She’s cold, calculating, and can deceive with a smile. Jane Doe is back in the Amazon Charts bestselling series—and this time she’s met her match.
After a brutal childhood, Jane Doe has been permanently wired to look after herself and only herself. Now, looking next to normal, Jane has a lover and a job. But she hasn’t lost her edge. It sharpens when she hears from her estranged family.
Jane’s … family.
Jane’s deeply troubled sixteen-year-old niece, Kayla, has vanished, and no one seems to care. Neither does Jane. Until she sees a picture of Kayla and recognizes herself in the young girl’s eyes. It’s the empty stare of a sociopath.
Jane knows what vengeful and desperate things Kayla is capable of. Only Jane can help her—by being drawn into Kayla’s dark world. And no one’s more aware than Jane just how dangerous that can be.
more
This is a follow up to the Jane Doe novel and can be read as a standalone. For those familiar with the first book in the series, this narrative moves a bit slower but is just as bit as entertaining. While the first book boasted a modest amount of urgency, this storyline is measured and exhibits an interesting character arc in Jane as the reader is granted a glimpse at “everyday” life. Victoria Helen Stone delivers her unique writing style, which is minimalistic, yet powerful and perfectly characteristic for the book. Loved it. 5 stars.
Thank you to #NetGalley and @LakeUnionPublishing for this ARC of #ProblemChild, which was read and reviewed voluntarily by #wayward_readers – all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I so love a well written sociopath book.
I should have passed on this one.
This is the second book in the Jane Doe series and though reading them in order will probably enhance the whole experience it’s not necessary and this can be read as a complete standalone.
So we are back with Jane self confessed Sociopath with all her many games and manipulations.
Currently working for a law firm and now settled with her boyfriend of a year Luke.
The boyfriend who has just sprung the let’s move in together conversation out of the blue totally ruining things and Jane is far from comfortable contemplating moving the relationship goalposts forward.
On top of that she’s had a phone call off her brothers ex regarding her niece Kayla and looking at the girl’s picture Jane recognises herself in the eyes staring back at her.
Needing the distraction from Luke and his ultimatum Jane decides to head home to do some digging into Kayla’s disappearance herself.
So this is again totally from Janes POV.
I didn’t enjoy this one as much as it’s predecessor it was much slower and it did find it dragged taking a while to get around to the point.
It’s basically Jane indulging her sociopathic and narcissistic tendencies while she looks for her niece Kayla and reconnects with her past.
At the same time shes also deciding what to do about her boyfriend luke and his current expectations.
It was well written and unique just not as interesting as the first book in this series.
A shame really as with the unusual subject content this contained it could have been epic.
Still it was a solid read and very different and I adored that last bombshell we were given what a great note to go out on.
It definitely made me want a third book from Jane.
Overall this one was an intriguing read but a lot slower pace than the first book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of problem Child.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9460945-bex-beckie-bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
http://www.beckiebookworm.com
I love this story and the main character. The subject matter is so interesting. This second book wasn’t as entertaining as the second for me but I still had to know what Jane was up to.
Jane is back and she’s just as devious as ever in Problem Child by Victoria Helen Stone. I love the fact that she’s doing a little sleuthing in this book and there was a bit of a mystery to it!
While I didn’t love this one quite as much as Jane Doe it was still super enjoyable, and I love the character that is Jane. I was reading my physical copy pretty slowly, so I decided to switch to the audio and I’m so glad I did. The narrator, Nicol Zanzarella, was fantastic and she sounded the way I would have expected Jane to. Also, the audiobook is fairly short, and it was fine on 2+ speed so I really flew through it.
I don’t think a whole lot can be said about Problem Child without giving anything away, but if you liked or loved Jane Doe then you should enjoy book two as well! I really liked the ending and that it left an opening for the series to continue without ending on a major cliffhanger. And I highly recommend the audio to all you audiobook lovers out there!
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy of this book, all opinions and thoughts are my own.
“Is it possible? A little Baby Jane out in the world?”
Oh boy. Although much of this sequel feels like filler, and we only get a small percentage of time with the actual ‘problem child’, I have to admit it set up future installments nicely and I very much look forward to watching this aunt/niece hell-raising duo take on the world.
Oh Ms. Doe, you deliciously snarky, selfish and unapologetic wonder. I’m so glad you’re back. I’m giving you and Problem Child all the stars.
Not that you’d care, but I’ve missed you. I’ve missed how you come at everything with strength, confidence and an abundance of IDGAF. It’s so empowering to watch you, a woman, take the world by the balls and make it yours. And now you might have a devilish little Mini Jane? The world can barely contain you. How will it handle two?
Is it wrong to be inspired by a sociopath? Who can say, really? But to the badass lurking inside us all, yearning to speak up, I’m sure Jane would wink and say, “Don’t hold back. You deserve this.”
And she’d be right.
Another excellent and satisfying “Jane Doe” novel as the self-described sociopath learns there’s a relative in her family tree who may share her traits, and she takes a road-trip to find and meet her missing niece and check it out for herself.
Part of what makes Jane so fascinating is her ability to turn the tables on the men in her life who want to use and discard her, whether it’s other attorneys trying to take credit for her work or casual bar hook-ups. While the first novel was revelatory, this follow-up builds on the character in a fashion that keeps the reader turning pages to see how far Jane will go. I look forward to more of this heroine for our time.
Stone is back with the second book in this suspenseful, subtle sociopath’s story–and she’s already got me jonesing for the third book. Like JANE DOE, our heroine carries you along on a fascinating internal journey full of external justice. This is the perfect quarantine read.
Jane Doe is back, but not with the same impact the first book had. This time she’s dealing with a narcissistic coworker who doesn’t realize he’s met his match. With several bar scenes, a boyfriend she could take or leave, and a troubled niece, Jane Doe lacked charisma and thrill in this sequel.
Lately, I’ve had a keen interest in thrillers, especially psychological thrillers. While I had KU, I was able to read the first book in this series so I could get a feel for Jane and her life. I am so glad I read that book to understand Jane and her sociopathic behaviors. I never thought about someone that is a sociopath isn’t always a lunatic or a killer. They just know how to manipulate the people around them to keep control of the situation.
In this book, Jane travels to Oklahoma, where her family resides, to find her niece that was reported missing. Normally, Jane wouldn’t care about someone in her family, but she is intrigued by the fact that Kayla is supposedly just like her, another sociopath. The family may not realize that is what they are, but they do understand their similarities. Jane does some digging to find her niece. It helps to be familiar with the area and some of the people. It was fascinating to see the interaction with her mom and dad. Let’s just say they aren’t the nurturing types.
I enjoyed the interaction between Jane and Kayla. They have to learn to trust each other, or as much as they can, and maybe Kayla won’t end up in a bad situation. There is a twist at the very end of the book that surprised me and surprised even Jane. Now I have to know how things continue in the next book. Will Kayla turn over a new leaf or will she revert back to her old ways.
If you are in the mood for a good psychological thriller, then this is a series you want to pick up. We give it 5 paws up.
I love what gets Jane Doe’s emotions revving, her hate for the power plant and her fascination with wind turbines. I, too, feel they are an art form.
Yeah, maybe you could blame some of her sociopathy on her worthless parents, who wouldn’t give her the time of day unless they wanted something from her. Her brother was just as bad. In and out of prison, a bully to her when she was a child. No one was there when she needed someone, so she has no use for them. She can take care of herself.
Unfortunately, she feels she must return home. Her niece, Kayla, is missing. No one seems to care about her either, but after finding out everyone thought that Kayla was just like her, she felt she had to know. Was she a sociopath too? Could she be a mentor, teaching her how to navigate life and keep herself hidden, and maybe have someone to share her true self with?
Sociopaths are not capable of feeling love and loneliness, but Jane feels something. Something for her boyfriend, Luke. He knows she is different, doesn’t want the white picket fence, but could they have a ‘marriage’ of sorts? He accepts her for who she is and that counts for a lot. She wants to keep him. LOL I couldn’t help but laugh at that. Like he’s a puppy or something.
At least searching for Kayla, she could keep from getting bored. When she gets bored, she does things that could bring trouble down around her, and being a lawyer, she has a place where she is comfortable, sorta. Don’t cross her though. You won’t like Jane if you make her mad. She loves the hunt and she’ll play anyone who gets in her way.
As a monster myself, I’m not under any delusion about the kindness of strangers.
Just because she’s a sociopath, doesn’t mean she’s a serial killer.
Problem Child, for me, was eye opening and thought provoking. I know not all sociopaths are murderers, but with Jane, it is just as frightening. It makes me realize, even more, that we could be surrounded by them and never know it. Could it be your neighbor? Your coworker? Your friend? Your family? Your lover? You may look at everyone differently after reading Problem Child.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of Problem Child by Victoria Helen Stone.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
Excellently Atypical. I like finding books that treat neurological divergences as normal and show how those with different neurologies are the same as neurotypicals, and this is one such book. Here, we see a sociopath – that neurology most commonly thought of as “evil” by neurotypicals – using her abilities to further her own career and figure out what has happened to a niece she barely knew she had. Very humanizing, very demystifying, and very, very good. Those that don’t like frankness or “vulgarity”… probably won’t like this tale. But for the rest of us non-prudes, this truly was a great – and fast – read. Very much recommended.
Jane is back, Jane is BACK!
The first 25% and the last 25% were the best bits and the rest could have been cut way down but it was still loaded with “Janeisms” and her hilarious observations. Like fries that aren’t quite crispy, even those parts were still better than most stuff.
I appreciate her observations and the lens through which she, as a sociopath, views the world. There is just enough Jane in all of us to both recognize ourselves and be horrified by her. It’s fabulous.
The ending of this book sets the stage for the third installment and I’ll be first in line!
Thank you to Victoria Helen Stone, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Wow this is an amazingly addicting, yet incredibly disturbing cerebral thrill ride. I absolutely could not put this book down! It is completely astonishing how Victoria Helen Stone has created Jane and her incredibly unique and interesting dialog. The twists and turns are fabulous and unexpected, of course dark as expected, yet the perspective is so intriguing. The end of the book is a stunner and although it wrapped nicely, it left me also hoping for more of these characters in the future.Victoria Helen Stone
Ever since I turned the last page after reading JANE DOE (the first time), I had been hoping for at least a sequel. Knowing it could never compare to the original, I needed more, wishing that it could somewhat measure up to that phenomenal psychological thriller. And the amazing Victoria Helen Stone rose to the challenge! Still present are the seamless and dynamic writing, the remarkable characterisations, the sarcasm and the snark; this is the same Jane I know and love.
Jane stayed in Minnesota where she has been working in a law firm for the past year. Her professional life is going according to plan, Luke is still her boyfriend, but Jane is getting restless. When she gets a phone call that her sixteen year-old niece Kayla is missing, Jane is both worried and excited. Is Kayla the same kind of PROBLEM CHILD Jane was?
Jane is still my hero; it’s hard to express how cathartic it is to see this fictional, fully functional sociopath allowing me to vicariously triumph over all those despicable people who make women’s lives miserable. Jane is only out for herself, yet she is the ultimate defender of oppressed women. Upon seeing the title and reading the book description, I feared that it might be Jane playing Mommy, thus getting a JANE DOE lite. Instead Ms. Stone gives Jane even more depth while not changing the character in the slightest.
Victoria Helen Stone demonstrates once again why she has become my latest favourite author and an auto-buy (and I was delirious to be granted access to an advanced copy!). Ms. Stone’s creativity knows no bounds; she is as fearless as Jane. Her writing is impeccable, her dialogues are stupendous, she possesses an innate sense of timing, and a keen knowledge of sociopathy. The author can also build and maintain the tension while weaving a masterful tale peopled with compelling characters. But Victoria Helen Stone has created a monster. With the fabulous ending to PROBLEM CHILD, now I cannot wait for the next book! I was hoping for a satisfying read and I was left ecstatic! The possibilities are endless!
If you loved JANE DOE, do not hesitate for a second to pick up PROBLEM CHILD, you will not be disappointed, I promise!