Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier Summary
Overview of Jar of Hearts
In "Jar of Hearts," three friends' lives unravel after a murder. This ITW Thriller Award winner, translated into 23 languages, earned Riley Sager's praise as "unforgettable." What dark secrets could turn your closest friend into a stranger you never truly knew?
Similar books to Jar of Hearts
Feel the book through the author's voice
Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights
Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning
Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way
Key takeaways
The Deadly Price of Buried Secrets
What if the person you trusted most was hiding something unimaginable? In "Jar of Hearts," this question haunts every page as we follow Georgina "Geo" Shaw's devastating journey from successful executive to convicted felon. On a rainy Tuesday morning, her carefully constructed life shatters when Detective Kaiser Brody-her former high school friend-walks into her corporate presentation with handcuffs. The truth emerges in shocking detail: at sixteen, Geo helped her first love, Calvin James, dispose of her best friend Angela Wong's dismembered body. While Calvin went on to become the infamous "Sweetbay Strangler," Geo built a perfect life, literally stepping over Angela's unmarked grave during family barbecues for fourteen years. The courtroom becomes theater for broken relationships-her fiance Andrew abandons her, while her father Walter remains steadfast, a single tear tracking down his weathered face. Most disturbing is Calvin's note passed during trial: "You're welcome," with a heart drawn beside it-which Geo immediately swallows. This single act suggests depths of complicity yet to be revealed and sets the stage for a story about the corrosive power of secrets and the complex ways trauma shapes identity.
From Executive to Inmate: A Brutal Transformation
Understanding Psychological Coercion and Its Impact
The Terrible Consequences of Silence
The Monster Returns: A Legacy of Violence
Breaking the Cycle: The Ultimate Sacrifice
Finding Peace After Tragedy
Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to Jar of Hearts Summary in 9 Minutes
Break down key ideas from Jar of Hearts into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.
Flash Card Mode - Top 10 Insights from Jar of Hearts in a Nutshell
Distill Jar of Hearts into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.
Fun Mode - Jar of Hearts Lessons Told Through 18-Min Stories
Experience Jar of Hearts through vivid storytelling that turns Pixar’s innovation lessons into moments you’ll remember and apply.
Personalize Mode - Read or listen to Jar of Hearts Summary in 0 Minutes
Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
Get the Jar of Hearts summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.