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Finding Jericho
Fifteen-year-old Jonathan Dupree knows what it's like to live with madness. He has seen his uncle, “Raving Ron” Dupree, at his best, and his worst.
Even a new school isn't an escape. The stigma of mental illness follows in the form of taunts and threats from a gang known as “The Misfits.” In a desperate attempt to fit in, Jonathan lashes out, tipping Ron over the edge into complete relapse.
Now Jonathan must find a way to reach his uncle and, when a failed initiation ceremony leaves him trapped in a derelict house, the way to redemption will come from a very unlikely source.
Even a new school isn't an escape. The stigma of mental illness follows in the form of taunts and threats from a gang known as “The Misfits.” In a desperate attempt to fit in, Jonathan lashes out, tipping Ron over the edge into complete relapse.
Now Jonathan must find a way to reach his uncle and, when a failed initiation ceremony leaves him trapped in a derelict house, the way to redemption will come from a very unlikely source.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 2, 2008
20 people want to read
About the author
Dave Jeffery
75 books146 followers"Jeffery has a connoisseur's eye for the grotesque and mind-bending."—STEPHEN VOLK, writer of GHOSTWATCH and AFTERLIFE,
Dave Jeffery is a British Fantasy Award and The Bridport Prize nominated author of 19 novels, two collections, and numerous short stories. His Necropolis Rising series and yeti adventure Frostbite have both featured on the Amazon #1 bestseller list, while the A Quiet Apocalypse series continues to garner critical acclaim. His YA work includes the Beatrice Beecham supernatural mystery series and Finding Jericho. His screenwriting credits include award winning short films Ascension and Derelict.
Before retiring to write full-time, Jeffery worked in the NHS for 35 years specialising in the field of mental health nursing and risk management. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Mental Health Studies and a Master of Science Degree in Health Studies. His novel Finding Jericho is an amalgamation of his experiences of working with service users who have experienced stigma and social exclusion due to their mental illness. As a novel, Finding Jericho (Demain Publishing) has featured on both the BBC Health and Independent Schools Entrance Examination Board's ‘Recommended Reading’ lists
Jeffery is a member of the Society of Authors, British Fantasy Society (also as a regular book reviewer), and actively involved in the Horror Writers Association where he is a mentor on the HWA Mentorship Scheme and recipient of the HWA Mentor of the Year Award, 2022. He was also co-chair of the HWA Wellness Committee for a three-year tenure.
Jeffery is married with two children and lives in Worcestershire, UK.
Forthcoming Releases:
SEPTEMBER 2025
False Prophet: A Novel (Eerie River Publishing)
This Way Lies Madness Anthology (co-edited with Lee Murray, Flame Tree Press)
OCTOBER 2025
Screams & Whispers Collection (Horrorsmith Publishing)
Dave Jeffery is a British Fantasy Award and The Bridport Prize nominated author of 19 novels, two collections, and numerous short stories. His Necropolis Rising series and yeti adventure Frostbite have both featured on the Amazon #1 bestseller list, while the A Quiet Apocalypse series continues to garner critical acclaim. His YA work includes the Beatrice Beecham supernatural mystery series and Finding Jericho. His screenwriting credits include award winning short films Ascension and Derelict.
Before retiring to write full-time, Jeffery worked in the NHS for 35 years specialising in the field of mental health nursing and risk management. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Mental Health Studies and a Master of Science Degree in Health Studies. His novel Finding Jericho is an amalgamation of his experiences of working with service users who have experienced stigma and social exclusion due to their mental illness. As a novel, Finding Jericho (Demain Publishing) has featured on both the BBC Health and Independent Schools Entrance Examination Board's ‘Recommended Reading’ lists
Jeffery is a member of the Society of Authors, British Fantasy Society (also as a regular book reviewer), and actively involved in the Horror Writers Association where he is a mentor on the HWA Mentorship Scheme and recipient of the HWA Mentor of the Year Award, 2022. He was also co-chair of the HWA Wellness Committee for a three-year tenure.
Jeffery is married with two children and lives in Worcestershire, UK.
Forthcoming Releases:
SEPTEMBER 2025
False Prophet: A Novel (Eerie River Publishing)
This Way Lies Madness Anthology (co-edited with Lee Murray, Flame Tree Press)
OCTOBER 2025
Screams & Whispers Collection (Horrorsmith Publishing)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 20, 2015
Brilliant read!
The book follows 15 year old Jonathan. Due to the death of his stepfather, has to move with his mom to his Uncle's house. His uncle is not well, mentally unstable. An unlikely source of help, a scary gang at school. A dare that will change and challenge Jonathan. Light at the end of the tunnel for all. This book moved me beyond words. Loved it from start to finish.
The book follows 15 year old Jonathan. Due to the death of his stepfather, has to move with his mom to his Uncle's house. His uncle is not well, mentally unstable. An unlikely source of help, a scary gang at school. A dare that will change and challenge Jonathan. Light at the end of the tunnel for all. This book moved me beyond words. Loved it from start to finish.
February 12, 2020
Finding Jericho is a novel by Dave Jeffery that revolves around mental illness as a core theme. The author is a mental health professional. I read the third edition, which has just recently been released.
The protagonist is 15-year-old Jon Dupree. He and his mother move in with his Uncle Ronald, who’s been released from hospital after receiving treatment for bipolar disorder.
The early part of the book covers Jon’s adjustment to his new school, where he was mocked because of stigma related to his uncle’s condition. It also sets up connections that will become important later on, including a group of boys known as The Misfits.
About a third of the way through the book Uncle Ronald goes off his medication and ends up being hospitalized. He is not doing well, and Jon’s mother shares with him that there used to be a particular psychiatrist who was very helpful, and one of the ways they had communicated was with a stuffed bear named Jericho.
Through a series of unexpected connections, Jon comes to learn more about Uncle Ronald and his experiences. A mysterious source provides an interesting social history of how mental illness has been dealt with over the centuries, and cautions him not to make assumptions based on behaviour rather than what a person is actually saying.
This encounter with the mysterious source covers a lot of ground, and provides the reader with a good look at a number of different mental health-related issues. A poem written by Uncle Ronald serves as the focal point of this encounter.
After an accident that led to Jon being hospitalized, some of the relationships established early in the book are further developed, and Jon is able to learn more about how he can help Uncle Ronald. He’s then able to make a connection with his uncle and help him on the path towards healing.
One bit I wasn’t thrilled about was how electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was described, albeit briefly. The way it was described and the language used presented it in a fairly negative light, and given that it was just a brief mention, I thought that was unnecessary. Then again, my personal bias is that I’m pretty ardently anti-stigma when it comes to ECT.
The book concludes with a positive message about the importance of being non-judgmental and accepting, as mental illness can happen to anyone. It’s an interesting read, and it’s effective both at educating and portraying mental illness in a realistic way, particularly for a young adult target reading audience.
The protagonist is 15-year-old Jon Dupree. He and his mother move in with his Uncle Ronald, who’s been released from hospital after receiving treatment for bipolar disorder.
The early part of the book covers Jon’s adjustment to his new school, where he was mocked because of stigma related to his uncle’s condition. It also sets up connections that will become important later on, including a group of boys known as The Misfits.
About a third of the way through the book Uncle Ronald goes off his medication and ends up being hospitalized. He is not doing well, and Jon’s mother shares with him that there used to be a particular psychiatrist who was very helpful, and one of the ways they had communicated was with a stuffed bear named Jericho.
Through a series of unexpected connections, Jon comes to learn more about Uncle Ronald and his experiences. A mysterious source provides an interesting social history of how mental illness has been dealt with over the centuries, and cautions him not to make assumptions based on behaviour rather than what a person is actually saying.
This encounter with the mysterious source covers a lot of ground, and provides the reader with a good look at a number of different mental health-related issues. A poem written by Uncle Ronald serves as the focal point of this encounter.
After an accident that led to Jon being hospitalized, some of the relationships established early in the book are further developed, and Jon is able to learn more about how he can help Uncle Ronald. He’s then able to make a connection with his uncle and help him on the path towards healing.
One bit I wasn’t thrilled about was how electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was described, albeit briefly. The way it was described and the language used presented it in a fairly negative light, and given that it was just a brief mention, I thought that was unnecessary. Then again, my personal bias is that I’m pretty ardently anti-stigma when it comes to ECT.
The book concludes with a positive message about the importance of being non-judgmental and accepting, as mental illness can happen to anyone. It’s an interesting read, and it’s effective both at educating and portraying mental illness in a realistic way, particularly for a young adult target reading audience.
March 3, 2022
This story follows a young teenage boy, after his stepfather dies and his mother decides to move in with her brother, Ronnie, who is severely mentally ill. When they move he is in hospital and they need to clear the house the he had neglected.
Jon has to start a new school, come to terms with all the changes and his uncles illness. He doesn't realise quite how big an impact it will have when he shares his surname. The stigma of mental illness still has a reach far and wide and as a result Jon gets tarred with the same brush.
The first half of the book follows Jon's struggles as a result of this stigma, and also his uncles descent back from being stable and well, to very ill again due to thinking his medication dulled his creativity.
The second half sees Jon in an abandoned creepy house, for a dare, in which he encounters the owner, who traps him, but subsequently helps Jon understand his uncle, but himself a little better too.
There are so many taboos tackled here, and the history of the treatment of mentally ill people through the ages is touched upon just enough.
As someone who suffers I was intrigued to see how this was handled. It makes me sad that there is still such a huge stigma and even if the ill aren't being locked away in asylums to be laughed at, they are still pushed out of sight.
The fact this is told through the eyes of teenagers gives it a certain strength if being shared with them. They will relate to the bullying and other stresses that are related to being that age.
It will also remind people that despite being young, they have very real and valid worries and hide a lot, and their feelings shouldn't be ignored either.
I hope this gets more recognition as important lesson in the way mental health is viewed.
Jon has to start a new school, come to terms with all the changes and his uncles illness. He doesn't realise quite how big an impact it will have when he shares his surname. The stigma of mental illness still has a reach far and wide and as a result Jon gets tarred with the same brush.
The first half of the book follows Jon's struggles as a result of this stigma, and also his uncles descent back from being stable and well, to very ill again due to thinking his medication dulled his creativity.
The second half sees Jon in an abandoned creepy house, for a dare, in which he encounters the owner, who traps him, but subsequently helps Jon understand his uncle, but himself a little better too.
There are so many taboos tackled here, and the history of the treatment of mentally ill people through the ages is touched upon just enough.
As someone who suffers I was intrigued to see how this was handled. It makes me sad that there is still such a huge stigma and even if the ill aren't being locked away in asylums to be laughed at, they are still pushed out of sight.
The fact this is told through the eyes of teenagers gives it a certain strength if being shared with them. They will relate to the bullying and other stresses that are related to being that age.
It will also remind people that despite being young, they have very real and valid worries and hide a lot, and their feelings shouldn't be ignored either.
I hope this gets more recognition as important lesson in the way mental health is viewed.
May 9, 2017
With this being Mental Health Awareness Week, I thought this would be an excellent book to review! Check out my thoughts here... https://horrornovelreviews.com/2017/0...
May 19, 2020
Coming of age novel with a supernatural element and a message about mental health. Probably aimed at readers much younger than me.
July 10, 2012
This is the story of Jon. Owing to the death of his stepfather and his Uncle Ronald's rapidly declining mental health, he and his mother move in with Ronald to look after him. Bullied mercilessly at school because of Ronald - he makes a pact with a group of bullies and accepts a dare for them to leave him alone. One night he decides he has had enough and he rants and raves at Ronald. Ronald goes missing soon after but turns up at the local psychiatric hospital in a near catatonic state. Jon learns the only way to get through to Ronald is through his koala, Jericho, who has been missing for years. Can Jon find Jericho and restore Ronald or is all hope lost?
This was deep, profound and utterly moving. It is one of those books that leaves a piece of itself behind when you have finished reading. It is essentially a rites of passage story, as Jon comes to terms with his Uncle's illness and the effect that has on his life. Because of a supernatural event and a near death experience, he decides to try and help his Uncle by finding his koala, Jericho. The journey this quest took Jon on was a hard one but a satisfying one. I had tears in my eyes at the end. I recommend this totally.
This was deep, profound and utterly moving. It is one of those books that leaves a piece of itself behind when you have finished reading. It is essentially a rites of passage story, as Jon comes to terms with his Uncle's illness and the effect that has on his life. Because of a supernatural event and a near death experience, he decides to try and help his Uncle by finding his koala, Jericho. The journey this quest took Jon on was a hard one but a satisfying one. I had tears in my eyes at the end. I recommend this totally.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews