Absolutely love me a good thriller! And this cover is perfect. I love a good, quick read in the summer time that keeps me on the edge of my seat! Love me some Lisa Jewell.

I requested this book because it was Lisa Jewell. But it was not for me. I found it hard to follow and get into. I won't requesrt or purchase the rest of the series

A thrilling addition to the Marvel universe, focusing on Jessica Jones' gritty investigations. Jewell blends superhero elements with crime fiction seamlessly. A captivating read for both Marvel fans and crime novel enthusiasts.

This is really a 3.5 ⭐ book for me. I love both Lisa Jewell and Jessica Jones.
Of course, the writing flowed well, but something felt amiss.
Maybe it's because I watched the Jessica Jones Netflix series so I already had an idea of what/who she is.
This is a story about a crime fighting lady who is intrigued enough by a potential paranormal job that she actually takes it.
Amber Randall comes in to Jessica's office claiming that something isn't right with her children after a visit with their dad in the UK. She basically insinuates that her children have been replaced with fake versions.

Seems crazy, right? Well Buckle up because the ride this story takes you on is insane and dark!

If supernatural is your thing, pick it up for yourself and see what it's all about!

In this different type of book, Lisa Jewell introduces us to Jessica Jones: Retired super hero, private investigator, loner. She avoids the crime fighting life that she once lived to have a quiet life working on surviving day-to-day in Hell’s Kitchen, New York.

Amber, a distraught mother who comes to Jessica's office is adamant that something happened to her teenage twins while they were visiting their father in the UK. The twins don’t act like themselves, and they now have perfect skin and keep talking about a girl named Belle. Amber insists her children have been replaced by something horrible.

Traveling to a small village in the British countryside, Jessica meets the mysterious Belle, who lives a curiously isolated life in an old farmhouse with a strange woman who claims to be her guardian. Why does the strange little village of Barton Wallop seem to harbor mysteries in its community?

Jessica knows that nothing in life is perfect—not these kids, not her relationship with Luke Cage, and certainly not Jessica herself. I am not a Marvel fan so this book was not my favorite.

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5/5)
Breaking the Dark is a gritty, atmospheric mystery with a supernatural edge, featuring a jaded Jessica Jones navigating a creepy UK village and a chilling case of “perfect” teens. Lisa Jewell delivers a noir-style story that’s compelling, though a bit slow at times.

Jessica’s voice is strong, but readers unfamiliar with her backstory may feel a little lost. More context around her powers and past would’ve added depth. Still, the eerie vibes and unique plot make this a solid start to the Marvel Crime series—dark, moody, and definitely intriguing.

This is set in the world of the Jessica Jones comics which I have read some of but don’t know quite as well as I know the television show. That fact made it hard to get through this book. The story was also slow going at first, which didn’t help.

This is the first in a series of books set in the Marvel universe but I don’t think I’ll be continuing it.

This one was a lot different than past Lisa Jewell books I've read. I'm not a Marvel fan and didn't realize this was Marvel so it wasn't really my cup of tea but if you love Marvel make sure to grab this one!!

*Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel* by Lisa Jewell is a fast-paced, gritty dive into the world of Marvel’s favorite hard-hitting detective. Jessica Jones is back, tackling a dangerous case that takes her into the murky depths of crime and corruption. Jewell’s writing captures Jessica’s sharp wit and no-nonsense attitude perfectly, while adding just the right amount of suspense and action. If you love your crime novels with a side of superhero flair, this book delivers! It’s a thrilling, page-turning read for anyone who’s a fan of Marvel, crime fiction, or just a great story full of twists and turns.

Couldn’t get into this book. I struggled staying interested and connecting with the characters. I loved the cover art for this book.

Looks like the start of a series. I love the characters from the Marvel series. Story was ok. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this

Special thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Jewell and Hyperion Avenue for an ARC of this highly anticipated novel. I can admit that it initially took some time for me to become invested in the novel, but that quickly changed. I am also not overly interested in sci-fi; however, the elements of this that were included with the twists and turns, mystery and suspense was a nice touch. There were multiple perspectives, characters and timeframes which made the book intriguing. I love the moral of the story and the way that the author summarized the events from start to finish in the main characters news article. Overall, would highly recommend this book and this author.

Breaking The Dark is a Marvel-inspired crime novel written by Lisa Jewell. I love Lisa Jewell, and her books are usually a must-read for me, so I was pretty excited about this one. I am also a Marvel fan, so I figured this would be right up my alley. Unfortunately, I think my knowledge of Jessica Jones did not help and actually did more harm when basing my opinion.
If you don't know who Jessica Jones is, then this book might work for you a bit more. However, if you do know who Jessica Jones is, it is best if you disassociate what you are familiar with and go in with a clear palate. This Jessica Jones is not the super badass, takes-no-crap, butt-kicking woman you know, but instead, she is way more relaxed and highly concerned about her possible pregnancy, therefore, she doesnt try to do too much. (She does still have superhero abilities, though.)
This book did not reach my expectations overall, and unfortunately, it fell very flat for me. I do, however, appreciate Lisa Jewell for venturing out and trying something new! 2.5 stars, rounded up!
Thank you NetGalley, Hyperion Avenue, and Lisa Jewell for this read!

Lisa Jewell takes a detour from her usual domestic thrillers and ventures into the Marvel Universe with Breaking the Dark, a Jessica Jones novel that mostly delivers. Jewell successfully captures the gritty, noir feel of the character, and the story offers a compelling mystery that keeps the pages turning.

Jessica Jones is a retired superhero turned private investigator, as she investigates a strange case involving altered teenagers. Jewell weaves a complex narrative that blends elements of the supernatural with a grounded, street-level crime story. The book explores themes of identity, perfection, and the dark side of obsession, which resonate beyond the superhero genre.

Jewell's writing is strong, as always, with a focus on character development and suspenseful pacing. The mystery unfolds gradually, keeping the reader engaged and guessing until the end. While the Marvel elements are present, the story is accessible to readers unfamiliar with the source material.

However, the book isn't without its flaws. At times, the pacing can feel uneven, and some readers may find the blending of genres slightly jarring. While Jewell captures Jessica's voice well, some long-time fans might find this interpretation of the character slightly different from what they're used to.

Overall, Breaking the Dark is a solid entry into the Marvel Crime series. It's an entertaining and well-written mystery with a unique premise and a compelling protagonist. While it may not be perfect, it's a worthwhile read for fans of Lisa Jewell, Jessica Jones, and anyone looking for a dark, twisty thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Jewell, and Hyperion Avenue Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author Lisa Jewell and the publishers for letting me read and review this advanced copy. This is a four star mystery marvel thriller that releases Tuesday March 25th 2025. I am a huge marvel movie fan so that's what originally got me into this novel. I really liked it and enjoyed the super hero/ powers with private investigation work.

Being relatively new to the Marvel Universe (MCU), I was ecstatic to see this as an option to request an ARC - and Lisa Jewell delivered!

Breaking the Dark gives readers a peek into the quiet(er) life of retired superhero, Jessica Jones, who now works as a private investigator and prefers to stay out of the limelight. One morning, a mother knocks on her door begging for her help because her children have just come home from visiting their father abroad - and the mom doesn't believes that these aren't really her children; after witnessing some strange behaviors from the teens - Jessica Jones jumps in to find out what is going on!

Thank you to NetGalley & Hyperion Avenue for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Definitely check this out!!!

In Breaking the Dark, bestselling author Lisa Jewell makes a striking debut into the Marvel universe, breathing new life into the gritty, hard-boiled world of Jessica Jones. Known for her gripping domestic thrillers, Jewell's pivot into superhero noir feels seamless, delivering a novel that’s equal parts psychological thriller and character study.

Set in the shadowy corners of New York City, the novel captures the essence of Jessica Jones: cynical, sharp-witted, and deeply damaged, yet doggedly resilient. Jewell wisely leans into the private investigator's humanity rather than her superpowers, grounding the narrative in a gritty realism that will appeal to both long-time Marvel fans and readers new to the character.

The plot unfolds around a missing-persons case that quickly spirals into a much darker and more personal mystery. Jewell’s pacing is taut, and her signature ability to peel back the layers of her characters’ psyches shines here. Jessica’s internal monologue is laced with dry humor, vulnerability, and an ever-present undercurrent of rage—a complex emotional terrain that Jewell navigates with nuance and skill.

What sets Breaking the Dark apart from typical superhero fare is its noir sensibility. This is not a story of high-stakes battles or cosmic threats, but of trauma, secrets, and survival. The violence is intimate, the tension psychological, and the stakes—though smaller in scale—feel weightier for their proximity to real human experiences.

Jewell’s writing is punchy and evocative, with vivid descriptions of the city’s underbelly and a palpable atmosphere of dread. The supporting cast, including familiar and fresh faces alike, are fleshed out with care, and their interactions with Jessica add richness and depth to the narrative.

In sum, Breaking the Dark is a triumph of genre-blending—bringing literary sophistication to a beloved Marvel anti-hero while staying true to the noir roots that define her. Lisa Jewell has not only captured Jessica Jones’s voice with authenticity and grit but has elevated her story with a level of psychological depth rare in superhero fiction.

Highly recommended for fans of crime fiction, noir thrillers, and character-driven Marvel stories.

I started this book thinking it was a typical Lisa Jewell book. I'm definitely not a Marvel fan but did enjoy reading it based on the Author! Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC!

I have enjoyed Lisa Jewel’s books in the past but I can’t say I’m a big Marvel fan, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from this. It was fine, just not the right fit for me. I am not familiar with Jessica Jones at all so I think if I had a little more background on her it might have been a better read. It does work okay as a stand alone book, just not really my cup of tea. Interesting premise though!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 4.5⭐️
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: mystery/ thriller📚

𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
This one surprised me in the best way! I was scared it would be to Marvel-y for my liking but it wasn’t at all!

𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
Gritty female led detective stories
Antiheros with attitude
Character driven stories
Complex female friendships
Slow burn mysteries
Found family
Themes of trauma and healing
Fresh takes on Marvel

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍:
The mystery wasn’t revolved around superpowers
Complex side characters
Dry humor

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛:
Some plot points felt under developed
I wanted a littler more depth for the resolution

𝙵𝚊𝚟𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚎 𝚀𝚞𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚜:
★ “Perfection isn’t a goal. Perfection is a scam. You were perfect then and you’re perfect now. We all are. Every single one of us. Trust me.”
★ “You’re gorgeous. You’re clever. You’re cool. You’re loving. You’re scary. You are so, so strong. What those people did to you, it doesn’t make you weaker, it makes you stronger. You just need to believe that. And you need to open your heart to yourself. Break through the dark. Find the light. Do you see?”