Leech

Welcome to the World of Leech

Step inside the haunting new novel by Guyanese author Jasmaine Payne.
A visceral tale of desire, power, and transformation—crafted to stay with you long after the last page.

John Thomas Reginald Leech always believed he was destined for greatness. But when his family stood in his way, he decided he would achieve it on his own terms. Then, when the world rejected him, he sought immortality in the only way he knew how.

More than 100 years later, Leech awakens in modern-day New York, more determined than ever to leave his mark. His target? Arianne Smith, a struggling writer desperate for recognition. Leech forces her to transcribe his story, believing that through her, his name will finally be remembered. But Arianne soon realises that telling his story comes at a cost.

As guilt consumes her, she seeks refuge in a psychiatric hospital and falls under the care of Dr. Oscar Pressum, a man with his own struggles and ambitions. As Arianne fights to break free, she faces a chilling reality: Leech isn’t finished yet because he refuses to be forgotten.

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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 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.