I read a couple of Lisa Jewell’s earlier books and noted that she was moving into thriller territory (the first one was domestic drama), so I made a note to myself to try one. I got this one because it showed up in my Amazon suggestions without bothering to read about it. My bad.
When I picked it up to read it, the first thing I noticed was the word “Marvel.” Now, my husband and I went to some of the superhero movies way back when, but at some point, we just decided we were done. And now I live in a movie desert in which the only theater for miles carries almost exclusively what my family calls “movies for 14-year-old boys” or animated movies, which my husband doesn’t like. So, I don’t go to the movies very often.
I scanned a New York Times review of the book, but I didn’t see hints of anything, so I started reading it. However, there are hints in the book, and at about page 70, it was clear that the main character is some sort of retired superhero. I said, nope, not doing this.
So, if you’re still interested, this appears to be the first in a series about Jessica Jones, a private detective. Amber Randall, middle-aged and wealthy, tells her that her two children went to visit their father in England and came back acting like different people. Jessica is reluctant to take the case, but Amber gets her to follow them, and Jessica has to admit that there’s something strange about them. So, the plan is for Jessica to go to Engand and try to figure out what happened.
For a thriller, it’s a fairly slow starter, since this is pretty much all that happens in the first 70 pages except for appearances of a mysterious little girl.
Oh, and this may sound picky, but the first thing Jessica does is go feed a neighbor’s cat, a cat she doesn’t know, and she leaves the door open so it gets out. Now, who would do that? with any animal except a fish, I mean? or something in a cage. It provides an excuse for the first hint that Jessica is not what she seems.
The novel is well written, and I suspect it’s fine for anyone who wants to read about superheroes, but I don’t.
What? Me Read? 