A review by rorikae
Jackal by Erin E. Adams

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Jackal by Erin E. Adams is a fascinating horror novel that explores the terrors of a small town and the epidemic of black girls who routinely go missing every summer.
Liz is coming back to her hometown to attend her best friend Mel's wedding. Liz has been away for quite some time and is unsure about returning to the town. During the wedding, Mel's daughter Caroline goes missing and Liz is pulled into the search to find her, and how it connects to a string of missing black girls who disappear each summer.
I found Jackal to be a fascinating story with an interesting supernatural twist. The characters felt very human, which meant that they weren't always likable, but this did make them fascinating to follow. I found the mystery was well plotted and, up until the final reveal, I was going back and forth on who I thought the culprit was. I can understand why some people may have conflicting feelings about the story, especially considering the ultimate reveals at the end, but ultimately, I found it fascinating and an interesting take on this type of story. If you are looking for something horrifying but with an underlying level of social commentary, I would recommend Jackal. I will be interested to read more of Adams' work and see what type of stories she chooses to tell next. 
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