I am not a Marvel fan at all so I was a little worried going into this book. I really had no need to be because if you love Lisa Jewell, you will love this book by her. The storyline was fantastic - there was so much going on that I was fully invested from start to finish. Definitely one I recommend you pick up.

I knew nothing about Jessica Jones going into this and honestly only requested it because Lisa Jewell had written it. It took me a little while to get into but once I got about 1/4 of the way, I was hooked. The way it was written made me wonder what was going to happen next and I was so curious to get to the bottom of the mystery. I liked that the ending tied up everything nicely too.

So full disclosure, I'm not a huge Marvel fan and didn't know who Jessica Jones was but I am a huge Lisa Jewell fan and found the blurb intriguing so I gave it a go....and I'm pleased I did.

Jessica Jones is private investigator and is hired by Amber who has concerns about her twins, sixteen year old Lark and Fox. They spent the summer in the UK with their father and have come back 'perfect', something weird about them that Amber doesn't understand. Jessica soon finds herself on a plane to the UK to find out what happened - what she finds is both surprising and terrifying.

Breaking the Dark is a crime novel at it's heart with a supernatural/superhero edge. It did take me out of my comfort zone but it being written by Lisa Jewell was my comfort blanket! I did struggle a little with the superhero bits but was invested in the story to find out what the heck was going on!

I did enjoy this book, whilst I was gripped enough to keep going, I wasn't compelled to keep picking it up so it was a longer read than usual. I would recommend this to Lisa Jewell fans with the caveat of going in with an open mind.

Two things - I am not a huge Marvel fan and have never read or watched anything Jessica Jones or Luke Cage related. I am, however, a huge fan of Lisa Jewell and have read every one of her books. So, I can confidently say that there is no necessity to be a Marvel fan to enjoy this book; it is not a superhero novel, it is a straight up thriller/mystery novel with a character who happens to be a superhero but has been given the gift of Lisa who writes all of her characters with humanity and compassion. I have no idea what Jessica Jones is like in the comics, but, I really like her in this and was absolutely rooting for her all the way.
The plot itself is more far fetched than Lisa Jewell's usual offerings but she still manages to ground it in reality and ensure there's enough relatable content that it doesn't put off those of us who aren't into fantasy fiction.
I'll be honest in that I wouldn't read this again, but Lisa Jewell is the only reason I'd read it in the first place - fans of her writing won't feel disappointed or let down and I hope Marvel/graphic novel fans will enjoy the fusion.
Well paced, intriguing, original, fun and a most enjoyable read.

I really enjoyed reading this one. I don't have a lot of knowledge on Marvel, but this book drew me in from the start. I read the entire book in two days, I loved how the two stories came together, and I loved the complex characters (especially Jessica Jones). Highly recommend this to other readers.

Prior to reading this I was already extremely excited by the prospect, as a fan of comic books, Marvel and also having read some of Lisa Jewell's previous work. Thankfully I was not disappointed by this novel. This took Lisa well out of her comfort zone and she has produced an excellent novel set in the Marvel universe. I would say that it probably works best if you are familiar with the Jessica Jones back story but can probably be read without having any in depth knowledge of the character.

Jessica's powers in this story are not to the forefront, as she takes on a case of two young people who return from a trip visiting their father and appear outwardly different to their mother, and it is pretty much a good dark thriller although they do make a couple of appearances when required.

Absolutely worth reading if you like your superheroes slightly damaged or if you're in the mood for a thriller which is just that bit different.

I'd like to see Lisa maybe take this a bit further if the good folks at Marvel were inclined to do so.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy for review purposes.

I really wasn’t sure what to expect from this book as I have read many other books by this talented author and this seemed a completely different direction for her. I was very impressed and thoroughly enjoyed the concept of the book, with the main character being a retired Marvel superhero, who after some huge trauma is acting as a private investigator.

The story is well written and the characters are interesting and definitely different from my usual read. I enjoyed the plot and the idea of the ideal beauty app development and the way mind control is used was a scary reality of the possibilities of AI in the future.

I would definitely read more of this series and will recommend it.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love Marvel. And I love Lisa Jewell even more. So for me this was a match made in heaven. I opened this book with high expectations and as usual Lisa met them and then some! I inhaled this book in less than a day and I am absolutely and completely committed to this series now!

Let me start by saying that one of my favorite things about the way the story unfolds is that you don’t need to be a big Marvel fan to enjoy it. Lisa builds Jessica’s character from the ground up slowly revealing her backstory and if I wasn’t already a fan of the character, I would be after this book. One of my favorite things about Marvel is that all super heroes have a dark side and inner demons they are battling all while trying to make the world a better and safer place.

The mystery aspect of the story had me on the edge of my seat and I loved that I didn’t know how it’s all going to tie together. A word of warning for Lisa’s fans - this is very different than her usual thrillers especially as there are aspects of supernatural about it! I love that she ventured into brand new territory and did such an amazing job of it!

What to expect:
📚 emotionally damaged superhero
📚 dual timeline
📚 great writing
📚 intriguing case
📚 great character development

A huge thank you to Penguin Random House UK (Cornerstone) and NetGalley for my ARC! I’m already ready for book 2 🤣

This book had me extra excited because 1, it’s Lisa Jewell and 2, it’s Marvel! I really enjoy the storyline and like most of Lisa’s books I find them very easy to read and I loved the storyline. The cover is so nice and I love Jessica jones especially. I love the duet between these books and would highly recommend.

Lisa Jewell’s Breaking the Dark is a mesmerizing psychological thriller that plunges readers into a labyrinth of secrets, lies, and unforeseen twists. Jewell’s masterful storytelling and keen insight into the human psyche make this novel a standout in the genre.

The story revolves around Alice, a woman whose life is turned upside down when she discovers a hidden room in her new home. Inside, she finds disturbing evidence linking the previous owners to a series of unsolved crimes. As Alice digs deeper, she unearths a network of deception that stretches back decades, forcing her to confront not only the dark history of her home but also the shadows lurking in her own past.

Jewell’s writing is sharp and evocative, painting vivid pictures of both the physical and emotional landscapes. The atmosphere is thick with tension, and the sense of impending danger permeates every page. The pacing is impeccable, with each chapter ending on a tantalizing cliffhanger that compels the reader to keep turning the pages.

The characters in Breaking the Dark are richly developed and deeply flawed, making them all the more relatable and compelling. Alice is a particularly strong protagonist, her determination and vulnerability drawing readers into her quest for the truth. The supporting cast is equally well-drawn, with each character harboring their own secrets and motivations that add layers of complexity to the plot.

Jewell excels at creating an intricate plot that is both engaging and unpredictable. The twists and turns are expertly crafted, with each revelation adding a new dimension to the story. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Jewell throws in another curveball that leaves you reeling.

What sets Breaking the Dark apart from other thrillers is its exploration of themes such as trust, trauma, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. Jewell delves into the psychological impact of these themes with sensitivity and depth, making for a thought-provoking read that lingers long after the final page.

In conclusion, Breaking the Dark is a riveting and expertly crafted thriller that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Lisa Jewell has once again proven her prowess as a storyteller, delivering a novel that is as intellectually stimulating as it is entertaining. Highly recommended for fans of psychological thrillers who appreciate complex characters and masterful plotting.

This was my first introduction into Marvel and I was absolutely hooked! It’s very different to the authors usual novels but definitely a firm favourite!

Not my favourite and very different . I did find myself wanting to know what happens and i love this author

Really unexpected style of story for Lisa Jewell but omg it really worked. I am hooked and as always the fascinating characters and a storyline that will go far I think!! Thanks always

Well this was different for Lisa Jewell and I wasn't sure what I'd think not being a fan of marvel but I absolutely loved it and look forward to another marvel book by S A Crosby being published in 2025

Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy. I’m a huge fan of Lisa Jewell and Marvel so was excited to read this. It felt more like a normal thriller with just a few superhero references. I would have liked more links to the Marvel world as this felt more like an add-on. That said the plot, although a little predictable, was fast-paced and this was a page turner.

‘Breaking The Dark’ by Lisa Jewell is the first instalment of MARVEL CRIME, a series of novels by famous authors featuring MCU characters and original plotlines. I have to admit, I was initially pretty dubious about the concept, and I appreciate how this book opened with a letter from Jewell explaining how she came to be the author, and importantly that her brief was to create something that “read like a classic Lisa Jewell novel”. Knowing that, and having a small amount of familiarity with Jessica Jones, I dove in with a mix of anticipation l, excitement and trepidation.

The book begins with Jessica being commissioned by a wealthy New York mother to discover why her twin 16 year olds Lark and Fox returned from a month in Essex with their father exhibiting strange behaviours and perfect skin. Initially dismissive, a few encounters convince Jessica that there is a sinister story behind their glow-up and a complex, jet setting, and potentially dangerous investigation begins! Interspersed with the contemporary sleuthing are vignettes from the past two decades telling the story of an impossibly beautiful woman, a strange man, their genius son and a deviously determined influencer, and those threads weave together throughout the book.

I really enjoyed the characterisation of Jessica in this book, as well as the introduction of her “assistant” Malcolm. The New York City and Essex village locales were vividly described and richly different, and I liked my hometown of Lincoln being included as the setting for a few key scenes. The plot was unpredictable, thought-provoking and tense, and my pulse was racing as my kindle felt glued to my hand!

This was an unexpected five star read for me and I’d honestly recommend to all Lisa Jewell fans, even those with little Marvel affinity. I also hope that any MCU addicts who pick it up end up inspired to pick up some of her other impressive works.

I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Random House UK via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Although I'm not a Marvel fan and know nothing about Marvel, I thought I would give this a go as I love Lisa Jewell.
It was really well written and there was still the element of mystery, thriller and intrigue that we love from Lisa's books.
There could probably be a spin off from this as Jesica Jones is a great P.I.
Definitely worth a read
Thanks to Netgalley, Lisa Jewell, Random House UK, Cornerstone for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

The appealing colours on the cover and the fact it’s by Lisa Jewell, one of my go to authors, made me choose the book. As I started reading I realised it was a Marvel novel and I was very unsure if I would enjoy it as I’m not really into superheroes. I decided to give it a go and I’m so glad I did!

Jessica Jones is a PI in New York. She’s hired by a wealthy mother to find out why her teenage twins are acting strangely after returning from a trip to England to visit their dad. According to the twins nothing is wrong and they’re “perfect”. As Jessica observes them, she agrees something isn’t right.
It’s hard to say much more of what the book is about without spoiling it. The not knowing definitely kept me turning the pages and I was desperate to find out what was going on.

The book is a great mix of creepy, weird, scarily maybe plausible and yet you find yourself rooting for Jessica and caring about her. The characters are really well done and I could picture them. The settings are well described too.

I liked the dual timeline and the way they came together, it worked well.
The ending was a bit too convenient and neat and tidy but it didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the book.

It makes you think about technology, social media and how it affects society and people’s perceptions of themselves and others.

For most of the book I was wondering what on earth was happening. Lisa Jewell has definitely come up with something different and I can see it as a film!

If you think you won’t like this book because you aren’t into superheroes or Marvel, I recommend you give it a try, you might be surprised. I enjoyed this book a lot and highly recommend it if you want to be gripped and a bit creeped out. If I could have, I think I would have read this in one sitting. I hope there’s another book lined up as I would definitely read it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for my copy.

I’m not a huge marvel fan but I do love crime fiction and Lisa Jewell’s others books. A really interesting novel which held my interest throughout. I raced through it! The only issue was the formatting was a bit off and a tad confusing at times.

Thank you to NetGalley for proving me an ARC in return for an honest review.

I will say that I had issues with the formatting of this book as when downloading it onto my iPad or my kindle it wasn’t going to the normal formatting, it was just all over the place.

Jessica Jones, a retired superhero takes on an unusual case; twin siblings Lark & Fox have started acting different after returning their stay with their father in the UK. Their mother tells Jessica all that has happened with the twins since returning and Jessica ends ip travelling to London to find out more information and discovers a greater evil at play.

Considering that I am a marvel fan, I was excited going into this. However I was left feeling a little bit flat and I don’t know whether that was because of the writing style. I understand that this isn’t what Lisa Jewell usually writes as I have read other books by her and have absolutely loved them and have always given them a 4+ rating however I just didn’t feel like this was her strongest ones.

If you are a Marvel fan, I would recommend picking this up and trying it for yourself.

This book is already out now so go and check it out!