Magical realism is a literary style that incorporates fantasy elements into otherwise realistic fiction. Breaking the Dark is an accomplished example. Jessica Jones, a former superhero in the Marvel Crime series of books, is now a private investigator with an office in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan.

Amber Randall is concerned her 16-year-old twins have been acting strangely ever since they arrived back from visiting their wealthy father in England. She wants Jessica to find out what happened there as she thinks her children have been brainwashed.

While Jessica is on her way to the father’s country estate, we are transported 38 years back in time. Ophelia, a visitor from England, is sitting in a bar in Harlem, New York City, and asks for a tequila sunrise. She watches as the grenadine and orange juice sink to the bottom of the glass. Ophelia locks eyes with the barman and says, Looks like blood, doesn’t it? We find out the significance of that remark later in the book when Jessica and a much older Ophelia eventually meet.

Jessica discovers a misguided plan to improve the lives of youngsters by manipulating their brains through the use of social networking services and other technology. She decides the collateral deaths – sacrifice the few to benefit the many – is unacceptable and sets out to expose those behind the scheme. Unfortunately, her adversaries have special powers that are able to thwart her efforts for quite a while.

Our author has a brilliant imagination, and readers are in for a thrilling, surprising and shocking journey. Breaking the Dark is well paced, well crafted, and compelling. It’s a fascinating blend of fiction and fantasy.

Reviewed by Clive Hodges

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa Jewell was born in London. Her first novel, Ralph’s Party, was the bestselling debut novel of 1999. Since then she has published another sixteen novels, most recently a number of dark psychological thrillers, including The Girls and Then She Was Gone (both of which were Richard & Judy Book Club picks) as well as I Found You and Watching You. Lisa is a top 10 New York Times and number one Sunday Times bestselling author who has been published worldwide in over 25 languages.

She lives in north London with her husband, two daughters, two cats, two guinea pigs and the best dog in the world.

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