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Only the Stains Remain
From the Bram Stoker Nominated Author Ross Jeffery comes a new nightmare.
Only The Stains Remain is the haunting story of Jude and Kyle, two brothers whose lives are destroyed when, following the death of their mother, their three abusive uncles Dwight, Lucius, and Lenny move in to the family home. But whilst Jude suffers to a degree, Kyle is the one who takes the brunt of their attention, submitting himself to preserve his younger brother’s innocence.
As a grown man, Jude’s mind turns to vengeance for what they have endured. He has waited a long time, but now he is strong enough, and cold-hearted enough, to do the deed. Enacting one harrowing revenge after another, Jude’s dark quest to punish the wrongs of the past will show that after all is said and done, only the stains of the past will remain.
Only The Stains Remain is the haunting story of Jude and Kyle, two brothers whose lives are destroyed when, following the death of their mother, their three abusive uncles Dwight, Lucius, and Lenny move in to the family home. But whilst Jude suffers to a degree, Kyle is the one who takes the brunt of their attention, submitting himself to preserve his younger brother’s innocence.
As a grown man, Jude’s mind turns to vengeance for what they have endured. He has waited a long time, but now he is strong enough, and cold-hearted enough, to do the deed. Enacting one harrowing revenge after another, Jude’s dark quest to punish the wrongs of the past will show that after all is said and done, only the stains of the past will remain.
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 20, 2021
218 people are currently reading
6299 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 419 reviews
March 8, 2025
I’m on the fence about this book. Was the writing done well? Yes. Was it a powerful story? Absolutely. Did I feel like it had the full impact that the content should have had? Not really. I can’t necessarily put my finger on it, but I think that I just needed this to go deeper into the psychology of the abusive uncles and Jude/Kyle’s father. I understand that they were all described as these horribly abusive, angry, and awful human beings. And the things that they did to those boys was gagworthy, but I wanted to know more about their ‘why.’ The bond of the brothers, Jude’s lingering anger and eventual revenge, etc was all superb, but the antagonists here just didn’t feel up to snuff to me. This was a very short read, and I tend to always say the same thing with most books of this mold, which is ‘I wanted more.’ The story was a little confusing at certain moments with the jumping back and forth between past and present, which could have been more clear. But again, this was done fairly well, and I really appreciated how gently some of the abuse was handled, which was something I struggled with in my Preternatural trilogy. It almost takes more skill to let the reader figure out some of the more intimate details, instead of just putting it all out there. So trigger warnings beware on this one.
May 4, 2022
Phenomenal!
I want to start this review by saying that Ross Jeffery is a phenomenal author! This book was torturous, heartbreaking, but written so beautifully that it was almost like poetry. This story broke my heart into a million little pieces, and is one of the saddest and best books that I’ve ever read, up there with The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, and Beneath Still Waters by Elizabeth Bedlam. This was about the loss of a childhood of two innocent brothers, who lost their mother to cancer, only to then be sexually, physically and mentally abused by their uncles. This was at times difficult to read as my eyes were shedding so many tears for these two young brothers who had a deep, unconditional love for each other, throughout, despite all they were going through. I highly recommend this to EVERYONE, but ensure you have a box of tissues, to hand, because even the hardest of hearts will be shattered. This has to have a 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating, but deserves so much more!!
I want to start this review by saying that Ross Jeffery is a phenomenal author! This book was torturous, heartbreaking, but written so beautifully that it was almost like poetry. This story broke my heart into a million little pieces, and is one of the saddest and best books that I’ve ever read, up there with The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, and Beneath Still Waters by Elizabeth Bedlam. This was about the loss of a childhood of two innocent brothers, who lost their mother to cancer, only to then be sexually, physically and mentally abused by their uncles. This was at times difficult to read as my eyes were shedding so many tears for these two young brothers who had a deep, unconditional love for each other, throughout, despite all they were going through. I highly recommend this to EVERYONE, but ensure you have a box of tissues, to hand, because even the hardest of hearts will be shattered. This has to have a 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating, but deserves so much more!!
October 24, 2023
To kill a monster, you have to become a monster.
I have a friend, Narin, that I love to bits, and every time someone's talking about how they're pacifists and against violence, she refreshingly goes “Not me, I'm plenty for violence!” Well, I thought of her a lot while reading Only the Stains Remain because there's nothing but brutal, painful, revengeful violence you wish for certain people,
The story is obviously about a heavy subject matter, and is accordingly sad. Although well-written, especially initially, later in the book the sad writing tends to turn a little artificial, almost histrionic, which honestly kept me from being invested.
I've read this with the lovely extreme gore whores 🖤
I have a friend, Narin, that I love to bits, and every time someone's talking about how they're pacifists and against violence, she refreshingly goes “Not me, I'm plenty for violence!” Well, I thought of her a lot while reading Only the Stains Remain because there's nothing but brutal, painful, revengeful violence you wish for certain people,
The story is obviously about a heavy subject matter, and is accordingly sad. Although well-written, especially initially, later in the book the sad writing tends to turn a little artificial, almost histrionic, which honestly kept me from being invested.
I've read this with the lovely extreme gore whores 🖤
October 11, 2021
This is a tough read, bordering extreme horror but without the graphic detail, still giving you that I-need-to-shower-now feeling after you've read it. It's I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE with boys, maintaining the grit and grime but done with intelligence, heart, and without exploitation. If you're into revenge reads, this is 100% for you.
January 7, 2023
Damn. A bleak, emotional, Jack Ketchum-esq revenge story that I read in a single sitting. Hits like a truck.
July 4, 2022
Heartbreaking.
A story of two brothers dealing with loss, abuse, revenge, and atonement.
A story of two brothers dealing with loss, abuse, revenge, and atonement.
Read
July 11, 2021DNF at 15% really intense child abuse leading to possible death? My heart just didn’t feel like going through it. The writing is totally there, the problem is me—I nope right out of movies, books, and true crime stuff if child abuse is like the main thing.
October 24, 2023
Heartbreaking!
Only The Stains Remain by Ross Jeffrey is a beautifully written tragic story of abuse and revenge.
It's the story of two brothers tortured by those who should have taken care of them.
This story is heartbreaking and brutal.
I recommend it!
Only The Stains Remain by Ross Jeffrey is a beautifully written tragic story of abuse and revenge.
It's the story of two brothers tortured by those who should have taken care of them.
This story is heartbreaking and brutal.
I recommend it!
July 25, 2021
Woah. An intense and powerful tale of abuse and revenge. Exceptionally well written, brutal and gut wrenching. This book will stay with me for a very long time.
July 14, 2021
Have you ever had a stain that you’ve tried to remove? Maybe you got spaghetti sauce on your favorite shirt, or your kid spilled grape juice on the carpet. Stains are nearly impossible to get rid of completely. You scrub and wash, and rinse and repeat and maybe most of the stain disappears, but there is almost always that faint shadow, that lingering bit of residue that reminds you of the stain that once was. Now imagine how hard it would be to remove a stain that is more than surface level, something more than skin deep. A mental stain that has seeped and soaked into one's very being, into the essence that makes them who they are. Like a single drop of blood in a glass of water, it spreads and taints the entire body. Those stains are forever. They may fade and ease with time, but those stains will always remain.
ONLY THE STAINS REMAIN by Ross Jeffery is a hauntingly perfect example of the horror that I am most drawn to, that real life human horror. The things that actually can and unfortunately do happen. The believability of human horror is something that resonates with me far more than any vampire or werewolf or cosmic entity ever will. It is human nature to be cruel, whether with our cutting words or our violent actions. We as humans seem to take a sick sort of pleasure in inflicting pain upon others, intentionally or not. The human monsters are the most terrifying monsters of all.
This is a story about that cruelty, about that pain and how those scars are forever. There are no creatures hiding beneath the bed, nothing creeping out from the shadows of the closet. The monsters here are those wrapped in human flesh. They don’t possess sharp fangs or have razor sharp claws, no, the weapons they brandish are lit cigarettes, empty whiskey bottles, belts, and late night visits.
Kyle and Jude are brothers. Two young boys whose cancer riddled mother is their last line of defense against the harshness of life, the dam holding the darkness at bay. For in that darkness monsters lurk waiting to feast upon the souls of the innocent. When the brother’s mom passes away that final thin barrier of protection crumbles allowing the incoming tide of darkness to flood in bringing those monsters with it.
Those who are supposed to look after Kyle and Jude, be their protectors and guardians, are those who betray that trust, who destroy that sacred sanctuary of family. The boy’s own father throws Kyle and Jude by his neglectful drunken inaction to the circling and hungry wolves that are their uncles. Through fear, intimidation, control, and neglect these men carry out their vile abuses on the young boys. Each scar, each touch, each whispered threat slowly staining any sliver of hope the boys may have left until they are hollowed out. A husk of their former selves. Utterly alone even when surrounded by so called family.
The tragedy that is ONLY THE STAINS REMAIN by Ross Jeffery isn’t a sprint. It is not something that is over within the blink of an eye. It is an arduous journey, a gut-wrenching marathon of trauma, pain, torture, and regret. It is the violation of innocence, of childhoods tarnished and ripped away, of once happy memories curdling like soured milk. Dig deep down beneath all of the blood, sweat, and tears and you’ll find that this is also a story of love, an unbreakable brotherly bond stronger than anything that could hope to shatter it. Of seeking retribution no matter the cost and keeping promises to those who matter most. “Because when all is said and done, when we look back on our lives, the truth is that only the stains remain.”
I received an ARC from the publisher for review consideration.
Video review: https://youtu.be/aWeN4TvgmS4
ONLY THE STAINS REMAIN by Ross Jeffery is a hauntingly perfect example of the horror that I am most drawn to, that real life human horror. The things that actually can and unfortunately do happen. The believability of human horror is something that resonates with me far more than any vampire or werewolf or cosmic entity ever will. It is human nature to be cruel, whether with our cutting words or our violent actions. We as humans seem to take a sick sort of pleasure in inflicting pain upon others, intentionally or not. The human monsters are the most terrifying monsters of all.
This is a story about that cruelty, about that pain and how those scars are forever. There are no creatures hiding beneath the bed, nothing creeping out from the shadows of the closet. The monsters here are those wrapped in human flesh. They don’t possess sharp fangs or have razor sharp claws, no, the weapons they brandish are lit cigarettes, empty whiskey bottles, belts, and late night visits.
Kyle and Jude are brothers. Two young boys whose cancer riddled mother is their last line of defense against the harshness of life, the dam holding the darkness at bay. For in that darkness monsters lurk waiting to feast upon the souls of the innocent. When the brother’s mom passes away that final thin barrier of protection crumbles allowing the incoming tide of darkness to flood in bringing those monsters with it.
Those who are supposed to look after Kyle and Jude, be their protectors and guardians, are those who betray that trust, who destroy that sacred sanctuary of family. The boy’s own father throws Kyle and Jude by his neglectful drunken inaction to the circling and hungry wolves that are their uncles. Through fear, intimidation, control, and neglect these men carry out their vile abuses on the young boys. Each scar, each touch, each whispered threat slowly staining any sliver of hope the boys may have left until they are hollowed out. A husk of their former selves. Utterly alone even when surrounded by so called family.
The tragedy that is ONLY THE STAINS REMAIN by Ross Jeffery isn’t a sprint. It is not something that is over within the blink of an eye. It is an arduous journey, a gut-wrenching marathon of trauma, pain, torture, and regret. It is the violation of innocence, of childhoods tarnished and ripped away, of once happy memories curdling like soured milk. Dig deep down beneath all of the blood, sweat, and tears and you’ll find that this is also a story of love, an unbreakable brotherly bond stronger than anything that could hope to shatter it. Of seeking retribution no matter the cost and keeping promises to those who matter most. “Because when all is said and done, when we look back on our lives, the truth is that only the stains remain.”
I received an ARC from the publisher for review consideration.
Video review: https://youtu.be/aWeN4TvgmS4
February 21, 2024
ONLY THE STAINS REMAIN [2021] By ROSS JEFFERY
My Review 4.0 Stars
The author separated the book into chapters, and the first one is entitled:
CHAPTER 1 ZIPS AND BELT BUCKLES
“In the summer of ’82, I found out what it took to kill a child.”
This short novel is about physical cruelty and incestuous sexual child abuse that was levied against two brothers following the death of their mother. The story of their physical abuse and sexual violations are recounted by Jude, the younger of the two boys.
The story pulled me in from the first sentence, and the riveting narrative is also beautifully written. Jude relates the events of the night back in the summer of ’82 when their father and uncles descended upon the small house and “decided to show me just what it takes to kill a child”.
“What I didn’t realize at the time, was that child was me.”
There is a seamless fast-forward in time wherein Jude is relating what he is visualizing and doing as an adult man in the woods surrounding their house. Jude arrives at the lake and is scaling down the embankment packing a heavy rucksack. He ruminates about how he had forgotten how beautiful it was at the water line “an oasis of calm” only a few miles from the campsite “where our childhoods were erased by calloused hands and cruel intentions.”
Jude reflects on the past and recalls the woods he knows so intimately as his and Kyle’s sanctuary back in the summer of ’82. “…it was a place to hide from the monsters that plagued us at night and disguised themselves as family.”
The man Jude grew up to be laments the fact that the “weeds of the mind are as persistent as cancer and twice as deadly. They choke the life out of anything I dare to plant in that tainted soil, even dreams of a future ad the desire to move on.”
It is obvious that Jude is a haunted man on a mission and at one point he rolls his sleeves up. His right arm “shimmers in the sun like a fish’s scales, silvery scars mar(ring) the flesh in concentric circles weaving their way up and around my arm from wrist to elbow…” raised and puckered, smeared into each other in places where the skin melted and blisters burst…” Jude remembers all of the glowing hot embers held to his flesh to seal his silence.
The adult man named Jude filled his thoughts with memories of their mother in late ’81 when the cancer had wasted her and when he and Kyle both knew that the end was near for her. There was the sad memory of the Polaroid Photo that Mum had insisted upon, a last picture of her with her two sons. Jude remembered overhearing her tell their Dad (In pleading, sobbing whispers, to look after us and to keep us safe).
He and Kyle had quizzed her about the reasons why that their uncles never visited them, and only sent token gifts at Christmas and birthdays. Jude realized that she never answered their questions but rather would start talking in a disjointed train of thought. She talked about her own past as “a huge ruddy stain.” Jude remembered when their mother had grown weaker, she worried about leaving her boys alone. Jude’s memories reveal that his mother knew that these stains she’d worried about would “return like black mold in a damp bathroom” …and “That stain…would eventually bleed through the very fabric of our lives and taint everything-even our souls.”
Jude recalls that their mother’s grave had not had a chance to settle before the uncles descended like vultures to pick over their sister’s meagre possessions. Their father for all intent and purposes was fueled by his intake of whiskey and any part of him who recognized right from wrong faded away like the memory of his wife.
He remembers how his brother shielded him from countless hurtful blows and acted as a shield to protect his younger self from the physical violence and the emotional abuse the uncles loved to dole out. The “late night visits” started a few months after their mother’s death. Kyle sacrificed himself when the uncles were hesitating at their door. Jude reflects that he has had many years to process what happened that night, and it was clear they were just hesitating to decide which boy…and Kyle made that decision for them that night.
“The horrors of that night play over in my mind like a song on repeat, an aching lament of a childhood destroyed in an instant.” ….” In that moment where my brother lost his childhood, I remained silent. I remained as silent as God remained aloof. I imagined God sickened by his creation…”
Jude relates that it was shortly after his mother died that his brother Kyle found his way into the ground too. He reflects that they laid them to rest under the weeping willow where Jude sat now, waiting.
It is at this juncture that Jude thinks to himself that he rid this weight that has been crushing (him) each day” ….” because I am judgement, I am hurt, I am pain, I am retribution.”
PART 2 THE BURNING OF STAINED TEETH
The survivor Jude is still in the woods, reminiscing on something his mother told him about the nature of God and men. “God loved birds and made trees, but man loved birds and made cages.” Jude spends an appropriate amount of time reinforcing to himself that he and Kyle could never have gotten away back then.
Jude begins a long narrative about Uncle Lenny and his 11th Birthday. Lenny was a remorseless sadist and interestingly not even blood kin.
“We always knew that Lenny was a vicious sonofabitch, that his cheese had slid well and truly off his cracker.”
There were more horrors for Jude to relive in his mind…his victimization and threats from Dwight, the animal abuse that he could not escape.
PART 3 THE BARN, BLADE, AND BARBED WIRE
“With each passing offering I grow closer to the discovery that’s sheltered and nestled deep within---the filthy secret and stain that remains. The secret of what it truly took to kill a child.”
Jude opens the barn door and “As the door comes to rest, and the light of the day illuminates what’s within, I stare at the horrors on display. With an aching torment, I understand what lengths and unspeakable acts it had taken to kill my brother. And, in turn how it killed the child in me.”
The mostly linear narrative now a brief detour and recounts the story of how Kyle protected Jude one final time and how he died. This is definitely disturbing and horrific. Jude takes his revenge, his retribution from the primary perpetrator, and the act does deliver extreme gore.
PT. 4 THE DEAFENING SILENCE THAT FOLLOWS
This last chapter of this short work of horror places our lone avenger Jude at the end of his journey and still, it has to be rendered difficult. The author takes us off script again to an interchange between Jude and his biological father. There are some pathetic scenes to endure, and our pity for Jude never wanes. In fact, with all we learn, is Jude an actual revenant…. or does he just refer to himself as such?
The Epilogue is apropos. I loved the scene of the mother boar, her tusks dripping with hot red blood as she and Jude calmly walked by one another.
This was a genuinely moving and emotional journey, and in the end, it shores up the contention that when it is all over it is only the stains that remain. I deducted one star for failure to issue Trigger Warning for Animal Abuse. If NO Trigger Warnings had been given, I think I would have let it go. The author may not feel that way at all but it left me with the question of whether he thought the animal abuse was superfluous.
BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN STORY OF EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, AND INCESTUAL SEXUAL ABUSE
My Review 4.0 Stars
The author separated the book into chapters, and the first one is entitled:
CHAPTER 1 ZIPS AND BELT BUCKLES
“In the summer of ’82, I found out what it took to kill a child.”
This short novel is about physical cruelty and incestuous sexual child abuse that was levied against two brothers following the death of their mother. The story of their physical abuse and sexual violations are recounted by Jude, the younger of the two boys.
The story pulled me in from the first sentence, and the riveting narrative is also beautifully written. Jude relates the events of the night back in the summer of ’82 when their father and uncles descended upon the small house and “decided to show me just what it takes to kill a child”.
“What I didn’t realize at the time, was that child was me.”
There is a seamless fast-forward in time wherein Jude is relating what he is visualizing and doing as an adult man in the woods surrounding their house. Jude arrives at the lake and is scaling down the embankment packing a heavy rucksack. He ruminates about how he had forgotten how beautiful it was at the water line “an oasis of calm” only a few miles from the campsite “where our childhoods were erased by calloused hands and cruel intentions.”
Jude reflects on the past and recalls the woods he knows so intimately as his and Kyle’s sanctuary back in the summer of ’82. “…it was a place to hide from the monsters that plagued us at night and disguised themselves as family.”
The man Jude grew up to be laments the fact that the “weeds of the mind are as persistent as cancer and twice as deadly. They choke the life out of anything I dare to plant in that tainted soil, even dreams of a future ad the desire to move on.”
It is obvious that Jude is a haunted man on a mission and at one point he rolls his sleeves up. His right arm “shimmers in the sun like a fish’s scales, silvery scars mar(ring) the flesh in concentric circles weaving their way up and around my arm from wrist to elbow…” raised and puckered, smeared into each other in places where the skin melted and blisters burst…” Jude remembers all of the glowing hot embers held to his flesh to seal his silence.
The adult man named Jude filled his thoughts with memories of their mother in late ’81 when the cancer had wasted her and when he and Kyle both knew that the end was near for her. There was the sad memory of the Polaroid Photo that Mum had insisted upon, a last picture of her with her two sons. Jude remembered overhearing her tell their Dad (In pleading, sobbing whispers, to look after us and to keep us safe).
He and Kyle had quizzed her about the reasons why that their uncles never visited them, and only sent token gifts at Christmas and birthdays. Jude realized that she never answered their questions but rather would start talking in a disjointed train of thought. She talked about her own past as “a huge ruddy stain.” Jude remembered when their mother had grown weaker, she worried about leaving her boys alone. Jude’s memories reveal that his mother knew that these stains she’d worried about would “return like black mold in a damp bathroom” …and “That stain…would eventually bleed through the very fabric of our lives and taint everything-even our souls.”
Jude recalls that their mother’s grave had not had a chance to settle before the uncles descended like vultures to pick over their sister’s meagre possessions. Their father for all intent and purposes was fueled by his intake of whiskey and any part of him who recognized right from wrong faded away like the memory of his wife.
He remembers how his brother shielded him from countless hurtful blows and acted as a shield to protect his younger self from the physical violence and the emotional abuse the uncles loved to dole out. The “late night visits” started a few months after their mother’s death. Kyle sacrificed himself when the uncles were hesitating at their door. Jude reflects that he has had many years to process what happened that night, and it was clear they were just hesitating to decide which boy…and Kyle made that decision for them that night.
“The horrors of that night play over in my mind like a song on repeat, an aching lament of a childhood destroyed in an instant.” ….” In that moment where my brother lost his childhood, I remained silent. I remained as silent as God remained aloof. I imagined God sickened by his creation…”
Jude relates that it was shortly after his mother died that his brother Kyle found his way into the ground too. He reflects that they laid them to rest under the weeping willow where Jude sat now, waiting.
It is at this juncture that Jude thinks to himself that he rid this weight that has been crushing (him) each day” ….” because I am judgement, I am hurt, I am pain, I am retribution.”
PART 2 THE BURNING OF STAINED TEETH
The survivor Jude is still in the woods, reminiscing on something his mother told him about the nature of God and men. “God loved birds and made trees, but man loved birds and made cages.” Jude spends an appropriate amount of time reinforcing to himself that he and Kyle could never have gotten away back then.
Jude begins a long narrative about Uncle Lenny and his 11th Birthday. Lenny was a remorseless sadist and interestingly not even blood kin.
“We always knew that Lenny was a vicious sonofabitch, that his cheese had slid well and truly off his cracker.”
There were more horrors for Jude to relive in his mind…his victimization and threats from Dwight, the animal abuse that he could not escape.
PART 3 THE BARN, BLADE, AND BARBED WIRE
“With each passing offering I grow closer to the discovery that’s sheltered and nestled deep within---the filthy secret and stain that remains. The secret of what it truly took to kill a child.”
Jude opens the barn door and “As the door comes to rest, and the light of the day illuminates what’s within, I stare at the horrors on display. With an aching torment, I understand what lengths and unspeakable acts it had taken to kill my brother. And, in turn how it killed the child in me.”
The mostly linear narrative now a brief detour and recounts the story of how Kyle protected Jude one final time and how he died. This is definitely disturbing and horrific. Jude takes his revenge, his retribution from the primary perpetrator, and the act does deliver extreme gore.
PT. 4 THE DEAFENING SILENCE THAT FOLLOWS
This last chapter of this short work of horror places our lone avenger Jude at the end of his journey and still, it has to be rendered difficult. The author takes us off script again to an interchange between Jude and his biological father. There are some pathetic scenes to endure, and our pity for Jude never wanes. In fact, with all we learn, is Jude an actual revenant…. or does he just refer to himself as such?
The Epilogue is apropos. I loved the scene of the mother boar, her tusks dripping with hot red blood as she and Jude calmly walked by one another.
This was a genuinely moving and emotional journey, and in the end, it shores up the contention that when it is all over it is only the stains that remain. I deducted one star for failure to issue Trigger Warning for Animal Abuse. If NO Trigger Warnings had been given, I think I would have let it go. The author may not feel that way at all but it left me with the question of whether he thought the animal abuse was superfluous.
BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN STORY OF EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, AND INCESTUAL SEXUAL ABUSE
October 24, 2023
‘Powerfully brutal and a master exercise in delivering pure brilliance!’
This excellent dark and heavy horror story intrigues and impresses from the outset, being crammed full of skilfully written events which are delivered with a certain level of admirable responsibility. Themes such as neglect, pain, abuse, agony, torture and, finally, a certain kind of love all feature in delightful abundance. Now, for the true horror fan, just what is listed here that is not to be liked?
Throughout the truly riveting experience I was constantly struck by the high standard of the superbly crafted descriptive detail as well as the wonderfully awesome phraseology which never failed to bring the whole hard-hitting adventure to life.
As for the actual story itself, well I think I’ll just leave that for the fortunate reader to discover, explore and thoroughly ruminate over for themselves. Give it a go - you will not be disappointed.
Mr Jeffery, you most certainly delivered - I salute you, sir!
Finally, a big thank you to my fellow ‘Gore Whores’ for making this such a pleasurable and satisfying reading group online experience.
Rating: 4.6 beautifully dark stars.
This excellent dark and heavy horror story intrigues and impresses from the outset, being crammed full of skilfully written events which are delivered with a certain level of admirable responsibility. Themes such as neglect, pain, abuse, agony, torture and, finally, a certain kind of love all feature in delightful abundance. Now, for the true horror fan, just what is listed here that is not to be liked?
Throughout the truly riveting experience I was constantly struck by the high standard of the superbly crafted descriptive detail as well as the wonderfully awesome phraseology which never failed to bring the whole hard-hitting adventure to life.
As for the actual story itself, well I think I’ll just leave that for the fortunate reader to discover, explore and thoroughly ruminate over for themselves. Give it a go - you will not be disappointed.
Mr Jeffery, you most certainly delivered - I salute you, sir!
Finally, a big thank you to my fellow ‘Gore Whores’ for making this such a pleasurable and satisfying reading group online experience.
Rating: 4.6 beautifully dark stars.
October 27, 2023
Ross Jeffery is quite honestly a phenomenal author...this book was outstanding and written beautifully,a truly harrowing and heartbreaking story that will blow you away about abuse,hate and revenge,it was emotional from start to finish...it powerfully delivers a blow right between your eyes and hurts for a very long time afterwards...in my opinion "everyone" should read this exceptional book sometime in their life!!
Wow...Just Bloody...Wow.🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
Wow...Just Bloody...Wow.🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
October 8, 2022
Really good novella about two brothers that are abused after their mother passes away. Makes you wince at times but I loved the ending.
July 13, 2021
With electrifying Ketchum-esque prose and unrelenting brutality, “Only the Stains Remain” is a masterful and disquieting tale of depravity told with tenderness and care.
October 3, 2021
Jude and Kyle are two young brothers growing up in the early 80s on their family’s farm. What promised to be an idyllic upbringing became the stuff of nightmares when their mother succumbs to cancer, leaving the pair to be brought up by their alcoholic father. What follows is a relentless string of abuse that ultimately ends in tragedy, one which Jude carries through into adulthood.
Unable to move past the events that transpired, Jude, now a grown man, is defined by an upbringing he can’t leave in his past. Not while the ghosts of his childhood remain amongst the living. He is making his way back home for the first time in years and is long past due some vengeance.
A fair warning for anyone considering picking up a copy of ‘Only the Stains Remain’, to say it is not for the faint of heart is a hell of an understatement. I have often seen Ross Jeffery’s work compared to Jack Ketchum and with this latest novella, you can certainly see why. It is unflinchingly brutal, tackling some deeply unpleasant subject matter with ruthless honesty, and carries a pervading sense of hopelessness bordering on the nihilistic. This is one of those rare books that is so effective at creating a world so vivid, populated by characters so well realised, that what they go through makes this a book that is endured, not enjoyed.
The story itself focuses on Jude, switching between his recollections of his childhood, and the present day. The flashbacks focus on the abuse both him and his brother suffered at the hands of his extended family and the present-day sections on Jude enacting revenge for his suffering. It’s a familiar story, reminiscent of revenge movies like ‘Last House on the Left’ and ‘I Spit on Your Grave’, and ‘Only the Stains Remain’ is every bit as uncompromising as these movies. The morality, however, is far more complex. The book takes no pains to justify Jude’s actions, as horrific as the flashbacks may be, and as deserving of punishment as the perpetrators clearly are, and the lengths Jude goes to in order to get his revenge are as inventive as they are appalling but, in the end, there is no catharsis to be had, either for Jude or the reader.
Ross Jeffery has delivered his most bleak and powerful book to date with ‘Only the Stains Remain’. Grimly violent and unwaveringly downbeat, this won’t be a book for everyone, but it is indisputably a phenomenal achievement. It is no easy task in horror fiction to scare a reader but it is a rare talent indeed that can affect you in such a profound way that, once the final page is read, you know it is not a reading experience you will ever forget.
Unable to move past the events that transpired, Jude, now a grown man, is defined by an upbringing he can’t leave in his past. Not while the ghosts of his childhood remain amongst the living. He is making his way back home for the first time in years and is long past due some vengeance.
A fair warning for anyone considering picking up a copy of ‘Only the Stains Remain’, to say it is not for the faint of heart is a hell of an understatement. I have often seen Ross Jeffery’s work compared to Jack Ketchum and with this latest novella, you can certainly see why. It is unflinchingly brutal, tackling some deeply unpleasant subject matter with ruthless honesty, and carries a pervading sense of hopelessness bordering on the nihilistic. This is one of those rare books that is so effective at creating a world so vivid, populated by characters so well realised, that what they go through makes this a book that is endured, not enjoyed.
The story itself focuses on Jude, switching between his recollections of his childhood, and the present day. The flashbacks focus on the abuse both him and his brother suffered at the hands of his extended family and the present-day sections on Jude enacting revenge for his suffering. It’s a familiar story, reminiscent of revenge movies like ‘Last House on the Left’ and ‘I Spit on Your Grave’, and ‘Only the Stains Remain’ is every bit as uncompromising as these movies. The morality, however, is far more complex. The book takes no pains to justify Jude’s actions, as horrific as the flashbacks may be, and as deserving of punishment as the perpetrators clearly are, and the lengths Jude goes to in order to get his revenge are as inventive as they are appalling but, in the end, there is no catharsis to be had, either for Jude or the reader.
Ross Jeffery has delivered his most bleak and powerful book to date with ‘Only the Stains Remain’. Grimly violent and unwaveringly downbeat, this won’t be a book for everyone, but it is indisputably a phenomenal achievement. It is no easy task in horror fiction to scare a reader but it is a rare talent indeed that can affect you in such a profound way that, once the final page is read, you know it is not a reading experience you will ever forget.
November 13, 2021
No matter what happens only the stains remain....... A gripping, horrific and an intense story of abuse, neglect, love loss and revenge. This book was just solid. Beautifully written Ross Jeffery can fucking write this is my first book I've read from him and won't be my last. He puts you in the book just awesome writing vividly descriptive without being overly graphic. Although the subject matter will be tough for some this is written so well once you start you won't want to stop. highly recommend this one's going on the paperback shelf for sure.
July 15, 2021
"They hit me so much that I split, both physically and mentally."
WoOooooOOoOoooah! I need a shot of happy juice and a long, tight hug please. What in the child abuse did I just read?! Uff, y'all. Horror can bring us all the monsters in the world (and outside of it) but nothing will ever hit harder than the human monsters out there. Especially those who prey on the children they should be protecting. Jeffery tells the story of Kyle and Jude and the terror they went through at the hands of their own father and uncles. They lost a mother and gained terror and unrelenting pain.
Obviously this isn't a feel good read and if you can't stomach child abuse, you should probably steer clear from this story. But dang... the writing is impeccable. 120 pages of pure, raw emotion that will leave you as broken as the children. I appreciate greatly how the author approached such a bleak and tragic subject. He treated these boys with the respect they never received from their families.
Grief, abuse, survival and revenge - a harrowing and powerful novella that is absolutely worth the read... if you can stomach the subject matter.
WoOooooOOoOoooah! I need a shot of happy juice and a long, tight hug please. What in the child abuse did I just read?! Uff, y'all. Horror can bring us all the monsters in the world (and outside of it) but nothing will ever hit harder than the human monsters out there. Especially those who prey on the children they should be protecting. Jeffery tells the story of Kyle and Jude and the terror they went through at the hands of their own father and uncles. They lost a mother and gained terror and unrelenting pain.
Obviously this isn't a feel good read and if you can't stomach child abuse, you should probably steer clear from this story. But dang... the writing is impeccable. 120 pages of pure, raw emotion that will leave you as broken as the children. I appreciate greatly how the author approached such a bleak and tragic subject. He treated these boys with the respect they never received from their families.
Grief, abuse, survival and revenge - a harrowing and powerful novella that is absolutely worth the read... if you can stomach the subject matter.
April 25, 2022
Think I might do this for reviews of my work in the future - saw Austrian Spencer do it and it just adds that extra care and attention.
This review is to state that there is a content warning on this book. I feel it is my duty as the author to state this - but please do read the many reviews that talk about the book and the themes of child abuse within and how they are handled with the telling of this dark story.
I have tried to handle these issues with care and consideration but also I have not shied away from these issues either.
Content Warning: contains strong themes of child abuse, injury detail - proceed with caution.
This review is to state that there is a content warning on this book. I feel it is my duty as the author to state this - but please do read the many reviews that talk about the book and the themes of child abuse within and how they are handled with the telling of this dark story.
I have tried to handle these issues with care and consideration but also I have not shied away from these issues either.
Content Warning: contains strong themes of child abuse, injury detail - proceed with caution.
July 11, 2021
"However stained something is, you can always scrub that stain away, if you really, truly want it gone, it just takes perseverance, a whole lot of time, and the foresight to know when it's too far gone and you need to cut it out or throw it away."
Oof. BIG OOF. This one hurts. A lot. When I say I am gutted... ugh. Ross Jeffery tells a deeply dark story about two brothers, Kyle and Jude, and the physical and emotional abuse and trauma they suffer as kids from people they should trust and love the most: their father and uncles. ONLY THE STAINS REMAIN is a wonderfully written example that humans can be (and, a lot of the times, are) the worst monsters. I think I'd rather be possessed or hunted by a deranged psychopathic serial killer than experience the unrelenting pain and terror these kids did, and have to live their lives always knowing. Jeffery does not exploit or make light of the horrendous acts witnessed in this book, and they serve their purpose by fueling our enthusiasm for vengeance. But even retribution, as justified as it can be, is not without evils, bloodshed, and raw anger and pain.
While extremely difficult to read, this book hooks you from the opening paragraph and never lets go. You will want to close your eyes, but in doing so you know you'll never make it through. This book will stay with you. As it should.
Big thanks to Night Worms, Cemetery Gates Media, and the author Ross Jeffery for a #NightWormsBookParty review copy!
Oof. BIG OOF. This one hurts. A lot. When I say I am gutted... ugh. Ross Jeffery tells a deeply dark story about two brothers, Kyle and Jude, and the physical and emotional abuse and trauma they suffer as kids from people they should trust and love the most: their father and uncles. ONLY THE STAINS REMAIN is a wonderfully written example that humans can be (and, a lot of the times, are) the worst monsters. I think I'd rather be possessed or hunted by a deranged psychopathic serial killer than experience the unrelenting pain and terror these kids did, and have to live their lives always knowing. Jeffery does not exploit or make light of the horrendous acts witnessed in this book, and they serve their purpose by fueling our enthusiasm for vengeance. But even retribution, as justified as it can be, is not without evils, bloodshed, and raw anger and pain.
While extremely difficult to read, this book hooks you from the opening paragraph and never lets go. You will want to close your eyes, but in doing so you know you'll never make it through. This book will stay with you. As it should.
Big thanks to Night Worms, Cemetery Gates Media, and the author Ross Jeffery for a #NightWormsBookParty review copy!
July 13, 2021
** Edited as review is now live on Kendall Reviews! **
Ross Jeffery is on a writing roll right now.
Between his great ‘Juniper’ and ‘Tome’ novels, his ‘Tethered’ novella/flash fiction piece and his mini-collection ‘Milk Kisses & Other Stories,’ Ross has been hitting them out of the park.
Now, he comes running at the reader once again with his newest novella ‘Only the Stains Remain.’
Having chatted with Ross a bit about this one, I knew going in that this was a difficult, emotional story for him to put on the page. I was excited to see just where we’d go once I dove in.
What I liked: The story is brutal. Horrific. And ultimately heartbreaking.
We follow a young man who has been abused for years at the hands of his uncles, following the death of his mom. His dad is now a raging alcoholic, giving up on life.
For some time, Jude, our main character, is protected by his brother Kyle. But when Kyle can no longer protect Jude, things get even worse.
Ross has created an engaging read here, one that pulls you along, wanting you to know more and more. Similar in nature to ‘Dear Laura’ by Gemma Amor, you know something is coming and you want to find out what.
The cathartic aspect of this is really well done and it was great to see a story that doesn’t hold back or throw any punches. There was no second-guessing by Jude. He needed to do certain things and he did them, which was refreshing.
What I didn’t like: There were a few quirks in this story. I wasn’t overly convinced of the father’s storyline. At first, he is relayed as having given up on life and then appears to be a willing participant later on. I wasn’t sure which he was – a blackout drunk or a drinker who abused. Also, some chapters felt a bit unnecessary. Jude describes a lot of things throughout, but a few times we loop back around to that same description later on. I tried to find purpose in it, maybe a breakdown or mental escape, but ultimately didn’t see that. Could just be something that clicked in this reader’s brain.
Why you should buy this: This read a lot like Ross’ fantastic ‘Tethered.’ Only a brutal horrific version of it. ‘Only the Stains Remain’ is a sad story of a boy left all alone when the people who should be there to watch out for him and help him when his mom dies, take advantage instead. A hard read, but ultimately one that showcases the range horror can offer.
Ross Jeffery is on a writing roll right now.
Between his great ‘Juniper’ and ‘Tome’ novels, his ‘Tethered’ novella/flash fiction piece and his mini-collection ‘Milk Kisses & Other Stories,’ Ross has been hitting them out of the park.
Now, he comes running at the reader once again with his newest novella ‘Only the Stains Remain.’
Having chatted with Ross a bit about this one, I knew going in that this was a difficult, emotional story for him to put on the page. I was excited to see just where we’d go once I dove in.
What I liked: The story is brutal. Horrific. And ultimately heartbreaking.
We follow a young man who has been abused for years at the hands of his uncles, following the death of his mom. His dad is now a raging alcoholic, giving up on life.
For some time, Jude, our main character, is protected by his brother Kyle. But when Kyle can no longer protect Jude, things get even worse.
Ross has created an engaging read here, one that pulls you along, wanting you to know more and more. Similar in nature to ‘Dear Laura’ by Gemma Amor, you know something is coming and you want to find out what.
The cathartic aspect of this is really well done and it was great to see a story that doesn’t hold back or throw any punches. There was no second-guessing by Jude. He needed to do certain things and he did them, which was refreshing.
What I didn’t like: There were a few quirks in this story. I wasn’t overly convinced of the father’s storyline. At first, he is relayed as having given up on life and then appears to be a willing participant later on. I wasn’t sure which he was – a blackout drunk or a drinker who abused. Also, some chapters felt a bit unnecessary. Jude describes a lot of things throughout, but a few times we loop back around to that same description later on. I tried to find purpose in it, maybe a breakdown or mental escape, but ultimately didn’t see that. Could just be something that clicked in this reader’s brain.
Why you should buy this: This read a lot like Ross’ fantastic ‘Tethered.’ Only a brutal horrific version of it. ‘Only the Stains Remain’ is a sad story of a boy left all alone when the people who should be there to watch out for him and help him when his mom dies, take advantage instead. A hard read, but ultimately one that showcases the range horror can offer.
January 10, 2025
Only the Stains Remain was very clearly a deeply, DEEPLY personal book. I do not claim to know if this is told from the author’s personal experience, but it seems to be clear that this is a topic that is very near and dear to his heart. I imagine that this was an incredibly difficult, yet cathartic story to write.
There are some really stunning quotes in this short read. Some that will really stick with me, but I found it overall to be much to repetitive. It took away some of the tension and emotion by overstating the purpose of a tale such as this. None the less, I think this is an incredibly important novella to exist in the horror realm - especially given the prose. 3.5/5
There are some really stunning quotes in this short read. Some that will really stick with me, but I found it overall to be much to repetitive. It took away some of the tension and emotion by overstating the purpose of a tale such as this. None the less, I think this is an incredibly important novella to exist in the horror realm - especially given the prose. 3.5/5
September 12, 2021
Only the Stains Remain will sting you like a bullet out of the dark- shocking, furious, at times difficult to read, but grounded in realism, an eye for detail and a solid grasp of the darkness that haunts so many unfortunate victims of abuse. Not for the faint of heart. This is a story that will remain, just as the title says.
February 9, 2023
This book was more than heartbreaking. My heart ached. I’m glad I finally got a chance to read this book because it comes highly recommended.
Check the trigger warnings before reading.
Check the trigger warnings before reading.
July 6, 2021
Jebus Christmas, I need a shower and some comfort food.
I read a thing.
It’s not a cute thing, or a fun thing. It’s a bleak and uncomfortable thing. A heartbreaking nightmare type thing.
It’s my first Ross Jeffery read and a read that let me know that I need more of his work in my life. Appalling and captivating in the same passage. Recommended if you’re into unflinching narratives that will knock you off of your axis a bit. But go in cautiously, for here there be triggers. Thank you to @cemeterygates and @nighyworms for the early look, and thanks to @rossjeffery for (messing) me up.
Personal entertainment value: 5/5.
Zakk is a big dumb animal!
I read a thing.
It’s not a cute thing, or a fun thing. It’s a bleak and uncomfortable thing. A heartbreaking nightmare type thing.
It’s my first Ross Jeffery read and a read that let me know that I need more of his work in my life. Appalling and captivating in the same passage. Recommended if you’re into unflinching narratives that will knock you off of your axis a bit. But go in cautiously, for here there be triggers. Thank you to @cemeterygates and @nighyworms for the early look, and thanks to @rossjeffery for (messing) me up.
Personal entertainment value: 5/5.
Zakk is a big dumb animal!
September 26, 2023
bleak, depressing, violent, vile, contemptible, upsetting. I loved it.
Full review up soon!
[Full review]
What does it take to kill a child? Following the death of their mother, young Jude and Kyle are subjected to the unsavory pastimes of their deviant uncles. I don’t wanna go much deeper into the book’s content just because it’s so harrowing and traumatizing. I think you get the gist.
Only the Stains Remain by Ross Jeffery is primarily a revenge story that hits like a locomotive. It begins with an adult Jude navigating the retribution he so desires after all these years of lost innocence. I like that the book parallels the narrative of the trauma that occurs in the former years with the revenge in the latter because if this ran in chronological order, it would be difficult to digest. That said, I also appreciate how Jeffery balances the abuse by not divulging too much in the imagery but not diminishing the impact these actions have on the psyche of a developing child. RE: the reference to the initial question: What does it take to kill a child? Because it’s not just a physical death. It can be psychological.
Only the Stains Remain is an excellent title for a story like this because that is what trauma to this degree can feel like to the victim. A stain that can never be washed away no matter how much you scrub or whatever retribution you succeed at. And it’s very apparent the irreparable damage done onto Jude. You get the sense that he knows—whatever he accomplishes in these 120 pages will never fix him.
I’m terribly squeamish about abuse, especially with children, but Jeffery narrated this story in a respectful way that made me more sad and empathetic than appalled and mortified. I know it can be a difficult topic but if you’re looking for a killer revenge story that’ll leave you hollowed out, this novella is a heartbreaking read you can find on KU!
Please check trigger warnings if need be.
Full review up soon!
[Full review]
What does it take to kill a child? Following the death of their mother, young Jude and Kyle are subjected to the unsavory pastimes of their deviant uncles. I don’t wanna go much deeper into the book’s content just because it’s so harrowing and traumatizing. I think you get the gist.
Only the Stains Remain by Ross Jeffery is primarily a revenge story that hits like a locomotive. It begins with an adult Jude navigating the retribution he so desires after all these years of lost innocence. I like that the book parallels the narrative of the trauma that occurs in the former years with the revenge in the latter because if this ran in chronological order, it would be difficult to digest. That said, I also appreciate how Jeffery balances the abuse by not divulging too much in the imagery but not diminishing the impact these actions have on the psyche of a developing child. RE: the reference to the initial question: What does it take to kill a child? Because it’s not just a physical death. It can be psychological.
Only the Stains Remain is an excellent title for a story like this because that is what trauma to this degree can feel like to the victim. A stain that can never be washed away no matter how much you scrub or whatever retribution you succeed at. And it’s very apparent the irreparable damage done onto Jude. You get the sense that he knows—whatever he accomplishes in these 120 pages will never fix him.
I’m terribly squeamish about abuse, especially with children, but Jeffery narrated this story in a respectful way that made me more sad and empathetic than appalled and mortified. I know it can be a difficult topic but if you’re looking for a killer revenge story that’ll leave you hollowed out, this novella is a heartbreaking read you can find on KU!
Please check trigger warnings if need be.
July 12, 2021
Thank you to my fellow Night Worms for this #NightWormsBookParty - always a pleasure to read horror with you.
“Facts are harder to swallow than knives, and just as sharp and painful. The facts are here, in this assortment of macabre offerings that litter the ground. Each one feeds into the next, each one a stain. With each passing offering I grow ever closer to the discovery that’s sheltered and nestled deep within – the filthy secret and stain that remains. The secret of what it truly took to kill a child.”
Consider the above quote your “proceed with caution” warning for ONLY THE STAINS REMAIN. This is an unapologetic story of child abuse, so to say it is dark would be an insult to your intelligence. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but this feels different from other horrific child abuse stories I’ve read. Much like the late great Jack Ketchum, Jeffrey writes the most uncomfortable scenes that are difficult to read, but somehow keeps you engaged. The writing is raw, honest, and shows respect for the delicate subject matter.
We follow two siblings, Jude and his older brother, Kyle. They had a loving relationship with their mother, as well as each other, but just after she passed away, the monsters she kept at bay their entire life, arrive. Their three uncles are the literal translation of what it is to be a monster. And their father, the worst offender, let the uncles have unrestricted access to the boys’ innocence.
ONLY THE STAINS REMAIN took me down a notch, but I have to admit it was mostly because of Kyle. There was something extraordinary about him and he has a permanent place in my broken heart.
“Facts are harder to swallow than knives, and just as sharp and painful. The facts are here, in this assortment of macabre offerings that litter the ground. Each one feeds into the next, each one a stain. With each passing offering I grow ever closer to the discovery that’s sheltered and nestled deep within – the filthy secret and stain that remains. The secret of what it truly took to kill a child.”
Consider the above quote your “proceed with caution” warning for ONLY THE STAINS REMAIN. This is an unapologetic story of child abuse, so to say it is dark would be an insult to your intelligence. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but this feels different from other horrific child abuse stories I’ve read. Much like the late great Jack Ketchum, Jeffrey writes the most uncomfortable scenes that are difficult to read, but somehow keeps you engaged. The writing is raw, honest, and shows respect for the delicate subject matter.
We follow two siblings, Jude and his older brother, Kyle. They had a loving relationship with their mother, as well as each other, but just after she passed away, the monsters she kept at bay their entire life, arrive. Their three uncles are the literal translation of what it is to be a monster. And their father, the worst offender, let the uncles have unrestricted access to the boys’ innocence.
ONLY THE STAINS REMAIN took me down a notch, but I have to admit it was mostly because of Kyle. There was something extraordinary about him and he has a permanent place in my broken heart.
July 23, 2021
I finished this novella yesterday and I thought I’d have a better perspective on what to say about it by today. I’m still kind of at a loss for words. This book really gutted me.
It’s about two brothers and the abuse they suffer by their family members after their mother dies. Jeffery’s prose is both powerful and beautiful. He’s an extremely skilled writer. He took such brutal subject matter and almost made it poetic:
“Facts are harder to swallow than knives, and just as sharp and painful. The facts are here, in this assortment of macabre offerings that litter the ground. Each one feeds into the next, each one a stain. With each passing offering I grow ever closer to the discovery that’s sheltered and nestled deep within – the filthy secret and stain that remains. The secret of what it truly took to kill a child.”
This is also a story about getting revenge. The author handled that part brilliantly. I don’t want to say more about that without giving spoilers.
ONLY THE STAIN REMAINS is one of the best books I’ve read about child abuse. It’s on par with Ketchum’s THE GIRL NEXT DOOR. Yes, it’s that good. Just be prepared because it’s not an easy read and IT WILL HURT YOU.
This will surely be one of my top reads of the year and I’m looking forward to reading more of Jeffrey’s work.
It’s about two brothers and the abuse they suffer by their family members after their mother dies. Jeffery’s prose is both powerful and beautiful. He’s an extremely skilled writer. He took such brutal subject matter and almost made it poetic:
“Facts are harder to swallow than knives, and just as sharp and painful. The facts are here, in this assortment of macabre offerings that litter the ground. Each one feeds into the next, each one a stain. With each passing offering I grow ever closer to the discovery that’s sheltered and nestled deep within – the filthy secret and stain that remains. The secret of what it truly took to kill a child.”
This is also a story about getting revenge. The author handled that part brilliantly. I don’t want to say more about that without giving spoilers.
ONLY THE STAIN REMAINS is one of the best books I’ve read about child abuse. It’s on par with Ketchum’s THE GIRL NEXT DOOR. Yes, it’s that good. Just be prepared because it’s not an easy read and IT WILL HURT YOU.
This will surely be one of my top reads of the year and I’m looking forward to reading more of Jeffrey’s work.
August 13, 2021
2.5 stars
When I heard Ross Jeffery reading the first part of this book on You Tube, the prose called to me and I ordered the book right away.
The story is a coming-of-age story centered around child abuse, but there are not many details on page, the majority of it being implied. Because of this, I don't think it would be an issue for most people who are used to the horror genre (there are some other gruesome details).
My issues with this book have a lot to do with inconsistencies. Although the prose was beautiful at times, I thought the book was overwritten and repetitive at other times. Also, a few of the sections could have used some editing with regards to verb tense and punctuation, and a few typos.
Even with those issues aside, the narrative didn't really work for me and I didn't feel many emotions for the abused boys despite what they went through.
Many others have enjoyed this book, so I'd say give it a shot if this appeals to you as it's a really quick read.
When I heard Ross Jeffery reading the first part of this book on You Tube, the prose called to me and I ordered the book right away.
The story is a coming-of-age story centered around child abuse, but there are not many details on page, the majority of it being implied. Because of this, I don't think it would be an issue for most people who are used to the horror genre (there are some other gruesome details).
My issues with this book have a lot to do with inconsistencies. Although the prose was beautiful at times, I thought the book was overwritten and repetitive at other times. Also, a few of the sections could have used some editing with regards to verb tense and punctuation, and a few typos.
Even with those issues aside, the narrative didn't really work for me and I didn't feel many emotions for the abused boys despite what they went through.
Many others have enjoyed this book, so I'd say give it a shot if this appeals to you as it's a really quick read.
June 25, 2021
"In the summer of '82, I found out what it took to kill a child."
Does this line give you chills? It did me - and it's the first line of this new novella by Ross Jeffery. Do you know what else it did? It reached its hooks into me and set them. I read this story in one sitting, despite how harrowing and tragic this tale is.
Before I get into the review, I do need to express my gratitude to Cemetery Gates Media for sending me an ARC - there was not even a request for a review, but you guys know I always write reviews and I have a LOT to say about this one.
Only the Stains Remain is a novella by Ross Jeffery with an expected publish date of July 20, 2021. Content warnings include child abuse and torture - I will confirm that these matters were written extremely well, there was no glory in it and it was written with tact and in a tasteful manner.
This story, though. It will reach in and grip your soul and shake it to its core - but it will absolutely not let you go until you have reached its conclusion. There were many times I had to go back and re-read paragraphs or sections. As of the writing of this review, I've only read Juniper by Ross, but I do have Tome here to read next month and when I tell you the caliber of his writing leveled up with this novella - I mean it really climbed to new heights. It feels strange to say that a story so filled with death, abuse and tragedy is beautiful, but there is no other way to describe it. The way the author captured the depth of emotion - the acts that took place - the thought process of the main character - all were written so eloquently, so beautifully that I was mesmerized by that alone.
To summarize the plot, we are following the thoughts and memories of Jude. He walks us through his memories of the tragic loss of his mother, then the horrific abuse he and his brother Kyle suffered at the hands of his evil uncles who moved in a few months later. Kyle was the elder brother and protected Jude by taking the abuse meant for the both of them. I love the revenge element of the narrative, but I appreciate the literary genius of showing that while you may remove an abuser, what was suffered from that abuser is never erased from the person who was the victim.
I couldn't sleep last night after I finished this book. I could not stop thinking about what these two boys suffered - how it must have felt to be so alone with the vileness that were the uncles and the father who neglected to protect his children. Knowing that the abuse Jude bore - nothing will ever fix that in him, the scars will be borne eternally.
Simply put, this is literary genius.
Does this line give you chills? It did me - and it's the first line of this new novella by Ross Jeffery. Do you know what else it did? It reached its hooks into me and set them. I read this story in one sitting, despite how harrowing and tragic this tale is.
Before I get into the review, I do need to express my gratitude to Cemetery Gates Media for sending me an ARC - there was not even a request for a review, but you guys know I always write reviews and I have a LOT to say about this one.
Only the Stains Remain is a novella by Ross Jeffery with an expected publish date of July 20, 2021. Content warnings include child abuse and torture - I will confirm that these matters were written extremely well, there was no glory in it and it was written with tact and in a tasteful manner.
This story, though. It will reach in and grip your soul and shake it to its core - but it will absolutely not let you go until you have reached its conclusion. There were many times I had to go back and re-read paragraphs or sections. As of the writing of this review, I've only read Juniper by Ross, but I do have Tome here to read next month and when I tell you the caliber of his writing leveled up with this novella - I mean it really climbed to new heights. It feels strange to say that a story so filled with death, abuse and tragedy is beautiful, but there is no other way to describe it. The way the author captured the depth of emotion - the acts that took place - the thought process of the main character - all were written so eloquently, so beautifully that I was mesmerized by that alone.
To summarize the plot, we are following the thoughts and memories of Jude. He walks us through his memories of the tragic loss of his mother, then the horrific abuse he and his brother Kyle suffered at the hands of his evil uncles who moved in a few months later. Kyle was the elder brother and protected Jude by taking the abuse meant for the both of them. I love the revenge element of the narrative, but I appreciate the literary genius of showing that while you may remove an abuser, what was suffered from that abuser is never erased from the person who was the victim.
I couldn't sleep last night after I finished this book. I could not stop thinking about what these two boys suffered - how it must have felt to be so alone with the vileness that were the uncles and the father who neglected to protect his children. Knowing that the abuse Jude bore - nothing will ever fix that in him, the scars will be borne eternally.
Simply put, this is literary genius.
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