Many thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for gifting me a digital ARC of this first in a Marvel Crimes series by a favorite, Lisa Jewell. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

I'll admit to being out of touch with the Marvel Universe since my boys left home, but you don't have to be an aficionado to enjoy Lisa Jewell's novel starring the superhero, Jessica Jones. While she has superhero qualities, she's trying to live a quiet life and working as a private investigator in NYC. She's approached by a woman who is convinced that her twin teenagers came back very different after visiting their father in the UK. Jessica travels to the small British village, which is quite mysterious in itself, to try and discover what happened to them.

This was just a fun novel, with nods to the dangers of social media and our chase of perfection. There is a storyline that takes us back to the origins of the mysterious affliction that seems to be possessing the twins. I liked Jessica's character - trying to recover from trauma, drinking too much, but willing to sacrifice everything when necessary. Lots of good characters in this one, including her teenage assistant and fellow superhero, Luke Cage. I can't wait for the future books by more favorite authors to come!

I thought this book was such a fun and different crime/thriller to see from Lisa Jewell! I love the Jessica Jones character from the comics and the Netflix series, so it was fun to see a novel written about her. The addition of Luke Cage was great as well. I think the case was very relevant to society as well. Just the focus on social media and everyone striving to be perfect.

I did find the way that the sections between current and past to be cut off felt a bit weird but I am not sure if that is just how the ARC copy was laid out and the official version will be different on Kindle. It was just a bit hard to follow because things would run together.

Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC copy! I enjoyed it!

The story kicks off with Jessica navigating her mundane life as a private investigator, dealing with the ghosts of her past, and the all-too-human battle against addiction. When Amber Randall walks into her office, Jessica’s reluctance to engage shifts into a sense of duty when she hears the mother's heartbreaking story about her twins. Cosby's portrayal of Jessica is both relatable and authentic—her flaws make her a compelling hero, and her journey is laced with emotional depth.

The eerie atmosphere of Barton Wallop adds another layer of intrigue to the narrative. The village is rich with enigmatic characters, particularly the mysterious Belle, who embodies the book’s central theme of duality—what lies beneath the surface of perfection. As Jessica confronts the unsettling reality of the twins’ transformation, readers are kept on edge, questioning the nature of identity and the shadows that lurk behind seemingly innocent facades.

A standout moment in the book resonates deeply: “A mother’s intuition is never wrong.” This quote encapsulates not only Amber’s fierce love for her children but also reflects Jessica's own struggle with her past and her commitment to doing what’s right, even when her instincts are burdened by doubt.

Breaking the Dark not only appeals to long-time Marvel fans but also invites new readers into a captivating world filled with suspense and emotional depth. With its strong character development and a plot that floods the reader with tension, it sets a promising tone for future installments featuring beloved characters like Luke Cage and Daredevil. Cosby has successfully created a thrilling blend of crime and the supernatural, ensuring readers will eagerly await the next adventure.

This was my first time reading a Marvel novel, and I enjoyed it. I like Lisa Jewell as an author, and she does a great job of setting a mystery in the world of Jessica Jones. There were good cameos by other Marvel characters. But I really enjoyed the new characters that Jewell created. I feel like there were some aspects of the plot that continued from another novel or series that I wasn't familiar with, but it didn't hinder my understanding or my enjoyment. Hop on for a ride of creepy kids and their "perfect" life. I enjoyed. Would recommend.

Wow! What a ride! Lisa Jewell writing a Marvel book? And it’s a character as tragic as Jessica Jones? This was going to be a must buy for me when it came out in paperback (I got alot of kids, so I gotta save money where I can lol). I wanna thank #HyperionAvenue and #NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this. It was everything I wanted in a book. Great characters, great story and of course great writing. Seeing Lisa take on a different type of story than we normally get from her intrigued me. You could tell right away that she knew the character of Jessica Jones really well, and the story she crafted was amazing. I was hooked from the first chapter. I’m not sure if it was because I’m just a Marvel fan or what, but I really want to just give credit to Lisa Jewell. She made me want to go ahead and preorder the other Marvel Crime books now. I’m hoping we get more Jessica and Danielle sprinkled through those also. I hope Lisa writes more books in this genre and honestly, convinces Marvel to do a sequel to this also. #BreakingTheDarkAJessicaJonesMarvelCrimeNovel was totally worth the 5 stars I can give, which I don’t like giving out all the time and when I do it is usually 4.5 being rounded up.

Side note: watch Jessica Jones on Netflix for more of the character, including her past with Kilgrave. Plus, Krysten Ritter IS Jessica Jones and I read the dialogue in her voice in this book.

Thank you to Hyperion avenue and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am a huge Marvel fan and was very excited to see that Lisa Jewell wrote a novel about her.

I thought the storyline was an interesting one. The characters were well developed and I like that it bounced back and forth between timelines so you can keep up with Jessica and what was happening before and during.

If you are or even if you are not a marvel fan this is a great read!

Rating this a 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars. I’ll be honest and say that I love anything by Lisa Jewell and grabbed this book not realizing it was a Marvel/Superhero book. However, I think it was very well written and falls more in line with her previous books for mystery and suspense, as there really isn’t a lot of “superhero” stuff. I’d honestly list this more as supernatural type stuff, which always fascinates me. It does flip back and forth a bit from past to present, but it’s easily identified beforehand so you’re not wondering where the characters are like some other books. All in all, I enjoyed this book.

Lisa Jewell and Marvel? Can this be true?? This book got my immediate attention and I was interested to see how the writing of one of my favourite authors would mix with one of the more complex Marvel characters.

I absolutely loved this book. It kept to the true character of Jessica Jones while still giving that thriller feel that Lisa Jewell is known for. The character development and interesting thought process as Jessica wraps her head around a path she didn’t ever think she would be on kept be interested and I was actually sad when the book ended as I wanted to keep following her character as she embarked on this new journey.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy and truly recommend this book to all Lisa Jewell fans and Marvel fans alike.

I’m a regular reader of Lisa Jewell, so when the chance to receive an ARC of her book Breaking the Dawn came up, I jumped at it. However, it wasn’t until later that I noticed the description—A Marvel crime novel? As someone who isn’t really into Marvel, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I have to say, from the very first page, the writing had me hooked. It felt like classic Lisa Jewell, just with a Marvel twist. Even if Marvel isn’t your thing, I’d recommend giving this book a try—you might just be pleasantly surprised.

Breaking The Dark
By Lisa Jewell
Hyperion Avenue
(03/25/25)
5⭐️

🔘Mystery Thriller
🔘Crime
🔘Superheroes

Meet Jessica Jones, retired superhero and private investigator. She comes with a bucket list of issues but is still inherently good and an interesting character. Even with her superpowers, her flaws make her a very human and relatable character. Jessica is hired for a job that takes her to the UK where she not only battles external dark forces, but also battles some internal demons. This evil is targeting the young and impressionable population in a way which would be very possible nowadays.

This Marvel story is very captivating and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. This story focuses on the style of good versus evil. Lisa Jewell does an incredible job developing her characters as well as evolving her storyline. This story touches upon issues that are prevalent in today’s society especially with our obsession with social media.

Thank you to Lisa Jewell, Hyperion Avenue and Net Galley for providing me an advanced e-book copy in exchange for my honest review.

Tropes:
🔪 Violence
☠️ Kidnapping
🕵️‍♂️ Mystery
🦸‍♀️Superheroes

I absolutely loved this book. I’m not really a marvel fan nor am I a sci-fi fan, but I chose this book because I love Lisa Jewell. She did not disappoint! This book introduced me to a new genre that I may not have considered previously. I loved the timeline switches, the back and forth points of view, the eerie “Perfect” and “Miranda.” I just loved this book. It was “perfect.” 😉

Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell is a gripping 384-page thriller with elements of the paranormal.

Short summary:

Jessica Jones, a former superhero turned private investigator, grapples with her troubled existence in Hell's Kitchen, New York, while avoiding the painful memories of her past as a crimefighter in a skintight suit. Her life takes a turn when a frantic mother, Amber Randall, asks for her help, claiming that her teenage twins have been replaced by eerily perfect versions after a visit to their father in the UK. Drawn by the mysterious changes and the mention of a girl named Belle, Jessica travels to a secluded British village. There, she meets Belle and an eerie web of secrets. Despite her own personal battles, Jessica understands that behind every perfect facade lies a hidden danger.

My personal opinion:

Set in the Marvel universe, the story is fast-paced, unpredictable, and leans into darker, less realistic elements. Though at times far-fetched, the mystery and suspense draw you deeper with each chapter. The story jumps between timelines, which can be confusing at times but adds depth to the plot. Jewell’s writing brings characters to life, particularly Jessica’s intern, Malcolm. The book is thrilling, emotional, and engaging, with multiple POVs and timelines that keep you hooked. It’s perfect for fans of eerie superhero stories and slowly unraveling mysteries.

I was interested in this book because I’ve heard great things about Lisa Jewel and I loveeee the Marvel universe. Although I haven’t dived into the Jessica Jones world I wanted to give this book a chance and I did enjoy it.

Thank you to Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to read and leave a review!

Jessica Jones, private investigator, takes on a case involving teenage twins who spent the summer overseas with their father, only to return completely changed in appearance and personality.

For some reason, I love superhero stories in the form of movies only. When I read, it's mostly mystery, thriller, and horror. However, since the author of this is no other than one of my favorites, Lisa Jewell, I had to give this one a try. To my surprise, I ended up absolutely loving this. There was more believability and realness than the average superhero story, focusing more on the mystery and investigation of the case. Jessica Jones, a semi-retired superhero, was a damaged but loving human at her core. She fought for what she believed in and cared more than most for the people around her. The pacing of this was steady, the writing was flawless, and the conclusion will make you think. I believe any fan of mystery and thrillers will enjoy this one. Even if you aren't a fan of the Marvel Universe, give this one a shot, and you won't be let down. Four and a half stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and Hyperion Avenue, for this ARC.

Lisa Jewell never disappoints! I must admit, I was a little apprehensive about trying out this genre (again). I’ve been reading mainly thrillers, romantic comedies and historical fiction. I was so wrong to feel that way! Like all of her books, the author hooks you in within the first few pages and you never want to put it down.

Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel takes you on a captivating mystery that incorporates wonderful character development throughout the entire story. Each time Jessica is confronted with a challenge or twist, you watch her reflect and grow because of it. This book teaches you the power of resilience, inner strength and confronting your fears.

While I read the book, I found myself imagining what it would look like in a movie. I’m only able to do this if an author paints a really good setting with dialogue that works. This truly hit that mark!

Go pick up this book today! Happy Pub Day @lisajewellUK PUB DATE 3/25
😻😻😻😻😻/5

I was apprehensive, as I am not a huge superhero fan. However, I really enjoyed this novel! It was different than most of Lisa Jewell’s, but was still a great story. It really began to pick up in the middle, and soon I didn’t want to put it down!

Thank you NetGalley for the digital copy!

Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel is a ride through the gritty, dark streets of Marvel’s underbelly, and as much as I wanted to love it, I’m stuck somewhere between “meh” and “it was fine.” Jessica’s as sharp-tongued and brooding as ever (I mean, who doesn’t love a character who’d rather knock you out than have a conversation?), but the story doesn’t quite hit the same high as some of her previous adventures.

The premise is solid: Jessica takes on a new case that takes her deeper into the murky world of crime and corruption, and naturally, her sharp wit and broken moral compass make her the perfect detective for the job. But for all the snarky one-liners and classic Jessica moments, the plot feels like it’s kind of dragging its feet. It’s a little too predictable at times, with the twist feeling more like a meh moment rather than a game-changer.

That said, the book definitely gets points for nailing Jessica’s voice. If you’ve read the comics or watched the series, you’ll recognize her cynical, “don’t care but totally do” attitude. She’s like that friend who shows up at your party just to throw some dry humor and then vanish, but you appreciate it all the same.

If you’re a hardcore Jessica Jones fan, you’ll probably enjoy it, even if it doesn’t blow you away. But if you’re looking for something that’ll knock your socks off, this might leave you with a sock or two still hanging on. 3 stars: solid, but not the knockout I was hoping for.

DNF

Unfortunately, I didn’t do enough research before requesting this ARC and didn’t realize it was tied to The Marvel Universe. Since I don’t have extensive knowledge of that world, I struggled to stay engaged and ultimately lost interest. That said, the mystery surrounding the siblings was intriguing, and I think readers with more background knowledge may really enjoy this book. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review it!

As someone who is not a big Marvel person, this was still a good book. I will admit it take me a while to get into it but when I did, I found it pretty intriguing.

Whether you're a marvel person or not, I think most readers will find some sort of element they will like from this book.

Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC of #BreakingtheDark by Lisa Jewell. Hitting shelves near you tomorrow!!

3.5/5 Stars (Rounded Down)

Thank you to Net Galley, the publisher and the author for an ecopy of this book!! Breaking The Dark is already out now but newly available in paperback starting 3/25🥳

As someone who knows literally nothing about Marvel or Jessica Jones, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this one. I found Jessica’s character charmingly down to earth, whip smart (streets & book wise!) and gritty as many of Jewell’s MCs are. The plot was definitely interesting and relevant to today’s world revolving around technology, unrealistic beauty standards and the unconventional means people will take in order to achieve them.

One thing I didn’t love about the book were the multitude of sub plots. I didn’t think they added much to the book and took away from the overall main plot. I can see where they could’ve added value for some but it just didn’t land for me. This book was also labeled as a thriller which I don’t exactly think rings true, at least in my opinion. I was definitely interested but never on the edge of my seat or flipping pages as fast as I could.

All that being said, this was definitely a solid read and overall very interesting. I’m glad I gave this book a chance as I generally love Lisa Jewell novels. If you’re weary of the Marvel designation this novel holds, I wouldn’t let that discourage you in the slightest.