Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars | 502 ratings

Price: 29.66

Last update: 12-30-2024


Top reviews from the United States

She Treads Softly
5.0 out of 5 stars very highly recommended private detective crime thriller
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2024
Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel by Lisa Jewell is a very highly recommended private detective crime thriller. Yes, it does feature Jessica Jones, a retired super hero from the Marvel Universe, but knowledge of that universe is not required to enjoy this excellent investigative mystery.

Jessica Jones, ex-super-hero, is now a private investigator in New York City. Amber Randall asks for her help in figuring out what happened to her teenage twins, Fox and Lark, when they were with their father in the village of Barton Wallop, UK, for the summer. They came home changed and don't seem like the same teens who left. The two have freakishly perfect skin and have lost their distinctive tics and habits. Everything is "perfect" when asked and there is secret talks about a girl named Belle. Amber is seriously wondering if they have been replaced.

Jessica takes the case because Amber is wealthy and she needs the money. She has teenage intern, Malcolm, assist her by getting close to the twins and looking for more information about what happened to them. Then Jessica travels to the UK, meets the twin's father, and finds the mysterious Belle, a teenager living with her guardian in an old farmhouse. Then things get weird. While working the case, Jessica is going through some personal issues too.

I found Breaking the Dark wildly entertaining, extremely well-written, suspenseful, and un-put-downable. I'm probably not the target audience since I only have a passing knowledge of the Marvel Universe and am hardly knowledgeable about the lore and background of all the characters. What I am is a huge fan of Lisa Jewell's writing and if she writes it, I will read it. I was actually a bit surprised at how much I loved this novel.

The narrative follows the current investigation with occasional chapters covering events from years ago leading up to the present that provide needed background information. The two timelines coalesce at the end. The plot does have a dark mysterious, evil, and dangerous undercurrent. The plot enters into fantasy, obviously with the ties to Marvel, but also has some real lessons about modern life embedded in the plot. Including the current control social media and influencers have over people's lives in the plot is a timely addition.

Jessica is a fully realized imperfect character, full of flaws and shortcomings who is also worried that she may be pregnant, so this concern is always there. She doesn't rely upon super powers here, which should make the novel appealing to those who enjoy thrillers. Thanks to Hyperion Avenue for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
DebM
3.0 out of 5 stars Jessica Jones solves a mystery
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2024
Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell

I will admit right off that super hero is not my genre. All the same, I found very little super hero action in this story. It’s actually two stories interrupting each other. One goes back in time to forward, while the other is present day. You know the two will mesh, but it took forever.

Jessica Jones you may have heard of. Her boyfriend Luke has a minor role and her helper Malcolm is more important to get answers for Jessica. At the other end, Arthur, Polly, Debra and Sebastian are head scratchers. Sebastian is the divorced father of twins who mysteriously adopt strange zombi-like demeanors.

Jessica is hired by the twins’ mother Amber to find out what has happened to her children. This goes down a long rabbit hole to get the mystery solved. I can’t recommend this book to any of my readers, but those who like Jessica Jones super hero stories may find this one of interest. Three stars.
John Kelly
4.0 out of 5 stars Step into the darker side of the Marvel universe with 'Breaking the Dark'
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2024
"Breaking the Dark" by Lisa Jewell is an engaging crime novel with a supernatural twist, marking the kickoff of a three-book series, each featuring a different hero and penned by a different author. This installment dives deep into the life of Jessica Jones, a character I knew by name but wasn’t familiar with her backstory. Despite this, I quickly became a fan of Jessica, who offers a more humanistic take on a superhero—one that grapples with real-world struggles and often handles them in less-than-healthy ways. This isn't just a superhero story—it's a human saga that will pull you in and with which many will identify.

Fast-paced and unpredictable, "Breaking the Dark" is set in the Marvel universe, where anything is possible. If you’re looking for realism and a plot that adheres strictly to science, this might be a stretch for you. The story is far-fetched at times, but it’s a superhero novel, after all, and leans into the darker side of the genre, more so than most Marvel releases. With every chapter, 'Breaking the Dark' pulls you deeper into a web of mystery and suspense.

The story jumps between different time periods, an approach that, while effective, can be a bit confusing if you’re not paying close attention. Some transitions are abrupt, while others are more subtle, adding layers to an already detailed plot.

Lisa Jewell’s superb writing brings well-fleshed characters to life. I especially liked Jessica’s "intern" Malcolm. The book is exciting, emotional, and highly entertaining. It kept me engaged and guessing the whole way through. With multiple POVs and dual timelines, it’s easily readable and perfect for those who enjoy creepy superhero stories, slowly unraveling mysteries or the character of Jessica Jones. It’s a masterfully crafted story that keeps you guessing and questioning until the very last page.

Recommendation

"Breaking the Dark" is a well-written, darkly intriguing addition to the Marvel universe that captures the essence of Jessica Jones with compelling depth and nuance. The story's blend of crime and supernatural elements, along with its unpredictable plot twists, keeps readers on the edge of their seats. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a more humanistic and darker take on superhero stories.

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