I want to start by saying I’m a Lisa Jewell fan. I also enjoy Marvel movies, but I haven’t watched them all and don’t read comics. When I saw that Lisa Jewell had teamed with Marvel to write a novel with Jessica Jones, a character I didn’t know, I thought it would be worth a try. I’m glad I did.

The novel begins with Jessica Jones, a retired superhero who currently works as a private investigator in Hell’s Kitchen. Amber Randall’s twins, Lark and Fox, have returned from a summer in England with her ex-husband, their father. They’re different, having lost their distinctive behaviors and physical attributes that made them unique. Instead, they are distant and speak of a girl they met named Belle. Eager to get answers, Amber enlists Jessica Jones’ help. She travels to the village of Barton Wallop where she discovers a sinister plot that combines evil, technology, and supernatural forces.

Although the shift from Jewell’s typical style is apparent, the pacing, twists, and sci-fi horror aspects held my interest. The story asks unsettling questions about identity and the extremes people will go to in pursuit of perfection. Jones is different from other protagonists Jewell has written about, but her experiment with writing an installment for someone else’s established character was well done. If she takes on additional Marvel collaborations, I will definitely pick them up!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Disney Publishing Group, Hyperion, and Lisa Jewell for providing this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! This is book one of Lisa Jewel’s new Marvel crime series. I grabbed this book, because it was a Lisa Jewel, not knowing anything about Marvel Comics. I definitely had to google things, but overall I enjoyed it. Not sure if would read book 2 tho.

Such a great book! I’ve been a Marvel fan for the longest & Jessica jones is one of my favorite characters. Lisa did a great job catching the character’s personality & traits and told a great story.

I love all the books this author writes. I am probably not the intended reader of this book as I know nothing about the marvel universe. I liked the character development we saw in Jessica Jones. The book did make me feel like a wanted more, but that is probably good because this is listed as book one. This is a good start to a series bc we are now invested in how Jessica keeps recovering from her past traumas.

Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell delivers an intriguing storyline with her signature suspenseful style, but it falls a bit short for readers unfamiliar with the Jessica Jones universe. The plot itself is engaging and well-paced, but there are moments where the background and character references feel like they assume prior knowledge, which can leave new readers feeling slightly lost. While Jewell’s writing remains sharp and compelling, the connection to the broader Jessica Jones narrative makes it less accessible as a standalone. Overall, a solid 3-star read that’s best appreciated by fans already familiar with the character.

Thank you NetGalley, Hyperion avenue, and Lisa Jewell for this eARC.

I requested this book from NetGalley purely based on author. I had no idea it was a Jessica Jones novel and although I’m a Marvel fan I didn’t know anything about her story. I was a little afraid I’d be missing out on too much background knowledge but I can happily say that even if you don’t know anything about Jessica Jones, you’ll still enjoy this one!


The mystery is this story was so captivating. I loved that we got both Jessica’s, Ophelia’s, and Polly’s story at the same time. I had a fun time trying to figure out how it was all going to come together in the end.

I absolutely LOVED the Jessica Jones TV series, and my husband and I are currently rewatching both that and Daredevil. So, when I got my hands on a copy of this book (thanks to NetGalley, my opinions are entirely my own), I was thrilled! The story kicks off at a fast pace, and while it took me a moment to fully get myself into it, I quickly found the plot captivating and ended up binge-reading it over the weekend. It was exciting to see familiar characters from Hell's Kitchen, Looking at you Luke Cage. This story line might not be for everyone, especially those unfamiliar with this darker side of the Marvel universe, but Jessica Jones remains true to her comic and TV show roots—she's still the rough-around-the-edges, party-loving character we know, living in her less-than-glamorous apartment. When a wealthy mother hires Jessica to uncover the secret behind her kids' newfound perfection, it sets off an engaging investigation. The storyline cleverly weaves in themes of social media, friendships, beauty influencers, and body image, all with a twist. For fans of Marvel, Jessica Jones, or Lisa Jewell, this book is a definite win, but I recommend having some background knowledge of Jessica Jones and her abilities to fully appreciate the story. I can't wait for the next Marvel Crime Novel!

Admittedly, I am a huge Marvel fan (especially Jessica Jones) and a huge Lisa Jewell fan, so I was pre-disposed to like this no matter what. If I hadn’t been a fan of either, I might not have liked this story as much as I did.

Breaking the Dark is an interesting story about twins who return from summer vacation in the UK, not entirely “right.” Their distraught mother seeks Jessica’s help in determining what exactly happened to her children while they were away. Naturally, Jessica’s investigation leads her into a rabbit hole of the cost of seeking perfection.

The story was entertaining and very creepy. I definitely didn’t expect it to go the way it did, but it was nice to not 100% guess how it would play out. I thought Jessica was written true to her nature, if not a little more tame than usual. Loved the sprinkling of Luke Cage and subtle nods some other Marvel folks. If anything, maybe more info into Jessica’s background for the benefit of those unfamiliar with her could have been included.

I enjoyed the story, found it easy to read and fast paced, if not a little YA leaning. I thought the writing was strong and solid. Although, again, I was super biased, so take this review with that in mind.

Lisa Jewell brings her signature suspense to the Marvel Universe in Breaking the Dark, a gritty, psychological thriller starring Jessica Jones. Retired superhero turned PI, Jessica is pulled into a haunting mystery when a mother insists her teenage twins have been replaced by something… too perfect.

What starts as a strange case quickly unravels into something darker, leading Jessica to a creepy English village and a mysterious girl named Belle. Jewell nails Jessica’s voice—sarcastic, tough, and deeply wounded—and the plot is packed with eerie twists, atmospheric settings, and just enough Marvel flavor to keep fans hooked without overwhelming new readers.

Dark, moody, and full of psychological tension, this is a fresh take on the Marvel world that reads more like Gillian Flynn meets Hell’s Kitchen noir. A fantastic start to the Marvel Crime series.

A Jessica Jones crime novel by Lisa Jewel. Count me in! I enjoyed learning more about Jessica and parts of the book were quite interesting and parts just dragged for me. I kept reading because I definitely wanted to find out what the heck was going on, and it was creepier than I would have guessed.

**A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic ARC and the opportunity to review this book.

I enjoyed every second of this book!! It was fast-paced and made me want to keep turning the pages. Jessica Jones is a strong, independent, bada$$ FMC.

This book was very different that Lisa Jewell's normal reads. I enjoyed the Marvel crime spin on it. I will be reading more like this. It felt very refreshing and was a nice palette cleanse type of read inbetween heavier books that were on my tbr. All in all, Lisa Jewell's writing always is something to try out! Anything she produces is pure magic.

Marvel is not typically my thing, but couldn't resist a Lisa Jewell book. This book had character, depth, intrigue, and was written well. I do think that someone who is well-versed in the Marvel world and likes that genre would appreciate this best. Though it's not the book for me, Lisa's writing will always keep me interested and I am glad to have tried this out.

Lisa Jewell is an auto buy author for me & I was so excited to receive a copy of Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel. This was a definite 4 star read for me & I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, & the publisher for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Not really a Marvel book fan, but am a big Jewell fan, and this novel did not disappoint! Jewell's writing lent well to the character of Jessica Jones, and I will for sure be reading all the books in this series! Jessica is bad ass, a bit of a mess, and no doubt, a super hero. I love how this novel delves into the social construct of perfection, and the lengths society will go to in order to appear perfect, including the detriment to self and others. Highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a PI read!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Lisa Jewell’s "Breaking the Dark" is a bold and atmospheric entry into the Marvel Crime series, offering a fresh take on Jessica Jones that is gripping and deeply unsettling. Jewell, known for her psychological thrillers, brings her signature tension and character-driven storytelling to the Marvel universe, crafting a mystery that is as eerie as it is emotionally resonant.

Jessica Jones, retired superhero and reluctant private investigator, is drawn into a case that defies logic. A mother insists her teenage twins have been replaced—transformed into something unnervingly perfect after visiting their father in the UK. Jessica, skeptical but intrigued, follows the trail to a secluded village where secrets fester beneath the surface. What she finds is more than just a mystery—it’s a chilling exploration of identity, trauma, and the dark side of perfection.

As always, Jewell’s writing is razor-sharp, balancing Jessica’s trademark cynicism with moments of raw vulnerability. The novel’s pacing is relentless, pulling readers into a world where the supernatural feels disturbingly plausible. The eerie village setting, with its tight-knit community and unsettling energy, adds to the novel’s creeping dread, making it one of the most atmospheric Jessica Jones stories to date.

"Breaking the Dark" is rich in psychological depth. Jessica’s struggles—her past, her self-destructive tendencies, her complicated relationship with Luke Cage—are woven seamlessly into the mystery, making this more than just a crime novel. It’s a character study, a meditation on survival, and a reminder that perfection is often just a mask for something far more sinister.

For fans of "Jessica Jones", psychological thrillers, and dark mysteries, this novel delivers a compelling blend of suspense and emotional weight. Jewell’s take on Jessica is refreshingly complex, proving that even in a world of superheroes, the most terrifying battles are often the ones fought within.

Not my favorite, not would expect from Lisa Jewell for one and for two I don’t love a Marvel collab. It’s not super interesting or exciting for me. I don’t think this is something i would seek out in the future.
2.5⭐️/ C

I was interested because Lisa Jewell is usually a favorite author but this one didn’t hit for me. It felt very young adult and I don’t feel this can be accurately described as a thriller.

I went into this book not knowing what to expect in the end as im not a huge fan of marvel. But as i got into the story and got to know the characters I was pleasantly surprised! Definitely worth a read

Jessica Jones used to be a superhero but decided it was not the life for her. She has tried her best to forget this part of her life and live as a “normal” person and private investigator. One day, she is approached by Amber Randall who requires her assistance. Amber’s children have been acting strange since they have returned from visiting their father in the UK and she even thinks they might not even be her children. She hires Jessica to go to the UK from New York to try and figure out what, if anything, happened while they were away to cause them to act so odd upon their return.

This novel is a bit hard for me to rate. I love Lisa Jewell’s writing, so I gave it a go. The writing in the book was good and the storyline was captured well. As she travels from New York to the UK to investigate, the story unfolds through multiple timelines and perspectives, which initially left me disoriented but eventually came together.

I am not a huge Marvel fan which is probably why I struggled with this one, but I am open to trying new genres of books. Perhaps I have been missing out on a genre I could love. But sadly, this is not my genre. I think to fully appreciate this book, you need to research or already know the history of Jessica Jones. A few times she refers to things which happened in her past to define her today and I was a bit lost.

Despite this, I would absolutely recommend it to those who love Marvel and superheroes. 3.75 stars - rounding up for rating.