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Ludo Carstairs #1

The Nemesis Touch

One touch will doom your whole life!

A London lawyer coughs up his own still beating heart onto a bathroom floor. It’s a death far too strange for the police to handle, so two supernatural investigators – Ludo Carstairs and Michael Garris – are called in. But even they have never seen the like before.

It soon becomes horribly clear that there’s a serial killer loose in the city. One who’s gone on sprees elsewhere in the world, and always murders five people across five days. Nemesis is the name he goes by, and all he has to do is brush his fingers down a person’s skin to curse them to a brutal death.

There’s a man in London who Nemesis is hunting. An individual who’s known the killer a long time, and has drawn him to the city. When Ludo Carstairs reaches him though, he’s been horribly slain. However, does this dead man still possess the key to stopping this terrifying rampage?

The first victims are down, which means the clock is ticking fast. Ludo Carstairs is on the case, yet can even his mastery of the uncanny stop these slayings before they reach their bloody conclusion?

A brand new supernatural serial killer thriller! Tap the link, grab your copy, and discover the first standalone adventure in this incredible series!

249 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 29, 2023

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About the author

F.R. Jameson

38 books226 followers
F.R. Jameson was born in Wales, but now lives in London with his wife and young daughter. He writes both historical thrillers and supernatural thrillers.

His books are, at the moment, mostly sorted into two different – but complimentary – series. The first, ‘Screen Siren Noir’, currently comprises of three novels: ‘Diana Christmas’, ‘Eden St. Michel’ and ‘Alice Rackham’. All of which tell the stories of beautiful British film stars caught up in Noir tales of blackmail, obsession, scandal and death. He is currently working on both the fourth and fifth books in the series.

The second series is more disturbing and scary, and lives under the moniker: ‘Ghostly Shadows’. Right now there is only one book published, a tale of supernatural revenge – ‘Death at the Shadows’. However, 2019 will bring four more entries to terrify and intrigue.

His blog - https://frjameson.com/ - is regularly updated with information about his writing, as well as film and book reviews. You can follow him @frjameson on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, and you can find him on Facebook.

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5 stars
40 (34%)
4 stars
52 (44%)
3 stars
19 (16%)
2 stars
3 (2%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Bill.
1,240 reviews201 followers
April 23, 2023
Two men from The Organisation are enlisted to help the police investigate a murder with supernatural overtones.
FR Jameson's fast paced horror story is pretty brutal in places, as you might expect, but his plotting is as good as ever. Jameson has alwways populated his stories with great characters, but for some reason I found it difficult to engage with them in this novel. I've loved many of FR Jameson's previous stories & many of them are superb. It's a pity I couldn't really get into this one.
Profile Image for Kiera ☠.
376 reviews132 followers
March 16, 2023
3.5/5

The prologue gripped me fully. I didn’t know what to expect but it wasn’t that opening and I LOVED it. I quite enjoyed the mix of thriller & paranormal and particularly enjoyed the more graphic scenes of the individual murders. Jameson’s prose flows pretty effortlessly which makes for an enjoyable read.

Personally, as an avid extreme horror reader and lover I found it a bit tame but that’s probably more of a me thing than a reflection of the book. It’s been a while since I read a thriller and this read reminded me I should probably jump back in.

I enjoyed the ideas here. Police facing a serial killer of sorts but make it supernatural. The characters are interesting and well written, though some scenes were a little corny, I actually appreciated the tone. Overall this was a solid read and has peaked my interest for the author.
Profile Image for Cheryl (Super Slump).
2,533 reviews86 followers
July 2, 2026
This is a 4.5 🌟 read rounded ⬆️ to 5 🌟.

I'm really loving this new to me series! Sort of like Sherlock Holmes mixed with the X-Files. Very entertaining.
Profile Image for April.
862 reviews
May 19, 2023
"Alec McArthur-Shaw emitted a whimper as his heart landed a foot in front of him. It thudded onto the tiles and beat its last as he watched. He regarded it with his blood-stained mouth wide open. Incomprehension in his eyes."

"The entity known as The Caller wasn’t human in any recognisable sense, but I am far more alarmed by what has arrived in London now. I am much more afeared of Nemesis."

Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Plot Points: medically impossible murders, a secret organization of paranormal detectives, Succubus and Immortals
Scary, Weird or Uncanny: Uncanny
Character Development: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
KU/library or Buy-worthy? They are on KU but still very buy-worthy
Similar vibe: Vicious by VE Schwab, Patel & Pardoe series by Graham Masterton and The Outsider by Stephen King

My god that was a fantastic prologue, descriptive, gross and strangely compelling. It sets the stage for the plotline to come perfectly. I just cannot say this enough, superb prose in this indie book. Really excellent writing by F.R. Jameson, that kept me on the edge of my seat. It immediately reminded me of the ExtraOrdinary murderers in Vicious by VE Schwab (a geriatrics version) and the uncanny deaths in Graham Masterton's book The Children God Forgot not in plotline but in police/detective type paranormal books. Elspeth's cat and mouse games become tedious even for Garris and Carstairs but the characters are so compelling you have to keep going to see how it'll end. The characters are the real stars of this show. Even though it's not, this series has the feel of a paranormal cozy mystery.

Now for the only negative I've got. I really really hate this cover. I'm envisioning something more like The Outsider by Stephen King for this book but in any event I feel like the cover could stop some readers from giving it a chance which is unfortunate. I'll be recommending it everywhere. This was really exceptional writing for a Kindle Unlimited book. I just can't say enough about how much I enjoyed it. I actually think there writing here was better than Masterton or King.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lynne.
543 reviews53 followers
February 18, 2023
When a London lawyer coughs up his own heart onto a bathroom floor, supernatural investigators Ludo Carstairs and Michael Garris are brought in by the police. It soon becomes evident this is the work of a cunning serial killer who possesses other-worldly powers. His evil intent is to murder five people across five days. Further investigation shows he's responsible for similar murders around the world. Have Carstairs and Garris met their match or will they be able to put an end to his killing spree once and for all?

Well, this was a different read for sure! With engaging lead characters and a formidable adversary, I enjoyed it very much. The supernatural element offered an unusual slant which I thought was great. I'm more used to reading grisly crime and tense psychological thrillers so this book was a welcome change. With excellent writing and good pacing my interest was held throughout. A very impressive start to the series.
Profile Image for Lauren K.
870 reviews50 followers
March 17, 2023
The Nemesis Touch was a captivating paranormal thriller. I loved that there was a supernatural version of a CIA type government agency, and I’d love to learn more about them. Our main characters, Ludo and Garris, have such a great dynamic and really made the story entertaining. This book felt very much like a paranormal modern day Sherlock Holmes style story, and I absolutely loved that vibe. The pacing had a good flow, and the character dynamics were fantastic! The ending was a bit too tidy for me, but it didn’t take away from the story to change my rating. I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series!

Thank you F.R. Jameson for my free ebook in exchange for an honest review! I appreciate you taking a chance on me.
Profile Image for Mark.
39 reviews7 followers
February 28, 2023
I would like to thank F.R. Jameson for reaching out to me and giving me the opportunity to review this fantastic sci-fy murder mystery thriller as an ARC in return for an honest review. What a ride it has been, and it is due to be released on 29th March this year, and on Kindle Unlimited too!

QOTD: Honestly, what would you do with a life of immortality? Me, I honestly couldn’t choose because the possibilities are endless.

This novel is about two supernatural investigators, Ludo and Michael who were brought to a crime scene that was unfathomable to us mere mortals. They find themselves hunting for a serial killer that can kill people in unspeakable torture by just a touch. His name, I hear you ask? Nemesis! Every 35 years, he kills 5 people of a list that he creates. But why does he have this list and what is his motivation to kill these people? Will Ludo and Michael be able to get to the bottom it?

‘A mere tap to the skin would be enough for him to make them die in horrendous fashion a short time later.’


F R Jameson had me on the edge of my seat from the get go, going straight into an agonising murder, and how the author set the scene was torturously excellent! There was no fooling about, that’s for sure. I found myself in the author’s world throughout the entire novel and was hooked, I couldn’t put the book down. The way the author described every scene and character added angst to the story. You couldn’t help but follow the clues with Ludo and Michael, and it’s as if you were trying to solve the mystery with them. The Protagonists where excellent characters and the secondary character were fantastic, each of them adding to the story. The twists and turns had me thrown, questioning my own thinking of who Nemesis is.

I have rated this 4 stars because I was left with so many questions that were unanswered. In saying that, for the start of a book series, it definitely has peaked my interest and will wait with anticipation for the other books.
Profile Image for Jake Byers.
4 reviews
March 30, 2023
am not the biggest fan of mystery novels as I often find myself trying to guess the answers or forsee the twist more often than enjoying the story. I did not find that to be a problem while reading The Nemesis Touch as the author crafted a world I found myself wanting to know more about, and a story I wanted to see unfold. Instead of trying to guess ahead, I was left craving more details, and wanting more peaks at the version of the world where Supernatural forces play under a cover of secrecy. I am sure if I read more in the series, I will get the views I want, but for this as a single volume it did a good job of enticing me of wanting more, and to let the story play itself out.

For the story itself, wrapped in a fairly straightforward murder drama, is the question of what one would do with eternal life, and I think the various characters that brought this question to life did a good job of presenting their possibilities. Besides this I feel there were no overly convoluted twist, which books of this genre are want to do,and by remaining fairly straight-forward it helped strengthen the story as a whole.

The murderer is revealed fairly early, and the plot moves along towards stopping him. Instead of trying to be overly clever, the author aimed and to my view mostly succeeded at just telling a solid story.

One problem I did have was in the attempt to balance the story at hand with the question of immortality some characters lost some of their luster by speaking their ideas in monologue instead of showing through action. This is just a personal nitpick of mine but still one I thought worth mentioning.

Still I think this is worth a read for anyone that finds they are fans of the crossroad between supernatural and crime fiction.
Profile Image for Jenny.
238 reviews
April 2, 2023
A short time after he’d arrived, she’d realised she had to send a package at the post office, and so popped her head around to tell him where she was going. She found him slumped back in the chair. His blood splattered face staring at the ceiling, his head at an unnatural angle to his body, barely held on by a few tendons.

The Nemesis Touch: A Terrifying and Uncanny Serial Killer Thriller!
by F.R. Jameson

Hate & love can last a lifetime. But what if that lifetime is forever? That eternity for an immortal. Eternal grudges and everlasting lust… or true-love. Keeping that mortality intact at any cost or casualty. Two mere mortals are on the case to save who may die next.

This will grab your attention within the first couple pages with a brutal unfolding mystery for two detectives that investigate the unreal, the weird, and what you think does not exist in our world. People are dying and time is ticking for Ludo Carstairs and Michael Garris to save whomever is next. It’s an old-style crime thriller a la the X-Files with a sprinkle of real gore and a hint of myth.

I think that really makes this one so uncomfortable is the killer. I can’t give too much away, but trying to figure out how anyone can escape this being is wild. How can they be captured, how do they not kill, even if they don’t need a reason not to kill. But why they’re killing is where the mystery really gets deep. And what’s next? Where do we go from the end - I’m excited to see what’s in store because anything can happen now. I have theories, but I guess I’ll have to just find out!
Profile Image for A.D. Jones.
Author 13 books65 followers
July 3, 2023
A serial killer. Supernatural investigators. Garden gnomes moving in the night. Yes please.

The race against time to catch a killer before he fulfils his five death quota is an interesting enough story in itself really, but add in the supernatural element that all he has to do is touch his victims to enact mind blowing and disgusting manners of death is even better.

Then we enter Ludo Carstairs and Michael Garris, supernatural investigators from a secret organisation sent to assist the police in their efforts.
I loved that they weren’t the Winchesters or the men in black. No array of gadgets or muscle, just hardworking people with a little more access to information less known to the general public.

I enjoyed the story here and the added elements of the supernatural, but also that it was a thriller that managed to retain elements of a more light hearted nature. It’s not a funny book, but there were definite moments of levity that were appreciated.
I was happy with the flow of the story, the ending worked well, tied things up nicely and left room for the sequel.

Definitely one for fans of Supernatural, Rivers of London or even to a degree, Differently Morpheus.

Bonus points for Rik and Ade.
Profile Image for Claudia .
324 reviews12 followers
April 17, 2023
The Nemesis Touch (First in a series)



I really enjoyed reading this first installment in the Ludo Carstairs series. It was fast paced, the characters were well written, and the supernatural elements kept things interesting. I love books, movies, and shows that have the supernatural as a part of our world. This gave me the supernatural hidden in the shadows vibes I was looking for.


The story starts off with a bang and doesn’t really let up. The prologue, in which a lawyer coughs up his own heart in a bathroom, was really well done. It was perfect for readers that love horror. Suffice it to say, I was hooked by that intro.


Be warned, this book is full of gruesome deaths. I personally liked the touch of horror it gave to the story and I didnt find it was too much. I liked the hints about what’s to come in the series. I’m interested to see what other creatures or beings we’ll see in the other books. I’m particularly intrigued by Jacob Ravens. I also really liked Arabella and the two inspectors, Carstairs and Garris.


Overall, this was a great start for the series. I’d recommend to anyone that likes The X Files, Supernatural, and Men in Black.
1 review
March 10, 2023
A lawyer pukes out his literal heart onto the bathroom floor and watches as it stops beating. With this being an abnormal death, the police call in some detectives who are proficient in all things strange. These detectives, Ludo Carstairs and Michael Garris, are soon to be entwined in a sinister ritualistic murder plot with what may be their toughest and most dangerous foe yet.  
  
The Nemesis Touch will get you hooked from the beginning and won't let up. Ludo and Michael are constantly in danger as they try to solve the crime and hunt the perpetrator. There were several twists and turns that I didn't see coming which is a hallmark of a good mystery. I kept wanting to compare the protagonists to people like Sherlock and Watson or the Winchesters from Supernatural, but they seem like mostly normal people that work in an abnormal field. I will mention that Ludo is brilliant, but it is a realistic brilliant.  
  
Overall, this book was a breath of fresh air and was pleasing to read. I am looking forward to the rest of the series!   
  
  
  
  
Profile Image for Reading By MyShelf.
104 reviews40 followers
March 30, 2023
If you are looking for a fun paranormal mystery that catches your interest from the very first page, then this book could be for you. The characters are interesting and easy to connect with immediately since they are so distinct and relatable. I must say I very much enjoyed the supernatural elements in this story. Trigger warning for body horror, there are some very disturbing scenes early on in this story. I rather enjoyed that aspect...I wanted to know wth was going on! There are some interesting twists and turns that I didn’t expect and that kept me guessing as the story progressed. Think if Sherlock Holmes and Trueblood had a baby. My only complaint, I would have liked a bit more depth in the plot. Worth the read if you need something easy and quick to digest.

A big thank you to F.R. Jameson for sending me an eARC for an honest review!
Profile Image for Ella.
50 reviews4 followers
March 3, 2023
Thank you F R Jameson, for sending me the eARC!

This was such a refreshing supernatural thriller! It caught my attention right at the start and kept my interest the entire way through. Ludo Carstairs and Michael Garris were such likable, entertaining characters - they both have distinct personalities, and their dynamic together is very well written.
A lot of the time with mysteries, I’m left doing a lot of thinking throughout the story to try to piece things together (and, most of the time, I’m disappointed at the big reveal at the end), but this thriller was much more enjoyable since the murderer is identified very early on and the rest of the book is spent trying to track them down. All the murders were disturbing, but the humor incorporated into the story balances it out so well.
Also, I LOVED the side plot with the gnomes! Ironically, when everything was being wrapped up in the end, my mind was chanting “GNOMES! GNOMES! GNOMES!” the entire time. Needless to say, I wasn’t disappointed with the conclusion.
This was a strong start to a series, and I’m already excited for the next!
Profile Image for Alicia Alice.
87 reviews4 followers
March 4, 2023

I just finished reading Nemesis By: F.R. Jameson!

The mystery, suspense part of this book are right up my ally, the supernatural was not a topic I gravitate toward a lot but in this story it molds in perfectly an I actually really enjoyed it! I enjoyed the descriptive parts the detail made it that much better! I was glad for the fast pace I don’t care for slow burns, this book had me wanting to read more to figure out what was around the corner, the middle I would say slows pace a little but the end picks back up an you just want to read because you just need to know how it’s gonna end! I will be checking out the rest of the books in this series an recommend giving it a go! 4⭐️ for me!
Profile Image for Josette Thomas.
1,395 reviews1 follower
March 13, 2023
What a thrill it would be to be a part of the Organisation. Having the ability to investigate ‘strange’ situations would be an incredible job that I would love to have. Ludo Carstairs is a very intelligent agent that uses his observational skills to discover who “Nemesis” is. He gets help from a man with an unbelievable story. Throughout history Nemesis has committed so very disturbing and gory crimes. When a man ‘coughs’ up his heart, Carstairs and Garris are brought in to try and explain how this kind of death could be possible. As more clues to why the continued deaths are taking place surface, the team are on ticking bomb to try and stop any further murders and find Nemesis. I really enjoyed this first novel in a new series. I look forward to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Tam.
2,196 reviews56 followers
February 22, 2023
One Of The Best Books I Have Read This Year!!! This was a twisted, fast-paced, interesting read, that I found I did not want to put down! It had well-developed, multi-faceted characters and a unique and captivating plot. It was suspenseful, thrilling, addictive and kept me guessing the whole way! I was glued to my Kindle screen from the first page to the last. If you like unputdownable, paranormal suspense as much as I do, you CANNOT miss out on reading this book! I can hardly wait for the next book in this series.

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
Profile Image for Ashley Allen.
4 reviews13 followers
February 13, 2023
Follow two men, Ludo Carstairs and Michael Garris, as they investigate the supernatural. They are part of a very secretive organization that investigates beings of the unknown.

This book was fast-paced and gripping. As someone who isn't the biggest fan of detective novels, this book kept me engaged and entertained with the supernatural intertwined within.

I cannot wait to see what other beings Jameson will bring in with the other books in this series.

And keep an eye on your garden gnomes...
Profile Image for Todd Simpson.
879 reviews35 followers
March 29, 2023
Another amazing story by this very talented Author. F.R. Jameson has done an incredible job in creating this suspenseful and exciting read. The plot is nonstop and unpredictable, which I always enjoy, and I love the diverse range of characters. Ludo Carstairs and Michael Garris work so well together, and it’s hard to believe the strange thing they are investigating this time. Definitely scary. I thoroughly recommend this book, it’s highly entertaining and hard to put down. 5/5 Star Rating.

Verified Purchase Amazon Australia
Profile Image for Isaiah.
Author 1 book87 followers
March 29, 2023
To see a full review check it out here.

Not the most gruesome of Jameson's books, but a fascinating addition. It not only tied together a bunch of the other stories, it really started to flesh out just how much more there is to come in this universe.

Wonderfully written, amazing pacing, and got me hooked on another series. I will be counting down the days until book 2 is released!
269 reviews8 followers
April 2, 2023
If you like x-files or Men in Black style paranormal investigations, you will enjoy The Nemesis Touch.
This is the first book in a series, and I enjoyed it so much I've already decided I will pick up the next one once it is published. This is a quick and enjoyable read. I liked that the storyline had mystery and intrigue, but I never got lost between characters and plot. The plot is well thought out. While the book is part of a series, it would work as a stand alone read as well.
Profile Image for Marguerite Turley.
263 reviews
April 7, 2023
What a fun, freaky ride this was!! I just loved the characters. Larger than life, quite literally!! A great story about two detectives who try to crack a hundreds years old serial killer case, but with a supernatural twist. Well written and fast paced, I highly recommend this first in a series of books!!
6 reviews1 follower
August 23, 2023
Loved the premise and the start - the prologue really gripped me. It got a little wordy towards the middle and the end as chapters became full of chunky paragraphs of dialogue in place of action, but the story was tied up quite nicely. I'll probably go back for the sequel to see what the characters get up to next.
Profile Image for Shawn Deal.
Author 21 books19 followers
December 2, 2025
This story had a little bit of everything and it never was quite able to put it altogether. I went in wanting to love this book, and came out a bit disappointed. There was a lot of the main chapters going to one place asking someone some questions, going somewhere else to ask some else some questions. The story seemed more told than shown. I’m uncertain if I will continue the series.
Profile Image for DA.
Author 3 books134 followers
March 1, 2023
I had such a great time reading this book and I had a very hard time putting it down. It's kind of a cross between XFiles and Supernatural. Fast paced with amazingly developed characters. I actually even liked the villain of the story. I want this series to go on forever!
24 reviews
June 20, 2023
supernatural fun meets Conan Doyle

Very enjoyable crime tale with mortals and various immortals, hitherto only understood as myths and legends. Recommend the research and imagination of
F R Jameson
Profile Image for Darren.
2,098 reviews48 followers
February 15, 2023
I got this as a arc e book for my i pad from the author. I enjoyed reading this book. It had a good story to it. It is my first book read by this author. I hope to read more books by this author.
8 reviews1 follower
April 25, 2024
Good read

I enjoyed the whole book. It wasn't too predictable and was fun. I will be reading the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Alexis.
1,279 reviews17 followers
March 10, 2023
I was immediately drawn to the plot, thanks to the supernatural elements, which I always enjoy in a story. The first chapter is spooky and bloody, I was a little shocked by it, but I appreciate the pace of the story, never a boring or dull moment, as I can get bored very easily.
The thriller part of the story, and the investigation are well developed and written, thanks to the great cast of characters, in primis the duo Carstairs and Garris.
The ending was satisfying, things are tied up very well and I will probably read the next installment in the series.
Also, it would work so well as a movie!
Thanks a lot to the author for providing me with a review copy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews