The Sequel

by Jerry Jamison

Judd Whitfield is a book editor for a low-level crime novel publisher. A writer in his spare time, he believes his job is well beneath his talents. However, when he senses his gorgeous wife is having an affair with her boss, he privately seethes and stalks her as his mind begins to fracture. Then, presented with a manuscript from a young, unknown author who is desperately seeking the editor’s approval, a plan begins to develop.

As Whitfield reads the novel—a description of the perfect murder—he realizes it is a blueprint for doing away with his cheating wife. Falling hard for another woman in the office, he envisions a carefree life for the two of them together. But has he made a fatal flaw without recognizing it?

“In this brilliantly crafted, page-turning psychological thriller, every character bursts from the pages with vibrancy and, at times, terror.”

271 pages, Hardcover

Published April 8, 2025

About the author

The author of more than 30 published full-length fiction novels, Jerry Jamison has been an award-winning advertising copywriter with over 60 national writing and creative development commendations during his career. As the principal of a California-based advertising agency, he has helped create and guide successful and memorable campaigns for a wide range of clients throughout the country. The “Tales of Suspense” Series (currently 18 stories), is his first foray into the mystery/thriller genre.

Reviews

[Jackie Welcel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is definitely not your typical murder mystery or psychological thriller. I finished this about a week ago and still feel bad for Sheila. Judd definitely has some mental issues and medical issues but it seemed he was pretty good at hiding it. It gets a little confusing at times but always gets explained. This was a very good book and did have some surprising twists. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[The sleepless savant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judd Whitfield,A man who is enamored with the idea of becoming an author and is someone who would rather curate a look and maintain an air of importance, as opposed to putting in the work. He considers his editing job as something that is secondary to his non-existent writing career .He goes on these long rants to make himself seem like a literary genius while using unnecessarily overcomplicated words.

This is a one of a kind book .The plot was so descriptive I could imagine being a bystander in his world .The switch between his point of view and the objective point of view helped to understand his character. I would recommend this book to others who are a fan of Psychological Mystery.

[Darren Bourn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those books that a glance at the cover and a summary of the book did not tell the whole story. This was the first book by this author that I had the opportunity to read. I came across this book on Booksirens.com, and I am voluntarily leaving this review.

The Sequel by Jerry Jamison is a psychological thriller about a book editor, Judd Whitfield, who uses a manuscript describing a "perfect murder" as a guide to kill his wife after he suspects her of having an affair.

The plot unfolds through the eyes of Judd Whitfield, a beleaguered book editor working for a second-rate crime novel publisher. Judd, a writer in his own right, feels his job is beneath his talents—a sentiment that many a creative soul can relate to. Then things take a darker turn when he suspects that his stunning wife is having a dalliance with her boss. As he grapples with jealousy and betrayal, his mental state starts to unravel.

Then fate intervenes with the arrival of a manuscript from a desperate young author, brimming with ambition and a thirst for validation. As Judd reads this gripping tale of the perfect murder, a chilling realization dawns upon him: it might just be the blueprint he needs to rid himself of his unfaithful wife. Enter a new romantic interest within the office, and Judd begins to fantasize about a life of bliss with her. But as he weaves this web of deceit and desire, one very important question looms: has he overlooked a fatal flaw in his grand scheme?

Following the death of his wife, the desperate young author comes back into Whitfield's life with the intent to extort him, saying that he recognizes that the plot of his book is a possible explanation for the death of his spouse. Shortly after the beginning of the extortion (it is mentioned that Whitfield gave him $5,000), Whitfield agrees to meet to give him more money (as it would take him some time to get the full amount asked for in the initial threat). Due to the actions of the blackmailer, he is killed by a police bullet.

One of the issues that I found with this book is that the story started strong with a man who feels that he is underappreciated in his job, endlessly reading that hopeful submissions of young authors, seemed to ebb and flow as he becomes infatuated with a woman who he believes is telling him that the two of them can be together if he can find a way that he can get rid of his wife, then we find out that the woman he was infatuated with had no interest in him. The pace of the story then seemed to climb again with the extortion attempt to peak with the terminal conclusion to the attempted blackmail. Following that part of the book, the flow of the story seemed to drop precipitously as the story concluded.

The inclusion of the two doctors (one a psychologist and the other a neuro-oncologist) insinuates that our main character was suffering from a medical issue. Is Judd Whitfield suffering from a manic depression as signified by the inclusion of "Sootie", a black Labrador Retriever who serves as his lone friend and confidante during his periods of mental instability? Or is this "companion" a result of cancerous tumours that are affecting his perception of the world?

This was one of the books that I neither loved nor loathed, as I really enjoyed the first part of the book (but was let down by the end). As such, I would give this book three and a half stars on my self-determined five-star rating scale. As for the story itself, the premise—in theory—holds promise. Sure, it may not be groundbreaking, but it plays nicely with the notion of an author pilfering another's work. I just wish the narrative had been more fully fleshed out. ╌★★★½✰

As with all my literary ramblings, these are my five cents' worth.

[Hillu Littlehales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.
I love thrillers. I read a lot of them, and I thought I'd seen it all. This book, however, is different. It's a dark, twisted, and genuine page-turner. While not always an easy read (and I don't believe it's meant to be), it is refreshingly innovative.
From page one, "The Sequel" pulled me into the story and, more importantly, into the utterly twisted mind of its narrator.
The plot ignites when the protagonist, a book editor with frustrated literary ambitions of his own, receives a manuscript detailing what he considers to be the perfect murder. He soon begins to see the dark fiction of the manuscript bleed into his own reality, a concept the author executes with chilling precision.
The author delivers what is by far the best implementation of an unreliable narrator I have ever come across.
The protagonist is a truly memorable creation, and the experience of being trapped in his distorted reality is what makes this book so chillingly effective. I couldn't put it down—in fact, I had to pick it up again as soon as I was done.
It’s a masterfully constructed story that brilliantly explores the fragile line between reality and delusion, and it will keep you thinking long after the final page. I won't share any further details, as I would rather not post spoilers. But it is a must-read for fans of the genre!
The Sequel

[Mitzi Reaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was offered an opportunity to read and review this book thanks to Jerry Jamison and Booksirens

I’m not a person that can usually envision the scene when I’m reading but this book and his writing had me doing that. And the way he was describing the thoughts going on in the characters minds I was feeling what they felt. Brilliant
I did get confused because in chapter 10 he is at work but he says sootie is with him. Maybe that becomes apparent later on as to why but for now it’s a little confusing
Confused again because sooti is waiting outside when he is in the restaurant with Lexi
About a third of the way through. It feels a little disjointed , the manuscript he is reading has an attempt with poison but suddenly says that didn’t work but no explanation of what happened
I find the whole scene with the doctors at her bosses house very unbelievable. The husband doesn’t have a diagnosis but the doctors are behaving more like he did.
I love his writing. Flows easily , descriptive without being overdone. The idea of the story is wonderful
The details and side characters could use some work. I didn’t find them to be very believable even within the confines of a fictional story but overall the story is very good.
It made me want to know what happened in the end

[Ruth Coulson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suspect I chose this book to read without thinking too much about it. On the whole I prefer books with a lighter touch so I may not be the right person to review this one. However, I can see what the author was trying to do and how well he did it.

Judd is an editor in a small publishing company. He has ambitions to write a novel himself but finds it hard to make a start. He would like to gain the approval of his boss, but that seems difficult to receive. He imagines himself attracted to another editor, and that she is attracted to him.

Right from the beginning, we can see that he has many psychological problems and that he earnestly believes that his wife is cheating on him. Whether or not that is the case is immaterial to the matter, actually, as we see Judd become mired deeper and deeper in his obsessive desire to destroy her. The build up is done well, so that the expressions of fantasy clearly take over the narrative at times just as fantasy and dark imaginings take over Judd's mind.

A read for anyone who likes a dark psychological thriller.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Corinne · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 6P review: Premise, Plot, People, Place, Prose/Pace, Praise


Judd Whitfield is a book editor and when he believes his wife is having an affair he uses a manuscript he has been presented with to commit the worst of crimes.


This novel presents a truly unique story, characterised by extensive descriptive prose that occasionally feels overwhelming.


Judd, the protagonist, is a deeply troubled individual, and the narrative often blurs the lines between his reality and the real world. His intense need for validation is a recurring theme.


I felt a great deal of sympathy for his wife, Sheila, who is portrayed as caring and loving, yet Judd fails to recognize her affection.


Initially, the story felt heavy due to Judd's internal dialogue, but as I adjusted to this style, the reading experience became smoother.


However, I was disappointed that certain characters and their perspectives were not explored in greater depth. They seemed to fade away without resolution, leaving me wondering about their fates.


Despite these issues, the ending was satisfactory.

I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Edward Rock · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Dark, Brilliant Dive into the Mind of a Failed Author
Judd Whitfield might just be one of the most uncomfortably relatable characters I’ve read in a long time. His delusions of literary grandeur, his barely hidden bitterness, and the self-constructed mythology he lives in are both hilarious and horrifying. Jamison walks a fine line between dark comedy and psychological horror, and he does it masterfully. You find yourself laughing one second and holding your breath the next.

What sets The Sequel apart is the elegance of the writing — sharp, self-aware, and loaded with subtext. This isn’t just a story about a writer losing his grip — it’s a portrait of what happens when ego goes unchecked. Judd is a walking cautionary tale, and his descent is written with terrifying precision. I couldn’t put it down.

[Brandi Kunkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was HOOKED from the very first page.

I wanted to know everything there was to know about Judd and Sheila. It honestly was so hard to put down. I was ready to consume every bit of it as quickly as possible. I couldn’t wait to turn the page to see what would unfold next. Now that it’s finished I want to go read every book Jerry Jamison has ever written.

Judd is a wannabe author with major mental problems. Follow along inside his twisted mind as he works through his day to day life and the problems within his marriage. You won’t believe the things his wife says and does to him (and you probably shouldn’t!) if you did, you’d understand why he has to give her what she deserves (in his mind).

You will not be sorry for picking this one up!

I’m incredible grateful to Book Sirens and the publisher for a chance to read this advance copy to review.

[Gene White · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sequel is a masterclass in narrative control and psychological combustion. Jamison doesn't just write characters��he detonates them. Judd Whitfield is a literary arsonist with a victim complex and a savior complex in the same breath. I wanted to slap him and then quote him.

What’s terrifying is how real he feels. You know this guy. Maybe you are this guy. Every sentence drips with a self-important desperation to matter, to be read, to be remembered. Judd isn’t chasing fame—he’s chasing immortality. The kind only a narcissist would call noble.

Jamison’s writing is like swallowing glass—sharp, painful, but impossible not to keep doing. This isn’t a thriller—it’s a psych eval in paperback. Five stars of pure, blistering brilliance.

[Sabrina Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

What The Sequel captures better than most thrillers is the slow corrosion of ego. Judd Whitfield isn't spiraling—he's rotting from the inside out. And Jerry Jamison doesn’t flinch for a second while showing us every warped, acidic thought along the way.

The real horror here isn’t what Judd does—it's how much of his thinking feels disturbingly familiar. That quiet desperation to matter, to be remembered, to be validated by readers... it simmers beneath every scene. You’re not just watching a man unravel. You’re watching him build a myth around his failure and cling to it like oxygen.

And the worst part? You might catch yourself nodding in understanding. That’s Jamison’s genius—he doesn’t just tell you Judd’s broken. He makes you feel the crack in your own reflection.

[B.J. Burgess · Rating 2 out of 5]

*I received a free advance review copy of this book from the BookSirens.

To be candid, I neither loved nor loathed The Sequel. The writing felt mid-level to me—not quite the soaring heights of a Stephen King novel, which, let’s be real, is a tall order for any author. I was craving something more substantial from Jamison, but unfortunately, that didn’t quite materialize.

As for the story itself, the premise—in theory—holds promise. Sure, it may not be groundbreaking, but it plays nicely with the notion of an author pilfering another's work. I just wish the narrative had been more fully fleshed out. But hey, that's just my two cents on an otherwise intriguing story. ╌★★½✰✰

Find my full review at https://www.coffeeaddictedwriter.com/....

[Marcela White · Rating 5 out of 5]

"An unnerving and masterful psychological thriller."
Jerry Jamison's The Sequel is an absolute knockout. What begins as a moody, introspective glimpse into the life of a struggling writer quickly transforms into a harrowing psychological descent. Judd Whitfield is an unforgettable narrator—equal parts delusional, brilliant, and horrifying. The layered narrative, alternating between his chilling first-person thoughts and a more traditional third-person view, creates a rich texture that keeps you second-guessing everything. It’s dark, but it’s also deeply insightful about ego, failure, and obsession. I couldn’t stop reading—and I couldn’t look away.

[Myrtis Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judd Whitfield is the literary equivalent of a pressure cooker wrapped in tweed. He's every insecure man who thought he was born for greatness—but never wrote a damn thing worth reading. Jamison takes that energy and injects it with steroids and spite.

And Sheila? She’s not just the wife. She’s the trigger. The muse. The mirror. The murder motive. Every word she says hits Judd like shrapnel, and watching him internalize, distort, and combust is a masterclass in character collapse.

If you like your thrillers with a side of madness and a heavy pour of sarcasm, this is your next addiction. Highly recommended for those who can handle literary sociopaths with style.

[George Tartt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The real horror of The Sequel isn’t the murder or the obsession—it’s the way Jamison convinces you to root for a man you should probably arrest. Judd is pathetic, yes—but he’s also magnetic, clever, and hilariously self-important. It's like watching an ego on fire in HD.

The chapters swing from first-person psychosis to third-person voyeurism, and the tonal whiplash is part of the thrill. Jamison knows exactly what he’s doing—pulling you in, making you complicit. You're not just a reader. You're an accomplice.

This book dares you to sympathize with the villain and hate yourself for it. And spoiler: you will.

[Roosevelt Walter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamison writes with surgical restraint. Every word feels selected with a scalpel, not a brush. There’s no fat, no filler—just tension, character, and consequences. And what consequences they are.

The way Judd weaponizes his “writer identity” is the most haunting part. He doesn’t just want to write—he wants to be revered. He wants worship disguised as readership. And that’s what makes him dangerous. He’s not just bitter. He’s strategic.

By the end, the line between author and antagonist is so blurred it might as well be erased. And that’s the gut-punch. You realize: Judd isn’t rare. He’s just loud enough to act on it.

[Thomas D.]

The Sequel grips you from page one and never lets go. Jamison’s pacing is razor-sharp, and his characters are emotionally layered in a way that gives every twist extra weight. Just when I thought I had it figured out—he flipped the script again.

The dual narrative structure kept me leaning in. It's more than just a thriller; it’s a reflection on redemption, memory, and the fine line between justice and revenge. There’s a haunting quality to the prose that lingers even after the final chapter.

This book deserves attention. It’s the kind of read that’s both smart and unputdownable.
Highly recommended for fans of layered suspense with emotional grit.

[Elena Marvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t your standard thriller. The Sequel is packed with literary nuance, brutal honesty, and some of the most dryly humorous inner dialogue I’ve come across. Judd’s obsession with becoming a “real writer” feels almost Shakespearean in its self-sabotage. He’s insufferable, pretentious, delusional — and completely addictive to read.

Jamison clearly knows writers — the rituals, the desperation, the self-importance — and skewers it all while still telling a tight, engaging story. The novel has a real sense of place, pacing, and irony. If you like your fiction smart, twisted, and full of human ugliness, this book will reward you page after page.

[Veronica Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book Feels Like It Was Written With a Scalpel
Judd Whitfield’s slow-burning collapse isn’t just entertaining — it’s artfully constructed. The way Jamison builds his character through everyday details (a pipe, antique books, fake glasses) is brilliant. You’re watching a man curate an identity with such precision that it becomes a full-blown psychosis.

The tone strikes a rare balance — the suspense is real, but so is the literary humor. There are lines in this book that made me laugh out loud and others that genuinely creeped me out. It’s one of those novels where you realize halfway through: “Oh, this is better than I expected.”

[Rolland Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What made The Sequel unforgettable to me was how much time it gives to unraveling Judd’s warped psyche. He isn’t a villain you hate — he’s one you study, like a character in a psychological case file. There’s a unique thrill in watching a man rationalize the worst parts of himself, all under the guise of “literary excellence.”

And then there’s Sheila — complex, clever, and every bit Judd’s foil. Their dynamic feels volatile and real. The dialogue crackles, the tension simmers, and the payoff is perfectly satisfying. If you enjoy characters who destroy themselves with style, this is your book.

[Walter Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect The Sequel to get under my skin the way it did. Jamison has crafted something more than a literary thriller—it’s an autopsy of the modern ego. Judd’s yearning for recognition is the beating heart of this book, and it’s a dark, toxic organ.

The way Judd narrates his hatred for his wife and her boss with such flair and faux sophistication is both revolting and magnetic. You hate him, but you hang on every word. That’s the magic trick of this novel.

Jamison doesn’t give us a likable protagonist—he gives us a compelling one. And that makes for a much better story.

[Liz R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a writer, The Sequel scared the hell out of me. It’s a cautionary tale about what happens when you tie your entire identity to being “an author”—and then fail to live up to that ideal. Judd’s descent is every creative’s shadow side.

He surrounds himself with books, rituals, and writing dreams—but they’re hollow. It’s performance art masking insecurity. When he finally acts out, it’s not to finish a book. It’s to prove he could have been great if only the world hadn’t failed him.

That kind of thinking? That’s the real horror. Because some people live in that mindset forever.

[Carol Stefanik · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had forgotten what it was like to write with every word you know. Too many years in school and business being told to trim it down. But these were indeed, too many words. I have to admit that the descriptions of the emotions and the locations will completely immerse you. But, this wandered so much back and forth from reality to fantasy that you never really know where you are. By the time the author finishes yanking you around, you don't really know where you are. And maybe he doesn't either.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Brain L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sequel isn’t just a thriller—it’s a masterclass in psychological storytelling. Jerry Jamison builds tension not just through events, but through emotional undercurrents that mirror real-life scars.

The pacing is near-perfect. There’s a rhythm to the way the story unfolds—almost like a heartbeat speeding up before impact. And the dialogue? Clean, sharp, and never wasteful.

I could see this being adapted for screen—easily. It reads like a Netflix hit waiting to happen.
If you like stories that sting and stick, don’t miss this one.

[Katherine Tenorio · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beauty of The Sequel is that it doesn’t waste a single page. Every scene, every silence, every shift in tone serves a purpose. It’s lean, but never lacking.

What I loved most was the character complexity—no one is purely good or evil. Motives unfold like puzzles, and by the time you reach the end, you understand everyone even if you don’t agree with them.

I’ll be thinking about the final chapter for a while. It was equal parts chilling and oddly beautiful.
This isn’t just a page-turner—it’s a gut-check. Absolutely recommended.

[Rolland Saint · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sequel isn’t loud or flashy. It’s quiet, calculated, and ruthless in how it peels back layers of character. The writing is so controlled, and the voice so distinct, that you almost forget you’re reading a suspense novel — until the trap snaps shut.

What blew me away was how Jamison captures the desperation of a man whose life has drifted far from what he imagined. The lies Judd tells others — and himself — are so sharply drawn they feel universal. It’s smart, elegant, and just the right amount of sinister.

[Rainbeaux Harvest · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sequel, what can I say? Psychological thriller? Yes, most definitely. Judd is an editor at Murder Ink, where he spends his time reading books and thinking of how he can start his "new" life with his co-worker, Lexi. There are a few problems with this, one being that Judd is married to Sheila. The Sequel had me thinking this was one thing, but it turned out to be something else. I loved this book. It was a gigantic mystery to determine how it would end. The ending I kind of had but was off some. If you want to be hooked on a mystriller (it's a word), read The Sequel.

[Benedict S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Dark, smart, and disturbingly relatable."
I didn’t expect this novel to hit so close to home. Judd’s obsession with literary fame and the emotional weight of mediocrity is a painful reality for many creative types. Jamison writes with sharp precision, capturing both the grotesque and the poetic. The dialogue is biting, and the inner monologues are full of creeping dread. I knocked off a star only because the pacing lagged a bit in the middle, but the ending made up for it.

[Antonia Grimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A character study in madness, brilliantly executed."
Judd Whitfield might be one of the most fully realized, unreliable narrators I’ve ever read. His slow unraveling is rendered with such surgical accuracy that it’s hard to tell when exactly he crosses the line from bitter to dangerous. The way Jamison mirrors Judd’s inner turmoil with his crumbling career and marriage is genius. Highly recommend if you like your thrillers with a strong psychological edge.

[Ophelia Rutherford · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The twisted love child of Misery and American Psycho."
This is a brutal, layered novel that reads like a slow-burning fever dream. Judd’s obsessive need for validation as a writer becomes increasingly warped, and his bitterness toward his wife is both pitiful and terrifying. Jamison’s prose is lush and reflective, making the darkness all the more haunting. There’s a literary elegance to the madness, and it sticks with you.