'Jar of Hearts' by Jennifer Hillier is a gripping crime thriller that delves into the dark secrets surrounding the murder of Angela Wong, a high school friend of Geo Shaw. The story unfolds through flashbacks and present-day events, revealing hidden truths, shocking revelations, and a web of deceit that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. With well-developed characters and a fast-paced writing style, the book explores themes of guilt, friendship, betrayal, and the consequences of past actions.

Characters:

Characters are complex and flawed, including an unsympathetic protagonist, Georgina, and her childhood friend, Kaiser, who now plays a detective role.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by sharp, engaging prose and utilizes a dual perspective format with flashbacks, effectively maintaining a brisk pacing and gradual unfolding of the story.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a compelling mystery filled with twists as characters confront their past actions and the repercussions of their relationships, particularly focusing on the murder of a best friend.

Setting:

Set primarily in Seattle, the story reflects darker urban elements, oscillating between childhood homes and prison settings.

Pacing:

The pacing is adept, especially towards the middle and end, maintaining reader engagement through alternating timelines and suspenseful reveals.

The trial has barely made a dent in the national news. Which is good, because it means less publicity, fewer reporters. But it’s also bad, because just how depraved do crimes have to be nowadays to ga...

Notes:

The story revolves around Georgina 'Geo' Shaw, who is involved in the murder of her best friend Angela Wong when they were teenagers.

Geo kept the secret of Angela's murder for 14 years before the remains are discovered near her childhood home.

Angela was murdered by Geo's boyfriend, Calvin James, who is later known as the Sweetbay Strangler.

Geo strikes a plea deal to testify against Calvin, leading to a five-year prison sentence for herself and life imprisonment for him.

The plot alternates between the present and flashbacks from their high school years, creating a layered narrative.

Geo's character is complex and morally ambiguous, generating mixed feelings from readers.

The novel explores themes of guilt, obsession, and the impact of trauma on relationships.

After Geo's release from prison, she faces a series of new murders that mirror the manner of Angela's death.

Kaiser Brody, another key character, is a childhood friend of Geo and Angela and now a detective working on the case.

The story includes disturbing elements, including graphic violence and themes of psychological manipulation.

The book has been positively received for its suspenseful plot and unexpected twists, with some readers deeply engrossed by its dark themes.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include graphic violence, sexual assault, and themes of murder and emotional abuse.

From The Publisher:

* Winner - Best Novel, 2019 ITW Thriller Award * MysteryTribune Ten Women Mystery and Thriller Writers You Should be Reading * Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Best of 2018 * Bustle's Best Thriller 11 Authors Read This Year * CrimeReads' 20 Best of 2018 * Writer Types Podcast Favorite Books * LitReactor Best Books of 2018 * CrimeReads Favorite Crime Books of the Year * BOLO Books Top Reads of 2018 * SouthFlorida.com Best Mystery Novels of 2018 * Suspense Magazine Best of 2018 - Mystery/Thriller category

An explosive, edge-of-your-seat read about three friends, one murder, and a whole world of secrets…

Angela was one of the most popular girls in her high school before she disappeared without a trace. Nobody ever knew what became of her-not Georgina, her best friend, nor Kaiser, who was close with both girls. Then, fourteen years later, Angela's remains were discovered in the woods near Geo's childhood home and Kaiser-who became a detective with the Seattle police department-finally learned the truth: Angela was a victim of Calvin James.

To the authorities, Calvin was a notorious serial killer. But back in the day, Calvin was Geo's first love. Their relationship bordered on obsession from the moment they met, right up until the night Angela was killed. Geo carried the secret of Calvin's dark deeds until the evidence landed her in prison. But now, just as Geo is about to be released, new bodies start turning up-killed in the exact same manner as Angela. . . and soon Geo, Kaiser, and local law enforcement officials realize that what happened that fateful night is more complex and chilling than anyone could have imagined.

"Thrilling…terrifying, Jar of Hearts is definitely not something you've read before."-Cleveland Plain Dealer

Ratings (27)

Incredible (8)
Loved It (12)
Liked It (4)
It Was OK (1)
Did Not Like (2)

Reader Stats (54):

Read It (27)
Want To Read (21)
Not Interested (6)

2 comment(s)

callijones

Incredible

4 weeks

SYNOPSIS

Georgina (Geo), Angela, & Kaiser are best friends in high school. When Geo starts dating an older guy named Calvin, the dynamics in the group change. One day, Angela disappears.

After fourteen years, Geo is a successful executive at a pharmaceutical company & engaged to a rich dude. When Angela’s body is found, Geo is arrested on murder charges by Kaiser, who is now a detective.

Geo ends up doing time in prison, and more murders start happening.

What happened in the past & how is it connected to the present?

MY THOUGHTS

Multiple POVs - Geo & Kaiser.

Set in Seattle area.

Different timelines - alternating between what happened in past versus present.

Third Hillier book I’ve read, and she’s quickly become one of my favorite authors of the genre.

Intense & hard to put down.

Complex characters.

Tough topics covered in book. Check trigger warnings.

Well written. Easy to read & hard to put down.

TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️another gripping thriller by Hillier

ncltup375

Liked It

3 months

I’ve read better thrillers, but I’ve also read much worse. The real victim in this book is Georgina’s father let’s be real.

What can you read after
Jar of Hearts?

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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. She's the award-winning author of Jar of Hearts and Little Secrets.

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Jar of Hearts

Jennifer Hillier