Jason Melby Unveils His Forthcoming Thriller, "Fractured"

Suspense fiction is about to get another jolt with FRACTURED, the latest thriller from author Jason Melby, scheduled for release in October 2025. FRACTURED is Melby’s follow-up novel to his previous work, PSYCHOPATHIC. Less cerebral and more visceral in some respect, FRACTURED exemplifies Melby’s ability to craft compelling narratives with unique characters that explore the boundaries of paranoia, heart-felt loss, and the human capacity for violence. Set in Nashville, Tennessee, much of the story unfolds inside an antebellum manor situated on a sprawling estate with a large pond, an English garden, and a percolating drain field saturated from unspeakable events.

Distraught by family tragedy, struggling author Stu Harvey reluctantly agrees to write the biography of a recently exonerated serial killer and former music legend Simon Hollis. Lured by the prospect of easy money, Stu begins to question his own validity in Simon’s presence while Stu’s grieving wife comes unhinged over unforgivable events in her past. A guest in Simon’s historic residence, Stu engages the charismatic convict freed by DNA testing, convinced of Simon’s wrongful conviction—until a series of terrifying events unveils disturbing parallels between himself and the man with a sinister agenda.

While Stu Harvey slowly uncovers the truth about Simon Hollis and the motive behind the music mogul’s decision to enlist his help, Stu’s wife finds herself at an emotional crossroads and makes a startling discovery of her own. Much like the Native American Legend about the two wolves inside each of us, FRACTURED hints at the battle between good and evil lurking beneath the surface of the human psyche. The result is a taut thriller bounded by questionable motives and buried truths converging toward an ending with an unexpected twist.

A Prolific Author on the Rise

Influenced in his early years by a resilient and fearless single mother, Melby’s extended family eventually grew to include six sisters. Empowered by respect and admiration for his younger siblings, Melby’s work has always embraced strong female protagonists. Born in Upstate New York, Melby has lived and traveled extensively, drawing inspiration from a wide range of experiences. A proud father of twin sons, both honors graduates from the University of Florida, Melby’s writing seamlessly incorporates elements of horror, mystery, and satire, crafting narratives that challenge his characters to confront their darkest fears.

FRACTURED is the second of three recent suspense thrillers; the third scheduled for release next year with a riveting man against beast theme inspired by one of Melby’s most admired authors, the late Peter Benchley. If you enjoyed PSYCHOPATHIC, you’ll find FRACTURED at the top of your must-read list as well.

Visit www.jasonmelby.com to watch the official trailer for FRACTURED and stay updated on Melby’s upcoming work.

By ML staff. Images courtesy of Jason Melby.