Jar of Hearts Review

Synopsis from Macmillan Publishers:

This is story of three best friends: one who was murdered, one who went to prison, and one who’s been searching for the truth all these years . . .

When she was sixteen years old, Angela Wong—one of the most popular girls in school—disappeared without a trace. Nobody ever suspected that her best friend, Georgina Shaw, now an executive and rising star at her Seattle pharmaceutical company, was involved in any way. Certainly not Kaiser Brody, who was close with both girls back in high school.

But fourteen years later, Angela Wong’s remains are discovered in the woods near Geo’s childhood home. And Kaiser—now a detective with Seattle PD—finally learns the truth: Angela was a victim of Calvin James. The same Calvin James who murdered at least three other women.

To the authorities, Calvin is a serial killer. But to Geo, he’s something else entirely. Back in high school, Calvin was Geo’s first love. Turbulent and often volatile, their relationship bordered on obsession from the moment they met right up until the night Angela was killed.

For fourteen years, Geo knew what happened to Angela and told no one. For fourteen years, she carried the secret of Angela’s death until Geo was arrested and sent to prison.

While everyone thinks they finally know the truth, there are dark secrets buried deep. And what happened that fateful night is more complex and more chilling than anyone really knows. Now the obsessive past catches up with the deadly present when new bodies begin to turn up, killed in the exact same manner as Angela Wong.

How far will someone go to bury her secrets and hide her grief? How long can you get away with a lie? How long can you live with it?

About: Jar of Hearts is a thriller written by Jennifer Hillier. It will be published on 6/12/18 by Minotaur Books, an imprint of St. Martin’s Press, paperback, 320 pages. The genres are thriller, mystery, and fiction. According to Macmillan’s website, “Minotaur Established in 1999, Minotaur is a premier publisher in the bestselling category of crime fiction. St. Martin’s Press has a long and respected history of publishing a solid and varied list. We are dedicated to publishing emerging new authors, and offering a fresh perspective on classic genres, while maintaining a diverse and interesting range of books.” Please see below for more information about the author and publisher.

My Experience: I started reading Jar of Hearts on 3/11/18 and finished it on 3/18/18. This book is an excellent read! I love how the book is divided into different parts with its unique focus. I like the mention about a couple, Bowens, who waited to start a family and then suffered the unexpected consequences. I like the Kent family, how there’s no way to judge people when they seem so loving at first. It’s a good reminder to readers about people, and that people do change. I like following both Geo and Kai, their point of views are both interesting. I love the pace and plot. I love reading this book and it’s one to wake me up in the middle of the night to read it. I really didn’t want this book to end!

This book is told in the third person point of view following Georgina (Geo) Shaw as she recounts her involvement in her best friend’s murder and cover up in an open courtroom. Fourteen years ago, Angela Wong, 16, was reported missing. Only recently her remains were found and everyone is brought to court. Geo is currently a successful career woman and is engaged to be married to a millionaire, but the past has caught up to her and now she will be sent to jail for five years due to her accomplice role in Angela’s murder 14 years ago. She puts the blame to her former boyfriend Calvin for the killing and dismembering of Angela Wong. Calvin James is also known as the Sweetbay Strangler, a serial killer. He has murdered 3 other women since the murder of Angela. Another point of view is the detective handling the case, none other than Geo and Angela’s high school best friend, Kaiser (Kai) Brody. Kai is overworked chasing down this serial killer. Kai didn’t have enough time to celebrate throwing the Sweetbay Strangler to jail before he made an escape and was never caught again. Now 5 years later, Geo will soon be released from jail and Kai is finding himself investigating yet another body, but this time with a child and is buried in the same location as Angela’s all those years ago. Kai’s investigations into these murders left him puzzling because it resembles the serial killer and yet it’s different. This book is broken into 5 parts switching between Geo and Kai.

This book is very well written and developed. I love Geo’s high school friendships. I love that when the past caught up to her, that she’s a young successful professional. I love how the author points out about how people and the media devour the news of professionals who fails because I felt the same. I love the glimpse of life in jail. I love the details of how it happened. I love how the mystery is slowly revealing itself. I love the steamy romance. I love how each chapter ends with a heart-stopping shock! I love the cover of this book and I love every word written in this story.  I love the unexpected plot twists. This book is definitely one I want to read over and over again and I highly recommend everyone to read it. It’s a must!

Pro: diversity, fast paced, page turner, easy to read, mystery, suspense, adrenaline rush, serial killer, karma, friendship, successful professionals, romance, cover

Con: none

I rate it 5 stars!

Buy it here for free shipping: Book Depository or St. Martin’s Press

About the Author:

Jennifer Hillier was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, lived in the Seattle area for years, and has just moved back to Toronto with her husband and son. Jennifer is the author of Wonderland, Creep, and Jar of Hearts. (Photo obtained from Goodreads and info obtained from St. Martin’s Website).

More Information about Minotaur Books

Website: https://us.macmillan.com/smp | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MinotaurBooks | Twitter: https://twitter.com/MinotaurBooks | Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/minotaur_books

***Disclaimer: Many thanks to Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.

xoxo,
Jasmine