Jesse Palmer is a Charlotte-based attorney and novelist behind The Echo of Revenge, a gripping thriller inspired by real-world events. Through the lens of its two leads, and the turbulent paths their lives take in the wake of one tumultuous night, The Echo of Revenge challenges readers’ expectations and forces us to wrestle with what we believe to be the truth. To celebrate the launch of the book, What We Reading sat down with Jesse to discuss everything from moving to North Carolina to her enduring love for Jurassic Park!
Thanks for speaking with us, Jesse! First off, tell us a bit about yourself and what led you to the world of writing.
I was adopted from China as an infant and grew up in a quiet northeastern Connecticut town. That experience, navigating identity and often feeling like an outsider, shaped much of my perspective and lends emotional nuance to my writing. I went on to college and law school and now work as a tax attorney by day. I currently live in Charlotte, North Carolina, with my husband. Outside of writing, I enjoy reading a good book, sipping a cup of tea, indulging my sweet tooth, and exploring new restaurants around the city.
Writing has been a steady presence in my life for as long as I can remember. It wasn’t a single, dramatic moment that led me to it; rather, it has always been a quiet companion, a natural way for me to make sense of the world and find comfort. Since childhood, putting words on the page felt as natural as breathing. Writing offered me an escape, a space where I could step outside reality and create worlds of my own.
Over time, I realized writing wasn’t just a pastime but a vital tool I returned to during life’s pivotal moments, times of reflection, growth, and change. It became the way I processed complex emotions, explored my thoughts, and found control over the stories I told, both on the page and in life. This ongoing relationship with writing has quietly shaped who I am and revealed itself as something deeply meaningful, something I’m committed to nurturing and growing with every day.
Talk to us about The Echo of Revenge. What is it about, and how was the process of writing it?
The Echo of Revenge is a dark thriller about two ambitious law students whose paths cross in an LSAT class. What began as a single, life-altering night spirals into a relentless pursuit of justice and revenge, binding them together in ways neither can escape. At its core, the story confronts the raw power of a single accusation in the digital age, where social media can magnify outrage, distort facts, and erase nuance in an instant. It also explores what happens when guilt is assumed before truth is understood, and how the pursuit of justice, no matter how well-intentioned, can become morally fraught in a world where perception often outweighs reality.
While this book is entirely a work of fiction, I drew inspiration from current events in the media as well as glimmers and experiences in my own life. Following the revelation of the #MeToo movement in such a divisive era, I felt compelled to write this book, to tell a story that challenges assumptions, fosters empathy, and reminds us of the value of due process through thoughtful reflection.
What is the number one goal you want your work to have with readers?
My hope is that The Echo of Revenge will encourage readers to question what they think they know, to look beyond the headlines, beyond first impressions, and consider the complexities beneath every story. More than anything, I want this book to linger with readers, to stir reflection, invite honest dialogue, and remind them that truth is rarely as simple as it seems.
What do you think makes you stand out as an author?
What sets me apart as an author is the lens through which I see the world, shaped by being born in China, adopted, and raised in a small American town where I often felt like an outsider looking in. I draw deeply from my journey, from childhood through undergrad and law school, where questions of identity, belonging, and justice weren’t just theoretical; they were personal.
As an attorney and a writer, I’m naturally drawn to the gray areas of human behavior, the space between perception and reality, guilt and innocence. I write stories that engage readers through emotional honesty, subtle tension, and characters who reflect the complicated, often unspoken truths of being human.
What would you say has been your biggest success so far?
When I think about success, I don’t measure it by titles or trophies, but by the moments that demanded growth, when I was tested, stretched, and pushed beyond my comfort zone. My biggest success so far has been moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, to start over and build a new life.
At the time, I didn’t have any plan; I just knew something needed to change. Leaving the familiar and starting fresh in a city where I didn’t know anyone was intimidating, but it taught me resilience. I found my footing, formed new friendships, and gradually created a life that reflected the path I wanted to follow and the person I was becoming. Most meaningfully, it led me to eventually meet the love of my life, something I never would’ve experienced if I hadn’t been willing to take the risk.
That move didn’t just change my geography, it redefined how I saw myself and reminded me what I was capable of. That’s why I consider it my most meaningful success.
If you could go back in time to one book you read for the first time, what would it be and why?
In third grade, after a class field trip to Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, I felt inspired to check out Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton from our tiny school library. This book was the first “adult” novel I ever tried to read. Although some of the scientific terminology was beyond me at the time, I was completely captivated by the story. I wasn’t just sitting at my desk reading; I was on Isla Nublar. With my eyes closed, I could picture the dinosaurs moving through the trees, hear their footsteps, and feel the tension.
It was a magical experience that unlocked my imagination in a way nothing else had. It was the first time I realized how powerful a story could be, how words on a page could build entire worlds and let us step beyond the boundaries of our everyday lives. If I could go back and relive any first read, it would be that one because of the wonder it sparked and the imagination it awakened.
What’s one tip you would give your younger self if you had the opportunity?
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be this: Don’t rush to fit in. Instead, lean into what makes you unique. For a long time, I felt like an outsider, trying to blend in or hide parts of myself to avoid standing out. But with time, I’ve realized that those very differences are what give my voice its authenticity and strength. It’s often in our darkest, loneliest, most uncertain moments that we uncover the rawest truths and the stories that truly matter.
So, embrace your uniqueness fiercely, because your perspective holds a power the world can’t afford to lose.
And finally, what do you hope the future holds for you and your writing?
What I hope for the future is that my stories find their way into the hands and hearts of readers far and wide, sparking reflection, conversation, and connection.
Ultimately, I want to dedicate time to my writing full-time, allowing the craft to grow and evolve without the constraints of balancing it alongside other professional working demands. For my writing, that means making room for creativity to thrive and giving voice to the stories that truly deserve to be told, so they can reach readers and inspire meaningful connections.
Follow Jesse and all her work on Instagram, Amazon and her website
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
