Category: Suspense

Book Signing, ChiZine Publications, Science Fiction, Suspense, The Rise of Oceania, The War Beneath, Thriller, TSJ Appearances, Underwater Thriller, Writing

Upcoming Appearance in Burlington, Ontario at Indigo Brant on April 13

April 7, 2019 • 0 Comments

Upcoming Appearance!

THE WAR BENEATH by TSJ

I will be at INDIGO BRANT this Saturday, April 13 signing THE WAR BENEATH and giving away free swag.

Details

Store: Indigo Brant
Location: 1250 Brant Street, Burlington, Ontario
Date/Time: Saturday April 13 from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

If you live in the Burlington area in Southern Ontario, come visit to chat about Science Fiction and Thrillers in general. I’d love to sign a copy of THE WAR BENEATH for you. I will be giving free swag away as well!

TSJ Reviews Video Game THE WALKING DEAD: SEASON ONE by Telltale Games

April 6, 2019 • 0 Comments

TSJ Reviews Video Game THE WALKING DEAD: SEASON ONE by Telltale Games

I subscribe to Game Pass through my Microsoft Xbox account. Each month, Microsoft posts games that subscribers are free to download. I’ve tried numerous properties there, such as RISE OF THE TOMB RAIDER, and it’s a good way to experience different types of games that I might not have purchased otherwise. The monthly fee isn’t bad, and there are just enough exciting options to keep me enrolled. One such game I attempted recently was Season 1 of THE WALKING DEAD by Telltale Games.

The result was

The War Beneath by Timothy S. Johnston Now Available in Hardcover!

April 2, 2019 • 0 Comments

The War Beneath by Timothy S. Johnston Now Available in Hardcover!

Now Available in Hardcover!

New Interview with TSJ about The War Beneath! Win Swag!

March 29, 2019 • 0 Comments

New Interview with TSJ about The War Beneath! Win Swag!

Over at The Qwillery today you can find an interview with me on my thought process and the planning that went into writing THE WAR BENEATH, including a discussion of one of the novel’s major themes: Fathers and Sons. We also spoke about my process and why I enjoy writing books set in hostile (dangerous) environments!

John Carpenter’s Contribution to Speculative and Science Fiction Film

This week, speculative fiction blog Aurelia Leo published an article I wrote on legendary SF director John Carpenter. Over the decades I’ve searched out any property I could find that Carpenter has directed. Find my thoughts on many of his SF films at the link, including THEY LIVE, PRINCE OF DARKNESS, THE THING, and ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK.

TSJ’s “My Favorite Things Related to the Oceans”

Over at Speculative Chic they’ve posted an article I wrote about the Science Fiction books and movies that I love most featuring the oceans. They helped inspire me to write THE WAR BENEATH. Some of them are novels from the tail end of the Golden Age of Science Fiction.

THE WAR BENEATH by TSJ — Shortlisted for the 2018 GLOBAL THRILLER Award

January 9, 2019 • 0 Comments

THE WAR BENEATH by TSJ — Shortlisted for the 2018 GLOBAL THRILLER Award

A quick announcement regarding the new thriller. I posted on my social media on 8 December that THE WAR BENEATH had been shortlisted for the 2018 CLUE Award for Suspense/Thriller/Crime Novel. Recently I also found out that the book has reached the shortlist for the 2018 GLOBAL THRILLER Award and is now also a CLUE semi-finalist. Both are competitions called the Chanticleer International Book Awards (the CIBAs) organized by Chanticleer Book Reviews.

An Interpretation of BIRD BOX

January 2, 2019 • 0 Comments

TSJ Interprets BIRD BOX, a Netflix Original

BIRD BOX is a gripping horror/survival/post-apocalyptic film. The disaster reveal happens near the beginning of the movie, but it does not explain the “monsters” in any real detail (more on this later). This is another film in the horror sub-genre involving a sensory deprivation. Recent examples include DON’T BREATHE and A QUIET PLACE. In those films, the story forces characters to remain silent or risk death. In the case of BIRD BOX, however, the sense involved is sight. If the characters see the monster, they die — in this case, victims kill themselves after witnessing the creatures.

TSJ Reviews THE LAST OF US

December 29, 2018 • 0 Comments

TSJ Reviews THE LAST OF US

THE LAST OF US is a survival/horror game set in the United States following a pandemic that has wiped out or infected the majority of the world’s population. The storyline follows Joel, a survivor, as he escorts 14 year old Ellie across the country to a group of scientists who might be able to create a vaccine to the infection using her natural immunity. What follows is one of the most emotionally-charged, intense, and satisfying video game journeys I have ever experienced. This game is up there with ALIEN: ISOLATION (see my review here) and PREY as being a top-tier effort, and it is a shining example of what a gaming experience should be. The story is simultaneously emotional, heartbreaking, uplifting and tragic, and each sequence is gripping. Each “chapter” ends on a cliffhanger, and I simply had to keep playing to find out what would happen to Joel and Ellie. This game is, simply put, a masterpiece.

TSJ Reviews HOLD THE DARK

November 17, 2018 • 1 Comment

TSJ Reviews HOLD THE DARK

Film: HOLD THE DARK, An Original @Netflix #Movie
Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Riley Keough, Alexander Skarsgard
Directed by: Jeremy Saulnier
Screenplay by: Macon Blair
Based on the Novel By: William Giraldi

This is a captivating and moody film holding layer upon layer of meaning that will keep viewers guessing until the end. It’s compelling and engaging, thanks to strong acting and beautiful cinematography, and it reminded me of WIND RIVER crossed with THE REVENANT. It’s a mystery, a crime thriller, and a brutal examination of the thin line that divides human from animal. Answers are not stated outright, but the clues are all there … so watch closely.