Jackal by Erin E. Adams
A Review By: AT
It’s watching.
Liz Rocher is coming home . . . reluctantly. As a Black woman, Liz doesn’t exactly have fond memories of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a predominantly white town. But her best friend is getting married, so she braces herself for a weekend of awkward, passive-aggressive reunions. Liz has grown, though; she can handle whatever awaits her. But on the night of the wedding, somewhere between dancing and dessert, the newlyweds’ daughter, Caroline, disappears—and the only thing left behind is a piece of white fabric covered in blood.
It’s taking.
As a frantic search begins, with the police combing the trees for Caroline, Liz is the only one who notices a pattern: A summer night. A missing girl. A party in the woods. She’s seen this before. Keisha Woodson, the only other Black girl in Liz’s high school, walked into the woods with a mysterious man and was later found with her chest cavity ripped open and her heart removed. Liz shudders at the thought that it could have been her, and now, with Caroline missing, it can’t be a coincidence. As Liz starts to dig through the town’s history, she uncovers a horrifying secret about the place she once called home. Children have been going missing in these woods for years. All of them Black. All of them girls.
It’s your turn.
With the evil in the forest creeping closer, Liz knows what she must do: find Caroline, or be entirely consumed by the darkness.
Review Notes:
Audio Book Publication Year: 2022
An installment in a Series? No
Narrator (s): Sandra Okuboyejo, William DeMeritt
A tense, emotional ride!
Erin E Adams penned quite the suspenseful hometown tale in Jackal. I truly enjoyed the tension, the buildup, the lore, and the interesting characters, especially our heroine. This was a supernatural whodunit steeped in corruption and the ill effects of racism. This well written and developed story paired with masterful performances from the narrators made for a wonderful audio experience! My only complaint is that the ending felt a bit forced, but I truly enjoyed this one and look forward to more from this author.
Reading Recommendation? Yes!
Rating: 4 (It’s lit!)
Content Warnings? Human or animal loss, Physical abuse/violence, Sexual abuse/violence
