The Boy Who Could See Demons

'I first met my demon the morning that Mum said Dad had gone.'

Alex Broccoli is ten years old, likes onions on toast and can balance on the back legs of his chair for fourteen minutes. His best friend is a 9000-year-old demon called Ruen.

When his depressive mother attempts suicide yet again, Alex meets child psychiatrist Anya. Still bearing the scars of her own daughter's battle with schizophrenia, Anya fears for Alex's mental health and attempts to convince him that Ruen doesn't exist. But as she runs out of medical proof for many of Alex's claims, she is faced with a question: does Alex suffer from schizophrenia, or can he really see demons?

“Utterly captivating, this is a book I adored and savoured from the first to the very last magical page”

Brilliant! Rich with fully formed characters and stunning psychological drama, this heart-gripping novel will keep you riveted from first page to last - Jeffery Deaver

- Tess Gerritsen

In the vein of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, this is a clever and enchanting novel for anyone who understands the importance of needing a friend . . . "the new Audrey Niffenegger" - Living North

Thought-provoking and suspenseful, even heart-warming at times, Cooke's novel proves the devil always had the best tunes as it impresses with a gripping tale or friendship, death and identity . . . a diabolically delightful read, which will charm the hell of out you with its strong narrative voice and memorable characters - The Star

A psychologically complex thriller, told with compassion in a marvellously suspenseful narrative that keeps you engaged from the first page to the last.This novel has it all: a dark and dangerous setting, characters full of depth, rich emotions, and a clever plot.You'll fall in love with Alex - and his demons - Chevy Stevens, New York Times bestselling author of Still Missing

The Boy Who Could See Demons is an absolute chiller. Deep, moving and utterly gripping, I was riveted from the unsettling beginning to the mindbender of an ending. This is a stellar read that will stay with me a good long while - Lisa Unger, New York Times bestselling author of Beautiful Lies

Top-notch psychological suspense. From her descriptions of a struggling young family to a recovering Northern Ireland, Jess-Cooke effortlessly draws you into one woman's fight to save a troubled boy. Beware what you think you know. It might be only the demons talking . . . - Lisa Gardner, New York Times bestselling author of Touch and Go

It's a stunning story - a well-researched, authoritative delve into psychosis, guilt and damage . . . The book is beautifully written, with compassion and insight . . . thrilling, wholly plausible and utterly satisfying - Julia Crouch, author of Every Vow You Break

Following a PhD at Queen's University, Carolyn Jess-Cooke took up a lectureship in Film Studies at the University of Sunderland. She has published non-fiction books in Film Studies and Shakespeare and is the author of the multi award-winning collection of poetry Inroads.

I first met my demon the morning that Mum said Dad had gone. 'My name is Alex. I'm ten years old. I like onions on toast and I can balance on the back legs of my chair for fourteen minutes. I can also see demons. My best friend is one. He likes Mozart, table tennis and bread and butter pudding. My mum is sick. Ruen says he can help her. Only Ruen wants me to do something really bad. He wants me to kill someone.' In the vein of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time , this is a clever and enchanting novel for anyone who understands the importance of needing a friend. Praise for Carolyn Jess-Cooke: 'Incredible. Fabulous' Sun 'Beautiful and captivating' Ulster Tatler 'Clever' Daily Mail 'Deserves to be read' Irish Independent 'High-octane, funny and cinematic' Sydney Morning Herald 'Intriguing and utterly engrossing' Irish Tatler

'I first met my demon the morning that Mum said Dad had gone.'Alex Broccoli is ten years old, likes onions on toast and can balance on the back legs of his chair for fourteen minutes. His best friend is a 9000-year-old demon called Ruen.When his depressive mother attempts suicide yet again, Alex meets child psychiatrist Anya. Still bearing the scars of her own daughter's battle with schizophrenia, Anya fears for Alex's mental health and attempts to convince him that Ruen doesn't exist. But as she runs out of medical proof for many of Alex's claims, she is faced with a question: does Alex suffer from schizophrenia, or can he really see demons?

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