🩸 Horror Fiction

Juice

✍️ John Charles Miller
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$10.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A man buried alive returns to life and revives others in a Missouri town.

Lemuel Shattuck Mercer demands a fancy casket before his death in Gumbo Hollow, Missouri. He wakes up inside it, realizing he has been buried alive. After crawling out, he learns that years have passed. An unknown power has restored his body and removed his anger. He uses this power to resurrect other dead residents of the town. This act changes him into a better person but draws dangerous attention from forces in Gumbo Hollow. The story tracks his struggle against these threats and the uncertain fate of himself and the revived townspeople.

Key Themes
buried alive resurrection Gumbo Hollow Missouri
Literary Context

The story is set in Gumbo Hollow, Missouri, a rural American setting. It draws on gothic horror traditions involving grave robbing and unnatural life restoration. The narrative reflects themes of pride and isolation common in supernatural fiction.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Shirley Jackson · Stephen King · H.P. Lovecraft · Neil Gaiman
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Independently Published 📅 2020 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798550476130

📝 Description: Juice

John Charles Miller presents a tale centered on Lemuel Shattuck Mercer, a resident of Gumbo Hollow, Missouri. The story begins with Mercer’s insistence on a luxurious casket rather than the standard pine box used by his neighbors. After his death, he awakens within this coffin, having been buried alive. He escapes through a custom opening and emerges to find that years have passed without his knowledge. His body has been restored to life by an unknown force, leaving him alone in a changed world. Mercer eventually discovers the source of his revival and uses it to bring other deceased townspeople back to existence. This process alters his personality, removing his former anger and pride while improving his character. However, the community faces new threats from external activities within Gumbo Hollow. The narrative follows Mercer’s efforts to protect himself and the restored dead against these dangers. The outcome of this conflict remains uncertain, challenging the reader to consider who truly prevails in such a struggle. Miller crafts a supernatural horror story that examines isolation and the consequences of defying natural order. This book suits readers interested in gothic fiction and tales of resurrection. It may not appeal to those seeking traditional ghost stories or fast-paced action. The narrative relies on character transformation and atmospheric dread rather than complex plotting.

💎 Our verdict on Juice

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
John Charles Miller crafts a compelling supernatural tale that prioritizes character evolution over conventional scares. The narrative effectively uses the premise of being buried alive to explore themes of isolation and second chances. Mercer’s transformation from an angry man to a protector of the dead provides a unique emotional core for the horror elements. While it may not satisfy readers craving fast-paced action or traditional ghost stories, its strength lies in building dread through atmosphere and consequence. The story succeeds in examining the costs of defying nature, making it a suitable choice for those who prefer psychological depth within the horror genre.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate atmospheric, character-driven horror will find value in this narrative's exploration of resurrection and moral transformation. The book appeals to those interested in the psychological implications of defying natural order, offering a slow-burn experience focused on isolation rather than immediate thrills. It is ideal for fans of gothic fiction who enjoy stories where the supernatural serves as a catalyst for internal change and community upheaval. Those seeking thoughtful examinations of anger, pride, and redemption through a horror lens will gain satisfaction from the protagonist's journey.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
H
Horror Reads editorial team

John Charles Miller crafts a compelling supernatural tale that prioritizes character evolution over conventional scares. The narrative effectively uses the premise of being buried alive to explore themes of isolation and second chances. Mercer’s transformation from an angry man to a protector of the dead provides a unique emotional core for the horror elements. While it may not satisfy readers craving fast-paced action or traditional ghost stories, its strength lies in building dread through atmosphere and consequence. The story succeeds in examining the costs of defying nature, making it a suitable choice for those who prefer psychological depth within the horror genre.

🏛 Books from this publisher Independently Published

The Walking Worm
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Matthew Cowdery
The Walking Worm
$12.99
78
Read →
You'll Do As You're Told
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Craig Wesley Wall
You'll Do As You're Told
$14.99
78
Read →
La Sincronicidad de los Dioses
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Jon Ridan
La Sincronicidad de los Dioses
$11.99
78
Read →
Forever Your Blood: Christabel Kane I
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Syl Emerald
Forever Your Blood: Christabel Kane I
$19.00
81
Read →
John Hopkins: At the heart of England
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Shane Terry
John Hopkins: At the heart of England
$17.32
78
Read →
Skinheads VS. Goth Vampires
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Nick Razer
Skinheads VS. Goth Vampires
$15.99
78
Read →

You might also like

See more →
Whitelocke ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
F P Langdon
Whitelocke
$10.99
86
Read →
Cinema 4 ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Garcia Sisters
Cinema 4
$10.99
86
Read →
A Killer's Heart 3: The Story of Ed Lee Curtis ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Matthew Randolph
A Killer's Heart 3: The Story of Ed Lee Curtis
$10.99
86
Read →
The Horror Collection: Black Edition ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Richard Chizmar
The Horror Collection: Black Edition
$10.99
86
Read →
Lab: The horrific third and final instalment in the 'Farm' series ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Sian Rose
Lab: The horrific third and final instalment in the 'Farm' series
$10.99
86
Read →
Scream of the Butterfly ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Christophe Maso
Scream of the Butterfly
$10.99
86
Read →

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist