Like many of the other three-ish start reviewers here, I did enjoy the opening of the book, which had solid footing, but it wasn't that the book pivoted into the supernatural that bothered me so much as I had too many questions of elements that didn't feel like they quite fit together as those pivots happened:

- Why these specific (human) villains?
- If those specific villains, why, for all involved, Black girls? (I understand completely the societal issues at hand here, but for those doing the hunting, why?)
- I really loved that there were pieces about the protagonists eyes and hints that she was hungry for things like the earth, but the reasoning behind those elements didn't feel quite satisfying enough.
- The flood that was alluded to in the opening pages really, really interested me, and I think there were some really good moments when Adams spoke about the architecture of the town, but I felt hungry for just a bit more.

What I loved about this book--and there was more to love than what felt unsatisfying (I acknowledge that ending a book that is a bit mystery/horror hybrid is *incredibly* difficult to land). The protagonist interested me, felt dynamic and had enough secrets that didn't feel like tricks as they were unveiled.

Additionally, the politics of race and class were a big part of the book in incredibly smart and important ways. Indeed, Black girls going missing for years could sail right under the radar of a police system that treats Black bodies much differently from white ones. (How many native women need to go missing to prove that? How many Black girls need to go missing? How many immigrants need to be neglected, children put into cages?) Even more compelling were the ways Adams dealt with class lines and what happens when there's the "other Black girl." (I could not help but think of The Other Black Girl the whole time I was reading this book--the two do very similarly interesting things and I would love to hear the two authors in conversation about their process and what they'd love to see in the future literary landscape because I can see they are both a part of an important change.)

I think Erin E Adams has a bright writerly future. She has an eye and ear for balance and I sense her work will only strengthen as she continues. In the end, I wanted more, and I missed the book when it was over.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reviewer copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am sorry to say this book is a mess. It starts out as a woman’s story and ends up as a supernatural and crazy tale that seems like Red Riding Hood on drugs. The most seemingly cohesive part is the black girls disappearing and no one in the white community being overly concerned. This is a seriously flawed book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bantam Books, and Erin E. Adams for the advanced copy of Jackal in exchange for my honest review.

The publisher reached out to me offering a chance to read this "haunting, beautifully written thriller" and I can think of no better description for this book. Erin E. Adams is a very talented author and I am hoping to see many more thrillers from her in the future!

I found the big reveal to be very satisfying and one that I didn't see coming. There was one particular aspect of it that I didn't care much for (hence 4 instead of 5 stars), but I think it's kind of spoiler-y to say anything more than that.

Jackal will be on bookshelves October 4!

If you’re looking to kick off your 🍁fall🍁with a story that will make you question whether or not you’re seeing shadows late at night, this is it!

Jackal is the perfect mix of horror, thriller, and suspense. I was sucked in right away by Erin E. Adams’ writing. I thought the story was perfectly paced and as each chapter ended, I was left needing to know what happened next while racking my brain for the clues she left behind.

Based in the real town of Johnstown, PA, I appreciated learning about the eye-opening history of the setting and I liked how it made the perfect backdrop for this story.

If you enjoy crime fiction mixed with a little bit of horror and supernatural, Jackal will be right up your alley.🐺🌲

Definitely ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️’s for me, and I think I found a new genre to enjoy. 🖤

A big thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!❤️

Just in time for spooky season! I grew up in Appalachia and it’s true what the say about the woods… if you heard something, no you didn’t. Jackal takes that instinct to a new level by exploring what happens when you do look, and it’s terrifying. Combine folklore with real life experience of missing women, and Jackal becomes a book that crawls under your skin and lingers long after you’ve read it.

The reason why I say I will not recommend this book to my audience is because, as a white person, I don’t think this is a book I can recommend to a mass audience. Although difficult to read, I appreciate the themes of racism and violence against black girls, because this is real life and Adams does not hold back. I do not want BIPOCs to read this book based on my recommendation and be traumatized by any of these themes. These are topics people need to decide for themselves if they want to read, and since it’s not my lived experience, I don’t feel as if I can help someone decide if they should read. look forward to recommending this book on an individual level, where I can give people a heads up for what to expect.

𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭: Liz Rocher reluctantly goes back home to her small town for her best friend's wedding. Growing up as one of the only Black kids in school wasn't easy, and she's been avoiding a return to Johnstown for most of her adult life. During the wedding her goddaughter goes missing, and Liz starts digging up some old memories. In her attempt to find the girl, Liz begins to uncover some dark secrets of the town, and how, for years, Black girls have been going missing in the woods, and usually wind up dead. It's a race against time for Liz as struggles to fight her own demons, and those of the town.
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Erin E. Adams
𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬: 336
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Thriller, Mystery, Horror
𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝: Yes!
𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐝𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭: Yes, easily
𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐝: Contemporary
𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:👻👻👻 1/2
𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I absolutely loved this book. Adams has created an engaging mystery with fleshed out characters and a healthy dose of horror. There are a lot of moving pieces in this story, but the author manages to successfully combine a supernatural terror with the real-life horrors of racism and town segregation. Liz is an engaging character that makes a reluctant hero and amateur detective, and doesn't always stay one step ahead of the town villains. I highly recommend and will probably go buy the print copy when it comes out.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Jackal is a book that defies all genres. A bit of horror, a bit of thriller, a bit of mystery, and a whole lot of suspense.

Liz returns home to Johnstown, PA to attend her best friend, Melissa's, wedding. She is dreading this journey as she promised herself never to return. Tasked with keeping an eye on Melissa's daughter, Caroline, at the wedding she is shocked to find that Caroline disappeared when she hit the bar for a drink.

Turns out that black girls have been disappearing on the summer solstice every year for the last thirty years and Liz is determined to not only find Caroline but to stop the monster that has been hunting them down after all these years.

"A man and his shadow live in the trees. When they walk in time both are pleased. If one calls your name, or the other tempts you off the path, you must ignore both, or face their wrath."

Such a juicy premise and beautifully written, so much so, that it pains me to say this story lost it's way in the end. To be clear, this is probably more so a *me* thing. For the first 70% this was a solid 4 star read but as the loose ends started coming together and the motivations made clear my vision of it all only got muddied up. I would have rather that the book kept it's footing on solid, realistic ground instead of going all woo woo weird. Again, this is most assuredly a me thing and I do believe that this will be a momentous success for Erin E. Adams. And it should be. For a debut this an amazing accomplishment. The fact that she discusses racism and classism all while crafting an intricate story that moves seamlessly though multiple genres earns my respect as a reader. The stunning cover alone will have readers far and wide grabbing this off the shelves of bookstores, libraries, and Amazon. So while this didn't quite hit my sweet spot I'd be remiss in denying the allure and creativity of this story. 3 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for my complimentary copy.

This was a LOT to process and it was SO good. I wish I could experience this story all over again. A masterpiece in horror.


I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

The sprinkles of Kreyol in the text felt so natural and authentic, particularly in Liz's conversations with her mother. I loved how Erin Adams incorporated her Haitian-American culture into the main character. The slow build up of tension made it difficult to put down as the story becomes more complex. It gives "Get Out" vibes from the very beginning. However, about a little more than halfway, I found myself less interested in the story. I appreciate the symbolism and metaphors of the "evil in the woods", but only after I read the Author's note. Towards the end, I could see what she was getting at, but it felt a little cartoonish as the evils were revealed. However, don't get me wrong, I think that the message of this book is important and appreciated learning some of the history of the town where the book takes place. I just wanted to love it more at the end.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Ballantine for sharing this upcoming thriller. This was great. I was initially attracted to the book because I was familiar with the setting (Johnstown, PA). It really exceeded my expectations. The resolution of the mystery was not exactly what I was expecting as I read and I did have a little issue with getting my head around some of the “woo-woo”/supernatural aspects of the conclusion, but aside from that, it was great. Recommended for anyone who likes thrillers and mysteries.

This book started as such a powerful story. The realism of Liz’s experience as a black girl and then woman in a small town was terrifying. The mixture of older stories added to the horror of the evil that was happening right under everyone’s noses. And it was just ignored.

I love a good supernatural / paranormal aspect but this book jumped there out of left field in the last third of the book. Maybe if there had been more connections earlier … but it just didn’t fit well.

Overall this was very intriguing! Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Jackal was so good that I read it in two days! One thing I especially like about it was that the setting is based on the author’s hometown and some of the real events that happened in the town’s history.

The plot line was something fresh and different. The main character returns to her hometown and its unsettling woods and secrets and works to solve the mystery of what exactly is behind all the missing and murdered women from decades past.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was really glad I picked this one up! It was creepy, mysterious, and overall an excellent read!

I really enjoyed Jackal due to it being suspenseful and eye-opening. The first part of the book had me totally invested. I couldn't wait to get off work and read a couple of chapters, staying up past my bedtime. I admit near the end, I was slightly confused on a chapter or two, but it didn't stop me from liking the book, overall. Definitely, looking forward to reading more by this author.

Jackel is the debut mystery/horror book by Erin E. Adams. In this book, we follow Liz Rocher, a black woman living in New York City as she travels to her hometown for a wedding. When the bride’s daughter goes missing after the wedding, Liz starts digging into the town’s history and begins to unearth some secrets.

This book was a hard for me. While many reviews say the beginning is super fast paced and they got lost at the end, I feel quite to opposite. While there was nothing inherently wrong with the first half of this book, I didn’t find it compelling. This is a book I could put down for a few days and not feel inclined to pick it back up. However, I loved the second half. It went exactly in the kind of direction that I love in books like this. So I just think that depending on the reader you are, go into this book as blind as you can and just enjoy the process.

This book tackles some tough subjects in a way that felt both poignant and unobtrusive to the story. Nothing about the messages of this book felt to “in your face” as a reader but I feel like anyone who reads this book will get something out of it.

Racism and classism are among the top two subjects this book broaches but there are a lot more within the story. I really enjoyed my time reading this book. Like I said earlier, my biggest complaint is that I didn’t feel gripped for a chunk of this book. I think this is truly a wonderful achievement for a debut and I can’t wait to see what this author does next.

I would give this book 3.5 stars rounded up.

My congratulations extend out to Erin E. Adams for her mind-bending debut, Jackal. This horror novel has a very twisty storyline.

Synopsis:
Liz Rocher is back home for her best friend's wedding. During the wedding reception, the bride's young daughter Carolyn disappears. As the search for Carolyn intensifies, Liz discovers that several girls in her hometown are missing. Could this be a pattern? Are young girls being preyed upon by a crazed killer?

As is typical of the horror genre, Jackal requires readers to suspend disbelief to fully embrace the story. The author does a wonderful job describing life in a small town. The writing is strong and fleshed out. It contains some unexpected jaw-dropping plot twists. Check the trigger warning before proceeding. It contains graphic content and may not be suitable for everyone.

Jackal by Erin E. Adams is available on October 4th.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, (Bantam), for allowing me to review this chilling novel. Your kindness is appreciated.

What’s scarier? The myth of the man and his shadow lurking woods or the real life monsters hiding in plain site?

Couched in horror and small town myths, this book highlights the all too real issues of overlooked missing Black girls and the undertones of racism in our communities. It is an important story that should be mandatory reading for all.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Bantam Books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Reeling from a breakup from her longtime boyfriend, Rocher returns to her Appalachian hometown of Johnstown, Pennsylvania for her besties wedding. Liz really hates coming back home for many reasons, but one of the main ones is because of a childhood incident in the woods- She’s blocked out the main details but the fear is still there.
Growing up, she was one of only 3 black kids in her school. Born to an African American father and Haitian mother, she never fit in with the white or the black kids. To top off, her mother is a highly educated physician in a very racist town.

Liz is a ball of anxiety going into this wedding and the only things that are giving her comfort are being there for Mel’s big day and spending time with her beautiful god daughter, Caroline. In her mind, she just needs to get through the next 2 days and then she can go back to New York. But then something terrible happens to delay her return home and her life is turned completely upside down.
Did you know that Johnstown, Pennsylvania was a place? Did you know that in 1889 there was a massive flood that claimed the lives of over 2000 people there?? Did you know that it was the worst flood of the 19th century in the US?? Did you know that in 1923 the mayor told all the Black people who had not lived in Johnstown for at least 7 years to leave???
I didn’t know ANY of these things before reading Jackal.
This was a story that was not only enjoyable but also fulfilling. I feel like I learned a lot and after reading the authors note, so much so that I was compelled to go online to continue reading more about the events that inspired this book.
I am not a huge fan of thrillers or murder mysteries, but I couldn’t pass this book up based on the synopsis!
So many times I thought I knew what the plot twist was going to be and who did what, but I ultimately gave up and just enjoyed the ride. I was totally not expecting the ending!
Part historical fiction, part thriller, part multi cultural interest …I really can see this book playing out on the big scream directed by Jordan Peele! It goes a lot deeper than just a mystery, there is substance there that really makes you think.

Thank you herbal key for this ARC

Liz returns home for a wedding and ends up involved in a missing child scenario which leads to many more missing black girls over the past years. This is a very haunting thriller that must be read to completion.

Great job on a debut book.

When a young black woman returns to the hometown she thought she would never see again she does so for a wedding but what should be a happy occasion ends in a nightmare. Her friend's daughter goes missing and Liz begins to hear rumors that it has happened before over the years with several girls missing. These other girls have all been found carved up and missing their heart. Liz starts digging too close to some and suddenly she is suspect. Since these other girls were black the police were not as interested in solving the cases. Is the boogyman hiding in the woods or is the monster hiding in plain sight. An intense thriller with a hint of the macabre and one wild debut.
My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

A masterful and haunting read.

I don’t go out of my way to read thrillers or horrors (because I’m a chicken) so I didn’t know what to expect with Jackal because I’m not well versed in the genre. But I wanted to read it since I first saw its beautiful cover. I finished this book in one day but it will take a lot more time to process it; that’s how deep it is. If this is what modern thrillers look then Jackal just made me a fan of the genre. The author's use of horror to make commentary on racism in America brings to mind the work of Jordan Peele. This book is highly bingeable, with a Black main character I found incredibly relatable as a Black woman, has fantastic folklore elements, and the mystery is perfectly plotted. And that the horror is completely steeped in reality makes it all the more terrifying.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this one early! I’ll be highly recommending this one!