three didn't totally land for me, though I enjoyed reading all parts independently.
Reflecting upon this read, I would recommend it to fans of dark thrillers such as Dark Matter (Blake Crouch), The Gone World (Tom Sweterlitsch), and The Dead Zone (Stephen King).
Thank you to Shortwave Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and review!
How would your life change if you knew exactly how it would end? That question sat with me all the way through "Depth Charge," a dark, emotional thriller about an artist haunted by visions of death and their close childhood friend whose life is upended by them.
Continuing to defy my expectations and predictions the whole way through, I read Depth Charge at breakneck speed as the clean, direct prose flowed so easily. Chapter after chapter I was intrigued, never quite able to guess where the story was headed next. In the end, I finished wishing it were longer! It felt like so much time was spent building background, with most of the plot packed into the last third of the book, only for the story to end ambiguously. And I think this feeling came down to the structure and pacing; IMO the three titled parts of the book had very distinct themes and subject matter. Trying not to give too much away: part one felt like necessary context and buildup; part two then mainly explored mortality, life choices, and parental grief; then part three took a dramatic turn into thriller action regarding supernatural powers (becoming even a bit sci-fi thematically). The transition and pace from part two to part three didn't totally land for me, though I enjoyed reading all parts independently.
Reflecting upon this read, I would recommend it to fans of dark thrillers such as Dark Matter (Blake Crouch), The Gone World (Tom Sweterlitsch), and The Dead Zone (Stephen King).
Thank you to Shortwave Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
‘Don’t waste time blaming yourself for losing what the world was gonna take away no matter what.’
Having only read Jones’s short stories, I was pleasantly surprised at how well he was able to sustain a much longer story, and how that story was able to morph from an intimate, tight, 3X5 index card space into something much larger—getting close to the dreadful and nihilistic ending of something like ‘Revival’ but somehow steering it to more hopeful (not sure that’s the word) shores. Maybe this line gets closer: ‘It was like he had painted a person at the exact moment of heartbreak. The very second hope left them.’ Hopeful for maybe a milli-second might be better.
So yeah, Julian’s a painter, but ‘most people didn’t even know his name, they just knew him as the kid who picked his nose until it bled.’ And although he doesn’t paint strictly with drops of blood that fall from his nose (that concept gets turned up to eleven in the later parts, IV bags and all), they do create these things called ‘blood tickets,’ possibly glimpses into how/when certain people will die. But it’s not an exact science, not even close. Let’s just say, ‘the bigger the canvas, the more Julian can see.’
Jones hits hard on the heartstrings, and ninety percent of the time it chisels away at your chest. There are a few moments where it feels like the characters are just going through the motions, though, and some of the more existential exposition can get a bit heavy-handed, but that’s just me being super picky about a pretty bulletproof story.
The pacing is greased-lightning (you can get through this one in 1-3 sittings, easy) and the prose is lean and to the point. It’d be interesting to know if Jones pantsed or plotted or did a little of both, because the hard left turn at roughly the half-way point is jarring yet consistent (something like ‘The Shop/Institute’) and opens the way for a devastating ending. Jones’s voice really shines through in the last few chapters, and he’s especially gifted at writing child characters, not an easy feat to pull off.
If you like ‘Firestarter,’ ‘Final Destination,’ or that one X-Files episode ‘Tithonus’ S6E10, you’ll love Depth Charge. I highly recommend this one, and look forward to Jones’s next novel.
Big thanks to NetGalley, Shortwave Publishing, and Tyler Jones for an awesome story.
Having only read Jones’s short stories, I was pleasantly surprised at how well he was able to sustain a much longer story, and how that story was able to morph from an intimate, tight, 3X5 index card space into something much larger—getting close to the dreadful and nihilistic ending of something like ‘Revival’ but somehow steering it to more hopeful (not sure that’s the word) shores. Maybe this line gets closer: ‘It was like he had painted a person at the exact moment of heartbreak. The very second hope left them.’ Hopeful for maybe a milli-second might be better.
So yeah, Julian’s a painter, but ‘most people didn’t even know his name, they just knew him as the kid who picked his nose until it bled.’ And although he doesn’t paint strictly with drops of blood that fall from his nose (that concept gets turned up to eleven in the later parts, IV bags and all), they do create these things called ‘blood tickets,’ possibly glimpses into how/when certain people will die. But it’s not an exact science, not even close. Let’s just say, ‘the bigger the canvas, the more Julian can see.’
Jones hits hard on the heartstrings, and ninety percent of the time it chisels away at your chest. There are a few moments where it feels like the characters are just going through the motions, though, and some of the more existential exposition can get a bit heavy-handed, but that’s just me being super picky about a pretty bulletproof story.
The pacing is greased-lightning (you can get through this one in 1-3 sittings, easy) and the prose is lean and to the point. It’d be interesting to know if Jones pantsed or plotted or did a little of both, because the hard left turn at roughly the half-way point is jarring yet consistent (something like ‘The Shop/Institute’) and opens the way for a devastating ending. Jones’s voice really shines through in the last few chapters, and he’s especially gifted at writing child characters, not an easy feat to pull off.
If you like ‘Firestarter,’ ‘Final Destination,’ or that one X-Files episode ‘Tithonus’ S6E10, you’ll love Depth Charge. I highly recommend this one, and look forward to Jones’s next novel.
Big thanks to NetGalley, Shortwave Publishing, and Tyler Jones for an awesome story.
September 19, 2026
Big thanks to Netgalley for this ARC!
My thought is that this entire book is basically an ode to the present moment. And how we so often miss it because we’re too busy thinking about what’s ahead - good or bad.
I contemplated DNF’ing this throughout the first 30% but allowed myself to continue on because I enjoyed Jones work Heavy Oceans so much. Things picked up after the 30% mark and it almost felt that the back half was a different book than the first half. Like I thought it was going one direction (and honestly I couldn’t figure out the direction it would take) but then it went in another.
I did have a negative reaction to the scene below. One which I tried to articulate beneath the quote.
QUOTE: “It was such a Julian thing to do—just turn off the CD without asking what I wanted to listen to, or if I cared. Sometimes it bothered me, but most of the time I appreciated his lack of manners because it was honest. I’d already learned that men could hide their true feelings and motivations pretty well. With Julian, you didn’t have to wonder. He thought the music sucked, so he changed it.”
NOTES ON MY NEGATIVE REACTION: Something about this scene rubs me wrong. To just stop another persons music, throw their property around and then the other person likes it because of the “honesty”? Isn’t it more like not caring about the other persons desires and possessions - A lack of respect?
The ending is ambiguous and leaves me with questions:
1. who are the entities coming out of the cave?
2. Will Marcy ever give in and tell Marshall what she saw in the blood painting?
3. Is her father in the “Over There”?
Im glad to see Jones write another novel and hope he has more in the future!
QUOTE: ““Sometimes, where we come from never leaves us, and it shapes us in ways we don’t fully understand until we’re older. Even then, the past is a bit like possession—informing our choices, our fears, how we relate to others, how we form relationships—a demonic presence guiding our every move without our knowledge.”
My thought is that this entire book is basically an ode to the present moment. And how we so often miss it because we’re too busy thinking about what’s ahead - good or bad.
I contemplated DNF’ing this throughout the first 30% but allowed myself to continue on because I enjoyed Jones work Heavy Oceans so much. Things picked up after the 30% mark and it almost felt that the back half was a different book than the first half. Like I thought it was going one direction (and honestly I couldn’t figure out the direction it would take) but then it went in another.
I did have a negative reaction to the scene below. One which I tried to articulate beneath the quote.
QUOTE: “It was such a Julian thing to do—just turn off the CD without asking what I wanted to listen to, or if I cared. Sometimes it bothered me, but most of the time I appreciated his lack of manners because it was honest. I’d already learned that men could hide their true feelings and motivations pretty well. With Julian, you didn’t have to wonder. He thought the music sucked, so he changed it.”
NOTES ON MY NEGATIVE REACTION: Something about this scene rubs me wrong. To just stop another persons music, throw their property around and then the other person likes it because of the “honesty”? Isn’t it more like not caring about the other persons desires and possessions - A lack of respect?
The ending is ambiguous and leaves me with questions:
1. who are the entities coming out of the cave?
2. Will Marcy ever give in and tell Marshall what she saw in the blood painting?
3. Is her father in the “Over There”?
Im glad to see Jones write another novel and hope he has more in the future!
QUOTE: ““Sometimes, where we come from never leaves us, and it shapes us in ways we don’t fully understand until we’re older. Even then, the past is a bit like possession—informing our choices, our fears, how we relate to others, how we form relationships—a demonic presence guiding our every move without our knowledge.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"When you're painting out of your unconscious, figures are bound to emerge" - Jackson Pollock
This is a MUST-READ! Pre-order now, release date is
11 /10 /2026. 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
An artist who paints with blood and see visions of death. WOW, YEAH I WAS HOOKED!! I spiraled straight into Julian’s dark, twisted mind, and the deeper I got, the more I realized this was something completely unique and original. I had absolutely NO clue where this story was going or how it could possibly end and I couldn’t put it down! Dark, disturbing, unpredictable, and completely gripping.
When Julian first unveiled his art, everyone thought he was a psycho. His notoriety only grew over time, yet he remained fiercely private, speaking publicly about nothing but his work. Then came the unveiling of his latest collection: ten canvases painted in different hues of blood. The moment the paintings were revealed, the gallery erupted. Horrified bystanders fled as if the building were on fire, triggering a terrifying stampede that left two people dead and several others injured. And suddenly, Julian’s art wasn’t just disturbing it was deadly.
What starts as dark, creepy, bloody, suspenseful horror becomes something much more emotional tackling family, loss, cancer, grief, fate, and the lengths we’ll go to for the people we love. GRIEF HORROR. I didn't expect the book to go there. The creepy blood paintings and visions of death is what I had expected and got so much more. I don't want to spoil so go read. And that ending gave me GOOSEBUMPS. My heart aches a little too.
I'm looking forward to listening to the audiobook as soon as it's available.
Releases on 11/10/2026.
Thank you Netgalley and Shortwave Publishing for this Fantastic ARC.
This is a MUST-READ! Pre-order now, release date is
11 /10 /2026. 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
An artist who paints with blood and see visions of death. WOW, YEAH I WAS HOOKED!! I spiraled straight into Julian’s dark, twisted mind, and the deeper I got, the more I realized this was something completely unique and original. I had absolutely NO clue where this story was going or how it could possibly end and I couldn’t put it down! Dark, disturbing, unpredictable, and completely gripping.
When Julian first unveiled his art, everyone thought he was a psycho. His notoriety only grew over time, yet he remained fiercely private, speaking publicly about nothing but his work. Then came the unveiling of his latest collection: ten canvases painted in different hues of blood. The moment the paintings were revealed, the gallery erupted. Horrified bystanders fled as if the building were on fire, triggering a terrifying stampede that left two people dead and several others injured. And suddenly, Julian’s art wasn’t just disturbing it was deadly.
What starts as dark, creepy, bloody, suspenseful horror becomes something much more emotional tackling family, loss, cancer, grief, fate, and the lengths we’ll go to for the people we love. GRIEF HORROR. I didn't expect the book to go there. The creepy blood paintings and visions of death is what I had expected and got so much more. I don't want to spoil so go read. And that ending gave me GOOSEBUMPS. My heart aches a little too.
I'm looking forward to listening to the audiobook as soon as it's available.
Releases on 11/10/2026.
Thank you Netgalley and Shortwave Publishing for this Fantastic ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh boy. Depth Charge is really quite special
Tyler Jones has created such a powerful, heart-breaking and thought-provoking story; a story that is going to live with me for a very, very long time.
Dealing with some very heavy themes, including death, grief and fate, Jones has created a cast of characters that are immediately likeable yet incredibly complex. The plot centres around Julian, an artist who can see future deaths in paintings created with blood, and how he deals with this 'ability'. The story is narrated by Marcy, Julian's best friend since school, as we follow their journey together in trying to understand why Julian sees what he sees and whether it can be used for good.
I found this book to be utterly addictive, emotionally gripping and tore through the pages, in desperate need to see how things unfolded. Short chapters, an engaging plot that doesn't give you a chance to stop and think, brilliant prose, combined with the ratcheting up of the stakes made for some late nights and the need to finish this as quickly as possible. I just wish it was longer!
As mentioned, the themes covered by Jones are dark, harrowing and visceral. They pack no punches, had me in tears and make you really step back and question the 'why' of life and our often blaise attitude to the time we have left.
I'm writing this the morning after finishing the book and have goosebumps just thinking back on it. I don't really do re-reads but am already considering one. It really is that good.
A masterful story that is fully deserving of 5 stars.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Shortwave for the ARC.
Tyler Jones has created such a powerful, heart-breaking and thought-provoking story; a story that is going to live with me for a very, very long time.
Dealing with some very heavy themes, including death, grief and fate, Jones has created a cast of characters that are immediately likeable yet incredibly complex. The plot centres around Julian, an artist who can see future deaths in paintings created with blood, and how he deals with this 'ability'. The story is narrated by Marcy, Julian's best friend since school, as we follow their journey together in trying to understand why Julian sees what he sees and whether it can be used for good.
I found this book to be utterly addictive, emotionally gripping and tore through the pages, in desperate need to see how things unfolded. Short chapters, an engaging plot that doesn't give you a chance to stop and think, brilliant prose, combined with the ratcheting up of the stakes made for some late nights and the need to finish this as quickly as possible. I just wish it was longer!
As mentioned, the themes covered by Jones are dark, harrowing and visceral. They pack no punches, had me in tears and make you really step back and question the 'why' of life and our often blaise attitude to the time we have left.
I'm writing this the morning after finishing the book and have goosebumps just thinking back on it. I don't really do re-reads but am already considering one. It really is that good.
A masterful story that is fully deserving of 5 stars.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Shortwave for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
DEPTH CHARGE by TYLER JONES
Thank you to Shortwave Publishing and Netgalley for the Advance Reader Copy
Let me prefix this review by saying I have read everything Tyler Jones has ever published. He is my favourite author. The ease of which I can read his prose, at speed, and the way it paints an image but lets my imagination fill in the rest, amazes me.
I started writing this review at 94% because I genuinely did not want the story to end. It will also mean I have no new Tyler Jones left to read, a thought that causes further anguish to the book hangover I am already going to suffer.
Full Fathom Five, Tyler's short story upon which this novel is based, found at the end of his Burn the Plans collection, may be my favourite story ever. So, I had a mild (completely unjustified as everything he has written is excellent) trepidation to start Depth Charge.
THIS BOOK IS INCREDIBLE. It is probably his best yet. It expands and amplifies everything that made the original short story great. A thrilling meditation on life, death, loss, grief, acceptance, responsibility and fate/destiny.
A story of Depth charge, after Depth charge, after Depth charge. By the end I was a raw exposed nerve. I'm not sure I will be the same again.
"We all carry a little piece of armageddon inside us"
Thank you to Shortwave Publishing and Netgalley for the Advance Reader Copy
Let me prefix this review by saying I have read everything Tyler Jones has ever published. He is my favourite author. The ease of which I can read his prose, at speed, and the way it paints an image but lets my imagination fill in the rest, amazes me.
I started writing this review at 94% because I genuinely did not want the story to end. It will also mean I have no new Tyler Jones left to read, a thought that causes further anguish to the book hangover I am already going to suffer.
Full Fathom Five, Tyler's short story upon which this novel is based, found at the end of his Burn the Plans collection, may be my favourite story ever. So, I had a mild (completely unjustified as everything he has written is excellent) trepidation to start Depth Charge.
THIS BOOK IS INCREDIBLE. It is probably his best yet. It expands and amplifies everything that made the original short story great. A thrilling meditation on life, death, loss, grief, acceptance, responsibility and fate/destiny.
A story of Depth charge, after Depth charge, after Depth charge. By the end I was a raw exposed nerve. I'm not sure I will be the same again.
"We all carry a little piece of armageddon inside us"
Review of advance copy received from Author
Did I love this? Hell yes. Another knock out from Tyler, is it me or are they just getting better and better? Which is hard when I can't think of a book that's missed for me yet from him.
Depth Charge, that cover, amazing and yes I have pre ordered this already 😅 Shortwave saw me coming.
Tyler knows grief horror, it sneaks up on you and have you before you realize and that gut punch of grief, it will get you.
Marcy and Julian, friends since they were young and he told her about what he could see, big news for a kid and even bigger news for another kids to believe. Seeing death isn't a easy or well child friendly thing to deal with.
Fast forward they are adults and the visions are still going on, Marcy has moved in with Julian and his gf, but then she goes missing, then Julian goes missing with only a quick call saying he has to go away... What the fuck yall.
Nothing is as it seems and who can you trust when you everyone is hiding something, secrets, lies and more govement secrets threatening everything she knows or knew.
Everything is connected somehow.. An thin thread, a depth charge can really send ripples and effect things you never dreamed of.
This was amazing.
Depth Charge, that cover, amazing and yes I have pre ordered this already 😅 Shortwave saw me coming.
Tyler knows grief horror, it sneaks up on you and have you before you realize and that gut punch of grief, it will get you.
Marcy and Julian, friends since they were young and he told her about what he could see, big news for a kid and even bigger news for another kids to believe. Seeing death isn't a easy or well child friendly thing to deal with.
Fast forward they are adults and the visions are still going on, Marcy has moved in with Julian and his gf, but then she goes missing, then Julian goes missing with only a quick call saying he has to go away... What the fuck yall.
Nothing is as it seems and who can you trust when you everyone is hiding something, secrets, lies and more govement secrets threatening everything she knows or knew.
Everything is connected somehow.. An thin thread, a depth charge can really send ripples and effect things you never dreamed of.
This was amazing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5/5
I enjoyed this book but was disappointed in the ending after all of the buildup. It's a well-written story, but I feel it needed a tighter ending. I would read more from Tyler Jones, and found the take on grief, acceptance, and fate intriguing.
Marcy befriended Julian in fifth grade, when he opened up about his strange ability to see visions of death in his own blood, visions that always come true. In adulthood Julian has become a famous artist, and at an opening for one of his shows, after a shock multiple people end up in the hospital, or the morgue. Soon after the incident, Marcy and her young son end up moving in with Julian and his girlfriend, who help take care of her son. They live mostly happily as a found family until Julian's girlfriend goes missing, and he goes to find her. Receiving only a call from Julian that he has to go away for some time, Marcy and her son find themselves drawn into a world of secret government programs, murder, and a 'Depth Charge' moment coming their way.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.
I enjoyed this book but was disappointed in the ending after all of the buildup. It's a well-written story, but I feel it needed a tighter ending. I would read more from Tyler Jones, and found the take on grief, acceptance, and fate intriguing.
Marcy befriended Julian in fifth grade, when he opened up about his strange ability to see visions of death in his own blood, visions that always come true. In adulthood Julian has become a famous artist, and at an opening for one of his shows, after a shock multiple people end up in the hospital, or the morgue. Soon after the incident, Marcy and her young son end up moving in with Julian and his girlfriend, who help take care of her son. They live mostly happily as a found family until Julian's girlfriend goes missing, and he goes to find her. Receiving only a call from Julian that he has to go away for some time, Marcy and her son find themselves drawn into a world of secret government programs, murder, and a 'Depth Charge' moment coming their way.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Final Destination by way of string theory, but with a lot more heart.
Is there such a thing as fate? Is everything laid out before us or do we have the ability to change (and possibly correct) the trajectory of our lives? What would you do if you knew something bad would happen to someone you loved? What could you do?
The choices we make impact our own lives, yes. But we also affect others with our choices, no matter how small. Or at least that is what Tyler Jones posits in Depth Charge.
It seems a bit paradoxical that we can affect people around us so much through our actions and inactions, and yet the plot stays its course. We drift slowly to an inevitability. I guess that's true for only one thing in life--that's death. The only real certainty we have in our lives, as much as that sucks. It's true.
I'm glad I found this book.
Remember to make good choices and be kind to others. Remember your actions are tied to so many others, no matter how invisible those strings might seem. Spread love while you're still alive to do it.
Is there such a thing as fate? Is everything laid out before us or do we have the ability to change (and possibly correct) the trajectory of our lives? What would you do if you knew something bad would happen to someone you loved? What could you do?
The choices we make impact our own lives, yes. But we also affect others with our choices, no matter how small. Or at least that is what Tyler Jones posits in Depth Charge.
It seems a bit paradoxical that we can affect people around us so much through our actions and inactions, and yet the plot stays its course. We drift slowly to an inevitability. I guess that's true for only one thing in life--that's death. The only real certainty we have in our lives, as much as that sucks. It's true.
I'm glad I found this book.
Remember to make good choices and be kind to others. Remember your actions are tied to so many others, no matter how invisible those strings might seem. Spread love while you're still alive to do it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of Depth Change by Tyler Jones in exchange for an honest review.
Depth Change is a dark, unsettling, and emotionally gripping horror collection. Tyler Jones has a way of taking familiar fears and twisting them into something strange, disturbing, and deeply human. The stories are creepy and imaginative, but there is also an emotional weight beneath the horror that really stuck with me.
As with any collection, I connected with some stories more than others, but overall, I really enjoyed the variety and the unsettling atmosphere throughout. If you enjoy weird horror, dark fiction, and stories that leave you feeling a little uncomfortable long after you've finished reading, this is definitely one to check out.
Thank you again to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Depth Change is a dark, unsettling, and emotionally gripping horror collection. Tyler Jones has a way of taking familiar fears and twisting them into something strange, disturbing, and deeply human. The stories are creepy and imaginative, but there is also an emotional weight beneath the horror that really stuck with me.
As with any collection, I connected with some stories more than others, but overall, I really enjoyed the variety and the unsettling atmosphere throughout. If you enjoy weird horror, dark fiction, and stories that leave you feeling a little uncomfortable long after you've finished reading, this is definitely one to check out.
Thank you again to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An early look at Depth Charge by Tyler Jones—a masterful supernatural horror-thriller scheduled for publication by Shortwave Publishing on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. Jones, best known for his critically acclaimed collection Burn the Plans, shifts gears with a stunningly dark, visceral grief-horror epic that questions fate, agency, and the heavy price of looking too closely into tomorrow.
Depth Charge is a mesmerizingly original masterpiece that proves Tyler Jones is a true visionary of contemporary horror. It plunges confidently toward a devastating conclusion while leaving a haunting, beautiful impression of hope in its wake. It is a highly mandatory pre-order for any serious fan of dark fiction.
Depth Charge is a mesmerizingly original masterpiece that proves Tyler Jones is a true visionary of contemporary horror. It plunges confidently toward a devastating conclusion while leaving a haunting, beautiful impression of hope in its wake. It is a highly mandatory pre-order for any serious fan of dark fiction.
September 9, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Tyler Jones for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A compelling conspiracy thriller centering around an eccentric artist whose blood-based art can see into the future. When I first read the premise, I thought Julian (the blood artist) would turn out to be some kind of villain, but to my surprise, he was simply a psychic with a heavy burden to bear. Definitely picked up on some Stranger Things vibes, but more adult. This was a lot more emotionally heavy than I anticipated, but that’s not a bad thing. There was rarely a point as I was reading where I could easily predict what would happen next. The core trio were an interesting crew as were the supporting characters.
A compelling conspiracy thriller centering around an eccentric artist whose blood-based art can see into the future. When I first read the premise, I thought Julian (the blood artist) would turn out to be some kind of villain, but to my surprise, he was simply a psychic with a heavy burden to bear. Definitely picked up on some Stranger Things vibes, but more adult. This was a lot more emotionally heavy than I anticipated, but that’s not a bad thing. There was rarely a point as I was reading where I could easily predict what would happen next. The core trio were an interesting crew as were the supporting characters.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I found the premise about the blood tickets and precognition, and the characters of this novel to be very good. However, the book is full of moments that do not advance the plot, reveal character depth, or add necessary context to the overarching mystery.
I found the first part of the novel "Blood Tickets" to be a bit slow, although necessary since it sets the background. The second part "The Burning Now" was the best of them, full of grief and hope. It really moves you, makes you feel for the characters and rethink the time with your loved ones. The last part "Unconventional Weapons" reads more like a Sci-Fi novel with an unsatisfying ending.
I got and advanced copy from Net Galley.
I found the first part of the novel "Blood Tickets" to be a bit slow, although necessary since it sets the background. The second part "The Burning Now" was the best of them, full of grief and hope. It really moves you, makes you feel for the characters and rethink the time with your loved ones. The last part "Unconventional Weapons" reads more like a Sci-Fi novel with an unsatisfying ending.
I got and advanced copy from Net Galley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Shortwave and Netgalley for an eARC of Depth Charge by Tyler Jones. I loved reading Depth Charge, as it is one of the most original dark thrillers I have read in a while. The novel tackles themes of power and responsibility expertly. Marcy is a wonderful main character that I was engaged with from the very beginning. Marcy's friendship with Julian, a painter who can see people's deaths, is the heart of the whole book, and even when things turn utterly bleak for Marcy, she does not give up on her friend.
September 6, 2026
Asking the reader to sit with, "If you could see the future, what would you do to change it?" is nothing new, but then again, we're not trying to reinvent the wheel, just trying to get people to look at it from new angles. And maybe that's a way, if not the best way, to describe Depth Charge. Jones spends a lot of time poking and prodding at the reader's heart, and it's masterfully done, but what stands out most is the way the book never feels sad, rather it always burns with an ember of hope, even in the darkest pages. The character work is immaculate throughout, life, breath, and blood imbued in each of the three main characters to a degree that makes us care about and empathize with the smallest details, and pays off in a big way later on. What authors need take note of is how fully realized the supporting characters are. How Jones turns a bit player into someone whose life story you recall when all is said and done should be picked apart and studied. Because of the publisher, the authors promoting, and Jones' body of work, Depth Charge will be categorized as horror, but I defy you to find elements that pigeonhole it into a single genre. This is Lansdale, this is McMurtry, this is Vonnegut: authors who only become associated with a genre so we can find them quickly in the bookstore. Tyler Jones has entered that conversation. This isn't horror. It's story and life and love. It's broken people scraping up just enough of their shattered pieces to take care of their fellow humans.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Absolutely stunning writing!! This could very well be the best thing Tyler has written. so freaking good and reaches down your throat and grabs your heart and tries to rip it out!! Grief horror at the top level!!! as much as it gets deep in your feelings at times, i just couldnt put it down!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was not what I was expecting. It's started kind of creepy, then got a little emotional and finally shit got REAL!!!
If you like the supernatural, the wanna know when you die and strong beautiful relationships Depth Charge is for you!
Thank you Shortwave & NetGalley for eARC!
If you like the supernatural, the wanna know when you die and strong beautiful relationships Depth Charge is for you!
Thank you Shortwave & NetGalley for eARC!
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