I Fell in Love With the Severed Head of The King of Pop

by James Yates

Los Angeles, 2009.

When eighteen-year-old Jessica Morgan joins the sea of grieving fans outside Michael Jackson's home, she expects to be just another face in the crowd. Invisible. Forgotten. Just as she's always been.

But a chance encounter inside Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center changes everything.

In a single life-changing moment, Jess finds herself in possession of something she believes will keep her forever connected to the man she has loved her entire life. As the city descends into chaos and the world mourns the King of Pop, Jess is swept into a journey where obsession, loneliness and devotion become impossible to untangle.

Darkly funny, unexpectedly heartfelt, and deeply unsettling, I Fell in Love with the Severed Head of the King of Pop is a story about grief, hope and finding love in the unlikeliest of places.

Genres: Horror, Novella

ebook

First published September 4, 2026

About the author

James Yates is a proud member of the Horror Writers Association. He writes horror fiction that blends the brutal, the supernatural, and the psychological. Focusing on working-class British settings and character-driven stories, his debut novel The Cleanse explores the monstrous in both man and myth. A lifelong devotee of horror in all its forms – from slasher to folk to the quietly unhinged – he draws from a background that understands just how grey the edges of humanity can be.

Join the mailing list for updates, chances to receive ARC copies and free giveaways.
https://james-yates-author.kit.com/18...

Reviews

[Ali O · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Fell in Love With the Severed Head of the King of Pop by James Yates
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟(4.5 rounded up)

This is one of the most original, gross, entertaining and emotional short stories I’ve read.
Jessica, a lonely 18 year old, is morning the loss of one of the greatest- Michael Jackson. She would love the opportunity to be with him and she finds an opening and takes it!

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this intense story!! It’s a lot to handle, but I couldn’t stop reading it!
It’s a story that has me questioning what I just read!

**It comes out September 4th, and I recommend the read!!**

*I would generally recommend checking for triggers, but I think the title says it all!*

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bittersweet horror comedy with a high gross factor and a very dark sense of humor! Yates has been getting points in my book for striking originality and unpredictable weirdness, and this short book is fire! Presumably, Michael Jackson would not have been all that happy with it, but anyone who's felt the need to relate, to be seen, to belong, will surely get the point from very early on, and appreciate the quirkiness of the plot without apology or explanation. Mental issues and loneliness are the themes of the story, though it may also provide answers to many embarrassing questions one might have about what one can actually do with a celebrity's severed head. This is no ordinary head, however, so prepare yourself for some icky scenes and a little heartbreak. Highly recommended for fans of the bizarre and the weird, with a good dose of extreme horror and dark humor!

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica has never really found ‘her people’ or her place in life, the criticisms from her parents play in loops in her head. Her existence meaningless, until the death of Michael Jackson.

She, like many others, feels drawn to pay her respects at his rental home in LA and the hospital that couldn’t save him. But can he save her?

This is a sharp novella from James Yates that keeps you thinking as you are gently shifted between isolation, grief and bizarro horror.

Don’t try and second guess - go in blind and let the story weave its web. A thoroughly good read.

[donutdot · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!!

so there's that. it is a story pretty much as you would expect from the title. i don't know why i expected it to be more lovey dovey than it actually was but this pleasantly surprised me. while not much went on at the start, it quickly got fast paced and i was devouring it on the train home from work.

this novella is a story of loneliness and is very much about trying to find your people, seen through the eyes of jess. wanting to be part of the crowd who love and mourn michael jackson, wanting to be loved by his head. the obsession of it all was unhinged and there were some scenes that were gross but very raw because i could feel just how much jess wants this, to be in a relationship with mj's head and i couldn't look away. really, i was :0 for a lot of the time. but in the end there was another factor, mental illness, that is also usually prevalant in such stories and it came to its natural conclusion.

spoilers ahead!! the moment jess' mum talked about her shrink and that she had pills i knew what was up, but did that detract from the enjoyment? absolutely not. for it to be a random woman's though, yikes. it is so true that jess' story, stealing a head from the hospital (unwittingly but no one knows that or what really happened with the nurse and man in the fedora), loving it and ultimately ending her life over it, would become a netflix documentary.

will check out the author's other works!!

on a side note, i'm not sure how much the real michael jackson would've liked this if he was still around but this was a really cool story yo!!

[Melsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review. This has no bearing on my review and opinions are my own and freely given.

As you could gather from the synopsis, this is about a girl who acquires something she should not from the UCLA medical center. As the title suggests, she falls in love with said object. This is sixty one pages inside the mind of a very delusional individual The worst part is that this is not wholly improbable and thats what makes this book so enjoyable. The ick factor is high. If this is an issue, i would concentrate more on getting into the mind of Jessica. 4 stars for the ability of the author to make you ALMOST think Jessica is just another harmless "super fan" and for originality🤢

[sugarnsass_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quirky. Funny. Gross. Unexpected.
Jessica is lonely and figures out a way to find ‘her people’ after the King of Pop dies. Tired of being lonely and invisible, she does the unthinkable. This novella expresses loneliness, grief, and obsession in a heartfelt, entertaining and eye popping narration that kept me turning the page. Great read for the horror fan who wants a little something different. Loved it!

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I Fell in Love With the Severed Head of the King of Pop” by James Yates was disturbingly gross, completely unhinged, and absolutely impossible to put down! I was literally gagging while reading this one! It’s twisted, bizarre, disgusting, and somehow I still couldn’t stop turning the pages. Wow! This story went places I definitely wasn’t expecting. If you’re looking for something seriously messed up that will make you squirm, gag, and question what the hell you’re reading, this one delivers!

[Erwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A title you cant ignore and entertaining the whole way through.

This novella packs a gross and interesting punch, following Jessica and her infatuation with MJ's severed head. Well written, fast paced and stomach churning, this is definitely one you might want to check out if the title in any way piqued your interest.

Also, whatever you imagine a young fan of MJ would do with his head, body attached or no, yes, the answer is yes.

Thanks to J Yates Publishing and NetGalley for providing with this ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Hadyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW what an unexpected adventure from this hilariously horrific novella.

There was a perfect boundary between reality and a nightmare (or living the dream, if you’re Jess). I was glued to the Novella the entire time, and the slow buildup was worth it for the insane and weird to be exposed towards the end.

There were times I laughed, and times my face wouldn’t erase the automatic disgusted frown it made on instinct.

Would highly recommend this novella for those who love a weird, unsettling, obsessive little read.

Thank you to NetGalley and J Yates Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kandace · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know what…. I have no words for this one, really. This was crazy from beginning to end. I have to applaud the author for the creativity, though.

[Destiny Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

THANK YOU NETGALLEY FOR THE ARC!
This book had me gasping and gagging in public. But it was a fun and short read. It flowed really well.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This horror-comedy novella has an absolutely bonkers premise. It's 2009, MJ dies, and 18-year-old Jessica Morgan joins the crowds on the streets of LA mourning his death. Somehow, she manages to blag her way into the hospital where his body is being kept, picks up a bag... and it just so happens that said bag contains MJ's severed head. Which, of course, then starts speaking to her.

So what does she do? Packs him into a cooler bag and takes him to the zoo, obviously!

This is one of those novellas where the premise is so fucking niche and bizarre that you almost don't even notice whether the writing is particularly good or bad. The sheer WTF-ery of the story is compelling enough to drag you along with it.

Plot holes and contrivances? Oh yeah. LOADS. But this is absolutely not a novella that takes itself seriously... so why should I? I just went with it, and it was fun.

It's short, ridiculous and packs a punch. You could easily read the whole thing in an hour or two - I started it over breakfast and finished it on my lunch break.

Utter nonsense. Quite entertaining nonsense.

[Jennifer Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was graciously given an ARC of this insane masterpiece.

I’m honestly not sure what exactly I just read, but I can tell you one thing—it was definitely an experience. This felt like Goosebumps and The Twilight Zone had a baby, then that baby was put on steroids and told to go completely off the rails.

The whole premise is absolutely absurd. I mean, how exactly does one casually come across a human head? Are we really just storing those in hospital rooms? 😂 And then to fall in love with it while believing it’s the King of Pop himself? What kind of psychosis are we talking about here?!

Despite all the WTF moments, I actually had a lot of fun with this book. It was weird, bizarre, unpredictable, and unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Sometimes you just need a book that makes you sit back and say, “What in the world am I reading?”—and this one definitely delivers.

Overall, this was a wildly strange but entertaining read, and I have to give it credit for being completely original. It may not make any sense, but it sure was a fun ride!

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up mostly because of the title... why not? This was a 61-page sample, but it completely sold me on wanting to read the full book!!

From the very beginning, the writing had a quirky charm and a dark sense of humor that really clicked with me. The shower scene ... very laugh out loud... just loved the offbeat personality throughout.

Even in just this short sample, the story had absurdity with genuine heart. The premise is wonderfully weird, but the characters still felt grounded enough that I found myself invested in what happens next.

I honestly want more of Jess and her adventures! This sample never dragged and left me wanting more, which is exactly what I hope for from an excerpt.

It's hard to describe without taking away some of the fun, so I'd recommend going in with as little information as possible. If the rest of the book delivers on what these first 61 pages promise, I think it's going to be a memorable one.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this sample—I definitely can't wait to pick up the full book when it's released!

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The title of this book drew me in right away. How could it not? It's unhinged. I love weird shit and this sounded weird.

Unfortunately, while yes, it is a weird story, a majority of the book was kind of boring. I don't want to give many spoilers, but they just were hanging out, the dialogue wasn't the best. It was flat for the first 75% of the book. The last 25% was cool. There was some gore, and a really awkward sex scene, but with a title like that, you have kind of a lot to measure up to and I was expecting so much more than was delivered. Some things were pretty obvious also in terms of the how this was all happening and why.

I think readers who don't mind a slower pace might enjoy this more than I did. This book is like a brilliant highschooler who is bored and so does the bare minimum and doesn't live up to it's potential. I'd give this a C-.

[Crysta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I read It Started with the Eyes, I have yet to say no to a book written by James Yates. Prior to reading this, I only skimmed the blurb. Honestly, that was the best way to go into the book because it allowed the shock value to hit even harder.

The entire idea of the book is insane, and Yates makes it work beautifully. Jessica is relatable in the sense that she's looking for her place. However, that's where the relatability ends. Her finding her place in the metaphorical arms of Michael Jackson's severed head is one hell of a concept.

There were many moments where I laughed, but I ended up saying "Ew, what the f*ck?" much more. The book is gross, funny, and unpredictable. This book will leave you guessing until the last page.

If you're looking for something fast, bizarre, and a palate cleanser, I definitely recommend this book.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

After finishing, I Fell in Love with the Severed Head of the King of Pop by James Yates I was truly left speechless. This is a horror novella which is perfect for a quick read. I found the story to be filled with unexpected twists and turns. The story truly is exactly what the title suggests; the main character falls in love with a severed head of Michael Jackson. Without giving too much away I think the author did a fabulous job of creating a very unique storyline that kept me wondering, “What will happen next?”

In summary, if you're looking for a quick read in the horror genre I think this book is for you!

I want to give a huge thank you to NetGalley.com, author James Yates and J Yates Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Amber Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting little Novella. With a name like that, I had no idea what to expect. It was by far one of the weirdest stories I have ever read, but in a good way. I really appreciate the originality and uniqueness of it all.

Jessica Morgan is a seemingly normal young adult, with normal young adult problems. She feels disconnected from her parents, and alone in life. When she hears about the passing of Michael Jackson, and sees how the nation reacts, she decides to take a trip to his place of death so that she can feel like she’s part of something. Through a series of strange events, she comes into possession of MJ’s sentient severed head. While spending time together, they fall in love and things begin to spiral out of control.

I spent the majority of this book wondering what the hell is really going on. Once the pieces start to fall into place it’s quite disturbing, but intriguing. I couldn’t put it down. I had to know where it was going. Like all of James’s works, this novella well written and cohesive. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and am looking forward to reading more.

[Beverly Laude · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title should tell the reader that they are in for a wild ride! Jessica Morgan is a troubled teen without many friends. When the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, dies, she decides to trek to his home along with thousands of other fans. Finding nothing there of interest, she goes to the hospital where he died. Led to a janitor's closet by a mysterious man, she finds MJ's severed head!

The ensuing story is weird, sometimes disgusting, and creepy. But, it is also heartbreaking as the reader follows Jessica's descent into madness. This is one quick read that I will remember for a long time. Thanks to Netgalley for giving me the chance to read this one!

[Casca Wardle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god, I didn’t know what to expect when I was invited to read an ARC of this story from James Yates, through his mailing list I am a part of. I was very intrigued so I downloaded it and binge read it. I could not stop laughing throughout because it was absolutely bonkers and outrageous! Jessica is so funny when she keeps getting into awkward scenarios too. Full of mischief, some unexpected twists, turns and a jaw-dropping ending you will not see coming.


5 out of 5! A fun little bizarre read that will have your head in a spin! Literally!

[Dan Mckeithan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A horror novella that will have you begging for more. James brings us Jess, a super fan to the extreme. She mourns the loss of Michael Jackson, until she runs across something at the UCLA medical center that allows her to cross boundaries like no other. In this short, gory, and creepy read, we learn so much about mental health and how it affects people. The characters are well drawn, the plot investing, and the content is out of this world. Can't wait for Jame's next piece.

[KB · Rating 5 out of 5]

At no point did I know what Jessica Morgan was going to do next. This story follows 18 year old Jessica Morgan as she grieves the king of pop Michael Jackson in her own interesting way. She is the definition of an unreliable narrator and I l loved it. I love a book that where I’m finished with it I think “what did I just read” and this fit that perfectly! Thank you J Yates Publishing and NetGalley!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every now and again I finish a book and think “what did I just read!?!” This was one of those books. But I thought that question with a grin on my face, still chuckling from the whole adventure. This is a crazy read but it’s just so much fun! In a wrong kinda right way. Definitely one for when you need distracting from reality.

[Jessica Gleason · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was... An interesting way to spend an hour. It's pretty much everything you think it'll be when you read the title. Gross, a little unhinged, and with a very misguided love affair. Extra helping of yuck salad.

TW: Suicide, tho.

[Amanda Elizabeth Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was crazy! Horror with humor and sadness and some really gross scenes. What happens when a young girl falls in love but with only a head? How do you go on dates? How do you become intimate? Jessica figures it all out or does she?

[Laine King · Rating 1 out of 5]

as stupid as you might imagine

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rtc