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False Prophet
Seeing is deceiving…
Ray Tonks is a haunted man.
Tormented by visions of horror and depravity, Ray has spent his life painstakingly concealing the ‘gift’ that has plagued him since childhood. This facade begins to crack one October evening, when he calls the police to the scene of a brutal crime, one Ray claims to have committed.
There is just one, glaring problem–not a shred of evidence can tie him to the offence.
At Bromsgrove Police Station, Detective Inspector Malcolm Cross works to piece together the truth, Ray spins a tale of bizarre and cataclysmic powers with the potential to sway the fate of the universe. His gift is becoming something else–something far more sinister, and far more dangerous.
With skewed manifestations of love, desire, death and betrayal creeping into reality, Ray must challenge all that he sees around him, and battle the pervading terror of an imminent cosmic event.
But what lines will he have to cross to stop it?
Ray Tonks is a haunted man.
Tormented by visions of horror and depravity, Ray has spent his life painstakingly concealing the ‘gift’ that has plagued him since childhood. This facade begins to crack one October evening, when he calls the police to the scene of a brutal crime, one Ray claims to have committed.
There is just one, glaring problem–not a shred of evidence can tie him to the offence.
At Bromsgrove Police Station, Detective Inspector Malcolm Cross works to piece together the truth, Ray spins a tale of bizarre and cataclysmic powers with the potential to sway the fate of the universe. His gift is becoming something else–something far more sinister, and far more dangerous.
With skewed manifestations of love, desire, death and betrayal creeping into reality, Ray must challenge all that he sees around him, and battle the pervading terror of an imminent cosmic event.
But what lines will he have to cross to stop it?
172 pages, Paperback
Published October 4, 2025
7 people want to read
About the author
Dave Jeffery
75 books147 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 Finalist. He is 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)
MAY 2026
Screams & Whispers Collection (Horrorsmith Publishing)
Dave Jeffery is a British Fantasy Award and The Bridport Prize Finalist. He is 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)
MAY 2026
Screams & Whispers Collection (Horrorsmith Publishing)
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November 24, 2025I’ve long been a fan of Dave’s through his stellar ‘A Quiet Apocalypse’ series and his great werewolf novel, ‘Tooth and Claw.’ I still need to get to reading his ‘Frostbite’ series, but when I saw he had a novel coming out through Eerie River, I was stoked to check it out and quickly pre-ordered it.
A few years back now, I read (and really loved) Clive Barker’s ‘Next Testament’ comic series. When I saw this one announced, I was curious if this was a similar idea. Of a God among men type situation, though it soon became apparent when I read the synopsis it wasn’t going down that road. Still, between the cover art and the synopsis, I was very curious to see if we’d see some of that territory and knowing how well Jeffery weaves mental health topics into his books, I couldn’t wait to dive in.
What I liked: The story follows Ray, a man whom you’d believe to be just a normal guy. He works a demanding job in administration, overseeing a team, and has been happily married (for the most part) to his love, Denise. But he also hides a secret. Though he tells his wife that it’s a form of Epilepsy, in truth, he has crazy, apocalyptic visions and lately, they’ve been happening more frequently.
We soon learn that his wife had an affair, and the man she cheated on Ray with doesn’t want it to end. As well, Ray’s team has some issues going on Eloise is being stalked by a cleaner in their building, while Mike secretly loves Eloise, all the while keeping his craft-making ability to himself, hoping to share it with Eloise when he gets up the nerve to share how he feels with her.
Jeffery blends the stories together, snapping back and forth between Ray’s increasing visions, Denise’s attempts to get rid of her former fling and Eloise, Mike and the stalker’s triangle of strangeness.
It all comes to a head when Ray has a vision during a big presentation. It’s these visions that really drive his breakdown, his inability to determine what is real and what isn’t and it was a fascinating look at psychosis and how the brain reacts when reality becomes blurred and someone snaps. His boss insists he go get checked out and when Denise won’t answer her phone, Ray tracks her down, leading to a final confrontation that ties back into the opening of the novel.
As well, we see how Jeffery handles the trio and their storylines and it made for a fun – and subtle – sleight of hand between how we think things are going to go and what actually happens.
It’ll keep the reader on their toes and ultimately made for a very engaging final quarter of the book.
Throughout, Jeffery’s warm writing voice carries the story, making for a world where I easily fell into and was more than happy to revisit over a handful of reading sessions.
What I didn’t like: It’s going to sound odd, but I’m still not sure why we had the Eloise/Mike/Stalker storyline. It didn’t connect to Ray’s story other than the fact that Eloise and Mike worked under Ray. I kind of wish that storyline was it’s own story completely, as I wanted to know more and more about Ray and his visions and Denise and her own story. The Eloise/Mike/Stalker aspect was great and engaging, but when the two are held up together, side by side, they feel very disconnected.
Why you should buy this: If you’re looking for a really engaging story about marital stress, trying to find common ground and dealing with something unsaid between partners, Dave has nailed that here. If you’re also looking for a story about coworkers, uncomfortable situations and confronting a situation head on, Dave’s also nailed that here.
And, if you’re looking for a fast-paced story about a man dealing with uncontrolled visions featuring potentially Biblical beings who give him instructions and details that he really shouldn’t be able to know on his own, look no further.
Jeffery’s ‘False Prophet’ was engaging, exciting and veered awfully close to careening off the tracks, except Dave’s masterful storytelling mind kept it on the rails, benefiting the reader and the outcome.
This was a lot of fun and a novel that’ll stick with me for some time.
A few years back now, I read (and really loved) Clive Barker’s ‘Next Testament’ comic series. When I saw this one announced, I was curious if this was a similar idea. Of a God among men type situation, though it soon became apparent when I read the synopsis it wasn’t going down that road. Still, between the cover art and the synopsis, I was very curious to see if we’d see some of that territory and knowing how well Jeffery weaves mental health topics into his books, I couldn’t wait to dive in.
What I liked: The story follows Ray, a man whom you’d believe to be just a normal guy. He works a demanding job in administration, overseeing a team, and has been happily married (for the most part) to his love, Denise. But he also hides a secret. Though he tells his wife that it’s a form of Epilepsy, in truth, he has crazy, apocalyptic visions and lately, they’ve been happening more frequently.
We soon learn that his wife had an affair, and the man she cheated on Ray with doesn’t want it to end. As well, Ray’s team has some issues going on Eloise is being stalked by a cleaner in their building, while Mike secretly loves Eloise, all the while keeping his craft-making ability to himself, hoping to share it with Eloise when he gets up the nerve to share how he feels with her.
Jeffery blends the stories together, snapping back and forth between Ray’s increasing visions, Denise’s attempts to get rid of her former fling and Eloise, Mike and the stalker’s triangle of strangeness.
It all comes to a head when Ray has a vision during a big presentation. It’s these visions that really drive his breakdown, his inability to determine what is real and what isn’t and it was a fascinating look at psychosis and how the brain reacts when reality becomes blurred and someone snaps. His boss insists he go get checked out and when Denise won’t answer her phone, Ray tracks her down, leading to a final confrontation that ties back into the opening of the novel.
As well, we see how Jeffery handles the trio and their storylines and it made for a fun – and subtle – sleight of hand between how we think things are going to go and what actually happens.
It’ll keep the reader on their toes and ultimately made for a very engaging final quarter of the book.
Throughout, Jeffery’s warm writing voice carries the story, making for a world where I easily fell into and was more than happy to revisit over a handful of reading sessions.
What I didn’t like: It’s going to sound odd, but I’m still not sure why we had the Eloise/Mike/Stalker storyline. It didn’t connect to Ray’s story other than the fact that Eloise and Mike worked under Ray. I kind of wish that storyline was it’s own story completely, as I wanted to know more and more about Ray and his visions and Denise and her own story. The Eloise/Mike/Stalker aspect was great and engaging, but when the two are held up together, side by side, they feel very disconnected.
Why you should buy this: If you’re looking for a really engaging story about marital stress, trying to find common ground and dealing with something unsaid between partners, Dave has nailed that here. If you’re also looking for a story about coworkers, uncomfortable situations and confronting a situation head on, Dave’s also nailed that here.
And, if you’re looking for a fast-paced story about a man dealing with uncontrolled visions featuring potentially Biblical beings who give him instructions and details that he really shouldn’t be able to know on his own, look no further.
Jeffery’s ‘False Prophet’ was engaging, exciting and veered awfully close to careening off the tracks, except Dave’s masterful storytelling mind kept it on the rails, benefiting the reader and the outcome.
This was a lot of fun and a novel that’ll stick with me for some time.
October 5, 2025
So grateful for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for Dave Jeffery’s new story False Prophet.
False Prophet by Dave Jeffery
Edited by Erika Mendelson
Cover Artwork Justicia Satria
Cover Design and Book Formatting by Michelle River of Eerie River Publishing
False Prophet Review
by Sarah Graven Weir
False Prophet is a beautifully written and captivating story that is rich with atmosphere and emotional weight, and you can feel the author’s conviction in every sentence. Ray’s life changes the day a childhood accident leaves him close to death and becomes the foundation for a lifetime of torment. From then on, he experiences visions that appear in mysterious and often misleading ways, disguising themselves as divine messages while concealing darker truths. As they grow increasingly vivid and intrusive, they begin to control his actions and sense of direction, steering him towards a fate he cannot escape. Through Ray’s confusion and fear, Jeffery explores the fragility of the mind and how easily trauma can twist belief into obsession, where complex ideas of morality, cosmic justice and the cost of being an agent of change collide. DI Cross becomes entangled in the mystery surrounding Ray, whose gift or curse pulls him between sanity and something far more spiritual and dangerous. The visions take a deep psychological toll, fracturing his sense of self and pushing him further from those around him. The more he searches for reason, the further he slips from control, and it’s this tension that drives the narrative’s haunting power. There is a strong theme of emotional detachment throughout, with characters burdened by old wounds that shape their relationships and drive their need for meaning. The story’s perspective is firmly rooted in a masculine lens, which gives it a raw and uncompromising edge, though some readers may find that aspect more striking than relatable. The novel does not shy away from uncomfortable truths or human weakness. There is betrayal, grief and yearning, all woven into the bigger questions about consequence and punishment. Some scenes are unsettling and confronting, not for shock value but because of how starkly they expose the flaws in people trying to understand pain and meaning. What stood out to me the most was the humanity beneath the darkness. Despite the bleakness and despair, there is always a sense that Jeffery is searching for redemption within the chaos. His writing carries empathy for damaged souls, and that emotional honesty stays with you long after the final page. False Prophet is a reflective and thought-provoking read that lingers. It is intelligent, unsettling and profoundly human, and one that will resonate with readers who enjoy psychological horror with heart and purpose.
False Prophet by Dave Jeffery
Edited by Erika Mendelson
Cover Artwork Justicia Satria
Cover Design and Book Formatting by Michelle River of Eerie River Publishing
False Prophet Review
by Sarah Graven Weir
False Prophet is a beautifully written and captivating story that is rich with atmosphere and emotional weight, and you can feel the author’s conviction in every sentence. Ray’s life changes the day a childhood accident leaves him close to death and becomes the foundation for a lifetime of torment. From then on, he experiences visions that appear in mysterious and often misleading ways, disguising themselves as divine messages while concealing darker truths. As they grow increasingly vivid and intrusive, they begin to control his actions and sense of direction, steering him towards a fate he cannot escape. Through Ray’s confusion and fear, Jeffery explores the fragility of the mind and how easily trauma can twist belief into obsession, where complex ideas of morality, cosmic justice and the cost of being an agent of change collide. DI Cross becomes entangled in the mystery surrounding Ray, whose gift or curse pulls him between sanity and something far more spiritual and dangerous. The visions take a deep psychological toll, fracturing his sense of self and pushing him further from those around him. The more he searches for reason, the further he slips from control, and it’s this tension that drives the narrative’s haunting power. There is a strong theme of emotional detachment throughout, with characters burdened by old wounds that shape their relationships and drive their need for meaning. The story’s perspective is firmly rooted in a masculine lens, which gives it a raw and uncompromising edge, though some readers may find that aspect more striking than relatable. The novel does not shy away from uncomfortable truths or human weakness. There is betrayal, grief and yearning, all woven into the bigger questions about consequence and punishment. Some scenes are unsettling and confronting, not for shock value but because of how starkly they expose the flaws in people trying to understand pain and meaning. What stood out to me the most was the humanity beneath the darkness. Despite the bleakness and despair, there is always a sense that Jeffery is searching for redemption within the chaos. His writing carries empathy for damaged souls, and that emotional honesty stays with you long after the final page. False Prophet is a reflective and thought-provoking read that lingers. It is intelligent, unsettling and profoundly human, and one that will resonate with readers who enjoy psychological horror with heart and purpose.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2025
I've read a number of Dave Jeffery's wroks over recent years, and once again, I'm astounded at the variety of sub-genres in which he's able to create compelling naratives. In the Quiet Apocalypse series he created a nightmarish distopian world and creatured heartbreaking worlds within in. Frostbite shows he can do more fun creature features. His Beatrice Beecham books are great examples of YA mystery/horror (The Devil Device was the one I read and loved) and his short fiction is powerful, often drawing on pschological elements.
This time, we're in slightly different territory again. The cover makes it look like A B-movie, but we actually have a disturbing psychological horror mystery. This starts with something like The Dead Zone, with our protagonist Ray able to see visions of the very near future, tragedies which he is powerless to stop. He’s had these since a childhood accident, but the novel really starts when these visions shift from seeing near disasters to something more bizarre, more gruesome, and something which is directly addressing him. This means we get an original take on the story of a person having premonitions.
The structure gives us a slightly distorted timeline, beginning in a police cell, with Ray being questioned, and then taking up back to how we got to that point. Not only that, we also have multiple viewpoint characters as the story unfolds. We have Ray’s wife, and a trio of work colleagues. This allows Jeffery to create a mystery, as there’s a killer on the loose, but right until the finale we’re not sure to what extent Ray’s disturbing visions are linked to this, and exactly which of those people he’s close to is at risk. There’s some well crafted misdirection in here.
Mental health is clearly something Jeffery is very passionate about, and it's a major them here, handled, as I have come to trust with Jeffery, with sensitivity.
Overall a very satisfying read. Strong characters, and a great premise which the structure aids. Also, I absolutely love the cover art on this one.
This time, we're in slightly different territory again. The cover makes it look like A B-movie, but we actually have a disturbing psychological horror mystery. This starts with something like The Dead Zone, with our protagonist Ray able to see visions of the very near future, tragedies which he is powerless to stop. He’s had these since a childhood accident, but the novel really starts when these visions shift from seeing near disasters to something more bizarre, more gruesome, and something which is directly addressing him. This means we get an original take on the story of a person having premonitions.
The structure gives us a slightly distorted timeline, beginning in a police cell, with Ray being questioned, and then taking up back to how we got to that point. Not only that, we also have multiple viewpoint characters as the story unfolds. We have Ray’s wife, and a trio of work colleagues. This allows Jeffery to create a mystery, as there’s a killer on the loose, but right until the finale we’re not sure to what extent Ray’s disturbing visions are linked to this, and exactly which of those people he’s close to is at risk. There’s some well crafted misdirection in here.
Mental health is clearly something Jeffery is very passionate about, and it's a major them here, handled, as I have come to trust with Jeffery, with sensitivity.
Overall a very satisfying read. Strong characters, and a great premise which the structure aids. Also, I absolutely love the cover art on this one.
November 19, 2025
What starts off as something seemingly tragic builds to something far more high concept and terrifying in this latest release from Dave Jeffery. In the author's notes, Jeffery talks about this story brewing over decades, and it's easy to see why it was difficult to land, such are the themes at play here.
All of the characters are interesting and distinct. Some of them not especially likeable, but all feel three dimensional and real. Some moments of real tension and mystery are woven in here, and when all is finally revealed, the climax is satisfying and feels earned on all sides.
Highly recommended.
All of the characters are interesting and distinct. Some of them not especially likeable, but all feel three dimensional and real. Some moments of real tension and mystery are woven in here, and when all is finally revealed, the climax is satisfying and feels earned on all sides.
Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews