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Another dark chapter in the history of Juniper unfolds…
Juniper Correctional, jokingly abbreviated to JC, a dark jewel in the crown of the godawful American prison system, where the very worst of Juniper rot for life-sentences that seem to stretch forever. In this hell-on-earth, it’s hard to tell most days who is worse: the inmates or the corrupt guards that enact the will of the monomaniacal Chief Warden Fleming. Fleming is a fallen star, a once bright-minded leader who turned the prison around, now hiding a terrible secret eating him away from the inside, a secret he’ll do anything to cover up.
But Fleming has problems, problems that threaten to unveil his secret. There is killer among those housed at Juniper Correctional. Inmates keep turning up dead, murdered in ungodly ways, but nobody knows how or why. The only thing that connects them is a nameless book from the prison’s library.
However, there is one ray of light: Frank. Frank isn’t like the other guards. Frank still sees the good in people and is trying to make a difference, to save those souls he can from the darkness in their own hearts. What Frank doesn’t realise, however, is that the darkness is real, and he is about to see its true power…
Juniper Correctional, jokingly abbreviated to JC, a dark jewel in the crown of the godawful American prison system, where the very worst of Juniper rot for life-sentences that seem to stretch forever. In this hell-on-earth, it’s hard to tell most days who is worse: the inmates or the corrupt guards that enact the will of the monomaniacal Chief Warden Fleming. Fleming is a fallen star, a once bright-minded leader who turned the prison around, now hiding a terrible secret eating him away from the inside, a secret he’ll do anything to cover up.
But Fleming has problems, problems that threaten to unveil his secret. There is killer among those housed at Juniper Correctional. Inmates keep turning up dead, murdered in ungodly ways, but nobody knows how or why. The only thing that connects them is a nameless book from the prison’s library.
However, there is one ray of light: Frank. Frank isn’t like the other guards. Frank still sees the good in people and is trying to make a difference, to save those souls he can from the darkness in their own hearts. What Frank doesn’t realise, however, is that the darkness is real, and he is about to see its true power…
- GenresHorror
289 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 2020
11 people are currently reading
456 people want to read
About the author
Ross Jeffery
28 books363 followersRoss Jeffery is the Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of 'Tome', 'Juniper', 'Scorched', 'Only The Stains Remain' and 'Tethered'.
His debut collection 'Beautiful Atrocities' was published in the summer of 2022 through Cemetery Gates Media.
His works to date have been self-published / indie-published and his stand-out, self-published and award-nominated series 'The Juniper Trilogy' is getting a well-deserved re-release in late 2022.
He is also a 3x Splatterpunk nominated author and has had his novellas 'Tethered' and 'Only The Stains Remain' translated into Czech.
'The Devil's Pocketbook', his latest and most anticipated novel to date, will be published by DarkLit press in 2023.
Ross lives in Bristol with his wife and two children.
His debut collection 'Beautiful Atrocities' was published in the summer of 2022 through Cemetery Gates Media.
His works to date have been self-published / indie-published and his stand-out, self-published and award-nominated series 'The Juniper Trilogy' is getting a well-deserved re-release in late 2022.
He is also a 3x Splatterpunk nominated author and has had his novellas 'Tethered' and 'Only The Stains Remain' translated into Czech.
'The Devil's Pocketbook', his latest and most anticipated novel to date, will be published by DarkLit press in 2023.
Ross lives in Bristol with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
November 22, 2020
All the stars. Top 5 for 2020. Damn.
March 31, 2021
ome – its clarity was never more focused and established from the very first page. Dark and depraved. The story is multi-faceted as it strips the layers back of the human condition. Boy does it show the human condition for what it truly is, hungry for power and destruction. Tome is a story that examines many prejudices rife in not only America’s penial system. Racial abuse, misogyny and homophobia feature strongly, and Jeffery has tackled the sensitive themes with both class and tenderness without skipping on the reality. This novel is a highly intelligent and brutal story on multiple levels.
Jeffery has birthed a new sub-genre of horror; he mixes realism with the palpitatingly dark. The narrative doesn’t relinquish its hold on us for one moment, its spindly fingers choke the life out of you, its grip increasing under you are so far gone that you can’t help but consume its mastery.
Juniper Correctional has turned into a cess pit of suffering and delinquency. Prison life was never going to be easy, but someone for something is getting away with murder. Imagine buildings that look run down, they look haunted…haunted with the misdeeds of its prisoners, haunted with the souls that are being taken too early. There is nothing about Juniper Correctional that screams light, it is the darkness in spite of the light, only one person seems to chase that darkness away…Frank.
Frank comes in does his job like everyone else but treats the inmates like actual people, funny notion, right? He doesn’t treat them like the scum of the earth, despite the awful atrocities they have been convicted with. He shares the halo, or the island in amongst the shit prison, located within an even shittier town. The library, ah but once again the power of books and its ability to transport you away features heavily in Tome. Franks suffered plenty in this cess pit of a town, he’s experienced racial hatred for marrying a black woman. Its uncomfortable as all hell, but subjects like these HAVE to be. If its not making you cringe, then you are part of the problem. Jeffery has written a horror story with violence and gore, but he tells of the horrors that human are capable of committing, it’s a grim reality that is mortifying.
Jeffrey has created something quite unique here, he’s edgy, he’s got the biggest set of Kaunas for riding with this one, trusting his vision and pulling it off so brilliantly. The destructive nature of a supernova. The setting. The protagonist. The horror. It tallied up to an experience to say the very least. I felt the fear, I spent most of the novel feeling deeply unsettled. Time has no consequence whilst I absorbed its power. I don’t think I’ll ever read another book quite like it and that is a good thing because no-one come close. A book Stephen King wishes he wrote…It’s that damn good.
Tome is a nerve jangling read with the pace and finesse of a master storyteller. I should be kicking myself black and blue that I haven’t picked this up sooner.
Jeffery has birthed a new sub-genre of horror; he mixes realism with the palpitatingly dark. The narrative doesn’t relinquish its hold on us for one moment, its spindly fingers choke the life out of you, its grip increasing under you are so far gone that you can’t help but consume its mastery.
Juniper Correctional has turned into a cess pit of suffering and delinquency. Prison life was never going to be easy, but someone for something is getting away with murder. Imagine buildings that look run down, they look haunted…haunted with the misdeeds of its prisoners, haunted with the souls that are being taken too early. There is nothing about Juniper Correctional that screams light, it is the darkness in spite of the light, only one person seems to chase that darkness away…Frank.
Frank comes in does his job like everyone else but treats the inmates like actual people, funny notion, right? He doesn’t treat them like the scum of the earth, despite the awful atrocities they have been convicted with. He shares the halo, or the island in amongst the shit prison, located within an even shittier town. The library, ah but once again the power of books and its ability to transport you away features heavily in Tome. Franks suffered plenty in this cess pit of a town, he’s experienced racial hatred for marrying a black woman. Its uncomfortable as all hell, but subjects like these HAVE to be. If its not making you cringe, then you are part of the problem. Jeffery has written a horror story with violence and gore, but he tells of the horrors that human are capable of committing, it’s a grim reality that is mortifying.
Jeffrey has created something quite unique here, he’s edgy, he’s got the biggest set of Kaunas for riding with this one, trusting his vision and pulling it off so brilliantly. The destructive nature of a supernova. The setting. The protagonist. The horror. It tallied up to an experience to say the very least. I felt the fear, I spent most of the novel feeling deeply unsettled. Time has no consequence whilst I absorbed its power. I don’t think I’ll ever read another book quite like it and that is a good thing because no-one come close. A book Stephen King wishes he wrote…It’s that damn good.
Tome is a nerve jangling read with the pace and finesse of a master storyteller. I should be kicking myself black and blue that I haven’t picked this up sooner.
November 24, 2020
4.5 rounded up to 5 for Goodreads.
If the eyes are the window to the soul, then what happens when they observe evil?
TOME by Ross Jeffery has readers returning to the strange haggard town of Juniper. This time around though we trade the dusty scorching heat for the dreary gloom of an unceasing and unrelenting downpour. Juniper Correctional, where the majority of the narrative takes place, is saturated not only with rain but also deplorable men and a corruptible evil seeping into its very foundations.
Prison stories are hit or miss with me but TOME hit all the right beats. From the savage opening to the shocking conclusion Jeffery's prose and narrative prowess had my attention imprisoned within its clutches. I think what made this really work for me was that the focus wasn't on the prison itself. Now that's not to say that Jeffery didn't bring Juniper Correctional to life because he surely did. From the crumbling brick to the filthy halls to the unsanitary infirmary to the worn carpets of the library. It felt like a living breathing facility. But the characters, the characters are the ones that bring the story to life, that gives this story a soul. Those who find themselves confined within the walls of this prison whether by incarnation, greed, power, pride, duty, or loyalty.
TOME is not a book for the faint of heart for a myriad of reasons. First and foremost is the overt racism. How this ideology has manifested itself within prison culture as well as how it has been deeply ingrained in the upbringing, passed down from one generation to the next, of a great many people. It is a fictional reflection of the real life systemic racism that is such a prevalent social issue in our current climate. Second is the sheer brutality and depictions of grisly violence on display. Jeffery doesn't hold anything back in the blood and gore department. This isn't extreme Splatterpunk style violence but the gruesomely detailed horrors of reading a homicide crime scene report. Jeffery might have succeeded in writing one of the most revolting, stomach churning scenes that I have ever read. It involved Warden Fleming while at his home and that's all I'll say about it. If you have read the book you'll know which scene I am talking about, if not you'll have to just read and endure it for yourself.
You don't need to read JUNIPER before diving into TOME but I would highly suggest that you do so. This is a prequel to Juniper but we have some characters make another appearance here. As the final events of TOME unfolded it made me see what happened in JUNIPER through a completely different lens. I can see a definite growth in Jeffery as an author when comparing JUNIPER to TOME, and I enjoyed the former. His writing is more detailed, nuanced, and streamlined which for me made for an overall cleaner and more enjoyable reading experience.
Back to the question I posed at the beginning. If the eyes are the window to the soul, then what happens when they observe evil? When that evil is hidden within the power of the written word. Does it lead to the corruption and desolation of the reader's soul? An insatiable, festering evil that swells to bursting within you. Do you give in and allow yourself to be swallowed up by the abyss? Or do you dig down searching deep within yourself for that sliver of goodness, that one bright shining light to hold the darkness at bay? This is the story of TOME. A tale much grander in scope than that of a prison in a forgotten little town. A story as old as time itself. The story of good versus evil.
Electrifyingly powerful. Pulsing with fear, grief, lust, and the vile intentions of man. TOME by Ross Jeffery weaves an eerie, grim and gritty narrative populated by greasy, loathsome, yet entirely compelling characters. Expert pacing, mounting dread, and an unsettling atmosphere culminate in a uniquely scary experience that will give you chills. Ross Jeffery is an author to watch and I look forward to reading whatever dark and twisted story leaks from his mind next.
I received a copy of this book from the author for review consideration.
Video review: https://youtu.be/HkEqj9H2DzU
If the eyes are the window to the soul, then what happens when they observe evil?
TOME by Ross Jeffery has readers returning to the strange haggard town of Juniper. This time around though we trade the dusty scorching heat for the dreary gloom of an unceasing and unrelenting downpour. Juniper Correctional, where the majority of the narrative takes place, is saturated not only with rain but also deplorable men and a corruptible evil seeping into its very foundations.
Prison stories are hit or miss with me but TOME hit all the right beats. From the savage opening to the shocking conclusion Jeffery's prose and narrative prowess had my attention imprisoned within its clutches. I think what made this really work for me was that the focus wasn't on the prison itself. Now that's not to say that Jeffery didn't bring Juniper Correctional to life because he surely did. From the crumbling brick to the filthy halls to the unsanitary infirmary to the worn carpets of the library. It felt like a living breathing facility. But the characters, the characters are the ones that bring the story to life, that gives this story a soul. Those who find themselves confined within the walls of this prison whether by incarnation, greed, power, pride, duty, or loyalty.
TOME is not a book for the faint of heart for a myriad of reasons. First and foremost is the overt racism. How this ideology has manifested itself within prison culture as well as how it has been deeply ingrained in the upbringing, passed down from one generation to the next, of a great many people. It is a fictional reflection of the real life systemic racism that is such a prevalent social issue in our current climate. Second is the sheer brutality and depictions of grisly violence on display. Jeffery doesn't hold anything back in the blood and gore department. This isn't extreme Splatterpunk style violence but the gruesomely detailed horrors of reading a homicide crime scene report. Jeffery might have succeeded in writing one of the most revolting, stomach churning scenes that I have ever read. It involved Warden Fleming while at his home and that's all I'll say about it. If you have read the book you'll know which scene I am talking about, if not you'll have to just read and endure it for yourself.
You don't need to read JUNIPER before diving into TOME but I would highly suggest that you do so. This is a prequel to Juniper but we have some characters make another appearance here. As the final events of TOME unfolded it made me see what happened in JUNIPER through a completely different lens. I can see a definite growth in Jeffery as an author when comparing JUNIPER to TOME, and I enjoyed the former. His writing is more detailed, nuanced, and streamlined which for me made for an overall cleaner and more enjoyable reading experience.
Back to the question I posed at the beginning. If the eyes are the window to the soul, then what happens when they observe evil? When that evil is hidden within the power of the written word. Does it lead to the corruption and desolation of the reader's soul? An insatiable, festering evil that swells to bursting within you. Do you give in and allow yourself to be swallowed up by the abyss? Or do you dig down searching deep within yourself for that sliver of goodness, that one bright shining light to hold the darkness at bay? This is the story of TOME. A tale much grander in scope than that of a prison in a forgotten little town. A story as old as time itself. The story of good versus evil.
Electrifyingly powerful. Pulsing with fear, grief, lust, and the vile intentions of man. TOME by Ross Jeffery weaves an eerie, grim and gritty narrative populated by greasy, loathsome, yet entirely compelling characters. Expert pacing, mounting dread, and an unsettling atmosphere culminate in a uniquely scary experience that will give you chills. Ross Jeffery is an author to watch and I look forward to reading whatever dark and twisted story leaks from his mind next.
I received a copy of this book from the author for review consideration.
Video review: https://youtu.be/HkEqj9H2DzU
October 29, 2020
** Edited as review is now live on Kendall Reviews! **
I discovered Ross Jeffery’s work last year when I was kindly asked to provide a foreword for the anthology ‘Lost Voices.’ Ross had several stories in it, alongside many other talented writers and I was blown away with what he’d written.
Afterwards, he reached out and asked if I’d like to check out his upcoming release, ‘Juniper.’ At the time, I was a bit hesitant, as I was burned out on post-apocalyptic stories, but agreed. Thank goodness I did, as ‘Juniper‘ was outstanding. When it was announced as part of a trilogy, I was even more excited.
What I liked: How’s this for hilarity? I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy ‘Juniper‘ because I was burned out on post-apocalyptic books, and then ‘Tome‘ comes along. I have never been a fan of correctional facility books, I don’t enjoy movies or TV shows set purely in a prison/jail setting. I’m not sure why it just doesn’t click for me. And lo and behold ‘Tome‘ is set at the Juniper Correctional Facility!
The story follows a selection of inmates as well as a few guards and the warden as they deal with a rising number of deaths deemed ‘suicides’ to keep the investigators away. But it isn’t enough and when the investigators show up to see just what is going on, things really take a turn.
I really enjoyed seeing the way these characters interacted based on their prison hierarchy and I really enjoyed seeing our old, despicable friend Klein from book one show his ugly face.
There are a number of scenes in here that are both startling and deplorable and that’s a testament to the talent Jeffery has as a writer. I particularly loved a specific scene involving an inmate dying and the discovery of his body. It was a perfect scene and one that really was the tipping point for a lot of the actions that followed.
What I didn’t like: The biggest thing with ‘Tome‘ that I didn’t like was the complete disappearance of the town of ‘Juniper‘ itself. In book one, Ross developed such a fantastic town, filled with history, characters and an amazing setting, that I was excited to see more of it with this prequel, but sadly, the majority of the book is set inside the prison, with a few scenes outside. I hope with book three we find out more about the storm that arrived as well as the people of the town.
I do want to make a statement that within this book there are a number of racial issues/phrases/words used within the context of the prison setting. This was done really well and based on the characters and history of ‘Juniper,’ spot on. I had no issues with it when I read it, as it was done realistically.
Why you should buy it: Ross has really crafted a book here that is filled with growing dread. While I typically don’t enjoy prison-based stuff, this one really pulls you along and you just have to know what happens. This is also one of those rare books that you can read without having to have read ‘Juniper‘. Ross has really created a dynamic group of characters in a town that has a lot of secrets. I can’t wait to see just what book three has in store.
I discovered Ross Jeffery’s work last year when I was kindly asked to provide a foreword for the anthology ‘Lost Voices.’ Ross had several stories in it, alongside many other talented writers and I was blown away with what he’d written.
Afterwards, he reached out and asked if I’d like to check out his upcoming release, ‘Juniper.’ At the time, I was a bit hesitant, as I was burned out on post-apocalyptic stories, but agreed. Thank goodness I did, as ‘Juniper‘ was outstanding. When it was announced as part of a trilogy, I was even more excited.
What I liked: How’s this for hilarity? I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy ‘Juniper‘ because I was burned out on post-apocalyptic books, and then ‘Tome‘ comes along. I have never been a fan of correctional facility books, I don’t enjoy movies or TV shows set purely in a prison/jail setting. I’m not sure why it just doesn’t click for me. And lo and behold ‘Tome‘ is set at the Juniper Correctional Facility!
The story follows a selection of inmates as well as a few guards and the warden as they deal with a rising number of deaths deemed ‘suicides’ to keep the investigators away. But it isn’t enough and when the investigators show up to see just what is going on, things really take a turn.
I really enjoyed seeing the way these characters interacted based on their prison hierarchy and I really enjoyed seeing our old, despicable friend Klein from book one show his ugly face.
There are a number of scenes in here that are both startling and deplorable and that’s a testament to the talent Jeffery has as a writer. I particularly loved a specific scene involving an inmate dying and the discovery of his body. It was a perfect scene and one that really was the tipping point for a lot of the actions that followed.
What I didn’t like: The biggest thing with ‘Tome‘ that I didn’t like was the complete disappearance of the town of ‘Juniper‘ itself. In book one, Ross developed such a fantastic town, filled with history, characters and an amazing setting, that I was excited to see more of it with this prequel, but sadly, the majority of the book is set inside the prison, with a few scenes outside. I hope with book three we find out more about the storm that arrived as well as the people of the town.
I do want to make a statement that within this book there are a number of racial issues/phrases/words used within the context of the prison setting. This was done really well and based on the characters and history of ‘Juniper,’ spot on. I had no issues with it when I read it, as it was done realistically.
Why you should buy it: Ross has really crafted a book here that is filled with growing dread. While I typically don’t enjoy prison-based stuff, this one really pulls you along and you just have to know what happens. This is also one of those rare books that you can read without having to have read ‘Juniper‘. Ross has really created a dynamic group of characters in a town that has a lot of secrets. I can’t wait to see just what book three has in store.
February 9, 2021
Ross Jeffery is arguably one of the greatest indie horror authors today.
That is not hyperbole.
Tome proves it. Juniper wasn't a one off. Ross Jeffery is for real, and the stories he writes are so immersive, so vivid, extremely raw, and goddamn entertaining.
The characters in Tome are awesomely realized. The pacing is cerebral, plots points are terrifying, dialogue is witty and real. Tome is horrifyingly cruel. I love it.
Read Tome.
No, READ ROSS JEFFERY.
That is not hyperbole.
Tome proves it. Juniper wasn't a one off. Ross Jeffery is for real, and the stories he writes are so immersive, so vivid, extremely raw, and goddamn entertaining.
The characters in Tome are awesomely realized. The pacing is cerebral, plots points are terrifying, dialogue is witty and real. Tome is horrifyingly cruel. I love it.
Read Tome.
No, READ ROSS JEFFERY.
July 13, 2023
It was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award - so I guess it’s pretty good!
June 24, 2021
Behind the walls of Juniper Correctional, evil exists, whether emanating from The Sisters, a neo-Nazi gang of rapists, the sadistic guards, a bigoted town, a corrupt warden or something far more sinister that’s feeding on the solitude, desperation, death, and misery. This is the setup for Ross Jeffrey’s Tome.
The backdrop of a crumbling penitentiary is the perfect setting to explore the horrors mankind inflicts upon one another alongside horror of a much more sinister nature that seeks to exploit and destroy lives. Jeffery pulls no punches here in bringing both of those horrors to the forefront, creating some very gruesome, disturbing, and haunting imagery to rattle readers.
There’s a lot to unpack here, and this book isn’t for the faint of heart. It contains rampant racism from many of its irredeemable characters, rape, ruthless domestic violence, slipping into the disturbing thought processes of a pedophile inmate and horrific mutilations. Jeffery paints a picture of a prison and town that’s gone sour, the rot seeping into all aspects of life in it. While all of this is incredibly bleak, Jeffery is a gifted storyteller and has a knack for keeping a reader engaged despite obvious revulsion. In my case, that stemmed more from the lack of humanity in some characters and how they either seemed to revel in their misdeeds or excuse away the inexcusable more so than it did from the supernatural elements.
I anticipated the ending. That said, it was a great ending that was perfect for the story. It added something to the book beyond just the resolution. It illuminated Frank’s inner turmoil while illustrating more clearly how the evil entity operates. Though tragic on one level, it’s Frank’s selfless act that gives a glimpse of hope and reminds that humanity can still prevail despite being dealt impossible circumstances and being surrounded by corrupting influences. Jeffery cracked back open the door for a sequel with the epilogue, so I’m certainly curious to see if he continues, and if so, if that plays out in Juniper or somewhere else.
I tore through this book, and while many of the characters were downright vile people, Jeffery does an incredible job of keeping the reader invested in the story, which is a credit to his talents as a writer. This was my first experience with Jeffery’s writing, and without a doubt, I’ll definitely be back for more.
The backdrop of a crumbling penitentiary is the perfect setting to explore the horrors mankind inflicts upon one another alongside horror of a much more sinister nature that seeks to exploit and destroy lives. Jeffery pulls no punches here in bringing both of those horrors to the forefront, creating some very gruesome, disturbing, and haunting imagery to rattle readers.
There’s a lot to unpack here, and this book isn’t for the faint of heart. It contains rampant racism from many of its irredeemable characters, rape, ruthless domestic violence, slipping into the disturbing thought processes of a pedophile inmate and horrific mutilations. Jeffery paints a picture of a prison and town that’s gone sour, the rot seeping into all aspects of life in it. While all of this is incredibly bleak, Jeffery is a gifted storyteller and has a knack for keeping a reader engaged despite obvious revulsion. In my case, that stemmed more from the lack of humanity in some characters and how they either seemed to revel in their misdeeds or excuse away the inexcusable more so than it did from the supernatural elements.
I anticipated the ending. That said, it was a great ending that was perfect for the story. It added something to the book beyond just the resolution. It illuminated Frank’s inner turmoil while illustrating more clearly how the evil entity operates. Though tragic on one level, it’s Frank’s selfless act that gives a glimpse of hope and reminds that humanity can still prevail despite being dealt impossible circumstances and being surrounded by corrupting influences. Jeffery cracked back open the door for a sequel with the epilogue, so I’m certainly curious to see if he continues, and if so, if that plays out in Juniper or somewhere else.
I tore through this book, and while many of the characters were downright vile people, Jeffery does an incredible job of keeping the reader invested in the story, which is a credit to his talents as a writer. This was my first experience with Jeffery’s writing, and without a doubt, I’ll definitely be back for more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2022
A simply spellbinding top horror story that is set in a US prison in the Deep South (the second story in a trilogy which works just fine as a stand alone in its own right).
Lots of detailed action and a great storyline which includes a large element of wonderfully imaginative supernatural activity that actually underpins the whole rain-drenched, gruesomely brutal, spine-chilling experience.
For a more accurate idea then just think no further than the "Shawshank Redemption' mixed with a large, glorious helping of the fantastic iconic film 'In the heat of the Night,' and then just add in a heap-load of dark and sinister unearthly ghosts, and demonic spirits for good measure.
Result: A wickedly, winning formula, to simply die for!
Yep, I think that I can safely say that I will certainly be 'in-Klein-ed' to visit the evil town of Juniper again in the very, very near future.
Highly recommended.
Rating: 4.8 bloody, gore-filled dark stars of pure brilliance!
Lots of detailed action and a great storyline which includes a large element of wonderfully imaginative supernatural activity that actually underpins the whole rain-drenched, gruesomely brutal, spine-chilling experience.
For a more accurate idea then just think no further than the "Shawshank Redemption' mixed with a large, glorious helping of the fantastic iconic film 'In the heat of the Night,' and then just add in a heap-load of dark and sinister unearthly ghosts, and demonic spirits for good measure.
Result: A wickedly, winning formula, to simply die for!
Yep, I think that I can safely say that I will certainly be 'in-Klein-ed' to visit the evil town of Juniper again in the very, very near future.
Highly recommended.
Rating: 4.8 bloody, gore-filled dark stars of pure brilliance!
June 23, 2021
Horror Bookworm Reviews
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
From the most brutal murders perpetrated, to the utmost heinous crimes committed against children, The Juniper Correctional Prison houses a variety of vile inmates. Unknown to these incarcerated men, staff and officers, a spine-chilling evil has seeped within its cold stone walls. These hands of darkness now loom within reach of not only its unsuspecting victims, but also a hidden agenda of creating carnage.
When a significant number of suicides draw the attention of Federal Marshals, a thorough investigation of prisoner abuse begins despite the reluctancy of the warden. Soul tearing shadows and monstrous apparitions generate an unforgettable atmosphere of authentic creepiness. From the depraved to the deplorable, Ross Jeffery ensures there is never a dull moment for his readers.
Nominated for a Splatterpunk Award & Bram Stoker Award, Tome by Ross Jeffrey orchestrates demented scenarios encompassed by unexpected shocking moments. The building blocks for his story are all successfully created around the cycle of prison life. Initiating the atmospheric backdrop with many memorable cringe worthy moments is an amazing literary element that is used by Jeffrey. A penitentiary becomes quite a unique environment for a splatter story. I know it sounds cliche, but I literally could not put this book down. Strongly recommended.
A 6 by 8 cell locked from the outside has been converted into Home Sweet Home. The squeaks of a literature book cart echoing off the paint chipped walls. Desire, domination, racism, sexism and persons of ill repute run rampant. Welcome to Juniper Correctional Facility...enjoy your stay.
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
From the most brutal murders perpetrated, to the utmost heinous crimes committed against children, The Juniper Correctional Prison houses a variety of vile inmates. Unknown to these incarcerated men, staff and officers, a spine-chilling evil has seeped within its cold stone walls. These hands of darkness now loom within reach of not only its unsuspecting victims, but also a hidden agenda of creating carnage.
When a significant number of suicides draw the attention of Federal Marshals, a thorough investigation of prisoner abuse begins despite the reluctancy of the warden. Soul tearing shadows and monstrous apparitions generate an unforgettable atmosphere of authentic creepiness. From the depraved to the deplorable, Ross Jeffery ensures there is never a dull moment for his readers.
Nominated for a Splatterpunk Award & Bram Stoker Award, Tome by Ross Jeffrey orchestrates demented scenarios encompassed by unexpected shocking moments. The building blocks for his story are all successfully created around the cycle of prison life. Initiating the atmospheric backdrop with many memorable cringe worthy moments is an amazing literary element that is used by Jeffrey. A penitentiary becomes quite a unique environment for a splatter story. I know it sounds cliche, but I literally could not put this book down. Strongly recommended.
A 6 by 8 cell locked from the outside has been converted into Home Sweet Home. The squeaks of a literature book cart echoing off the paint chipped walls. Desire, domination, racism, sexism and persons of ill repute run rampant. Welcome to Juniper Correctional Facility...enjoy your stay.
February 15, 2021
Ross Jeffery — a new master of horror.
November 19, 2020
In Tome, Ross Jeffery takes us back to the mythical (and hellish) town of Jupiter. This time we're inside the walls of the local prison where evil, both human and so much worse, lives. The story is not for the faint of heart. It's a bloody, Grand Guignol tale of vengeance and dark impulses run amok. A worthy follow up to Juniper and a disturbing (in all the right ways) horror tale.
March 10, 2022
Every book that I pick up written by Ross Jeffery blows my mind.
Every reader longs to find the author that writes books that feel like that they were written just for them. I am blessed to have found this author for the reader in me.
The town of toxic town of Juniper, and the even more toxic Juniper Correctional center, completely came alive within the walls of my mind. I could feel the dark, evil setting closing in on me. The cast of characters is diverse, unique, raw, and real. Each one of them came to life within a beautifully crafted sentence or two, and grabbed my attention - for good or for bad.
Ross has an ability to weave words together, creating vivid imagery in the mind of the reader.
The story itself seeps terror. The twists and turns it takes are horrifying, surprising, and more than satisfying. The source of the evil that infests the people, the jail, the town is creative, infused with well researched ideas, and truly terrifying.
Tome is a work of art, seeded with the dark side of humanity.
Every reader longs to find the author that writes books that feel like that they were written just for them. I am blessed to have found this author for the reader in me.
The town of toxic town of Juniper, and the even more toxic Juniper Correctional center, completely came alive within the walls of my mind. I could feel the dark, evil setting closing in on me. The cast of characters is diverse, unique, raw, and real. Each one of them came to life within a beautifully crafted sentence or two, and grabbed my attention - for good or for bad.
Ross has an ability to weave words together, creating vivid imagery in the mind of the reader.
The story itself seeps terror. The twists and turns it takes are horrifying, surprising, and more than satisfying. The source of the evil that infests the people, the jail, the town is creative, infused with well researched ideas, and truly terrifying.
Tome is a work of art, seeded with the dark side of humanity.
June 28, 2021
Well, shoot. What a book... or tome this was.
Wish I could pay the author back with a spiffy video review and all that, but I'll just say this:
There's a reason Jeffery was nominated for a Stoker Award with his debut.
And this isn't unique to say, but I understand why people keep saying it, if you love Stephen King, you will love Jeffery's writing and book here. I will come back and revisit his writing sooner rather than later.
Wish I could pay the author back with a spiffy video review and all that, but I'll just say this:
There's a reason Jeffery was nominated for a Stoker Award with his debut.
And this isn't unique to say, but I understand why people keep saying it, if you love Stephen King, you will love Jeffery's writing and book here. I will come back and revisit his writing sooner rather than later.
November 30, 2020
Tome is a hard book to review. Not because it’s bad - it’s fantastic, dark and twisted and so horrifying it’s at times very difficult to read. But because it’s *so* dark; *so* bleak.
Set in the same universe - and the same town - as its sort-of predecessor, Juniper, though some time before the events of that story, the book opens with one of the most grisly death scenes I’ve read in quite a while... and becomes more grisly by degrees as the story progresses. (Small spoiler here: one scene, around the halfway point, may count among the most extreme body-horror moments I’ve seen in horror lit this year. You’ve been warned).
As a piece of fiction, Tome is an absolute triumph: it’s fantastically written, beautifully-paced and, somehow, both horribly visceral and emotionally evocative. It’s also, unexpectedly, a (for want of a better word) very spiritual book: a thoughtful, complex meditation on the enduring nature of evil that you wouldn’t necessarily see coming. (If, like me, you’re the sort of person who enjoys writer’s notes, I’d strongly recommend reading Ross’ afterword for more insight into the underpinnings of Tome’s - and by extension, Juniper’s - moral universe).
Like Juniper, it’s best entered into on a strong stomach: I’m a fairly diehard horror reader who wouldn’t flinch at a Cenobite or a suppurating corpse, and even I had to put the book down a few times before I could continue. But, like Juniper - it will very likely blow you away.
Set in the same universe - and the same town - as its sort-of predecessor, Juniper, though some time before the events of that story, the book opens with one of the most grisly death scenes I’ve read in quite a while... and becomes more grisly by degrees as the story progresses. (Small spoiler here: one scene, around the halfway point, may count among the most extreme body-horror moments I’ve seen in horror lit this year. You’ve been warned).
As a piece of fiction, Tome is an absolute triumph: it’s fantastically written, beautifully-paced and, somehow, both horribly visceral and emotionally evocative. It’s also, unexpectedly, a (for want of a better word) very spiritual book: a thoughtful, complex meditation on the enduring nature of evil that you wouldn’t necessarily see coming. (If, like me, you’re the sort of person who enjoys writer’s notes, I’d strongly recommend reading Ross’ afterword for more insight into the underpinnings of Tome’s - and by extension, Juniper’s - moral universe).
Like Juniper, it’s best entered into on a strong stomach: I’m a fairly diehard horror reader who wouldn’t flinch at a Cenobite or a suppurating corpse, and even I had to put the book down a few times before I could continue. But, like Juniper - it will very likely blow you away.
December 30, 2020
Where do you begin with a book that affects you this much? With a follow up to a book that floored you (and which subsequently pulls the rug from under said first book's feet and leaves it on its behind)?
Well, I'm going to have a go.
I'm not sure what I'd expected from Tome, after hearing there was to be a prequel to Juniper. I am sure that this wasn't it.
Juniper is small town, human horror - or so I thought. It is horror grounded in the reality of a town that was a shithole in the first place, and which was subsequently left to rot. The people are flawed, but they are disadvantaged - hugely so. It is a place where hope is a flimsy, forgotten idea that no-one really believes in any more. We loathe the villains of the piece, while simultaneously acknowledging that whatever path they might have take would have been a wretched one.
Tome zooms in on a single site - Juniper correctional - but simultaneously zooms out to show us the whole. The source of this darkness. This evil. And it is hard to stomach.
There is much that is thematically Kingian in this novel, such as the supernatural forces at the heart of the story using the weaknesses of wrongdoers to unleash punishments as hauntingly apt as they are lethal. At times, as the reader, one wonders if such punishment is 'fair' for the sins committed, then quickly questions how such horrors can ever be fair or right.
But while these King influences seep in, it's abundantly clear that the voice, the world, the story are Jeffery's and Jeffery's alone.
Themes of racism are abundant in this book. The ugliness of discrimination on something as basic as skin colour is absolutely laid bear. Our pov character through much of the story himself is an insufferable bigot. But as I pondered the many emotional impacts this book had on me, it was probably the indifference, the obviousness, the inevitability of racial violence and hatred which upset me most. The slurs are painful, the use of derogatory language and threats disgusting, but the matter of fact handling of things which should be shocking, perhaps affected me more. While Tome is rightly labelled as cosmic horror, owing to certain elements that will quickly become apparent as you read, it is this human revulsion, this warts and all portrait of the worst of what we can be that conjures the greatest horror.
As with Juniper, amidst this festering pool of evil, there is a light of sorts. This is not a superhero, pristine light, but a real one. One which the reader can rally behind but at the same time know will not have an easy path to justice.
I won't say more for fear of spoilers but, suffice to say, Juniper and the universe built around it can sink its claws into you. It repels you with its utterly abhorrent evil, but it defies you from looking away.
There are so many directions a third book might go. Whichever one it is, I will be buying an advance ticket.
Well, I'm going to have a go.
I'm not sure what I'd expected from Tome, after hearing there was to be a prequel to Juniper. I am sure that this wasn't it.
Juniper is small town, human horror - or so I thought. It is horror grounded in the reality of a town that was a shithole in the first place, and which was subsequently left to rot. The people are flawed, but they are disadvantaged - hugely so. It is a place where hope is a flimsy, forgotten idea that no-one really believes in any more. We loathe the villains of the piece, while simultaneously acknowledging that whatever path they might have take would have been a wretched one.
Tome zooms in on a single site - Juniper correctional - but simultaneously zooms out to show us the whole. The source of this darkness. This evil. And it is hard to stomach.
There is much that is thematically Kingian in this novel, such as the supernatural forces at the heart of the story using the weaknesses of wrongdoers to unleash punishments as hauntingly apt as they are lethal. At times, as the reader, one wonders if such punishment is 'fair' for the sins committed, then quickly questions how such horrors can ever be fair or right.
But while these King influences seep in, it's abundantly clear that the voice, the world, the story are Jeffery's and Jeffery's alone.
Themes of racism are abundant in this book. The ugliness of discrimination on something as basic as skin colour is absolutely laid bear. Our pov character through much of the story himself is an insufferable bigot. But as I pondered the many emotional impacts this book had on me, it was probably the indifference, the obviousness, the inevitability of racial violence and hatred which upset me most. The slurs are painful, the use of derogatory language and threats disgusting, but the matter of fact handling of things which should be shocking, perhaps affected me more. While Tome is rightly labelled as cosmic horror, owing to certain elements that will quickly become apparent as you read, it is this human revulsion, this warts and all portrait of the worst of what we can be that conjures the greatest horror.
As with Juniper, amidst this festering pool of evil, there is a light of sorts. This is not a superhero, pristine light, but a real one. One which the reader can rally behind but at the same time know will not have an easy path to justice.
I won't say more for fear of spoilers but, suffice to say, Juniper and the universe built around it can sink its claws into you. It repels you with its utterly abhorrent evil, but it defies you from looking away.
There are so many directions a third book might go. Whichever one it is, I will be buying an advance ticket.
July 20, 2021
"In all his time at Juniper Correctional, he'd never once had to draw his gun, but he'd be a fool if he thought he would never need it. The moment that thought crept in was the moment a guard ended up leaving in a zipped-up bag. He'd rather be judged by twelve than carried out by six."
Tome is the prequel in the Juniper series by Ross Jeffery. Even though it's the prequel, if you have not yet read Juniper, I would highly recommend starting with Juniper first. Juniper did a fantastic job setting the stage for Tome in how the jail, Juniper Correctional, was portrayed.
Tome is definitely a much darker and frightening tale in this series and I am very excited to see how it ends when the third book is released. This story focuses on the inmates of Juniper Correctional and the extremely corrupt warden and several of the guards. The living conditions and treatment of the inmates is abysmal. The worst part - there is something even more corrupt and abusive in the jail that is slowly making its rounds and causing madness, eventually ending in horrible deaths. Because of the high number of deaths, U.S. Marshals are sent to investigate and the dance begins as all parties involved try to avoid detection, shift blame and carry out their own agenda.
As a book lover, there is one element in this story that is just the absolute WORST. There is an object, a talisman, which is used as a sort of vehicle for this malevolent force to move around with. LOL! Come on Ross, you just had to make it THIS particular object....I mean, it's funny, I have to admit.
I love the nods the author gave to other indie/self pub authors in the genre. I got so excited every time I recognized an author name I love and titles of their books I've read and loved. That was such a heartwarming touch. It was the ONLY heartwarming touch. This story is very, very dark. If you are not someone who reads horror normally, this is not the book I would recommend you start with. This sucker is definitely written for us avid horror readers.
The spelling choices used for words and dashes in words to show additional syllables to show deep Southern dialect in print were ones I'd never seen before, several of them took me a while to figure out what they were supposed to be. I know I speak this dialect - but I don't write the way I speak and trying to read it interrupts my immersion into the story. Instead of "Ah wish you'd call them bah their prison name," I would much rather see "I wish you'd call them by their prison name," said the Warden, his thick Southern accent making his "I" sound like "ah". Something like that, and then let me as the reader do the rest.
Tome is the prequel in the Juniper series by Ross Jeffery. Even though it's the prequel, if you have not yet read Juniper, I would highly recommend starting with Juniper first. Juniper did a fantastic job setting the stage for Tome in how the jail, Juniper Correctional, was portrayed.
Tome is definitely a much darker and frightening tale in this series and I am very excited to see how it ends when the third book is released. This story focuses on the inmates of Juniper Correctional and the extremely corrupt warden and several of the guards. The living conditions and treatment of the inmates is abysmal. The worst part - there is something even more corrupt and abusive in the jail that is slowly making its rounds and causing madness, eventually ending in horrible deaths. Because of the high number of deaths, U.S. Marshals are sent to investigate and the dance begins as all parties involved try to avoid detection, shift blame and carry out their own agenda.
As a book lover, there is one element in this story that is just the absolute WORST. There is an object, a talisman, which is used as a sort of vehicle for this malevolent force to move around with. LOL! Come on Ross, you just had to make it THIS particular object....I mean, it's funny, I have to admit.
I love the nods the author gave to other indie/self pub authors in the genre. I got so excited every time I recognized an author name I love and titles of their books I've read and loved. That was such a heartwarming touch. It was the ONLY heartwarming touch. This story is very, very dark. If you are not someone who reads horror normally, this is not the book I would recommend you start with. This sucker is definitely written for us avid horror readers.
The spelling choices used for words and dashes in words to show additional syllables to show deep Southern dialect in print were ones I'd never seen before, several of them took me a while to figure out what they were supposed to be. I know I speak this dialect - but I don't write the way I speak and trying to read it interrupts my immersion into the story. Instead of "Ah wish you'd call them bah their prison name," I would much rather see "I wish you'd call them by their prison name," said the Warden, his thick Southern accent making his "I" sound like "ah". Something like that, and then let me as the reader do the rest.
July 10, 2021
Before the burning sun of Juniper there fell the pouring rain of Tome.
Are you ready to drown…
…in blood?
You just know you’ve got something special when the writer hits you with a description of a caved-in face that you wish you’d thought of first!
Something has set to work dispatching the jailbirds of Juniper. The guy who runs the joint is no help. So it looks like it’s up to one man, Frank Whitten. And he’s not a morning person!
While Tome certainly is wonderfully gory, I found my stomach turning at smaller gross-out moments, such as the delightful way in which Ross describes an inmate’s mucus. That said, tread lightly food lovers as you may never look at certain grub the same way again…
The residents of Juniper Correctional are a hellish bunch. Especially appearance-wise, as the picture Ross paints of them can be both terrifying and grotesque. Still as frightening as all these creatures sound, true ugliness comes from within.
This is why I was not exactly thrilled to see a particular familiar face again, Klein the wife-beater. From the first mention of his name I found myself counting down the moments until he endured some form gloriously fitting comeuppance for his cowardly ways.
One of my favourite chapters is actually one of the more suspenseful moments, which takes place in character Fleming’s car. So well-written with some creepy moments where Ross’ use of light and shadow / voids put me in mind of Dario Argento’s Suspiria.
Fleming’s ever-worsening journey beyond this sequence continued to be hands-down the absolute main highlight of the story for me. The office attack being another peak moment in my mind.
Truth be told, I also had the occasional visceral reaction to sections of Tome. The written word is a powerful thing, and I imagine being locked in a prison cell would give me the most overwhelming feeling of claustrophobia. So all the nasty stuff ironically came as quite the relief.
Ross Jeffery’s Bram Stoker nominated Tome is brilliant. It’s gruesome. I feel I could recommend it to anyone because of how amazing Ross’ writing is. I find in cases like this, quality transcends genre preference. If I could give it a 6, I would. Can I do that? Anyone?
Are you ready to drown…
…in blood?
You just know you’ve got something special when the writer hits you with a description of a caved-in face that you wish you’d thought of first!
Something has set to work dispatching the jailbirds of Juniper. The guy who runs the joint is no help. So it looks like it’s up to one man, Frank Whitten. And he’s not a morning person!
While Tome certainly is wonderfully gory, I found my stomach turning at smaller gross-out moments, such as the delightful way in which Ross describes an inmate’s mucus. That said, tread lightly food lovers as you may never look at certain grub the same way again…
The residents of Juniper Correctional are a hellish bunch. Especially appearance-wise, as the picture Ross paints of them can be both terrifying and grotesque. Still as frightening as all these creatures sound, true ugliness comes from within.
This is why I was not exactly thrilled to see a particular familiar face again, Klein the wife-beater. From the first mention of his name I found myself counting down the moments until he endured some form gloriously fitting comeuppance for his cowardly ways.
One of my favourite chapters is actually one of the more suspenseful moments, which takes place in character Fleming’s car. So well-written with some creepy moments where Ross’ use of light and shadow / voids put me in mind of Dario Argento’s Suspiria.
Fleming’s ever-worsening journey beyond this sequence continued to be hands-down the absolute main highlight of the story for me. The office attack being another peak moment in my mind.
Truth be told, I also had the occasional visceral reaction to sections of Tome. The written word is a powerful thing, and I imagine being locked in a prison cell would give me the most overwhelming feeling of claustrophobia. So all the nasty stuff ironically came as quite the relief.
Ross Jeffery’s Bram Stoker nominated Tome is brilliant. It’s gruesome. I feel I could recommend it to anyone because of how amazing Ross’ writing is. I find in cases like this, quality transcends genre preference. If I could give it a 6, I would. Can I do that? Anyone?
August 5, 2023
I can not praise this book enough, it has all the right ingredients to make an evil, uncomfortable book.
The story is so dark and foreboding, creating a mood that is just as much of a character as any of the people are. The atmosphere crushes any happiness leaving a worrisome disconcerting feeling.
Tome is a supernatural story about a haunted/possessed artifact in a prison. It is a evil vs. good story and there is so much evil compared to the small shining light of good. It is such a well crafted story, really gets its hooks into you and drags you along as you scream for sunshine and fresh air.
Reading Tome is like watching a horror movie without any soundtrack. It is unnerving. It feels wrong. However with Tome, occasionally someone hammers down on a piano key and holds it there. High note, low note, it doesn’t make a difference, all that matters is there is no warning and how the note (words) reverberate through your body leaving you shaking.
Welcome to Juniper Corrections, welcome to Tome.
I just want to add that Ross Jeffery has included nods to indie authors Michael Clark, Gemma Amor, Laurel Hightower, and Joshua Marcella by either naming them or their book titles in the prison library. I love the support the horror community has for each other.
The story is so dark and foreboding, creating a mood that is just as much of a character as any of the people are. The atmosphere crushes any happiness leaving a worrisome disconcerting feeling.
Tome is a supernatural story about a haunted/possessed artifact in a prison. It is a evil vs. good story and there is so much evil compared to the small shining light of good. It is such a well crafted story, really gets its hooks into you and drags you along as you scream for sunshine and fresh air.
Reading Tome is like watching a horror movie without any soundtrack. It is unnerving. It feels wrong. However with Tome, occasionally someone hammers down on a piano key and holds it there. High note, low note, it doesn’t make a difference, all that matters is there is no warning and how the note (words) reverberate through your body leaving you shaking.
Welcome to Juniper Corrections, welcome to Tome.
I just want to add that Ross Jeffery has included nods to indie authors Michael Clark, Gemma Amor, Laurel Hightower, and Joshua Marcella by either naming them or their book titles in the prison library. I love the support the horror community has for each other.
October 24, 2021
Welcome to Juniper Correctional. For those of you who are first time offenders exit left and receive your complimentary copy of Juniper. Repeat offenders exit right where you will be processed and given your mandatory reading material, a copy of Tome.
Evil lurks within the walls of the JC facility. A battle of intense good vs evil. As evil is prevailing Federal Marshals show up to investigate an uprise in suicides among the prisoners.
Intense, engrossing, a sit on the edge of your seat, cringeworthy horror novel!
Ross Jeffery just became an auto buy Author for me!
"Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always"
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing"
-Edmund Burke-
(The Author's Afterward is fantastic!)
@rossjeffery
#rossjeffery
Evil lurks within the walls of the JC facility. A battle of intense good vs evil. As evil is prevailing Federal Marshals show up to investigate an uprise in suicides among the prisoners.
Intense, engrossing, a sit on the edge of your seat, cringeworthy horror novel!
Ross Jeffery just became an auto buy Author for me!
"Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always"
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing"
-Edmund Burke-
(The Author's Afterward is fantastic!)
@rossjeffery
#rossjeffery
March 10, 2021
'You don't have to be a building to be haunted...' this idea has stuck with me. So too has Jeffery's metaphor regarding the power of books. This book is full of gristly horror, some truly disgusting and horrifying scenes, but also deep questions and wisdom that will keep me pondering for a long time. I look forward to more from Jeffery.
February 28, 2022
If you like reading you should read Juniper/Tome. If you like horror you should be required to read Juniper/Tome. More please! 📖 📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖
November 7, 2020
Ross Jeffery brings us another exciting entry into the Juniper universe with his latest release, TOME.
The events taking place in TOME are all before disasters we read about in Juniper.
Tome is dark. There really isn’t any other way to put it. The sun doesn’t rise once in Tome. The rain is non-stop, and you get the feeling of just how depressing this no-nothing shit-town USA really is.
Most of Tome takes place within the confines of the Juniper Correctional Facility. This facility houses some of the most nastiest deplorable human beings to ever of walked the face of the Earth. Jeffery perfectly paints the traits and characteristics of not only the low-life inmates, but the crooked dirty prison guards.
Warning: The language used in Tome deserves a big giant kick in the teeth. It’s not pretty boys and girls. But then again, this is taking place in lockdown. This is taking place in Prison.
Did I mention the rain?
The prison is ran by the corrupt Chief Warden, Fleming, who will do anything to cover up the real reason for the number of the deaths taking place behind bars. This includes setting up the one and only do-gooder in most of Juniper, top guard Frank.
Mix in 3 big shot Marshalls sent to investigate, along with the cringy dark brooding evil that is lurking these Prison halls, and you have yourself one hell of a ride that seems to be the brain child of King and Barker with a smidge of Lovecraft sprinkled on top for extra flavor.
Fans of Juniper that were left wanting something more complete will be happy at the vast improvement in the maturity of the writing in Tome. Jeffery has taken a huge step up in presenting the perfectly placed descriptive sceneries throughout Tome. Completed with more depth and a smoother pace, Tome is a home run when it comes to the eeriness capable of making every hair on your body stand straight.
Tome appears to be the work of a seasoned writer who has been in the game a long time. This has a nice coat of fresh polish, making a story so dreary to shine from being perfectly written.
This book is genuinely creepy and scary, and will constantly make you look over your shoulder, or start to question dark spots in your room late at night. This is a showcase of the raw existence of life in prison with evil lurking around every corner.
I’m doing something with this book I don’t normally do, and I don’t have a history of doing. I am able to say right now, without any shadow of a doubt, this is a 5 star read for me.
Now stop reading this review and crack open your copy of Tome. You have a lot of work to do.
The events taking place in TOME are all before disasters we read about in Juniper.
Tome is dark. There really isn’t any other way to put it. The sun doesn’t rise once in Tome. The rain is non-stop, and you get the feeling of just how depressing this no-nothing shit-town USA really is.
Most of Tome takes place within the confines of the Juniper Correctional Facility. This facility houses some of the most nastiest deplorable human beings to ever of walked the face of the Earth. Jeffery perfectly paints the traits and characteristics of not only the low-life inmates, but the crooked dirty prison guards.
Warning: The language used in Tome deserves a big giant kick in the teeth. It’s not pretty boys and girls. But then again, this is taking place in lockdown. This is taking place in Prison.
Did I mention the rain?
The prison is ran by the corrupt Chief Warden, Fleming, who will do anything to cover up the real reason for the number of the deaths taking place behind bars. This includes setting up the one and only do-gooder in most of Juniper, top guard Frank.
Mix in 3 big shot Marshalls sent to investigate, along with the cringy dark brooding evil that is lurking these Prison halls, and you have yourself one hell of a ride that seems to be the brain child of King and Barker with a smidge of Lovecraft sprinkled on top for extra flavor.
Fans of Juniper that were left wanting something more complete will be happy at the vast improvement in the maturity of the writing in Tome. Jeffery has taken a huge step up in presenting the perfectly placed descriptive sceneries throughout Tome. Completed with more depth and a smoother pace, Tome is a home run when it comes to the eeriness capable of making every hair on your body stand straight.
Tome appears to be the work of a seasoned writer who has been in the game a long time. This has a nice coat of fresh polish, making a story so dreary to shine from being perfectly written.
This book is genuinely creepy and scary, and will constantly make you look over your shoulder, or start to question dark spots in your room late at night. This is a showcase of the raw existence of life in prison with evil lurking around every corner.
I’m doing something with this book I don’t normally do, and I don’t have a history of doing. I am able to say right now, without any shadow of a doubt, this is a 5 star read for me.
Now stop reading this review and crack open your copy of Tome. You have a lot of work to do.
February 8, 2021
Bleak, discomforting, gruesome, dark. Usually these aren't the kind of adjectives I associate with a great read, but 'Tome' isn't your usual book. Taking things up a notch from the equally gripping 'Juniper', Ross Jeffery excels here in a new corner of town, a prison right out of your worst nightmares.
While 'Juniper' and 'Tethered' were both great showcases for Jeffery's excellent writing, you feel that he's really reached a new level here. The claustrophobic setting, with its cast of diabolical characters and a series of gory scenes, is a perfect playground for Jeffery's vivid descriptions and masterful tension building.
This won't be an easy read for some people - there's racism, violence against women, not to mention several scenes of horrific gore - but, as with 'Juniper', there are characters to root for, and Jeffery never loses sight of humanity. Beneath all the darkness and despair and sobering reminders of the worst aspects of today's society, there are rays of light and moments that are genuinely touching.
The Juniper series had an excellent start, and things have just gotten even more interesting. Gripping.
While 'Juniper' and 'Tethered' were both great showcases for Jeffery's excellent writing, you feel that he's really reached a new level here. The claustrophobic setting, with its cast of diabolical characters and a series of gory scenes, is a perfect playground for Jeffery's vivid descriptions and masterful tension building.
This won't be an easy read for some people - there's racism, violence against women, not to mention several scenes of horrific gore - but, as with 'Juniper', there are characters to root for, and Jeffery never loses sight of humanity. Beneath all the darkness and despair and sobering reminders of the worst aspects of today's society, there are rays of light and moments that are genuinely touching.
The Juniper series had an excellent start, and things have just gotten even more interesting. Gripping.
December 8, 2020
Fans of Stephen King, Ray Bradbury and even Lovecraft will get a real kick out of Jeffery's follow up to his debut novella, Juniper. Tome is set within the correctional facility of Juniper, and is a prequel to that macabre piece of literature. The great thing about Tome is that you don't need to have read Juniper in order to understand the story arc of Tome - think about it as more of a spinoff to the story of Juniper rather than a direct prequel. There are a few characters that turn up in Juniper, and with Tome you get more of a fleshed out understanding of their plight.
If you're in the mood for a Shawshank Redemption/GreenMile/Fellside narration, then Tome has just what you need. Vivid characters, a gothic setting, pacing that demands you turn the page, Ross Jeffery has encapsulated all these elements into a digestible suspense story that will keep you reading long into the night. There's a definite Good Vs. Evil vibe going on here, one that is reminiscent of 80's horror films and stories.
Without giving too much of the storyline away, Juniper prison has seen an increasing number of unexplained violent deaths and suicides that leave Frank, the main protagonist and prison guard, Chief Warden Fleming and a couple of US Marshals investigating the cases, baffled. What seemingly starts out as a thriller soon turns supernatural however with an element of Lovecraft that is deftly handled.
Jeffery explores bigoted opinions of the South, unexplainable terror and the fear of one's past catching up with them, and the great thing about his writing is that he doesn't waffle and bog down the narrative with extraneous descriptions. Just like a Lee Child Jack Reacher novel, every word counts and is used dexterously.
There was one particular 'twist' that I saw coming from early on, but that didn't impede my enjoyment of the novel - Ross Jeffery has created a modern adaptation of the Good Vs. Evil trope, exploring many elements of the horror genre including some outlandish gory scenes, psychological power plays and nail biting anxiety. Grab yourself a copy and get into the mythos of Juniper before it's made into a film.
If you're in the mood for a Shawshank Redemption/GreenMile/Fellside narration, then Tome has just what you need. Vivid characters, a gothic setting, pacing that demands you turn the page, Ross Jeffery has encapsulated all these elements into a digestible suspense story that will keep you reading long into the night. There's a definite Good Vs. Evil vibe going on here, one that is reminiscent of 80's horror films and stories.
Without giving too much of the storyline away, Juniper prison has seen an increasing number of unexplained violent deaths and suicides that leave Frank, the main protagonist and prison guard, Chief Warden Fleming and a couple of US Marshals investigating the cases, baffled. What seemingly starts out as a thriller soon turns supernatural however with an element of Lovecraft that is deftly handled.
Jeffery explores bigoted opinions of the South, unexplainable terror and the fear of one's past catching up with them, and the great thing about his writing is that he doesn't waffle and bog down the narrative with extraneous descriptions. Just like a Lee Child Jack Reacher novel, every word counts and is used dexterously.
There was one particular 'twist' that I saw coming from early on, but that didn't impede my enjoyment of the novel - Ross Jeffery has created a modern adaptation of the Good Vs. Evil trope, exploring many elements of the horror genre including some outlandish gory scenes, psychological power plays and nail biting anxiety. Grab yourself a copy and get into the mythos of Juniper before it's made into a film.
January 30, 2022
Juniper was a fitting introduction to this small town, brief yet properly horrifying. It's Tome, however, that cements Ross Jeffery as an integral part of the horror genre.
While the town's prison was referenced in book one, it takes center stage in this one. Jeffery spotlights the 3 R's one expects in any prison story, especially one based in horror: racism, relationships, and revenge. Juniper Correctional is a truly awful place populated by truly awful people. Some readers may be inclined to argue that a story needs likable characters, but Jeffery seems to settle on a mantra that compelling works better than saccharine. Not everyone here is despicable, but it does seem to be the exception rather than the rule.
Where Tome shines and sets itself a leap forward for the author is in its clarity and voice. Juniper reads like a talented author with a bucket full of ideas teaching himself how to tell a story. Despite the fact that these books were written back-to-back, Tome reads an author who understands their strengths and plays to them. With such a quick and natural progression, the sky seems the limit for Ross Jeffery.
While the town's prison was referenced in book one, it takes center stage in this one. Jeffery spotlights the 3 R's one expects in any prison story, especially one based in horror: racism, relationships, and revenge. Juniper Correctional is a truly awful place populated by truly awful people. Some readers may be inclined to argue that a story needs likable characters, but Jeffery seems to settle on a mantra that compelling works better than saccharine. Not everyone here is despicable, but it does seem to be the exception rather than the rule.
Where Tome shines and sets itself a leap forward for the author is in its clarity and voice. Juniper reads like a talented author with a bucket full of ideas teaching himself how to tell a story. Despite the fact that these books were written back-to-back, Tome reads an author who understands their strengths and plays to them. With such a quick and natural progression, the sky seems the limit for Ross Jeffery.
January 11, 2021
This book is set in the "Juniper" universe but is a completely different story. You don't have to read "Juniper" first (but you'll want to later). I liked this one better because it's a prison story and I love prison stories-what a perfect backdrop for horror. Juniper is a novella but Tome is a complete novel and Jeffery had more space to develop his characters, and there are several in this book you will remember for a long time. I don't want it to sound like I'm comparing the two however--they fit together like puzzle pieces and complement each other nicely. Jeffery surprised me the first time around with his graphic descriptions and even a nearly imperceptible twist (I missed it until someone pointed it out to me) so I was ready this time around--and I found myself SMILING as he pulled me through each grisly morsel word by word. FIVE STARS.
March 18, 2021
This is a dark & greasy book. A real page-turner as if the book wants you to read it, lures you to read it.
It's also a smart book. Connections that enriches the Juniper universe, hidden easter eggs to open doors to find other gems in the horror genre and, as mentioned above, the magic of page-turning etc.
This is not a great book. It's a frikkin gold nugget that we all need to tell the world about.
It's also a smart book. Connections that enriches the Juniper universe, hidden easter eggs to open doors to find other gems in the horror genre and, as mentioned above, the magic of page-turning etc.
This is not a great book. It's a frikkin gold nugget that we all need to tell the world about.
November 14, 2020
Juniper was a dark read that I loved immensely.
Tome is Juniper turned up to 11.
I love picking up a book and not knowing where the tale may take me.
This took me to a prison in a town being drowned by relentless rain. The characters I met were scarred, broken, twisted, or just plain evil. The Lovecraftian vibe throughout was deliciously dark.
Blimey, this was an effing good book.
Can’t wait for the next chapter.
Tome is Juniper turned up to 11.
I love picking up a book and not knowing where the tale may take me.
This took me to a prison in a town being drowned by relentless rain. The characters I met were scarred, broken, twisted, or just plain evil. The Lovecraftian vibe throughout was deliciously dark.
Blimey, this was an effing good book.
Can’t wait for the next chapter.
January 5, 2021
2.5
If you like Stephen King, you’ll enjoy this. The cover and the glowing five star reviews had me expecting something a little more fresh than a tribute to the King.
If you like Stephen King, you’ll enjoy this. The cover and the glowing five star reviews had me expecting something a little more fresh than a tribute to the King.
October 30, 2022
When it comes down to it, this is not really a book that I can recommend. And I guess in a sense, that is my compliment to the author. About once a year, around this time of season, I pick a book from a stack of horror novels that a friend offloaded to me. He is very much a horror enthusiast and I would say I am just a dabbler. But I like to wander into "wtf territory" every now and then and there's no question this book fits that category. Tome is full of disgusting, vile, racist, characters inhabiting a deplorable and corrupted prison called Juniper Correctional where evil forces are running rampant. The gore is graphically depicted and the crimes and behavior of the inmates and staff (except for Frank!) made me cringe - another backwards compliment of good writing based on my reaction to it. This whole book is UGLY but if you actually like true horror, you may like this.
PS - I appreciated the afterword by the author and his thought process behind developing the book.
PS - I appreciated the afterword by the author and his thought process behind developing the book.
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