The web of lies and deception were layers upon layers that had reveals and plot twists coming until the last page. This book had my suspicions going everywhere (although I’m proud to say that the one person who had me feeling suspicious ended up being so, especially with how hard the author tried to throw me off that track). I felt that J.T. Ellison did a really great job in how all the reveals were presented, and how the backstory was laid out. The only reason why this wasn’t a five star read was because I felt like the book could have been a bit shorter or more concise.

I still highly recommend this book and think it would be really great on screen because it definitely read like a thriller drama.

Thank you to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a good book. I loved how they were unraveling the past after the death of the famous author. Lots of secrets came out along with some great twists! I enjoyed this book. The narrator in the audiobook was enjoyable.

This was a good one! Her last one wasn't my favorite so I was glad that this was one I didn't want to put down. The characters were well written and some good twists!

Really good story. I loved all of the female characters. Getting to know them and figuring out their story. I had my suspicions but there were actually a good bit of surprises. I do think at times it was a little lengthy and it took me a little bit to get into the story but I was hooked once i did. This was a well plotted story.

The narrator was good but did take me a bit to get used to.

J.T. Ellison never disappoints. Every new book she writes is my new favorite, and A Very Bad Thing is certainly no exception. The multiple narrator format just works to reveal the story, which is perfectly crafted. The characters are textured and complex, but in a believable way. They're people that could be your friends, your neighbors. I'm still trying to decide if Columbia Jones is a likable character, which is the sign of a great book, when it stays with you after the final minute.. With Saskia Maarleveld as the narrator...Just perfect.

The storyline seemed so interesting, but it lacked to keep my interest. I kept tuning out and the story just didn't hold my attention at all. Nothing happened, it was just boring to me. I couldn't continue. Maybe it's the narrator I wasn't enjoying might try a physical version.

I have to admit that I didn't LOVE this one. I really enjoy J.T Ellison's writing, but I found this particular book to be way too long for what it was — the reveal didn't blow me away, and the characters were decent but not amazing. Overall, I recommend this one on audio because it would have been a slog for me, personally, to read with eyeballs. A solid thriller but not my favorite by Ellison.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I recommend listening to the audiobook. I read the book too, which is just as good but the audiobook narrator is fantastic, especially with accents

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

Thanks to Netgalley and Brilliance Audio for access to this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review

Columbia Jones writes thrillers, and then she is murdered. Her daughter Darian is flabbergasted; however, they fought right before her mother was murdered. The twists and turns in this book were fabulous and the writing was fast paced. As the pieces started to fall together, shocking revelations about a potential secret identity are revealed. I loved this book, which I thought was going to end with a plot hole, but it was all wrapped up, with more twists, of course, at the end. Definitely a great thriller by J. T. Ellison!

“A very bad thing” is a story of an authors suspicious death. Her daughter is convinced she was murdered and points the finger at the woman she found covered in her blood, however the police are skeptical and their investigation opens up unknown secrets from the past.

I’m not sure what it was but I struggled to keep my attention focused on the plot of this book. I’m a huge audiobook girly but maybe I would have focused better reading this one in print. There was just a lot of characters and I was struggling to differentiate who was the mother, daughter, and journalist and what timeline we were in. Perhaps if the character voices were more distinguishable I would have had an easier time following.

I’m sure this is one that will work better for others. There’s definitely a lot of mystery, intrigue and twists unravelling.

Thank you to Brilliance audio for the ALC!

Publish date: Nov 1st 2024

This was a fast-paced story with some shocking moments. I also enjoyed the author's note at the end. Overall, I can recommend book to thriller fans.