In the prologue of “The Horseless Horseman: Jude” we are introduced to a character who is so grotesque that we cannot believe a story can be written about him. Since it is only the prologue, we read on. In time we forget about the prologue and are wrapped up in a tale that introduces the use of robots and the men who make them work to a tragic disaster, a tsunami, a real event in Japan that took place in recent memory and the potential meltdown of a nuclear reactor in that devastated country. In the backdrop of the horror of a natural disaster, which leads to the horror of an industrial accident, which leads to the death of a good man, we are introduced to the horror that we instantly feared from the prologue. Jude is created. However, although Jude is hideous and should be fearsome, he is not. What is he? The story R.C. Miller has skillfully crafted reveals the good and evil of the creature that becomes known as Jude.

Do not pick up this book thinking that you will take your time reading it. It is so engaging that you will not be able to put it down. R. C. Miller creates in Jude a character you will never forget. There is good and bad in this potential super hero, who is less a hero and more a victim, a human who has very little in common with most humans. What he does have is a soul and a mission. Although it is a bit dark, I recommend it to anyone who has the stomach for a good tale.

The Horseless Horsemen, Book 1: Jude by Ross C Miller is a chilling paranormal thriller. Jude awakens in a radioactive, half-decomposed body with no memory of his past. Gifted with supernatural abilities but plagued by deteriorating flesh, Jude roams the country, battling real-life monsters disguised as ordinary people. With encyclopedic knowledge but no personal history, he struggles to keep his sanity as he hunts down killers and tries to reclaim his lost identity. The first book in the series sets us up for a great mix of horror, suspense, and dark fantasy, and then it rockets into a rollercoaster of emotion and action.

Author Ross C Miller had me from the first moment with this original concept for a novel, and his imaginative and disturbing portrayal of a radioactive anti-hero holds you captivated from cover to cover. I liked the mix of influences so that the grotesque elements of the story were in balance. This blend of horror, fantasy, and psychological suspense creates an intense and unforgettable story that is suitably chilling but never feels overdone or gimmicky. Brilliant character development and emotional thought presentation show Jude’s struggle with his humanity, making him someone we can relate to despite his bizarre circumstances. The pacing also stands out as a key feature that helps you keep turning pages. Some great twists were surprising but made perfect sense to the clues laid out in the plot. Overall, I would certainly recommend The Horseless Horsemen for fans of dark, gritty, and original takes on the paranormal thriller genre, and I can't wait to see what comes next in this compelling series.

The Horseless Horsemen: Jude by Ross C. Miller is the first book in the new titular series, following the aftermath of a tragic nuclear reconnaissance mission. Justice, an MIT-trained engineer and military veteran, drowns during a mission at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant after a second earthquake triggers a disaster. His body, contaminated with high levels of radiation, is sealed in shielding and buried with military honors. His colleague Robert, exposed to radiation, struggles with guilt over not saving him. The story then shifts forward to a man experiencing physical and mental deterioration. Trapped in a decaying body and facing insanity, he struggles to understand his condition and avoid a complete mental breakdown, wandering the streets and reflecting on his alienation until the pieces start clicking back together and the real work begins.

In The Horseless Horsemen: Jude, Ross C. Miller crafts an atmospheric and thought-provoking tale. The writing excels in vivid, eerie settings, such as the “dead” forest, where tension builds with every step. Jude’s undead state is balanced with moral complexity, particularly in his decision to help find a missing girl despite his doubts about his abilities. Conversations with Pastor Mike delve into deeper philosophical questions, adding emotional weight to Jude’s reluctant commitment. Miller masterfully hints at supernatural elements, like Jude’s heightened senses and mental flashes, without over-explaining. The malevolent force behind the child disappearances adds a sense of dread, while Jude’s suspicion of a greater conspiracy keeps the stakes high. The story’s strength lies not only in its dark mystery but in the exploration of duty, faith, and the cost of personal sacrifice. An absolutely brilliant new series, and very highly recommended.

The Horseless Horsemen, Book 1: Jude by Ross C Miller is an engaging book that features Jude (also known as Justice), a radioactive being struggling with his new existence and self-imposed mission to confront and eliminate human monsters in the world. Jude was a robotics expert who died in an accident in a nuclear facility while at work with his colleague, Robert. In a strange twist of fate, he was brought back to life, but with supernatural abilities and instincts for hunting down people who commit unspeakable crimes against the innocent. The book explores his struggle with morality, the psychological impact of his never-ending mission, and the conflict between his desire for peace and his duty to punish evil. Although his intentions were good, his actions and dangerous nature made the authorities keen to capture him, making him both a predator and a prey.

The fascination with human psychology is one of the unique features of this book. I found it difficult not to sympathize with Jude, even when his behavior started becoming more violent. Ross C Miller created a protagonist who was both monstrous and heroic; this made me question the boundaries of justice. Miller's writing style was detailed; the descriptions of scenes were so graphic and in-depth that they brought a sense to life to the narrative. While I loved the dark themes and graphic violence, which I won't forget so easily, I did appreciate the warning about its intensity; it is definitely not for the faint-hearted. The Horseless Horsemen, Book 1 covers themes of justice, morality, and the struggle between good and evil, showing the consequences or weight of the actions carried out to erase human monsters from our world. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy dark, suspenseful novels with elements of horror and supernatural action.

In The Horseless Horsemen: Jude by Ross C. Miller, when Jude awakens in a coffin that has shielded him from radioactive elements, he is an indestructible being who has switched bodies with an alternate self. Yet, he must experience the torment of being a half-rotten corpse. Highly radioactive, he perceives the world in eerie clarity — seeing without eyes, hearing without ears, and thinking with only the remnants of a decayed mind. Jude, the name given to him by a new friend, has extensive knowledge, but he struggles to reconnect with his past life. As children disappear across the nation, one by one, Jude has the power to confront the actual monsters lurking in the shadows. But in his struggle to save the innocent, will his fragmented sanity and flickering soul survive the ensuing darkness?

The Horseless Horsemen: Jude by Ross C. Miller is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged novel that explores a complex relationship, the impact of technology, and an unusual hero’s quest to unravel the mystery around his identity. Jude combines science and paranormal elements with the human experience of love, loss, redemption, identity crisis, purpose in life, and other profound themes. The narrative opens with explosive moments introducing the conflict and a spellbinding premise — an earthquake in Japan. This moment is a premonition of the upheaval that follows and the chaos in the characters' lives. The concept is unique, and the originality with which the character of Jude is imagined and developed sets this narrative apart from many works in the genre. His inner world is meticulously accomplished in an environment brimming with identity conflict. Ross C. Miller’s prose is evocative, and I enjoyed the one-line paragraphs and the vivid descriptions. This book is immersive and utterly delightful.