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Email: jasmainepayne@gmail.com
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Praise for LEECH
As someone new to the psychological thriller genre, I wasn’t sure what to expect—but Jasmine Payne’s debut novel completely drew me in. Set in a vividly described Victorian London, the story is both haunting and thrilling, with just the right mix of mystery.
The writing is rich and engaging, and I especially loved how Payne wove in Caribbean cultural elements—it added a unique layer that made the story stand out even more to me. Each chapter pulled me deeper, and I found myself constantly saying “just one more page” until I realized I could not put it down.
The plot kept me guessing, and the characters felt real, flawed, and compelling. Even though this is not my usual genre, I was hooked.
A brilliant and gripping debut, if you are curious about psychological thrillers or love a good atmospheric mystery, this book is a great place to start. I’ll definitely be watching for what Jasmine Payne writes next.
It has been quite a while since I read a book that was quite so page-turning. The characters are unforgettable, flawed in ways that feel real, and the pacing kept me on edge without ever feeling rushed. Jasmaine knows when to let the tension breathe and when to hit hard, creating a rhythm that mirrors the push and pull of the story itself.
This is a bold, lyrical, and unapologetic novel that will stay with me for a long time. LEECH doesn’t just entertain—it unsettles, provokes, and lingers. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves thrillers with depth, storytelling with teeth, and voices that bring something new to the genre.
Stephen King meets Sidney Sheldon is the best way to describe LEECH. Jasmaine knocked it out of the park with this book. Highly recommended and A MUST READ!!!!!
This is honestly such a good thriller. The characters kept me so entrapped into the story that there was always that anticipation of wanting to know what happened, what was Leech’s story and when finished, it isn’t enough. Also, the way the Guyanese culture is being kept up throughout the story is just chef’s kissed but I NEED MOREEEE!!!
I have reviewed many novels, but never employed the phrase, tour de force that denotes a literary work considered an impressive achievement of great creative skill. I’ve avoided the usage in fear of sounding too pretentiously highbrow. That changed, however, after I read the first novel, “LEECH,” by Guyanese author Jasmaine Payne. I consider it a tour de force and an unusual Guyanese supernatural thriller that will stand, deservedly, alongside Michael A. Jordan’s KAMARANG.
LEECH is a riveting story that vividly explores the underbelly of 18th-century London through the eyes of a maniacal gentleman-killer who considers himself a medical genius, who dies and finds himself resurrected into modern-day New York, where he possesses a young Guyanese writer who must tell his grisly story of exploits that rival Jack the Ripper’s. For me, LEECH by Jasmaine Payne is a rare Guyanese thriller that one will be advised to read well before nightfall.
Leech is a striking debut novel that immediately made me note on the polished and professional prose.
The plot is both intriguing and refreshing, steering into unexpected territory while still being able to weave in touches of Guyanese culture in a subtle and organic way. I especially appreciated how those elements added richness and depth to the storyline.
The pacing was excellent, with the shifts between past and present, handled in digestible, well oriented segments that made the story flow smoothly.
Above all, what stood out for me the most was being able to dive into the mind of Leech, the fascinating perspective that gave this novel its unique edge.
Overall, Leech is an impressive debut, with a compelling concept and a strong execution.
Contact Jasmaine
Email: jasmainepayne@gmail.com
Instagram: Jasmaine Payne – Author
Facebook: jasmainepayne_author
TikTok: authorjasmainepayne
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