Category Archives: JT Ellison

March 9, 2021 · 12:02 am

Review: Her Dark Lies by J. T. Ellison

Title:Her Dark Lies by J.T. Ellison
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 416 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Fast-paced and brilliantly unpredictable, J.T. Ellison’s breathtaking new novel invites you to a wedding none will forget—and some won’t survive.

Jutting from sparkling turquoise waters off the Italian coast, Isle Isola is an idyllic setting for a wedding. In the majestic cliff-top villa owned by the wealthy Compton family, up-and-coming artist Claire Hunter will marry handsome, charming Jack Compton, surrounded by close family, intimate friends…and a host of dark secrets.

From the moment Claire sets foot on the island, something seems amiss. Skeletal remains have just been found. There are other, newer disturbances, too. Menacing texts. A ruined wedding dress. And one troubling shadow hanging over Claire’s otherwise blissful relationship—the strange mystery surrounding Jack’s first wife.

Then a raging storm descends, the power goes out—and the real terror begins…

Review:

Her Dark Lies by J. T. Ellison is an atmospheric and suspense-laden mystery.

Artist Claire Hunter and her wealthy fiancé Jack Compton are met with the stunning news that remains have found as they arrive at his family’s home on Isle Isola. Having just experienced a traumatic experience before traveling to Italy from the US, Claire is shaken by this unexpected information. Although she and Jack are just days away from exchanging their vows, she is still hoping for more details from him about his deceased wife, Morgan Fraser. With storms bearing down on them and ominous occurrences that leave everyone on edge, will Claire and Jack make it to the alter?

Claire is ten years younger than Jack but her life experiences provide her with the maturity to not push her fiancé for answers to her questions. She has plenty of secrets in her past which she would rather not see the light of day so she respects his boundaries. Although a little intimidated by Jack’s family, Claire is up to the challenge of becoming a Compton.

Jack is laid-back but when he is crossed? He is quick to unleash his anger. But when it comes to Claire, he is completely in love and protective of her. But behind his mostly calm façade, Jack is keeping secrets about both his personal and professional lives. When the family business comes under siege, Jack, his family and their security team are ruthless as they try to unmask the enemy targeting them.

With fiendishly clever twists and turns, Her Dark Lies is an absolutely compelling mystery. The characters are very well-drawn with realistic strengths and weaknesses. The storyline is positively chilling as the body count continues to pile up while storms rage around the island. With plenty of secrets in both their pasts, will Claire and Jack unearth the truth about who is targeting them and his family? J. T. Ellison provides the answer to this question with a jaw-dropping, dramatic conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this psychological thriller to readers of the genre.

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Filed under Contemporary, Her Dark Lies, JT Ellison, Mira, Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Rated B+, Review, Suspense

December 30, 2019 · 11:58 pm

Review: Good Girls Lie by J.T. Ellison

Title: Good Girls Lie by J.T. Ellison
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 464 pages
Book Rating: 464 pages

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

J.T. Ellison’s pulse-pounding new psychological thriller examines the tenuous bonds of friendship, the power of lies and the desperate lengths people will go to in order to protect their secrets.

Goode girls don’t lie…

Perched atop a hill in the tiny town of Marchburg, Virginia, The Goode School is a prestigious prep school known as a Silent Ivy. The boarding school of choice for daughters of the rich and influential, it accepts only the best and the brightest. Its elite status, long-held traditions and honor code are ideal for preparing exceptional young women for brilliant futures at Ivy League universities and beyond.

But a stranger has come to Goode, and this ivy has turned poisonous.

In a world where appearances are everything, as long as students pretend to follow the rules, no one questions the cruelties of the secret societies or the dubious behavior of the privileged young women who expect to get away with murder.

When a popular student is found dead, the truth cannot be ignored. Rumors suggest she was struggling with a secret that drove her to suicide.

But look closely…because there are truths and there are lies, and then there is everything that really happened.

Don’t miss this fast-paced suspense story from New York Times bestselling author J.T. Ellison!

Review:

Good Girls Lie by J.T. Ellison is a fast-paced and intriguing mystery which takes place at spooky all girls boarding school.

Ash Carlisle is more than ready to leave Oxford behind. With both of her parents now deceased, she is looking forward to attending The Goode School in Marchburg, VA. A small boarding school which houses 200 young women from elite families, the school has a long history which includes a few untimely deaths. Ash is roommates with Camilla Shannon and although the sophomores are not overly close, they do get along. In the midst of hazing and mean girl antics, a death at the school brings Sheriff Tony Wood and his homicide detective niece Kate onto the grounds. Ash fears the secrets she is hiding will be unearthed, but does she have more to be afraid of than the police?

Ash wants to fly under the radar in order to focus on her studies. She also plans to leave her past behind her and thankfully the school’s Dean Ford Westhaven  agrees with her. Ash is woefully unprepared for boarding school life but she soon settles into a routine that keeps her out of sight. But when someone digs up the truth about what happened in Oxford, Ash is terrified her other secrets will soon be unearthed.

However, everyone’s attention is soon captured by the untimely death of one of their classmates. Ash is soon under suspicion but there is scant evidence to prove she is a killer. Kate is a homicide detective with impressive instincts and something about Ash feels off. As she begins looking into what happened to Ash’s parents, Kate is shocked by what she uncovers. But before she and Tony can question her, another young woman is dead and Ash might just have the answers they need to solve these horrific murders.

Good Girls Lie is a completely riveting mystery with an eerie setting. Ash is a bit of a mysterious young woman with plenty of secrets and a tragic past she wants to keep buried. Her classmates are not exactly accepting of a newcomer in their midst and this adds an extra layer of tension to the suspense-laden plot. The mystery is compelling and the boarding school is atmospheric. With a few shocking twists and turns,  J.T. Ellison brings this cunning mystery to a diabolically clever conclusion.  I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this well-executed mystery that will keep readers guessing whodunit and why for a major portion of the story.

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Filed under Contemporary, Good Girls Lie, JT Ellison, Mira, Mystery, Rated B+, Review, Suspense

September 27, 2018 · 11:57 pm

Review: Tear Me Apart by J.T. Ellison

Title: Tear Me Apart by J.T. Ellison
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 496 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

The follow-up to her critically acclaimed Lie to Me, J.T. Ellison’s Tear Me Apart is the powerful story of a mother willing to do anything to protect her daughter even as their carefully constructed world unravels around them.

One moment will change their lives forever…

Competitive skier Mindy Wright is a superstar in the making until a spectacular downhill crash threatens not just her racing career but her life. During surgery, doctors discover she’s suffering from a severe form of leukemia, and a stem cell transplant is her only hope. But when her parents are tested, a frightening truth emerges. Mindy is not their daughter.

Who knows the answers?

The race to save Mindy’s life means unraveling years of lies. Was she accidentally switched at birth or is there something more sinister at play? The search for the truth will tear a family apart…and someone is going to deadly extremes to protect the family’s deepest secrets.

With vivid movement through time, Tear Me Apart examines the impact layer after layer of lies and betrayal has on two families, the secrets they guard, and the desperate fight to hide the darkness within.

Review:

Tear Me Apart by J.T. Ellison is a suspense-laden mystery that is quite riveting from beginning to end.

Seventeen year old Mindy Wright is poised to be selected for the US Olympic Ski Team when a crash leads to a possibly career ending injury. Although the subsequent surgery on her broken leg is a success, her pre-surgical tests reveal she has a particularly virulent type of leukemia. When traditional treatment is unsuccessful, the only thing that might save her is a stem cell transplant. Her parents, Lauren and Jasper, and her aunt Juliet are quickly tested to see if they are a match.  However, Juliet, a blood-lab technician for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, sneaks a peak at the results and she is rocked by the discovery Mindy is not genetically linked to either her parents or her aunt. A confrontation with Lauren leads to the first of many shocking revelations but what Juliet uncovers next could result in deadly consequences as a cornered killer tries to protect everything they hold dear.

Mindy is a  surprisingly  well-adjusted and composed young woman whose hard work and dedication to her ski career is about to pay off. Lauren and Jasper are incredibly supportive of her burgeoning career and they spare no expense when it comes to her sport. Jasper is a lawyer and Lauren is an artist whose sales help boost the family’s finances. Lauren also homeschools Mindy and while she is a bit of a helicopter mom, no one questions her devotion to her daughter.

Juliet is much younger than Lauren and the two have never been close. In fact, their relationship is rather  prickly due to Lauren’s somewhat antagonistic attitude towards her.  Juliet is close to Mindy and she will do anything to save her after her diagnosis. In fact, she is willing to risk her career to try to find a donor for her niece. But Juliet has no idea that in trying to save Mindy’s life, she will expose an absolutely staggering secret that no one could have possibly foreseen.

Interspersed with the events in the present are flashbacks of two teenage girls who form an unlikely friendship that lasts for years. Even after they are separated, they continue to exchange letters that detail how their lives are progressing. An alarming portrait begins to emerge but the complete truth about what happens between them is not revealed until the novel’s chilling conclusion.

Tear Me Apart is a meticulously plotted and tension-filled mystery. The characters are brilliantly developed with all too human frailties and relatable strengths.  The storyline is engrossing and  although some elements are a little predictable, J.T. Ellison keeps readers on the edge of their seats as the novel moves to a jaw-dropping finale. I absolutely loved and highly recommend this clever mystery to fans of the genre.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, JT Ellison, Mira, Mystery, Rated B+, Review, Suspense, Tear Me Apart

September 11, 2017 · 11:58 pm

Review: Lie to Me by J.T. Ellison

Title: Lie to Me by J.T. Ellison
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 416 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Domestic noir at its best. Readers will devour this stunning page-turner about the disintegration of a marriage as grief, jealousy, betrayal and murder destroy the facade of the perfect literary couple. New York Times bestselling author J.T. Ellison takes her exceptional writing to a new level with this breakout novel. 

They built a life on lies 

Sutton and Ethan Montclair’s idyllic life is not as it appears. They seem made for each other, but the truth is ugly. Consumed by professional and personal betrayals and financial woes, the two both love and hate each other. As tensions mount, Sutton disappears, leaving behind a note saying not to look for her.

Ethan finds himself the target of vicious gossip as friends, family and the media speculate on what really happened to Sutton Montclair. As the police investigate, the lies the couple have been spinning for years quickly unravel. Is Ethan a killer? Is he being set up? Did Sutton hate him enough to kill the child she never wanted and then herself? The path to the answers is full of twists that will leave the reader breathless.

Review:

Lie to Me by J.T. Ellison is a twist-filled, suspense laden mystery about a missing wife whom the police eventually suspect the husband might have murdered.

Sutton and Ethan Montclair are a seemingly perfect couple.  Both are successful authors who lead a somewhat glamorous life. They live in a beautifully remodeled home in an upscale neighborhood. However, after enduring an absolutely heartbreaking loss, cracks appear in their once rock solid happy marriage and both suffer a few upsetting career setbacks.  So when Ethan wakes up to find that Sutton has disappeared without taking any of her personal possessions, he is concerned about her in spite the note she left for him telling her not to look for her.  After Ethan reports her disappearance to the police, he becomes their prime suspect after they uncover damning information that leads them to believe he might have murdered Sutton. One of the investigators on the case, Holly Graham, is not quite convinced that Ethan is responsible for his wife’s disappearance but will she uncover the evidence she needs to clear him of wrongdoing?

The mystery surrounding Sutton’s disappearance is gripping and initially, Ethan’s version of events rings true. However, disquieting information is quickly disclosed that allows doubts to gradually creep in. His behavior is erratic and some of his reactions seem just a tad bit… off. The information the police uncover is sinister but would Ethan really be stupid enough to leave evidence if he is actually responsible for Sutton’s suspicious disappearance?

Interspersed with the unfolding events are chapters from an unidentified person’s perspective. These chilling entries paint the picture of a very disturbed individual. The addition of this unknown entity ratchets up the tension as the search for Sutton intensifies.

Lie to Me is an extremely clever mystery with a dark and twisted storyline that keeps the novel moving at a blistering pace. The characters are not likeable and as the story progresses, they become increasingly unreliable. Readers will remain glued to the pages of this diabolical thriller as they attempt to piece together the truth about whether or not Ethan has anything to do with Sutton’s disappearance.  Through a series of cunning twists and shocking turns, J.T. Ellison  brings the novel to a jaw-dropping conclusion. A masterfully written thriller that I absolutely LOVED and highly recommend to fans of the genre.

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Filed under Contemporary, JT Ellison, Mira, Mystery, Rated B+, Review, Suspense

August 30, 2017 · 11:58 pm

Review: Lie to Me by J.T. Ellison

Title: Lie to Me by J.T. Ellison
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 416 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Domestic noir at its best. Readers will devour this stunning page-turner about the disintegration of a marriage as grief, jealousy, betrayal and murder destroy the facade of the perfect literary couple. New York Times bestselling author J.T. Ellison takes her exceptional writing to a new level with this breakout novel. 

They built a life on lies 

Sutton and Ethan Montclair’s idyllic life is not as it appears. They seem made for each other, but the truth is ugly. Consumed by professional and personal betrayals and financial woes, the two both love and hate each other. As tensions mount, Sutton disappears, leaving behind a note saying not to look for her.

Ethan finds himself the target of vicious gossip as friends, family and the media speculate on what really happened to Sutton Montclair. As the police investigate, the lies the couple have been spinning for years quickly unravel. Is Ethan a killer? Is he being set up? Did Sutton hate him enough to kill the child she never wanted and then herself? The path to the answers is full of twists that will leave the reader breathless.

Review:

Lie to Me by J.T. Ellison is a twist-filled, suspense laden mystery about a missing wife whom the police eventually suspect the husband might have murdered.

Sutton and Ethan Montclair are a seemingly perfect couple.  Both are successful authors who lead a somewhat glamorous life. They live in a beautifully remodeled home in an upscale neighborhood. However, after enduring an absolutely heartbreaking loss, cracks appear in their once rock solid, happy marriage and both suffer a few upsetting career setbacks.  So when Ethan wakes up to find that Sutton has disappeared without taking any of her personal possessions, he is concerned about her in spite the note she left for him telling her not to look for her.  After Ethan reports her disappearance to the police, he becomes their prime suspect when they uncover damning information that leads them to believe he might have murdered Sutton. One of the investigators on the case, Holly Graham, is not quite convinced that Ethan is responsible for his wife’s disappearance but will she uncover the evidence she needs to clear him of wrongdoing?

The mystery surrounding Sutton’s disappearance is gripping and initially, Ethan’s version of events rings true. However, disquieting information is quickly disclosed that allows doubts to gradually creep in. His behavior is erratic and some of his reactions seem just a tad bit… off. The information the police uncover is sinister but would Ethan really be stupid enough to leave evidence if he is actually responsible for Sutton’s suspicious disappearance?

Interspersed with the unfolding events are chapters from an unidentified person’s perspective. These chilling entries paint the picture of a very disturbed individual. The addition of this unknown entity ratchets up the tension as the search for Sutton intensifies.

Lie to Me is an extremely clever mystery with a dark and twisted storyline that keeps the novel moving at a blistering pace. The characters are not likeable and as the story progresses, they become increasingly unreliable. Readers will remain glued to the pages of this diabolical thriller as they attempt to piece together the truth about whether or not Ethan has anything to do with Sutton’s disappearance.  Through a series of cunning twists and shocking turns, J.T. Ellison  brings the novel to a jaw-dropping conclusion. A masterfully written thriller that I absolutely LOVED and highly recommend to fans of the genre.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, JT Ellison, Lie to Me, Mira, Mystery, Rated B+, Review, Suspense

June 19, 2016 · 11:57 pm

Review: Field of Graves by J.T. Ellison

Title: Field of Graves by J.T. Ellison
Taylor Jackson Series Book Eight
Publisher: MIRA
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Length: 368
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

With FIELD OF GRAVES, New York Times bestselling author J.T. Ellison goes back to where it all began…

All of Nashville is on edge with a serial killer on the loose. A madman is trying to create his own end-of-days apocalypse and the cops trying to catch him are almost as damaged as the killer. Field of Graves reveals the origins of some of J.T. Ellison’s most famous creations: the haunted Lieutenant Taylor Jackson; her blunt, exceptional best friend, medical examiner Dr. Samantha Owens; and troubled FBI profiler Dr. John Baldwin. Together, they race the clock and their own demons to find the killer before he claims yet another victim. This dark, thrilling and utterly compelling novel will have readers on the edge of their seats, and Ellison’s fans will be delighted with the revelations about their favorite characters.

Review:

Field of Graves by J.T. Ellison is a riveting addition to the Taylor Jackson series.  This enthralling mystery is a prequel that provides readers with an insightful peek into the background of Lt. Jackson and Dr. John Baldwin.

Taylor is a hardworking detective whose meteoric rise through the ranks is well deserved.  Having recently returned to duty following her self-defense shooting of a fellow officer, she is still struggling with nightmares and the occasional panic attack.  When someone begins murdering young college women, Taylor and her team work around the clock to capture the person responsible for the deaths. 

The evidence recovered from the victims’ bodies is puzzling but it is unique enough to link the crimes together and the police soon fear a serial killer is on the loose.  FBI profiler John Baldwin joins the investigation as a consultant, but he is battling his own demons from a case that went horribly wrong several months earlier.  When another body is discovered and they learn another young woman is missing, Taylor, John and the rest of the investigators finally uncover the link between the victims but will they find the catch the killer before it is too late?

While Taylor has the unconditional support of her boss and her team of detectives, she is well aware that other members of law enforcement are not so forgiving.  She is still wrapping up the final details stemming from the shooting and the corruption case she uncovered. With a grand jury appearance looming over her, Taylor focuses her full attention on the troubling murders.   The dump site has been elaborately staged and it is apparent the killer performed some of ritual on the body. The cause of death is equally disturbing and Taylor is stymied as she tries to understand the possible motive for the murders. While she welcomes John’s assistance, she is afraid his baggage might interfere with his ability to put together a viable profile of the killer.

Deeply depressed for months and drinking heavily while contemplating his next move, John is not exactly jumping at the opportunity to help solve the case.  His reluctance to join the investigation slowly disappears as he becomes intrigued by the various elements of the murders.  Taylor is quick to notice how deeply troubled he is and she does not hesitate to confront him about some of his behavior.  Much to her surprise, John is soon fully immersed in the case and as they are closing in on the killer, he is able to accurately piece together the reasons for the murders.

Field of Graves by J.T. Ellison is a compelling police procedural that has an unusual storyline and a multi-faceted cast of characters. Although initially a little slow paced, the novel quickly builds up steam and hurtles to a rather dramatic and pulse-pounding conclusion.  Although this latest release is the eighth book in the Taylor Jackson series, it can easily be read as standalone. I highly recommend this outstanding mystery to fans of the genre.

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Filed under Contemporary, Field of Graves, Harlequin, JT Ellison, Mira, Mystery, Rated B, Review, Taylor Jackson Series