Parlor Games

by Jerry Jamison

When a self-absorbed executive gets stranded in the snow in the Rocky Mountains during a blizzard, he hikes to a nearby cabin in order to survive. There he is greeted by an old man who invites him to wait out the storm and to join him and his other friends for what they call their Game Night.

All of the men turn out to be retired legal minds—judge, defense attorney, bailiff, investigator, and prosecutor. In the cold, winter evenings, they stage mock trials and argue both sides. What this stranger does not know is that the men have put the stranger on trial for a crime demanding the death penalty and that his life is hanging in the balance.

If you enjoy novels by John Grisham, Scott Turow, Michael Connelly, and David Baldacci, Parlor Games by noted psychological thriller author Jerry Jamison is a dark, propulsive thriller that plunges you into a high-stakes world of secrets, power, and moral reckoning—keeping you guessing until the final move is played.

278 pages, Hardcover

Published December 29, 2025

About the author

The author of more than 40 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 25 stories), is his first foray into the mystery/thriller genre.

Reviews

[Sandy Goguen-Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. Even though most readers can guess how the story will end it still ended with a twist. I was still engaged and it was hard to put it down. The main character was an easy to hate man , he began to be more likeable as I continued to read.

I will definitely follow this author for more books. Thank you to Book Sirens for this ARC book and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful but dark novel is one of the best I have read in a long time! It was refreshing to have a more advanced vocabulary than the usual sixth grade level. The author delivered a fresh plot and boisterous characters and intelligent characters. It starts with self-absorbed Sam Maximell finding the Atticus cabin in a snowstorm and needing to spend the night. A group of retired gentlemen who were associated on some level with the legal system suggest they play a game to whittle away the hours. The game takes place, but the stakes are extremely high. The end is predictable but still awe inspiring. I especially liked Sam's character even though he has narcissistic traits he is grossly lacking in self-awareness. A must-read psychological drama! Thank you to the author and Booksirens for an advanced copy.

[Dan Mckeithan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a self-absorbed man is stranded in the cold the worst place to go is the cabin where the games are played. In this tense psychological drama, a stranded man is saved by the people in the cabin, but he must play their game and it's for life or death. A fun, twisty read that keeps you absorbed the whole way through. The characters are engaging and the plot is fun. I can't wait to see what else Jerry has out next for us.