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.

You don’t have to be a Marvel fan to read this book, which is something I love. I’m a Lisa Jewell fan, so didn’t want to pass this up! This left me more intrigued with the marvel world. The switching timelines was hard for me to follow and I found myself wanting to be involved in the mystery of the twins and skip over the the backstory at first. Lisa Jewell can’t go wrong with

A gritty, fast-paced dive into the mind of Jessica Jones, this novel blends noir vibes with Marvel grit in the best way. Jewell brings psychological depth and sharp dialogue to a story that feels cinematic and raw. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to Jessica, this crime novel hits hard and lingers.

I love Lisa Jewell and this spin on Marvel character Jessica Jones did not disappoint. I typically don’t read Science fiction, but there was enough mystery in this to make it enjoyable for me.
Jessica Jones is a private investigator that is approached by a single mother of teenager twins. When they return from the UK where they visited their dad for the summer and were not quite themselves she got suspicious. They look like the twins, but they had the most perfect skin and kept saying everything was perfect. She hired Jessica to find out what happened to the twins.
Jessica spins time overseas retracing the twins summer activities and discovers weird things that happened in this small UK town.
The book is dual POV and dual timeline with another character that ties in the history and current day events that have caused the twins to think everyone is perfect.

I was so intrigued to see a Marvel novel and by Lisa Jewell! It was very interesting and a concept I had never read about before: AI! It was a bit slow at times but overall a good read. I may venture into the other Crime novels that come out by other authors!

Breaking the Dark was a super cool read as a Marvel fan. The story was fast and interesting. The mystery kept me hooked without getting confusing. I liked how it showed both her strong, tough side and her struggles, and her sarcasm made the whole thing fun to read. It felt like a dark detective show with rain, secrets, and people you don’t know if you could trust.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Marvel Press for the ARC!

Definitely a different style for Lisa Jewell. I am not super familiar with marvel, so some of it lost me but I really appreciate that she tried something new. Will always be a fan of her stuff!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the advanced reader copy. I was so excited to get a copy of a NEW Lisa Jewell book as I love her writing and other books. I was not the right demographic for this book as I am not well versed on the Marvel world. Lisa did a great job of writing this story, but I could not connect with the weirdness of the story (I attribute this to being connected with Marvel). I WOULD recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the Marvel world!

“𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘂𝗽—𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁?!”

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝗣𝘂𝗯 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 3/25/25

*Thank you @NetGalley and @HyperionAveBooks for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆: Jessica Jones is a "retired" super hero running a private investigation business. She is hired by a woman to figure out what happened to her teen twins who are acting strangely after returning home from a visiting their father in the UK. Jessica thinks it might just be a case of teens being teens, until she uncovers something more sinister at play.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲:
Marvel Comics
Non-linear Timeline
Mystery
Supernatural Themes
Social Media

𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
Admittedly, I don't know a lot about the Marvel Universe other than the major characters. I didn't know who Jessica Jones was but that didnt take from the story. Jewell gives you context and background for characters so you aren't lost. As far as the storyline itself, I was a bit unsure of what was going on for 30% or so when it started to fall in place. It all weaves together beautifully in the end. I wasn't blown away with the story, but I was compelled to keep reading and enjoyed it the whole way through.

#BreakingTheDark

I enjoyed 'Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel' by Lisa Jewell far more than I anticipated. I'm not super familiar with Jessica Jones' arch in the Marvel universe, but as I'm a fan of Jewell I took a risk and it did not disappoint.

Jewell eases readers into the universe, providing enough background information to keep readers informed and give this story context, without going full MU deep dive. I enjoyed the mystery presented here, and I feel the book brought up interesting themes around social media, self-esteem, self-image, and AI.

Thank you to Lisa Jewell and Hyperion Ave for the ARC of 'Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel' in exchange for an honest review.

Breaking the Dark isn't your typical Lisa Jewell novel, but in the best way possible. Known for her gripping psychological thrillers, Jewell brings her signature suspenseful style to the Marvel universe—and it works. I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but this story kept me hooked from beginning to end.

Jessica Jones is a compelling protagonist, and I loved the way her character evolved throughout the novel. You really get to see her layers peel back—her toughness, vulnerability, and determination all come through in a very real and raw way. The character development felt honest and earned.

As a Marvel fan, I appreciated the darker, grounded tone that still held true to Jessica’s roots. It felt gritty and emotional, but still thrilling and full of energy. The mystery kept me guessing, and I was constantly wondering what would happen next.

Overall, Breaking the Dark was a refreshing, exciting read. It’s a great blend of psychological suspense and superhero grit, and I can’t wait to see where Jessica’s journey goes next.

⛓️ ARC REVIEW ⛓️

Thank you so much @netgalley @lisajewelluk & @hyperionavebooks for my copy of Breaking the Dark!! I’m finally getting around to this review 😅

First off, Lisa can do absolutely no wrong so I knew this was going to be a fun read! And fun it was. As a ghoulie who grew up with older brothers and was always watching/reading DC and Marvel, I was living my best nostalgic life!

I genuinely enjoy the Jessica Jones character as she is just a blunt, sass pot that makes you giggle- but in this story you got to experience the vulnerability of her character and that was cool too. This book gave you mystery, thrill and a bit of the heebie jeebies!

Honestly, the marvel universe is just fun and I had a great time reading this!

Lisa Jewell’s Breaking the Dark marks a bold and compelling entry into the Marvel Crime series, blending her signature psychological suspense with the gritty world of superhero noir. Centered on Jessica Jones, the novel delves into a case involving a mother’s suspicion that her teenage twins have returned from the UK fundamentally changed. This investigation leads Jessica into a sinister plot intertwining advanced technology and the pursuit of perfection, challenging her both professionally and personally.   

Jewell masterfully portrays Jessica Jones as a deeply flawed yet relatable protagonist. Her struggles with past trauma and mental health add layers to her character, making her more human despite her superhuman past. The narrative explores themes of identity, societal pressures, and the dark side of technological advancement, all while maintaining the suspense and emotional depth characteristic of Jewell’s writing. 

Critics have praised Breaking the Dark for its fresh take on the Marvel universe, noting that it stands out as a well-crafted crime thriller that doesn’t require prior Marvel knowledge to enjoy. The novel’s blend of mystery, supernatural elements, and character-driven storytelling offers a unique reading experience that appeals to both fans of the genre and newcomers alike. 

In summary, Breaking the Dark is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that successfully bridges the gap between psychological thriller and superhero fiction. It’s a testament to Lisa Jewell’s versatility as a writer and a promising start to the Marvel Crime series. 

There’s just something about superheroes.

Having inhuman powers. Fighting bad guys. Kicking lots of ass.

Sounds pretty awesome, right? (Except for... when it isn’t.)

To Jessica Jones, a perpetual outsider, being a “superhero”—a tarnished, been-to-hell-and-back one, at that—is anything but awesome.

And ever since a whole lot of crap went down in her life—culminating in her retirement from the whole superhero biz, and making everything that much less awesome—she’s been doing her level best to just... exist.

Not in any “super” kind of way.

But in an if-only-I-can-get-through-another-day way.

Until the day Amber Randall walks through the grimy door of Jessica’s dingy apartment-cum-private-eye-office-space... begging for help, as only a desperate parent can.

Jessica, wallowing in the pit of despair, fear, and self-loathing deep within her soul, is drawn to the other woman’s pain and fear, for it touches on feelings she knows too well. And to her own surprise, she softens enough to accept Mrs. Randall’s frantic pleas for her to take the case.

It’s the first book in a brand-new Marvel Crime series of original stories based on Marvel superheroes, Breaking the Dark (penned by bestselling author Lisa Jewell).



Amber, the socialite mother of fraternal twin teens—Lark and Fox—is out of her rarefied depths, regarding them.
After spending the summer in England with their father/her ex, the twins returned to Manhattan... different.

Not like cool-London-hipsters, or even posh-silver-spoon-kids different, but in a spent-the-summer-in-rural-England-with-oddballs kind of different.

But as bizarre as that is, what’s even more weird is how they’ve changed physically—gone are all signs of typical teens (pocky skin, lank hair, crooked teeth, awkward body movements), and in their place? Perfection.

Perfect skin. Perfect smiles. Perfect posture. Even perfect self-assuredness.

[If the Stepford Wives were young adults? They might resemble Lark and Fox Randall.]

Another worrisome peculiarity is their obsession with someone they met over there... a girl named Belle, whom they keep going on about.

Amber Randall knows these aren’t the same children she sent off to visit their father a few months earlier for the summer holidays.

These kids are...well, not right.

And Amber is convinced that only another person who is certifiably “different”—in other words, Jessica—stands a chance of getting to the bottom of what has changed them so drastically.

It’ll only take a trip to the merry old England countryside—Jessica’s first trip on an airplane, or out of the country, ever—to do so.

What could go wrong..??


First, you have to understand that this novel puts you smack dab in a time following the events of the TV series, Jessica Jones.

[So, in case you didn’t understand that this is a spinoff book from a TV show? You’d be wise going back and viewing the show, first, to get a full sense of the space these characters inhabit... or passing on this one, completely.]

If you have watched (and enjoyed) the TV series, though, Breaking the Dark is a natural and welcome continuation in the saga of a complex, fascinating character.

Jewell perfectly captures Jessica’s dark—really dark, at times—personality... as well as her deadpan, sarcastic humor. [She’s probably not everyone’s cup of tea—or shot of whiskey, being Jessica—but to me, she’s compelling.]

There’s also a nice amount of angst about, and quality time with, the superhero Jessica is closest to, Luke Cage (with whom she’s been in an on-again/off-again not-quite-relationship). They share some great scenes in the book, which fans of both series are sure to appreciate.

Breaking the Dark explores the post-trauma stress Jessica’s still trying to work through... and throws a couple additional surprises into the mix [no spoilers, here, folks], to further complicate matters.

When the various resolutions finally come, they feel earned; nothing is a given, or easy, in this book... which, again, is totally true to Jessica Jones.

If you’re already a fan of these characters, Breaking the Dark is a must-read.

On the other hand, if you haven’t encountered them before—but are willing to do a little deep-dive into their world (especially if you’re superhero-friendly)—you well might find something new to love.

~GlamKitty




[My sincere thanks to Hyperion Avenue, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are, as always, entirely my own.]