Stories of Paranoia and Conspiracy - Tales of Tinfoil

Great set of stories and very entertaining read. Perhaps the last story in the collection was a bit unfocused and, for me, difficult to get into. For the rest though, if you enjoy stimulating you conspiracy spidy senses then this is book for you.

The first short story in Tales of Tinfoil was about the JFK conspiracy. That story was creative and sucked me right in. Unfortunately, it was very inconsistent in quality after that. Some stories were littered with profanity and sex. Some were just poorly written and hard to follow. There were a couple that I skimmed reading right over because they were such a waste of time. There is another story near the end that I really enjoyed, about Elvis Presley. I got this book for free, but I would not recommend paying for it unless you are really interested in conspiracies. Even then, I would warn you away from it. The 2 stars are for the 2 short stories that I enjoyed.

But not new. Anthologies existed for a long time. This one is not particularly different. It is a collection of short stories highlighting popular American conspiracies. Some of them, I think were written specifically for this anthology. Each one does a popular take on a single conspiracy, and even though main ones are alluded to in multiple stories, each story is centered on only one. Like with most conspiracies you quickly reach the "so what?" state - but that the exigency of a short story format.
My favorite part of the book was the short afterward to each story giving a little more detail on the conspiracy.

I bought the kindle version of this because it sounded like a fun read, maybe interesting read. Conspiracy theories that were true?! Now THAT might be fun! Plus, the price was cheap (I use bookbub so it was maybe 99 cents or 1.99 at the most).

Yes, the Kennedy assassination story was well done---regardless of my personal feelings of whodunit it was a clever story well written and very relate-able.

That's the only one however---in my opinion. The Roswell story was just dumb, but I can't explain why without spoilers.

Another major flaw to me was that it was very one sided. When you think of conspiracy theories you generally think of 'right wing wingnuts ' types....and yep that's ALL you get. Not one story dares go against 'prevailing wisdom'. There are lots of ring wing /conservative conspiracy theories---how about stories where they ARE true? Obama IS a Muslim mole.....or 'the Government' IS trying to disarm the country prior to a dictatorship? And it's the conservative hero/heroine who saves the day---or even fails trying?

I'm sorry---poorly written politically correct stories aren't my thing.

In this anthology, we have stories about various historical conspiracies and excellent ideas that raise your blood pressure from the level of palpable paranoia it creates. Each one features a clever blend of fact and fiction that gives it just enough authenticity to make it feel real and is so well written and researched, it causes you to question whether the conspiracy just might be correct after all. Combine that with the heightened sense of paranoia each tale induces and you get one winning anthology that succeeds in its mission and makes you want to make a tinfoil hat of your own.

To start off, we get a fascinating introduction about real life conspiracies and how they have affected popular culture. Professor Joseph Uscinski, social scientist, explores why they are so fascinating to us and to him and how they affect the world. After that, embark on a terrific journey with these twelve tales:

Richard Gleaves’ “Under the Grassy Knoll” - An older man, Don Petterman sells DVD’s of the Zapruder film in Dealey Plaza, tries to earn a living, has a broken life, an ex-wife and a mostly empty existence except for his daughter. But he’s highly interested and consumed by the JFK assassination and having a background in history, he does his best try educating others on the various conspiracy theories out there. When his iPad gets knocked into the drain, he discovers something never before found by anyone and eventually is forced to make a fateful decision. Enrapturing, engrossing, very much enjoyable and a character-driven journey of a man looking for validation in life and possibly getting a chance to actually find it in a moving finale.

Ernie Lindsey’s “The Long Slow Burn” - An antiquities dealer coming off of a big job gets captured by the Financial Crimes Division, recruited by them to steal an everlasting light bulb, a secret hidden away from the world. He’s recruited to steal this light bulb from El Tigre, a mastermind who has stolen it. It’s one surprise after another and secrets are reveled with each twist and turn, with this delightful story which left me smiling all of the way through to the end of the story, right up to the last sentence. It’s well-written and even more importantly, just a slick heist caper.

Forbes West’s “Day for Night” - A bartender leading a mundane existence in the 1981 begins to encounter strange things happening in the Florida Keys. When a mysterious video game Polybius is brought into his bar, strange things start occurring. After that, he seems to enter an unusual dimension overlaying his own, filled with demons, sacrifices and a mission to save the earth from those who would invade and destroy it. Strange, weird, off-kilter and just plain interesting, this story just makes you wonder what in the world is going on. But if you thought the questions about the story are unusual, you’ll find the answers even more so.

Lucas Bale’s “Chukotka” - As two Americans sail out to the Bering Sea to run some supplies to Alaska, they get caught in a mysterious storm which comes out of nowhere. On land, we meet Umqy, an old man following the old ways, on his way to die to give himself honor one final time. The two stories intersect but how are they related to research on the ionosphere on that very fateful day? Thrilling in that you wonder whether they will survive while two different cultures collide, can they find a mutual understanding in their desire to persevere in the face of all odds? The struggle doesn't end until the very last tragic page, as we learn what truly happened to them out there.

Eric Tozzi’s “That’s a Wrap from The Sea of Tranquility” - In 1969, respected Hollywood filmmaker Harry McNixon is asked by the federal government to make a movie for them. Not just any movie, but one purporting to show a fake landing on the moon, to be broadcast worldwide. The idea is preposterous and crazy but as he embarks on a quest to make his greatest achievement that no one will ever know he made, we are taken through the movie shoot as he tries to make it look real, using all the tools at his disposal. Filled with a couple of laugh out loud moments, the author definitely does his best to sell it and make it sound completely believable. And as to why this film had to be made? That awesome reason I will leave for the reader to discover.

Wendy Paine Miller’s “Disappear” – Rowan, a mother who lives in a surveillance state has recurring nightmares about her activist 16-year-old daughter Kiran being abducted. As she goes through her daily routine, she observes the government observing her, wondering how intrusive they truly are in her life. Is it really paranoia if they’re really out to get you? We learn the answers in short order, with a twist or two in this chilling, paranoid to the bone, breathtaking thriller.

Michael Bunker’s “One Arm of the Octopus” - In 1985, Matthew is a freshman trying to start a new life for himself in college. There he meets Paul, someone who is slowly grooming him for recruitment into the war on drugs being waged in Nicaragua. Traveling there to ostensibly observe this war in person, he begins to get a whole new education courtesy of the Octopus, a shadow CIA organization manipulating the war for its own benefit. To watch Matthew’s seduction as he’s inexorably drawn into this conflict is a fascinating character study. The narrative deftly immerses us into it with every meticulous detail while we watch idealistic innocence disappear, saddened at what’s occurring but unable to look away.

Peter Cawdron’s “Heil Hitler!” - Our story starts with Suzanne talking with her husband’s shrink about his seemingly schizophrenic episodes. When she wakes up two days later with no memory of what happened, we experience a truly out of left field, over-the-top deranged story as Suzanne has little clue as to what is really going on. When you discover what this is really about, it leads to​ a crazy ending that smacks you upside the head with its sheer lunacy and yet is supremely brilliant in its explanation.

Chris Pourteau’s “The French Deception” – In 1944, American soldiers going through a French embassy in find info that Napoleon III in France led a conspiracy, in league with the Confederacy, to sunder the U.S. irrevocably so The South could win the Civil War. This confessional letter they found tells the captivating story of this Lincoln impostor who manipulated the war to his own ends and how his conscience is affected by it. Perfectly capturing the writing style of the time period and intermingling it with true incidents in history made for an enlightening, fascinating and ultimately entertaining read. You completely buy into its premise, winning the reader over with its strong and powerful narrative.

Jennifer Ellis’s “Manufacturing Elvis” – As 26 year-old Anna goes on a trip to Bermuda to help his grandfather’s girlfriend Dolores, an avid Elvis aficionado, track down leads of the latest Elvis sighting, they find what might appear to be unsubstantiated rumors and drawing disparate conclusions from them. When they meet someone who suspiciously looks like he could be Elvis’s son, they are drawn into a web of intrigue that puts them at risk. Dolores’ devil-may-care outlook on life and her poignant explanation on why Elvis was so important to her was delightful to read. And Anna’s journey as she rebuilds her future drew me in with its nuanced portrait of someone who comes to appreciate what Elvis means to her as well.

Edward W. Robertson’s “The Final Flight of Michael Aoki” – In 1947, Michael is a pilot who crashes his strange vehicle into the sand, having strange dreams of a woman and child dying in a fire. But he cannot remember much of anything about his life prior to that except that he is the only one that can help America win their war with the Soviets once and for all. Mysteries are slowly unraveled as Michael discovers his memories and finally puts together all of the perplexing pieces into this adept, suspenseful story that shocks you with its final act, making for a touching ending.

Nick Cole’s “Fear of the Unknown and Loathing in Hollywood” – Doc Midnite used to work for the State Department now goes west to reinvent himself as a third-rate Hollywood reporter, taking us on one psychedelic ride through the dark underbelly of Hollywood. Searching for the scoop on Mark-Paul Gosselaar and his sudden rise to stardom in “Saved by the Bell”, Midnite is forever in a drug-induced (or alcoholic) haze, on the verge of becoming unhinged and “Going Roman”. Hilarious and deranged in its lunacy, hard-boiled in its noir feel, we are treated to a coercive and convoluted story of one man’s search for the fake truth. And it’s quite the demented journey he travels.

I also enjoyed the conspiracy notes at the end of each story, giving each one factual context for the fiction that you’re reading, adding an additional layer to them. Overall, there is a serious sense of fun that exudes from this entire anthology. There is no conspiracy here (other than the stories themselves), this is just a fantastic book of short stories that just grab you with their “what if?” premises and their riveting storytelling. :- )

The aim was good - but, I was expecting something more closely related to the ACTUAL 'mysteries' rather than totally fanciful options.
A few are interesting stories in themselves - the rest are just way off the mark and not 'revealing' or relevant at all.
The stories are basically of no help in understanding any more about any of the 'mysteries' concerned!

Exhilarating and just plain fun. Stand out stories are:

"Under the Grassy Knoll" by Richard Gleaves. As close as you can get to a perfect short story. "That's a Wrap from the Sea of Tranquillity" by Eric Tozzi and "Heil Hitler!" by Peter Cawdron - that last story offering up not just a plausible explanation for every conspiracy theory ever, but also a mad scientist! Count me in.

The other stand out stories are "Manufacturing Elvis" by Jennifer Ellis, "Chukotka" by Lucas Bale and "The Final Flight of Michael Aoki" by Edward W. Robertson.

This anthology does what every good anthology should do - introduce authors worthy of a wide readership.

I definitely look forward to reading more from the writers I encountered here.

With some of the best indie fiction authors like Ernie Lindsey (Sara's Game, Sky Noise), Michael Bunker (Pennsylvania, Brother,Frankenstein), Nick Cole (Soda Pop Soldier, The Wasteland Saga) and Peter Cawdron (Anomaly, Monsters), just to name a few, this anthology doesn't miss a beat. This anthology takes well known conspiracy theories, closes the blinds to what you think you know and hands you a few rolls of tinfoil for the paranoia that ensues. From the JFK Assassination to Elvis Presley, deals with the Devil in Hollyweird to Area 51, these authors provide wonderful tales that back up even some of the strangest theories. Not only that, each individual story has a short summary that describes the original theory, which gives you even more bang for your buck!

I highly recommend you pick up Tales of Tinfoil if you are into conspiracy theories or even if you are just a casual fan of excellent fiction. If you enjoy the book, make sure to check out other works by the authors. You won't regret it!

What an incredible collection of stories. All of them were superbly written, and I loved them all, but I want to mention the ones that impressed me the most. "Under the Grassy Knoll" by Richard Gleaves, hit it right out of the park. What an amazing story. I almost didn't want to read on, for fear of being disappointed. But my fears were soon laid to rest. "Chukotka" by Lucas Bale was an insightful look at how we as humans coexist and what our priorities should be (in the face of man tinkering with nature). "The French Deception" by Chris Pourteau was so well done, it almost convinced me that the life of Abraham Lincoln needed another look. "That's a Wrap From the Sea of Tranquility" by Eric Tozzi was a great read about a conspiracy that has captured my attention for a long time -- whether or not the Moon Landing really happened. And finally, I think my very favorite story was "Manufacturing Elvis" by Jennifer Ellis. I've never been an Elvis fan, but that story made me rethink the importance of that entertainer in my life. I think I might go look him up. I heard he's still alive somewhere in Bermuda.

All in all, this anthology was well worth the read. These authors are some of the finest, and you can depend on them to produce top-notch, well-written stories each and every time. Tales of Tinfoil is a winner.

A terrific collection of stories, Conspiracy theories have been around forever and these tales hit on all the major ones,

Elvis and the Bermuda Triangle, and Area 51, the Kennedy assassination, Lincoln, even Hollywood and the old selling one's soul to the Devil(this one was especially good in the "star" that sold his soul and who just might be the Devil).

Had a great time with this set.

Highly recommended.

This was an absolute home-run collection of stories. I didn't want it to end, and will be eagerly awaiting the second tinfoil anthology. Some of my favorites were, "Under the Grassy Knoll," "Fear of the Unknown and Loathing in Hollywood," (I must pause here and give Nick Cole a Standing-O for so perfectly capturing Hunter S Thompson's style) "One Arm of the Octopus," "Heil Hitler," but there wasn't a boring story in the bunch. Every story in the collection is based in some way on a real-life conspiracy theory. I don't know if it's true, but I heard that David Gatewood made a deal with the Illuminati to get the best authors in the world to contribute some of their best work they have ever written for this collection. I heard that rumor from Elvis when we shared coffee in a Chemtrail planning facility with a group of reptilians. We had to cut the meeting short because of shadow people creeping about the corners of the room, but I believe every word Elvis told us. Why would the King lie to me, Tupac, and Biggie Smalls anyway?

Sometimes I leave more detailed reviews, especially when it comes to anthologies, but I don't want to sit here and tell you that one story is better than another, or has more meaning, or more truth--and somewhere between these pages there is truth. Some truth. Maybe just a little.

Tales of Tinfoil is an experience to be lived. Or read at least, because you probably don't want to live most of these stories. Especially the last one with the crazy Doc Midnite. And although they couldn't come out and state these things as factual, they did gave us some warnings. Staying away from pinball machines is an easy one. I've seen Tommy, and if you think the Pinball Wizard is someone to be leery of, then you obviously haven't read the truth between the lines that is Tales of Tinfoil. History isn't what we think it is, and four score and some odd years ago the President Lincoln who appeared on Star Trek was more real than the phony who gave us the Gettysburg Address.

The one story that everyone is raving about is Under the Grassy Knoll. My question is, why should this come as a surprise to us? Watch some late night cable, and learn these things before the history books get revised yet again. As for the Octopus, well, I'm still not allowed to talk about it. But you can get the book and see for yourself.

Regarding Elvis, Dolores is on the right track, folks. But you knew that all along, didn't you?

No doubt this anthology is so entertaining that we need to keep passing the word so folks will read it. And soon. Before "they" find out and remove it. I definitely look forward to the other promised entries of this series of educational "tales." Especially the one on so-called "hoaxes." Will Bigfoot be in it? If not, I suspect a cover-up of some sort. For years we were shown that grainy film, then they came right out and admitted the truth that he not only exists, but came from outer space, only to be confronted by The Six Million Dollar Man.

If you never thought you'd live long enough to find out the answers to some of life's questions, or if you've never questioned things and always wondered why, or if you just want to be completely entertained for a few hours, now you know that all the answers are waiting for you between the pages of Tales of Tinfoil.

This collection has gathered some of my favorite authors for a fun and exciting twist on conspiracy theories. Each story is deliberately different, yet all have the common thread of intrigue. I found it a very good mix of writing talents and thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Forbes West is very graphic in his wonderful dark tale. Peter Cawdron has exquisitely pushed the edge of creepiness. The very believable and alarming history lessons by Michael Bunker and Chris Pourteau. Eric Tozzi has brilliantly out did himself with his highly detailed story. An endearing tale by Jennifer Ellis. Richard Gleaves’ story has an impact that will remain. Ernie Lindsey will wrap you up and you won’t see it coming. Lucas Bale is so vivid, this could be non-fiction. Wendy Paine Miller produced a thrilling parental nightmare. Edward W. Robertson wonderfully pulls our patriotic heartstrings. Nick Cole takes you on a magnificent and humorous joy-ride.

I received an advanced copy for review. It was a pleasure.

A wonderful collection of short stories by a host of "who's who" indie authors, edited by none other than David Gatewood . . . brilliant! It's like someone packaged a sampler and said "Here. You've heard of them, but maybe you haven't read each of them. Here is a little something by every author. And this time they're all writing about the same topic so you can see their different styles side by side."

And of course there is this conspiracy thing . . . I mean, the stories ARE all works of fiction. Right? <wink, wink, nudge, nudge> Right!

I must say though, Chris Pourteau’s “The French Deception” will have me looking at the Lincoln Memorial differently the next time I visit. I will study that statue and wonder if that really is the face of the man from Kentucky or . . . And Peter Cawdron’s “Heil Hitler!” made me shudder. Perhaps Déjà vu is more than a curious feeling. Maybe it is the residual of something terrifying! Edward W. Robertson’s “The Final Flight of Michael Aoki” touched my heart and was a nice spin on one of our oldest conspiracy theories (UFO's). Richard Gleaves’ “Under the Grassy Knoll” is my new favorite Kennedy assassination theory. Makes more sense than anything offered up thus far! Jennifer Ellis’s “Manufacturing Elvis” is hilarious and just plausible enough to make you think twice.

All of the stories are great. Definitely recommended.

Yet again, David Gatewood and his merry band of authors has hit one out of the park! Every time he releases an anthology it becomes my new favorite.

This collection of short stories about a variety of conspiracy theories is concise, crazy, off the wall, and totally entertaining. Every author stepped up their game and provided a story worthy of this collection. Every story, every character, every theory, was compelling and even at times thought provoking. I'm not a conspiracy theorist and I rarely pay any attention to them. But I can honestly say that every story gave me at least one "what the.." moment.

Several stories truly stand out and deserve special mention. "Under The Grassy Knoll" by Richard Gleaves is possibly the best short story I have read in, well, ever. His take on the JFK assassination is unique and the character development and motivation is superb for such a short piece. I felt like I was truly experiencing the story from within his main character. I love it when a story leaves me breathless. I will read this many times.

Chris Pourteau's "The French Deception" is a remarkable showcase for his knowledge of historical events, especially as they pertain to the Civil War. I'm not sure if anyone ever believed that Abraham Lincoln had been replaced by a look-alike; but you will after this story.

Finally, "Manufacturing Elvis" by Jennifer Ellis was a fun look at the craziness and speculation since The King's death. I can no longer say with certainty that "Elvis has left the building."

I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My honest review-buy it!

I wrote the first part of his review after reading about 1/3 of the stories in this anthology. --Take every wacko conspiracy theory and have a creative writer solve it plausibly with a touch of irony. The man in the cellar wearing a tinfoil hat to attract cosmic rays beware. These authors have got your number. I didn't think, from the title, that I'd enjoy this book as much as I did. But I liked it so much I bought the non-fiction "American Conspiracy Theories" by social scientists Uscinski and Parent and read that first.--
All that remains true. Now that I have finished the book, I'm changing the review to reflect the remainder.--
All anthologies have stories of varying appeal to different tastes. In my library I have anthologies I wouldn't part with although they have only one story I love, but that story is so special it's worth the whole book. I LOVED about half the stories. I liked an additional quarter of them and tried hard to work my way through some of them.
I am very glad I bought this book even though not all of it appealed to me because the stories I loved were worth the rest of the book.

One of the wonderful side effects of the digital publishing revolution is the resurgence in quality short fiction. Never a huge reader (or writer) of short stories, this trend is changing my reading (and writing) habits. I believe I’ve read more short story anthologies in the past six months than in all my prior forty-some years combined.

If you think of short story anthologies as a smorgasbord of authors, then Tales of Tinfoil is one of the best collections I’ve sampled. Subtitled “Stories of Paranoia and Conspiracy” and edited by David Gatewood, this anthology takes aim at some of the greatest urban myths of our generation.

Take Eric Tozzi’s “That’s a Wrap from the Sea of Tranquility,” the hilarious true story of the Apollo 11 moon landing as told by the director Harry Waldo McNixon—yes, the Harry McNixon. The end is nigh and Harry is telling all—the CIA, the suitcase full of cash, the warehouse where he filmed the fake moon landing, every last detail. Oh, in case you’re wondering, we actually did land on the moon, but the astronauts were busy on a special mission so they ran Harry’s footage instead of the real deal. Tozzi, a filmmaker in real life, has a wonderful tongue-in-cheek style and peppers Harry’s retelling with authentic details that make the story come to life.

“The French Deception” by Chris Pourteau is an unexpected gem. Set in WWII France, the city of Paris has fallen and Major General Leonard T “Gee” Gerow pays a visit to his superior officer with a letter uncovered in the French archives of foreign affairs. His men were looking for Nazi records, but stumbled on something much more explosive. Pourteau is one of my favorite up and coming authors who combines inventive plot lines, historical events, and great military characters into some fabulous reading.

Where would a book of conspiracy stories be without the grand-daddy of them all, the Kennedy assassination? In “Under the Grassy Knoll,” Richard Gleaves tells the story of Don Petterman, an old school Kennedy conspiracist who spends his days selling DVDs in Dealey Plaza. Don is having a particularly bad day that gets capped off with dropping his brand-new iPad—a gift from his daughter—into the sewer. In a moment of clarity, he realizes that he lacks the key element of a true conspiracist: his own theory. What follows is part happenstance, part detective work, with an equal measure of heartbreak as Don gets his final wish.

I could go on: the everlasting light bulb is covered in style by Ernie Lindsey in “The Long Slow Burn,” Jennifer Ellis takes on The King in “Manufacturing Elvis,” and Ed Robertson tells us what really happened at Roswell in “The Final Flight of Michael Aoki.” This is an even dozen tales that will satisfy the funny bone and the truth-seeker in any conspiracy theorist.

Highly recommended.

Hold on to your customized Tinfoil Hat! Clear your schedule, get your favorite reading spot ready. Not only will you enjoy the stories in this book, but your "To Be Read" pile is sure to grow with new authors you will meet. I don't do synopsis in my reviews, there is one in the book, plus many reviewers will do that for you. I will say, you will love at least 3 of the stories, pick any three. You will think to yourself, "I always thought that's what happened" on at least two, pick your two. One or two will give you a new perspective on a story, and at least one is going to change your entire world.
I was given the honor of an ARC in exchange for an honest review. That doesn't put dinner on the table or keep our indie authors writing, so I have also pre-ordered a copy about 2/3 of the way through the book.
Go get your hat and get to reading, enjoy, I sure did!

Definitely earned that five stars. This book was awesome. Intriguing and exciting, and every story was well-written. I can find nothing to complain about. The conspiracies chosen were perfect--a great mix of well-known and some not so well-known. Watching how these conspiracies affected every day people captured me.

At the risk of sounding like a fangirl, Lucas Bale is quickly becoming one of my favorite new authors. His story in this antho was gorgeous and terrifying. Dear lord, this man can write.

His fellow authors were just as strong. Most definitely check this one out.

This entire anthology is entertaining, and I liked the range in tone--from very light-hearted to frightening. With several, I could tell the authors did a significant amount of research--seeding enough truth to make the presented story seem more plausible. They were fun to read, and I hope the series has sequels in the future.

I have a morbid fascination for conspiracies and when I heard some of my absolute favorite writers like Michael Bunker, Peter Cawdron, Jennifer Ellis, Chris Pourteau and Nick Cole were in this anthology, I immediately claimed my ARC copy. I was not disappointed. It starts strong with Richard Gleaves's story Under the Grassy Knoll, an author I didn't know and whose work I was happy to discover. Lucas Bale's Chukotka and Peter Cawdron's Heil Hitler were so well written they gave me the shivers. But really, those are just the highlights. I wasn't disappointed by a single story in this collection, all left me longing for more.

I picked up Tales of Tinfoil after seeing the great release campaign online. The writers of this collection are all strong up-and-comings, and I was excited to see what they had produced together.
The theme initially struck me as a strange choice, but in hindsight I feel much more inclined to say that it afforded a wealth of opportunity for free storytelling, taking the lid off credulity and letting these stories breathe like fine wine.
All of these stories are well worth reading, well and truly under the banner of intrigue, noir, and mystery. The tone was spot on.
Two stories that stood out in particular for me were Under the Grassy Knoll by Richard Gleaves, and That’s a Wrap from the Sea of Tranquility by Eric Tozzi. Both stories really went the extra mile in terms of depth and their ability to make the absurd sound genuinely plausible. The protagonists of these stories were also some of the strongest I’ve seen in a long time.
It was a real pleasure to see some of these indie authors shine, knowing that in a few years many of them will be household names. A few others, I’ve been made very much aware of, and I’ll be on the lookout for their work in future.

When I think of tinfoil, I think of leftovers. Day-old pizza, a cover for a bowl of soup, you know…tinfoil. At least, that’s what they want to you to think. You know...tinfoil...or is that aluminum foil? Either way is the same to me. There's no leftovers here -- my tinfoil hat is still spinning over the tales I read in this collection. At least that's what they wanted me to think.

You know who I’m talking about. Could be the government (which one? Take your pick.)…maybe its the Masons…the Illuminati…maybe whoever is covering up the truth is so skillful we have no idea as to their identity.

We’re all a little desperate to uncover the real truth behind the whitewashed truth we’re given in the media. We all believe something we might call a conspiracy theory. Because of those beliefs, Editor Supreme David Gatewood’s latest short story anthology, "Tales of Tinfoil," has a certain ring of truth to it, but also a whole lot of crazy.

I won’t go through all the stories, but suffice it to say the whole collection is a great addition to the world of indie publishing with some amazing stand-outs.

Now, you should definitely read past the first story, but the highlight of the collection for me was Richard Gleaves’ "Under The Grassy Knoll." I debated for a while of whether the story was as good as I thought since it covered the ground of perhaps the biggest conspiracy theory of them all — JFK’s assassination. As I went back and forth, I realized that the original theory itself was partly what made this such an outstanding story. So many people have theories as to what actually happened that day, and Gleaves certainly showcases how own in the story.

Chris Pourteau’s story "The French Deception" is another treat, taking a look at another presidential assassination — this one of our nation’s 16th President, Abraham Lincoln.

And just to prove not all conspiracies surround presidents or moon landings, Ernie LIndsey’s story "The Long Slow Burn" surrounds the creation of a light bulb that will last forever. If one was built, would it ever see the light of day, or do so many jobs and money depend on the continuation of light bulb replacement that it would just get swept under the rug?

Tales of Tinfoil is a wonderful collection of 12 stories all devoted to conspiracy theories. Each one is a wild ride into the secrets we hold, or like to think exist behind the curtain. I would recommend the collection, not only to those with interest in conspiracies, but also to just anyone who loves a great short story.

Ordinarily I don't review collection books but this on on conspiracy theories is an exception. This collection is one of best I have read. All the stories are interesting and based in part on facts. The authors all did a great job of producing a conspiracy theory story. My favorites are Under the Grassy Knoll about the JFK assassination and One Arm of the Octopus about how the CIA got out of control. IMO if you like conspiracy theory stories, this is a good book for you.

The collection of paranoid and conspiracy stories found in Tales of Tinfoil encompass many common and some not-so-common subjects. Kennedy's assassination, Lincoln's story, UFOs, the moon landing, Elvis' death... we have all heard alternative stories as to "what really happened." This collection has put these, and other theories, into a short story format.
The tales are well written. I especially enjoyed Manufacturing Elvis, Chukotka, The French Deception, Under the Grassy Knoll and Disappear. I only dropped a star because I am not a fan of dark subjects ("Fear of the Unknown and Loathing in Hollywood") even if they were well written.
I would recommend this book not only because it was enjoyable but because the idea of collecting these types of stories and elaborating on them -- putting them into a short story -- is new and different.
Kudos to the authors!

If you like conspiracy theories than I would recommend you pick up this book. I don't think you'll be disappointed. I'm not going to go in depth on each short story because quite a few reviewers already did and I find it hard to give a review on a short story without giving away too much.

One of the best collections on conspiracy theories that Ive read in a long time. Every single one of them offers a unique twist on events that we
all have theories about. Well-written, evocative and just plain crazy, they run the gamut of theories of what could have happened. They might make
you a believer, or they might not, but either way, they are good plain fun. Some of my favorites were Under a Grassy Knoll by Richard Gleaves,
Manufacturing Elvis by Jennifer Ellis, and Heil Hitler! by Peter Cawdron and One Arm of the Octopus by Michael Bunker.

I grabbed this through Kindle Unlimited as it had a few authors that I recognize and enjoy their works. I was not disappointed by this collection of conspiracy themed short stories. I highly recommend.