2.5-5 ⭐️
It is always a hit or miss for me with Lisa Jewell and unfortunately this was a miss. I am not a fan of Marvel however I will say this book keeps you guessing what is coming next. I will keep an eye for her next book though.

So excited to get a chance to read this rerelease! It’s a great mix of thriller and marvel action. A must read for anyone who loves this genre. Thank you NetGalley!

As someone familiar with Lisa Jewell's previous works, this book offers a distinct experience. Initially, I was uncertain about how it would translate, given the characters' presence on TV/streaming platforms. However, Lisa Jewell successfully brought the story to life. I approached this without having watched the Jessica Jones series, and there are references to past traumas that seem to occur during the show. I believe that being more familiar with her story would have enhanced my understanding and enjoyment of the book. Although it started a bit slow for me, once I delved deeper, I became very interested in discovering what would happen next.

I feel like it's a hit or miss with Lisa Jewell. While I thought 'Then She Was Gone' was really good, I didn't enjoy 'The Family Upstairs' so I went into this one with an open mind. That being said, I didn't really enjoy it. I didn't like the Jessica Jones aspect and it took me a few breaks to actually get through it. I like the idea of a storyline coming outta nowhere and this just felt like something that could have been summed up into a 30 minute episode. But don't let me yuck your yum, I say give it a shot and see how you feel about it.

Lisa Jewell delivers in this book about Jessica Jones from the Marvel Universe. I'll admit that I am not the biggest Marvel fan and had to Google about Jessica Jones to get her backstory before I started this and I'm really glad that I did.

Ms. Jewell captured Jessica's personality from my peripheral knowledge and what I've read about her. We first meet Jessica nursing a hangover in her New York office when she meets Amber,. a mom who is incredibly concerned that her twins are not acting like themselves after a visit to their father in the United Kingdom. Intrigued, Jessica goes to the UK and discovers a creepy little village, a teen named Belle, and she comes to the conclusion that Amber was right.

With help from Luke Cage and other Marvel characters, Jessica unfolds the mystery and I'm suddenly ready to start reading about other Marvel characters!

If you like the MCU or aren't that familiar, this book is for you. I would probably been absolutely in love with it if I was more familiar with all of the characters, but I still enjoyed this book immensely.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I’m a Lisa Jewell fan, but not particularly interested deeply in the Marvel Universe. That being said, I was able to enjoy this book without being knowledgeable about Jessica Jones. I enjoyed this well-rounded story, however it was quite a slow burn. I had to push through most of it, and felt like there wasn’t much of a mystery. The plot seemed to unfold and reveal itself by halfway through and I was kind of disappointed. I kept thinking, “can’t this be wrapped up by now?” Or “what more is there to unveil without repetitive concepts, etc.?”

That being said, I am intrigued by Jessica Jones. Even though she has powers, she comes across as just your average lady but with a bit of sarcasm and sass.

Kudos to LJ for stepping out of her comfort zone to kick off this series!

*Read as an Advanced Reader Copy

Another gem from Lisa Jewell — pun intended. Always fun to see another spin through the Marvel world, and anything written by this author is sure to be a treat. I enjoyed this from beginning to end.

I applied for this based on the author, not realizing it was a super hero book. I don't like superhero books or movies much. I did enjoy this anyway. The superhero aspect is minor, almost more of a back story, and the fantastical elements are minor. If anything, this is light sci-fi with a mystery/thriller skin.

Jewell's writing felt different than usual, but perhaps that makes sense.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I shared it with my monthly Bestsellers group and others enjoyed it too.

*Thank you to Hyperion, Lisa Jewel and Netgally for providing me with a E-ARC of this book.


I really liked this, only having my prior knowledge of Jessica Jones comes from her Netflix show. I like that this felt authentic to her voice. I liked this, but I'm sure hard core fans may get more enjoyment than I did.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this book. I was already a fan of the Jessica Jones show before I read this book and this book made me love Jessica Jones even more. This book is not only about a case Jessica is hired to solve but also Jessica's journey during her investigation. This book had a few twists and turns but overall was a great story. Once I was about halfway through the book I did not want to put it down. I look forward to the next story in the Marvel Crime series and I hope this series does another Jessica Jones story.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

Alright, here’s my honest take on this book. And when I say "honest," I mean it—no sugarcoating here. I had to DNF this one, and honestly, it’s mostly because it just didn’t vibe with me. The writing is solid, of course (because, hello, it’s Lisa Jewell), but the story didn’t hit the mark for my tastes. I picked it up hoping for that usual Jewell magic, but it just wasn’t my type of read. Sorry, Lisa, you can’t win them all! lol

Also, can we talk about Jessica Jones for a second? She’s... something else in this one. Definitely not what I expected. #Awkward 😂

I really like Lisa Jewell's books and generally enjoy the MCU Universe so this seemed worth checking out. It's slow going at first and I almost threw in the towel after the first 25%, but once Jessica hops the pond and digs into the case in England, things pick up and it turns into a rather fun ride. The plot is absurd, but you must remember that it takes place in another universe where The Avengers exist. I will absolutely give the SA Crosby Luke Cage book a chance when it comes out. Kudos to Jewell for stepping outside her comfort zone and trying something new. Aside--format wise, this is the worst ARC I've ever received and made the story almost unreadable.

Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell is an unexpected and thrilling entry into the Marvel universe, featuring Jessica Jones in a gritty crime novel. The story kicks off when Jessica, now a private investigator, is drawn into a bizarre case involving two teenagers who seem to have come back from a trip to the UK changed—physically and psychologically. The plot unfolds with a mix of suspense, mystery, and supernatural elements, as Jessica digs into the eerie town of Barton Wallop, where the children’s strange behavior may be tied to a dark secret.

What I loved about this novel is how Jewell blends her signature style of suspense and complex character work with the unpredictable, slightly supernatural Marvel world. Jessica Jones is portrayed as a deeply flawed, relatable character—her struggles with her own past and mental health make her a surprisingly vulnerable and human superhero. As someone who’s a Marvel fan and a fan of Jewell’s writing, I was definitely hooked by the combination of crime thriller and supernatural intrigue. Fans of Jessica Jones, and Marvel crime novels in general, will find this one a fun and unpredictable read.

Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell is an amazing start to the Marvel Crime series, featuring the iconic private detective Jessica Jones. Retired from her days as a super hero, Jessica now navigates the streets of Hell's Kitchen as a private investigator. When a distraught mother seeks her help, claiming her twins have been replaced by something sinister, Jessica's curiosity is piqued. As she delves into the mystery, she uncovers a web of dark secrets and sinister forces at play in a small village in the British countryside. The story is suspenseful with elements of both thriller and fantasy that will keep you hooked from start to finish!

Jessica Jones easily makes the jump from comics to detective fiction. Street-level super and private investigator takes a case that is unique but also quite firmly grounded in mystery tradition. It suits Jessica well. It was entertaining. I'd read more.

I was so disappointed when Netflix canceled the Jessica Jones series. There aren't many women superheroes in the Marvel universe, and her character - with her vulnerability, survivor background, and complex relationship with Luke Cage - was always easy to empathize with.
When I discovered that one of my favorite thriller authors, Lisa Jewell, was giving a new retelling to this beloved superhero, I threw my fist in the air and screamed, "Yes!" It felt like my nerdy MCU-loving brain's ultimate dream come true, crafted by a talented writer in the best possible fan fiction form.

The book intrigued me with its alluring plot line, combining criticism of social media, the dark side of influencing, vampires, eternity, AI, beauty norms, fake perfection, and quantum physics. You might wonder how Jewell weaves these disparate subjects together - but you've got to jump into this action-packed, smart, heart-throbbing, supernatural wild ride without overthinking!

Here's a quick look at the plot: Jessica Jones, a survivor of Kilgrave's sadistic brainwashing, is trying to redeem herself. She lives a secluded life, drinking to numb the pain, and maintains a complex on-and-off relationship with Luke Cage, another powerful superhero. Now retired, she works as a private investigator from her dilapidated apartment.

When a new client arrives at the most inopportune moment - while Jessica is hungover, wearing a dirty shirt, and breathless from chasing a neighbor's cat - she has no idea what danger awaits her on this new mission.

Her client, the rich and polished psychiatrist Amber Randall, presents a strange case: her twin teenagers, Lark and Fox, seem different since returning from the UK to visit their father in a small town rumored to be cursed. Their skin looks flawless, they appear taller, and they've lost their distinctive habits. Fox keeps mentioning a mysterious girl named Belle who might be involved in his siblings' changes. Could the twins have been replaced or brainwashed by something sinister? Why are they so obsessed with perfection?

Jessica finds herself traveling to this small village to uncover the truth. Her investigation leads her to a farmhouse where Belle, presumed to be agoraphobic, lives with her eccentric caretaker Debra, who never lets Belle out of her sight. Jessica also gets strange vibes from the house of Amber's ex-husband Sebastian, where she discovers buried children on the property. The curse and Belle seem connected to something more sinister - but to what end?

A parallel timeline takes us back to the 1980s, where Ophelia, a beautiful young woman, meets a charismatic older bartender in Harlem. This encounter might be the start of a long-term dangerous plan involving another young, ambitious girl with no sympathy.

Will Jessica solve this mystery without getting hurt? She keeps seeing a young girl that others don't see and feels something changing inside her. Before things spiral out of control, she has a big case to solve and lives to save - as usual.

I devoured the book in one sitting and now crave more Marvel retellings by my favorite thriller writers. I can't wait to dive into future Luke Cage and Daredevil adventures. This new crime series has me extra excited!

Highly recommended for both MCU and thriller fans!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for sharing this amazing thriller's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Lisa Jewell is a terrific writer. Her mysteries never disappoint and this one is now on the top of that list.

This is not my usual style of book that I read but I love Marvel and I really enjoyed the Jessica Jones series so this was such a nice addition to all of that. If you also enjoy these, as well as Lisa Jewell’s writing then you will enjoy this.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Hyperion Avenue Publishing and Lisa Jewell for eARC.

I was sooo excited to dive into this one because, hello, Lisa Jewell?? Total icon. But also, Marvel?? I love Marvel, so when I saw Lisa Jewell was writing a Jessica Jones story, I was like, "Shut up and take my money!" I was really curious to see how these two worlds would mash up. And let me tell you, it was definitely an interesting ride. The vibes were super dark and creepy, which I totally didn’t expect, but kinda loved? Jessica Jones is such a vibe—like messy but in a relatable, cool-girl way.

The mystery? So intriguing. I wouldn’t say I was totally obsessed, but it kept me flipping pages, you know? Plus, Lisa’s writing, as always, is chef’s kiss. That said, some parts felt a little predictable, and I kinda wish there had been a big OMG moment. Also, it gave off some YA-ish energy at times, which wasn’t my fave.

Some parts dragged a tiny bit, and the ending wasn’t, like, mind-blowing. But overall, it was such a unique concept, and I’m glad I gave it a shot. Not sure if I’ll keep going with the series, but I’d totally watch this as a TV show. Major props to Lisa for stepping out of her comfort zone and trying something bold.

If you love Marvel, thrillers, or just want a unique story, give it a try!

3.5 stars (rounding up to 4) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. 💕