JANE DOE by VICTORIA HELEN STONE

‘I’ve never killed anyone. I’m not that kind of sociopath. But you never know. Desperate times…’

We’re always on the hunt for stories that offer something a little different, so if you’re like us and thrive on unique stories, then you MUST read Jane Doe. It was FANTASTIC! A suspenseful, wickedly amusing story with captivating mature writing that introduced us to a complex, funny and confounding character that is thirty-year-old, Jane Doe, a self-diagnosed sociopath with an acerbic wit and a vivid imagination. Jane Doe was one deliciously wicked and taunting tale we devoured from start to finish.

‘Emotion is sticky as tar, and it’s hard to get off you, which is why I’ve spent my whole life trying to avoid exposing my skin to it.’

Taking leave from her very successful Legal career and lifestyle in Kuala Lumpur, Jane accepts a role in a small insurance firm in Minneapolis, the place she spent her college years. However, Jane is going back a different version of herself, leaving behind the sexy confident go-getter to become a timid woman in order to capture the attention of her manager, the snivelling Steven Hepsworth.

“You’re sexy as hell,” he says. Lots of men have said this to me. They like a woman with no shame. We’re rare, you see because we’re told to be ashamed of everything, every day, by everyone. Ashamed to give them what they want, ashamed not to give it to them. Ashamed to show our average bodies, ashamed not to have a perfect one. I have no idea how normal women date. The world seems like it’d be an unbearable place for people with real feelings.’

Steven, the son of a minister is basically an A grade arsehole. He’s a man who delights in belittling women and sees Jane as the perfect catch for him. She appears subservient and he delights in knocking her confidence and lowering her self-esteem. It’s what Steven lives for. But…. Steven couldn’t be more off the mark! The real Jane is out for his blood, and she’s taking no prisoners, knowing her time in Minneapolis isn’t’ going to end well, Jane sets her plan in motion.

As we learn about Janes past, we begin to understand her reason for seeking retribution and why she has become emotionally shut off. We couldn’t help but connect to Jane. Her inner monologue is devilishly stinging and nail-biting at once! Hmmm secretly, wouldn’t we all want to be a bit like Jane?

‘Not all monsters are terrifying. Some of them are so tedious they’ll just make you wish for death.’

The way she smiles and appeases Steven, whilst inwardly plotting his downfall is deliciously wicked and scathing. Her thoughts are humorous and the opposite to the Jane this man thinks he is denigrating. We squirmed as she uncovered his weaknesses and rallied behind her in her quest for revenge!

‘Most of us aren’t evil; we’re just stupid and flawed and not careful with others.’

Jane Doe is a brilliantly written, captivating, intriguing, wickedly funny and somewhat deliciously dark story of revenge. Nothing is off limits in Jane Doe. You’ll devour this book as you unearth how she got there, what lead her to Steven and wonder if she does or doesn’t enact her revenge? We all know a Meg, we all hope to meet a Luke, we hope to god we never cross paths with a Steven, and we want to have a wine and a chat with Jane! She was such a fascinating character!

‘Are we all just animals bound to relive our broken childhoods over and over? Is it that simple?’

We’ve since heard that Sony has bought the TV rights to Jane Doe and can’t wait to see it brought to life! News has also broken about a second standalone Jane Doe Thriller called Problem Child releasing March next year, which is great news because we’re already missing Jane!