JEZEBEL’S ISLAND: A Psychological and Mystery Thriller, NOTES

Original digital photo by Andrei Marin – used to create the cover

The Map -The Architects and the Wandering: A Guide to the Island’s Shadows

Note: In the geography of this mystery, there is no true starting line. Remember, the beginning is the end.

The City: Occupying only one side of the island, the City is merciless. It is arguably the most merciless character in the story—a silent, suffocating presence that shapes all who dwell within its borders.

Anastasia: A young woman born in the “City.” She wanders through mystery after mystery, mirror after mirror, ripping veil after veil only to discover new mysteries until she finally understands her destiny.

Jezebel: The visionary architect of fate, a fabulous character—an almost mythical figure whose true intentions are found to be as layered and shifting as the island itself. Rising from the ashes, she leaves us to wonder: Will she make them bloom?

The Captain: A figure whose influence persists long after his demise. Though dead, his cruel legacy remains an immovable weight. Will anyone be able to transcend it?

Lady Swartley: An embodiment of the island’s elite influence and tradition—or so many think. But she is much more. Find out.

David: The inheritor. His real thoughts, not just his actions, will mislead you at first. Pay close attention to what remains unsaid—and what he does in the end.

Esteban: Enigmatic and elusive. Try to understand his role—this is the challenge every reader must face in the literature of the enigma.

Armando: A servant whose presence masks a much deeper, hidden complexity. But is he a servant only?

Gabriela Marie Milton: The author. She built this island, woven these veils, and laid these mirrors. She knows the way out—but will she guide you, or will she leave you to wander?

A Note on the Atmosphere of Jezebel’s Island

As you prepare to embark on the journey within Jezebel’s Island, I want to offer a brief guide on how to approach the narrative.

Reading this novel is less about following a linear path and more about surrendering to an experience. You will likely feel as though you are wandering through a fever dream alongside Anastasia. The narrative is intentionally disjointed, designed to mirror the instability of a world where reality is constantly filtered through the haze of dreams, fragmented memories, and persistent rumors.

To fully immerse yourself in this psychological landscape, I encourage you to set aside the search for traditional cause-and-effect transitions. Instead, allow yourself to be drawn into the thematic atmosphere. Pay close attention to the recurring motifs—the imposing presence of the mountains, the haunting reflection of the mirror, and the encroaching silence of the “void.”

These are not merely background elements; they are the anchors of the story. If you embrace this visceral, psychological engagement, you will find that the story’s true meaning lies not in the “what happens next,” but in the haunting resonance of the world itself.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts as you navigate the island.

Excerpt

What’s wrong with us devouring each other? God gave up the fight, and God says that the mightier should crush the weaker. On the table was a pineapple, and a knife was stuck in it. The pendulum chimed. It was 6:30 am. The Captain turned his back to me, rummaging in the box with cigars. He took them one by one, sniffing them. I tried to look away from the knife, but I couldn’t. In seconds, I lived through dozens of possible futures. I could have picked up the knife; I could have waited for him to turn around… I saw him already full of blood, from head to toe, slumped on the marble floor, dying… Twisted on the floor, the white floor full of blood… in that vision, it seemed to me that he was muttering: the mightiest must crush the weakest. It seemed to me that his gasp had already transformed into the laughter so familiar to me, into that sarcastic laughter. The mightier must crush the weaker. The mightier must crush the weaker. It is what God wants… Twisted in his own blood, he would not shut up. I couldn’t stand that image any longer… I took the knife. He was still on his back, savoring the smell of cigars.

Thank you for reading!

Gabriela Marie Milton,
Author and Founder of Literary Revelations
Woman of the Month (May, 2026), at P.O.W.E.R Magazine
One of the 60th Women’s Entrepreneurs to Watch for in 2026, New York Weekly

My books (Only English)

#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)|
#1 Amazon bestseller, Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony and Power in Japanese Art – co-authored with Hikari (Literary Revelations)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

Woman: Splendor and Sorrow: Love Poems and Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton in Portland Book Review
Woman: Splendor and Sorrow: Love Poems and Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton in Manhattan Book Review
Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings in San Francisco by Gabriela Marie Milton in San Francisco Book Review
Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings by Gabriela Marie Milton In Manhattan B

Jezebel’s Island: A Mystery Thriller by Gabriela Marie Milton coming soon at Literary Revelations – Excerpt 5

Jezebel’s Island: A Mystery Thriller by Gabriela Marie Milton coming soon at Literary Revelations – Excerpt 5

My dear subscribers and followers,

Here is another excerpt from my upcoming novel: Jezebel’s Island: A Mystery Thriller coming late June/early July at Literary Revelations.

Anastasia picked up her courses with indescribable slowness. Her head ached, and the light movements of the palm tress she had followed all afternoon through the windows of the amphitheater had made her nervous. Now the night birds, attracted by the light, crashed dazedly against the glass panes of the halls. They resembled airplanes over which pilots had lost all control, gliding over the mountains.

She found David in a bar near his apartment.

-Have you seen the newspapers?

Anastasia looked at him, smiling without quite knowing why.

-No.

-They eliminated the death penalty.

Anastasia wondered what she cared about all this. David took a seat in the chair across from her, tossing a stack of newspapers on the table.

-Listen to the Government Communiqué.

David leafed through one of the newspapers and began to read. It was a terse announcement, as if the government had reported the launching of a new ship into the water, something quite common on the Island. The death penalty was replaced by imprisonment, the duration of which depended on the seriousness of the act committed. David looked at her.

-What do you think?

-They will need new prisons. Let’s see where they will get the money to build them.

-Anastasia, please!

-I don’t know, David, believe me. I never thought of this.

Anastasia remembered Jezebel again dressed in that beautiful purple silk dress. She felt Armando’s glance. Did Armando say something? No, certainly not. Yet it seemed as though he had. Yes, he must have said something to her, to which Jezebel consented. Or perhaps not.

She began to read.

The Captain’s widow finally granted reporters a minute.

Ten minutes after the government announced the abolition of the death penalty, one of our reporters, who happened to be in the vicinity of the former governor’s house, managed to get some information from his widow. The conversation was recorded without the approval of the interlocutor. We assume full responsibility for the illegal recording of this conversation and its publication.

The reporter was there purely by chance? A doubt and frustration came over her, but she read on.

R. Madam, what was your reaction to the Captain’s announcement of the introduction of the death penalty?

J. I never meddled in their governance affairs.

R. Okay, but you must have had some reaction.

J. My husband acted as he saw fit.

R. Madam, please, the former Governor’s decision constituted an attack on our freedoms.

J. Do you consider that a proven criminal can be guaranteed his freedoms?

R. No, not that. But why should passing the mountains be considered a crime?

J. It was already considered as such upon my husband’s assumption of power.

R. Of course. But it was not punished so severely. The death penalty constituted the total severance of ties with the other side of the Island.

J. And the 20 years of incarceration now constitute the reestablishment of links with the other part of the Island?

R. No, but it is bearable.

J. Is there anything here that is truly bearable?

Thank you for reading!

Gabriela Marie Milton,
Author and Founder of Literary Revelations
Woman of the Month (May, 2026), at P.O.W.E.R Magazine
One of the 60th Women’s Entrepreneurs to Watch for in 2026, New York Weekly

My books (Only English)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

Jezebel’s Island: A Mystery Thriller – Excerpt 4

Jezebel’s Island: A Mystery Thriller by Gabriela Marie Milton

My beloved subscribers and followers, Happy Weekend and an exhilarating New Week to each and every one of you! To my cherished subscribers, my heartfelt gratitude for your loving emails and your wonderful wishes that warm my soul.

Jezebel’s Island: A Mystery Thriller is coming late June/early July at Literary Revelations. Stay tuned for cover reveals, character teasers, and official release dates by subscribing to the my blog!

What do you think lies waiting on the island? Let me know your theories in the comments below or in your wonderful emails!

Jezebel’s Island: A Mystery Thriller – Excerpt 4

I had a maid to care for the house, to cook and wash. I still remember the scent of pine that drifted through the open windows. Ingrid sent postcards with short messages: All is well, Jezebel. She played my role better than I did myself. It only proves how often we are more others than ourselves. She loved a pair of my shoes—antelope leather, turquoise, with high heels—and once confessed that, unable to wear them in public, she put them on at home while smoking cigarettes she rolled herself from the Captain’s cherry-scented tobacco.

We soon reached an impossible moment, when one of us had to disappear. Together we decided it would be the Captain. You remember, Anastasia, what Armando told you: that what he could never forgive me for was my failure to carry out the plan to kill him. He was right. I know he told you. He confessed it to me himself.

I know you have doubts. I know that life beyond the mountains has become an obsession for you. Let us speak of it. Please come and see me.

With love,
Jezebel

Anastasia jumped like she was electocuted.

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Literary Revelations’ Latest Publication Haiku for Soulmates is still topping the chart in various Amazon Market. You can check out the book here.

My books (Only English)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
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The UN Has Nothing on Poetry: A Note on “World Domination” – Literary Revelations

Dear Subscribers and followers.

As some of you may know I am Gabriela Marie Milton, an author, editor, and the founder of Literary Revelations.

I have a quick note about my publishing house: Literary Revelations.

The UN Has Nothing on Poetry: A Note on “World Domination” – Literary Revelations

If you had told me a few years ago that a boutique independent press like Literary Revelations dedicated to poetry and art would one day be flagged by global web servers for achieving “World Domination,” I would have laughed.

And yet, yesterday morning, a glance at the Literary Revelations administrative dashboard revealed that very milestone, unlocked and shining back at me.

In the playful language of WordPress developers, unlocking “World Domination” means something astonishing: Literary Revelations publishing house and its digital journal have officially registered active, consistent readership across more than 150 different countries. To put that into perspective, the United Nations has 193 member states. It turns out that the language of art, meaningful omission, and curated aesthetics is currently rippling across nearly the entire planet.

— 150+ Countries. 1 Shared Heart. —

In the modern publishing landscape, we are often told to chase the volume-driven model—to publish fast, lean into the loudest trends, and feed the commercial machine. But Literary Revelations was founded on a diametrically opposed philosophy. We chose to focus on vertical excellence. We chose archival quality. We chose to treat every anthology, every poem, and every editorial feature as a lasting monument to history.

When collections like Haiku for Soulmates break through algorithmic barriers to claim the #1 Bestseller spot simultaneously in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan, it feels like an extraordinary commercial victory. But seeing our readership span 150 nations tells a much deeper story. It tells us that whether a reader is sitting in a bustling café in Tokyo, a quiet village in the Mediterranean, a historic city in Europe, or right here in the United States, they are searching for the exact same thing: a sanctuary of genuine depth.

We aren’t actually looking to dominate the world, of course. We just want to fill it with beautiful words. We want to continue placing our authors’ works into permanent historical archives, ensuring that the creative pulse of this global community outlives us all. To our immense family of international authors, collaborators, and readers across 150+ countries: thank you for proving that the poetry can make the loudest impact.

Please check your blog. You may have received the same achievement.

Gabriela Marie Milton
Author, Editor, Founder

My mystery Thriller Jezebel’s Island is coming soon at Literary Revelations. Please stay tunned for more news and excerpts

IG @gabriela_marie_milton and on X @shortprose1

My books (Only English)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

Haiku for Soulmates – #1 Amazon Bestseller in the US, Japan, and the UK

Haiku for Soulmates – #1 Amazon Bestseller in the US, Japan, and the UK: Publisher Literary Revelations

Thank you to all my subscribers, and contributors!

Congratulations to everyone!

Thank you to Hikari for painting this fabulous piece of art in honor of the launch of Haiku for Soulmates.

1 Bestseller

US – #1 Bestseller in all categories

Japan

Gabriela Marie Milton
Author and founder of Literary Revelations

IG @gabriela_marie_milton and on X @shortprose1

My books (Only English)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

YAY! Haiku for Soulmates #1 Amazon bestseller in Japan, Top Release in the USA

YAY! Haiku for Soulmates #1 Amazon bestseller in Japan, Top Release in the USA.

Thank you Japan! Thank you USA! UK were are you? Let’s go!

LINK https://www.amazon.com/Haiku-Soulmates-Literary-Revelations/dp/B0H17RMQJN/

Literary Revelations congratulates all contributors!

Gabriela Marie Milton
Author and founder of Literary Revelations.

Jezebel’s Island: A Mystery Thriller by Gabriela Marie Milton – Excerpt 3

Jezebel’s Island: A Mystery Thriller by Gabriela Marie Milton – Excerpt 3

My dearest followers and subscribers, I am thrilled to bring you again a short excerpt from my upcoming novel Jezebel’s Island: A Mystery Thriller. Tentative publication date: end of June.

Have a beautiful weekend!

Jezebel to Anastasia

….You will have to find a new axis mundis, a new explanation of our life. You will have to take from God the thick garment of misery with which the present civilization has dressed him. You will have to tear off from his face that repugnant mask that those who pray that business will go well, that they will recover the lost money or the long lost power have stuck on him. He must remain the God of the oppressed, the God of the sick, the God of the mother who loses her child.

Make him shine again, Anastasia, turn on the light of the lamp to the God the Creator, take him out of the swamp where he has been thrown, from all kinds of obsessives, who claim him in the name of doubtful pains and by virtue of a single phrase, “I will”. Whoever affirms that will is the privilege of the superior man, is a madman. Will has its role, of course, but it should not be taken to the extreme, nor should it be divinized.

Anastasia felt a horrible pain in her stomach. She was suddenly afraid, and she wanted David to be beside her, to explain, to tell her the whole truth. The truth? Hadn’t she gone mad like the others? Who could know the truth? And where had Esteban and David disappeared to? They had probably vanished earlier in the day through some secret door in the bush. Alone. They had all left her. It seemed to her that she was sitting in a pile of skeletons. She tried to shake off that horrible image.

About Jezebel’s Island: A Mystery Thriller by Gabriela Marie Milton

At the far edge of the Island’s circulation stands Anastasia, witness, recipient, and actor—her presence poised between necessity and chance. As the curtain lifts and the first figures Anastasia, Jezebel, David step into view, readers remain in the dark, their biographies concealed, their stories unwritten. The narrative unfurls like a film reel abruptly set in motion, and at its heart is a woman of haunting beauty, gradually awakening from a nightmare that lingers, stretched across the threshold of reality. In this twilight of memory, other figures rise each bearing identities veiled in uncertainty, summoned from the depths of recollection into the shifting light of the present.

M.B. R.L.

Haiku for Soulmates is coming soon at Literary Revelations. Please stay tuned for more news.

Gabriela Marie Milton,
Author and Founder of Literary Revelations.

IG @gabriela_marie_milton and on X @shortprose1

My books (Only English)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

You have already seen the ending; you simply chose to forget it – Coming in June Jezebel’s Island: A Mystery Thriller by Gabriela Marie Milton.

You have already seen the ending; you simply chose to forget it.

My dear readers and subscribers,

I wrote a few notes on my upcoming book: Jezebel’s Island: A Mystery Thriller, which I am extremely excited to share with you. This novel will take readers on a thrilling journey through the enigmatic landscapes and mysterious events that unfold on the island. I hope you enjoy these insights into the story, alongside a short excerpt that highlights the tension and intrigue woven throughout the book. Thank you for taking the time to read and support my writing journey; your interest means the world to me as I put the finishing touches on this captivating tale.

Jezebel’s Island, centers on the psychological manipulation of Anastasia, a young woman used as a moral mirror for a fractured society. Following the mysterious death of the city’s governor, his widow, Jezebel, weaves a web of conspiracy that forces Anastasia into a messianic role. Though the novel concludes on a hauntingly open note, the resolution is subtly encoded within the story’s pages—challenging the reader to look closely at what ‘disconcerting’ is before the main narrative even takes hold.

Everyone on the island has a secret except Anastasia, yet she is the one moving toward the most profound revelation. Anastasia’s journey is a loop through a world of mirrors. The novel’s conclusion remains open, yet for the careful reader, the final heartbeat of the story is echoed in its first breath. It is a thriller where the path is hidden in the pages you thought you’d left behind.

I wrote the novel. I invite you my dear reader the solve the puzzle.

Gabriela Marie Milton

From Jezebel’s Island: A Mystery Thriller

Anastasia walked down the street, taking the onslaught of the rain, and scurried along the line of shops. She was like a ghost, appearing out of the mists of time for just an instant, drawn by the smell of rock and water-washed trees. That night, she had dreamed of Jezebel in the basement of a house, groping through narrow, dark corridors. It was an imposing villa, in whose wretched old cellar rats abounded. She was terrified. Jezebel had entered a small room through a narrow door. Anastasia had glued her ear to the door with ruined paint and had heard first her laughter, then her breath, as if Jezebel had pressed herself against the door to hear Anastasia’s.

Suddenly silence had taken over. Before long, the scream of a drowning man. Had David screamed? She reached for the pillow beside her, and the coolness of the sheets shook her. No, David had not yet returned from the Radio. A strange sensation invaded her, seizing her senses with the force of a whirlwind that could unite heaven and earth, that could lift into the air all beings of the ground, erasing with fury all emotion, all dreams, all hope, and replacing them with nothingness.

Anastasia managed to control her pace. The clouds were rushing from the mountains toward the city at a frightening speed. Perhaps the city deserved to be wiped off the face of the earth. Lightning flashed over the peaks, splitting the sky. She steadied herself, wondering if everything was connected: Jezebel, Esteban, David, all that had happened on the other side of the Island, and all that was still to come. She walked instinctively northward, drawn to the mountains …

Follow me for more updates on Jezebel’s Island.

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My books (Only English)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
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Gabriela Marie Milton: Named Among the Top 30 Women Entrepreneurs of 2026 by New York Weekly

Featured

LINK;https://www.nyweeklymagazine.com/blog/top-30-women-entrepreneurs-to-look-out-for-in-2026-0

In a world that often measures success by the sheer volume of output, choosing a path defined by curation and artistic integrity can feel like a quiet rebellion. At Literary Revelations, we have always operated under a singular conviction: that quality is the only currency that truly appreciates over time.

It is with deep gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose that I share some news. I have been honored by New York Weekly as one of the Top 30 Women Entrepreneurs for 2026.

The Vision Behind the Venture

When I founded Literary Revelations, the goal was never to follow the standard commercial models of high-volume publishing. Instead, I envisioned a “digital salon”—a space where poetry, cinematic journalism, and high-art could intersect without the pressure of mass-market compromise.

Being recognized among such a formidable group of women entrepreneurs is a powerful reminder that there is a profound hunger for prestige and depth in the modern cultural landscape. Whether through our global anthologies or my own multimedia reportage, the mission remains the same: to bridge the gap between traditional excellence and the digital future.

The Strength of Community

Success in entrepreneurship is rarely a solitary endeavor. This recognition belongs equally to the authors, poets, and readers who have championed our high-art aesthetic. It belongs to the collaborators who understand that a well-crafted tanka or a meticulously edited journal entry carries more weight than a thousand “instapoems.”

As we move further into 2026, this honor serves as a springboard for what’s next. From our upcoming global anthologies to the expansion of our digital presence, we are doubling down on the belief that beauty and substance are not just luxuries—they are essentials.

Looking Ahead

Thank you, New York Weekly, for acknowledging the work we are doing to elevate the literary and cultural conversation. And thank you to my community for your unwavering support.

The journey of an entrepreneur is one of constant refinement. Today, we celebrate this milestone. Tomorrow, we return to the craft.

Gabriela Marie Milton
Author & Founder, Literary Revelations

Please follow me on IG @gabriela_marie_milton and ob X @shortprose1

My books (Only English)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

Jezebel’s Island: A Mystery Thriller by Gabriela Marie Milton – A Presentation

Jezebel’s Island: A Mystery Thriller by Gabriela Marie Milton – A Presentation

My dear readers and subscribers,

I want to take a moment to present my upcoming novel: Jezebel’s Island: A Mystery Thriller. The book will be released by Literary Revelations in late June or early July.

Step onto Jezebel’s Island, a shadowy realm where reality twists and nothing is as it appears. In this world cloaked in secrets and deception, truth flickers just out of reach, while unseen danger stalks your every move. Who was Jezebel—a ruthless murderer, or a misunderstood victim? The stories whispered across the island contradict themselves, leaving chilling gaps and unanswered questions.

Unravel the tangled web of intrigue: Was Steven truly the son of the former governor, or merely a pawn in someone else’s sinister game? Does Anastasia carry the fate of the island, or is she doomed to repeat its darkest legends? Each answer uncovers deeper enigmas, as betrayals and hidden motives emerge from the shadows.

Prepare for a haunting journey, where every clue uncovers another secret and every revelation brings fresh uncertainty. Coming late June at Literary Revelations—stay tuned for the truth behind the crimes, the endless deceptions, and the mysterious inhabitants of Jezebel’s Island. Who are these enigmatic figures populating a dystopian world, and what destinies entwine their fates? The answers may be more disturbing than you ever imagined.

From the Foreword

….But what is it? We see only glimpses of it, here and there. Our characters never grasp it permanently or totally. It is always a dawning, impartial, and intermittent recognition, symptoms that point imprecisely behind themselves to some hidden origin. It concerns the City’s ultimate sickness, rooted first in the great crime through which it was founded, second in its effort to neutralize, if not forget, this history, and third, in the fresh crimes it commits in Anastasia’s day.

The latter are the softer crimes of established and abundant societies, those crimes of the spirit, freedom, and truth which occur when citizens no longer push for the society that could be, and instead accept the one in which they find themselves or fantasize about a return to an older status quo.

The question lingers: How will Anastasia live up to her name?

Brian Geiger, former Editor, vita Brevis Press

Announcement

Literary Revelations is still reviewing submissions to Haiku for Soulmates. Once the selection is ready, we will send an email to everyone who submitted. We appreciate your patience.

Gabriela Marie Miton,
Author, Editor, Founder of Literary Revelations

Please follow me on IG @gabriela_marie_milton and ob X @shortprose1