A Very Bad Thing is a very good book. This is a story that is well told and held my attention throughout. At times I was confused as some secrets were revealed. However, much became clearer with more revelations. A good read.

If pressed, I would say this is my favorite J.T. Ellison book so far, and I have read most of them. It was intriguing, it was well-plotted, and it kept me guessing to the end and wondering who could be trusted.

It’s always a challenge to review mystery/thrillers for someone like me who writes a wordy review. I never want to say too much and give away any important pieces of the story. There were multiple players involved in this one, and one of the reasons I found it so interesting was because I was trying to follow the breadcrumbs and work out how each one connected to the overall story. Some who seemed innocuous ultimately became very important.

Because of the complex cast, I did get a bit confused at times trying to keep things straight as I worked to unravel the mystery. This is one of the spots I don’t want to say why it was confusing, but names got complicated. All that to say, the motto quickly because “stay suspicious” because everyone was questionable. Even when you think it’s safe, you never *really* know.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

In Ellison's newest thriller, up-and-coming journalist Riley Carrington's new assignment could be just what her career needs. She has been invited by the beloved author Columbia Jones to accompany her on her book tour and write a story about the author and the tour. On the final night of the tour, someone in the audience seems to have really shaken Columbia, although she denies it. However, she is found killed in her hotel room the next morning, shocking everyone. This book includes multiple points-of-view, as well as excerpts from what may be an early manuscript of Columbia, and if so, could it hold a clue to her life and her death?

This is one of those books where a lot of people have secrets, which means there are plenty of motives and suspects in Columbia's death. The book is on the longer side and has some pacing issues, but overall is tense and suspenseful. Some of the characters are more likable than others, but I liked Riley as well as Kira who was one of Columbia's superfans who ends up playing an important role in the story. There are several plot turns, and things wrap up nicely for some of the characters. I have mixed feelings about the final twist which is clever but potentially sad for someone.

I was provided an advance review copy of this ebook from NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer. My review is voluntary and unbiased.

I loved Ellison’s previous book and was excited to dig in to this one.

The story focuses on the death of Columbia Jones, author extraordinaire, and all of the secrets about her past that she has kept hidden for years. Multiple POVs include her daughter, the journalist writing a long form story about Columbia’s tour, a fan, and the detective in charge of her case as we slowly learn all of her secrets.

There is a ton to digest with this book. I struggled a bit with keeping the characters straight, as there were just so many of them and some of them have more than one name throughout the story. It reads a bit like a juicy behind the scenes story, finding out the gossip about what happened in the past. I found it to be on the slower side, with very deliberate reveals along the way.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for the arc. All opinions are my own. I’m rating this one 3.5 rounded up to 4.

An intense slow burn! A Very Bad Thing is one of if not the best book I’ve read this year. An interesting premise done incredibly well. This is J.T. Ellison’s best book yet, and I love everything she writes.

This was probably the longest thriller I have read in a while but it had some of my favorite elements that made it a fast read. I loved the multiple POV and how they all seemed to have information the others were missing which made it hard to know who to trust. With Columbia being an author I loved that there was unpublished work involved. I did piece together how a couple things were related before the reveal but not all of it. There was one character’s POV I enjoyed a little more. There seemed to be more suspense and as they were more in the center of the aftermath than the rest. It was an entertaining read and the twists kept coming. This book would be great for an on screen adaptation.

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for the gifted ecopy.

If you’re reading this, I must be dead. I did a very bad things many years ago and it has caught up to me, I’m sorry, love, mother.

That’s the note Darian receives after her mother, a famous author dies in her hotel room on the last night of her book signing tour. Was she murdered? What happened. And what kind of secret was she keeping for all of these years.

We also follow Riley, the up and coming journalist who was on tour with Columbia before she died, writing an exclusive article. She receives notice that she is in Columbia’s will, hoping she gets her life story to write her memoir, but what else could it be?

I found this to be fun and well written. I was enamoured with the story and couldn’t put it down. The characters were deep, without being over bearing, and the story was captivating. Who was the real Columbia jones, and what very bad thing did she do?

Celebrated author Columbia Jones is adored worldwide. About to finish her book tour, she collapses after seeing man in the crowd. The morning after, she’s dead

Journalist Riley has been documenting and interviewing Columbia for the past month and is compelled to discover the truth

I loved the thrilling start to this book and immediately warmed to the characters. Columbia Jones’s fandom is comparable to Taylor Swift’s, so her death is mind-blowing

As Riley investigates, so too does daughter Darian and Detective Sutcliffe. The multiple POVs allow us to get a glimpse of each persons’ discoveries and personal dramas

This book is truly non stop, with so many secrets being revealed. It’s a meaty length, but I found the pace consistently fast

I enjoyed that all the main characters are women, with men supporting them. Each woman cares deeply for her husband/partner but ultimately this is their journey and I’m always here for that

I adored the final scenes as we move into an Agatha Christie style gathering; on a private island for the reading of the will

The showdown was a little histrionic for me and I was disappointed by the reveal - however, the final twist took me by surprise

TW: the autopsy scene is more graphic than your average thriller

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for access to this eBook ARC in exchange for my honest review

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of this novel. I highly enjoyed it and will be recommending it. Spicy thriller with a page turning plot.

A Very Bad Thing is an utterly delicious and diabolical whodunnit, where anyone is a suspect, everyone has a motive and no one can be fully trusted. It’s addictive, it’s hugely entertaining and it’s the perfect add for autumn TBR’s.

I’m a massive @thrillerchick fan and I would hazard to say this is probably her best work yet. Give me a chunky mystery, with a very famous, very murdered author as the victim, and a cast of characters who all conceivably could have done it and who are all just a little questionable, and I’m a very happy reader. It’s obvious that I loved Clue as a kid, because I just cannot get enough of murder mysteries - who killed the author, in her bedroom, and left a lot of blood behind?

Everything about this one is really tightly crafted - from the pacing, to the tension, to the secrets that are revealed like breadcrumbs as you move character POV’s and try to piece together how they are all involved. I so deeply appreciate a story that genuinely keeps me guessing, but that also then delivers absolutely DERANGED twists that are oh-so-satisfying. And @thrillerchick SERVED in this one.

This book is a must for autumn/winter reading piles. It’s the perfect genre and the perfect plot to cuddle in with as the weather changes and as you are searching for highly satisfying mystery thriller fun. Juicy, dramatic and impossible to set down. You just cannot miss it.

I always look forward to a J.T. Ellison book because she's so good at suspenseful, wild stories!

A VERY BAD THING is just that. Does it get a little crazy sometimes? Sure. But it's a complete page-turner that draws you into the world of famous author Columbia Jones, adored by her fans and both revered and slightly feared by her daughter/publicist, Darian. On the final night of Columbia's most recent book tour, she collapses on stage, and Darian is sure it's because her mother spotted someone in the audience. Then, that night, after Columbia and Darian have a fight, Columbia is found dead. The local police Detective Sutcliffe suspects murder. Darian is sure it was Riley, a reporter her mother hired to follow her on tour and report on her life story.

What follows is a bit far-fetched at times and often dark and brutal. We hear from the perspective of Darian, Sutcliffe, Columbia (in the past), Riley, and others. The book is long, but it's exciting and everything flies by, as Ellison keeps you guessing the entire time. There are even some ties to some of her other works, thanks to the case taking Sutcliffe to Nashville (side note: I would totally read another book about Detective Sutcliffe--I loved him).

This is an enjoyable, dramatic thriller with lots of twists and turns!

Talk about a delicious plot twist or 37 at my last count. This book kept me on my toes from the moment I opened to the first chapter. It is fast paced, engaging, the characters all have a past that is screaming to get out, and I was there for all of it. I also love when a book is based on an author. Especially one at the end of her highly anticipated book tour. Her latest book, which is already being turned into a movie by Columbia Jones. Columbia works her magic in front of her adoring fans. She is kind and gives her all to every single person who comes out to see her. She even added this last date in Denver, since it was cancelled during her last book tour. The very last night ends with Columbia being rushed to the emergency room and by the next morning she is dead.

The circumstances surrounding her death immediately begin to twist and turn. Changing on a dime. As the detectives dig deeper more questions than answers arise. Especially when more people who are connected to the people around Columbia end up dead. Who is behind this mayhem? I found myself flicking through the pages as fast as my eyes could take in the pages. The multiple points of view added an added urgency to the entire situation. Until finally the truth is uncovered, or so you I thought!

This is such a thrilling read. Family always coming into play at some point or another. The love of what a mother will do for her child. I will not go into anymore or I will give away the whole shebang. Thank you to J.T. Ellison, Thomas & Mercer, and Over The River PR for my #gifted finished copy of this toe curling read.

🫶Thank you so much to @otpr for the gifted ARC and finished copy!

📖Title: A Very Bad Thing
✍️Author: J T Ellison
📆Pub Date: November 1, 2024

📖This book was a total blast! It kept me on my toes the whole time and had SO many unexpected twists and turns along the way. The twists just kept coming right up until the very last page! You definitely want to put this one on your November TBR or enter below to read it early!

📖I've read a few books by her now and they've all been so fun! This was my bookclub pick last month with @thrillersbythebookclub.mke and discussing it with everyone was a hoot! It got rowdy in there!

I can't wait to read what she writes next!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The synopsis of this book sounded interesting to me so I requested a copy to read.
Unfortunately, I have tried reading this book on 2 separate occasions and during this 2nd attempt, I have decided to stop reading this book
and state that this book just wasn't for me.
I wish the author, publisher and all those promoting the book much success and connections with the right readers.

I couldn’t put this one down. It’s a thriller about an author with past secrets who dies suspiciously on the last stop of her book tour in Denver.

It’s told in multiple points of view and also includes a draft written by the author many years ago.

The twists, the tie ins, and the action doesn’t stop in this book!

LOVED LOVED LOVED!!!
Great characters with intriguing backstories, unique storyline and amazing writing! All the things that make a compelling read. Not to mention plenty of suspense and twists and now you've got a story that is hard to put down! Definitely one of my favorites this year.

Thank you to my fantastical friends @otrpr for including me in this amazing tour!

There is just something about books within a book that I love! I always enjoy the mysterious setting they are written in and this one was no different. Who doesn’t want to read about a famous author, Columbia at the top of her career who ends up in a pool of her own blood while she’s on tour! 😱 Columbia really seems to have it all until this seemingly surprising event! Her daughter and publicist, Darian, is devastated by this news. After the police dig into the details they soon find Columbia’s past is definitely checkered and the list is suspects continues to grow. It turns out Columbia has lots to hide!

This is my second book by J. T. Ellison and I have devoured them both! This one was quite the wild ride and definitely action packed once the author sets the stage for the mystery. This book is thicker but I felt like it went by quickly as I was completely immersed into wanting to know the motives behind each character. The tension built up towards the end and WHAM…mind blown at the end! The epilogue definitely will make you smile!

Thank you so much to JT Ellison and Over the River PR for my copy of this book! It had such a great plot and centered around a writer who is murdered. Columbia Jones has a successful writing career as well as Hollywood’s attention, but the last night of her book tour she is shockingly murdered. The night before she meets select fans, gets in a fight with her daughter, and faints from the sight of a man in the crowd, but do these have anything to do with her death? Her daughter Darian thinks so. There are so many odd things that have been going on lately, and as people from her past start to come out, so do the author’s secrets.

Thoughts: I loved the premise of this book! It was firmly ensconced in the book world of authors, book tours, and literary publicity. There were so many twists and turns in this book that I had no idea where it was going. The characters were all unique and dynamic, and I specifically liked Riley and Detective Sutcliffe.

Even though this was a long and intimidating book, the story flew by. I got sucked into Columbia’s past and couldn’t wait to see how the whole book came together. The book could have been shorter, but I really did enjoy the journey. 4-stars!

It's true that I've had mixed reactions to her books in the past, but there was just something about the premise of A Very Bad Thing that made it irresistible. I love a story with a bookish angle, so of course the murder of a very popular author who seems to be hiding a lot of secrets sounded very much enticing. I'm so glad I gave this author another chance now, because I ended up having SO much fun during this rollercoaster ride!

A Very Bad Thing is one of those books where it's best to go in blind, because there are some big twists that won't strike home in the same way otherwise. The story definitely hits differently once you know certain things! A Very Bad Thing uses a multiple POV structure, switching between a variety of characters along the way as well as offering flashbacks to the past to help explain what happened to Columbia. Since all the characters play an important role in the plot, it was no struggle at all to place them and I liked how the different POVs added more dept and variety to the plot.

If you enjoy stories with a bookish angle, you will be in for a treat with this book. The main focus of the plot is on a very successful author being murdered during a book tour; exciting enough on its own, but you will also find other writing elements with for example Riley being a reporter invited to write about Columbia and even excerpts of unpublished drafts incorporated into the plot. I could particularly appreciated how the content of the excerpts actually played an important role in the plot instead of just adding it for the mixed media vibe... Although it did make it easier to guess some of the secrets/twists right early.

What I do have to say that I found A Very Bad Thing to be a bit overlong, and it could have benefitted from a tighter plot and less pages. This would have made the story even more engaging and suspenseful... Although I can't deny that it was still a very addictive read, and I simply HAD to know how it would all end. This story isn't just about Columbia's past and secrets, as there is plenty happening in the present... Especially in the second half once the danger intensifies and bodies start piling up.

The story definitely goes out with a bang as well, although I confess that I wasn't completely happy with the ending itself. This alone would be easy to overlook, but the epilogue kind of ruined the journey for me a bit... It just didn't seem plausible at all after everything that happened, and I don't like a surprise ending when it seems to be just about the shock-factor. Anyhow, minor niggles aside I can't deny that I ended up having an excellent time reading this story, and A Very Bad Thing will take you on a wild ride indeed. It's a great mix of different thriller subgenres that combines drama with a LOT of secrets and twists.

I was so excited when I saw J.T. Ellison had a new book coming out. The awesome people over at @otrpr were kind enough to send me a physical copy and seriously this book is as beautiful as it is amazing.

My thoughts:

Okay wow…. This was so different than what I expected in the best way possible. If you know me you know I’m very intimidated by books that are on the longer side, but this book was so worth it! Sometimes when you have books that are longer, you’ll see people saying that they didn’t need to be so long or that the length was a negative and I have to say this is one case where the length of this book was perfect. The book did not drag on, and it used every single page to tell an amazing story.

At first when I started it I wasn’t sure what to make of what was going on. I wondered if Columbia was crazy and then I wondered if her daughter was crazy then I wondered if Riley was crazy. I mean there were a lot of crazy people possibilities in this book! When I hit around 30%, my jaw dropped a little because things took a serious shift and it was the aha moment where I knew J.T. was up to something with this book that was going to deliver!

There were a lot of moving parts, a lot of different players, and more than one body. This book completely delivered a juicy twisty riveting thriller with an amazing plot that did not shortchange at all!

This book needs to be on the radar of all thriller lovers!