Book Review: A Very Bad Thing

A Very Bad Thing by JT Ellison.

Thank you to Over The River PR for sending me the finished copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Synopsis

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?

My Thoughts

This book started out strong and had my interest, but as the book went on and I got further into the novel I found there were just too many side characters introduced to the story and I found myself getting confused as to whose pov I was reading.

The book could have definitely been shorter and for me it felt dragged out and like it went on just a bit too long. Between keeping track of all the characters, their roles and their place in the story, I just didn't feel invested in this novel. I didn't feel particularly connected to any of the characters at all.

I feel like the addition of the manuscript sections was an interesting choice, but perhaps could have been better executed.

I feel like Columbia's alternating pov was the most interesting part to read.

The ending felt a bit predictable with all the characters gathered together in one location like targets and felt like a bit of a poor set up like a locked room - were all here, come get us feel.

I didn't really see the point of the epilogue and I felt like it left me feeling more confused and at a loss than I was before reading it. The book is definitely a hefty read for the thriller/suspense genre at the 493 pages and could have been shorter for sure.

My Rating: 3/5

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Book Details

Author: JT Ellison

Publisher: Thomas and Mercer/Amazon Publishing

Publication Date: November 1, 2024

Genre: Thriller. Suspense. Mystery. Crime. Mystery Thriller.

Edition: Hardcover

Pages: 493.

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