Lisa Jewell is no stranger to crafting twisted, unforgettable thrillers—and Breaking the Dark is no exception. But this time, she adds a new twist to her mastery of suspense: a gritty, supernatural noir vibe pulled straight from the Marvel Universe. This first installment in the new Marvel Crime series gives us a closer, rawer look at the iconic Jessica Jones, and Jewell nails the voice and tone that make Jessica such a compelling anti-hero.
A Gritty Dive Into Jessica Jones' World
If you’re not already familiar with Jessica Jones, here’s the rundown: she’s a retired superhero-turned-private investigator. She’s tough, damaged, snarky, and brilliantly observant. Her former life of as a reluctant superhero has left scars that are still healing—physically and emotionally—and now she’s trying to keep a low profile in Hell’s Kitchen while scraping by on freelance PI jobs and coffee-fueled cynicism.
That’s when a new case finds her.
A frantic mother, Amber Randall, bursts into Jessica’s office with a wild-sounding claim: her teenage twins have changed—completely—after visiting their estranged father in a remote British village. They’re eerily perfect now, missing their once-familiar quirks and even speaking differently. Amber is convinced her children have been replaced.
Jessica’s curiosity and intuition won’t let her ignore the case, so she follows the trail to Barton Wallop - a tight-lipped, almost otherworldly village in the UK and meets Belle, the ethereal girl at the heart of the mystery. What follows is a twisty, psychological thriller with chilling sci-fi vibes, cultish secrecy, and a deeply personal undercurrent as Jessica is forced to confront the darkest parts of her past while battling the shadows creeping into the present.
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My Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Jewell’s writing doesn’t just capture Jessica’s gritty voice—it elevates it. This is the Jessica Jones fans love: flawed, fierce, emotionally layered, and stubbornly resilient. But even if you’ve never cracked a Marvel comic in your life, Breaking the Dark reads like a top-tier psychological thriller.
There’s a subtle supernatural edge without overwhelming the grounded, investigative tone of the story. Think Sharp Objects meets The X-Files except with more sarcasm, emotional baggage, and whiskey. Jewell explores themes of trauma, perfectionism, and identity with nuance, and the eerie setting of Barton Wallop is so vividly drawn you’ll feel the fog creeping in.
Final Thoughts
Breaking the Dark is an atmospheric, fast-paced, emotionally gripping mystery that blends the Marvel Universe with the addictive twists Lisa Jewell is known for. As someone who enjoys both psychological thrillers and superhero stories, this book scratched every itch.
But what really impressed me was how seamlessly Jewell made the Marvel world accessible. You don’t need to be a comic book buff to get lost in this story—Jessica Jones is a protagonist who commands your attention from page one, and the central mystery is gripping enough to stand entirely on its own.
Whether you're a longtime fan of Jessica or new to the character, this is a must-read.
Quick Content Notes:
- Alcoholism/mentions of addiction
- PTSD/trauma
- Missing children
- Sci-fi/horror elements (body snatching/replacement-like themes)
Perfect For Fans Of:
- Marvel's Jessica Jones series on Netflix
- Dark, character-driven thrillers with a supernatural twist
- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Bring on the next Marvel Crime novel!
