J.T. Monroe

Author on Reedsy Prompts since May, 2024

Stories (7)

7 Stories

110 karma pts

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“Shadows Over Serenity” by J.T. Monroe

It was a night thick with the kind of humidity that clings to your skin like a desperate lover in the city that never sleeps. I’m Vincent Hale, a private investigator by necessity and a restless soul by the cruel whims of fate. The city’s relentless pace, like a metronome set to a madman’s tempo, had kept my life teetering on the edge of sanity. But recently, something had shifted, subtly, like the shadow of a cloud on a sunlit day.The case at hand seemed straight out of a dime store novel. A missing damsel: a young woman who had vanished in...

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“Havana Jack” by J.T. Monroe

Submitted to Contest #252

Chapter 1I first met Jack Dunbar in the summer of 1953. It was at a small bar in Havana, the kind of place where the walls are stained with the stories of sailors and the scent of cigars lingers like a ghost. The night was hot, the air thick with humidity and the promise of rain. I was sitting at the bar, nursing a rum and coke, when Jack swaggered in. He had the kind of presence that made everyone look up. He was tall, with dark hair slicked back, and his smile could light up a room—or so he believed.Jack took the stool next to mine, ordere...

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“Shadows in the Fog” by J.T. Monroe

Submitted to Contest #252

I always figured life was like a dark alley in a storm—unpredictable, treacherous, and full of shadows. That’s what drew me to San Francisco’s underbelly, where the fog rolls in thick, the streets are slick with secrets, and danger lurks around every corner. I was chasing something—something elusive, something that kept slipping through my fingers like smoke.That night started like any other. I’d just finished my shift at a dingy diner on Market Street, a place where the food was bad, the tips were worse, but it kept me in smokes and cheap b...

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“Echoes of Obsession” by J.T. Monroe

Submitted to Contest #252

My name is Ethan, and this is the story of how a single photograph dragged me into a nightmare of obsession, madness, and utter ruin.It started innocently enough, as these things often do. I was at an art exhibition, my camera slung over my shoulder, as always. The room was filled with the usual crowd—critics, enthusiasts, and the occasional curious onlooker. But one piece caught my eye, pulsating with a sinister energy. It was a provocative installation, raw and unsettling. And there she was, standing next to it, the artist herself—Emma.She...

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“The Lost Manuscript of Orville Langley: A Madcap Tale” by J.T. Monroe

Submitted to Contest #251

The Lost Manuscript of Orville Langley: A Madcap TalePrologueNo sane person would willingly venture into the dusty attic of a decrepit Victorian mansion, but sanity had never been my strong suit. My name is Jack Turner, a struggling writer with a penchant for trouble and an unhealthy obsession with lost causes. So, when I inherited my great-uncle’s estate—a sprawling relic in the backwoods of Vermont—I knew I was in for a ride. What I didn’t know was that I’d stumble upon a literary treasure that would send shockwaves through the world of li...

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“The Story That Shouldn't Be Told” by J.T. Monroe

Submitted to Contest #250

I was sitting in my usual spot in the back of the classroom, the fluorescent lights casting an antiseptic glow on the sea of desks and the teacher’s podium. The clock ticked away the minutes until the end of class, but Mrs. Parker, with her formidable presence, could make time stand still. She was a writer's writer, every sentence a symphony, every critique a dagger. Today, she had something new up her sleeve. "Your next assignment," she declared, her voice slicing through the ambient hum, "is to write a story based on an eavesdropped conver...

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“Silent Whisper” by J.T. Monroe

Submitted to Contest #250

In the seething corridors of the old mansion, whispers and shadows seemed to merge into one. Evelyn always felt a peculiar stillness in the air, as if the very walls were holding their breath, listening. Tonight was no different. The moon cast long, eerie shadows through the tall windows, turning the ornate wallpaper into a ghostly canvas.Evelyn stood in the study, her fingers trembling as they brushed over the smooth, polished surface of the mahogany desk. She had to act quickly, but the fear of being overheard paralyzed her. The house had ...

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Author bio

Jeff Monroe is a debut author with a passion for all things macabre and mysterious. From a young age, he was captivated by the eerie tales spun by masters of horror, which ignited his own desire to craft stories that send shivers down the spine. Jeff delves deep into the human psyche, exploring the fears that lurk in the shadows of our minds. His debut novel, "Outcast Within," blends psychological terror with cultural elements, promising readers a gripping and unforgettable journey into the unknown. When he's not writing, Jeff enjoys exploring the vibrant and historic city of Memphis. From the haunted halls of its grand mansions to the shadowy corners of Beale Street, Memphis provides a rich tapestry of inspiration. The city's storied past, its blues-soaked soul, and the whispers of restless spirits create the perfect backdrop for Jeff's chilling tales.