I was very excited to read this Marvel crime thriller by Lisa Jewell, thank you NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book. This was very interesting, first of its kind (for me) and I was hooked right from Chapter 1.

I had never read a crime thriller like this before, so I was really curious to see where the story would go. The protagonist of the book was Jessica Jones, and I just wish we got more background on her. I feel like her character wasn’t introduced properly, and more about her past would have been great.

The plot kept me interested, especially with what was happening with Fox, Lark, and how the other characters were introduced into the plot. I also wanted to see how Arthur, Polly, Ophelia, and Sebastian fit into the story. There was suspense in the first few chapters, but it was more about watching how things unraveled than not knowing what was going on. By the middle of the book, I kind of knew what was happening, but I still wanted to see how it would end.

The ending was really good, and the plot kept me hooked until the very end. Overall, this book was so fun to read, and even though I wanted a bit more about Jessica, I still really enjoyed it

I gave this book 5 stars! Lisa Jewell is a master storyteller! This is a Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel. It is a thriller and a crime novel all in one! I was taken by surprise on some of the twists and turns in a good way! I would recommend this book to everyone who likes to read!

As someone who primarily reads Christian literature but enjoys the occasional thriller, Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell offers a unique blend of crime fiction and superhero elements that might pique your interest. This novel is the first in the Marvel Crime series and centers on Jessica Jones, a retired superhero turned private investigator.

The story begins when Jessica is approached by a concerned mother whose teenage twins have returned from a trip to England exhibiting unsettling changes—they seem almost too perfect. Intrigued, Jessica travels to a quaint English village to uncover the truth, delving into a mystery that intertwines themes of beauty standards, social media influence, and the pressures faced by young people today.

Lisa Jewell, known for her psychological thrillers, brings depth to Jessica's character, portraying her struggles with past traumas and personal challenges. While the novel does explore darker themes and includes supernatural elements, it remains a gripping and thought-provoking read. As noted in a review by the Financial Times, the book "draws attention to psychological trauma and the insecurities of younger generations."

If you're open to a story that combines crime-solving with a touch of the supernatural, Breaking the Dark provides an engaging narrative that delves into the complexities of human nature and societal pressures.

while there were short chapters and simple and easy prose, there was not enough of an engaging story for me for really call this a thriller. the overall story also read like a YA novel, with a rushed and unsatisfying ending.

I was absolutely thrilled to receive an advanced reader copy of Breaking the Dark, and I couldn’t wait to dive in. From the very first page, it was clear that this novel was unlike anything Lisa Jewell has written before. Known for her twisty domestic thrillers, Jewell takes a bold and unexpected step into the Marvel Universe—and it’s nothing short of spectacular.

Jessica Marvel, the protagonist, is a fascinating addition to the Marvel world. She’s complex, flawed, and utterly magnetic, with a sharp wit and an edge that keeps you hooked. The story is brimming with clever references to the Marvel Universe, and while I won’t name any specific heroes to avoid spoiling the surprises, let me just say that the cameos and nods to fan favorites are absolutely delightful.

What impressed me most is that, even with its superhero backdrop, Jewell’s signature ability to craft deeply human characters and gripping plotlines shines through. This book is darker and more psychological than you’d expect, with a tension that lingers long after the last page.

Breaking the Dark is a bold and unexpected evolution for Lisa Jewell, showcasing her incredible range as a writer. Fans of her work, as well as Marvel enthusiasts, are in for an absolute treat. This book is a thrilling blend of suspense and superhero storytelling that left me eager to see what’s next for Jessica Marvel. Highly recommend!

Thankyou NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this ARC

4 Stars ⭐️

It was an absolute honor of receiving an ARC of Breaking the Dark by Lisa Jewell!!

Jewell seamlessly switched genres to produce a Marvel-themed sci-fi/fantasy book, which was both a surprising and exciting shift.

This book follows the infamous Jessica Jones as she is hired by a woman to uncover why her twins are acting strangely after a trip to London to visit their father. Upon their return, their behavior is subdued, and they repeatedly claim to feel “perfect.” To add to the mystery, the twins have gained an almost eerie popularity at school due to their new, filtered-like appearances. As Jessica delves deeper into this case, she slowly but surely pieces together the clues to uncover the truth behind this unsettling transformation.

As a big Marvel fan, I found myself really enjoying this book. It was fun to see Jewell incorporate Marvel elements into her writing, and I think this played a big part in why I connected with the story. However, I do feel that readers without a solid Marvel background might struggle a bit to fully engage. The book doesn’t provide much detail or backstory about Jessica Jones’ character; instead, a lot of the information is implied or inferred.

In terms of pacing, the first half of the book was quite slow, which made it a little challenging to stay engaged initially. However, once the story picked up, it REALLY picked up. The second half had me completely hooked; I couldn’t put it down and found myself constantly guessing what would happen next.

Overall, Breaking the Dark was such an enjoyable read. Lisa Jewell’s ability to explore a new genre while maintaining her signature compelling storytelling is truly impressive. If you’re a Marvel fan, this book will feel like a treat. For those less familiar with the Marvel universe, it might take a little more effort to connect, but the payoff is worth it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with this e-ARC!

I loved the Jessica portions, but the mystery was meh for me. It was written well, and the characters stayed true to themselves. I felt like it could have been shorter. But it is a great addition for any Marvel fan.

Another fun and well written book by Lisa Jewell! Love her style and the way she weaves the storyline.

Lisa Jewell has done it again—proving she can master any genre she touches, even a Marvel comic book novel!

This isn’t a genre I would typically reach for, but seeing Lisa’s name on the cover was all the motivation I needed to dive in. And I’m so glad I did because I absolutely loved it.

What impressed me most was how seamlessly she infused her signature thriller elements into the world of superheroes, crafting a story that feels both fresh and completely captivating. Her deep research into the Marvel universe is evident, with plenty of clever nods and Easter eggs that comic fans will appreciate. Yet, at the same time, she manages to make these supernatural characters incredibly relatable, bringing depth and complexity to their development.

Jewell’s storytelling brilliance truly shines here, effortlessly blending suspense, intrigue, and rich character work into a genre outside her usual realm. Whether you're a longtime Marvel fan or just looking for an exciting read, I highly recommend this book—even if comic-inspired novels aren’t usually your thing. It sounds like the next Marvel novel will be written by another author, and I'll check that out to0 - but if I had my way Lisa would write all of them.

Lisa Jewell continues to prove that her talent knows no bounds!

I'm still pondering how I felt about this...

It almost immediately pulled me in and I was quickly hooked after about 20% in. I flew through the pages just NEEDING to know what was going on.

The climax was a bit of a let down. I wanted more dramatics, I guess, especially this being Lisa Jewell writing about a Marvel superhero...

The ending, although neatly wrapping everything up and teaching a life lesson, was rather bland and boring in my opinion. Even though she tried to tie up all loose ends, I was just left with questions and a feeling of blah. I mostly wanted more explanations of the backstory of the "bad people" and more sciencey/technical explanations about the "products".

Overall, this book flowed very well and was easy to read in true Lisa Jewell fashion. It kept me engaged and had me really thinking. A good read.

I'll be honest - I wanted to read this book because I'm a Lisa Jewell fan. It wasn't until it was already in my possession that I realized that it was a Marvel Crime book and I just about talked myself out of reading it because the thought of reading about Super Heros seemed childish and not something I would enjoy. However, I decided to follow through because the premise seemed interesting.
Jessica Jones is a private investigator with a dark superhero past that she hasn't healed from. She now avoids all things superhero, except for Luke Cage, another superhero that she just can't shake from her head...or her bed.
Jessica meets Amber Randall, a distraught mother, who wants to hire Jessica to investigate her twin teens, Lark & Fox. After returning from the UK where they spent the summer with their father, they came back acting very unusual - they have flawless skin, they don't seem to care about their phones and they've lost the tics and habits that made them who they were. It's almost like they are perfect. Amber is convinced something happened to them in the UK or maybe replaced them entirely.
Jessica must travel to the small village in the British countryside named Barton Wallop to find out what happened to the twins. There she meets Belle, a young girl who the twins had talked about. Belle lives in an isolated farmhouse with a guardian that seems to hold the answer to the mystery.
While struggling to find answers, Jessica must also grapple with her feelings about Luke and the pain that she both endured and caused in her past superhero days.
This story is told in dual timelines and multiple perspectives and is absolutely addictive. I am really glad I decided to power through. I came for the Lisa Jewell, but I stayed for the Marvel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for allowing me to read an Advanced Readers Copy. Look for this suspenseful masterpiece when it comes out March 25, 2025. Lisa Jewell does not disappoint!

This was a very different read for me, but I really enjoyed it. When I saw the authors name I didn’t realize that she wrote outside her normal genres. I will definitely look for similar books!

I’ll start off by saying I was so excited to receive the ARC copy of this book as my very first one! I’m not a Marvel fan”fan” but the book was great delivering the multiple story lines without confusion. It kept me wanting to read more as I wanted to be the sleuth to figure out the answers! It was a smooth fast read for me and I would definitely recommend this book! I can’t wait for the continuation of the series.

I am a HUGE Lisa Jewell fan so I requested this from Netgalley (thank you and Hyperion books for the ARC!). I'm not a huge Marvel fan so I wasn't sure how this would resonate, and at times I think the superhero stuff distracted me because it's just so out of my element. There is NOT a lot of super hero-ing here, though. Much more sleuthing!

I enjoyed the book and it was a page turner, but I felt like it got really preachy about beauty standards, in a way that was unnecessary. Lots of telling at the end, when the whole book already showed it. Give the readers some credit to draw that conclusion for ourselves!

I probably won't reach for the Marvel series in the future - not because it isn't good, it's just not for me.

This book is the Start of the Marvel Crime series with Private Detective Jessica Hones.
Thank you to Netgalley for the Advanced copy of this.
This private detective avoids the world and Survives the day to Day in Hells Kitchen New York.
She takes a case from a distraught mother from the UK who is worried about her Twins, who just returned from visiting their father and don't "Seem the same" They have lost their quirks and habits and how are flawless in appearance. The mother is worried that her kids have been replaced by Perfect children. So she goes to investigate.
I generally love Lisa Jewell books but I found myself fighting to keep focus on this one. I will most likely not be reading the follow up books to this one. The premise sounded promising but the storyline was very weak.

Breaking the Dark brings Jessica Jones from the comics and Netflix series to the page. The story captures her trademark sarcasm and resilience as she faces a dark conspiracy that challenges her both professionally and personally.

The novel blends detective noir and superhero drama with vivid cityscapes and morally gray twists. While the pacing slows in parts, fans of Jessica’s previous portrayals will appreciate this deeper dive into her psyche and her raw, emotional journey.

While I admire Lisa Jewell’s writing and her ability to craft complex characters, the Marvel superhero angle wasn’t for me but I am sure there is a great fan base ready to devour this great story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for sharing this amazing thriller's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Am I a big Marvel fan? No; I didn’t even know who Jessica Jones is. Am I big Lisa Jewell fan? HECK YES. I was so excited for this ARC. Lisa Jewell is the master of dual-storylines, and this was no different. I also really enjoyed the premise of this one, how creepy to think that isn’t as unrealistic as some may like to think! I kept reading, wanting to know what was going to happen and how the storylines would meet. Thank you NetGalley and Lisa Jewell for this opportunity! I have a feeling this will be a popular series!

When I started reading this book, I was so confused. I had only seen the author and was so excited to read it. I have always loved everything Lisa Jewell has written. I had to go read the description of the novel so I would understand. I had watched the Jessica Jones series before reading this so that was another reason I was confused. Lisa did a terrific job of writing this Marvel Novel and providing a unique mystery that kept me guessing. It definitely is quite different than her usual novels but I enjoyed it very much and hope there will be more.

This was such an original novel. I loved the story based on this great Marvel character. It was suspenseful and had lots of twists and turns. I cannot wait for the next in the series. Lisa Jewell always delivers and this is no exception. It is a departure from her usual books however.

BIG Marvel AND Jessica Jones fan here, so I had to get a hold of this book. I'm so very glad I did! I have to admit that at first, it was difficult for me to separate the Jessica Jones Netflix show from this book as there are a few differences. i.e. Malcolm is a teenager in this story, while on the show, he was in his early twenties and Jessica's neighbor. Once I got past the differences, I could not put this book down. I had to know what was happening, why it was happening and how these characters in the past connected to the present.


Lisa Jewell truly understands Jessica Jones, her attitude, her personality, etc. Only one thing surprised me about Jessica in this particular story only because I never thought of her as maternal. I was actually a little surprised that Jessica didn't throw us a few F bombs!

I loved the Avengers references! I appreciate that the author snuck a lesser known Marvel character into this story...and it worked!

The only "issue" to speak of is some of the dialog. Americans do not typically use some of the words that the author chose. Most people would probably overlook this or not even notice.

If I could give this 4 1/2 stars I would! I enjoyed this Marvel crime novel so much and I hope that Lisa Jewell returns to write more!

Thank you to Netgalley and Lisa Jewell for the opportunity to read this book. My little Marvel loving heart is so happy right now!