Uncaged

Jason Holden has been skating on thin ice since his mother died. If there’s a rule to break, he’s broken it. Naturally his behavior isn’t winning him any points with his father, who just happens to be the state governor. When Governor Holden learns about a program for troubled youth, he jumps at the chance to deal with Jason’s impulsive outbursts while cementing his position as political leader known for being tough on crime. Jason doesn’t resent him for killing two birds with one stone. He just resents him.

The program is a radical exercise designed to scare teens into walking away from a life of crime. The other kids in the program are straight from the streets, and it doesn’t take more than a minute for Jason to realize he’s gotten himself in too deep. The program is called “Scared Straight,” and it will take them into the heart of Blackenbush Penitentiary.

Accompanied by prison guards and a documentary crew led by the only woman who’s passed through the gates in years, the six boys find themselves face to face with some of the worst criminals the state has ever seen. The experience has the potential to change them forever.

Until everything goes utterly, horribly wrong.

What begins as an exercise for troubled youth becomes a full-out jailbreak. Led by Manning, a serial killer and psychotic genius, the prison is transformed into a hellhole of violence and destruction. Jason’s only hope is escape, but he can’t do that without help. In a prison full of murderers and thieves, Jason will have to trust in the most unlikely person—a convict with his own body count, a man who came to the prison a thief and stayed there a murderer. Between them, they just might find a way to save their skin.

"Wildy suspenseful with great characters. Pure fun to read."

-- Topher Grace, actor "That '70s Show," "Traffic," Spiderman 3," and "Predators"

"Cinematic in its sweep, terrifying in its possibility, and remarkable in its realism, Uncaged is a book for readers ready to be scared straight till the last page. Joe Gazzam has crafted a novel that reads like a good movie, carrying you along from the first moment of danger, to the last terrifying precipice. It's fast, shocking, and gritty. You'll love it."

-- Chris Morgan, screenwriter, "Fast and Furious," "Wanted," and "47 Ronin."

"No vampires, werewolves, fairies or unicorns. Real. Thrilling. Scary. Crack this book and hang on for your life."

-- Ahmet Zappa, writer of "The Monstrous Memoirs of a Mighty McFearless," and co-screenwriter and producer of "The Odd Life of Timothy Green."

“Fascinating characters, breakneck pacing and as much suspense as you can handle.”

-- Tom O'Conner screenwriter of "Fire with Fire," and "Hitman's Bodyguard"

“A runaway train of an action-thriller. A complete page-turner."

-- Gary Spinelli, Screenwriter of "Stash House"

"It's unpredictable and gripping, a blockbuster, edge-of-your-seat read."

-- Jessica Therrien, bestselling author of "Oppression"