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So Shall You Reap
5.0 (16 ratings)

So Shall You Reap

A twist-packed whodunit bursting with suspense and shocking surprises

A family of serial killers.
Five friends.
One explosive encounter.

Belle Jackson was sixteen years old when a brutal attack mutated her once-gentle life into one of vengeance and no apologies. Now changed, she felt it was her duty to rid the world of all necessary, and some not-so-necessary, evils. And nothing would stand in her way, not even those closest to her. Her husband and son knew what she was doing, but they didn’t stop her - they helped her.
They were family, after all.

In the northeastern quadrant of Minnesota lies the colossal Superior National Forest—a dense, shadowy wilderness four times larger than Rhode Island. It encompasses some of the nation’s most desolate and remote areas and is home to many of the deadliest creatures known to mankind.
It was here, then, in a tiny cabin concealed among the thick trees, that Belle and her family found retirement. Their dangerous way of life now behind them, they chose to spend the remainder of their lives in peace and solitude, hidden from humanity. And for nearly half a century, seclusion was theirs.

But then, five classmates on the other side of the state kill an innocent man and find themselves pursued by the police and in desperate need to flee the country. Their twisting journey takes them deep into the murky Superior National Forest, where hiding out proves to be more dangerous than they ever anticipated.
Then, in the dead of night, deep in the middle of nowhere, they stumble upon a small cabin with a faint light glowing within. And they knock.

And when killers meet, all hell breaks loose.

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Reader Reviews

5.0

16 ratings

Kayla W.

Aug 15, 2026
Mark takes the dark, gritty atmosphere to a whole new level.

I have to start by talking about the opening of this book 🤯. My brain was hit head-on with an emotional overload. I felt each emotion spiraling 😵‍💫 through me not knowing which to latch on to first. Mark Jenkins doesn't let up with the emotions either. At just the right moments you are struck again.

I felt like I was reading a true crime novel. The deepth of what you learn leading to the explosive, woven events was like turning on your favorite true crime show. You get to know the characters and surroundings personally bringing the story alive.

Mark didn't leave any stone unturned when capturing the finer details. He grabs the reader right from the start with emotions and tragic compelling scenes holding tight right to the end in this masterful book.

I loved every second of this. After seeing so many say how good this book is I had my bar set high. It was even better than I expected. The fireworks and confetti exploded in my mind. Sir you deserve a standing ovation for this epic story.

Thank you for allowing me to read an ARC for my honest review.

Carina P.

Aug 15, 2026

Mark once again delivers an amazing novel — dark, gripping, and impossible to step away from. It’s packed with those moments that made me stop and think, “oh no, here we go.” The characters are messy and human, the danger feels real, and the story never lets up.

The forest setting adds its own layer of creepiness, the kind that makes every shadow feel like it’s hiding something.

I loved how he builds that slow, creeping dread and then blows everything wide open with twists that feel brutal and earned.

Sharp, fast, and exactly the kind of twisty ride I expect from him.

C.S. D.

Aug 15, 2026

So Shall You Reap opens with a shocking, brutal scene that immediately sets the tone—this is a dark one. From there, the story pulls back to reveal what led to that moment, following Belle Jackson as her sense of vigilantism twists into something far more disturbing.

What begins as revenge takes a darker turn as Belle’s motivations shift, and that evolution is where the story really leans into its edge. The isolated setting adds to the atmosphere, and the premise itself is bold and intense. Mark Jenkins—you seem like such a nice guy, but this book definitely goes to some dark places. If you enjoy thrillers that push boundaries, this is one to check out.

Matt D.

Aug 15, 2026
Harvey has the best job working at the local arcade. He takes care of the machines and empties the tokens as part of his daily tasks. Then one day he meets Belle and his life is completed. Now he has the unenviable task of getting her family’s permission. After a very traumatic event, Belle’s life is turned upside down and she’s thrust into survival mode. Harvey is forced to make one of the toughest choices in his life. How far would he go for the woman he loves?

Fast forward about 40 years, and a group of teenagers take matters into their own hands to help one of their own. One mistake in the plan leads them on a race to freedom. However, things are not always as they seem and as the group takes refuge, they soon learn that karma always comes back and “as you sow, so shall you reap”. Actions can have dire consequences.

I absolutely loved Mark’s other books and I was sure there was no way to top Do Unto Others. How wrong I was! The book has a few timelines that at first glance appear vaguely connected, but then Mark expertly weaves them together with a web of lies and secrets. The twists just keep coming and every time you think you’re on the right track, you’re not. There is even a Freida McFadden nod thrown in that fits the storyline perfectly.

If I could give this book 10 stars out of 5, I would. Don’t miss this one!

Mary S.

Aug 15, 2026
This book will hook you from the very first page. The writing submerses you until you feel that you are actually there living amongst the characters in the pages of the book. Belle becomes a victim as a teenager and channels that pent up rage turning herself into a serial killer. Her husband and son join in her way of life until she retires in a secluded cabin in the middle of the Superior National Forest and lives peacefully. One day a group of teenagers on the run from the police after having committed a bank robbery, hide out in the same Forest on their way to Canada and stumble upon the cabin and the encounter turns everything we think we know upside down! The twists were absolutely amazing and kept on coming. The writing was sharp and descriptive and kept me turning the pages as fast as my mind could process the words! This was a one heck of a wild ride of a book! I highly recommend this one… 5 stars! Thank you to Mark Jenkins who offered me an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for my review.

Charlene M.

Aug 15, 2026
I read this book so fast! I think it's even better than Do Unto Others (or at least on par). Brisk pace, great tying together and memorable characters. Enjoyable!

Crystal O.

Aug 15, 2026

What a ride! This was an exceptional novel that told different stories that all tied together in the end with twist after twist and a great mention of Ward D! Very well done and you will not be disappointed.

Carol G.

Aug 15, 2026

So Shall You Reap is a character driven, complex, and well-written storyline that will keep you entertained throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed each section of the three parts and how they tied up beautifully at the end. Suspense from the forest surroundings adds to the tension, and the twists that come one after the other are masterful. I would highly recommend giving this one a read!

Keeley W.

Aug 15, 2026
So Shall You Reap by Mark Jenkins. Release date 29th July!

I'd just like to start by saying thank you so much to Mark for the ARC copy. It's always an honour to read a book before it's published.

Let me tell you, the prologue grabs your attention immediately and sets you up for what is an extremely wild ride with lots of twists and turns.

Belle Jackson is a formidable young woman who knows what she wants; she chooses Harvey, a shy guy who's immediately smitten with her. Belle suffers a horrific attack that leaves her not only an outcast but also on a murderous path to rid the world of sexual predators. What starts out as a mission to avenge becomes something she develops a taste for and cannot stop. Harvey supports her killing streak, and in time, they have a son whom she trains in her image. His mission is to carry on her legacy.

Belle and Harvey live out their lives in the secluded Superior National Forest. This is where Mark Jenkins' descriptive flair takes you deep into that forest with his characters; he's absolutely amazing at setting the scene so vividly.

Just when you thought things couldn't get any crazier, a group of school kids decide to rob a bank! When the gun goes off and the security guard dies, they go on the run, ending up in the Superior National Forest themselves, cold, tired, injured, and hungry. What happens when a family of serial killers and five runaways meet? Read it and find out!

Alison O.

Aug 15, 2026

So Shall You Reap by Mark Jenkins

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

WOW!! An amazing, intense & jaw dropping thriller story! This book has so many fantastic twists, turns and surprises!! There’s also darkness and lots of craziness going on!

It’s cool how the book is split up into 3 parts-

The first part begins with Belle and Harvey who fall in love and wind up moving to a secluded cabin to live a different type of lifestyle.

Part 2 focuses on a group of high school friends who end up robbing a bank to help get money for one of the friend’s parents. Unfortunately, things don’t go as smoothly as they had hoped and they have to leave town.

Part 3 shows what happens to the group of kids once they have left town and are trying to make it into Canada. This trip involves making their way through a large forest. Luckily they come across a cabin…😳😳

This book is full of shockers and situations that I didn’t see coming, at all! I almost fell out of my chair a few times!!

It’s a very well written story and has such an entertaining and exciting storyline. There’s great character development, with lots of secrets, lies and of course murder!!

This is a must read!! Grab it now!! **

Carly B.

Feb 8, 2026
Sixteen-year-old Belle Jackson’s life was ripped apart by violence, and she refused to stay a victim. What started as a desperate act of self-defense became a mission. Belle, along with her husband Harvey and their son, decided the world needed fewer monsters and they were more than willing to clean things up themselves. After years in a remote cabin in Minnesota’s Superior National Forest, they’re forced out of hiding when five teens on the run accidentally knock on the wrong door. When one group of killers meets another, survival becomes a matter of instinct, revenge, and very bad luck.

Spillin’ the Book Tea:
Okay, listen. I was in the doctor’s office reading this and gasped—out loud—at Chapter 12. People stared. No regrets. It hit harder than I was ready for… and yes, the character's name was Carla. Coincidence? Maybe. But I did confirm Mark Jenkins doesn’t know any other Carlas. So, basically, I’m book-famous now.

Now let’s talk about this wild ride. Mark Jenkins has released three books, and I’ve given all of them 5++++ stars, but So Shall You Reap is my favorite yet. Not just because of the Carla moment either. It reads like two stories in one: the origin of Belle and Harvey and then the chaos that unfolds when five kids end up on their property.

Belle and Harvey’s story starts at an arcade where Harvey works. Harvey says Belle saved him. Their bond is unshakable, deep, and intense, but don’t mistake this for a romance. This is about survival, justice, and a whole lot of rage. Belle was only sixteen when her world shattered, and she didn’t just pick up the pieces. She turned them into weapons. She’s a vengeance-fueled force of nature, and honestly, I was rooting for her. Up to a point.

Then you think the story’s wrapping up and boom... plot twist. That was only halfway. The second half introduces five classmates who make some very bad choices, end up in the wrong forest, and knock on the wrong damn door. The tension from that point on? Unreal. You feel like you’re holding your breath the whole time.

Mark Jenkins doesn’t give you a chance to relax. Every chapter keeps you guessing. I love trying to figure things out as I read, but with this one, I gave up, and I loved that. It’s unpredictable, fast, and violent in a way that feels earned.

Quote that still haunts me: “I didn’t die right away, but I wish I had. God, I wish I had.”

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Vibes it Brings:

Matt D.

Feb 8, 2026
Harvey has the best job working at the local arcade. He takes care of the machines and empties the tokens as part of his daily tasks. Then one day he meets Belle and his life is completed. Now he has the unenviable task of getting her family’s permission. After a very traumatic event, Belle’s life is turned upside down and she’s thrust into survival mode. Harvey is forced to make one of the toughest choices in his life. How far would he go for the woman he loves?

Fast forward about 40 years, and a group of teenagers take matters into their own hands to help one of their own. One mistake in the plan leads them on a race to freedom. However, things are not always as they seem and as the group takes refuge, they soon learn that karma always comes back and “as you sow, so shall you reap”. Actions can have dire consequences.

I absolutely loved Mark’s other books and I was sure there was no way to top Do Unto Others. How wrong I was! The book has a few timelines that at first glance appear vaguely connected, but then Mark expertly weaves them together with a web of lies and secrets. The twists just keep coming and every time you think you’re on the right track, you’re not. There is even a Freida McFadden nod thrown in that fits the storyline perfectly.

If I could give this book 10 stars out of 5, I would. Don’t miss this one!

Sarah L.

Feb 8, 2026
Can I give this one more than 5 stars?

This is a thrilling page turner with lot of twists and turns that will break your neck.
You will be hooked from the prologue! Mark's writing style is such an easy breeze, and will have you finishing the book asking where the time has gone.

It was an absolute honor to be asked to be apart of the ARC reviewers on this. Thank you so much for this opportunity.


Brittany F.

Feb 8, 2026
Mark has done it again. What an absolutely mind blowing experience he brings with 'So Shall You Reap.' Starting in the past and working it's way to present times this novel is captivating from start to finish. There is quite a bit going on but all the parts and pages are needed to follow this tale without missing important information. The twists are plentiful so pay attention. Mark weaves this web so masterfully you won't be able to stop turning the pages.
I am beyond grateful Mark selected me as an ARC reader. 'So Shall You Reap' is an amazing addition to his collection of novels. 5 ⭐

Mandy S.

Feb 8, 2026
Intense, chilling, and impossible to put down, So Shall You Reap is a dark and haunting thriller with a fierce heroine at its core. Belle’s transformation from victim to vigilante is both powerful and terrifying, and her family’s deadly past adds layers of tension to the story. Set in a remote forest cabin, the atmosphere is thick with suspense—and when a group of reckless fugitives stumbles into their world, everything spirals out of control. Gripping, violent, and unforgettable—a must-read for fans of sharp, edge-of-your-seat thrillers!

Carol G.

Feb 8, 2026
So Shall You Reap is a character driven, complex and well-written storyline that will keep you entertained throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed each section of the three parts and how they tied up beautifully at the end. Suspense from the forest surroundings adds to the tension, and the twists that come one after the other are masterful. I would highly recommend giving this one a read!

About the Author

Mark Jenkins
Award-winning author Mark Jenkins was born and raised in Alabama. After graduating from Auburn University he moved to Washington, DC but after 14 years, found his way back home.

His debut book, "With One Stone", won the prestigious "Best New Fiction" and "Best Cover Design: Adult Fiction" with The 2023 American Fiction Awards, and was also a finalist in "Best Thriller: Psychological". In addition, the novel was selected as one of the Top 35 Books in 2023 for Book Clubs by Independent Book Review.

His first dream in the book world was to open his own bookstore and name it BookMarks (cute, right?). That dream changed but his love for reading and good storytelling continued. He loves to travel anywhere and everywhere but Scotland is his favorite destination. He's a cat-dude and he loves his family and friends more than life itself.

He is also the author of the award-winning "Do Unto Others" and "So Shall You Reap". He is very grateful for the daily encouragement he receives from readers to continue to write.