Burn the Plans

by Tyler Jones, Michael Marshall Smith (Introduction)

From Tyler Jones (author of Criterium, The Dark Side of the Room, and Almost Ruth) comes Burn the Plans, a collection featuring fourteen tales of supernatural suspense.

In 'A Sharp Black Line' children go missing whenever a ghostly island appears in the center of a river during a storm, and a father must make a terrible choice.

Two young brothers are tasked with burying the family dog, and uncover dark family secrets in 'Trigger'.

In 'Red Hands', a disturbed man goes on a killing spree, and his childhood friend suspects it has something to do with what they found, many years ago, hidden in a cave.

A courtroom sketch artist draws the evil she cannot see in 'The Devil on the Stand'.

A young boy sets out to get photographic proof of the ghosts that haunt his home in 'Boo!'.

Grotesque government experiments, a remote viewer who blurs past and future, a crate that contains ancient evil, and bloodthirsty machines are all part of the world in which these tales take place.

Featuring thirteen short stories and one novelette, Burn the Plans is a relentless journey into the dark places we end up when all of our plans go wrong.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Fiction, Anthologies

259 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2022

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

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh, what an outstanding collection. No fillers, only killers. The extremely talented author is able to draw you into his prose and world from page one on. The characters are well carved out, everything in those 15 tales of weird terror seems so plausible and natural. You can't imagine any story taking another direction. Red Hands probably is one of the eeriest coming of age monster stories I ever read. All others have such unique moments too. I'm very enthusiastic about that collection and can highly recommend it. This is modern horror of the very best!

[Ross Jeffery · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the flipping stars for this one….

Tyler Jones’ Burn the Plans is nothing short of exceptional - a voice and a mind that will define a generation of writers and readers. Below is a little quote from ‘Full Fathom Five’ - I could have quoted numerous pages, hundreds of paragraphs, thousands of sentences - but this sentence for me, sums up this collection in the most beautiful of ways.

“It’s art,” he said. “I have no control over how people react. I made it, it’s out there. What people do with it now is up to them. They can accept it or get angry about it, but I won’t be caught trying to explain it or apologize for it.”

Corporation

A dark and menacing story opens this much anticipated collection from Tyler Jones, a story that gets to the heart of greed and need - how much is someone willing to sacrifice to succeed and Jones ensures we see this dilemma play out on the page in gruesome detail.

Trigger

‘I fall asleep to Pa and Booker shouting, and I woke up to the high whine of Pa’s electrical saw.’ What an opening line! There are times in your life as a writer when you read a story that changes everything, a story that shows you how powerful words can be, how majestic they truly are; and sometimes you read a story that makes you want to be a better writer. Not that it’s a competition, it just pushes you to the next level - Trigger is that story. This is masterful, there’s no other word I could use for it, it reminds me of the perfect blending of Cormac McCarthy and Donald Ray Pollock - but it’s wholly Tyler Jones. The storytelling is crisp, the emotional weight of the story is suffocating and the writing is exemplary. Trigger is a shotgun blast to the chest. Heartbreaking, emotionally raw, deeply moving - a masterpiece in every sense of the word! If I could write a story this good, I’d die a happy man! Trigger announces Tyler Jones as one of the brightest lights in dark fiction - it’s bloody fantastic!

The Golden Rule

I loved the voice of this piece, it’s unique and interesting, and Jones keeps it going just as long as it needs to be before it becomes a tedious exercise - this is a story like Ketchum’s The Box - where the unsaid is scarier than knowing everything and Jones ensures that he keeps his cards close to his chest!

The Devil on the Stand

The idea of this story is the key to its success - I’ve never read a story about a courtroom artist and that for me made it instantly interesting. And when Tyler begins to shift in his darkness, you can’t help but be carried along for the ride. This story also finishes on a bit of a cliffhanger and that made it even more satisfying, that I hope he circles back to this one at some point, because the concept is too good to remain as it is.

Boo!

I love this story and Jones weaves it so well, the tone of the voice captivating and childlike. The way this story builds is key and the ending is just perfection, I loved the ramifications and how Jones doesn’t have to spell everything out for us with regards to what happens next.

A Sharp Black Line

This story was a change of pace, it felt like something King would write and it had some cool imagery in it - the boat / river in this story reminded me of the River Styx. The concept again is original and written so well, it fully pulls the reader into the story and we feel everything on the page.

Charwood

A powerful story written with such care about its subject matter which showcases Jones’ ability to move his readers not only with scares but with the power of his empathy on the page. Jones’ makes us feel all the pain in this tale, makes us walk with our broken protagonist and endure her pain as she seeks to break free of the horrid things that have bound her for far too long.

Crate 42

Reads like something out of an Indiana Jones film, it’s short, I’d say almost flash fiction in length - but Tyler Jones makes this short outing filled with dread and the fear of what is to come.

How We Learn

This is a great coming of age tale wrapped up in something you’d expect to read in a comic book - this story reminded me of Chamber from Generation X (Marvel Comics) and I’d pay good money to see Tyler Jones tackle this series of comics. The undercurrent of this story is what makes it work, that we know there’s more to be had and it’s that which propels this story to the next level, because I want to know more, I need to know more and Jones is the man holding all the cards and only permits us to see a small glimpse of the story he’s holding close to his chest.

Warlock

This is a creepy offering which reads more like a fable of old, one of curses and creepy villages - this story helps to show a more subtle side to Jones’ writing, but what is obvious is that the man has many strings to his already crowded bow.

Lion’s Den

This story had some serious X-Files vibes, not little green aliens, but the best ones, the stories about crazy things, weird things, unexplainable things. I loved the way this one was written, and the idea behind it was so unique and made my mind wander down dark corridors as I read it wondering what it would be like if this happened or someone had this type of gift.

Deep Down

This story is almost a love letter to the invisible man, a deeply dark and disturbing trip into the deep down. We follow our protagonist as he leaves his wife voice messages (another interesting choice of storytelling by Jones) as he travels home, racing against time. The idea of phantom limb has always fascinated me and Jones has written a story I’ve always wanted to tell, it’s a fabulous story that doesn’t get bogged down with the science and instead trusts the reader in believing all the crazy is possible, and if you give yourself over to the story, the take away is exceptional!

Red Hands
I enjoyed this story, I didn’t love it, but that’s all good… it just didn’t work for me like the others, I struggled connecting with the characters. But having said all that, Red Hands is still a cracking yarn; dark, mysterious and a little eerie. It brought to mind The Ritual by Adam Nevill, and the handprints - how creepy is that guys (if you’ve read it you’ll know).

White Glove

Well this was a surprise. I didn’t expect a Christmas story in this collection and Jones doesn’t disappoint - this one was creepy, had me thinking of NOS4R2 by Joe Hill and also Halloween 3: Season of the Witch - not Halloween but the shady organisation behind Silver Shamrock (the same can be seen here). I thought the concept was great and Tyler brings the killer ending!

Full Fathom Five

An exceptional story, one that really packs a punch and delivers the final curtain in such spectacular ways. When I studied art at university I remember becoming infatuated with the artist Vincent Castiglia his artwork is astounding and it’s all created with his blood - that’ll give you a little glimpse into this story and that’s all I’ll give you. How Tyler was able to add such a twisted hook to this story was nothing short of masterful, the man is an idea machine and I can honestly say that all of these stories could be stand alone books because the ideas are so fresh, beguiling and unique - he’s a master storyteller. And Full Fathom Five was the perfect swansong for the collection!

[Neil McRobert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a lot of horror for my podcast (Talking Scared, check it out) but not enough indie horror. Tyler came on my radar as a possible guest thanks to a few other shows so I dipped a toe into his fiction not knowing what to expect - and got so much more than I could have anticipated.

BURN THE PLANS is, quite simply, an excellent collection of stories. The tone is beautifully varied; always dark, but in different ways. The language is precise and un-self conscious, but with the occasional striking metaphor that makes you smile and think “yes, Tyler, go on mate!” Most of all though, it’s the consistency and control of voice that elevates this above other collections. One story is told in rural idiom, another in pigeon English, another through the frantic channel of a voicemail - Tyler sculpts characters, scenarios snd settings from this distinct, instinctive grasp of exactly which voice the story needs. At their best, these tales are beautifully conversational, but sinister - like something you heard in a bar, late at night, from a leather-clad, one-eyed man with interesting tattoos and a worrying number of scars.

If there is any flaw to mention, a few too many stories end on a similar type of vicious, downbeat hanging note - often the endings are the weakest point of the tales. But it doesn’t happen enough to ruin the collection overall. There are also two stories that felt too brief, even for a collection of shorts.

Otherwise, I was genuinely impressed, sometimes horrified, occasionally amused, and always entertained by Burn the Plans. Get it when it’s available and, I think, you may be there at the becoming of a big deal in horror.

[Brian Bowyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunting, Rewarding, Unforgettable Stories

BURN THE PLANS is a display case of Tyler Jones's flawless prose, with his broad, dark, and profound range of gifts on full exhibit. These stories take you places you had never thought to go, with characters who can kill you, break your heart, or make you fall in love. Fiction doesn't get much better than this. Highly recommended.

[Austrian Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s something very sexy about Tyler Jones’ collection of shorts – Burn the plans. From the lush cover by Scot Cole to the internal illustrations from Ryan Mills, this is a book that could sit beside your bed on a nightstand and tantalize you to spread its cover, immerse yourself in it just one more time, pound you with… Oh – sorry – What was I...? … (cough).

It's like a guilty pleasure, Tyler Jones’ voice. By this stage, there’s very little doubt that whatever Tyler writes is going to feel like satin sheets to baby skin. His prose is elegant, brash, evocative, brutal. His descriptions are minimal, lavish, poetic, heart-rendering. But forget all that. We all line up side by side waiting for Tyler’s next book because we all want to be beaten senseless by his emotional horror.

And the man provides.

Straight up, this collection gets 5 out of 5 ⭐ ‘s from me on the basis of the short -Trigger -alone. Brilliantly placed second in the collection, Tyler delivers an engaging visceral horror story with Corporation to start with, a piece about self-mutilation and ruthlessness, gives us a glimpse of the breadth of his playing hand – just one of the many cards in his deck, and then he slaps us with Trigger, an emotional rollercoaster that staggers.

Absolutely staggers.

I can’t emphasize just how good this short is. I’ll be recommending it for short story in the 2022 Stokers – it’s that good. I’m not going to give anything away. Go read it, go have your heart broken and bleed with the characters. Exceptional writing. Wonderful craft. Perfect pacing, heartbreaking prose. I’m devastated it isn’t a novel. I could read 1000 pages of this and never get bored, just float in my own misery and bleed for the characters.

Honestly, the collection could just have had that one story in it and it would have been worth the cover cost, but Tyler's just getting started. My second favorite – “Boo!”, is wonderful, what a great setup, delivery, execution. You leave it shaking your head, smiling, you crafty lad – it’s a lovely play on a horror reader's expectations.

How we learn is great, Lion's den delivers on accent and diversity. Full fathom five – the longer novella at the end of the collection, shows us a wonderful premise, Tyler bleeding for his art.

But no matter what I say about this phenomenal collection, I am drawn back to Trigger, and just how wonderful it is. It has the emotional damage of Almost Ruth but in a short. I can’t emphasize that you need to read this short. Other reviewers can expound on the other stories, can marvel at the brilliance of the man, and his extraordinary range of diversity and approach to telling the short story, but I'm going to tell you before anyone else does that this short blows everything out of the water. Tyler's in a lake of his own.

Mr Jones is only getting better and better. An instant-buy author. 🤜🤛

My regards to both Mr Cole and Mr. Mills. whose artwork makes this package complete.

Outstanding work, Gentlemen. .

[Scott Moses · Rating 4 out of 5]

The collection itself is incredible, but it contains the best afterword I’ve ever read.

[Philip Haagensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s start with facts. First, I have not read every collection of horror fiction by every author. In fact, taken as a percentage, I’ve likely not even scratched the surface. Another fact—opinions are completely subjective. No matter the subject, there will always be dissenting views. And finally, everyone’s taste is specific to them and them alone.

This all said, BURN THE PLANS by Tyler Jones is one of the best short story collections I have ever read.

I literally looked at my bookcases and mentally ticked off the collections I have there. For some, I had not visited them in many years. But I recalled how I felt at the time when I finished each one. A few with a fantastic story or two but forgettable fillers. A couple with strong deep cuts but no real standouts. And several which were all over the place but quirky enough to hold my attention.

But not here. Here, Jones lights the pages afire with 15 tales of horror and mystery, varying in voice, style, and impact.

There are two magnificent standout stories here, which I suspect most people will mention in reviews. “Trigger” about two young brothers tasked with a barbarous task by their father, only to come face to face with evil, is one. The second is “Full Fathom Five”, a story about a boy with a special ability to see death in his nosebleeds who must deal with that talent for the rest of his life. Both are the hit singles on this album and both deliver the full range of emotions and devastation. You won’t be the same after reading them.

But the real achievement here is the variety of style and subject Jones utilizes with these stories. Here is where mileage may vary for each reader. My additional favorites include “Warlock”, “Corporation”, “Lion’s Den”, “The Devil On the Stand”, “Deep Down”, and “Red Hands”. Really plenty to choose from. But each story in this collection has the ability to resonate differently with each individual reader, and it would not surprise me to hear someone else saying that one of these was their favorite story.

Collectively, the whole is so much greater than the sum of the parts. The balance of this stack of stories is spot on—there is no repetitive tone or lazy prose. Jones’ deft manipulation of sentences and ideas brings the stories together into a cohesive group, each one adding depth to the reading experience. You’ll burn through these quickly as even the order in which they appear makes for a better experience, just like a well thought out record album full of hits. In keeping with the music analogy, think more Oasis’ “What’s The Story, Morning Glory” and less “Heathen Chemistry”. Rarely has a debut collection been so solid.

And Jones simply gets it. His writing comes off assured and confident; fluid and smooth presenting vivid pictures and relatable metaphors. You feel the characters and the stories in your core and lose yourself in the narratives. I dare you not to tear up at the end of “Full Fathom Five” or shudder at the end of “Warlock”. Each story will hit you slightly different yet no less gripping. Michael Marshall Smith says it best in his introduction—“I want to tell stories like that.”

So pick this one up and give it a read front to back. There isn’t a clunker to be had in this short story collection from one of the brightest up and coming voices in horror fiction. And while that statement may be more subjective than objective, the fact remains: BURN THE PLANS is a flaming hot snarl of stories intent on burning themselves into your consciousness.

5 out of 5 incendiary stars.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Color me impressed. Seriously.

It’s a rare occasion when nearly half the stories in a collection hit the 4/5 mark, but Tyler Jones (I mean, come on, who?) was able to do just that. Impressed with his ability to create interesting characters in a style not known for it, impressed with his writing style and impressed with the blend of stories. I mean we’re talking about an author’s first collection of short stories that outdo some of the works from the more renowned talent that I have read.

Michael Marshall Smith writes the introduction to this collection and in it he states, “I’d have to reach way back to those first encounters with Stephen King to think of a group of stories which, one after another, left me this satisfied. It’s remarkably, undeniably and unusually good”. That about sums it up.

1. Corporation (3/5)

2. Trigger (4/5): Sins of the father.

3. The Golden Rule (3/5)

4. The Devil on the Stand (3.5/5)

5. Boo! (2/5)

6. A Sharp Black Line (4/5): We are the result of our bad choices.

7. Charwood (4/5): When the smoke clears, the embers of abuse.

8. How We Learn (4/5): And, oh how they burn.

9. Warlock (2.5/5)

10. Lion’s Den (3/5)

11. Deep Down (3.5/5)

12. Red Hands (4/5): The Bat Cave this ain’t.

13. White Glove (3/5)

14. Full Fathom Five (4/5): Psychic plasma.

[George Tregear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice collection of shorts. Some real good ones in here.

[Claire Holliday · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the many books I've picked up because of the Talking Scared podcast! I made these notes on my phone as I read, because I like knowing what each story holds when I go into a short story collection.

Story 1: Corporation - holyyyyyy shit I did not expect that straight out of the gate!
Story 2: Trigger - ok, now I see the SK comparison. A very deliberate voice details a vignette of sorts, where horror unfolds alongside a discovery. A sense of dread permeates from the very first paragraph, even though it’s hard to pin down exactly what causes it. Very clever!
Story 3: The Golden Rule - oh this was good. Told in the broken English of a man who had immigrated across the world, it tells the story of a box that grants a wish in equal terms.
Story 4: The Devil on the Stand - so clever! An odd, slightly unbalanced courtroom sketch artist can’t control the images emerging in her drawings. The ending left me bubbling with questions, but it was still so satisfying.
Story 5: Boo! - this one didn’t land for me. I feel like I missed something? I suspected at a possible interpretation of the ending but I wasn’t convinced. (ETA: The interpretation I suspected was right but still, not quite a winner for me).
Story 6: A Sharp Black Line - very SK-like. Atmospheric story about missing kids (this feels familiar).
Story 7: Charwood - I liked this! A girl faces down a menace in the woods with her dog. It has a horror-appropriate happy ending, and it felt like a good midpoint for this collection - a reminder to read them in order!
Story 8: Crate 42 - a Lovecrafty sort of ‘what’s-in-the-box’ tale that didn’t capture me for some reason.
Story 9: How We Learn - oh, I loved this one. Another young protagonist with a strong voice and also without. It feels like a mere glimpse into the life lived by this boy and his sister, part of the journey they’re sharing. He has a power that is revealed only at the end, and it’s intriguing, but enough. This author can handle a short story like the best of them.
Story 10: Warlock - a Faustian bargain story for the ages. I felt the cold air from the beach town it’s set in! Nicely set up so that no matter how you truly to turn your thoughts, it’s bad.
Story 11: Lion’s Den - don’t remember this one at all…probably my failing and not the author’s!
Story 12: Deep Down - excellent. This one takes the trope of a phantom limb and explodes it into something new and gruesome.
Story 13: Red Hands - another with echoes of SK. The figure that haunted the childhood of a group of protagonists has returned (and yet, done in less than 1000 pages?!).
Story 14: White Glove - a Christmas nightmare that ended at the exact right moment.
Final story/novella: Full Fathom Five - the crown jewel of this collection. Utterly brilliant.

[David Swisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent collection of short horror fiction. I really liked Corporation - a nice little cosmic workplace horror story. Trigger was great, a couple of brothers who stumble upon a secret and then protect each other. Full Fathom Five was my favorite. It was beautiful and haunting and terrifying. A story about an awkward boy who can see things in his blood and a lifelong friendship he shares with our narrator.

[Paul Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many impactful short stories. What an amazing collection. Believe the hype on this one. Do you want to know which one is my favorite? Choose one. The answer is yes. Pick another. Yes again

[Steve Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m often skeptical about books that have less than a hundred reviews but this book is simply underrated. Jones knows how to write, and these stories paired with the illustrations will keep you reading and feel transported to this horrific world of paranormal and existential dread. As a young adult who usually never sits to read anything that isn’t a chapter book, this book is nothing to sleep on! You’ll be amazed by how fluid each story is, and how Jones knows how to start an idea and leave you with a sour but addictive taste at the end! The meaning behind the cover and the stories that make you really think about your life as a whole are some things I appreciate, despite only having a handful of horror stories under my belt. In short, give this book a try despite the low amount of reviews!!

[Brennan LaFaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a rare short story collection that contains stories that hit and hit and hit. Michael Marshall Smith's introduction promises that this is "one of the best collections I've ever read" and then goes on to assure you he's not being paid to say so. Only a few stories into the collection, and the reader is bound to understand the assertion and not chalk it up to hyperbole. Burn the Plans feels more like a greatest hits album than a debut, and yet that's what we're looking at.
"Corporation" sets the stage well for Tyler Jones' style. The reader is dropped into an unusual situation, not cosmic weird and trippy, but something is off. As the layers are peeled back, the hair rises on the back of our neck as we come to understand that the state of the world is far worse than we ever imagined. Classic monsters are replaced by explorations of every day horror like grief and time.
I won't break down every story, but Burn the Plans expertly rotates between stories that unnerve and leave you reeling (The Golden Rule, Red Hands), stories that touch your heart (Boo!, How We Learn), and stories that have the potential to become classics in the horror canon (Trigger, Full Fathom Five).
In "Trigger" and "Full Fathom Five" alone there's enough to unpack to fill two entire reviews, but the beauty is that as special as these two stories are, they book end (more or less) the collection, but you're not left wanting in between.
Strap in for a series of stories that bypass surface-level scares and seek to shake the reader to their very core. To tell the truth truer.

[Molly Mix · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a book to prove that small independent presses are not inherently lesser quality than big name authors backed by the juggernaut machinery of big name publishers, this is the one. I would put any of Tyler Jones books, really, up against the best of them.

Starting with the end - the afterward is the perfect closure to this reading experience. And I really loved hearing about the genesis of each story. I am now wishing every book had this.

I read part of this from a hard copy of the book, a signed copy gifted to me by my kiddo for Christmas, but when I had to stop and make a long drive, I also bought the audiobook version so I could keep going without interruption. The narrator was exactly perfect.

Slinging out a bunch of superlatives about the stories in this collection feels disingenuous. It’s way beyond that. It’s real life, but for people experiencing it at its most surreal and traumatic - like a peek behind the curtain at the ugliest, most confusing, terrifying, and life altering bits - the stuff we are afraid might exist just below our conscious awareness, but don’t know for sure. The stories don’t tread familiar ground. The trajectory is harrowing and haunting. The existential dread lingers. That’s all you can really ask for in a reading experience.

[Chiara Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to thank Tyler Jones for a code of the audiobook of this amazing collection of short stories which emphasises again how talented this author is. The narrator Connor Brannigan was also fantastic in bringing the stories to life.

If I have to summarise how I felt whilst listening to the stories, I'd say like walking in the sea and basking in the comfort of the water splashing around you whilst your toes are massaged by the sand underneath..and then suddenly feeling the whole body and brain pierced by acute pain as the realisation of having stepped onto a weever fish dawns on you!

That's how I felt, as seemingly normal or average pictures become something dark and terrifying, although unbelievably possible!

Tyler Jones' prose is beautiful and variegated, so that each story feels different but the author's signature still recognisable. I loved all the stories but some left me really breathless and are still swimming in my mind, be it for the characters, the plot, the way they were told or else.

If you like horror short stories that will grab your heart and mind and never leave them, then this collection is for you!
I'll definitely get a print copy as well as I'd love to revisit those stories that are still with me.

[David Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burn the Plans by Tyler Jones

5/5

I just finished listening to the audiobook version of this short story collection and I'm beyond impressed.

Often a collection of short stories will have some duds or tales that don't quite fit with the rest of the pack. Burn the Plans hits the nail on the head every time.

The prose is beautiful without being too fanciful as to make the reader feel like Tyler is showing off that he uses word of the day toilet paper, the characters are all fully realised and sympathetic, the stories themselves are engaging in a way that hooks you from the offset and the punchlines to many of the stories will leave you wanting to stop for a second and compose yourself.

My first exposure to Tyler's work was with Heavy Oceans, and I was taken aback by how well he managed to make cosmic horror feel like something that takes place in the real world. He's done it again with this book, all of this feels real.

There aren't many writers that are of the quality that would make me want to read everything they put out in the world right now, Tyler Jones is rapidly becoming one of those writers.

Five fat stars on bleak black sky.

[Chris Wolff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of stories does not contain a single disappointment. It touches on a wide range of fears and contains diverse perspectives, but all with a clear voice that makes them feel like essential organs that the body couldn't live without. I particularly loved "Full Fathom Five," a story about a young socially awkward man who learns about the terrifying clairvoyant power his own blood can contain and the dark responsibilities it brings. I also really enjoyed "Corporation," a metaphorical tale of what people will sacrifice for upward mobility and the often terrifying costs of capitalism. It turns out a lot.
But really, all of the stories were well-written and enjoyable to read, and many of them will set you to thinking about the horror you just read, but also the underlying horror that they represent. I really enjoyed this collection.

[Geoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, good lord. This is an excellent collection. Every story shows off the author's strengths in new and interesting ways—imagination, craft, character, and world-building, genre be damned. I was sunk into the scene every time, consumed with its place, and left wanting more.

"Trigger" was a standout to me. I saw every moment coming just before it did, which might seem like a criticism or a flex, but it's the opposite. The setups and payoffs in that tale should be studied in literature classes. I also loved "Red Hands" as it brought a dark reality of our times into the cosmically evil and really left its mark (no pun intended.)

There's a reason I've heard the name Tyler Jones on the lips of so many authors and readers I trust. The praise is warranted. Can't wait to read more of his work.

Note: I received an Audible review code from the author. Thanks again, Tyler.

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bunch of really original horror short stories, most of which stem from decaying, abusive families (which sounds depressing, but most of these aren't) and/or unresolved childhood trauma, and that also feel like metaphors for the pain/gift of imagination. Plus a recurring thread of an evil paranormal government agency, which is a sub-genre I genuinely love. The opener packs a kick in its closing revelation, especially since the story has been adroitly misdirecting you all along (it reminds me of a bunch of stories in King's Night Shift, which I think is part of the trick), and a bunch of the others have a raw emotional core that gets at something primal. Nice variety of ideas and tones as well. I think this is one that will stick with me.

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burn the Plans by Tyler Jones -
This short story collection is such a wild ride! I absolutely loved it! I won’t take the time to review each story here. You’re gonna have to check it out for yourself to do that. Let’s just say it’s a fantastic collection!

Jones has the ability to tell stories in such a way that pulls you in from the beginning and keeps you hanging on every word. Some of the stories made me think, some were freaky as hell, and some were down right trippy.

Corporation will have you looking at businesses in a whole new way and questioning everything. White Glove is a delightfully twisted Christmas tale. And the ending of Boo! left my jaw on the floor! What?!?!?!

Man! Give this one a read or a listen! You won’t be disappointed!

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tyler Jones is going to keep getting five stars not just because he needs to be more widely read, but also because his writing fully warrants it.

Most collections of stories have some stinkers, a lot of mid-level stuff, and a couple that stand out. More than any writer I've read, Jones treats every story he writes as its own. From one story to the next, he tells it with the pace it needs to have. The beat changes. Tone. Voice. And at the core, he writes fully fleshed characters with heart. With all this put together, Burn the Plans did not miss for me. There were some stories that hit me stronger than others, but they all gripped me.

Fantastic collection from a fantastic writer!

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to say I struggled with short story collections, however this year, that all may have changed. Tyler Jones's excellent BURN THE PLANS is one of the reasons. A truly exceptional collection from start to finish. All of these stories were plotted and executed perfectly. While I wish a few were longer (as with many shorts) I finally realized that they are absolutely perfect just as they are.

Tyler Jones has quickly become a must read author for me and this collection gets all the stars! Highly Recommended!

[Heléne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a big book case where one section with 6 large shelves are filled with books by my house god; Stephen King. Next to this section, I've started an honorary shelf, with books I think is good enough to be next to the King. Already on it are works by R. Chizmar, S. Burgess, R .Jeffery, R. Thomas and W. Carver. I've just put Tyler Jones's "Burn the plans" there. That's the highest praise I can give. 🖤

[Liz Hargrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished listening to this masterpiece! This is an amazing collection of different shorts and the narration is great! There is something in here for all horror lovers. My favorites were A Sharp Black Line, Warlock, Deep Down and Red Hands. This is filled with all different kinds of horror and so entertaining. If you haven’t had the chance to read or listen to any of his books you are missing out. I recommend it to everyone! Thank you Tyler Jones for this amazing collection.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hands down one of the best collections of shirt stories I've ever read. Tyler Jones had already become one of my favorite authors and this collection cements home there. Every story in this collection is good and many of them are great. My faves were The Corporation, The Devil on the Stand, A Sharp Black Line, Lion's Den, Deep Down, and Full Fathom Five. But seriously, they are all good. TJ writes with such style and grace and his short stories always stick the landing. A Masterpiece!

[Jesse Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of short stories blended into a cocktail of absolute perfection. Some of the stories are just stories to be told. Some end with a cliffhanger. Some end at the right time on a high note. Then there’s the one will slap the shit out of you and have you reflecting life at 7:30 in the morning.

[Steve Edholm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neil McRobert (Talking Scared Podcast) had this on his list of most anticipated reads. He was right. This reads like early short story King. Some stories really pushed the line in good ways, but overall there were lots of great stories that really fit well together. Devil on the Stand and Trigger really stand out among the stories as top tier short story telling

[Jim Chidester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing collection of short stories. Some are a little sci-fi and some are just good old-fashioned horror. All of them will leave you a little unsettled but begging for more. Tyler Jones is a master storyteller. If you’ve never read his work, this collection of short stories is a great way to dip your toe into the water!

[Jules_withtheaxe · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing collection from Jones. This author has quickly become one of my favorites. Ever since I first discovered "Heavy Oceans" I've been devouring all his work.
The characters here seep out of the page and into your head.
So many great stories but if I had to pick one that really stood out, it would have to be Full Fathom Five. Just read it.