Jane Doe

by Kay Griffin Peterson, Ashley Greathouse (Illustrator)

Web designer Sam inadvertently stumbles onto a mystery when women - expectant mothers - go missing throughout the neighborhood. Bright lights seen in the sky are the only harbingers and then they are gone without a trace. But then the danger hits too close to home when Sam's next door neighbor is caught in the mystery. Even Sam has experienced changes connected to all the strange events. As the mystery begins to spread, Sam and his friends begin to see the pattern and the otherworldly danger posed by those responsible. But the question remains: Why is this happening?

136 pages, Paperback

Published January 2, 2023

About the author

First time science fiction author and lover of quirky sarcasm comes from Central California.

My first book, "Jane Doe" is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook from Amazon/Kindle/Audible.

Reviews

[Anuja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an extremely intriguing story. I was quite apprehensive about starting this book since I am not really into alien and space related sci-fi. But the book was a pleasant surprise. Kept the lid on till the very end.
The plot is quite engaging and one can easily finish the book within a day. Would definitely recommend this short read.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Kay really did a great job at getting me to think outside the box. It really made me think about what we really don't know. I love the characters and the bonds they created. I think this would be amazing as a graphic novel as well. Great job!

[Willie Heredia · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5) I really appreciated and enjoyed the originality of this book! I think the pacing could’ve used a little revamping here and there, as sometimes I felt the dialogue to be a little dry but I thought this was a fresh take at a sci-fi story. I was given an advanced copy so thank you! Looking forward to reading more from Kay! :)

[Mrs. Pendragon Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7
If you have a familiarity with SciFi alien abduction, this is a story you would enjoy.
The alien mystery will make you question everything that takes place in Sam's world.
Was Sam ever in contact with alien beings,or was it simply a figment of Sam's imagination?

[N.L. McFarlane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a unique read. The plot is so brilliantly strange that the characters and their situations are just so captivating and the ending... I mean, I think one thing, then wonder if I'm thinking the right thing and my goodness does it make for a bit of thought. I could easily read a follow on, I really wished it were slightly longer so I could experience more of this Sci-fi brilliance and dive a bit deeper into this story. I enjoyed the tension from the characters and the suspense that builds as truths come to light. As I said above, I feel like a longer read with a bit more padding and some strategically drawn out scenes of suspense and maybe some different viewpoints would have improved this book in my own personal opinion, even though the short, non stop style of this book replicates the situations' feel and urgency really well, I'd have just loved a bit more...

[Theenrichmentoffiction1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre- sci-fi

This was so awesome! I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what Kay comes up with next!

All around the world women are getting pregnant and disappear right as they are giving birth, no one knows how or why , until Sam becomes pregnant as well, but how?
He's just a man but all that changes when his body changes and turns into a woman slowly but painfully.
Instead of going through regular term it takes no time for the women to start showing, but within a time frame of each other.
Sam, Lisa and Stacey do their best to help each other during this crazy confusing time and even track down who is behind this world changing event , that is turning women into a experiment to populate a unown world...

[Hanna Newlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Doe is such a unique and thrilling read!


I loved the intensity of the story and the eerie build-up. The plot was engaging and suspenseful. I had to know what happened to these characters. I am happy to say that at times this book genuinely creeped me out. Lay Griffin Peterson is a gifted storyteller and thrill creator!


Fans of Signs and Nope (Jordan Peele) check this one out!

[The_Macabre_Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books had some good unique elements to the plot and characters. Then there were some other aspects that felt very typical "alien abduction". Also I couldn't wrap my mind around how calm the characters were for what they were experiencing, I felt some drama could have been added there.
The final chapters were more active and the ending brought everything together while throwing you a curve ball which I loved. The epilogue was a great addition to the story in the end.

I did enjoy this novel but it was definitely a slow burn and over all I wanted a bit more thrill.

[Grim-Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a fast cool read with a couple of unique twists. I can’t say I’ve read a ton of ‘mystery from the sky’ storylines so I can’t comment on if this fell into any sort of stereotyped pattern/themes, but the pacing and the length felt right for the ride.

I liked our MC Sam. Actually all the characters were likable, and agreeable, and not freaking out like they should be!!! I like comfy clothes and uggs too Sam.

Hang in there, I do remember thinking why is everyone acting so cool about everything?! I see what you did there Kay Griffin Peterson. After finishing the story I looked back - understood - and liked Sam even more. Trippy.

[Bets O · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I don't normally seek out books about alien abductions I've listened to enough Last Podcast on the Left to get a solid idea about the Grays and their curiosity with the human race. Abduction stories usually include a bright light, memory loss, and a general feeling of unease and violation.

For 136 pages this novella had a lot of thought-provoking ideas. A multitude of mysterious pregnancies and subsequent disappearances, flu-like symptoms, flashing lights at night, and strange shadows in reflections to name a few. When something happens to Sam, he tries to get to the bottom of the issue with his neighbor Lisa. Together, can they figure out what's happening to themselves and their neighbors?

Overall I enjoyed this book! If aliens are your jam and you like a short story that leaves you thinking, this might be for you.

*Potential Spoiler-y thoughts*

I actually binge read this novella. I liked Sam, and wish I knew more about him. My biggest complaint was the complacency and acceptance of the circumstances. Some major freaking out from the main characters would be appreciated. But I think there was intention from the author when it came to my grievances (i.e. the epilogue). And it did make the situation feel a bit eerie.

Of course I would love more thrilling details of the shared dream, more collective terror as the story progresses, and an ending that wrapped up nicely with a bow on top. But we don't always get what we want, do we?

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me guessing until the end. The book is set in the present day centered around Sam, who works in computers and Lisa, a nurse. While Sam is interested in Lisa and Lisa is interested in Sam, the story alternates their desires for one another, due to some unsettling unprecedented happenings around them. Sam has suddenly discovered something alarming about himself, and so does Lisa. In addition, women keep getting reported missing. Lisa and Sam soon discover women they meet or know are all of a sudden pregnant, with no explanations of the “why” or “how” or “who.” Even weird things start happening to them too.

The tone of the novel is calm and very informative, not giving me the slightest hint of what the plot twist will be. I feel the narrator did a really good job of telling the story.

I did not see that twist coming at the end!!!! Had my heart pumping the entire time, wondering who was doing this to all these women.

Highly recommend !!! What a great debut novel for the author. Narrator was great too.

[Erin Wilkerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is creepy sci fi body horror at it's best. This one genuinely unsettled me, and I mean that as a compliment. The alien elements were strange in a way that lingered, not flashy, not gimmicky, but quietly invasive. The atmosphere builds slowly and then gets under your skin.

It wasn’t my usual comfort-zone read. It had my skin crawling! If you like sci-fi that leans eerie and doesn’t hold your hand, this delivers.

This story leans heavily into atmosphere and concept. The characters feel very grounded and everyday, which makes the unsettling elements hit harder when they arrive. Instead of over-exaggerated personalities, the focus stays on the slow, creeping tension.

The alien presence is where the book really shines. It builds unease gradually and commits fully to its eerie tone. If you enjoy sci-fi that prioritizes mood and psychological discomfort over flashy action, this one will stay with you.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was way out of my comfort zone but I will say for it being out of my preferred genre it wasn't half bad. If you're looking for like an easy kind of sci-fi-ish read that involves aliens, you'll have to try this one. I will say that the context for me was a little bit hard because there is pregnancy and throwing up talk and I don't like throw up. But the twist at the end completely threw me for a loop and completely shocked me. You have like this story that builds and builds and builds and then at the very end everything that you thought is completely shattered.

[Emily Lorié · Rating 4 out of 5]

👽👽👽👽

I have little experience in this realm of the sci-fi genre, but I had a great time with it. There were unique circumstances (as far as I’m concerned) that succeeded in peaking and keeping my interest.

Can we just take a moment to appreciate this cover as well? 💜

Jane Doe was a fun read that abducted me for a spell, returning me to a slightly altered version of my former self.

I recommend this book to anyone who finds the unknown terrifyingly fascinating.

[Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is mediocre at best. The author implemented a lot of twists and turns that just went nowhere in the end. A disappointing outlook on hospital settings and how patients are treated. The way Sam was treated in the end by the hospital staff based on their cognitive deficits was quite alarming.

[nellancholia✨️]

DNF at 47%.
Literally so boring. Unfortunately most of the story thus far has been nothing but body changes, non-stop useless, redundant, unnecessary details, and bland dialogue. Feels very predictable... aliens... women... babies... just not doing it for me.

[Garrett Keaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a fun book. It took some twists that I didn't expect. It had an atmospheric quality and the suspense and horror really build towards the end.