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The Darkness Within
A gripping new thriller debut that asks the question, how deep in our hearts does evil lie?
When critically ill Jacob Wilson is given a life-saving heart transplant, his parents are relieved that their loving son has been saved.
However, before long, his family are forced to accept that something has changed in Jacob. Their once loving son is slowly being replaced by a violent man whose mood swings leave them terrified – but is it their fault?
Jacob’s girlfriend, Rosie, is convinced the man she loves is suffering from stress. But when his moods turn on her, she begins to doubt herself – and she can only hide the bruises for so long.
When a terrible crime is committed, Jacob’s family are forced to confront their darkest fears. Has the boy they raised become a monster? Or is someone else to blame?
When critically ill Jacob Wilson is given a life-saving heart transplant, his parents are relieved that their loving son has been saved.
However, before long, his family are forced to accept that something has changed in Jacob. Their once loving son is slowly being replaced by a violent man whose mood swings leave them terrified – but is it their fault?
Jacob’s girlfriend, Rosie, is convinced the man she loves is suffering from stress. But when his moods turn on her, she begins to doubt herself – and she can only hide the bruises for so long.
When a terrible crime is committed, Jacob’s family are forced to confront their darkest fears. Has the boy they raised become a monster? Or is someone else to blame?
384 pages, Paperback
First published May 12, 2017
348 people are currently reading
1893 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Stone
34 books394 followersAs a writer of suspense thrillers I often ask myself what if? What if this happened instead of that? Or why a particular person reacted as they did. So often fact is stranger than fiction and these books start with a fact which I develop. You may be surprised to know, for example, just how many patients experience changes in their likes and dislikes after a transplant operation ~ The Darkness Within. Or how easy it is to look into someone’s home through their CCTV ~ Stalker.
Just a little bit about me. I live in England and have three children. I have always been a writer - from when I was at school, with poems and articles in the school magazine. In my teens I began writing short stories, a few radio plays and novels. I finally made it into the bestseller charts with Damaged in 2007 which I wrote under the pseudonym Cathy Glass. Since then I have had 28 books published, many of which have become international bestsellers.
Thank you for your time, I hope you enjoy the Lisa Stone thrillers.
Just a little bit about me. I live in England and have three children. I have always been a writer - from when I was at school, with poems and articles in the school magazine. In my teens I began writing short stories, a few radio plays and novels. I finally made it into the bestseller charts with Damaged in 2007 which I wrote under the pseudonym Cathy Glass. Since then I have had 28 books published, many of which have become international bestsellers.
Thank you for your time, I hope you enjoy the Lisa Stone thrillers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
July 14, 2017
I have been debating on what to rate this one and settled on a 3.5. Don't let that put you off this book, because I enjoyed it. I just had a few too many little niggles with it to give it a higher rating. This isn't the first book I've read that uses cellular memory as a plot point, and I find the idea of it quite fascinating. This book dealt with it in a very different way than the others I've read. Look up cellular memory with transplant patients if you're curious! It's the idea of people that have received an organ transplant changing habits, tastes, sexuality, and even blood types! The author actually references some real reported instances in this story. You don't have to believe it, but it's interesting reading all the same.
Shane... is a giant jerk. He takes advantage of his girlfriend, abusing her and using her for money and access to her car. You have to feel bad for her, bullied into submission by this poor excuse for a man. He has absolutely no likeable qualities whatsoever. He meets his maker quite young due to his own recklessness, racing along the road in his girlfriend's car to pick up beer after leaving her bleeding on the floor. Is it possible that something good will come from his short life?
There's at least a few people that hope so. Jacob is a young man with a failing heart who is the polar opposite of Shane. Growing increasingly weak while he waits for a transplant, he relies on his caring parents and lovely girlfriend to help him out. When a match is found, they're overjoyed and thank God. He is the son of a reverend, and his family prayed he would be saved. Their prayers are answered just in time. The reverend swears to God that he will never ask him for anything again... but he had no idea what was coming.
Jacob begins to experience a complete personality change. He snaps on his parents. He shirks his responsibilities. He's suddenly a violent, weed-smoking, pornography addict. Not exactly fitting for the son of a reverend, and certainly not who he used to be. What's happened to the sweet son they used to have, and what's next?
I felt like some of Jacob's actions were in the wrong order and would have been happier if they'd escalated in severity. One of the worst things he does happens quite early in the book, though thankfully we are spared the details. Many of my problems with the book are such huge spoilers that I'm hesitant to put them here, even with a spoiler tag. There were also a couple of continuity mistakes that I hope were caught before the book went to print, one being that the woman Shane was dating when he died didn't know of his demise, then she alludes to the fact that she had a boyfriend who perished in an auto accident, before claiming she didn't know he actually died towards the end. I also thought it featured some pretty weird opinions about marijuana and didn't quite buy the ending. It still boasted some very interesting subject matter and kept me reading.
I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Avon Books, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
Shane... is a giant jerk. He takes advantage of his girlfriend, abusing her and using her for money and access to her car. You have to feel bad for her, bullied into submission by this poor excuse for a man. He has absolutely no likeable qualities whatsoever. He meets his maker quite young due to his own recklessness, racing along the road in his girlfriend's car to pick up beer after leaving her bleeding on the floor. Is it possible that something good will come from his short life?
There's at least a few people that hope so. Jacob is a young man with a failing heart who is the polar opposite of Shane. Growing increasingly weak while he waits for a transplant, he relies on his caring parents and lovely girlfriend to help him out. When a match is found, they're overjoyed and thank God. He is the son of a reverend, and his family prayed he would be saved. Their prayers are answered just in time. The reverend swears to God that he will never ask him for anything again... but he had no idea what was coming.
Jacob begins to experience a complete personality change. He snaps on his parents. He shirks his responsibilities. He's suddenly a violent, weed-smoking, pornography addict. Not exactly fitting for the son of a reverend, and certainly not who he used to be. What's happened to the sweet son they used to have, and what's next?
I felt like some of Jacob's actions were in the wrong order and would have been happier if they'd escalated in severity. One of the worst things he does happens quite early in the book, though thankfully we are spared the details. Many of my problems with the book are such huge spoilers that I'm hesitant to put them here, even with a spoiler tag. There were also a couple of continuity mistakes that I hope were caught before the book went to print, one being that the woman Shane was dating when he died didn't know of his demise, then she alludes to the fact that she had a boyfriend who perished in an auto accident, before claiming she didn't know he actually died towards the end. I also thought it featured some pretty weird opinions about marijuana and didn't quite buy the ending. It still boasted some very interesting subject matter and kept me reading.
I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Avon Books, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
February 10, 2022
Audio - 5 Stars
Story - 3.25 Stars
Story - 3.25 Stars
July 2, 2017
I adore Cathy Glass books and have done for many years, so, when I saw she was releasing a psychological thriller totally unlike the books she writes and using the pen name Lisa Stone, I just hadto read it.
So this is her debut novel in this genre and that is how I chose to read it. Like a totally different person. It worked well for me so that I could mentally pull back on how I knew her to write.
I read this as I would a debut novel from any new aspiring author.
Psychological thrillers are right up my street and back again.
This has proved to be of no exception.
I could see that the character Shane, was a nasty piece of work. He treated Rosie his girlfriend in the most abusive manner.
It starts when Shane goes out driving under the influence of many disagreeable substances and ends up dead.
Jacob has been waiting on the heart transplant list for some time, his health is deteriorating rapidly, he has a change of an organ left from Shane's terrible accident.
His dad is a Rev and of course very religious. His Mother is worried about Jacob of course as she doesn't want to see her son die.
Rev Andrew and Elizabeth are an upstanding family in the community, Shane is a very amicable young man.
Jacob receives Shane's heart.
Hence starts the tale of Cellular Memory.
That's when I recalled a couple of films I had watched in the past so this is not a new thought or concept but a very interesting one.
Now whether this is feasible or not it evoked an intriguing thought.
I remember a film where someone's hand was transplanted onto someone else's arm, it took on the form of this evil person who once owned it.
The premise of the story is well thought out, well written and emotional for all parties. I found myself Googling this Cellular Memory for any latest thoughts in this area.
There were a couple of question marks over the exchange of drugs, but its minor details compared to how the story was told and the impact it has on its reader.
Thought provoking stuff I would say!!
I think the Rev should have had more of a role to play, but this is just my preference.
I feel this author has a lot more to give in this genre if this debut novel is anything to go by.
I look forward to what she does next.
My thanks to the author and Avon Books UK for my early copy via Net Galley.
So this is her debut novel in this genre and that is how I chose to read it. Like a totally different person. It worked well for me so that I could mentally pull back on how I knew her to write.
I read this as I would a debut novel from any new aspiring author.
Psychological thrillers are right up my street and back again.
This has proved to be of no exception.
I could see that the character Shane, was a nasty piece of work. He treated Rosie his girlfriend in the most abusive manner.
It starts when Shane goes out driving under the influence of many disagreeable substances and ends up dead.
Jacob has been waiting on the heart transplant list for some time, his health is deteriorating rapidly, he has a change of an organ left from Shane's terrible accident.
His dad is a Rev and of course very religious. His Mother is worried about Jacob of course as she doesn't want to see her son die.
Rev Andrew and Elizabeth are an upstanding family in the community, Shane is a very amicable young man.
Jacob receives Shane's heart.
Hence starts the tale of Cellular Memory.
That's when I recalled a couple of films I had watched in the past so this is not a new thought or concept but a very interesting one.
Now whether this is feasible or not it evoked an intriguing thought.
I remember a film where someone's hand was transplanted onto someone else's arm, it took on the form of this evil person who once owned it.
The premise of the story is well thought out, well written and emotional for all parties. I found myself Googling this Cellular Memory for any latest thoughts in this area.
There were a couple of question marks over the exchange of drugs, but its minor details compared to how the story was told and the impact it has on its reader.
Thought provoking stuff I would say!!
I think the Rev should have had more of a role to play, but this is just my preference.
I feel this author has a lot more to give in this genre if this debut novel is anything to go by.
I look forward to what she does next.
My thanks to the author and Avon Books UK for my early copy via Net Galley.
July 8, 2017
This book has been written by Cathy Glass using the pen name Lisa Stone.
Critically ill Jacob Wilson has been given a life-saving heart transplant and his parents are relieved that their loving son has been saved. Before long, the family notice that something is different about Jacob. He is slowly becoming a violent man whose mood swings leave them terrified. Rosie, Jacob's girlfriend, is convinced he is suffering from stress but then his moods turn on her and she can only hide the bruises for so long. Then a terrible crime is committed. Was Jacob the culprit?
In parts this is quite a distressing read. It covers abusive relationships and drug use. I found the characters mostly dislikable and the plot line, at times, is not convincing. I can understand the over protective parents as I have known some. It's not all bad so don't let my review put you off picking up this novel.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Avon Books and the author Lisa Stone for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Critically ill Jacob Wilson has been given a life-saving heart transplant and his parents are relieved that their loving son has been saved. Before long, the family notice that something is different about Jacob. He is slowly becoming a violent man whose mood swings leave them terrified. Rosie, Jacob's girlfriend, is convinced he is suffering from stress but then his moods turn on her and she can only hide the bruises for so long. Then a terrible crime is committed. Was Jacob the culprit?
In parts this is quite a distressing read. It covers abusive relationships and drug use. I found the characters mostly dislikable and the plot line, at times, is not convincing. I can understand the over protective parents as I have known some. It's not all bad so don't let my review put you off picking up this novel.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Avon Books and the author Lisa Stone for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2017
Oh dear. I will begin by saying how much I LOVE Cathy Glass' books, so when I heard she was writing fiction under a new pseudonym? (I assume it wouldn't be her real name to protect her fostering identity) I was really excited to read her first novel.
Sadly, I am pleased that I didn't pay for the book and that I am reviewing it for Netgalley for free. There is so much wrong with this book I hardly know where to start.
Ok, the beginning. We meet Rosie and her abusive partner Shane. This is good as it gives us a frame of reference for who Shane is and who Rosie is.
Then we meet Andrew and Elizabeth, a village rector and his wife whose son Jacob is waiting for a heart transplant.
A donor has been found and as Shane has roared off in Rosie's car drunk... well you do the math. So Jacob will receive Shane's heart.
Now I had thought that whether people would like this book or not would come down to whether they believed that cellular memory was a thing and that transplantees can take on likes, dislikes and even personality traits from their donor. It is widely described as pseudoscience but I was happy to suspend disbelief.
Sadly that was not the problem. The problem was a mix of very poor research and command of subject matter and also some frankly ludicrous things happening.
My biggest gripe in this regard is Ms Stone's ridiculous portrayal of someone smoking weed. If the author is to be believed, grass is bought from shady, gangsters on industrial sites late at night rather than from some bloke in the pub, person living and selling from a narrow boat, colleague at work.
If that isn't stupid enough, the furtive handing over of money with threats not to check the produce until you were safely away etc... then one morning Jacob awakes and, and this really is hilarious "begins to feel the symptoms of withdrawal, nausea and...." ooooh kay then. Marajuiana isn't physically addictive unless opiated (which is both rare and very expensive) it can be psychologically addictive but there certainly aren't any physical side effects as there are with heroin. I could belabour the point but suffice it to say Ms Stone knows nothing about dope and tries to make it into a big scary drug, mixed with big scary dealers and with scary problems attached. This lack of research and or anti drug scaremongering is just a turn off for me. Others may not know better, or mind but I do and it bothers me.
I can't say It ruined an otherwise great book because I'd be lying. Without spoilers, the author suggests that CM can cause a recipient to develop their donors finger prints. Such total bunkum is totally unnecessary when there are many cases where a recipients blood type has changed and even alleged cases where a recipients DNA has changed post transplant. This is explainable if you consider donor cells creating blood cells and bone marrow but finger prints? Skin whorls that have existed since before birth?? How on Earth can anyone try and explain that out.
Add to that the police questioning people without cautioning them or separating them from the person they harbour suspicions about and there's a whole lot of teeth grinding to be done if you are reader who likes realism.
Had I enjoyed the book, the one thing I would mention is that while we are introduced to all other characters before the transplant, we don't meet Jacob. While Eloise and his parents may know what he is really like, we don't so it was hard to see Jacob as a lovely man who was acting out of character rather than just a character who was deeply unpleasant. The author points out the difference regularly but this is no subject for the reader knowing it and seeing the differences for themselves and I reallly wish she'd included a page or two where his parents interact with him pre transplant.
The last thing? A totally, utterly implausible ending. Completely implausible and the chance to try and in some way redeem the book, disappears in a puff of smoke.
Sadly, I am pleased that I didn't pay for the book and that I am reviewing it for Netgalley for free. There is so much wrong with this book I hardly know where to start.
Ok, the beginning. We meet Rosie and her abusive partner Shane. This is good as it gives us a frame of reference for who Shane is and who Rosie is.
Then we meet Andrew and Elizabeth, a village rector and his wife whose son Jacob is waiting for a heart transplant.
A donor has been found and as Shane has roared off in Rosie's car drunk... well you do the math. So Jacob will receive Shane's heart.
Now I had thought that whether people would like this book or not would come down to whether they believed that cellular memory was a thing and that transplantees can take on likes, dislikes and even personality traits from their donor. It is widely described as pseudoscience but I was happy to suspend disbelief.
Sadly that was not the problem. The problem was a mix of very poor research and command of subject matter and also some frankly ludicrous things happening.
My biggest gripe in this regard is Ms Stone's ridiculous portrayal of someone smoking weed. If the author is to be believed, grass is bought from shady, gangsters on industrial sites late at night rather than from some bloke in the pub, person living and selling from a narrow boat, colleague at work.
If that isn't stupid enough, the furtive handing over of money with threats not to check the produce until you were safely away etc... then one morning Jacob awakes and, and this really is hilarious "begins to feel the symptoms of withdrawal, nausea and...." ooooh kay then. Marajuiana isn't physically addictive unless opiated (which is both rare and very expensive) it can be psychologically addictive but there certainly aren't any physical side effects as there are with heroin. I could belabour the point but suffice it to say Ms Stone knows nothing about dope and tries to make it into a big scary drug, mixed with big scary dealers and with scary problems attached. This lack of research and or anti drug scaremongering is just a turn off for me. Others may not know better, or mind but I do and it bothers me.
I can't say It ruined an otherwise great book because I'd be lying. Without spoilers, the author suggests that CM can cause a recipient to develop their donors finger prints. Such total bunkum is totally unnecessary when there are many cases where a recipients blood type has changed and even alleged cases where a recipients DNA has changed post transplant. This is explainable if you consider donor cells creating blood cells and bone marrow but finger prints? Skin whorls that have existed since before birth?? How on Earth can anyone try and explain that out.
Add to that the police questioning people without cautioning them or separating them from the person they harbour suspicions about and there's a whole lot of teeth grinding to be done if you are reader who likes realism.
Had I enjoyed the book, the one thing I would mention is that while we are introduced to all other characters before the transplant, we don't meet Jacob. While Eloise and his parents may know what he is really like, we don't so it was hard to see Jacob as a lovely man who was acting out of character rather than just a character who was deeply unpleasant. The author points out the difference regularly but this is no subject for the reader knowing it and seeing the differences for themselves and I reallly wish she'd included a page or two where his parents interact with him pre transplant.
The last thing? A totally, utterly implausible ending. Completely implausible and the chance to try and in some way redeem the book, disappears in a puff of smoke.
November 23, 2021
For a Lisa Stone thriller I’m really disappointed in this one.
Extremely far fetched and unbelievable story.
Way to many uses of swear words also.
Extremely far fetched and unbelievable story.
Way to many uses of swear words also.
July 1, 2017
There certainly is a whole lot of ‘darkness within‘ the pages of this book. I requested a copy from Netgalley because, let’s be honest, the synopsis is really rather intriguing. I don’t want to say more about the plot in fear of spoilers but the idea Lisa Stone based the book on is really interesting and cool, even though scientifically not proven. Be ready to separate yourself from your fact-yearning, scientific mind in order to enjoy this book 🙂
Sadly, as far as the good idea goes, I wasn’t able to truly appreciate the book. Yes, it delivers on humanly darkness. Yes, it has many conflicts that create complex settings for characters to deal with and yes, everything ties in together nicely…
So, what went wrong?
For me, the delivery failed. It felt like reading a (really long) newspaper article or report of happenings rather than a story with soul, no matter how evil that lingering soul may be. I skipped paragraphs and pages at times because didn’t feel they had anything of importance to add… Example: when Jacob’s mother is looking for Mary’s glasses, did we really have to follow her and the descriptions through all the rooms and drawers only to come to the conclusion at the rubbish bin? It felt like it was simply to fill a few more pages to fatten up the book. Example 2: When Jacob went to ‘pay back’ there were a few Kindle pages of descriptions about his anxiousness and lead up to the actual scene. I frowned… because when certain moments should have felt suspenseful and foreboding, they didn’t really feel as such. At all… Sometimes TMI is just TMI.
Yes, some readers may have an issue with the credibility in this story around certain events, but every book doesn’t have to be realistic. Sometimes it’s up to the reader to just be open minded and go with the flow. Credibility is not my ‘complaint’. I can overlook the vital elements that provide the foundation of the story and just enjoy the ride. It’s all about overall enjoyment for me. And in a way, certainly, The Darkness Within delivered an experience. I can truly say I won’t be forgetting this book for a while to come. Yes, the writing style let my expectations down, but the coincidences and characters’ behaviors will be playing in my mind for weeks to come.
With themes of abusive relationships, drug use and Mommies who decide to turn a blind eye against victims in order to protect their baby, this book will manage to cause turmoil in every reader. I definitely found characters to dislike, plenty of them.. most of them, apart from the one character. I just felt sorry for her.
I don’t know what to tell you guys. I’m so bummed that this book didn’t blow my mind. But don’t let me put you off at all. Especially when crime is your thing- definitely give this one ago- it explores quite a new ‘reasoning’ as to why a person acts bad. And whether you believe it or not, it’s bound to send a crime lover’s thinking process toward unexpected directions.
The ending? It certainly kept with the theme/theory the book is based on, but it’s a difficult one to accept. Yes, it’s unbelievable, but it’s also morally unacceptable and after all these crimes and wrong doings, who’s going to pay? One can only hope Lady Karma will take care of this one, y’all!
My rating: 3***. It was an OK book, but because this is an ARC and some of the niggles I had are probably more a personal preference then I feel I need to be fair. Everyone else cna make u their own mind about the book as they read it!
Sadly, as far as the good idea goes, I wasn’t able to truly appreciate the book. Yes, it delivers on humanly darkness. Yes, it has many conflicts that create complex settings for characters to deal with and yes, everything ties in together nicely…
So, what went wrong?
For me, the delivery failed. It felt like reading a (really long) newspaper article or report of happenings rather than a story with soul, no matter how evil that lingering soul may be. I skipped paragraphs and pages at times because didn’t feel they had anything of importance to add… Example: when Jacob’s mother is looking for Mary’s glasses, did we really have to follow her and the descriptions through all the rooms and drawers only to come to the conclusion at the rubbish bin? It felt like it was simply to fill a few more pages to fatten up the book. Example 2: When Jacob went to ‘pay back’ there were a few Kindle pages of descriptions about his anxiousness and lead up to the actual scene. I frowned… because when certain moments should have felt suspenseful and foreboding, they didn’t really feel as such. At all… Sometimes TMI is just TMI.
Yes, some readers may have an issue with the credibility in this story around certain events, but every book doesn’t have to be realistic. Sometimes it’s up to the reader to just be open minded and go with the flow. Credibility is not my ‘complaint’. I can overlook the vital elements that provide the foundation of the story and just enjoy the ride. It’s all about overall enjoyment for me. And in a way, certainly, The Darkness Within delivered an experience. I can truly say I won’t be forgetting this book for a while to come. Yes, the writing style let my expectations down, but the coincidences and characters’ behaviors will be playing in my mind for weeks to come.
With themes of abusive relationships, drug use and Mommies who decide to turn a blind eye against victims in order to protect their baby, this book will manage to cause turmoil in every reader. I definitely found characters to dislike, plenty of them.. most of them, apart from the one character. I just felt sorry for her.
I don’t know what to tell you guys. I’m so bummed that this book didn’t blow my mind. But don’t let me put you off at all. Especially when crime is your thing- definitely give this one ago- it explores quite a new ‘reasoning’ as to why a person acts bad. And whether you believe it or not, it’s bound to send a crime lover’s thinking process toward unexpected directions.
The ending? It certainly kept with the theme/theory the book is based on, but it’s a difficult one to accept. Yes, it’s unbelievable, but it’s also morally unacceptable and after all these crimes and wrong doings, who’s going to pay? One can only hope Lady Karma will take care of this one, y’all!
My rating: 3***. It was an OK book, but because this is an ARC and some of the niggles I had are probably more a personal preference then I feel I need to be fair. Everyone else cna make u their own mind about the book as they read it!
February 11, 2022
4 stars audio
3 entertaining stars story
3 entertaining stars story
September 1, 2021
Domestic Thriller / Crime Fiction / Contemporary
At the beginning of The Darkness Within we meet agressive Shane who get into a car accident thanks to his carelessness and drunk-driving.
23-year-old Jacob has a severe heart failure and a heart transplant is now his only hope to survive. His father, the reverend, pray for the miracle to happen. And he gets the good news from his wife Elizabeth - they've found a donor for their son. They are relieved little knowing that their troubles have just begun... When Jacob arrive home after the heart transplant, he start to behave differently - he's rude, careless, interested in porn, rough sex, start to use cannabis and do even worse things. Her mother wonder if its a side effect of the medication he has to take? Or could it be that he took on the personality of the organ donor?
......some spoilers ahead.....
Wow, I don't know if it was intentional or not but Jacob was one of the most stupid, nasty, despicable, immature main character I've ever read. His parents and their actions were also often questionable. I disliked they way they found excuses for Jacob's behaviour. Was I supposed to feel sympathy for the "poor boy" and his parents?
I think its odd that a "likeable" character would so quickly and completely change and adopt the new personality (and even his memories?). As we didn't get to meet Jacob "before", then hard to tell what kind of person he was before. Only his parents tell he was a good boy. It would have been better if the reader had seen themselves how Jacob transformed into a monster. Why tell? Please SHOW the reader!
Ahh, don't even know what's the point of this story.
To make people scared and question whether a life saving organ transplant is as safe as we think (can new organ totally "change" your personality and someone else can "take over" you?).
Relatives think organs of their loved ones go to grateful recipients when they give permission. Is it really so?
Also lets not forget that cannabis can be a trigger for many serious things, like agressive outbursts and violence. Yet Jacob's mother didn't think of it and blamed organ transplant for his son's changed behaviour.
In the end was just casually brushed under the carpet. How convenient ... and so dissapointing. Sorry but I did not like this story or the way it was written!
At the beginning of The Darkness Within we meet agressive Shane who get into a car accident thanks to his carelessness and drunk-driving.
23-year-old Jacob has a severe heart failure and a heart transplant is now his only hope to survive. His father, the reverend, pray for the miracle to happen. And he gets the good news from his wife Elizabeth - they've found a donor for their son. They are relieved little knowing that their troubles have just begun... When Jacob arrive home after the heart transplant, he start to behave differently - he's rude, careless, interested in porn, rough sex, start to use cannabis and do even worse things. Her mother wonder if its a side effect of the medication he has to take? Or could it be that he took on the personality of the organ donor?
......some spoilers ahead.....
Wow, I don't know if it was intentional or not but Jacob was one of the most stupid, nasty, despicable, immature main character I've ever read. His parents and their actions were also often questionable. I disliked they way they found excuses for Jacob's behaviour. Was I supposed to feel sympathy for the "poor boy" and his parents?
I think its odd that a "likeable" character would so quickly and completely change and adopt the new personality (and even his memories?). As we didn't get to meet Jacob "before", then hard to tell what kind of person he was before. Only his parents tell he was a good boy. It would have been better if the reader had seen themselves how Jacob transformed into a monster. Why tell? Please SHOW the reader!
Ahh, don't even know what's the point of this story.
To make people scared and question whether a life saving organ transplant is as safe as we think (can new organ totally "change" your personality and someone else can "take over" you?).
Relatives think organs of their loved ones go to grateful recipients when they give permission. Is it really so?
Also lets not forget that cannabis can be a trigger for many serious things, like agressive outbursts and violence. Yet Jacob's mother didn't think of it and blamed organ transplant for his son's changed behaviour.
In the end was just casually brushed under the carpet. How convenient ... and so dissapointing. Sorry but I did not like this story or the way it was written!
July 26, 2017
I’ve read and enjoyed books by Cathy Glass before so I was intrigued to read her first thriller under her author name of Lisa Stone. The Darkness Within has a premise at its heart that will probably divide opinions, that people who have organ transplants somehow take on parts of the personality of their donor.
Now, cellular memory really is a thing and there are real life documented cases but here it is a VERY extreme reaction that Jacob has following his heart transplant and it’s not just his taste in food or music that has changed. It becomes very clear quite early on that the Jacob who comes around after his operation is a very different person to the one before. And Lisa Stone handles this marked change perfectly as she gradually reveals more layers of Jacobs personality, his parents desperately try to understand what has happened to their previously hard working, mild mannered son.
Although I struggled to buy into the “cellular memory” thing (I prefer everything to be explained away rationally) I did quite happily suspend belief here as I got totally engrossed in the storyline. I found myself shocked by the huge changes in personality in Jacob and the vile acts that seemed to come very easy to this previously loving son and boyfriend. There’s an horrific fascination as his behaviour continuously veers further away from his previous persona which was a terrifying occurrence for his family who were both appalled and baffled by this new side to their son.
I flew through The Darkness Within finding it to be an interesting departure from her usual genre but that it still maintained a dark and gritty atmosphere whilst covering some rather disturbing subject matters. But despite there being some very emotive and hard to read scenes described, I raced through the pages desperate to know how it would end and I certainly wasn’t disappointed.
An enjoyable chiller for the summer reading pile!
Now, cellular memory really is a thing and there are real life documented cases but here it is a VERY extreme reaction that Jacob has following his heart transplant and it’s not just his taste in food or music that has changed. It becomes very clear quite early on that the Jacob who comes around after his operation is a very different person to the one before. And Lisa Stone handles this marked change perfectly as she gradually reveals more layers of Jacobs personality, his parents desperately try to understand what has happened to their previously hard working, mild mannered son.
Although I struggled to buy into the “cellular memory” thing (I prefer everything to be explained away rationally) I did quite happily suspend belief here as I got totally engrossed in the storyline. I found myself shocked by the huge changes in personality in Jacob and the vile acts that seemed to come very easy to this previously loving son and boyfriend. There’s an horrific fascination as his behaviour continuously veers further away from his previous persona which was a terrifying occurrence for his family who were both appalled and baffled by this new side to their son.
I flew through The Darkness Within finding it to be an interesting departure from her usual genre but that it still maintained a dark and gritty atmosphere whilst covering some rather disturbing subject matters. But despite there being some very emotive and hard to read scenes described, I raced through the pages desperate to know how it would end and I certainly wasn’t disappointed.
An enjoyable chiller for the summer reading pile!
August 9, 2017
I have never ever felt such a strong negative emotion towards any character as I did for Jason/Shane in this book. I literally wanted to reach through the pages and put my hands on his throat and just squeeze. This character was the most despicable character ever. I think what grated me the most was how the author gave the reader his feelings, beliefs and reasons that he felt he could do these things to people. Not only was he horrendous to women, he was plain out horrible and rude to everyone who came in contact with him. Except, of course, those, and at times, he needed something done for him. Then he could be the most charming person ever.
This, of course, made for a pretty good book that I was seriously interested in. However, I did feel that there was a lot of the book that was included purely to add length to the book. Those parts did drag along and I ended up skipping several pages.
Overall, I think the book was a good read, just lengthy in some areas and repetitive. The cellular memory part was something that I was not aware of and was an interesting concept in the book. And, I still want to put my hands around that man's neck. HA!!
Thanks to Avon Books UK and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
This, of course, made for a pretty good book that I was seriously interested in. However, I did feel that there was a lot of the book that was included purely to add length to the book. Those parts did drag along and I ended up skipping several pages.
Overall, I think the book was a good read, just lengthy in some areas and repetitive. The cellular memory part was something that I was not aware of and was an interesting concept in the book. And, I still want to put my hands around that man's neck. HA!!
Thanks to Avon Books UK and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
August 28, 2017
Review of the ARC edition.
The Darkness Within tells a compelling story of Jacob, a man who receives a heart transplant, only to take on the personality of the organ donor. This wouldn’t be so bad if his donor were a philanthropist or a priest, but no, he was a criminal and girlfriend beater rife with personality traits nobody would want. The book is fast paced, and I read it all in one sitting. I did find that I had a hard time getting into the heads of the characters, which might be because the story is told in third person. I would have liked to have experienced the emotions as the characters felt them, especially since this is a book that is so insanely dark. How does Rosie feel after Shane disappears? She is both frightened and relieved, but I don’t feel like those emotions are conveyed in the writing. However, as the novel progressed, I started to get heavily invested in the characters and the decisions they made. But this story is definitely more plot-driven.
My favourite part of the story (don’t judge me for nerding out), was when Elizabeth, Jacob’s mother, researches cellular memory. My heart swelled when she critically evaluated the studies she was reading, looking at sample size and other aspects of the methods (the librarian in me was sooo happy). I also had no idea that the book was going to be about cellular memory, which was a pleasant surprise (I thought they might go the possession route, especially since the father is a reverend. To be honest, I’m a little surprised that his father didn’t think there might be demonic interference. He did compare his son to the devil when he saw that not-so-subtle Photoshopped photo of his son and Satan morphed into one. It just would have been interesting to see that internal struggle--faith vs. science). Cellular memory is a fascinating pseudoscience, and the book effectively introduced this concept in a unique and intriguing way. That said, I do have a few (additional) criticisms of the story and its execution.
The story would have benefited greatly had we gotten to meet Jacob before his heart transplant. I wanted to see what kind of person he was before he turned mean, instead of being told by the narrator. It would have been more effective to see him as a loving, doting son and boyfriend, and then to see how drastically he transformed after the surgery.
There were also a few unbelievable plot holes that were explained, but in an unsatisfactory way. For example:
The epilogue was also a little strange, and I’m not entirely sure how I feel about that conclusion. My lips are sealed. You’re going to have to read the book to find out what I’m talking about!
Conclusion: 3 stars, because the storyline was intriguing, the concept of cellular memory is unique and fascinating, but the writing made me, as a reader, feel disconnected from the characters.
July 24, 2017
I love Cathy Glass’s novels so when I heard she was writing a fiction novel in one of my favourite genres I knew I had to read it.
The reader will instantly have empathy for Elizabeth, Liz, Jacob’s mum in the story. Before the heart transplant, Jacob is a much loved son who makes his parents extremely proud. He is pretty much the perfect son. That all starts to change when he has the operation, slowly the loving son starts to turn into an aggressive and horrible person.
From a parents point of view to have to deal with such changes, it really can’t be easy. Liz can see the person he is becoming but doesn’t want to believe it. No matter the type of person he is turning into, he’s still her son and that mothering instinct is very much there to protect him regardless.
I have to admit there are a few books around at the moment that are similar in the aspect of transplants so the story didn’t really hold any shocks or surprises though to be fair I don’t think it’s supposed to. The author has taken a subject which is without a doubt a fascinating one and something I do think there is some truth to. She has then created a story that would be a mothers worst nightmare.
The Darkness Within is certainly a dark and gripping read and one that will win over new fans as well as old.
My thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for an advanced readers copy. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
The reader will instantly have empathy for Elizabeth, Liz, Jacob’s mum in the story. Before the heart transplant, Jacob is a much loved son who makes his parents extremely proud. He is pretty much the perfect son. That all starts to change when he has the operation, slowly the loving son starts to turn into an aggressive and horrible person.
From a parents point of view to have to deal with such changes, it really can’t be easy. Liz can see the person he is becoming but doesn’t want to believe it. No matter the type of person he is turning into, he’s still her son and that mothering instinct is very much there to protect him regardless.
I have to admit there are a few books around at the moment that are similar in the aspect of transplants so the story didn’t really hold any shocks or surprises though to be fair I don’t think it’s supposed to. The author has taken a subject which is without a doubt a fascinating one and something I do think there is some truth to. She has then created a story that would be a mothers worst nightmare.
The Darkness Within is certainly a dark and gripping read and one that will win over new fans as well as old.
My thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for an advanced readers copy. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
June 22, 2017
Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books for a copy of this book. I have not read any books by Cathy Glass (Lisa Stone is a Pseudonym) I wanted to read this purely from the description.
Rosie is in abusive relationship with Shane. The story starts describing their relationship together. Then we meet Reverend Andrew and his wife Elizabeth. They have a son called Jacob who is waiting for a heart transplant. Who is a good lad, always lending a hand to his father's parishioners.
One night, Shane takes Rosie's car and drives erratically after getting drunk, on his way to a hypermarket and has an accident in the car and his killed. Rosie thinks that Shane has gone away for a few days and she takes some time off. She doesn't realise until the police turn up and tell her the news.
Jacob has been told that they have found a donor and he has his transplant. After the transplant, his personality seems to change. He smokes weed and looks at porn, commits murder. He splits up with his long term girlfriend Eloise after raping her. and eventually meets up with Rosie and he moves in.
I liked the premise of this story and at the start, I was enjoying it. But, I thought that the author didn't research her subject enough. Not all drug dealers meet secretly on an abandoned industrial estates. Also, how can parents ignore the things that their son was doing. For instance a woman being raped after looking at extreme porn,trying to kill a elderly person and the smell of weed. and stealing money. I also thought that the subject of Cellular memory was a bit too far-fetched for me. I researched on the internet, nothing as been proven.
Rosie is in abusive relationship with Shane. The story starts describing their relationship together. Then we meet Reverend Andrew and his wife Elizabeth. They have a son called Jacob who is waiting for a heart transplant. Who is a good lad, always lending a hand to his father's parishioners.
One night, Shane takes Rosie's car and drives erratically after getting drunk, on his way to a hypermarket and has an accident in the car and his killed. Rosie thinks that Shane has gone away for a few days and she takes some time off. She doesn't realise until the police turn up and tell her the news.
Jacob has been told that they have found a donor and he has his transplant. After the transplant, his personality seems to change. He smokes weed and looks at porn, commits murder. He splits up with his long term girlfriend Eloise after raping her. and eventually meets up with Rosie and he moves in.
I liked the premise of this story and at the start, I was enjoying it. But, I thought that the author didn't research her subject enough. Not all drug dealers meet secretly on an abandoned industrial estates. Also, how can parents ignore the things that their son was doing. For instance a woman being raped after looking at extreme porn,trying to kill a elderly person and the smell of weed. and stealing money. I also thought that the subject of Cellular memory was a bit too far-fetched for me. I researched on the internet, nothing as been proven.
August 4, 2019
Unfortunately, I didn't like this book very much at all. It was unsettling but I didn't enjoy it and I primarily rate my books on enjoyment. A disappointing thriller for me, which is a shame.
January 19, 2025
another fantastic read from Lisa!
July 11, 2017
A disturbing and rather fantastical tale about the true origin of evil
Jacob Wilson is critically ill and needs a heart transplant. To the joy of his parents and girlfriend, he receives one and recovers well. Soon afterwards, however, his behaviour starts to change – he becomes increasingly short and snappy with his parents, starts treating his girlfriend badly and begins to experiment with drinking and drug use despite strict health warnings. Concerned about the changes in their son, Reverend Wilson and his wife try to reach out to him, only to be pushed away. As the days go by, more and more dark and violent aspects of their son are revealed and frustration with his illness seems to be an increasingly unlikely cause. When an elderly lady living in their village is attacked and robbed, Jacob’s parents have to question what their once loving and kind son may be capable of, and what or who is at the root of his sudden descent into evil.
This was a well-written and extremely addictive novel that will stick in your head long after putting it down. It begins by introducing the character of Shane, a violent and obnoxious man who abuses and beats his girlfriend Rosie. On an alcohol-fuelled bender, he crashes his car and dies. Shortly afterwards, a heart becomes available for Jacob. Whilst the general structure of the plot is fairly predictable early on, the author handles it well and injects a few twists and turns along the way that keep you turning pages. Jacob’s gradual metamorphosis from polite vicar’s son to a cruel, manipulative and immoral thug is written in a way that builds up the tension, and his parent's attempts to understand what is happening were mostly believable, although at times their turning a blind eye seemed a bit passive. The ending of the story was dramatic and high in tension and provided some interesting moral dilemmas to consider.
The main problem with The Darkness Within was that the central idea of ‘cellular memory’– that an organ transplant can lead to the recipient taking on the personality of the donor – is complete nonsense and not scientifically valid at all. If you are able to disregard this, the story becomes a chilling and dark novel about evil. Luckily, the author doesn’t spend too long trying to provide scientific explanations for the theory and it is relatively easy to accept it as being true in this story, but some readers may struggle to get over how unbelievable it is.
I did have a few issues with this book and some parts of it were quite dark and disturbing. It touches on themes of physical, emotional and sexual abuse in a fairly frank way that may be upsetting for some readers and some of Jacob’s behaviour was also fairly unpleasant to read about. The author has written previous books under a different name about sufferers of child abuse and is obviously used to covering distressing topics in her work. I also found that whilst they were interesting, none of the characters was very likeable or sympathetic and I did think that the behaviour of Jacob’s parents towards the end seemed almost to be enabling their son’s terrible actions. The ending of the story was exciting but didn’t tie up all the loose ends and felt a little unsatisfying in that some people seemed to get away with some very bad actions with no comeuppance whatsoever.
Overall, this novel is based around an intriguing idea (cellular memory would be an extremely frightening concept if it were real) and very readable but had a few discrepancies that some people may struggle with. It is a good debut novel (as technically this is the author’s first time writing this sort of story) but far from perfect, although worth a read for those looking for a different kind of psychological thriller.
Daenerys
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
Jacob Wilson is critically ill and needs a heart transplant. To the joy of his parents and girlfriend, he receives one and recovers well. Soon afterwards, however, his behaviour starts to change – he becomes increasingly short and snappy with his parents, starts treating his girlfriend badly and begins to experiment with drinking and drug use despite strict health warnings. Concerned about the changes in their son, Reverend Wilson and his wife try to reach out to him, only to be pushed away. As the days go by, more and more dark and violent aspects of their son are revealed and frustration with his illness seems to be an increasingly unlikely cause. When an elderly lady living in their village is attacked and robbed, Jacob’s parents have to question what their once loving and kind son may be capable of, and what or who is at the root of his sudden descent into evil.
This was a well-written and extremely addictive novel that will stick in your head long after putting it down. It begins by introducing the character of Shane, a violent and obnoxious man who abuses and beats his girlfriend Rosie. On an alcohol-fuelled bender, he crashes his car and dies. Shortly afterwards, a heart becomes available for Jacob. Whilst the general structure of the plot is fairly predictable early on, the author handles it well and injects a few twists and turns along the way that keep you turning pages. Jacob’s gradual metamorphosis from polite vicar’s son to a cruel, manipulative and immoral thug is written in a way that builds up the tension, and his parent's attempts to understand what is happening were mostly believable, although at times their turning a blind eye seemed a bit passive. The ending of the story was dramatic and high in tension and provided some interesting moral dilemmas to consider.
The main problem with The Darkness Within was that the central idea of ‘cellular memory’– that an organ transplant can lead to the recipient taking on the personality of the donor – is complete nonsense and not scientifically valid at all. If you are able to disregard this, the story becomes a chilling and dark novel about evil. Luckily, the author doesn’t spend too long trying to provide scientific explanations for the theory and it is relatively easy to accept it as being true in this story, but some readers may struggle to get over how unbelievable it is.
I did have a few issues with this book and some parts of it were quite dark and disturbing. It touches on themes of physical, emotional and sexual abuse in a fairly frank way that may be upsetting for some readers and some of Jacob’s behaviour was also fairly unpleasant to read about. The author has written previous books under a different name about sufferers of child abuse and is obviously used to covering distressing topics in her work. I also found that whilst they were interesting, none of the characters was very likeable or sympathetic and I did think that the behaviour of Jacob’s parents towards the end seemed almost to be enabling their son’s terrible actions. The ending of the story was exciting but didn’t tie up all the loose ends and felt a little unsatisfying in that some people seemed to get away with some very bad actions with no comeuppance whatsoever.
Overall, this novel is based around an intriguing idea (cellular memory would be an extremely frightening concept if it were real) and very readable but had a few discrepancies that some people may struggle with. It is a good debut novel (as technically this is the author’s first time writing this sort of story) but far from perfect, although worth a read for those looking for a different kind of psychological thriller.
Daenerys
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
July 24, 2017
I haven't read any of Cathy Glass' (Lisa Stone's pseudonym) books so was drawn to The Darkness Within entirely by the description. Unfortunately although it explored a fascinating premise and had some really tense moments I ultimately found it a little lacklustre. The opening few chapters were really quite gripping, we are introduced to Shane who we immediately learn is a very unsavoury character, with a prison record and a broken home life, he's an angry and dangerous man - particularly to his girlfriend, Rosie. Shane's justification for his brutal behaviour towards his girlfriend, and Rosie's anguish are vividly described and at this point I was eagerly turning the pages to discover what would happen next. Following this introduction, the novel moves away from Shane and Rosie and we meet the Reverend Andrew Wilson,who we soon learn has a son, Jacob who desperately needs a heart transplant. While even the most tense thrillers needs their quiet moments, I found the passages describing Jacob's transplant and early recovery to be overly descriptive and I felt the change of pace here made the book lose focus a bit.
Following the transplant, the realisation that Jacob has undergone some sort of personality change could have been really creepy, however, it didn't quite hit the mark and I'm struggling to work out why. It didn't quite feel believable to me - not the idea of cellular memory meaning transplant patients take on certain personality traits of their donors, although I'm pretty sceptical without strong scientific evidence, I'm quite happy to suspend my beliefs for the sake of a story - rather Jacob himself wasn't quite authentic. The descriptions of his behaviour weren't the problem, he clearly became a very nasty individual, of that we're left in no doubt. It was his internal monologue I struggled with, I never really felt the author truly inhabited the character, it struck me as somebody trying to imagine what a bad person would think rather than truly understanding what motivated them. His gradual descent into darker and darker territory was quite chilling and there's a scene towards the end of the book that's really tense and exactly what I was hoping for from this book. It's just a shame I never felt involved in the same way through most of the rest of the story, I just had the sense that the author wrote what she thought portrayed the darker and seedier side of society but somehow the detachment between the page and real life meant it didn't quite ring true.
I still enjoyed much of The Darkness Within, it was a thought-provoking look at human behaviour and at what shapes our personalities. Despite my reservations I was keen to find out what happened and thought it was an interesting, if flawed, domestic thriller.
Many thanks to the publishers for my ARC, received through Netgalley in return for my honest review.
June 18, 2017
How do I review a book which wars against the medical side of me, everything scientific in me keeps rebelling about the story presented in this book. Keeping the doctor in me quiet, I am now attempting to put forth my thoughts about this book.
The story is thus
Shane, an abusive boyfriend, hits Rosie and drives off with her car, has an accident.
Rosie, thinking that Shane has left her, takes time off work and recuperates, till she can join the land of living. She slowly begins to restart her life and work.
A few miles away, Andrew, a reverend and his wife Elizabeth, are praying for a new heart for their son Jacob who is in his last stages of heart failure.
He receives a new heart and slowly and steadily, as the pages turn, it seems a new personality too. Long gone is their loving and polite son, who is replaced by this stranger who swears, drinks, smokes weed, sees porn and is a total anathema to the son they have raised. How does a single heart transplant give a personality transplant. That’s explained in the cellular memory phenomena. In the entire story, Jacob lies, cheats and murders to get his way around. He breaks off with his long last girlfriend Eloise abusively, meets up with Rosie and the entire abuse cycle continues till the ending which is ludicrous and abrupt. How is Jacob’s sins justified… Apparently it’s hide it under the carpet and all is forgotten..
What goes against my realm of understanding is the way jacob’s parents behave in the entire story. They can see what their son is turning into, yet, other than think and pray about it, they seem to turn a blind eye. In fact most of the times i felt that they were enabling him, in their fear of losing their son. This part of the story just didn’t gel with me. Somehow I could not connect with any of the characters, each one is passive in their own way esp the mother. she tested my patience in a major way.
Cathy Glass, writing as Lisa Stone, is a renowned author, writing her memoirs is a social worker for abused children. Her books usually are very heart wrenching but this book is lacking a lot of things. Cell memory phenomena is an open theory, lots in favour and lots against it. In a backdrop of fiction, I am ready to leave my basic medical knowledge provided there is a story in the words written, a beginning, a middle and an end, which would justify my time given to it…
A miss or a go, either way the book ceased to matter when I stopped reading. Read it, at your own risk . Concept of cell memory phenomena was good but writing a story with that as a backdrop is a miss.
I did message an anaesthesiologist friend of mine who does heart transplant regularly and so far he hasn’t come across any such incidents but lot of reports on the net about it, verity of the theory has yet to be proved.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Avon Books and this is my honest and unbiased opinion
The story is thus
Shane, an abusive boyfriend, hits Rosie and drives off with her car, has an accident.
Rosie, thinking that Shane has left her, takes time off work and recuperates, till she can join the land of living. She slowly begins to restart her life and work.
A few miles away, Andrew, a reverend and his wife Elizabeth, are praying for a new heart for their son Jacob who is in his last stages of heart failure.
He receives a new heart and slowly and steadily, as the pages turn, it seems a new personality too. Long gone is their loving and polite son, who is replaced by this stranger who swears, drinks, smokes weed, sees porn and is a total anathema to the son they have raised. How does a single heart transplant give a personality transplant. That’s explained in the cellular memory phenomena. In the entire story, Jacob lies, cheats and murders to get his way around. He breaks off with his long last girlfriend Eloise abusively, meets up with Rosie and the entire abuse cycle continues till the ending which is ludicrous and abrupt. How is Jacob’s sins justified… Apparently it’s hide it under the carpet and all is forgotten..
What goes against my realm of understanding is the way jacob’s parents behave in the entire story. They can see what their son is turning into, yet, other than think and pray about it, they seem to turn a blind eye. In fact most of the times i felt that they were enabling him, in their fear of losing their son. This part of the story just didn’t gel with me. Somehow I could not connect with any of the characters, each one is passive in their own way esp the mother. she tested my patience in a major way.
Cathy Glass, writing as Lisa Stone, is a renowned author, writing her memoirs is a social worker for abused children. Her books usually are very heart wrenching but this book is lacking a lot of things. Cell memory phenomena is an open theory, lots in favour and lots against it. In a backdrop of fiction, I am ready to leave my basic medical knowledge provided there is a story in the words written, a beginning, a middle and an end, which would justify my time given to it…
A miss or a go, either way the book ceased to matter when I stopped reading. Read it, at your own risk . Concept of cell memory phenomena was good but writing a story with that as a backdrop is a miss.
I did message an anaesthesiologist friend of mine who does heart transplant regularly and so far he hasn’t come across any such incidents but lot of reports on the net about it, verity of the theory has yet to be proved.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Avon Books and this is my honest and unbiased opinion
December 20, 2018
I picked this up because it was on offer and it sounded a bit different. I can safely say I was not a fan. At first I ended up really confused because the names in the synopsis didn't match the names of the couples in the story. It does make sense further on in the book though. There were also some continuity errors and the author makes out that smoking weed is one of the worst things in the world. There are shady drug dealers and even withdrawal symptoms.
Basically Jacob gets a life saving heart transplant and morphs into a different person. He goes from being the sweet, sensible son of a reverend to a violent man who drinks too much, smokes too much weed and abuses his girlfriend. The plot is based on cellular memory, meaning that the recipient takes on the personality of the donor which is an interesting topic. However, it moved into ridiculous when it made out that it could result in your fingerprints changing.
I found the book super predictable and pretty boring. Nothing majorly exciting happens. I also didn't find any of the characters likeable. We don't really know what Jacob was like pre transplant so it's hard to compare and his parents just irritated me. The ending was also a bit far fetched. I kept reading wondering if it was going anywhere but it didn't. I just can't seem to give up on a book without finishing it.
Basically Jacob gets a life saving heart transplant and morphs into a different person. He goes from being the sweet, sensible son of a reverend to a violent man who drinks too much, smokes too much weed and abuses his girlfriend. The plot is based on cellular memory, meaning that the recipient takes on the personality of the donor which is an interesting topic. However, it moved into ridiculous when it made out that it could result in your fingerprints changing.
I found the book super predictable and pretty boring. Nothing majorly exciting happens. I also didn't find any of the characters likeable. We don't really know what Jacob was like pre transplant so it's hard to compare and his parents just irritated me. The ending was also a bit far fetched. I kept reading wondering if it was going anywhere but it didn't. I just can't seem to give up on a book without finishing it.
February 8, 2019
I really did not enjoy This book. There was plot holes, and a lot of things that were dumb.
The likelihood that a woman would fall for the same guy twice. First she says she knew someone who died in a car crash, then she didn't know her ex died?
Did we the reader even know this?
Urgh I should have trusted my gut and not finished this one.
The likelihood that a woman would fall for the same guy twice. First she says she knew someone who died in a car crash, then she didn't know her ex died?
Did we the reader even know this?
Urgh I should have trusted my gut and not finished this one.
March 1, 2023
5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, a very engaging plot, it kept me hooked.
This book took a few expected and unexpected turns. I read it very quickly as I struggled to put it down.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, a very engaging plot, it kept me hooked.
This book took a few expected and unexpected turns. I read it very quickly as I struggled to put it down.
April 5, 2024
3.5 rounded up.
In summary the male lead has a life saving heart transplant from a less than desirable character. During his recovery he turns from a wonderful young man into a dark, dangerous character. Capable of terrible crimes.
His Mum, bless her cotton socks, has just been through the emotions of almost losing her son, then him being saved and now seeing his changed behaviour. She finds solace in researching the transfer of cells between organs leading to personality changes.
Somewhere in between Mr Undesirable is winning the ladies, including his organ donors ex girlfriend! Big plot twist (which is actually not so secret 🤐) and a big showdown as he starts to devolve.
Trigger warnings- sexual assault/rape .
In summary the male lead has a life saving heart transplant from a less than desirable character. During his recovery he turns from a wonderful young man into a dark, dangerous character. Capable of terrible crimes.
His Mum, bless her cotton socks, has just been through the emotions of almost losing her son, then him being saved and now seeing his changed behaviour. She finds solace in researching the transfer of cells between organs leading to personality changes.
Somewhere in between Mr Undesirable is winning the ladies, including his organ donors ex girlfriend! Big plot twist (which is actually not so secret 🤐) and a big showdown as he starts to devolve.
Trigger warnings- sexual assault/rape .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2025
I was recommended this author by my hairdresser. The story begins with Sean who is an angry, violent man, who crashes his car as a result of his egotistical driving. Then it moves on to the rector, his wife and their son Jacob who has been waiting on a heart transplant and gets given the chance of a new life. Post transplant Jacob is different and becomes increasingly angry and violent. I enjoyed the story as it was an unusual topic. However I found a lot of the twists predictable. The ending was also a bit pedestrian with not many surprises. The book was enjoyable though, due to the story telling around transplants and cellular memory.
July 18, 2017
Actually rating: 4,5
March 30, 2019
Brilliant as always from Lisa Stone. Can't wait until her next book, The Doctor, is out in July. Really keeps you wanting more.
July 25, 2022
There's not much I can say about this book other than the fact I actually felt angry every time I picked it up. I wanted to love it, but the character was so awful I could barely read it without getting annoyed.
July 26, 2024
Popierdolone to było, fajne
3.75/5
3.75/5
July 9, 2025
Really enjoyed reading this, it was pretty dark and heavy but i couldn’t put it down
November 5, 2024
Holy moly this was goooood!
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