Don’t Say a Word (Strangers Series) by Jennifer Jaynes Review:
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author and Booklover Catlady Publicity in return for a fair and honest review.
Many thanks!
Before I get into how amazing a story this book is, I feel I must make to notes at the beginning of this review. First of all, I love the work
of author Jennifer Jaynes and thought this was a fantastic book. Secondly, as I’m sensitive to how people can be triggered by reading certain
storylines, I feel I must say that if you find you are susceptible to being triggered by storylines involving mental health and plots involving
cutting, then be warned that this book delves into both these topics wholly. The book doesn’t use these topics haphazardly or force them into
the story without precedent, but I wanted to put that warning out there before anyone decided to read this book. Now that that’s done, let’s get
into the review.
This is the third book in the Strangers series by Jennifer Jaynes, and yet Don’t Say a Word can easily work as a stand-alone novel, doing a
phenomenal job of integrating the events of the first two books as a backstory in the character of Allie Callahan, a single mother who’s haunted
by her past, with both her mother and brother suffering from mental illnesses and made them into serial killers. Now with her son Sammy to keep
her focused, she finds herself with a fragile form of happiness living with her son and adoptive mother in East Texas. However, her world will be
put to the test when 12-year old twins Zoe and Carrie arrive on her doorstep, traumatized by the murders of their mother and father. When mysterious
phone calls and a rising body count come to light, and the girls remain troubled by what they witnessed, Allie must face her fears as she hopes
she won’t succumb to insanity and loose her happiness once and for all.
The book has a phenomenal mystery that does a wonderful job of delving deep into the true nature of mental health, and sheds the misconceptions
that mental disease equals bad or evil, which is something that has been distastefully used in popular media in recent years. The twisted thriller
explores some great themes, from family and genetic disposition to self-worth and motherhood. Fans of the series will enjoy getting this new
glimpse at protagonist Allie, while newcomers will enjoy the heart-pounding adventure as the truth behind the murders of the girl’s parents comes
to light slowly. This is a must-read novel that has phenomenal and real character development, and makes this writer excited to see more from
author Jennifer Jaynes in the future! Be sure to pick up your copies of Don’t Say a Word today!