This book was a thrill ride of psychological suspense with all the awesome elements readers want in a thriller - fast paced, secrets, lies, wealthy family, remote private island, upcoming wedding, murder, and sweet, sweet revenge of a woman scorned. I couldn't put this one down and was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Even until the final pages, I was enthralled by the twisty plot and intriguing characters.

Her Dark Lies by J.T. Ellison is a macabre tale that kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end.

The setting had me dreaming of one day being able to travel again. Set on a privately owned island off Italy's coast, it's the kind of place dreams are made of, unless it's filled with dead bodies. Then it might give you pause, as it did Claire, the main character. I loved the juxtaposition of a gruesome tale told in an idyllic setting. It set the tone that supported the uncertainty and not being able to believe what you see.

I also felt like the side characters were developed very well, possibly better than the main characters. Katie is my favorite. The best friend of Claire, Katie, was a substantial influence who provided the light in the storm in many different ways. I love the everyman-ness she gave to the tale and felt the lengths she would go through for her friend to be inspiring.

I also loved the very unsettling ending. I expected more of a mystery and was more surprised that the who-done-it was apparent rather than having an unexpected twist. But I liked how the book ended because I always enjoy an unsettling conclusion.

The narrators – two in the first person and one in the third person focused on that unsettling tone by making it difficult to know who the narrator was from each chapter to the next. The main character and the prime suspect both told the tale in the first person, but it was never obvious which mind you were inside or if it was just one mind. Using the third-person-focused pov to tell Jack's part in the account was a brief piece of solid ground and allowed me to reflect on the story to that point.

The story kept my attention from beginning to end with its fast pace and macabre details. Still, the story's unsettling nature left me unsure of my satisfaction with the story as a whole.

It is a unique thriller that relies more on the secrets uncovered rather than shocking twists and surprises.

This was a hard to put down read. I'll keep this short so I don't ruin anything from the book.

Claire is an artist. When she meets Jack, she starts changing so much about herself. She is so into him that she even gets tattoos removed. It's sort of like she reinvented herself while still doing her art. Jack is from an extremely rich family and they are having their wedding in Italy. Claire knows that Jack was married before. His wife, Morgan, fell into the water three weeks after their wedding. She was never found, just a hand. Jack never talks about her, so Claire started looking her up. She became obsessed, hiding photos in a file to look at. Morgan was beautiful, but Claire was going to be sure that Jack loves her more.

Right before they left for Italy, there is an intruder in the house. Claire shoots him, but a security guard took the blame. Once they get to Italy, things just get worse. There is someone trying to keep them from getting married. Then the bodies start to show up.

The chapters are mostly Claire's, but there are some from Jack and from the stalker/person trying to hurt them. We get to see into that person's mind for a bit before it's revealed who they are. Both Jack and Claire have secrets from their pasts and they come out throughout the story.

I enjoyed the pacing of this and that I wasn't sure who to believe at times. This was a lot of fun. I gave Her Dark Lies 4 stars. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my review copy.

Another great thriller from J.T. Ellison! It had the perfect amount of twists and I couldn't put it down.

For me, the best part of Her Dark Lies was the setting. The island of Isle Isola is off the coast of Italy. (Think Capri but smaller. And cursed.) Claire is an artist who is marrying Jack Compton, the scion of a rich tech family. The Comptons own the island, but at least two Compton wives have died there. No worries, it's probably just a coincidence!

In any case, the wedding weather is wet and stormy. The power goes out. All the suspects are trapped on the island together, where they seem to be dying one by one.The bodies pile up.

For me, some of the twists were nice and unexpected, but I felt like there were a few loose ends that weren’t tied up.

This was more plot-driven than character driven, though Claire did have some layers to unpeel. It was a fun read with a great setting and I recommend it to fans of The Guest List by Lucy Foley.

i've enjoyed all of JT Ellison's previous books, so my expectations were high for HER DARK LIES. unfortunately, i didn't enjoy it as much as i hoped. i couldn't connect with any of the characters and i felt it was ~70 pages too long. some of the details were unnecessary and made it unbelievable, plus, the plot twist was teased throughout the entire book so it wasn't a true "surprise" like i was hoping for.

This book took me way too long to get into (too much description of the setting), but once I did it was fairly fast-paced and a decent thriller.
Overall, there weren't any huge surprises for me. I saw where this was going right away and there weren't any big twists. Compared to Ellison's previous books, this one was a bit predictable. Yet for a straightforward thriller, I was entertained. The setting is incredibly atmospheric and there are lots of secrets that come to light as the novel progresses that propel the plot forward.

There are some very awkward POV changes throughout, going from first person to third person and occasionally I had to re-read sections to figure out whose head I was in at the time. There are also way too many characters, some of them are completely unnecessary and get lost in the shuffle, never to be heard from again (Elliot's wife?). And don't get me started on the similar character names, why oh why do writers do this? (Ami, Ana, Amelia, Morgan, Malcom, Meggie). Is it truly that difficult to name characters with names that don't all start with the same letter?

Overall, if you enjoy books by this author this one will likely appeal. It has some awkwardness and isn't completely surprising, but it is very gothic-feeling and the bodies do pile up, so thriller readers should be pleased.

I love J.T. Ellison books and once again she has written such an amazing book. This story is filled so many secrets and twist and turns. The characters are intriguing and easy to relate too. She is once again a go to author for me.

4/5 Stars

This is the kind of book that you need to read more than once to understand fully, so I’ll definitely be going back and giving this a second go-round shortly. There’s so much intrigue and so many details, I want to make sure I don’t miss anything!

This book is a masterpiece in suspense - the bad guy is revealed in the details pretty early on, but then the real mystery becomes who’s going to make it out alive, with their reputation intact, with their secrets intact, and who is really playing who?! It’s all so wrapped up in the various storylines of this book, it’s up the reader to try to figure everything out!

I really liked Claire, and she’s a great primary narrator for this book. She’s essentially who Anastasia Steele from “Fifty Shades” wants to be: the girl swept up in the fairy tale trying to hold on to reality and to her own personality. But unlike the lifeless, weak “heroine” of Fifty Shades, Claire actually is pretty capable, and proves that she can think for herself and outsmart people who underestimate her.

This book was a wild ride from start to finish and made me a fan of J.T. Ellison. I’ll be reading more if her work in the future for sure!

This book had me hooked from the first dark stormy night straight through to the end. Even though I thought I had it figured out - there were so many "rabbit holes" I was never really sure till the end. So many people with so many issues - Claire, her sister, her mom - all the Compton's and their staff - the entire book was a journey through opulence, pain and human issues!
Great book to read on a stormy day!

For Claire Hunter her dream wedding on a 5-star island off the coast of Italy is turning into a nightmare. The storm coming in has pushed up the wedding timeline. She is unsettled by a home invasion that occurred in Nashville the night before they left for the wedding. Then they arrive at the island just as a dead body is being recovered. Although Ellison does not mention Daphne Du Maurier's iconic 'Rebecca' in her author notes, I saw many themes that reminded me of that beloved title. In addition to the recovery of a dead body, there is a former wife who is larger than life, an unfortunate wardrobe choice, and an enigmatic housekeeper. Would love to see this on the movie screen.

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

Claire Hunter is set to marry Jack Compton, the man of her dreams, on an island in Italy. The journey to get married is marred with a break-in and a body before they even leave the U.S.

The Compton family has secrets that Jack hasn't shared, but Claire has secrets of her own. Upon arrival in Isola, several upsetting things happen and it is like there is something, or someone, trying to prevent the wedding from happening. As the power goes out on the island, the menacing text messages begin, the bodies stack up, and secrets are about to be revealed.

This book was great all the way to the end. 4.5 out of 5 stars!

In this thrilling story with a definite gothic vibe, secrets and death loom over a couple that are about to marry. Claire Hunter was a previously struggling artist who has hit pay dirt, literally. She is about to marry handsome millionaire Jack Compton on his family's private island off of the Italian coast. The setting is beyond beautiful - but it is buried in secrets, lies and dangers that will cost more than one life before and if the wedding could indeed take place.

As they are approaching the island, Claire has a sense of foreboding from the very start. She thinks she sees someone or something while yet on the boat. Then the Italian police are present as they are arriving. Skeletal remains have been found, and these just might be the remains of Jack's first wife Morgan. When it comes to Morgan, Jack has always remained very tight-lipped. This only raised Claire's curiosity.

Then add to the fact that strange texts arrive from time to time, her wedding dress has been ruined, and then murder. Someone does not want her to marry Jack and that is patently obvious. Who has it in for Claire? Or is for Jack? Despite the secrets behind Morgan's death, Claire and Jack are very happy together. Even with secrets that surround Jack and also Claire that could cause serious stumbling, they remain quite dedicated to each other. However, will the past converge with the future and destroy any hope of happiness that might happen between them?

That gothic feel I mentioned? The power goes out. Then considering the home that Jack's family owns on the island. It is massive. Tons of rooms. An eerie crypt. Cliffs all around the home. A raging storm. What a creepy setting to an incredibly captivating story.

I love J.T. Ellison. Any book that I read from her has proven to be a page-turner, and Her Dark Lies definitely was that for me. I loved the feel I had of the book Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. This is the second book I read this year with a wife who has died. I also thought of The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins. Books like these are always quite intriguing for me. To add to the fact that Ellison is an exceptional writer most certainly gave this book its own flair. Great suspense, fast-pacing, shocking twists and a compelling conclusion all played in to what was a fabulous read.

Many thanks to MIRA and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Her Dark Lies begins on a dark and stormy night with a woman running for her life. The story then switches to the pre-wedding party for Claire Hunter and Jack Compton in Nashville, Tennessee. The action soon moves to the Compton family villa on Isle Isola in Italy where the couple’s close friends and family members join them to celebrate their wedding. It soon becomes evident that both Claire and Jack are keeping potentially dangerous secrets from each other and as the book continues, the lies and the body count keeps going up. The book begins with a mysterious and intriguing set-up, but eventually devolves into over-the-top actions and predictable reveals. I wasn’t able to really connect with any of the characters which made this a hard book for me to enjoy.

There are some very interesting threads that come up over the course of the book, but many are dropped. Many outstanding questions are answered by the end, but I would have preferred a less ambiguous ending. I have enjoyed many books by this talented author, but I found this one disappointing and it just wasn’t for me.

I received this ebook from NetGalley through the courtesy of Mira. An advance copy was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

Rating: 3 stars
Genre: Thriller

My Thoughts: This book really drew me in….. I was hooked early on trying to figure out what was happening. But once I did get invested in the book it became a little predictable of who was behind everything happening. Thought the book was a tad chaotic with SO much going on that it was hard to follow at some points. For instance, the POV changed often which at points made it hard to follow at points. I loved the secretiveness of this family as it made every character a bit unreliable and you started to question the actions of each character which made the novel more interesting. The ending left it open for interpretation which I enjoyed. This is a quick read that doesn’t take long to get thru. A LOT happens in this book and there isn’t much character development, but it works in this chaotic thriller.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick thriller that will suck you in quickly! I give this a three-star because I enjoyed it but it is not particularly memorable.

A wedding at the groom’s family home on an island off the coast of Italy. Doesn’t that sound lovely? Claire is set to become part of the Comptom family and live happily ever after. When she arrives she gets the feeling that things aren’t as they seem. From sightings of ghostly images, to troubling things happening all around (her ruined wedding dress, for one), to an ever increasing body count, Claire is wondering what she’s getting into. The huge home with it’s unsettling staff of long-time employees help create a gothic tone to the novel and made me wonder if this wedding would actually take place. It seems everyone has secrets and a bit of an axe to grind. There’s plenty of action too – J.T. Ellison had me holding my breath with the exciting conclusion!

This book caught my attention because of the author's name. Ms. Ellison is familiar to me because I have read several books she has co-authored with Cather Coulter. Intrigued to see a book written by herself, I'm shocked to learn that she has written many books by herself. I have now added Ms. Ellison to the list of authors I will automatically read if her name is on the book.

When it comes to suspense and thrillers, I want to be entertained. Yes this may conjure up images of Russel Crowe screaming at the crowds in Gladiator... "Are you not entertained!?" I am that crowd. I am blood thirsty, fickle at times and demanding in my suspense. This book delivers. Some authors keep the villain completely a mystery until the end. Others have rotating points of view to show the villain's perspective. In this one, Ms. Ellison makes it pretty clear who the villain is and their obsessive hatred.

The mystery is not so much the who, it is the why. It is about the secrets of a successful family. It is about loyalty, betrayal and spy worthy information. In this age where information is an expensive leverage, Claire marries into a family she knows very little about. Their public persona hides a life worthy of 007. I love it. Quite honestly, I find nothing wrong with Jack's family enterprise and I wouldn't mind being part of it either. What is surprising is the people they surround themselves with and the mistakes they make.

The perspectives of who Claire is and what she represents from different people's relationship with her is enlightening. Jack sees her one way. Her sister, Harper, views Claire differently. Harper is a problem for me. The reconciliation between the two sisters is too easy and I do not trust Harper at all. If she fell off a cliff, I would not reach a helping hand out. I would record it on my phone and post it as an unfortunate incident. *fake tear drips down my cheek* Such is life. Harper's good fortune at Claire's expense makes zero sense to me. I am quite hung up on this point. I feel like no good deed goes unpunished and that if this book continues with more characters in Jack's family or a book is focused on Harper, Claire will regret it.

For me, Claire is the strong one who finally comes out of her shell she's inprisoned herself in. Jack, or more precisely, her marriage to Jack, is the catalyst which brings Claire back to life. It would be interesting to see how Claire turns out a few years after her marriage to Jack.

Overall, this book kept me reading as I wanted to know the secrets and why something was happening. This suspense is recommended to readers who enjoy secrets and skeletons in the closet.

Claire and Jack appear to have it all - wealth, power, beauty. But then death and sabotage intrude on what should be the happiest week of their lives. Told from multiple points of view, this story can be confusing at times and hard to follow. There are several plot twists and surprises, however the overall story just did not pull me in. The characters never felt fully realized to me, as though they just needed more. I had to push to finish the book, and often found myself skimming rather than reading.

Y'all this book was completely bananas… in the very best way!

I often get annoyed by thrillers where the drama and plot points are predictable and overused. Her Dark Lies kept me entertained and surprised the entire way through this wild ride!

Claire Hunter can’t believe her luck when she meets and falls in love with the rich, powerful and charming Jack Compton. The story drops in right before the two are about to get married!

The recipe for a Claire and Jack’s wedding:
- The beautiful Italian setting. Take me anywhere book world! I miss traveling so much!
- Rich people with lots of secrets behaving very badly!
- A bunch of guest gather for a wedding in a stunning villa… and then a powerful storm strikes knocking out the power.
- Soon skeletal remains are found on the property and other bodies start piling up!

This book was really fun! Was it always believable and realistic? Of course not… but what thriller is?! I enjoyed the fast plot, the beautiful setting, and that creepy villa.

I'm giving this one four and a half stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Mira/HarperCollins for the ARC of Her Dark Lies by J.T. Ellison in exchange for an honest review. Her Dark Lies will be published on March 9, 2021.

This book was soooo good & had so many twists and turns that it will make your head spin. I could not put this book down. JT Ellison delivers yet another delicious novel that you will power through. I highly recommend this book. Fans of Lisa Jewell & Ruth Ware will love this twisted thriller!!