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A Very Bad Thing
From New York Times bestselling author J.T. Ellison comes a taut thriller about one author at the pinnacle of her career, whose past threatens to destroy everything she has—and everyone she knows.
A great writer knows when to deliver a juicy plot twist. But for one author, the biggest twist of all is her own murder.
With a number of hit titles and a highly anticipated movie tie-in, celebrated novelist Columbia Jones is at the top of her game. Fans around the world adore her. But on the final night of her latest book tour, one face in the crowd makes the author collapse. And by the next morning, she’s lying dead in a pool of blood.
Columbia’s death shocks the world and leaves Darian, her daughter and publicist, reeling. The police have nothing to go on—at first. But then details emerge, pointing to the author’s illicit past. Turns out many people had motive to kill Columbia. And with a hungry reporter and frustrated cop on the trail, her secrets won’t stay buried long. But how many lives will they shatter as the truth comes out?
A great writer knows when to deliver a juicy plot twist. But for one author, the biggest twist of all is her own murder.
With a number of hit titles and a highly anticipated movie tie-in, celebrated novelist Columbia Jones is at the top of her game. Fans around the world adore her. But on the final night of her latest book tour, one face in the crowd makes the author collapse. And by the next morning, she’s lying dead in a pool of blood.
Columbia’s death shocks the world and leaves Darian, her daughter and publicist, reeling. The police have nothing to go on—at first. But then details emerge, pointing to the author’s illicit past. Turns out many people had motive to kill Columbia. And with a hungry reporter and frustrated cop on the trail, her secrets won’t stay buried long. But how many lives will they shatter as the truth comes out?
446 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2024
About the author
J.T. Ellison
73 books6,170 followersJ.T. Ellison is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 30 novels, and the EMMY® award winning co-host of the literary TV show A WORD ON WORDS. She also writes fantasy under the pen name Joss Walker.
With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim and prestigious awards They have also been optioned for television, and published in 28 countries.
J.T. lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens, one of whom is a ghost, where she is hard at work on her next novel.
With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim and prestigious awards They have also been optioned for television, and published in 28 countries.
J.T. lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens, one of whom is a ghost, where she is hard at work on her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,645 reviews
October 5, 2024
I must have read a different book than everyone else because… no. Too long, too much filler, not enough excitement. I forced myself to turn pages. What did y’all read that was exciting, because I think I got a different copy. 😂 Hope others enjoy it, but this is not for me. Amazon First Reads got me again.
Thank you to Amazon First Reads for the free copy.
Thank you to Amazon First Reads for the free copy.
December 20, 2024
When a bestselling author at the height of her career is found in a pool of blood in her hotel room, no one in her inner circle can fathom the hidden secrets she carried that led to her demise. Even her daughter, best friend who is a lawyer, her agent, and the reporter she hired to write a special piece—and later her memoir—have no idea about the fatal circumstances she was involved in that compelled her to reinvent her entire life story. What if the bestselling author had not only crafted best-selling fiction but also constructed a convenient new life story for herself, built on 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 fans, signing books while accompanied by her 29-year-old daughter Darian, who handles PR, organization, and editorial tasks. Alongside them is Riley Carrington, a young, aspiring reporter in her late twenties, attending each event and closely following Columbia’s every move.
When a mysterious man confronts Columbia in the middle of her speech in front of fans, she collapses in shock. After a hospital visit, a verbal altercation with her daughter ensues, with Darian insisting that her mother’s stalker could jeopardize the tour. The next day, reporter Riley—insisting on having a final one-on-one interview with Columbia to uncover her hidden past—finds Columbia dead in her bed, covered in blood, and seemingly murdered. At that very moment, Darian enters the room, accusing Riley of killing her mother.
As Riley fights to prove her innocence, lead detective Sutcliffe senses inconsistencies 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, and news of her changing will—with unexpected beneficiaries summoned to the reading—further escalates tensions, intertwining the lives of Darian, Riley, and Kira, a young bakery owner and devoted fan of Columbia.
What secrets had Columbia been hiding for years that led to her tragic death? Who killed her? Why is Riley Carrington being targeted? Could anyone in their inner circle be living a double life, deceiving everyone from the start? Expect major twists and jaw-dropping revelations!
This action-packed, cleverly executed mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat. While it starts off a bit slowly, be patient and immerse yourself in the story, as it builds to a riveting mystery. After the first half, the fast-paced plot will leave you constantly guessing the identity of the perpetrator as unexpected twists keep coming. The epilogue offers a final surprise, proving that great thriller authors always have the last laugh.
Though some twists may feel a bit far-fetched, I enjoyed most of them, along with the pacing and mounting tension that kept me glued to the pages. The expertly crafted execution pushes me to rate this mystery 4.5 out of 5 stars—well deserved.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing this unputdownable book’s digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
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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 fans, signing books while accompanied by her 29-year-old daughter Darian, who handles PR, organization, and editorial tasks. Alongside them is Riley Carrington, a young, aspiring reporter in her late twenties, attending each event and closely following Columbia’s every move.
When a mysterious man confronts Columbia in the middle of her speech in front of fans, she collapses in shock. After a hospital visit, a verbal altercation with her daughter ensues, with Darian insisting that her mother’s stalker could jeopardize the tour. The next day, reporter Riley—insisting on having a final one-on-one interview with Columbia to uncover her hidden past—finds Columbia dead in her bed, covered in blood, and seemingly murdered. At that very moment, Darian enters the room, accusing Riley of killing her mother.
As Riley fights to prove her innocence, lead detective Sutcliffe senses inconsistencies 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, and news of her changing will—with unexpected beneficiaries summoned to the reading—further escalates tensions, intertwining the lives of Darian, Riley, and Kira, a young bakery owner and devoted fan of Columbia.
What secrets had Columbia been hiding for years that led to her tragic death? Who killed her? Why is Riley Carrington being targeted? Could anyone in their inner circle be living a double life, deceiving everyone from the start? Expect major twists and jaw-dropping revelations!
This action-packed, cleverly executed mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat. While it starts off a bit slowly, be patient and immerse yourself in the story, as it builds to a riveting mystery. After the first half, the fast-paced plot will leave you constantly guessing the identity of the perpetrator as unexpected twists keep coming. The epilogue offers a final surprise, proving that great thriller authors always have the last laugh.
Though some twists may feel a bit far-fetched, I enjoyed most of them, along with the pacing and mounting tension that kept me glued to the pages. The expertly crafted execution pushes me to rate this mystery 4.5 out of 5 stars—well deserved.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing this unputdownable book’s digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
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September 19, 2024
What if your whole life has been a lie? You’ve written the narrative to suit your needs until one day, it all comes crashing down. 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 has 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 lag. Later that night she is found shockingly murdered in her hotel room of the event.
Who would want Columbia Jones dead? And why?
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 started 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 really felt 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.
This one’s going to be a hit! Add to your TBR now!
Massive thanks to Amazon, NetGalley and J.T Ellison for the opportunity. Publication date November 1, 2024
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Meet Columbia Jones, a New York bestselling author who is most loved. She has over twenty best selling novels during her lifetime. She’s has 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 lag. Later that night she is found shockingly murdered in her hotel room of the event.
Who would want Columbia Jones dead? And why?
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 started 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 really felt 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.
This one’s going to be a hit! Add to your TBR now!
Massive thanks to Amazon, NetGalley and J.T Ellison for the opportunity. Publication date November 1, 2024
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 8, 2024
Gasp! My mind is well and truly blown after finishing A Very Bad Thing. Already one of my favorite authors, I knew before diving into Ms. Ellison’s newest mystery/thriller that I was in for a treat. Unsurprisingly, I wasn’t let down in the slightest. From the deliciously well-drawn characters to the twisty, twisty plot, my eyes were firmly glued to the pages from beginning to end. But it was the underlying mystery and drool-worthy secrets that had my fingers utterly flying. After all, through purposeful slow reveals, this magical whodunnit let puzzle pieces drop at just the right time and place over and over.
The biggest grand slams in a book full of home runs, however, were the mind-blowing twists. While I do have to admit that I guessed a teeny piece of one or two of them along the way, the big, giant whopper completely—and happily—evaded my eyes. With plenty of deftly obscured clues and perfectly situated red herrings, the shock right at the end of the book quite literally had my jaw on the floor. Combined with a plot packed with suspicious characters who were as complex as they were true-to-life, I just couldn’t put this one down until I learned all of the whos, whats, and whys. Just know that you’ll probably want a sequel just as much as I did by the time you flip that last page.
All said and done, with Ellison’s trademark skillfully written multiple POVs and well-hidden lies, she provided yet another original premise that was addictive in the extreme. And while the length might be intimidating to some at nearly 500 pages, trust me when I say that the intricate subplots and book within a book chapters made it simply fly by. Perfectly plotted and wholly immersive, it was one epic rollercoaster ride of suspense that I just didn’t want to end. So rush out and grab your copy today. A surefire page-turner, you don’t want to miss out on what’s sure to be the next buzzed about thriller. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
A great writer knows when to deliver a juicy plot twist. But for one author, the biggest twist of all is her own murder.
With a number of hit titles and a highly anticipated movie tie-in, celebrated novelist Columbia Jones is at the top of her game. Fans around the world adore her. But on the final night of her latest book tour, one face in the crowd makes the author collapse. And by the next morning, she’s lying dead in a pool of blood.
Columbia’s death shocks the world and leaves Darian, her daughter and publicist, reeling. The police have nothing to go on―at first. But then details emerge, pointing to the author’s illicit past. Turns out many people had motive to kill Columbia. And with a hungry reporter and frustrated cop on the trail, her secrets won’t stay buried long. But how many lives will they shatter as the truth comes out?
Thank you to J.T. Ellison, Thomas & Mercer, and Over the River PR for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 1, 2024
Trigger warning: death of a parent, blackmail, stalking, domestic violence, being held hostage, pregnancy, gun violence, mention of: breaking and entering, adoption, rape
The biggest grand slams in a book full of home runs, however, were the mind-blowing twists. While I do have to admit that I guessed a teeny piece of one or two of them along the way, the big, giant whopper completely—and happily—evaded my eyes. With plenty of deftly obscured clues and perfectly situated red herrings, the shock right at the end of the book quite literally had my jaw on the floor. Combined with a plot packed with suspicious characters who were as complex as they were true-to-life, I just couldn’t put this one down until I learned all of the whos, whats, and whys. Just know that you’ll probably want a sequel just as much as I did by the time you flip that last page.
All said and done, with Ellison’s trademark skillfully written multiple POVs and well-hidden lies, she provided yet another original premise that was addictive in the extreme. And while the length might be intimidating to some at nearly 500 pages, trust me when I say that the intricate subplots and book within a book chapters made it simply fly by. Perfectly plotted and wholly immersive, it was one epic rollercoaster ride of suspense that I just didn’t want to end. So rush out and grab your copy today. A surefire page-turner, you don’t want to miss out on what’s sure to be the next buzzed about thriller. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
A great writer knows when to deliver a juicy plot twist. But for one author, the biggest twist of all is her own murder.
With a number of hit titles and a highly anticipated movie tie-in, celebrated novelist Columbia Jones is at the top of her game. Fans around the world adore her. But on the final night of her latest book tour, one face in the crowd makes the author collapse. And by the next morning, she’s lying dead in a pool of blood.
Columbia’s death shocks the world and leaves Darian, her daughter and publicist, reeling. The police have nothing to go on―at first. But then details emerge, pointing to the author’s illicit past. Turns out many people had motive to kill Columbia. And with a hungry reporter and frustrated cop on the trail, her secrets won’t stay buried long. But how many lives will they shatter as the truth comes out?
Thank you to J.T. Ellison, Thomas & Mercer, and Over the River PR for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 1, 2024
Trigger warning: death of a parent, blackmail, stalking, domestic violence, being held hostage, pregnancy, gun violence, mention of: breaking and entering, adoption, rape
November 5, 2024
EXCERPT: My darling daughter,
I'm not going to hide this from you anymore.
Many, many years ago, I did a very bad thing.
And I paid for it. Oh, did I pay for it. As did everyone around me.
ABOUT 'A VERY BAD THING': A great writer knows when to deliver a juicy plot twist. But for one author, the biggest twist of all is her own murder.
With a number of hit titles and a highly anticipated movie tie-in, celebrated novelist Columbia Jones is at the top of her game. Fans around the world adore her. But on the final night of her latest book tour, one face in the crowd makes the author collapse. And by the next morning, she’s lying dead in a pool of blood.
Columbia’s death shocks the world and leaves Darian, her daughter and publicist, reeling. The police have nothing to go on—at first. But then details emerge, pointing to the author’s illicit past. Turns out many people had motive to kill Columbia. And with a hungry reporter and frustrated cop on the trail, her secrets won’t stay buried long. But how many lives will they shatter as the truth comes out?
MY THOUGHTS: Who is Columbia Jones? Because she certainly isn't who she says she is. But then she is an author. A writer of fiction. Is it really so very strange that she has made up her whole life?
The big question is WHY?
I've heard of people's pasts coming back to haunt them. Columbia's past has come back to kill her.
A Very Bad Thing is Good. Very Good.
Enthralling. Twisty. It had my mind darting from one possible perpetrator to the next. I never did arrive at the correct solution! And that solution is totally, deviously delicious!
A lot of this isn't entirely plausible, but it is one hell of a fun ride. I'm glad I bought a ticket.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#AVeryBadThing #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: J.T. Ellison is the bestselling author of more than 30 novels, and the EMMY® award winning co-host of the literary TV show A WORD ON WORDS. She also writes contemporary fantasy under the pen name Joss Walker.
J.T. lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens, one of whom is a ghost, where she is hard at work on her next novel. (source jtellison.com)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of A Very Bad Thing by J.T. Ellison for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
I'm not going to hide this from you anymore.
Many, many years ago, I did a very bad thing.
And I paid for it. Oh, did I pay for it. As did everyone around me.
ABOUT 'A VERY BAD THING': A great writer knows when to deliver a juicy plot twist. But for one author, the biggest twist of all is her own murder.
With a number of hit titles and a highly anticipated movie tie-in, celebrated novelist Columbia Jones is at the top of her game. Fans around the world adore her. But on the final night of her latest book tour, one face in the crowd makes the author collapse. And by the next morning, she’s lying dead in a pool of blood.
Columbia’s death shocks the world and leaves Darian, her daughter and publicist, reeling. The police have nothing to go on—at first. But then details emerge, pointing to the author’s illicit past. Turns out many people had motive to kill Columbia. And with a hungry reporter and frustrated cop on the trail, her secrets won’t stay buried long. But how many lives will they shatter as the truth comes out?
MY THOUGHTS: Who is Columbia Jones? Because she certainly isn't who she says she is. But then she is an author. A writer of fiction. Is it really so very strange that she has made up her whole life?
The big question is WHY?
I've heard of people's pasts coming back to haunt them. Columbia's past has come back to kill her.
A Very Bad Thing is Good. Very Good.
Enthralling. Twisty. It had my mind darting from one possible perpetrator to the next. I never did arrive at the correct solution! And that solution is totally, deviously delicious!
A lot of this isn't entirely plausible, but it is one hell of a fun ride. I'm glad I bought a ticket.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#AVeryBadThing #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: J.T. Ellison is the bestselling author of more than 30 novels, and the EMMY® award winning co-host of the literary TV show A WORD ON WORDS. She also writes contemporary fantasy under the pen name Joss Walker.
J.T. lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens, one of whom is a ghost, where she is hard at work on her next novel. (source jtellison.com)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of A Very Bad Thing by J.T. Ellison for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
October 7, 2024
I was really looking forward to reading this one as it had a stack of great reviews. Did I read the same book as everyone else?? Was I in a bad mood? A particularly picky mood? All of can say is I was so blinking bored. I found it so slow and way too long so I confess to skim reading just to get it over with.
November 9, 2024
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and J.T. Ellison for an ARC of this book!**
Columbia Jones: with a splashy name like that, she just SOUNDS like a superstar...and her legion of loyal devotees would certainly agree. As the author of 20 bestselling titles, who also has a film adaptation of one of her works on the horizon, her career trajectory is rocketing the author straight into the stratosphere. Her daughter Darian works as her publicist and de facto 'wingwoman' of sorts, helping to keep the crowds at bay and her events running smoothly, despite lingering concerns of an overzealous 'stalker' fan on their heels. But on the final stop of her book tour, nobody is more surprised than Darian when one particular face in the crowd makes her mother go white...and drop to the floor.
After the hospital runs some tests, her collapse is chalked up to exhaustion and lingering jet lag and she is released to spend the night back at the hotel. Unfortunately for Columbia, perhaps she SHOULD have spent at least one night in the hospital; the next morning, Darian arrives at her mother's room to wake her up...but instead finds her in a pool of blood. Darian is horrified, heartbroken, and at a complete loss, and she isn't the only one baffled and terrified to hear the news. Columbia had hired journalist Riley to follow the tour and pen a piece about Columbia's life...a life that now has been coincidentally cut short. But when Riley the journalist finds out she's being called to the reading of Columbia's will, it seems like Columbia had a bigger reason for choosing her to write this particular 'no holds barred' account of her life...and that Columbia may have been hiding something from her daughter Darian, too.
With Detective Sutcliffe on the case along with the two women who seem poised to inherit Columbia's fortune, can this unlikely trio dig far beneath the surface of the fortune and fame AND glitz and glamour to find out who the REAL Columbia was...before it's too late? And more importantly, WHAT in her past could have led her to set out on an entirely new course...and have left such a dangerous enemy who would stop at nothing to 'end her story'...for good?
J.T Ellison has quite a bit in common with our MC, Columbia Jones...so in some respects, I'm sure this character was a bit of fun to write. After all, Ellison has THIRTY novels under her belt, and although she may not have a Spielberg-helmed film in the works (yet!) her works have been optioned for television (and let's hope that one day, ONE of these myriad projects gets made!). In so many ways, Columbia is larger than life and her character was a LOT of fun to read, not to mention intriguing...but there's a slight problem with starting the book off with such a loud and impressive BANG.
When the most interesting and readable character ends up getting killed off in the first 10% of the book...chances are good I'm going to be looking at my watch, tapping my foot, and rolling my eyes a LOT from thereon out...and when it came to a Very Bad Thing, this rule proved to be about as reliable as Greenwich Mean Time.
It's not to say that there aren't any other interesting characters in this book...or rather, the POTENTIAL for interesting characters. But between just keeping track of them all, their place in the plot, and the constant discussions about what was going on (or not going on) with Columbia's will, I just felt a strong sense of disconnect. This is a thriller that is very intent on providing the promised twists, and it does...but the machinations involved to get there just weren't that interesting. This is hard to discuss while remaining spoiler-free, but after a WHOPPER of an introductory chapter (sadly, my favorite part of the whole book - I honestly thought after reading that intro ALONE this would be a 5 star read! Talk about whiplash...😔) there is a tonal shift, where the sort of 'bad girl/unreliable narrator' energy is lost and it instead delves into more of your standard murder-mystery with a HEAVY dose of family drama and the requisite 'mysterious past' of our beloved Columbia Jones.
...Which WOULD have been okay (EVEN with multiple narrators) to take a peek behind the curtain at all that got Columbia to her breaking point and her convoluted journey to get there (again, no spoilers!) if not for a couple of other issues. First up? This book utilizes a device that can either function as satisfying, intriguing, and multilayered, or messy, boring, and disjointed: the oft dreaded "Book within a Book." Of course, with Columbia Jones being an author, it comes as no surprise that we are treated to this manuscript of sorts...but it also felt more like a distraction at times rather than a juicy glimpse into a private journal. I honestly think Ellison gave away some of her twists (or alluded to them) a little TOO clearly with this device, and it sort of took the 'oomph' out of a few of the surprises left in store. I'm not sure if it could have been eliminated entirely, but chapters kept popping up sporadically throughout, and I think it could have made greater impact if it was sort of a 'one and done' reveal with lots of chapters presented at once...and then we could sort of 'close the book' and move on.
Sadly, this brings me to my biggest issue with this book, and it should have been an obvious deal breaker before I ever cracked the (digital) spine - this thriller clocks in at nearly 500 PAGES. 😨 I'll be honest, the number of thriller or even horror books....or frankly, ANY books aside from classics, HF, or fantasy that NEED to be 500 pages is pretty minute. Despite Ellison's best efforts to keep the pace a-jumpin', I can't even count the number of times I thought "When is this just going to be OVER?"...and not because I was desperate for a dazzling denouement. And frankly, I'm glad I wasn't, since the third act of this book and the epilogue was far more dull than dazzling. Luring all of your characters to one location for the big showdown? Yawn. 🥱 It's not often that I bump my rating down based on page count alone, but when 1/5 or more of the book could have been eliminated without consequence, it sort of tells me everything I need to know. I just am not one for filler in a book that is supposed to feel this twisty and exciting, and sadly, I think my excitement sort of died along with Columbia.
And while Columbia Jones may have done a Very Bad Thing, I think by choosing to stick this one out until the very end...I may have done something even worse.
😣
3.5 stars, rounded down from 4
Columbia Jones: with a splashy name like that, she just SOUNDS like a superstar...and her legion of loyal devotees would certainly agree. As the author of 20 bestselling titles, who also has a film adaptation of one of her works on the horizon, her career trajectory is rocketing the author straight into the stratosphere. Her daughter Darian works as her publicist and de facto 'wingwoman' of sorts, helping to keep the crowds at bay and her events running smoothly, despite lingering concerns of an overzealous 'stalker' fan on their heels. But on the final stop of her book tour, nobody is more surprised than Darian when one particular face in the crowd makes her mother go white...and drop to the floor.
After the hospital runs some tests, her collapse is chalked up to exhaustion and lingering jet lag and she is released to spend the night back at the hotel. Unfortunately for Columbia, perhaps she SHOULD have spent at least one night in the hospital; the next morning, Darian arrives at her mother's room to wake her up...but instead finds her in a pool of blood. Darian is horrified, heartbroken, and at a complete loss, and she isn't the only one baffled and terrified to hear the news. Columbia had hired journalist Riley to follow the tour and pen a piece about Columbia's life...a life that now has been coincidentally cut short. But when Riley the journalist finds out she's being called to the reading of Columbia's will, it seems like Columbia had a bigger reason for choosing her to write this particular 'no holds barred' account of her life...and that Columbia may have been hiding something from her daughter Darian, too.
With Detective Sutcliffe on the case along with the two women who seem poised to inherit Columbia's fortune, can this unlikely trio dig far beneath the surface of the fortune and fame AND glitz and glamour to find out who the REAL Columbia was...before it's too late? And more importantly, WHAT in her past could have led her to set out on an entirely new course...and have left such a dangerous enemy who would stop at nothing to 'end her story'...for good?
J.T Ellison has quite a bit in common with our MC, Columbia Jones...so in some respects, I'm sure this character was a bit of fun to write. After all, Ellison has THIRTY novels under her belt, and although she may not have a Spielberg-helmed film in the works (yet!) her works have been optioned for television (and let's hope that one day, ONE of these myriad projects gets made!). In so many ways, Columbia is larger than life and her character was a LOT of fun to read, not to mention intriguing...but there's a slight problem with starting the book off with such a loud and impressive BANG.
When the most interesting and readable character ends up getting killed off in the first 10% of the book...chances are good I'm going to be looking at my watch, tapping my foot, and rolling my eyes a LOT from thereon out...and when it came to a Very Bad Thing, this rule proved to be about as reliable as Greenwich Mean Time.
It's not to say that there aren't any other interesting characters in this book...or rather, the POTENTIAL for interesting characters. But between just keeping track of them all, their place in the plot, and the constant discussions about what was going on (or not going on) with Columbia's will, I just felt a strong sense of disconnect. This is a thriller that is very intent on providing the promised twists, and it does...but the machinations involved to get there just weren't that interesting. This is hard to discuss while remaining spoiler-free, but after a WHOPPER of an introductory chapter (sadly, my favorite part of the whole book - I honestly thought after reading that intro ALONE this would be a 5 star read! Talk about whiplash...😔) there is a tonal shift, where the sort of 'bad girl/unreliable narrator' energy is lost and it instead delves into more of your standard murder-mystery with a HEAVY dose of family drama and the requisite 'mysterious past' of our beloved Columbia Jones.
...Which WOULD have been okay (EVEN with multiple narrators) to take a peek behind the curtain at all that got Columbia to her breaking point and her convoluted journey to get there (again, no spoilers!) if not for a couple of other issues. First up? This book utilizes a device that can either function as satisfying, intriguing, and multilayered, or messy, boring, and disjointed: the oft dreaded "Book within a Book." Of course, with Columbia Jones being an author, it comes as no surprise that we are treated to this manuscript of sorts...but it also felt more like a distraction at times rather than a juicy glimpse into a private journal. I honestly think Ellison gave away some of her twists (or alluded to them) a little TOO clearly with this device, and it sort of took the 'oomph' out of a few of the surprises left in store. I'm not sure if it could have been eliminated entirely, but chapters kept popping up sporadically throughout, and I think it could have made greater impact if it was sort of a 'one and done' reveal with lots of chapters presented at once...and then we could sort of 'close the book' and move on.
Sadly, this brings me to my biggest issue with this book, and it should have been an obvious deal breaker before I ever cracked the (digital) spine - this thriller clocks in at nearly 500 PAGES. 😨 I'll be honest, the number of thriller or even horror books....or frankly, ANY books aside from classics, HF, or fantasy that NEED to be 500 pages is pretty minute. Despite Ellison's best efforts to keep the pace a-jumpin', I can't even count the number of times I thought "When is this just going to be OVER?"...and not because I was desperate for a dazzling denouement. And frankly, I'm glad I wasn't, since the third act of this book and the epilogue was far more dull than dazzling. Luring all of your characters to one location for the big showdown? Yawn. 🥱 It's not often that I bump my rating down based on page count alone, but when 1/5 or more of the book could have been eliminated without consequence, it sort of tells me everything I need to know. I just am not one for filler in a book that is supposed to feel this twisty and exciting, and sadly, I think my excitement sort of died along with Columbia.
And while Columbia Jones may have done a Very Bad Thing, I think by choosing to stick this one out until the very end...I may have done something even worse.
😣
3.5 stars, rounded down from 4
October 13, 2024
JT Ellison has done it again, my weekend was consumed by A Very Bad Thing and it was fabulous. A story about a writer being murdered on a book tour, how can you pass that up. Full of book references and a nod to a previous series of her own, JT had me turning those pages to see what would happen next.
A very famous author, her new book just out and is about to become a movie too, is on the final night of her book tour. She has her daughter and publicist, Darian with her, as well as a journalist who is writing a feature article about her everywhere she goes. The story is about to become even bigger, when the next morning, Columbia Jones is found in a pool of her own blood, dead in her hotel room.
But everyone loved Columbia, who would want her dead? It turns out, Columbia was keeping some very dark, dark secrets from everyone, and those left behind struggle to put the pieces together l
This is a long book but boy did it fly by. Not only is there a murder to solve, but we have a book inside a book - how much do we readers love that!! This is a fun and mysterious read, with plenty of ways this could have gone. Be prepared to lose your day or night lost in the story. Full of characters that are so realistic and easy to get attached to quickly. I just adore this author so much and will pick up anything she writes.
Thanks so much to Thomas and Mercer on NetGalley for the advanced copy. Get this one November 1st.
A very famous author, her new book just out and is about to become a movie too, is on the final night of her book tour. She has her daughter and publicist, Darian with her, as well as a journalist who is writing a feature article about her everywhere she goes. The story is about to become even bigger, when the next morning, Columbia Jones is found in a pool of her own blood, dead in her hotel room.
But everyone loved Columbia, who would want her dead? It turns out, Columbia was keeping some very dark, dark secrets from everyone, and those left behind struggle to put the pieces together l
This is a long book but boy did it fly by. Not only is there a murder to solve, but we have a book inside a book - how much do we readers love that!! This is a fun and mysterious read, with plenty of ways this could have gone. Be prepared to lose your day or night lost in the story. Full of characters that are so realistic and easy to get attached to quickly. I just adore this author so much and will pick up anything she writes.
Thanks so much to Thomas and Mercer on NetGalley for the advanced copy. Get this one November 1st.
September 28, 2024
WHO is excited for this one??? OMG trust me… you want this book!! Thank you SO much @otrpr for my absolutely gorgeous gifted copy!!! 🥰 @thrillerchick is truly one of my favorite authors. I have been reading her books since 2016… and I am going to say…. this is her BEST yet in my opinion!! Loved it!! 💖 👏
Pub date is November 1st!! 🥳🥳
I mean this cover!!! Guys.. listen to this… Columbia Jones has taken the world by storm. She has a sizzling hot 🔥 career as a best selling author. So when she is found murdered on the last night of her book tour. ..😳😩 You would think that would be the end of her story… but trust me… it is just the beginning.🤫
Wow! This book had so many clever twists! Pretty much EVERYONE was a suspect in my mind.. but as the bodies start piling up… the suspect list starts going down… or does it?? I seriously spent the entire book trying to figure out who was responsible for all these VERY bad things.. Guess what? I never did figure it out. 👏👏
@thrillerchick killed it!! 🔥🔥🔥 🫶
Pub date is November 1st!! 🥳🥳
I mean this cover!!! Guys.. listen to this… Columbia Jones has taken the world by storm. She has a sizzling hot 🔥 career as a best selling author. So when she is found murdered on the last night of her book tour. ..😳😩 You would think that would be the end of her story… but trust me… it is just the beginning.🤫
Wow! This book had so many clever twists! Pretty much EVERYONE was a suspect in my mind.. but as the bodies start piling up… the suspect list starts going down… or does it?? I seriously spent the entire book trying to figure out who was responsible for all these VERY bad things.. Guess what? I never did figure it out. 👏👏
@thrillerchick killed it!! 🔥🔥🔥 🫶
November 30, 2024
The premise intrigued me and the strong start of the story kept me interested. The momentum slowed down slightly in the middle, but I was still engaged in the mystery. Some of the twists were predictable, but the final concluding twist was completely unexpected and satisfying. Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my copy.
April 2, 2024
This book starts off with a bang. An extremely famous author faints at the sight of a man in her book tour audience, and then she’s found dead the next morning. What happened, and why? Slowly and surely, we start to get details about different people who might have had a motive. The action jumps around from state to state, city to city. It’s hard to know who to believe.
All of this is interspersed with chapters of a very old story written by the deceased author, two copies of which have been mysteriously found.
Who is Columbia Jones, really?
I recommend this, and it is a good read, but I do wish it had been trimmed down a bit. It doesn’t need almost 500 pages.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy in exchange for my honest feedback.
All of this is interspersed with chapters of a very old story written by the deceased author, two copies of which have been mysteriously found.
Who is Columbia Jones, really?
I recommend this, and it is a good read, but I do wish it had been trimmed down a bit. It doesn’t need almost 500 pages.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy in exchange for my honest feedback.
November 17, 2024
A Very Bad Thing by J T Ellison
Thriller. Multi timeline.
Columbia Jones is on her last stop on a tour for her latest book. During her talk, a man stands up, meets her eye and then walks out. Columbia immediately collapses and passes out. Her daughter find her in a pool of blood with her publicist standing next to the bed.
Was it murder? Who are all these registered beneficiaries that must attend the will reading? If Columbia is not her real name, what is and why was it changed?
So many questions.
Twists, turns and questions. Who is related and whom?
So many characters to keep track of.
I personally didn’t care for the ending. I’ve read other books by this author and liked the suspense so will try again.
Thriller. Multi timeline.
Columbia Jones is on her last stop on a tour for her latest book. During her talk, a man stands up, meets her eye and then walks out. Columbia immediately collapses and passes out. Her daughter find her in a pool of blood with her publicist standing next to the bed.
Was it murder? Who are all these registered beneficiaries that must attend the will reading? If Columbia is not her real name, what is and why was it changed?
So many questions.
Twists, turns and questions. Who is related and whom?
So many characters to keep track of.
I personally didn’t care for the ending. I’ve read other books by this author and liked the suspense so will try again.
October 24, 2024
A Very Bad Thing is not your average murder mystery. With a complex plot, multiple POV's and lots of secrets and red herrings, I had no idea where the story was going. The book within a book had me questioning everyone and their motives, and I never did guess the big reveal. A bit long and slow to get started, but it was a twisty, compelling story by one of my favorite authors.
October 24, 2024
This is an Amazon First Read.
I swear I read a different book to everyone else. I really struggled to get through this book. The concept is tantalising and has SO much potential but the writing is extremely amateur. There are so many mistakes, typos and generally plot holes that make zero sense. The dialogue is poor and the characters seem very infantile. It’s such a shame because the storyline had so much promise.
I swear I read a different book to everyone else. I really struggled to get through this book. The concept is tantalising and has SO much potential but the writing is extremely amateur. There are so many mistakes, typos and generally plot holes that make zero sense. The dialogue is poor and the characters seem very infantile. It’s such a shame because the storyline had so much promise.
October 2, 2024
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!
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!
September 7, 2024
A Very Bad Thing follows famous author Columbia Jones and the people on her immediate circle including her daughter and publicist, Darian and a reporter she’s hired to write her life story, Riley. Once Columbia is murdered, her life story unravels revealing that she was living a lie and had done “a very bad thing” that she spent her life running from.
Once the book got going, it was so hard for me to put down. I loved reading the story from so many different characters POV, especially Columbias POV before she was murdered. I love the formula of a murder happening and then the story flashing back (for some POVs) to what led up to it.
I think this book could’ve easily been 100 pages shorter. It ended up droning on a bit. I’m sad to sad the epilogue twist ruined a bit for me. I didn’t love the initial twist but could stomach it but the last one simply just made zero sense to me in the context of the story.
It was a good, fun thriller though and I’m looking forward to reading more from JT Ellison.
3.5 ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
Once the book got going, it was so hard for me to put down. I loved reading the story from so many different characters POV, especially Columbias POV before she was murdered. I love the formula of a murder happening and then the story flashing back (for some POVs) to what led up to it.
I think this book could’ve easily been 100 pages shorter. It ended up droning on a bit. I’m sad to sad the epilogue twist ruined a bit for me. I didn’t love the initial twist but could stomach it but the last one simply just made zero sense to me in the context of the story.
It was a good, fun thriller though and I’m looking forward to reading more from JT Ellison.
3.5 ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!
October 23, 2024
I wanted to give this two stars but by the time I finished I just couldn’t justify it. I’m amazed at the positive reviews. I only read this because it was offered as an Amazon freebie for the month, and now I see why. By the end I was hate-reading just to finish.
The plot was overly convoluted and complex; so much so that it takes great narrative leaps of logic that the author sometimes forgets to let the readers in on. In several instances characters suddenly “know” things we haven’t been informed of. Plot threads from earlier in the book are forgotten about or just don’t make sense by the end. Characters become one-dimensional and dumb when convenient even though we’ve been told how bright these writers and detectives are throughout. It’s just a mess with a Scooby Doo ending and plot.
Please, for anyone curious who picked this up for free, put it down now. You’ve already gotten your money’s worth.
The plot was overly convoluted and complex; so much so that it takes great narrative leaps of logic that the author sometimes forgets to let the readers in on. In several instances characters suddenly “know” things we haven’t been informed of. Plot threads from earlier in the book are forgotten about or just don’t make sense by the end. Characters become one-dimensional and dumb when convenient even though we’ve been told how bright these writers and detectives are throughout. It’s just a mess with a Scooby Doo ending and plot.
Please, for anyone curious who picked this up for free, put it down now. You’ve already gotten your money’s worth.
March 29, 2024
J.T. Ellison at the top of her game. An awesome suspense/mystery.
January 1, 2025
“…The natural inclination when telling a story of a life is to start at birth and end at death, but that’s a guarantee for failure. No, you’re better off finding a moment of true crisis, keeping in medias res, then explaining how you came to be in such a sad situation, and how the crisis was resolved—that tension and limitation keep the story engaging, and that’s just what author J.T. Ellison does so expertly in setting-up this astounding multi-layered metafictional who dun-it thriller, “A Very Bad Thing,” while interlacing invaluable lessons throughout to would-be authors and readers.
J.T.Ellison is a masterful writer and storyteller. “A Very Bad Thing” is a Primer for both readers and writers, alike. It is a complex, visceral, and engaging saga of an author who is murdered while on book tour. As the mystery unfolds, the life of the author is like an onion, layer by layer, it seems that who and what is known about her may, or may not, be accurate. And who exactly wanted her dead? Her daughter? Her staff? People from her secret past?
“A Very Bad Thing” runs the gamut of emotions, and may just provide an opportunity for redemption and atonement—but for whom?
Oh, and did I mention that this book ends with a cliffhanger where the baddie gets away with it…but someone or something knows and is lurking…
Does this mean that a fabulous follow-up is to follow? I surely hope so. J.T.Ellison we’re anxiously awaiting news from your publicist.
JoyReaderGirl1 graciously thanks Amazon First Reads, Author J.T.Ellison, and Publisher Thomas & Mercer for making available this engaging and informative metafictional thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
J.T.Ellison is a masterful writer and storyteller. “A Very Bad Thing” is a Primer for both readers and writers, alike. It is a complex, visceral, and engaging saga of an author who is murdered while on book tour. As the mystery unfolds, the life of the author is like an onion, layer by layer, it seems that who and what is known about her may, or may not, be accurate. And who exactly wanted her dead? Her daughter? Her staff? People from her secret past?
“A Very Bad Thing” runs the gamut of emotions, and may just provide an opportunity for redemption and atonement—but for whom?
Oh, and did I mention that this book ends with a cliffhanger where the baddie gets away with it…but someone or something knows and is lurking…
Does this mean that a fabulous follow-up is to follow? I surely hope so. J.T.Ellison we’re anxiously awaiting news from your publicist.
JoyReaderGirl1 graciously thanks Amazon First Reads, Author J.T.Ellison, and Publisher Thomas & Mercer for making available this engaging and informative metafictional thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
December 29, 2024
did I read the same book as everyone else
November 12, 2024
This was an interesting thriller. I will admit I was disappointed in how quickly Columbia Jones died because she was by far the most interesting character in the book. The twists were interesting and I always like getting to see so many perspectives, but this book felt long and there were several points where it slowed down tot he point I was wondering when it would get twisty again. The last quarter was definitely fast paced enough to make up for that, and overall I really liked this one. I did like the book within a book technique (although I wanted a little more from those snippets). The ending was interesting but almost felt a little bit cheap, but overall I enjoyed it. Columbia Jones is a famous author on a tour for a book that has already been optioned for a movie. Riley is the journalist she contacted to cover the tour and possibly help her write her memoir. Darian is Columbia’s daughter. All three women’s lives take a crazy turn when Columbia is killed under suspicious circumstances.
April 25, 2024
A message from the @thrillerchick Stan account president: READ THIS!
I loved this book! The web of lies that unfolded was baffling, the twists were twisting, I loved the Tear Me Apart call back that was mentioned briefly. I also loved all of these characters and enjoyed finding out how they all connected.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you @netgalley and @thrillerchick for the arc in exchange for my honest review! PUB DATE: 9/3
I loved this book! The web of lies that unfolded was baffling, the twists were twisting, I loved the Tear Me Apart call back that was mentioned briefly. I also loved all of these characters and enjoyed finding out how they all connected.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you @netgalley and @thrillerchick for the arc in exchange for my honest review! PUB DATE: 9/3
November 10, 2024
Jfc, I have insane whiplash from the twists and turns and not really in a good way. Entirely too long, started off good, and the middle was so repetitive and annoying. Then the end was like driving around a new city, you've never been to before.
October 29, 2024
I’m a longtime fan of the authors books and love her brand of suspense. She always writes books that are clever and well developed and this was no exception. It actually may have been a little too well thought out for me, it was way too long and by the last quarter I was just ready for it to end. There’s a lot going on here and several points of view, I can see why the author crafted things this way but it lost me at points and I found it to be convoluted. I did like how unhinged parts of this was and I enjoyed some of the over the top reveals, so there was plenty for me to like but overall it was doing too much and too much of it felt like a slog for me.
November 7, 2024
out of all of the thrillers i've read, this was one of them
November 26, 2024
4.25 Stars
Detailed characters
Complex storyline
Backstory intertwined throughout book
Well written & flowed well
Possibly too many characters (6+1)?
Unusual character names.
Good book!
Detailed characters
Complex storyline
Backstory intertwined throughout book
Well written & flowed well
Possibly too many characters (6+1)?
Unusual character names.
Good book!
July 29, 2024
Columbia is a writer that has achieved success. When she is murdered, the police have little to go on. This book grabbed my attention from the start.
December 28, 2024
DNF’d @ 30% but not bad!! I’ll try this one again later. :)
October 13, 2024
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! 4+ stars.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer in return for an unbiased review.
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! 4+ stars.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer in return for an unbiased review.
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