Devil Face: A psychological horror story, realism with a touch of the supernatural

by Jeannie van Rompaey

Melinda Jefferson arrives in Brixton, in the late eighties, seeking accommodation. On seeing the horrendous birthmark that covers almost half of her face, most landladies decide they have no vacancies. When she knocks on the door of Mrs. Bertha Brown, a Jamaican landlady who suffered similar prejudice when she arrived in London some forty years earlier, she is treated kindly and offered a room in the attic. What Bertha doesn't know is that Melinda harbours a dangerous secret.

144 pages, Paperback

First published February 16, 2012

About the author

Brought up in Northamptonshire, Jeannie has always been passionate about reading and writing. She has an MA in English Literature from Leicester University and likes reading books that make her think about how people tick and the state of the world. Her writing includes short stories, novels, poems and plays. A tutor of creative writing and as Jeannie Russell an adjudicator of drama festivals, Jeannie enjoys a varied life. She lives with historian husband, Tony, in Gran Canaria which now feels like home.

Reviews

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. Gripping. thought-provoking

[Wendy Unsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. A girl with a facial scar that is more than a disfigurement arrives at a London boarding house where she is taken in by the caring and motherly landlady. Melinda ( not her only name) endeavours to keep herself to herself. Because of her 'Devil Face' and the uncontrollable change in her personality it can cause, she is used to keeping her head down and moving on at a moments notice. Even her family don't want her and are prepared to fund her life as long as she stays away from them.
But Melinda has unwittingly found herself in a place where caring people are prepared to go out of their way for her, even when she first rejects them.
The ending of the story was less dramatic than I expected but, I would say, more quietly realistic than what might have happened- something far more sinister that is hinted at and thought about earlier in the story.
All in all, though, this is a fast, interesting and well written story and I would certainly read more by this author. I was surprised to this is the first review on Goodreads, she deserves a lot more...

[Wendy Unsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. A girl with a facial scar that is more than a disfigurement arrives at a London boarding house where she is taken in by the caring and motherly landlady. Melinda ( not her only name) endeavours to keep herself to herself. Because of her 'Devil Face' and the uncontrollable change in her personality it can cause, she is used to keeping her head down and moving on at a moments notice. Even her family don't want her and are prepared to fund her life as long as she stays away from them.
But Melinda has unwittingly found herself in a place where caring people are prepared to go out of their way for her, even when she first rejects them.
The ending of the story was less dramatic than I expected but, I would say, more quietly realistic than what might have happened- something far more sinister that is hinted at and thought about earlier in the story.
All in all, though, this is a fast, interesting and well written story and I would certainly read more by this author.