Book Review: Jackal by Erin E. Adams

Welcome to my very first horror mystery book review. You may not know this, but I absolutely love horror and mystery books and films. So when I came across this book online, I knew I had to read it and share it with this community. For my next post, I’m discussing Jackal by Erin E. Adams—a suspenseful and unsettling mystery novel that immediately intrigued my interest. In addition to this novel being a horror mystery, which I truly love. I  am also excited to read a story where as a Black woman our experiences in are shared.

About Jackal

Jackal follows Liz Rocher, who returns to her hometown of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, for her best friend’s wedding. What should have been a happy occasion turns into a dark mystery when a young Black girl goes missing.  As Liz becomes involved in the search, unsettling recollections from her past begin to reemerge. The disappearance of this young girl brings back memories of another girl who vanished years earlier—and the more Liz discovers, the more she realizes that there is a dark, disturbing secret that is hiding beneath the surface of her hometown. I really love the way Erin E. Adams connects mystery with suspense, race, union, family history, and friendship. She achieves this while also exposing a community full of secrets.

The Plot

The plot in this story is more than locating a missing girl and figuring out the circumstances behind it. Jackal makes you think about the things people choose to remember, the things they choose to forget, and what happens when the past refuses to stay buried. As the reader, you are instantly enthralled in the story, and you are making your own conclusion to what is going on.

My First Impressions

One of the things I enjoy about suspense and mystery books is that feeling of knowing something isn’t quite right, even when you can’t put your finger on exactly what it is.  Jackal gave me that feeling.

The tone of this reading is dark and mysterious, and there is a constant sense that there is more to the story than what we see on the surface. This story captivates your attention, and you will find yourself spending hours trying to solve the mystery at hand. Jackal is a puzzle that has different elements and twists that keep you on the edge of your seat. In addition to this book being layered with so much uncertainty, you find yourself wondering which characters could be trusted and what secrets might eventually come to light.  And that’s exactly the kind of book that keeps me reading!

The Ending!

The ending of Jackal takes a surprisingly strange turn. What begins as a grounded mystery gradually ventures into a space where reality and the supernatural seem to overlap, creating an increasingly surreal final stretch. This particular portion of the book leaves you in disbelief, disturbed, and confused. You may find yourself rereading a few pages again just to make sure you are placing all the pieces together and grasping the true meaning of the ending. All in all, Jackal by Erin E. Adams made for a great read.