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Jinn: A Novel
It is May 1943. On the remote island of Bougainville, in the South Pacific, a squad of United States Marines beats their way through the thick jungle. They’ve landed to do battle with the Japanese soldiers on the island, but in short order, they begin to realize that the forbidding battleground holds an ancient secret a hundred times more terrifying than any enemy army---especially when they start finding the bodies.
Flash-forward to July 2008. In the slums---and the skyscrapers---of Boston, a new kind of depraved serial killer is stalking human prey and terrifying the city. The bodies have been found posed and mutilated in bizarre ways that the two police officers in charge of the case have never seen before---and never want to see again. Are the two scenarios connected?
Detectives Jefferson and Brogan have no idea that to solve the biggest case of their careers, their investigation must take them around the world and through time and history---from a mysterious salvaged submarine with a shocking secret, to an inhumane prison where the inmates are even more scared than usual of “the Pit,”and finally back to the the sinister island in the South Seas where something inhuman has been biding its time
Flash-forward to July 2008. In the slums---and the skyscrapers---of Boston, a new kind of depraved serial killer is stalking human prey and terrifying the city. The bodies have been found posed and mutilated in bizarre ways that the two police officers in charge of the case have never seen before---and never want to see again. Are the two scenarios connected?
Detectives Jefferson and Brogan have no idea that to solve the biggest case of their careers, their investigation must take them around the world and through time and history---from a mysterious salvaged submarine with a shocking secret, to an inhumane prison where the inmates are even more scared than usual of “the Pit,”and finally back to the the sinister island in the South Seas where something inhuman has been biding its time
448 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
February 12, 2008
This novel had me riveted to my chair for hours. And at just under 550 pages, that says a lot for the author. While much more suspenseful than truly frightening, it had its share of horror moments. I would definitely recommend it to horror-genre readers. And I've read somewhere that this book was optioned for a film. That ought to be good!
plot summary in brief
The first part of Jinn begins during World War II during a Marine landing on one of the Solomon Islands. The Marines are there in the midst of heavy enemy presence, the greatest part of which they overcome shortly after landing. Then the sergeant receives word that they have one more job to fulfill. A special unit has gone missing and no communications have been received since the last radio message in which a voice stated "revenge will be mine." So this group of Marines goes off in search of the missing unit, but soon it becomes apparent that they are not alone in the jungle. Something, not the Japanese, is after the group, and they begin to be killed off, one by one. One of the last survivors of this nightmare, Eric Davis, is taken on board a merchant marine, where he is put into the infirmary, remembering very little. But the Galla is hit by the enemy and sunk.
Flash forward from 1943 until 2007, when an American research ship carrying a submersible that can dive to 20,000 ft plus, is out on an expedition. The submersible is launched, and as the crew is proceeding across the ocean floor, they come across their apparent target, the Galla. They send up a signal and the machinery is set into place to raise the Galla (or at least a part of it).
Now move ahead again to Boston, 2008. The son of a prominent and powerful businessman is killed on the roof of his father's building. The police are sent to investigate, but clues from this crime lead to more savage murders, done in much the same way as the first. Before all is said and done, the police will realize they are dealing with something not human.
A lot of reviewers did not like this book, but too bad. It kept that tightness in the stomach that I always get from suspenseful books the entire time I was reading it. Many times I wanted to peek at the end to make sure things came out okay, but luckily I held back. I liked this book, and thought it was terrific. And this is the author's first book!
plot summary in brief
The first part of Jinn begins during World War II during a Marine landing on one of the Solomon Islands. The Marines are there in the midst of heavy enemy presence, the greatest part of which they overcome shortly after landing. Then the sergeant receives word that they have one more job to fulfill. A special unit has gone missing and no communications have been received since the last radio message in which a voice stated "revenge will be mine." So this group of Marines goes off in search of the missing unit, but soon it becomes apparent that they are not alone in the jungle. Something, not the Japanese, is after the group, and they begin to be killed off, one by one. One of the last survivors of this nightmare, Eric Davis, is taken on board a merchant marine, where he is put into the infirmary, remembering very little. But the Galla is hit by the enemy and sunk.
Flash forward from 1943 until 2007, when an American research ship carrying a submersible that can dive to 20,000 ft plus, is out on an expedition. The submersible is launched, and as the crew is proceeding across the ocean floor, they come across their apparent target, the Galla. They send up a signal and the machinery is set into place to raise the Galla (or at least a part of it).
Now move ahead again to Boston, 2008. The son of a prominent and powerful businessman is killed on the roof of his father's building. The police are sent to investigate, but clues from this crime lead to more savage murders, done in much the same way as the first. Before all is said and done, the police will realize they are dealing with something not human.
A lot of reviewers did not like this book, but too bad. It kept that tightness in the stomach that I always get from suspenseful books the entire time I was reading it. Many times I wanted to peek at the end to make sure things came out okay, but luckily I held back. I liked this book, and thought it was terrific. And this is the author's first book!
August 4, 2010
Einer meiner absoluten Favoriten. Die Welt ist gut aufgebaut und der Hintergrund plausibel.
Wer einen Hauch Fantasy mit seiner Polizeiinvestigation mag sollte dieses Buch in die Hand nehmen.
Wer einen Hauch Fantasy mit seiner Polizeiinvestigation mag sollte dieses Buch in die Hand nehmen.
November 1, 2022
This is such a boy book. All the important characters are male, and the women are there to be beautiful and sexy and self-sacrificing. What’s more, being a warrior is the only admirable way to be, even though it’s brutal and criminal too. It’s hard to believe this book wasn’t written in the 1940’s instead of having a major part of the story set then.
It also has nothing to do with Jinn as they appear in Arabian folklore. The bad guy could just as easily be any other kind of demon in human form.
It’s a pity, because the book uniquely blends the police procedural with the supernatural thriller, and it’s a real page-turner. But in the end it’s a retrograde understanding of what masculinity means that drives the whole plot.
It also has nothing to do with Jinn as they appear in Arabian folklore. The bad guy could just as easily be any other kind of demon in human form.
It’s a pity, because the book uniquely blends the police procedural with the supernatural thriller, and it’s a real page-turner. But in the end it’s a retrograde understanding of what masculinity means that drives the whole plot.
October 26, 2011
This book had some genuinely creepy and scary scenes in it. Scenes that are worth relishing and rereading. The reason I gave it two stars is because the ending was so silly and corny. How a story ends is one of the most important parts and here it just ruined it for me. I wish so badly that I could recommend this book, but I can't.
March 9, 2008
Not a bad story, but after slightly over 200 pages I decided to drop this book. 764 pages is too much. The story just moves too slowly. I skimmed briefly through the rest of it and think this could have been a really gripping story with half the pages.
October 30, 2024
Wow,endlich habe ich mich an den Dämon herangewagt.Ich wollte es schon längst lesen,hab es aber wegen der kleinen Schrift immer wieder weggelegt.
Es war sooo spannend!Hatte nie langeweile dabei,die Story ist gut aufgebaut und wenn man mal am lesen ist, kann man es fast nicht weglegen.
Es war sooo spannend!Hatte nie langeweile dabei,die Story ist gut aufgebaut und wenn man mal am lesen ist, kann man es fast nicht weglegen.
September 11, 2022
Für 763 Seiten kein gutes Buch und es lohnt sich nicht bis zum Ende zu lesen. Man kann beruhigt nach 400 bis 500 Seiten aufhören und wird nichts verpassen.
Es wäre eine gute Geschichte, aber wer schonmal einen Roman geschrieben hat erkennt deutlich, wie zum Ende hin mehr und mehr Teile aus dem rohen Manuskript bestehen. Die guten Ansätze aus dem Anfang verleiren sich in ziemlich erfolglosen Versuchen des Autors, die Handlung plausibel in die Länge zu ziehen. Auch bemerkt man seine Absichten, eher einen Film zu visualisieren, als einen Roman zu schreiben.
Was mich auch störte waren die stereotypischen Darstellungen nicht-Amerikanischer Kulturen, die schon fast an Rasismus grenzen.
Die wirklichen Stärken mögen die graphischen Elemente, die vielen Verbrechen und die brutale Gewalt sein. Allerdings habe ich persönlich dafür wenig übrig.
Es wäre eine gute Geschichte, aber wer schonmal einen Roman geschrieben hat erkennt deutlich, wie zum Ende hin mehr und mehr Teile aus dem rohen Manuskript bestehen. Die guten Ansätze aus dem Anfang verleiren sich in ziemlich erfolglosen Versuchen des Autors, die Handlung plausibel in die Länge zu ziehen. Auch bemerkt man seine Absichten, eher einen Film zu visualisieren, als einen Roman zu schreiben.
Was mich auch störte waren die stereotypischen Darstellungen nicht-Amerikanischer Kulturen, die schon fast an Rasismus grenzen.
Die wirklichen Stärken mögen die graphischen Elemente, die vielen Verbrechen und die brutale Gewalt sein. Allerdings habe ich persönlich dafür wenig übrig.
August 27, 2008
So a book about evil spirits, reincarnation and more military lingo than you ever cared to know but overall a great read..This book overlaps a couple of stories with a common thread of a mysterious, superhuman evil spirit that hunts and brutally murders well everyone..This spirit however is pretty selective and has a purpose to his bloody haunts and it kind of forces you to suspend reality but works..This book has some gory bloody scenes and the war descriptions, and the murders so vividly detailed will make every morbid reader like myself pretty excited..Overall I enjoyed this scary treat and now think twice about all genies and wonder if you really do get to come back in a second life...
January 12, 2023
*don't actually know why Goodreads has less pages than the book, but okay. I also have about 50 pages left, but when I update my Goodreads I'm committed to leaving reviews too.
I first read Jinn when I was 13, and it was one of those books that stayed with me. Over the years I forgot the name, but vididly remember the plot line. Thank god for a book group on Facebook to grasp what I was on about with my description.
Picked it up again after years and years, and I forgot how much I don't like books with chapters. Or at least books that take a pause between timelines. The jump back in time isn't very clear until you reread, and then it clicks.
Once you hit "completion" on here, this is where the book starts to pick up a little with the Jinn, but also seems to become a little chaotic.
It's still a 4* book in my eyes, because the general concept of the plot line is brilliant, it's execution towards the end in the final few pages aren't a lot to shout about.
I first read Jinn when I was 13, and it was one of those books that stayed with me. Over the years I forgot the name, but vididly remember the plot line. Thank god for a book group on Facebook to grasp what I was on about with my description.
Picked it up again after years and years, and I forgot how much I don't like books with chapters. Or at least books that take a pause between timelines. The jump back in time isn't very clear until you reread, and then it clicks.
Once you hit "completion" on here, this is where the book starts to pick up a little with the Jinn, but also seems to become a little chaotic.
It's still a 4* book in my eyes, because the general concept of the plot line is brilliant, it's execution towards the end in the final few pages aren't a lot to shout about.
April 1, 2024
This will be a tricky one to comment about without breaking my own "no spoilers" rule (not that I don't mind it rather there are better reviewers out there who would do it far greater justice.
So what can I say - well personally I struggled to connect with the story - hence why it took longer than I expected to read it - there are a lot of fun dialogue between the characters and yes there are some very well worn tropes here too meaning that there is either a hell of a lot of coincidence or its just very convenient for the story
That all said there is plenty of action - I do not think there are many wasted pages (as if I would know) and certainly every chapter is needed even if at 600 pages it did take its time. So yes an interesting action packed read thank you Mr Delaney.
So what can I say - well personally I struggled to connect with the story - hence why it took longer than I expected to read it - there are a lot of fun dialogue between the characters and yes there are some very well worn tropes here too meaning that there is either a hell of a lot of coincidence or its just very convenient for the story
That all said there is plenty of action - I do not think there are many wasted pages (as if I would know) and certainly every chapter is needed even if at 600 pages it did take its time. So yes an interesting action packed read thank you Mr Delaney.
June 19, 2026
I liked the book and the overall story, but it’s extremely difficult to read this one in smaller chunks. If you have the patience to read about 120-150 pages per day it’s worth it. If you prefer reading in smaller bits of time, maybe not. There aren’t really chapters, just very long sections. It’s a demon story, so of course it ends with a battle against the demon (I don’t think that’s giving anything away) - but it was quite exhausting to read 130+ pages of demon battle and I went to bed much later than I should over several nights because I wanted to get to a good stopping point each time.
May 10, 2010
"Jinn" is a novel that gets most of the basics right: an interesting idea, a good story, a few twists and turns, a potentially scary monster/villain to focus in on. Unfortunately, it's also a book in which the details get lost in a confusing, and sometimes contradictory, set of occurrences.
The book opens promisingly enough, in the heat of battle in World War II. The reader is promised a cross between "Saving Private Ryan" and "The Relic," and here it is in the first 50 pages. Astute readers will also notice a strong similarity between this early part and the film "Predator" -- other than the setting, the two could almost be the same story. Later in the book, the author throws in some of our other favorite movies, like smatterings of "Aliens" or hints of "Jurassic Park," just to keep us guessing.
The plot moves along briskly enough, but it never really engaged me on the right level. I never found myself anxious to get back to its pages to see what happened next, and in fact sort of dismissed the book when people asked me about it. It has a fairly strong beginning, a frayed and disjointed middle, and an end which, while rushed and overly reliant on happy coincidence, does manage to tie together most of the loose plot points in a relatively satisfying manner. Like I said, all the correct elements for a good book are in place, but "Jinn" still misses the mark.
It might have been the cardboard cutouts for characters that did it for me, or the one-too-many contrivances used to carry the plot along, or the leaps of sudden insight that led the characters to just the right place at just the right time...but really, I think it was just the obvious way Delaney telegraphed his story. Though I'm sure the ending was intended as a twist, I pretty much had it figured out from midpoint in the book, and my predictions nearly all came true.
"Jinn" is one of those books with a great deal of potential, which only winds up realizing a small fraction of it. It's an OK book, a decent lazy summer read when everything else has been read and you're looking for some brain-candy. However...original, it's not. Rich in characterization or powerful drama, it's not. And memorable? No, it's not really that either. It's largely a forgettable book, moderately enjoyable while you're reading it, mostly forgotten once it's set aside.
The book opens promisingly enough, in the heat of battle in World War II. The reader is promised a cross between "Saving Private Ryan" and "The Relic," and here it is in the first 50 pages. Astute readers will also notice a strong similarity between this early part and the film "Predator" -- other than the setting, the two could almost be the same story. Later in the book, the author throws in some of our other favorite movies, like smatterings of "Aliens" or hints of "Jurassic Park," just to keep us guessing.
The plot moves along briskly enough, but it never really engaged me on the right level. I never found myself anxious to get back to its pages to see what happened next, and in fact sort of dismissed the book when people asked me about it. It has a fairly strong beginning, a frayed and disjointed middle, and an end which, while rushed and overly reliant on happy coincidence, does manage to tie together most of the loose plot points in a relatively satisfying manner. Like I said, all the correct elements for a good book are in place, but "Jinn" still misses the mark.
It might have been the cardboard cutouts for characters that did it for me, or the one-too-many contrivances used to carry the plot along, or the leaps of sudden insight that led the characters to just the right place at just the right time...but really, I think it was just the obvious way Delaney telegraphed his story. Though I'm sure the ending was intended as a twist, I pretty much had it figured out from midpoint in the book, and my predictions nearly all came true.
"Jinn" is one of those books with a great deal of potential, which only winds up realizing a small fraction of it. It's an OK book, a decent lazy summer read when everything else has been read and you're looking for some brain-candy. However...original, it's not. Rich in characterization or powerful drama, it's not. And memorable? No, it's not really that either. It's largely a forgettable book, moderately enjoyable while you're reading it, mostly forgotten once it's set aside.
February 1, 2019
A well-paced, plotted and written novel greets readers of Jinn. The tone starts out very creepy and slowly gets creepier. Then it gets a bit gory before tying everything together in a tight finish. Think Relic meets The Thin Red Line by James Jones. I really can't go into great detail without spoiling this review but there are some interesting questions raised in the theme of this book.
It is May 1943. On the remote island of Bougainville, in the South Pacific, a squad of United States Marines beats their way through the thick jungle. They’ve landed to do battle with the Japanese soldiers on the island, but in short order, they begin to realize that the forbidding battleground holds an ancient secret a hundred times more terrifying than any enemy army---especially when they start finding the bodies. Flash-forward to July 2008. In the slums---and the skyscrapers---of Boston, a new kind of depraved serial killer is stalking human prey and terrifying the city. The bodies have been found posed and mutilated in bizarre ways that the two police officers in charge of the case have never seen before---and never want to see again. Are the two scenarios connected?
Detectives Jefferson and Brogan have no idea that to solve the biggest case of their careers, their investigation must take them around the world and through time and history---from a mysterious salvaged submarine with a shocking secret, to an inhumane prison where the inmates are even more scared than usual of “the Pit,”and finally back to the beginning: the sinister island in the South Seas where something inhuman has been biding its time.
Works well for thriller fans, and mildly terrifying as a horror novel. Still, such a good story, I hope others genre readers will pick it up.
It is May 1943. On the remote island of Bougainville, in the South Pacific, a squad of United States Marines beats their way through the thick jungle. They’ve landed to do battle with the Japanese soldiers on the island, but in short order, they begin to realize that the forbidding battleground holds an ancient secret a hundred times more terrifying than any enemy army---especially when they start finding the bodies. Flash-forward to July 2008. In the slums---and the skyscrapers---of Boston, a new kind of depraved serial killer is stalking human prey and terrifying the city. The bodies have been found posed and mutilated in bizarre ways that the two police officers in charge of the case have never seen before---and never want to see again. Are the two scenarios connected?
Detectives Jefferson and Brogan have no idea that to solve the biggest case of their careers, their investigation must take them around the world and through time and history---from a mysterious salvaged submarine with a shocking secret, to an inhumane prison where the inmates are even more scared than usual of “the Pit,”and finally back to the beginning: the sinister island in the South Seas where something inhuman has been biding its time.
Works well for thriller fans, and mildly terrifying as a horror novel. Still, such a good story, I hope others genre readers will pick it up.
June 6, 2019
The book was very cinematic (I could imagine the leads being played by David Duchovny and Ron Perlman) , reading like an 90s action flick with its frequent smoking scenes and dialogue.
The beginning was a bit drawn out and some parts were repetitive but overall I enjoyed the book. The authors take on jinn is refreshing, portraying them more accurately to tradition than the west’s interpretation of them.
Instead of wish granting genies portrayed in western culture he writes of beastly humanoids like the ones Muslim children (such as myself) were taught to fear.
I also loved the scientific aspect he used to explain the creatures. There was clearly a lot of research put into this book. It was unclear to me whether Sidina was meant to be the prophet Mohammed’s nephew (Ali) and while I do not, some people may find that offensive. The transition from brogan to sidina I feel was too abrupt, being given no transition period to adjust. I understand this was most probably intended to act as an element of surprise but for me it cheapened the character that I’d grown attached to.
I felt that brogan wouldn’t so easily abandon his children, even if it was to reunite with his wife.
Overall, the book kept me reading until the early hours of the morning more than once and I appreciate the effort put into it and it was definitely an awesome book.
The beginning was a bit drawn out and some parts were repetitive but overall I enjoyed the book. The authors take on jinn is refreshing, portraying them more accurately to tradition than the west’s interpretation of them.
Instead of wish granting genies portrayed in western culture he writes of beastly humanoids like the ones Muslim children (such as myself) were taught to fear.
I also loved the scientific aspect he used to explain the creatures. There was clearly a lot of research put into this book. It was unclear to me whether Sidina was meant to be the prophet Mohammed’s nephew (Ali) and while I do not, some people may find that offensive. The transition from brogan to sidina I feel was too abrupt, being given no transition period to adjust. I understand this was most probably intended to act as an element of surprise but for me it cheapened the character that I’d grown attached to.
I felt that brogan wouldn’t so easily abandon his children, even if it was to reunite with his wife.
Overall, the book kept me reading until the early hours of the morning more than once and I appreciate the effort put into it and it was definitely an awesome book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2015
I love the deliciously creepy first part of this book. It takes place during World War II while Marines are fighting Japanese soldiers. They find out that something supernatural is stalking both sides. If the entire book had continued in that setting, I would have rated it five stars.
Unfortunately, after the time skip into the modern day, the story wasn't the riveting mystery for me that it had been in the first portion of the book. That first part was unforgettably exciting for me though. It was a perfectly written horror story with the tension and fear steadily mounting.
Unfortunately, after the time skip into the modern day, the story wasn't the riveting mystery for me that it had been in the first portion of the book. That first part was unforgettably exciting for me though. It was a perfectly written horror story with the tension and fear steadily mounting.
January 5, 2019
Good concept. Great narrative. Character development is also good. Great build up to a climax which stumbles and becomes the greatest weakness of the book.
The final stretch is predictable and dramatized; seems to be purposefully written in this way with the hopes of turning it into a Hollywood flick. Such a shame that so much potential is squandered in an utter waste of an ending.
The final stretch is predictable and dramatized; seems to be purposefully written in this way with the hopes of turning it into a Hollywood flick. Such a shame that so much potential is squandered in an utter waste of an ending.
September 2, 2012
Had to read it during the day because it was creepy but I enjoyed it until the last couple chapters. And than it just fell apart for me. But I gave it 3 stars because it kept my interest for most of the book.
September 16, 2014
I had to give up completely on this one. The general-editing mistakes were passable, but the complete lack of flow and chapter breaks made this unreadable. If I have to force myself through a book, it is no longer fun.
June 8, 2015
Jinn
I have read this book before and it only gets better with age. The author somehow manages to weave a story of horror,romance and reincarnation into a beautifully rendered storyline that will resonate with the reader long after the last page has been turned!
I have read this book before and it only gets better with age. The author somehow manages to weave a story of horror,romance and reincarnation into a beautifully rendered storyline that will resonate with the reader long after the last page has been turned!
August 22, 2015
A scary one loaned to me by Nadja. Boston police detectives on the hunt for a gruesome serial killer. The killer is an ancient daemon released from the Island of Bougainville during World War II and, needless to say, is not going down without a fight.
January 18, 2010
Spooky, creepy, well done! Hope this guy writes another book someday.
June 12, 2011
Brilliant!!! Suspense. History. Scary (but believable) monsters. This guy needs to sit down and write some more books for me!!
September 23, 2011
New author, excellent first Book.
This book would keep me thinking all night.
lOVE IT! Great horror suspense, not for those who are squeamish..
This book would keep me thinking all night.
lOVE IT! Great horror suspense, not for those who are squeamish..
July 7, 2012
extrem spannender, wenn auch vorhersehbarer Thriller mit okkultem Touch. Trash pur, aber ein Pageturner, die knapp 700 Seiten habe ich in 3 Tagen verschlungen.
February 13, 2015
4,5 stars! I really need to read more by Matthew Delaney!
January 11, 2016
If this book had a proper editor, it would be really good. I especially enjoyed the sections that took place during the war.
May 6, 2008
One of my favorites!!!!
April 20, 2024
The general outline of this story is actually quite good, particularly if you are open for supernatural stories. However, I don't think I've ever actually rolled my eyes at a book while reading it like I did here. All crucial characters are male. All of them. The only female is immediately and repetitively reduced to a sexual object, highlighting the toxic masculinity in this book. She does occasionally and very conveniently find clues to reveal the backstory of the demon, but mostly I've been very annoyed at how she was displayed in this book. The story is also drawn out, particularly towards the end without any good reason. The movie rights have already been sold for 20+ years (?!) and if this movie ever gets made, I hope the writers reduce those unnecessary elements and only keep the actually interesting aspects. The author has a spectacular talent for building tension and writing the most horrific scenes (especially within the first 150 pages), but as whole this was not my favorite.
April 15, 2019
I couldn’t get through this. It’s full of predictable tropes. Also, the author would benefit from doing research before he writes. In particular, the opening takes place at the invasion of Bougainville during world war 2. The animals found on this island according to the book are largely not native to this part of the world. Chimpanzees (Africa), sloths (Central and South America), etc. I was hoping for some fantastical explanation as to why these animals were found way outside their normal range but nothing was said. I found myself not caring about the characters. They’re flat. There is no reason to read further.
August 22, 2023
One of the worst books I ever read. I was constantly laughing to myself because everything is just so laughably bad. The plot has so many logical holes, it's ridiculous. The characters are all flat as paper and all uninteresting. In the beginning, the writing style was pretty good but starting at the middle everything becomes really hard to follow. I constantly had to re-read sentences and paragraphs because the characters jump from location to location so quickly. Also, the story could easily be told in 300 pages! It's clear that the author tried to drag it out for length and decided who/what the antagonist actually is only on the last 200 pages.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews