The Making of Jackson Parrish
Every villain has an origin. For Jackson Parrish, it begins with a single, unforgivable act that shatters his world. Cast out by his disapproving father, stripped of his place in a powerful family empire, Jackson's devoted mother sends him to the sun-drenched shores of Greece, hoping exile might offer a chance at redemption.
Instead, Jackson finds Stavros Demaris. This enigmatic, powerful figure draws him into a glittering vortex of unimaginable wealth, absolute power, and dangerous excess. As Jackson remakes himself, moving from the shores of Malta to the playgrounds of Mykonos, he discovers the true cost of ambition and the dark forces that shape a legend.
- Jackson Parrish - Protagonist
- Kenneth - Owner of KJ Parrish Insurance, Jackson’s father
- Evelyn - Jackson’s mother
- Misty - Employee at KJ Parrish Insurance
- Stavros - International businessman
- Evangeline - Yarros’ wife
- Dimitri - Evangeline’s son
- Yarros - Evangeline’s husband, Stavros’ lawyer
- Lily - Jackson’s high school girlfriend
- June 1995: Jackson is in college. He wakes up next to a woman - he can’t remember her name or even if they slept together. She is dead.
- May 1996: Jackson is working at KJ Parrish Insurance, but his father makes him start at the very bottom and work his way up.
- Jackson sleeps with Misty.
- Afterwards Misty is angry when Jackson says it was a one-night stand.
- Misty accuses Jackson of sexual harassment, Kenneth pays her off and fires Jackson.
- In high school Lily died in a car accident. Jackson was angry because she turned down a date with him to hang out with friends that night, and if she had gone with him she would’ve lived.
- Evelyn sends him to Greece where he meets Stavros and Evangeline.
- Jackson starts an affair with Evangeline.
- Stavros hires Jackson and teaches him about the world of art forgery.
- Stavros teaches Jackson that he must control women so he is never hurt again like he was by Lily.
- Stavros takes Jackson on a trip with him to buy untraceable diamonds.
- Jackson steals the diamonds from Stavros’ safe.
- Stavros confronts Evangeline about sleeping with Jackson, and she says Jackson stalked her and manipulated her into the affair.
- Stavros confronts Jackson about Evangeline but he lies.
- Stavros fires Jackson and he leaves.
- Jackson buys plane tickets for Yarros, Evangeline and Dimitri to Argentina to frame Yarros for stealing the diamonds.
- After a week Jackson sees on the news that Yarros and Evangeline die in a gas explosion at their house.
- Dimitri was with Stavros at the time.
- Jackson returns to Chicago to take KJ Parrish Insurance away from Kenneth.
The Mrs. Parrish series introduced us to who Jackson is, but diving into the men and women who actually shaped him into that person is what this prequel is about. Watching his backstory unfold gives the reader great insight into why Jackson became the evil man that he was.
Because the focus is so character-driven, it doesn't read much like a traditional thriller or mystery. There is also a side story introduced right at the very beginning that I fully expected to play a major role but the plot point is abandoned. Leaving such an intense thread dangling was disappointing, as it had a lot of potential to add suspense.
Fortunately, the ending manages to take an interesting turn that makes up for some of the slower moments. The real surprise isn't a massive twist, but rather Jackson's complete naivety regarding the consequences of his own actions, which actually fits his arc perfectly. If you like deep character studies, multiple points of view, and complex backstories, then you may enjoy this book.
- Death
- Car accident
- Infidelity
- Fire
ASIN: B0FJJGZHJ7
Publication Date: September 16, 2025
Note: Details are for the original edition. Other formats, editions, and audiobook versions may be available.
