I Read this as a Lisa Jewell fan, not a Marvel fan, (I knew nothing about Jessica Jones) and it did not disappoint! A great thriller with a little super natural element and not too much superhero stuff. Jessica is hired as a private investigator and it turns in to quite a mystery to solve! Such a fun read even though the start was a little slow for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the arc!

I love Lisa Jewell and her thrillers, but Breaking the Dark is a bit off course for what I like and what I've come to expect from Jewell. It wasn't bad, just different. Some of the writing felt very simplistic and even stilted. With that said, I could see this more as a visual book or even better as an audiobook. It had that presence even with the writing.

Not being a huge super hero fan, this was something pretty new to me. I liked how we got a little taste of Jewell's writing, but it definitely was a departure from her normal thrillers. And the actual storyline? Intriguing to say the least. Jessica Jones is hired by a wealthy mother to twins after they return home acting just a bit off. Jones enlists the help of a teen that is only to eager to be hired on and befriend the twins. Meanwhile, Jessica heads off to the UK to the small village of Barton Wallop, where the twins had spent the summer with their father. Things are a little off there and Jessica even experiences something that is not normal. When she returns back to NYC, she slowly begins gathering everything and trying to piece together what happened in the UK to how the twins, Fox and Lark are now that they are home with their mother.

This supernatural thriller was so different, yet intriguing and kept me on my toes. I wasn't quite sure how the past POV was all going to come together with the present, but it does. And even though this wasn't in my wheelhouse, I still had to know what was going to happen. It was just an unusual story that will definitely appeal to the right people. Not sure if I will continue on with the series, but I do like the other authors, so we will see.

If you are a thriller and superhero fan, I think you'll really like this one. I liked the fact that Jewell gave us a "true crime" and superpowers of a superhero and still mixed it with very now and relevant topics of beauty, filters and social media. Overall, not exactly a book for me, but will appeal to a certain audience.

📖 Breaking the Dark
🖋️ Lisa Jewell
✨ Marvel Crime

•What to Expect•
Whodunnit
Marvel comic characters
Interesting world

•Review•
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I would recommend this book!

Creepy… some say
Bizarre… they say
Thrilling in only Lisa's way
Perfectly perfect writing

This book sucked me in from the very beginning I've been waiting and watching for this book to be released ohh and it did me in good. Jewell does a great job exploring the Jessica Jones mythos and blending it with the crime fiction genre. The story was modern and interesting, I like how she essentially made modern technology and this sort of disconnect with the real world and expectations of beauty and self-esteem the villain of the tale. By far my favorite book by Lisa I've read.

I have to admit when I received this book I was nervous because I am not a Marvel girlie AT ALL but I LOVE Lisa Jewell so I went in not knowing what to expect. I LIKED IT A LOT but I will say I am not hugely familiar with Marvel so I can not speak to that portion as much. What I loved was it was not heavy on the Marvel  aspect so I wasn't lost or confused at all.  I found I related to this book in so many ways with being a parent trying to navigate tech and the way the internet wants us to portray our lives as perfect whether it be houses, beauty , lives! Was a super fun suspense mystery that made me want to know the answers to WHAT IS GOING ON ? I recommend this book!

This book had a different feel from Lisa Jewell's other novels but still lives up to the quality I am used to reading from her.
This book is about Jessica Jones a retired superhero working as a private investigator. She is fighting her own internal battles when she is asked to help a mother find out what happened to her twins as they were changed while with their father. It was a pretty wild ride and very enjoyable story. I would not pass this one up it was definitely worth the read. Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this.

Lisa Jewell’s Breaking the Dark is a gripping and atmospheric thriller that pulls you in from page one. With her signature blend of suspense and rich character development, Jewell keeps you guessing until the very end. The story is dark, twisty, and impossible to put down—one of those books you think about long after finishing.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Really great book! Intriguing premise, some supernatural/superheroes thrown in, which was interesting. This book hooked me from the start and I loved it the whole was through. Really engaging writing style and a fast moving plot. Really enjoyed all the characters and the ending. I love Lisa Jewell and this was a departure from her usual style of writing, which was kind of cool! 5 stars!

Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel
by Lisa Jewell
Pub Date: Mar 25 2025
Ok, so when I saw Lisa Jewell's name on this preview, I didn't bother to read the tagline. I just thought, "Nice! A new Lisa Jewell thriller!" and dove right in. Then the name Jessica Jones popped up. Those who know me know my husband is a comic book fan (and I am too by default) and I thought "No way...!" (I love Jessica Jones btw).
This was awesome! Great crossover of bringing a well-known author into the Marvel world and vice-versa.
Jessica is a super-powered private investigator who has been through the ringer. Once known as Jewel (nice connection there to the author), she was abducted and brainwashed into using her powers for evil. Jessica feels the ick that remains even though it was not her fault and has not used her powers since, instead, barely making it as a hung-over PI.
Then comes the case of the perfect twins Fox and Lark. Their mother is concerned after they spent a month in England with their father and they came back picture perfect. It's as if a literal filter has been placed over them in real life, perfect skin, perfect hair, perfect teeth, perfect grades, perfect athleticism.... everything perfect. As Jessica digs deeper into this mysterious glowup, she uncovers a sinister plan that feeds on teens' insecurities.
This novel speaks to all the endless filters we place on our social medias; the picture perfect presence so many people try to portray online hoping it will bleed into real-life.
Great read with a great moral tale without being preachy.
#netgalley
#lisaJewell
#breakingthedark

"Breaking the Dark" by Lisa Jewell is an enthralling psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of relationships, the nature of secrets, and the profound impact of the past on the present. Jewell masterfully weaves a story rich in suspense and emotional depth, leaving readers on the edge of their seats.

The novel follows the lives of its characters as they navigate the shadows of their personal histories. Jewell's character development is one of the standout elements of the book. Each character is intricately crafted, with unique backgrounds and motivations that provoke empathy and intrigue. The dual timelines enhance the narrative, allowing readers to understand how past decisions reverberate through time, shaping the characters' identities and futures.

Jewell's writing is both engaging and evocative, bringing vivid imagery and poignant moments to life. The pacing is expertly managed, with twists and revelations delivered at just the right moments to keep readers guessing. The atmosphere in "Breaking the Dark" is palpable, with a sense of foreboding that builds throughout the story, compelling the reader to turn the pages rapidly.

One of the remarkable aspects of the novel is its exploration of themes such as trust, forgiveness, and the struggle to overcome one's demons. As the characters confront their fears and unveil their secrets, the narrative prompts readers to reflect on their own relationships and the complexities that lie beneath the surface.

"Breaking the Dark" is not only a gripping thriller but also a deeply reflective exploration of human nature. Lisa Jewell's skillful storytelling invites readers to lose themselves in a world where every choice has consequences and where the darkness of the past can either bind or liberate.

Overall, this novel is a compelling read that will resonate with fans of psychological dramas and thrillers. Lisa Jewell has once again proven her prowess as a master storyteller, delivering a tale that is both thrilling and thought-provoking.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars.

I was a complete skeptic before reading this book due to the Marvel back story because I don't really enjoy that or understand super heroes. But this book was wow!! It only touched on Marvel super powers so little I couldn't put this book down. The storyline was so easy to follow and was a complete page turner. I had to know what was happening and going to happen. I'd recommend this book to my friends again and again.

I love Marvel and I love Lisa Jewel! How could I want anything more?
Turns out I could...lack of depth in the storyline, wasn't attached to any characters, and lacks a feeling of purpose.
Wanted to like this one so much more

i had absolutely no idea what this book was about when i started it, but i very quickly fell in love with this world!!
to preface, this is the first in a new series called marvel crime. i am NOT a marvel girl, i have no prior knowledge about any of these characters, though i did find myself researching a bit about the comics throughout reading the book. our main character is jessica jones (who also apparently has a netflix series i must now definitely watch) and follows her as she investigates a case about two teenagers who come back from a summer abroad looking and acting different.
there were SO many twists and turns along the way, i genuinely did not know where the story was going 80% of the time but i was ENTHRALLED and tried soooo hard to figure out the ending before it came but i was STILL surprised by the plot twist at the very end. this story was CRAZY in the best way possible. there was so much action to keep readers entertained and at the end you see how every single piece of the story is connected and everything just makes sense.
this book dealt with themes of perfectionism, motherhood, addiction, therapy, and ptsd. i really loved how connected i felt to jessica by the end of the book. my ONLY complaint is that the last couple of chapters were more difficult to get through since the main mystery had been resolved by that point. but, that was only a few pages and i did enjoy how everything wrapped up for the characters.
i enjoyed this book so much more than i anticipated considering i’m not into superheroes at all, but i will 10000% be putting the next book in this series on my tbr once it comes out!!
the main point i want to get across here is that you definitely DO NOT have to be well versed in the MCU to enjoy this book. if you DO happen to love the MCU and thriller/crime books, i’d almost guarantee you’d love this.

This book follows Marvel superhero Jessica Jones on as she investigates a case of two twin teenagers that come home from a trip acting and appearing very differently than their previous selves. I don’t typically follow Marvel, but have enjoyed previous books by the author, so I wanted to give this one a try. I was very pleasantly surprised, as there was great character development that allowed me to easily connect with the character, despite having little knowledge of her before. The story was also captivating and had meaningful storylines exploring current social themes. In short, I really liked the book and would recommend to others knowledgeable or new to Marvel characters!

I was approved as an ARC for this book, it was a very interesting book. Not my favorite Lisa jewel work but I’ll take it. It dives into criminal investigations and what’s happening next so it was fun to read. I do love marvel but I can’t say if I’d follow up on this series. But altogether a nice and enjoyable read

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this earn! This was such an interesting read! Lisa Jewell is an incredible writer and I was so intrigued that she was writing a Marvel story. I have watched the tv show Jessica Jones, so I have a bit of understanding with her story and think fans of Marvel will overall enjoy. Now, being that it’s in the Marvel world almost nothing is off limits making it a very weird, dark, strange and twisty story. Anything is possible! The beginning was a bit slow and took a bit to get into. There is not a lot of back-story given, it’s mostly implied. So if you don’t know Jessica’s history it may hinder your reading experience. Once I got to the second half of the book it really picked up and was fun and entertaining! All in all, it did feel a bit like pieces of a puzzle that didn’t completely fit together.

If you’re a Marvel fan I would definitely give this a read! If you’re a Lisa Jewell fan, I still feel it’s worth experiencing the mash up of thriller writer meets Marvel world.

As a fan of Jessica Jones I felt it just didn’t truly capture her character in the way I would have hoped. Having watched the series I was looking forward to having that same sass of her personality burst off of the pages but I just didn’t get that in the way that I had hoped. With that said, I was engaged and found myself wanting to know what happened next. Overall good read but hoping next book will show more of her character traits that make Jessica Jones’s a fan favorite. Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion for the ARC!!

I am not a super fan of Marvel or super heroes, but I love Lisa Jewell. I really liked Jessica Jones, I love a female private investigator. It was a fast pace read for me & I look forward to the next books in this series!

As a big Marvel fan, and also a Lisa Jewell fan, I was excited for this one. Unfortunately, it fell a little flat.
The first 30-40% was very slow. It was a challenge to get through.
The story was a little like the “what if” Disney series.
I didn’t enjoy it and will probably not explore others in the series, if there are any.

You don’t have to be a Marvel fan to LOVE this new thriller by Lisa Jewell! Despite zero background knowledge of superwoman Jessica Jones or her story, I thoroughly enjoyed the twists, turns, and plot of this captivating novel. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!