My book review of Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell.
Title: Breaking the Dark
By: Lisa Jewell
Genre: Action/Thriller/Mystery
Pages: 384
Release Date: July 2nd, 2024
Publisher: Hyperion Avenue
Rating: ★★★★☆
Summary from Goodreads:
In her most imaginative novel yet, #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell (None of This Is True) launches the Marvel Crime series of thriller books for adults with an original story starring the private detective Jessica Jones.
Meet Jessica Jones: Retired super hero, private investigator, loner. She tried her best to be a shiny spandex crimefighter, but that life only led to unspeakable trauma. Now she avoids that world altogether and works on surviving day-to-day in Hell’s Kitchen, New York.
The morning a distraught mother comes into her office, Jessica would prefer to nurse her hangover and try to forget last night’s poor choices. But something about Amber Randall’s story strikes a chord with her. Amber is adamant that something happened to her teenage twins while they were visiting their father in the UK. The twins don’t act like themselves, and they now have flawless skin, have lost their distinctive tics and habits, and keep talking about a girl named Belle. Amber insists her children have been replaced by something horrible, something “perfect.”
Traveling to a small village in the British countryside, Jessica meets the mysterious Belle, who lives a curiously isolated life in an old farmhouse with a strange woman who claims to be her guardian. Can this unworldly teenager really be responsible for the Randall twins’ new personas? Why does the strange little village of Barton Wallop seem to harbor dark energies and mysteries in its tight-knit community?
A mother’s intuition is never wrong. And Jessica knows that nothing in life is perfect—not these kids, not her on-again, off-again relationship with Luke Cage, and certainly not Jessica herself. But even as she tries to buy into the idea that better days are ahead, Jessica Jones has seen all too clearly that behind every promise of perfection trails a dark, dangerous shadow.
Breaking the Dark, the first book in the brand-new Marvel Crime series, introduces fans to a grittier, street-level side of the Marvel Universe, and will continue with original novels featuring fan-favorite characters like Luke Cage, written by S.A. Cosby, and Daredevil, written by Alex Segura.
Review:
When I discovered that Lisa Jewell had penned a crime novel set in the Marvel Universe, I was immediately intrigued. As a fan of Jewell’s writing, crime fiction, and Marvel, I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of this unique blend.
Breaking the Dark is a mind-bending journey into the Marvel Universe, starring none other than Jessica Jones. The story is laced with Jewell's signature suspense and complex character development, but with a twist of superhuman elements. From the moment you dive in, it's clear that conventional logic need not apply. The narrative is infused with the uncanny, making it impossible to predict what's coming next.
Jessica Jones, a character I was only vaguely familiar with, stands out as a deeply flawed yet relatable protagonist. Her struggles with her past and her mental health add depth to her superhuman persona, reminding us that even heroes are not invincible. Jewell intersperses hints of Jessica’s backstory throughout the novel, which enhances the reading experience without overwhelming those new to the character.
Lisa Jewell's writing in Breaking the Dark is as sharp and engaging as ever. She deftly balances the gritty reality of crime fiction with the fantastical elements of the Marvel Universe. The story’s pacing is brisk, and the suspense is palpable, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Jewell’s ability to craft a narrative that feels both familiar and wildly unpredictable is a testament to her versatility as a writer.
This book is a reminder that even superheroes need to prioritize their mental health. A solid 4-star read, Breaking the Dark is a thrilling addition to the Marvel Universe that leaves readers eager for more.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
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