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LEECH
In the 1800s, John Thomas Reginald Leech believes his destiny was stolen from him. Raised idolising his father, a renowned doctor, he longs to inherit both his knowledge and his fame. But when his family and peers dismissed him, he turned to blood and fire to claim it.
More than 100 years later, Leech awakens in modern-day New York, determined to secure his place in history. He finds Arianne Smith, a struggling writer desperate for recognition, and forces her to transcribe his story promising fame in exchange.
Haunted by the experience of writing the book and desperate to escape Leech, Arianne seeks help at Homer's Home for Health and Wellness. There, Dr. Oscar Pressum tries to untangle the growing madness, but Leech’s influence grows stronger, leading to a final confrontation that threatens Arianne’s very soul.
LEECH is a story of obsession and the lengths we will go to be remembered. It asks one what if the story that defines you isn’t yours at all?
More than 100 years later, Leech awakens in modern-day New York, determined to secure his place in history. He finds Arianne Smith, a struggling writer desperate for recognition, and forces her to transcribe his story promising fame in exchange.
Haunted by the experience of writing the book and desperate to escape Leech, Arianne seeks help at Homer's Home for Health and Wellness. There, Dr. Oscar Pressum tries to untangle the growing madness, but Leech’s influence grows stronger, leading to a final confrontation that threatens Arianne’s very soul.
LEECH is a story of obsession and the lengths we will go to be remembered. It asks one what if the story that defines you isn’t yours at all?
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 20, 2025
1 person is currently reading
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 25, 2025
As someone new to the psychological thriller genre, I wasn’t sure what to expect—but Jasmine Payne’s debut novel completely drew me in. Set in a vividly described Victorian London, the story is both haunting and thrilling, with just the right mix of mystery.
The writing is rich and engaging, and I especially loved how Payne wove in Caribbean cultural elements—it added a unique layer that made the story stand out even more to me. Each chapter pulled me deeper, and I found myself constantly saying “just one more page” until I realized I could not put it down.
The plot kept me guessing, and the characters felt real, flawed, and compelling. Even though this is not my usual genre, I was hooked.
A brilliant and gripping debut, if you are curious about psychological thrillers or love a good atmospheric mystery, this book is a great place to start. I’ll definitely be watching for what Jasmine Payne writes next.
The writing is rich and engaging, and I especially loved how Payne wove in Caribbean cultural elements—it added a unique layer that made the story stand out even more to me. Each chapter pulled me deeper, and I found myself constantly saying “just one more page” until I realized I could not put it down.
The plot kept me guessing, and the characters felt real, flawed, and compelling. Even though this is not my usual genre, I was hooked.
A brilliant and gripping debut, if you are curious about psychological thrillers or love a good atmospheric mystery, this book is a great place to start. I’ll definitely be watching for what Jasmine Payne writes next.
October 10, 2025
"Leech" is one of the most gripping psychological thrillers I’ve read in quite some time. Jasmaine Payne masterfully weaves together Victorian-era horror, modern psychological drama, and supernatural suspense into a story that is both chilling and thought-provoking.
John Leech is a fascinatingly complex character, and the narrative that unfolds kept me captivated until the very last page. The book’s pacing is deliberate, drawing you deeper into its dark atmosphere with every chapter.
What makes "Leech" truly special is how it blends Gothic horror with Guyanese experiences, giving the story a fresh perspective that stands out in the genre. Payne’s prose is rich, immersive, and cinematic; I could see every scene playing out in my head.
If you enjoy thrillers that make you think, unsettle you, and stay with you long after you’ve finished reading, this is a must-read. Congratulations to Jasmaine Payne on her debut novel, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
John Leech is a fascinatingly complex character, and the narrative that unfolds kept me captivated until the very last page. The book’s pacing is deliberate, drawing you deeper into its dark atmosphere with every chapter.
What makes "Leech" truly special is how it blends Gothic horror with Guyanese experiences, giving the story a fresh perspective that stands out in the genre. Payne’s prose is rich, immersive, and cinematic; I could see every scene playing out in my head.
If you enjoy thrillers that make you think, unsettle you, and stay with you long after you’ve finished reading, this is a must-read. Congratulations to Jasmaine Payne on her debut novel, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
September 1, 2025
It has been quite a while since I read a book that was quite so page-turning. The characters are unforgettable, flawed in ways that feel real, and the pacing kept me on edge without ever feeling rushed. Jasmaine knows when to let the tension breathe and when to hit hard, creating a rhythm that mirrors the push and pull of the story itself.
This is a bold, lyrical, and unapologetic novel that will stay with me for a long time. LEECH doesn’t just entertain—it unsettles, provokes, and lingers. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves thrillers with depth, storytelling with teeth, and voices that bring something new to the genre.
Stephen King meets Sidney Sheldon is the best way to describe LEECH. Jasmaine knocked it out of the park with this book. Highly recommended and A MUST READ!!!!!
This is a bold, lyrical, and unapologetic novel that will stay with me for a long time. LEECH doesn’t just entertain—it unsettles, provokes, and lingers. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves thrillers with depth, storytelling with teeth, and voices that bring something new to the genre.
Stephen King meets Sidney Sheldon is the best way to describe LEECH. Jasmaine knocked it out of the park with this book. Highly recommended and A MUST READ!!!!!
August 27, 2025
This is honestly such a good thriller. The characters kept me so entrapped into the story that there was always that anticipation of wanting to know what happened, what was Leech’s story and when finished, it isn’t enough. Also, the way the Guyanese culture is being kept up throughout the story is just chef’s kissed 🤌🏽✨ but I NEED MOREEEE!!!
November 25, 2025
This debut novel definitely packed a page turner punch, this story takes place between two timelines. First, we are met with John Leech from 18th century London who dreams of being and aspired doctor like his father however this leads to rejection by his father. This sort of drives Leech to an ambition in the name of science that spans out of control that labels him as a serial killer.
In the second timeline, Leech is resurrected in modern day New York embodying the mind of a Guyanese writer name Arianne who also has the ambition to be a well-known author. Leech uses Arianne to tell his story thus resulting in her getting recognition for her book which has left her haunted by the experience. She seeks out help from a wellness center where we are met with Dr. Oscar Pressum who also has his own benefits for helping Arianne.
Overall, the writer didn't shy away from this genre at all whether writing these characters motives either through goodwill, desperation, survival or obsession. She truly honoured the line in her debut novel ‘So all that is left, is a person’s will to be heard.’
I also really love the incorporation of the author honouring her Guyanese roots by including her characters with that ancestral linage.
In the second timeline, Leech is resurrected in modern day New York embodying the mind of a Guyanese writer name Arianne who also has the ambition to be a well-known author. Leech uses Arianne to tell his story thus resulting in her getting recognition for her book which has left her haunted by the experience. She seeks out help from a wellness center where we are met with Dr. Oscar Pressum who also has his own benefits for helping Arianne.
Overall, the writer didn't shy away from this genre at all whether writing these characters motives either through goodwill, desperation, survival or obsession. She truly honoured the line in her debut novel ‘So all that is left, is a person’s will to be heard.’
I also really love the incorporation of the author honouring her Guyanese roots by including her characters with that ancestral linage.
August 26, 2025
I have reviewed many novels, but never employed the phrase, tour de force that denotes a literary work considered an impressive achievement of great creative skill. I’ve avoided the usage in fear of sounding too pretentiously highbrow. That changed, however, after I read the first novel, "LEECH," by Guyanese author Jasmaine Payne. I consider it a tour de force and an unusual Guyanese supernatural thriller that will stand, deservedly, alongside Michael A. Jordan’s KAMARANG.
LEECH is a riveting story that vividly explores the underbelly of 18th-century London through the eyes of a maniacal gentleman-killer who considers himself a medical genius, who dies and finds himself resurrected into modern-day New York, where he possesses a young Guyanese writer who must tell his grisly story of exploits that rival Jack the Ripper’s. For me, LEECH by Jasmaine Payne is a rare Guyanese thriller that one will be advised to read well before nightfall.
LEECH is a riveting story that vividly explores the underbelly of 18th-century London through the eyes of a maniacal gentleman-killer who considers himself a medical genius, who dies and finds himself resurrected into modern-day New York, where he possesses a young Guyanese writer who must tell his grisly story of exploits that rival Jack the Ripper’s. For me, LEECH by Jasmaine Payne is a rare Guyanese thriller that one will be advised to read well before nightfall.
September 2, 2025
Leech is a striking debut novel that immediately made me note on the polished and professional prose.
The plot is both intriguing and refreshing, steering into unexpected territory while still being able to weave in touches of Guyanese culture in a subtle and organic way. I especially appreciated how those elements added richness and depth to the storyline.
The pacing was excellent, with the shifts between past and present, handled in digestible, well oriented segments that made the story flow smoothly.
Above all, what stood out for me the most was being able to dive into the mind of Leech, the fascinating perspective that gave this novel its unique edge.
Overall, Leech is an impressive debut, with a compelling concept and a strong execution.
The plot is both intriguing and refreshing, steering into unexpected territory while still being able to weave in touches of Guyanese culture in a subtle and organic way. I especially appreciated how those elements added richness and depth to the storyline.
The pacing was excellent, with the shifts between past and present, handled in digestible, well oriented segments that made the story flow smoothly.
Above all, what stood out for me the most was being able to dive into the mind of Leech, the fascinating perspective that gave this novel its unique edge.
Overall, Leech is an impressive debut, with a compelling concept and a strong execution.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews