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Thylacines
The Tasmanian tiger, or thylacine, was hunted to extinction some eighty years ago. Now, Professor Rosie Giuliani and her staff at The Resurrection Lab have done the impossible: created a living, breathing litter from a preserved specimen. Yet Rosie can’t share this scientific breakthrough with the world. The cloned animals are more like monsters than thylacines. By chance, a small band of activists hears about the caged litter, and their decision to free the tigers will unleash a deadly havoc upon the campus of Fraser University.
- GenresHorror
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2018
14 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Sheldon
79 books279 followersI'm a multi-award-winning author and anthology editor from Melbourne, Australia. I write poems, short stories, novelettes, novellas and novels across the darker spectrum of horror, crime and noir. My latest titles are the novel Nightmare Reef and the poetry collection The Broonie and Other Dark Poems.
My award-winning titles include the novella Redhead Town and the collection Perfect Little Stitches and Other Stories. My award-nominated titles include the novels Bodily Harm, Cretaceous Canyon, Body Farm Z, Contrition and Devil Dragon; the novella Thylacines; and the collections Figments and Fragments: Dark Stories and Liminal Spaces: Horror Stories.
My short fiction has appeared in many well-respected magazines, been shortlisted for numerous awards, translated, and included in various 'best of' anthologies such as Year's Best Hardcore Horror.
I've won the Australian Shadows 'Best Edited Work' Award three times: for Midnight Echo 14, and for the anthologies I conceived and edited, Spawn: Weird Horror Tales About Pregnancy, Birth and Babies, and Killer Creatures Down Under: Horror Stories with Bite.
Other credits include TV scripts such as NEIGHBOURS, feature articles, non-fiction books published by Reed Books and Random House, stage plays, award-nominated poetry, and award-winning medical writing including Better Health Channel.
My award-winning titles include the novella Redhead Town and the collection Perfect Little Stitches and Other Stories. My award-nominated titles include the novels Bodily Harm, Cretaceous Canyon, Body Farm Z, Contrition and Devil Dragon; the novella Thylacines; and the collections Figments and Fragments: Dark Stories and Liminal Spaces: Horror Stories.
My short fiction has appeared in many well-respected magazines, been shortlisted for numerous awards, translated, and included in various 'best of' anthologies such as Year's Best Hardcore Horror.
I've won the Australian Shadows 'Best Edited Work' Award three times: for Midnight Echo 14, and for the anthologies I conceived and edited, Spawn: Weird Horror Tales About Pregnancy, Birth and Babies, and Killer Creatures Down Under: Horror Stories with Bite.
Other credits include TV scripts such as NEIGHBOURS, feature articles, non-fiction books published by Reed Books and Random House, stage plays, award-nominated poetry, and award-winning medical writing including Better Health Channel.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 28, 2025
I read some of the other reviews, claiming this was too short, but I thought it was the perfect length. And when will these pesky animal rights activists learn. I've seen 28 Days Later and Man's Best Friend (I know she was a reporter, but you get the point), and all these other scenarios where they break into a facility where scientists are genetically engineering these abominations. And lo and behold, they get out and anarchy ensues. And this followed that same formula, although it used a very unique creature as its antagonists. So there is a ton of action and a lot of bloody scenes, as one could expect. However, Deborah Sheldon gave her characters some good background. Not great, but plenty good for a story of this caliber, with Rosie having the most screen time, which was perfect. She was the maker and she was made to witness the violence and chaos that her project caused. I don't feel like she had a huge redemption arc, but we got to feel some of her regret. One other tidbit that I'd like to point out is how each of the six creatures all met different fates at the end. It wasn't just the normal Resident Evil type situation where everything gets blown up and the survivors live happily ever after. So that was a great touch by the author. Also, I read that the ending wasn't liked much, either, which I also disagreed with. But I will side with my fellow readers that there is plenty of room for a sequel here, and I hope that it becomes a reality.
July 13, 2020
Loved this! Had all the ingredients to satisfy my horror needs - scientists trying to resurrect an extinct creature, ghastly abominations as a result, and unparalleled chaos resulting in a shed ton of blood and gore.
This is my first read by Deborah Sheldon and i was very impressed - the writing is "easy" to get into (a definite compliment!) and flows superbly, keeping you gripped and turning the pages. The atmosphere of the story is tense as the tale unfolds. I felt i was getting stalked along with the characters.
I really hope a sequel is planned!
This is my first read by Deborah Sheldon and i was very impressed - the writing is "easy" to get into (a definite compliment!) and flows superbly, keeping you gripped and turning the pages. The atmosphere of the story is tense as the tale unfolds. I felt i was getting stalked along with the characters.
I really hope a sequel is planned!
March 9, 2018
Originally published at Risingshadow.
Wow, what a nice surprise this novella was! I was totally surprised by it, because it's highly entertaining. It's been a while since I've read this kind of horror fiction in such a good and intriguing format.
Deborah Sheldon's Thylacines is a gritty and well written horror novella about resurrected thylacines. It has a distinct B-monster-movie feel to it that makes it irresistible for horror fans who crave for something entertaining to read. In certain ways, it's similar to Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park, but differs from it.
Because there may be readers out there who are not familiar with thylacines, I think it's good to say a few words about them. The thylacines (Thylacinus cynocephalus) were the largest known carnivorous marsupials of modern times. They were native to continental Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea. They were hunted to extinction during the 1930s. (More information about the thylacines can easily be found on the internet.)
In this novella, Deborah Sheldon blends biological and scientific in an enjoyable way. She has written a thrilling story about what happens when thylacines break out of the laboratory and start to kill people.
Here's a bit of information about the story:
Professor Rosie Giuliani and her staff members at the Resurrection Lab are worrying about their funding, because a North American company, Clout Energy Drinks, may not want to sponsor them. They've managed to create a living litter of thylacines, but nobody outside the lab knows that the created animals are a bit off... Meanwhile, an animal liberation group consisting of George, Hannah and Llewellyn is about to break into the Lab and set the animals free...
This marks the beginning of an action-packed horror story with plenty of entertainment values.
Although this novella is relatively short, the characterisation works well and the female characters are satisfyingly strong. The author has created a surprisingly intriguing cast of characters that ranges from Rosie Giuliani and her staff members to the animal rights activists and Bill De Vries, who is the company accountant for Clout Energy Drinks. I especially enjoyed reading about Professor Rosie Giuliani, Senior Constable Janine O'Connell and Bill De Vries, because they're well-created characters.
The resurrected thylacines are fascinating animals, because they are not like the extincts ones, but bigger, faster, more intelligent and much more dangerous than them. They're killers and they like human flesh. What makes them especially intriguing is that they seem to be capable of communicating in a mysterious way that can't be explained.
The author explores well how important securing a funding for a science project is, because it's impossible to do certain things without funds. She also writes fluently about what happens when things go badly wrong and people have to deal with a dangerous and unexpected situation that should not have happened.
It's interesting that the author touches upon the theme of animal rights in this novella, because it would've been easy to dismiss it. I also want to mention that I find the author's way of writing action scenes scenes excellent, because she keeps things in motion and effortlessly maintains an exciting atmosphere.
This story has a satisfying amount of graphic and gruesome scenes ranging from flesh being eaten to skulls being smashed by strong jaws. I think that those who are intrigued by this kind of scenes will be pleased with them, because the author doesn't shy away from violence.
Because I enjoyed this novella and found it highly entertaining, I give it strong 4.5 stars on the scale from 1 to 5 stars. Its charming B-movie feel impressed me, because readers will immediately know what they'll get from it when they begin to read it. The author delivers a good and exciting story that will thrill readers.
My final words are:
Deborah Sheldon's Thylacines is a small gem awaiting to be discovered by horror readers who love entertaining and well written stories. It's one of the best novellas of its kind, because it's pure horror entertainment from start to finish.
Wow, what a nice surprise this novella was! I was totally surprised by it, because it's highly entertaining. It's been a while since I've read this kind of horror fiction in such a good and intriguing format.
Deborah Sheldon's Thylacines is a gritty and well written horror novella about resurrected thylacines. It has a distinct B-monster-movie feel to it that makes it irresistible for horror fans who crave for something entertaining to read. In certain ways, it's similar to Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park, but differs from it.
Because there may be readers out there who are not familiar with thylacines, I think it's good to say a few words about them. The thylacines (Thylacinus cynocephalus) were the largest known carnivorous marsupials of modern times. They were native to continental Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea. They were hunted to extinction during the 1930s. (More information about the thylacines can easily be found on the internet.)
In this novella, Deborah Sheldon blends biological and scientific in an enjoyable way. She has written a thrilling story about what happens when thylacines break out of the laboratory and start to kill people.
Here's a bit of information about the story:
Professor Rosie Giuliani and her staff members at the Resurrection Lab are worrying about their funding, because a North American company, Clout Energy Drinks, may not want to sponsor them. They've managed to create a living litter of thylacines, but nobody outside the lab knows that the created animals are a bit off... Meanwhile, an animal liberation group consisting of George, Hannah and Llewellyn is about to break into the Lab and set the animals free...
This marks the beginning of an action-packed horror story with plenty of entertainment values.
Although this novella is relatively short, the characterisation works well and the female characters are satisfyingly strong. The author has created a surprisingly intriguing cast of characters that ranges from Rosie Giuliani and her staff members to the animal rights activists and Bill De Vries, who is the company accountant for Clout Energy Drinks. I especially enjoyed reading about Professor Rosie Giuliani, Senior Constable Janine O'Connell and Bill De Vries, because they're well-created characters.
The resurrected thylacines are fascinating animals, because they are not like the extincts ones, but bigger, faster, more intelligent and much more dangerous than them. They're killers and they like human flesh. What makes them especially intriguing is that they seem to be capable of communicating in a mysterious way that can't be explained.
The author explores well how important securing a funding for a science project is, because it's impossible to do certain things without funds. She also writes fluently about what happens when things go badly wrong and people have to deal with a dangerous and unexpected situation that should not have happened.
It's interesting that the author touches upon the theme of animal rights in this novella, because it would've been easy to dismiss it. I also want to mention that I find the author's way of writing action scenes scenes excellent, because she keeps things in motion and effortlessly maintains an exciting atmosphere.
This story has a satisfying amount of graphic and gruesome scenes ranging from flesh being eaten to skulls being smashed by strong jaws. I think that those who are intrigued by this kind of scenes will be pleased with them, because the author doesn't shy away from violence.
Because I enjoyed this novella and found it highly entertaining, I give it strong 4.5 stars on the scale from 1 to 5 stars. Its charming B-movie feel impressed me, because readers will immediately know what they'll get from it when they begin to read it. The author delivers a good and exciting story that will thrill readers.
My final words are:
Deborah Sheldon's Thylacines is a small gem awaiting to be discovered by horror readers who love entertaining and well written stories. It's one of the best novellas of its kind, because it's pure horror entertainment from start to finish.
February 28, 2018
This bio-horror novella (122 pages) by Australian writer Deborah Sheldon, is a fast, pacy, adrenaline fuelled read which you can gobble up in a sitting or two. The author has clearly done her research into Thylacines aka Tasmanian Tigers or if you want to be cosier, Tassy Tigers and she deftly weaves this information into the narrative without making it a lecture. The striking cover gives you an idea of what Sheldon has in mind.
An older female scientist, (a well written character) has succeeded in bringing a litter of Thylacines back from extinction. This would give most people pause but not this crew. Whilst the animals are locked up in the lab they can’t do much damage. But (ironically) it is a trio of animal rights’ activists who by deciding to free T1-T6, end up being the first course on the menu. For these newly born Thylacines have significant differences to their ancestors. They are faster, fiercer, more intelligent, larger and with a taste for human flesh.
The action unfolds, contained within the university’s campus- as body parts fly and there are several tense scenes where the Thylacines are cornered and fight back. Each chapter ends on a cliff hanger in fact. Another strong female character leads the tiger chase, a local cop, pulling overtime, Janine and her trained police dog, Zeus. I was rooting for Zeus all the way. Go Zeus! An engaging and convincing partnership.
My only disappointment is that it’s a novella not a novel and the ending came really fast. I would have liked a longer played out denouement. Maybe there is a sequel in the offing?
If you liked Jurassic Park or any other novels in that vein, you’ll go for this novella. It’s the equivalent of a B movie on steroids. Have fun.
An older female scientist, (a well written character) has succeeded in bringing a litter of Thylacines back from extinction. This would give most people pause but not this crew. Whilst the animals are locked up in the lab they can’t do much damage. But (ironically) it is a trio of animal rights’ activists who by deciding to free T1-T6, end up being the first course on the menu. For these newly born Thylacines have significant differences to their ancestors. They are faster, fiercer, more intelligent, larger and with a taste for human flesh.
The action unfolds, contained within the university’s campus- as body parts fly and there are several tense scenes where the Thylacines are cornered and fight back. Each chapter ends on a cliff hanger in fact. Another strong female character leads the tiger chase, a local cop, pulling overtime, Janine and her trained police dog, Zeus. I was rooting for Zeus all the way. Go Zeus! An engaging and convincing partnership.
My only disappointment is that it’s a novella not a novel and the ending came really fast. I would have liked a longer played out denouement. Maybe there is a sequel in the offing?
If you liked Jurassic Park or any other novels in that vein, you’ll go for this novella. It’s the equivalent of a B movie on steroids. Have fun.
February 15, 2022
Tasmanian Tigers
This is my second book by Deborah Sheldon. I am very pleased to say I enjoyed it as much as DEVIL DRAGON. If you get the opportunity please read both books!
I'd never heard of a Tasmanian Tiger prior to reading this novel. Since this was a Creature Feature I thought it had all been made up until I did my own research. How fascinating that these animals existed until the 1930s.
The ones in this book though using De-Extinction techniques had been genetically modified making them much larger and more vicious. They already had a pack mentality and were very dangerous predators.
Just imagine huge vicious Taz Tigers loose on a college campus, then you have the premise of this book. Once again Ms. Sheldon gets you invested in her characters and then watch out! Shock and despair. This book was action packed, but not for the faint hearted.
This is my second book by Deborah Sheldon. I am very pleased to say I enjoyed it as much as DEVIL DRAGON. If you get the opportunity please read both books!
I'd never heard of a Tasmanian Tiger prior to reading this novel. Since this was a Creature Feature I thought it had all been made up until I did my own research. How fascinating that these animals existed until the 1930s.
The ones in this book though using De-Extinction techniques had been genetically modified making them much larger and more vicious. They already had a pack mentality and were very dangerous predators.
Just imagine huge vicious Taz Tigers loose on a college campus, then you have the premise of this book. Once again Ms. Sheldon gets you invested in her characters and then watch out! Shock and despair. This book was action packed, but not for the faint hearted.
April 14, 2018
This short story/ Novella is truly frightening. If you are a lover of the horror genre and are looking for a quick, exciting, horror read then I thoroughly recommend Thylacines.
Thylacines (a dog like marsupial extict since 1936) were more commonly known as the Tasmanian Tiger a team of scientists use a preserve specimen to create a litter of the extinct creatures. The litter are different, twice the size and deathly dangerous, they are also released by a group of activists who have no idea of the horror that they are releasing onto the poor college campus.
For a relatively short story (122 Kindle pages) this story packs a huge punch.
Thylacines (a dog like marsupial extict since 1936) were more commonly known as the Tasmanian Tiger a team of scientists use a preserve specimen to create a litter of the extinct creatures. The litter are different, twice the size and deathly dangerous, they are also released by a group of activists who have no idea of the horror that they are releasing onto the poor college campus.
For a relatively short story (122 Kindle pages) this story packs a huge punch.
August 19, 2019
This novella is a ripping read. Fast paced, exciting and gripping, I read it overnight unable to put it down. Based on a similar premise to Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park and Matthew Reilly’s The Great Zoo of China, where scientists bioengineer a lost species from recovered DNA, the creatures recreated here are the extinct Tasmanian Tiger.
Or are they?
Rising above the genre tropes, this book has strong characters, an authentic Australian setting, and believable science that delivers an action packed terrifying story that could be happening even as we read this tale.
Or are they?
Rising above the genre tropes, this book has strong characters, an authentic Australian setting, and believable science that delivers an action packed terrifying story that could be happening even as we read this tale.
May 9, 2018
An action packed story. I loved all the characters, especially the police dog.
January 25, 2024
Follows the formula, and that isn't a bad thing!
August 21, 2020
This is my second book by Deborah Sheldon and she has true knack for characters. While this is much shorter than Devil Dragon, the characters are no less interesting, involving and three dimensional. I also find that she has a very dark sense of humour as parts of this and the previous book I read are very funny but in such a dark way. It made this book very entertaining. The creatures themselves were terrifying and she really tapped into the terror of a pack of canines tearing one apart that I think many people have. Parts of the book are very intense and very scary. It also has some genuinely emotional moments and thankfully much like Devil Dragon makes out protagonist Dr. Rosie, a smart intelligent and capable woman determined to take down her own creation having already realized they are a mistake. My only wish is that it was longer, I would've loved the book to continue past its climax, which was also a bit of a let down. The characters were great and I'd have loved to see them team up. Maybe a sequel... please. I loved the two heroines so much.
January 23, 2025
Thylacines are an underused beast in horror. Sure these ones are a bit genetically altered, so they are quite ferocious and formidable, which makes for a better story. This is an exceptional little action story that is definitely worth a read if you are into creature feature. I would have loved it to go on longer, or for a second book to come along someday.
March 12, 2024
Kudos to Sheldon for shedding light on an animal that isn’t as well-known throughout the world. She has a gift for bringing Australian creatures to life. I recently read her newest creature feature Cretaceous Canyon which focuses on extinct Aussie dinosaurs, and I even noted in my review that it might be my favorite book of hers I’ve read so far.
I urge you to grab a copy of Thylacines if you enjoy thrills, action, creature features, or a just plain enjoyable and entertaining read. You won’t be disappointed.
For my full spoiler free review: https://robinknabel.squarespace.com/r...
I urge you to grab a copy of Thylacines if you enjoy thrills, action, creature features, or a just plain enjoyable and entertaining read. You won’t be disappointed.
For my full spoiler free review: https://robinknabel.squarespace.com/r...
June 12, 2024
Escape Tasmanian tigers are deadly. Bloody mess. Borrowed this edition on June 1, 2024. Kindle Unlimited Book. Read Kindle book using Alexa audio asset.
June 4, 2020
*** Read for the Australian Shadows Awards ***
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews