The story started off really well with an intriguing mysteries but that, by the end, descended into a farcical tale of super anti-aging creams and hypnotic phone lasers. I’m well aware of the MCUs history with the supernatural but this just seemed silly. It definitely has the hallmarks of a Lisa Jewell book but that can’t cure the defective plot line.

I liked the attempts to humanise Jessica Jones and take our focus away from the ‘superhero’. It would have been good to see more of the renegade but I can understand why this wasn’t possible (no spoilers for you). I hope more is done to change some of the American characters dialect as you can tell it was written by a Brit and not a native. You’re as likely to hear Brits say ‘mom’, as you are for some the words written to be voiced by an American.

Overall, the beginning was enjoyable and the character development of Jones’, outside of her superhero role, was pleasant. But the storyline was just plain ridiculous. If Lisa Jewell had been given more control over the storyline and not been given an outline, I’m sure she’d have a smashed it out the park.

What an absolutely amazing book! Couldn’t put it down, just like all the other Lisa Jewell books I’ve read.

I’ve watched Guardians of the Galaxy but I don’t read comic books and I’d never really heard of Jessica Jones, but thought I’d give it a go. Thank god I did! An easy 5 stars.

I’ve seen some musings from fans saying they wouldn’t read because it’s a Marvel book. I’m here with a firm promise:

Lisa Jewell fans don’t be put off that this is a Marvel book - it’s done in the perfect style of a classic Jewell thriller!

In fact at the very beginning the author says that she was asked to write a book is typical Lisa Jewell style but with Jessica Jones as the main character. She pulls it off perfectly. I hope there’s a sequel planned!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author & publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review!

WOWZERS!! Lisa Jewell does MARVEL!! Awesome! I was so excited when I heard about this book and it didn’t disappoint! A gripping combination of a thriller, supernatural and superheroes. Jessica Jones is such a good character too and who doesn’t love a great private detective mystery!
Well done Lisa Jewell! FAB!

When I requested the latest Lisa Jewell novel, I didn’t even clock that there was something different about it. It was only when I started to read that out popped the Marvel logo and I read the introduction …. Lisa was approached by Marvel to write a Jessica Jones novel in the style of Lisa Jewell. Now, I didn’t previously know anything about Jessica Jones but could imagine there would probably be something superhero-like about her and I just dove right in.

Lisa explains in the introduction that it was the hardest she has worked on a book and I can completely understand why - I can’t even imagine how she managed to produce this masterpiece whilst incorporating characters that already have huge backstories and fan followings. But it is just bloody brilliant! I kept forgetting at first that we weren’t in a ‘regular’ world, and it was a bit jarring when there were mentions of humans flying etc but I soon got myself readjusted to what was going on.

In this wonderful story, Jessica has hung up her superhero boots and is working as a private detective. She is approached by Amber Randall, who is concerned about the odd behaviour of her twin teenagers, Fox and Lark, after spending the summer at their father’s house in the UK. She is sure that they are not themselves. As in - literally - not themselves!

And so the mystery begins, and Jessica travels to the UK to find out what happened to them over the summer, whilst her trusty friend Malcolm infiltrates the twins’ friendship group to do his own investigations.

Meanwhile, we also see a timeline starting several years in the past where we meet the spooky Ophelia and the downright scary Polly. Polly wants to be the most successful beauty influencer in the world and she doesn’t care who she hurts, or what horrific means she has to take, to get there. Just what does ‘being perfect’ really mean and what is it really worth??

In true Lisa Jewell style, the build up of tension and suspense is absolutely gripping. Some of it is soooo creepy and disturbing and such a clever and exciting storyline. Jessica is a fantastic character, made very human by her concerns over her potential pregnancy and flashbacks to her past trauma. She has so many personal battles going on but she won’t give up until she’s solved the case and made sure everyone is safe.

It was an absolutely thrilling read and I do hope Lisa will be writing some more Jessica stories!

What a challenge for Lisa Jewel, but I think she’s nailed it!
I didn’t read the description because it’s Lisa Jewel and I love her books and if I had read the description I probably wouldn’t have read the book, however, I enjoyed it. I thought it was clever how the superhero part merged with the ‘normal’ part.
I was invested and just had to know how it ended, in fact, that was another ingenious thing, the way Jessica told the rest of the story.
Well done Lisa Jewel

As soon as a saw LISA JEWEL I requested this book. Didn’t read the title or even what it was about I just KNEW I had to have it because it’s Lisa Jewel and she’s brilliant.

And then I received my copy and I initially thought there’d been a mistake because it’s a Marvel book about PI Jessica Jones! But no, it’s correct. Lisa was approached by Disney to write a crime novel for their Marvel character’s series.

So now I have two brilliant things combined in one book. Lisa Jewel who I love and admire greatly as an author. And a Marvel story which lets face is its a pretty epic thing! But sadly, for me that’s where the thrill began and ended.

I don’t quite understand where this dream duo went wrong but all I can truly say is, this book could’ve been written by anyone. It is not a Lisa Jewel novel. Her trade mark style and eloquence is missing along with any attempt to create suspicion or twists. It’s like Lisa held the pen and signed her name but someone else told her exactly what to write and it’s utterly disappointing.

The entire portrayal of Jessica Jones is a blundering mess. I can’t figure out if she’s meant to be late twenties or a tween. The whole plot deliver my is pedestrian and reads more teen fiction than Jewels’ signature, more adult style. The whole set up of the book is confused.

Presumably Jessica Jones has had more than one case prior to this book. But for a PI working in New York, she has absolutely zero contacts and struggles to make any concrete leads that any citizen would’ve found out themselves. There’s no real depth to her investigation and her obsession with her personal situation reads more like a teenage problem, than actually how an adult with a conscience would deal with that situation.

It’s screamingly obvious from the start what the whole premise of the plot will be and added to that we have a very long drawn out, fuzzy heart ending.

Sorry Lisa, I’m ashamed to slate this novel so much but truly this is no where near your best work. If anything this will probably be much better on screen with a bit of lightning and special effects but on paper it’s a flop.

Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Well, that was a wild ride! I'm a big Lisa Jewell fan but have zero Marvel experience so I was unsure what to expect from a sci-fi novel. This book had Lisa's signature page turning style and was so fun to read. I was gripped straight away and found the storyline to be unique and unpredictable. Jessica Jones is a super hero turned PI who has been hired by a wealthy Manhattan mother to investigate why her teenage twins have come home from holiday appearing totally different from before they went. The story is set in Manhattan and Essex and I loved the different parts in each location. Jessica Jones is a complex character with demons to fight. I have no idea if her back story is from a movie or TV series but did assume that it is. I didn't feel like I needed to know anything that Lisa didn't share with the reader so she did a great job writing something that non-Marvel fans can enjoy. I will always read a Lisa Jewell novel but now I think I might watch some Marvel too!

When I repeated the book I didn’t reliase it wasn’t her usual style of books. However I tried it and it was good. I’m not really a fan of Marvel but I’m sure she will gets lots more new fans from this series.

Well, I have to admit I wasn´t sure what to expect when I was granted permission to read this book. I´m not into Marvel characters and yet I was strangely drawn to Jessica Jones even though I have never heard of her!

I have loved all the books I have read by Lisa Jewell and somehow, very easily, she has transferred her impeccable writing style to the superhero world.

If you like Lisa and her style of writing, you will appreciate how she has gone out of her comfort zone and created a great new series. Looking forward to her next one already.

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy in return for an honest review.

Lisa Jewell is a woman of many talents when it comes to writing a book. I was sucked in from the very first page and am struggling to find the right words to say how Lisa has taken her usual style of writing and created something unique in the superhero world. I just hope the Marvel Crime doesn’t stop her usual audience from reading it. It’s just as good! I am sure that she will generate a new audience for her past books. A summer hit!

Having read all of Lisa Jewell's books previously I was interested to read this new one, which is a 'break from the norm'.

Stepping into the Marvel Universe, 'Breaking the Dark' sees Jessica Jones hired as a private investigator to find out what happened to a pair of twins on their summer holiday in the UK.

The book takes you back in history when in the UK, and raises questions about the use of AI and the strive to be 'perfect'.

A great YA read, it's not your typical Lisa Jewell read, but still a good one nonetheless.

Wow! Before I even started reading, I could hardly imagine a better combination than Jessica Jones meeting Lisa Jewell! Being a huge JJ fan and very much missing seeing Jessica on screen in the Netflix show, I couldn’t wait to start reading.
It was the perfect pairing: it read masterfully like Lisa Jewell’s novels always do, but you could practically FEEL the flavour and essence of Jessica coming through.
An absolutely brilliant read with a fabulous storyline.
With many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Breaking the Dark is a supernatural thrill ride from start to finish. NYC’s infamous private eye Jessica Jones heads to the charming but eerie English countryside, leaving seedy Hell’s Kitchen behind, and trading bourbon for British tea. It’s dark, creepy, and utterly fantastic. The suspense had me on the edge of my seat, and I truly could not put it down – I nearly gave myself RSI from holding my kindle all night. The plot is so tightly knit that even Peter Parker would be envious how it weaves and webs, Lisa Jewell is a literary genius, and both Marvel Studios and Disney+ would be crazy not to bring this to either the big or the small screen. Either way, I can’t wait to grab a hardback copy. It was… ‘perfect’!

I have mixed feelings about this book. I usually love Lisa Jewell’s books but struggled with this one. Well written as it was I struggled with the traditional view of a woman meets man, falls in love, has baby and is complete. That’s just not how I see life? I think of Marvel comics as based very much on 1950’s so maybe the attitude to a woman’s fulfilment is a reflection of this periods.?

I’m a huge fan of Lisa Jewell and was so pleased to be chosen to read her book.
Honesty time, not a marvel fan, and had no clue who Jessica Jones was, turns out it didn’t matter! As a stand alone with no knowledge of Jessica Jones this novel was amazing! Lisa has a real talent for creating characters who feel so real to you, so descriptive and you feel compelled to read on, to discover what happens next!
Jessica Jones PI, has been asked to discover what happened to a clients children during a summer with their Dad, this sends her into a dark world with many difficulties and challenges! She’s got her own personal demons to conquer and as the reader you are willing her on, even saying out loud “No, don’t do that”
All in all an amazing read!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I guess this story is different to the typical Marvel comic but it’s sadly very typical of the woman meets man has a baby and completes her life trope. Which is a shame as the actual storyline was clever.

Loved this book, despite not being a Marvel fan. This book still has all the brilliant, classic Lisa Jewell hallmarks. I found myself picking this book up time and time again, wanting to piece all the timelines together. Brilliant conclusion and loved the nod to the wonderful Lloyd Cole and his song Perfect Skin,

I’m so impressed that Lisa still made this book her own, being given someone else’s character. I found myself rooting for Jessica Jones and I am now keen to find out more about her as a person. I adored Malcolm and feel that he should feature in future books,

Five big shiny stars from me, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was lucky enough to be approved for an ARC of this book. When I first heard about it, I had to have it - if Lisa Jewell knocked it out of the park with None of this is True last year, then she’s knocked it into orbit with this crime novel with a difference.

Breaking the Dark parachutes the hallmarks of a classic Lisa Jewell novel into the Marvel universe and it absolutely works on every level. I was rooting for Jessica Jones as soon as I started reading as she tries to unravel a gripping mystery that ultimately asks us what it means to be human.

Dual timelines, fully fleshed out characters and a loveable protagonist drive this novel and it is guaranteed to be a massive hit when it is published on 4 July 2024.

Lisa Jewell is one of my favourite authors. Her imagination and versatility has no bounds and this book definitely blows the imagination.. A very different book from Lisa but well worth a read. I can see a film coming on.

This is a very different style of writing for Lisa Jewell. I absolutely love all her other books and as I love Marvel this was a no brainer. The story is pacey, the characters well developed and the overall effect is a gripping read. I was expecting a little bit more marvel, but even with just a hint it made this book something very unique, I would totally recommend anyone who likes Lisa or Marvel to give this new series a try.