I’ve read a number of Ellison’s previous novels and they are all twisty, intriguing mysteries. My favorite so far has been Lie to Me, but every one of her books have such unique plots that even if I find certain situations implausible, they are always entertaining to read. See below for links to connect to the author, I love the newsletter she sends out, it’s always full of recommendations for books, shows, and other things, besides information about her writing and upcoming books. Definitely worth subscribing to her e-mail list!
Her Dark Lies is a March 2021 release from MIRA books
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links, see disclosures for more detail.
About the Book:
Fast-paced and brilliantly unpredictable, J.T. Ellison’s breathtaking new novel invites you to a wedding none will forget—and some won’t survive.
Jutting from sparkling turquoise waters off the Italian coast, Isle Isola is an idyllic setting for a wedding. In the majestic cliff-top villa owned by the wealthy Compton family, up-and-coming artist Claire Hunter will marry handsome, charming Jack Compton, surrounded by close family, intimate friends…and a host of dark secrets.
From the moment Claire sets foot on the island, something seems amiss. Skeletal remains have just been found. There are other, newer disturbances, too. Menacing texts. A ruined wedding dress. And one troubling shadow hanging over Claire’s otherwise blissful relationship—the strange mystery surrounding Jack’s first wife.
Then a raging storm descends, the power goes out—and the real terror begins…
My Review:
I gave this book 3 stars
This book took me way too long to get into (too much description of the setting), but once I did it was fairly fast-paced and a decent thriller.
Overall, there weren’t any huge surprises for me. I saw where this was going right away and there weren’t any big twists. Compared to Ellison’s previous books, this one was a bit predictable. Yet for a straightforward thriller, I was entertained. The setting is incredibly atmospheric and there are lots of secrets that come to light as the novel progresses that propel the plot forward.
There are some very awkward POV changes throughout, going from first person to third person and occasionally I had to re-read sections to figure out whose head I was in at the time. There are also way too many characters, some of them are completely unnecessary and get lost in the shuffle, never to be heard from again (Elliot’s wife?). And don’t get me started on the similar character names, why oh why do writers do this? (Ami, Ana, Amelia, Morgan, Malcom, Meggie). Is it truly that difficult to name characters with names that don’t all start with the same letter?
Overall, if you enjoy books by this author this one will likely appeal. It has some awkwardness and isn’t completely surprising, but it is very gothic-feeling and the bodies do pile up, so thriller readers should be pleased.
About the Author:
J.T. Ellison is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 25 novels, and the EMMY® award winning co-host of the literary show A WORD ON WORDS. With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim, prestigious awards, and has been published in 28 countries. She lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens.
Social Links:
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