A Very Bad Thing is an excellent book that engrosses the reader from the first page. JT Ellison has a way of weaving the characters together that keeps you on the edge of your seat to see what happens next and believe me you’ll never see it coming until the very end.

Columbia Jones is a New York Times bestselling author from England. She is loved by her huge fan base, daughter and publisher. She is on a book tour of her latest novel, The Ivory Lady and on the last night of her book tour, she has fainted during her book reading. Taken to the hospital and being told she is okay but to get checked out upon her return to New York, she goes to the hotel to rest. But when Riley, a journalist hired to be on the tour with Columbia to write an article finds her murdered everyone has questions.

This was such a fun, thrilling and exciting read. I did not want this story to end. With multiple POVs and different timelines, it looked like it would be a lot but it’s not. Everything flows, reads and is written so wonderfully. I could not put this book down! The epilogue had me shocked but in a way, I am glad she put it in…more suspense! This is a longer book but I enjoyed every page and honestly, can this book become a movie or TV show…it would be perfect.

Thank you to JT Ellison, Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Publication Date: September 3, 2024

When a bestselling author at the top of her game is found in a pool of blood in her hotel room, nobody in her inner circle can fathom the hidden secrets she’s been carrying that led to her demise. Even her daughter, best friend who is a lawyer, agent, and the reporter she hired to write a special piece, and later her memoir, have no idea about the fatal circumstances she's been involved in that compelled her to reinvent her entire life story. What if the bestselling author not only crafted best-selling fiction but also constructed a convenient new life story for herself consisting of a web of lies?

During her latest book tour for 'Ivory Lady,' which has already been adapted into a high-budget movie by Spielberg’s team, Columbia Jones is full of energy as she meets with her fans, signing books while accompanied by her 29-year-old daughter Darian, who handles PR, organization, and editorial tasks simultaneously. Alongside them is the young but aspiring and creative reporter Riley Carrington, in her late twenties, attending each event and following Columbia's steps like a hawk.

When a mysterious man confronts her in the middle of her speech in front of her fans, she collapses in shock. Her hospital visit ends with a verbal altercation with her daughter, who insists her mother’s stalker may jeopardize her tour. The next day, reporter Riley, who insists on having her last one-on-one interview with Columbia to uncover her hidden past, finds Columbia dead in her bed, covered in blood, likely murdered. Simultaneously, Darian chooses that moment to enter the room, accusing Riley of murdering her mother.

As Riley tries to prove her innocence, lead detective Sutcliffe senses discrepancies in the case, leading him to consider the possibility that Columbia took her own life. A viral shaming campaign on social media tarnishes Columbia’s reputation as news about her changing will and the unexpected beneficiaries summoned to the will reading increases tension, intertwining the lives of Darian, Riley, and Kira, a young bakery owner and devoted fan of Columbia. What secrets has Columbia been holding for years that resulted in her tragic death? Who killed her? Why is Riley Carrington being targeted? Could anyone in their inner circle be leading a double life, deceiving them from the start? Expect the biggest twists and be shocked by jaw-dropping revelations! This action-packed, smartly executed mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat. While it starts a little slowly, be patient and immerse yourself in each narration; eventually, you will find yourself drawn into the big mystery. Especially after the first half, you'll become increasingly excited with the fast-paced story, constantly guessing the identity of the perpetrator as unexpected twists keep you guessing. The epilogue is a nice touch that surprises you one last time. It seems that great thriller authors always have the last laugh.

Although some twists may seem a little far-fetched, I enjoyed most of them and the pacing, as well as the increasing tension that kept me glued to the pages. The well-crafted execution pushed me to rate this mystery 4.5 out of 5 stars, which it highly deserves.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing this unputdownable book's digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

Another great read by J.T. Ellison. A famous author is murdered and it turns out a lot of people had reasons to kill her. Lots of twists and turns and a shocker of an ending. Loved it and I highly recommend this book.

A nice light escape and a good beach. read. Nicely written. Good luck with the book and thanks for the opportunity to read.

A Very Bad Thing by J.T. Ellison - publication date September 3, 2024

I have been a long time J.T. Ellison fan, and this book did not disappoint! It is fun to read about an author of many successful books and to wonder if the story has any real connection to the author who wrote the book about the fictional author - although, based on Ellison's acknowledgement, this is not really the case...right?

Columbia Jones is on a book tour when sudden sickness hits her and takes her out. Her daughter and her chosen reporter are two women very intertwined in the story, but not the most fond of each other. The shocking death of Columbia Jones garners many online speculations as to what happened, who murdered her, and details of this famous author's life that could be true, or just rumors. One of Jones' biggest fans was in attendance during the tour where she fell out on stage, leading to her death. In the section she was sitting in, a man had stood briefly and fled in the middle of the author's speech moments before the falling. In much deeper ways than one might imagine, the fan in attendance is connected to all of these people beyond just enjoying the books. Do we really know anything about the strangers next to us, in the same restaurant, movie theater, or concert?

Some parts of the story took a little time for me to get into, but once I hit around chapter 4, I was feeling that can't-put-this-down urge to find out what would happen next. There were some definite twists that took me by surprise, and all the way up to the very last page, I had parts of this story that shocked me to find out.

Look for this book to be published in September, and you will not want to miss out on reading this thriller!

Thank you to NetGalley, J.T. Ellison, and the publishers for allowing this to be read so far in advance of the publication date!

Absolutely loved this book!! I devoured it in one day. This may be my favorite JT Ellison book now! I loved the multiple viewpoints and how you get a perk inside what it’s like to be a successful author.

Who murdered Columbia Jones? The premise of this book had me instantly hooked and it turned out to be another solid thriller by J.T. Ellison.

I may be in the minority but I did struggle through parts of the story... while I wanted answers, after a while it started to feel a little TOO convoluted. The most likeable characters in the story seemed to have the smallest parts so the story dragged on a bit for me as a result. It was hard to care about Darian when a lot of the time she came off as a brat. I did enjoy the way the story came together in the end and the included epilogue was a great touch - definitely don't want to spoil anything but I knew there was more to that character!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for allowing me to read an early copy! #AVeryBadThing #NetGalley

What a wild ride!! I was completely engrossed in this book. JT Ellison is a master of her craft. There were so many pieces to this story and they were so expertly woven together. I did not want to stop reading at all. I couldn’t wait to find out what was going on, yet I did not want the book to end! The ending blew my mind and left a smile on my face!! Easily 5 stars!

This was definitely a very tense and suspensful read, it had me hooked right away and I didn't want to finish it until I knew the truth.

This is a fantastic premise - America's most beloved writer dies in the middle of a big book toru. Columbia Jones is a powerhouse with an entourage, long book list and movie tie-ins. Her adult daughter Darian handles her press and they have the typical mother-daughter realtionship... a little fight here and there and lots of love. Darian does not think much of the journalist that was asked along but. Riley has kept up with their pace and been a model guest.

When Columbia is discovered deceased in her hotel room everyone's world breaks apart. The police aren't sure what has occured, Darian is sure that Riley has a part in it. More than one person receives notification that they are to part of the reading of Columbia's will and that sets a series of events in motion that puts everyone's lives at state.

Lots of complex and likeable characters, super unique and fun premise and an all around rollicking great thriller! JT Ellison is a magical writer and I cannot recommend enough! Thonas&Mercer #averybadthing #JTEllison

This is my first book by author JT Ellison, and it won't be my last. There were so many twists and turns, and it kept me captivated until the end. I'm excited about the potential for a follow-up book to answer those lingering questions.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC! This one comes out in September, and you won't be disappointed!

Amazingly, this is my first JT Ellison book, and it was a fast-paced mystery that kept me guessing. The characters were mysteries themselves that unfolded themselves gradually, and it was well-written. I'll definitely be adding more books by Ellison to my list :)

#NetGalley #AVeryBadThing #JTEllison

What if your whole life has been a lie? You’ve written the narrative to suit your needs. Literally.

Meet Columbia Jones, a New York bestselling author who is most loved. She has over twenty best selling novels during her lifetime. She’s most loved, fans who adore her and is a household name. Imagine Colleen Hoover. Everyone has heard of Colleen Hoover, RIGHT?

Columbia is about to wrap up her most anticipated book tour in the US. The last night of her book signing, she faints at the sight of an approaching man. She’s rushed to the hospital. All her tests appear to be jet lagged. Later that night she is found shockingly murdered in her hotel room of the event.

Who would want Columbia Jones dead?

Riley is the journalist who has been hired on to tour with her, interview and write up a story of Columbia’s fame and fortune. Darian, her daughter, handles everything connected to her and the Columbia Jones brand. These two women are the ones that have spent the most time with the author in her final month. Could it be one of them? A crazed fan? Someone from her past?

J.T Ellison does a phenomenal job laying out her characters. Even the ones I disliked starting to grow on me. You get to see the good and bad in everyone’s roles. I didn’t have to question the decisions they made. I could feel a genuine sense of motives, whether intentionally good or bad. I loved feeling connected to them.

FOLKS, I lost a lot of sleep over this one. This is the true definition of a unputdownable psychological thriller! Hanging off the edge of my seat! Quickly turning the pages. A wild ride of whodunnit and one heck of a story.

The only con is you just have to role with it towards the end. This turns into a crazy locked room madhouse and of course the narrative becomes a bit far fetched. However, it was highly entertaining!!!! This one’s going to be a hit! Add to your TBR now!

Massive thanks to Storm Publishing, NetGalley and J.T Ellison for the opportunity. All opinions are my own. Publication date September 3, 2024
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing this book, with my honest review below.

A Very Bad Thing was a very entertaining mystery that kept me engaged throughout. Following the mystery of an Oprah-level of adoration writer Columbia Jones, we see the final moves she made before she is murdered to try to make peace with her mysterious past. The players that are part of these moves don’t even know it, and we follow their investigation into what happened, why it happened, and of course - the discovery as to who Columbia was.

I was on tenterhooks throughout as this was well written and well paced. I read the Author’s Note as well which gives visibility to the events that unfolded as J.T. Ellison wrote this book, the notable one I knew of as Salman Rushdie being attacked during his tour, which mirrored some of the starting conflict in this novel. That would have had to have been eerie in writing a novel along the same vein but I’m glad Ellison continued and imagine it reinforced or made more realistic some of her writing around fans’ reactions as the book felt like an insiders view on what would happen if a widely renowned author or figure met their tragic end at the peak of their career (forgetting the mysteries which were unique to the book and which in and of themselves were fascinating). Final note for future readers - the twists - one in particular - my goodness!

Highly recommended for those who enjoy smart thrillers!

Riley Carrington is writing the story of her career. Best selling author, Columbia Jones, has invited Riley to join her on tour for her new book Ivory Lady. Riley is thrilled to be a part of it. Columbia has dozens of books, this tour should be no different, until it is. When a face in the crowd shocks Columbia, she faints on stage. By the next day, she's murdered in her bed. What will follow will reveal shocking revelations for Columbia's daughter, Darian and a few others.

Riley is digging. She's been looking into Columbia's past and something is just not quite adding up. While Riley searches so do the police. It's a collision course for all involved to get to the bottom of this murder. Who is Columbia Jones and what is she hiding.

This book is a shockwave. J.T. Ellison has been a longtime favorite author. She writes family drama with murder/thriller vibes. At the base of every story is a family dynamic teetering on the brink of collapse. This story is no different. Ellison's writing is descriptive and compelling. It is immediately engaging and immersive. This has officially taken over Tear Me Apart as my new favorite. I cannot wait to for this book to be out in the world.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read A Very Bad Thing by J. T. Ellison, a VERY good book! Loved it! Full of twists and surprises, right up to the end. Bravo!

This was such an addictive ‘who did it’ murder mystery thriller that i read it in one sitting! We follow the life, murder and mysteries surrounding a famous author who recently turned up dead on her book tour. The author, Columbia, had recently hired a journalist named Riley to accompany her on her book tour alongside her daughter Darian, to write a profile of her life for a magazine. Riley quickly becomes the first suspect in Columbias murder and we follow the web of lies and chaos that unravels from there! I won’t say too much more because this was so much fun to go into blind! So many interconnected stories, questionable narrators, and puzzles to piece together. This was my second JT Ellison book, and I’m already downloading another! She has such an addictive writing style with her thrillers that keep me “one more chapter”-ing until I’m nearly late for work!
Thank you Thomas and Mercer via Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!