Absolutely unputdownable! Easily one of my top reads in a very long time.
This book was stunning. The characters were flawless and designed to pull you in like you know them in real life. This one takes off running and does not slow down. Just when you think you know what’s going on another twist pops up. It kept me guessing until the literally jaw dropping end. This is one of those rare books that I was sad to finish because I had to say goodbye to these characters. This book gets absolute top ratings from me for the plot, characters and suspense. Brilliant. A must read

In the realm of literary suspense, where echoes of familiarity often dull the edges of thrillers and mysteries, J.T. Ellison's "A Very Bad Thing" stands as a beacon of originality and depth, illuminating a path all its own. With gratitude to Ellison for the opportunity to review this gem via NetGalley, I delve into a review that I hope not only showcases the brilliance of the book but also honors its unique essence.

Ellison, a pillar in the domain of suspense, crafts a narrative around Columbia Jones, an author at the pinnacle of her acclaim. But for Columbia Jones, fame is a flame that casts both light and shadows, revealing what was meant to remain unseen. This tale becomes a profound exploration of the intricate dance between the luminous façade of success and the dark recesses of a past teeming with secrets. Ellison deftly explores the devastating collisions that occur when hidden truths claw their way into the light, presenting readers with a story that transcends the conventions of its genre. "A Very Bad Thing" is not merely a thriller; it is an odyssey into the heart of human complexity, urging us to contemplate the extent to which secrets can shape, or shatter, lives.

What sets "A Very Bad Thing" apart is Ellison's adept use of multiple perspectives. Each character is meticulously crafted, with their unique voices adding layers of complexity to the unfolding mystery. This narrative choice not only enriches the storytelling but also immerses readers in a multidimensional investigation into Columbia's untimely death, making every twist and revelation feel personal and impactful.

Ellison masterfully balances a rapid pace with rich, detailed world-building, ensuring that the suspense never wanes while the setting remains vivid and tangible. The plot, rife with twists that are both shocking and satisfyingly plausible, propels the reader through a whirlwind of emotions and theories. Each turn of the page is a step deeper into a labyrinth of lies and truths, with Ellison guiding us through with the skill of a maestro.

The premise itself is a lure, presenting a mystery that feels both intimate and grandiose. Ellison taps into the universal allure of the literary world, then flips the idyllic image on its head, presenting a scenario where success and adoration are shadowed by danger and deception. It's a reminder of the fine line between adulation and envy, and how quickly one can spiral into the other.

Ellison’s characters are not merely participants in the plot; they are its lifeblood. Each one, from Columbia Jones to her daughter Darian, and the enigmatic Riley Carrington, is drawn with such depth and realism that they leap off the page. They are flawed, passionate, and driven by desires and fears that make them relatable and their fates matter deeply to the reader.

In "A Very Bad Thing," J.T. Ellison has not just written a thriller; she has crafted a mirror reflecting the complexities of human nature and the unpredictable consequences of our choices. This book is a testament to her prowess as a storyteller, capable of entwining suspense, emotion, and insight into a narrative that captivates from the first page to the last.

As the tale of Columbia Jones unfolds, revealing a tapestry of ambition, fear, and the relentless pursuit of truth, Ellison proves once again why she is a luminary in the thriller genre. "A Very Bad Thing" is more than a novel; it's an experience, a journey into the heart of darkness that emblazons the human condition.

Thank you, J.T. Ellison, for another unforgettable adventure into the shadows of the human soul. "A Very Bad Thing" is not just a book to be read; it's a story to be experienced, a puzzle to be solved, and ultimately, a mystery to be reveled in. This is a story that deserves to be at the top of every thriller enthusiast's reading list, a beacon of narrative brilliance in a crowded field.

When a best selling author is found dead in her hotel room, everyone is shocked. Columbia Jones was adored by her readers and friends. Wasn't she? This is the start of a twisty, compelling story from the great JT Ellison. After Columbia dies her lawyer sends out letters to the beneficiaries of her recently revised will. Her daughter is confused, thinking that she would be her mother's only beneficiary. The truth about her mother's past brings her together with a reporter and a woman who lives in Colorado. What they discover is that there was someone who didn't adore Columbia but wanted revenge for something that happened in the past. JT Ellison puts the story together like a puzzle, giving the reader the past and present piece by piece until it all makes sense. I love her books and look forward to the next one! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was just middle of the road for me. I've felt that way about previous JT Ellison books, so im not sure I will pick up in the future. It's not a bad time, but its not something that will stick with me. Might be good for a quick vacation read.

Columbia is the world’s favorite author. When she is murdered all of her dirty secrets start coming out. A Very Bad Thing is a solid 3 star thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC**

Columbia Jones is an author found dead at the end of her book tour. Her daughter Darian is trying to figure out what happened and who did it. Columbias life and past is laid out and secrets are revealed. I really enjoyed this book and the characters within it.

Holy freaking crap!! This book is amazing! I went through so many different characters who I thought was the killer. I would be so sure I could trust a certain character and then BAM I turn a page and the character wasn’t trustworthy anymore. Once I hit 25% in this book I was addicted and COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!! I will recommend this book to everyone! I loved it so much and it’s definitely going to be one of my favorite reads of 2024. This is the perfect whodunit mystery!!

When a famous author dies, while on book tour, the question is, was she murdered? She has an adoring fanbase, a devoted daughter, and more money than she could ever spend. So, who could possibly want to hurt her?
Columbia Jones is not only a masterful writer, she is also a liar. It appears that one of them has caught up with her in the most deadly way.
The story is told from numerous POV’s, with various secrets and potential suspects being exposed one chapter at a time. I may be in the minority, but I think 493 pages was just a bit too much. I really didn’t get invested in the story until my Kindle told me I was at the 46% mark. That might just be a me problem, so I’ll be interested to see what other readers think. 3.5 stars.

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.

Columbia Jones is at the height of her career. She is a bestselling author with her daughter as her assistant. Life couldn't be any better, but then she is murdered Or is she?

JT Ellison's newest novel, A Very Bad Thing, takes us through the aftermath of the bestselling author's death and the secrets she hides over the course of her life. The plot is one big rollercoaster ride from beginning to end. It is clear from the beginning that you can't trust things to be how they seem, and you cannot be too sure of who the characters truly are.

Put on your seatbelts for this wild ride. If you like a good thriller, I highly recommend A Very Bad Thing.. Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this wonderful thriller.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

J.T. Ellison has become an author I read when I want a GOOD page turning thriller. I’ve enjoyed the majority of what I’ve read by the author. While this story was original and interesting I struggled to get through some of the non essential parts. I think the book could have been shorter , more concise, and still given us what we’ve come to know and love about the authors story telling.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc.

Riley is hired by author Columbia to follow her on a book tour and write a tell-all. However, Columbia dies on the last night of tour and Riley, amongst others is a suspect in her death.

It took me about 30% to get into the book, when I did I really enjoyed it, then the ending came and- ugh. Thank goodness for the epilogue- it really gave a twist I wasn’t expecting!

A Very Bad Thing is a great concept with a mostly solid execution. There are a ton of red herrings and twists, plus enough seemingly unsolvable clues to keep the reader guessing. I'm giving it five stars because, despite its faults, it's still much better written than the vast majority of thrillers on the markets.

However, the climactic reveals left me thinking "... that's it?" The reader has to work for that ending; the book clocks in at almost 500 pages that encompass roughly a bajillion different perspectives. The whiplash from jumping between different characters and plots and timelines is bananas. Did we need all of them? No. Not even close. Not only did they slow down the pace, they gave away too much too early. Had there only been a few perspectives — maybe Riley and Darian uncovering the mystery — it could have allowed the reader to be solving it alongside them. Instead, the audience is handed a lot of the plot and watches as the characters try to piece it together. And, yeah, streamlining the perspectives probably would have cut the book down a much-needed 100 pages.

I'm still a fan of J.T. Ellison and I still enjoyed much of A Very Bad Thing — it just left me wondering if perhaps a solid edit could have made it a knockout.

This is a very good book as all of J.T.'s are! Full of twists and turns which are in some cases quite surprising. I especially loved the unexpected ending :)

Amazing book. I expected nothing less from this Author, having read everything she has written. The murder of a best-selling Author on her book tour was very shocking. Keep reading! The ending and getting there is fabulous. Thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and the Author for allowing me to read and review.

This book felt less J.T. Ellison to me and more like a typical thriller – usually with Ellison's books, there's a big, shocking twist right at the end and I never figure it out or see it coming. There are also so many POVs in this book that at time I felt were unnecessary. They didn't seem to add a ton to the story – it was additional context, but context I felt we could've got from the characters we spent the majority of time with.

That said, this was a fast read and I was left guessing where everything would end up, so I'd recommend it to someone who enjoys their previous works or thrillers in general.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC copy of A Very Bad Thing.

Somewhere inside this entirely toooo lonnggg book is a mildly interesting story. Unfortunately she added so much superfluous, irrelevant detail that it really broke up the suspense of a compelling mystery. I didn't hate it, but it could have easily been 100 pages shorter.

I gave "It's One of Us" 4 stars, so I will give this author another chance in the future!

2.5 stars rounded up.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. JT Ellison is a master story teller and can expertly weave all the pieces of the story together. I didn’t want this story to end! What a fantastic book! I highly recommend it!

Love, Love, Love! Thriller from the very beginning. Twist, turns, and shocks at every chapter! J.T. Ellison has knocked it out of the park again!

Thank you Netgalley, Thomas and Mercer and JT Ellison for the ARC.

I'm a big fan of JT Ellison's books. I have to say that A Very Bad Thing is probably my favorite to date!

World famous author Columbia Jones hires Riley Carrington to write a story about her prior to thd releaseof her new blockbuster. Little does anyone know that Columbia will soon be murdered. As the story unfolds, more deaths ensue. We learn about Columbia's sordid past and how all the characters in the book are interconnected . The book kept me guessing pretty much until the end.
4 out if 5 ⭐️