Review Copy

Don't make any outside plans. Order groceries to be delivered. Check out what restaurants will deliver to your home. Plan on becoming a shut-in for as long as it takes to read 775 pages of the best storytelling I have read in a very long time.

Here's some more do's and don'ts. Don't read reviews with spoilers! Do go into BROKEN THING with no expectations other than J.D. Barker is a thriller writer in his prime. Do try to figure the story out. (It won't matter). Don't forget to eye drops in that grocery order. You'll probably read far too long. Your eyes may start burning.

SHE HAS A BROKEN THING WHERE HER HEART SHOULD BE is a long, low build spanning more than 40 years. There's action, but it's not action packed. It's Barker at his best. It's a book I wish I had a signed hardcover for display. I plan on re-reading my kindle copy at least yearly - at least as often as I have THE STAND and IT. BROKEN THING is a settled with those two as my favorite books of all time. I had forgotten just how good a huge, fall into a book novel could be.

Bravo, J.D.

5 stars

This book is remarkable. I was very sad to part ways with the characters in this book. I wanted to keep reading about them and their (very interesting and almost hypnotic) lives.

J.D. Barker's newest novel is simply fantastic. The reader meets a variety of people – both good and bad – and some of the “bad” are...well...understandable. The characters are “real” people. I could imagine them behaving in the ways that they did; saying the things they said. Some were badly manipulated into behaving the way they did, some took pleasure in it, some were out to seek the truth and some just didn't seem to care – or had no mind of their own with which to act.

This book has detectives Faustino “Faust” Brier and his partner, Joy Fogel and a retired detective who are seeking the truth of an odd series of murders. John Edward “Jack” Thatch and Stella Littleton are the two central characters. They are eight-years old when they meet for the first time. Stella's “handler” is the very creepy Ms. Oliver. Jack's best friend Duncan “Dunk” Bellino is totally devoted to Jack, even when his own life takes a tangent. And then there is David Pickford. Wait until you meet him. Wow! And so many others.

The line between good and evil is not so clearly delineated as many of us think that it is – or should be. Many characters in this book are not all good or all evil. Kind of like real life in that way, eh? The line blurs, the reader accepts it and reads on, while trying to psychologically justify the actions of the doer. It's great! Speculative philosophy for the average person.

I cannot say enough positive things about this novel. It is superbly written and plotted. I could find no errors or typos. It made perfect sense; one event following another in a logical progression. Mr. Barker is an absolutely astounding writer and I very much look forward to reading his next book.

I want to thank NetGalley and Hampton Creek Press/IBPA for forwarding to me a copy of this wonderful book for me to read, enjoy and review.

Great Expectations of the new book by JD Barker and he did not disappoint. Well defined and relatable characters, strange and weird premise, and references to Charles Dickens. Pip and Estella's story is wildly entertaining. As good as the MK4 series is, I do believe I enjoyed this one more. Highly recommended.

Thank you to the publisher, JD Barker and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

I only had to read past chapter three and I'm hooked already. Vivid story and the perspective the audience sees it playing from is quite unlike what I have read recently in books... /,,/. thanx for the opportunity to read this.

giving it four stars for now just for the record that will likely change in future. I will update it before posting any links and all that...

She Has A Broken Thing Where Her Heart Should Be is an exciting un-put-downable thriller. DON’T read the rest of this review. DON’T read any reviews. JUST dive into the book like I did based on all the unspoken promises in the amazing title and prepare yourself for the unexpected. Truly, you will find yourself fascinated by what’s being told. And, you won’t have a bloody clue where this yarn is going. Not a damn clue. JUST read the damn thing. C’mon now, it’s less than 800 pages (barely).

If you can’t however heed my warnings and you must know more, then read on. I feel much like Gene Wilder in Willie Wonka though imploring the children not to drink from the chocolate river, not to try to grab the golden goose, and not to get in the way of the real tv camera. I know you can’t help yourself but don’t say I didn’t warn you.

If anyone can convince us that Great Expectations (the book that English teachers 👩‍🏫 ruined for most of us) is worth reading, JD Barker has now made the argument. It is the key 🔑 to all the mysteries here (well. Some of them. Anyway). I never thought I would willingly discuss That Book again, but Stella thinks it’s the best book in the world.

It all begins with a young boy in a cemetery visiting his parents’ graves where he unwittingly meets a high and haughty spoiled princess who informs him that he is a dirty unmannered proletariat like Pip (read Great Expectations). And, once a year, the princess and her snooty entourage return and mock his comic books and his upbringing. And each year - on August 8th he waits for her (Stella) to return. He even reads that crazy book for her - you know, that book.

But it’s not just this tender sorta romance sorta sick infatuation. There’s more. Because there’s a twisted connection and between the bullets, the serial killings, the exploding diners, the mysterious benefactors, the secret cult of those dressed in white, you’ve got a Jane Hawke type thriller and. Jack Reacher wandering guy on the run thriller with good guys and bad guys and the fate of the world depending on them.

On the way, we are treated to magic and friendship and trust and distrust and family and not family and experiments gone wild.

The pacing is superb. The writing ✍️ designed to slowly but surely draw you in.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Hampton Creek Press, IBPA and the author, J. D. Barker, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of She Has A Broken Thing Where Her Heart Should Be in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I was beyond excited at receiving a copy of this book. I have read JD Barker's previous novels and loved every one of them. I was eager to see what this offering would be like. I mean, all fabulous writers ( and in my opinion JD Barker definitely belongs in this category ), has a book that is not quite as good as previous works, right?
Well, this book is right up there with the 4MK trilogy, Dracul and Forsaken. This book is one hell of a literary ride. The storyline was well thought out and written with characters that are well drawn and compelling.
J K Barker just gets better and better.
Definitely, highly recommend this book but make sure you don't plan on doing much until you turn the last page. Once you get drawn into the story, its impossible to put the book down.
Well worth more than 5 stars.