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Her Dark Lies

J.T. Ellison (Goodreads Author)

3.59 · Rating details · 2,608 ratings · 595 reviews

At the wedding of the year, a killer needs no invitation

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 d ...more

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Paperback, 416 pages

Published March 9th 2021 by Mira Books

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Mar 15, 2021 Nilufer Ozmekik rated it really liked it

An exclusive, luxurious high society marriage ceremony set on a majestic-cliff top villa at Italian coast! Yes, from the blurb I got some Lucy Foley’s Guest List vibes : a killer on the run at the most anticipated marriage ceremony of the year: everybody has different agendas. Both groom and bride keep terrible, dirty secrets. Did you get intrigued? You certainly should!

Claire Hunter seems like an ultra talented painter who is still modest about her artistic skills. The tattooed,once upon a ti ...more

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Dec 01, 2020 Michael David rated it really liked it

Shelves: physical-arc-received

A scenic setting on an island off of the Italian coast? A group of guests gathering for a special occasion at a beautiful villa? A violent storm that keeps the guests stuck on the island? Power going out? A killer hidden in the shadows? I am here for it!

Claire and her soon-to-be husband, Jack, leave a shocking incident behind at Claire’s home in Nashville, and travel to the Isle Isola island. Here, Jack and his wealthy family own a villa. It’s the perfect setting for their nuptials, among 30 of A scenic setting on an island off of the Italian coast? A group of guests gathering for a special occasion at a beautiful villa? A violent storm that keeps the guests stuck on the island? Power going out? A killer hidden in the shadows? I am here for it!

Claire and her soon-to-be husband, Jack, leave a shocking incident behind at Claire’s home in Nashville, and travel to the Isle Isola island. Here, Jack and his wealthy family own a villa. It’s the perfect setting for their nuptials, among 30 of their closest friends and family. Things start off badly, and as soon as Claire and Jack step onto land, skeletal remains are found on the property.

If that isn’t disturbing enough, other odd disruptions start to occur. It soon becomes clear that there are things Jack doesn’t know about Claire and her troubled past. More importantly, there are many things that Claire doesn’t know about Jack, his family, and their wealth. On top of that, Claire doesn’t know the mysterious story around the death of Jack’s first wife. As a thunderous storm approaches the island, bringing in violent winds and pouring rain, what does become clear is the danger the family and their guests are in...as a killer with an agenda lurks nearby.

I am a huge J.T. Ellison fan, going all the way back to her Taylor Jackson series. I was a bit underwhelmed with her last standalone, GOOD GIRLS LIE, maybe because I don’t enjoy boarding school settings in my books. This one was much more my style. It’s an extremely atmospheric mystery that has many moving pieces. I always appreciate when I don’t know how to feel about certain characters (Who’s a good egg? Who’s an evil bastard?), and there are quite a few like that here, which kept things off-kilter.

Heads up: This book starts out slow, with very detailed descriptions of the island, the villa, and many other surroundings. It picks up as it progresses, and then keeps a nice and steady pace. While there are some surprises along the way, this book doesn’t break the mold...and that is fine. It is told in such a compelling manner that hooked me as I pushed myself to the dangerous and satisfying conclusion. A suspenseful win by J.T.

Thank you to Mira/HarperCollins for sending me a physical ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com ...more

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Jan 29, 2021 megs_bookrack rated it liked it

Shelves: arcs-read

**3.5-stars**

From the start, Claire Hunter, knows that by marrying Jack Compton, her life will dramatically change.

The Compton family is rich and powerful; we're talking top 1%. Claire is an up-and-coming artist, with a studio in Nashville, and not much else. She's new to their high-class world and the circle of predators that can often come with it.

The couple are set to wed at the Compton family's luxury villa on Isle Isolde on the coast of Italy. It is planned to be an intimate occasion, with ...more

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Mar 25, 2021 James rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 1-fiction

By far, this has been my favorite JT Ellison novel. I loved everything about how this plot was put together. We have various POVs, including the villain behind everything. The whole thing felt seamless, at least until the last two chapters when the details fully unfolded. Had it not been for some holes and confusion there, it would've been a five-star read. Wow! A rollercoaster that wouldn't let up on me, and the characters were fresh and imaginative.

The Comptons have everything, including secre By far, this has been my favorite JT Ellison novel. I loved everything about how this plot was put together. We have various POVs, including the villain behind everything. The whole thing felt seamless, at least until the last two chapters when the details fully unfolded. Had it not been for some holes and confusion there, it would've been a five-star read. Wow! A rollercoaster that wouldn't let up on me, and the characters were fresh and imaginative.

The Comptons have everything, including secrets about their secrets. Claire falls for eldest son, Jack. His first wife, Morgan, died mysteriously, and Claire has some concerns about marrying into this family, but she lets them go. Is Morgan still alive? When an intruder breaks into Jack's house, Claire does what is necessary to protect herself. But when she finds out the intruder's identity, it's too close to home. Why does Jack insist his bodyguard take the blame? Did he recognize the victim? Claire later encounters two more murder attempts, and in the end, both the attackers are killed. Is she hiding something? As readers, we think it's Morgan because she keeps talking (in the mysterious narrator sections) about how she died and was Jack's first love. Is this the same person?

I won't say anymore, as I don't want to give away the plot. Everyone looks suspicious. The whole family has a weird sense of covering up seemingly normal things. The imagery and writing was top notch. The character strokes were detailed but open-ended. The various POV changes helped readers narrow down the true culprit's identity. At some point, it becomes obvious, but it's okay as that's when we realize someone has been helping the villain along the way. Which other person is it? Mother-in-law? Father-in-law? Granpa? Brothers? Sisters? Best Friends, Housekeeper? Bodyguards? Colleague? Mother? Jack or Claire? Ellison kept me on the edge of my seat wondering whether this was a double identity, twin, or multiple personality case. But in the end, it is very clear who was behind it all in terms of the primary villain. The secondary... not so much!

Unfortunately, at least 6 or 7 people die, and we don't get full details on how or why. We assume who did it, but depending on the alliance at the time, it could be more than one person. I could be okay with the vague answer, except it happened on three occasions, and then, once the deaths happen and the police are on the scene, Claire reveals more than she knew that we as readers knew... and it makes the explanation murkier. So... I found myself squinting and rolling my eyes too much in those last two chapters. I like tidy. This was not tidy. I couldn't give it all the stars, but right up until that point, wow... it is an awesome tale! ...more

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Mar 31, 2021 Mandy White (mandylovestoread) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: owned, publisher-arcs, read-in-2021

As soon as I heard about Her Dark Lies I was desperate to get my hands on it - thank you so much harlequin Australia for sending me an advance copy to read. JT Ellison is one of my favourite writers, I loved her Taylor Jackson series and it kept on going from there. She has a way of making the settings and characters so real that you can see the story happening as you read it. No character is perfect, they all have their flaws and secrets and I love it.

In Her Dark Lies we travel to a beautiful p ...more

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Feb 16, 2021 Jayme rated it liked it

Claire Hunter is about to marry the man of her dreams at a private villa on an island off of the Italian coast. When a raging storm ensues, the power goes out and a killer is on the loose! What could go wrong?

This book opens very slowly with long descriptions of the Italian picturesque landscape and historical villa. The pace does pick up quite a bit once Jack and Claire arrive at the villa, and from there I was hooked on figuring out the mystery. The story has really good momentum, but ultimat ...more

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Sep 16, 2020 Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ Campbell marked it as to-read

OK my inner middle schooler is SO excited that deadly party books are coming back in full force in adult clothes because all that Point Horror/Fear Street shit was my JAM as a kid

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Feb 21, 2021 Chris C - A Midlife Wife rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary-fiction, harlequin, suspense, thriller, reviews, crime, psychological

Damn! The body count is hella high in this one! Engrossing. 4.5 Stars!
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This book was written in a different style than what we’re typically used to reading. For one it’s written in first person, which I like. It really allows you to get inside the characters mind.

Second, it seems to start in the middle of the story. We don’t go through the long courting process of this couple. The story drops us in right before they’re getting ready to get married.

The character development is e ...more

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Mar 28, 2021 Larry H rated it liked it

In Her Dark Lies , J.T. Ellison's latest mystery/thriller, a destination wedding turns into a serious disaster.

Claire is more than ready to marry her fiancé, Jack, and really begin their life together. But since Jack’s family is incredibly powerful, well-known, and wealthy, this won’t just be any wedding. They’ll be getting married at the family’s cliffside villa (more like a castle) on the remote Isle Isola off the Italian coast. Sounds like a fairytale, right?

Already on edge from an event t ...more

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Nov 22, 2020 Sonica rated it it was amazing

Thank you Harper Collins/MIRA Books for my copy of Her Dark Lies by JT Ellison in exchange for my honest review. This title releases March 9, 2021.

A wedding set on a remote island.

New and old dead bodies piling up.

Everyone has a secret and anyone could have done it.

It’s no secret that JT Ellison is by far one of my favourite thriller writers of ALL TIME. I discovered her writing almost 4 years ago with her standalone Lie To Me, and have been hooked ever since. I still squeal with the knowledge
Thank you Harper Collins/MIRA Books for my copy of Her Dark Lies by JT Ellison in exchange for my honest review. This title releases March 9, 2021.

A wedding set on a remote island.

New and old dead bodies piling up.

Everyone has a secret and anyone could have done it.

It’s no secret that JT Ellison is by far one of my favourite thriller writers of ALL TIME. I discovered her writing almost 4 years ago with her standalone Lie To Me, and have been hooked ever since. I still squeal with the knowledge of every new release. When I heard Her Dark Lies was coming out, I knew I had to have it and cannot thank my friends at MIRA Books for making that happen 😉

And once again, JT Ellison has knocked it right out of the park. Think: REBECCA meets AND THEN THERE WERE NONE. A modern day locked room mystery, the plot of this book was so well-executed from beginning to end and the elements of mystery and suspense were perfectly sprinkled throughout. Such an exciting “whodunnit” that will surely have you gasping right until the end.

In true JT Ellison fashion, the characters in this book are more than just people – they also include the beautiful fictional island of Isola and a lavish Villa owned by the family of the female lead’s love interest. With atmospheric and gothic vibes, the villa and this island truly take on a life of their own, adding to the aura of mystery of the story.

I am so impressed with how this author takes her writing up a notch with each book she writes, trying something new every time. Her standalone books are always fresh and different from each other which makes them even that much more exciting to read. It’s also why she has become an auto read author for me and my most highly anticipated.

I recommend adding this to your TBR if you are a fan of Agatha Christie type suspense, or just looking for your next thrilling read. I have no doubt it will fly off the shelves in March next year when it officially makes its way into the public domain – so do your shelf a favour and pre-order a copy NOW! ...more

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Feb 28, 2021 Darla rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery

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 additi ...more

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Mar 28, 2021 Elle rated it it was ok

Shelves: from-publisher, 2021

Yiiiiiikes this was not a good one for me. I don’t know exactly what I was expecting but this is one of the corniest and silliest thrillers I’ve read in a while.

Where to even begin? I don’t want to be mean because writing a book is difficult and I’m sure several people worked hard on this. But I don’t write reviews for authors and publishers, I write them for other readers and of course, for ✨ME✨. Also, I’m a little annoyed I read all 400+ pages of this and still got such a dumb ending.

So here w Yiiiiiikes this was not a good one for me. I don’t know exactly what I was expecting but this is one of the corniest and silliest thrillers I’ve read in a while.

Where to even begin? I don’t want to be mean because writing a book is difficult and I’m sure several people worked hard on this. But I don’t write reviews for authors and publishers, I write them for other readers and of course, for ✨ME✨. Also, I’m a little annoyed I read all 400+ pages of this and still got such a dumb ending.

So here we go....the main characters all suck. Not in an ‘intentionally unlikable character’ kind of way, but in a ‘there’s no way these are supposed to be actual human people’ way. Claire and Jack are getting married. Claire is artsy and *not like other girls*, while Jack is a mysterious former playboy that’s, of course, totally loaded. They decide to get married on this remote Italian island where a lot of questionable deaths have occurred because, yeah, sure why not. And then throughout the book a slew of other questionable deaths take place and in response the two of them repeatedly balk at the idea of cancelling or even delaying this wedding.

The number of murders that happen, guys, is just insane. Like every 12 hours someone dies. Most of them are ‘the help’ so Claire, Jack and the rest of the 1% just shrug their shoulders like ‘wow yeah that’s a total bummer.....who’s gonna do my hair now???😩’ I have never rooted against a couple so intensely. They’re the least sympathetic characters I can remember reading about. And possibly also the dumbest.

They aren’t assisted at all by the plot, which is just laden with the worst tropes of the genre. Think of any famous thriller, go on, any. Do you have it? Yes, that book’s ‘plot twist’ is in this one too. I’m aware that a lot of mysteries/suspense/thrillers borrow from and overlap with one another, but these aren’t even well-executed. They’re just tacked together and tossed into an ~exotic location~ with the hope some of what’s thrown at the wall will eventually stick.

It’s is like a Lifetime movie with a YouTube video budget. I can actually see the terrible green screen shots in my head right now. And I haven’t even talked about the antagonist of the book yet. This villain is omnipotent, gorgeous, brilliant, pure evil and the greatest hacker on earth. So beyond plausible that I honestly thought they were going to be some sort of joke or fake out.....but nope. We’re really expected to be cowed in terror by this bitch. The author even attempts to do a weak Gone Girl-style twist at the end and I cannot emphasize enough how d u m b it is.

I don’t have any redeeming qualities to share on behalf of this book, I’m sorry. I am only dragging it because I don’t want anyone else to waste their time. I know some people who loved it, so take a look at the positive reviews too, but I am sorry to say I can’t recommend this one.

*Thanks to my friends & the publisher for sending me a review copy! ...more

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Nov 02, 2020 Morgan-- JUSTONEMOREPAGE_ rated it it was amazing

I would like to start this by saying, thank you so much J.T. Ellison for allowing me to volunteer as tribute, and be apart of this book. She is one of my all-time favorite authors, so I am feeling totally blessed right now. Be sure to check this one out, to see just what role I play exactly!
.
So, does being in this book make me biased? Is it going to make me give this a higher star rating than what it deserves? Hell no. Ellison is one of my favorite authors, because her writing instantly draws yo ...more

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Nov 01, 2020 Chelsea | thrillerbookbabe rated it really liked it

Shelves: book-tours, thriller-mystery, arc

First of all, thank you so much to J.T. Ellison, Bookclubbish, and HTP Books for my free copy of this book. I loved Good Girls Lie, so I was so excited to get my hands on Her Dark Lies! It was so well written and immediately captured my attention. Someone asked me if it was similar to The Guest List, and maybe a bit by plot, but nothing like it in writing. This book is captivating and dynamic, and I loved it!

Thoughts: I really enjoyed all the dynamics at play in this book. All of the characters ...more

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Oct 19, 2020 Sarah rated it it was ok

In Her Dark Lies, artist Claire is about to marry extremely wealthy Jack Compton on his family's private island in Italy. Then the bad things start happening. Do you like excessive descriptions of landscape and locations? Would you like to read page after page of details about the island and house? Do you like it when the protagonists gloss over the major events of the book so they can continue to describe their environment? Then Her Dark Lies is the book for you! I stuck it out to the end, but ...more

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Feb 27, 2021 Robin Loves Reading rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley, 2021-january-march, mystery-thriller, kindle, 2021-challenge, reading-challenge, robin-loves-reading-2021-challenge, pages

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 t 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. ...more

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Mar 01, 2021 Cortney LaScola - The Bookworm Myrtle Beach rated it it was amazing

Shelves: giveaways-arcs

4.5 stars rounded up

I really enjoyed this book! Very atmospheric... a bit implausible at times (but isn't that why we read sometimes, to escape?)

I thought it had great characters and a good story. There was a lot of different POV's which I usually don't mind, but instead of titled chapters, it would have been helpful to have which character's POV it was instead. I had to be sure to finish a chapter before putting the book down or else I had to flip back to figure out who was talking.

Looking for ...more

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Feb 02, 2021 Ludwig Reads rated it liked it

Her Dark Lies is an intriguing “locked room” thriller where each character harbors a secret. This one really takes its time before finally unraveling all of these secrets at the end and it tends to focus less on the plot and more on the setting, which is stunning by the way. This wasn’t as amazing or shocking as I had hoped but it was a fun mystery nonetheless.

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Jan 05, 2021 Kerry rated it it was amazing

What a twisted, addictive story! JT spun a delicious tale with a cast of characters fans of REBECCA (or any gothic thriller) will adore. This book will be one of 2021s best and I'm so glad I had the privilege of an early read. ...more

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Feb 14, 2021 Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews rated it it was amazing

Who has more secrets - Jack or Claire?

We meet the wealthy, powerful Jack Compton and the artist with a past Claire Hunter a few days before their wedding festivities that are to take place in a beautiful island off the coast of Italy.

The day before had put a damper on their plans…well it did for Claire...because someone broke into her apartment, and the intruder was shot.

Jack was not even bothered by it. He remained his cool, calm self.

When Jack and Claire get to the island, the police are wait ...more

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Feb 13, 2021 Kristy rated it really liked it

Shelves: thriller, mystery, read-in-2021, fiction, ebook, arc, mira, harlequin

A dark and atmospheric thriller

It's the wedding of the year. Artist Claire Hunter is set to wed William "Jack" Jackson Compton at his wealthy and famous family's villa in Italy. But before they even leave for the Italian coast, things seem off when an intruder breaks into their apartment. On the island, Claire learns a set of bones have just been unearthed: not the start she'd hoped for her romantic wedding. Then her wedding dress is ruined. The family's cyber network is threatened. A storm loom A dark and atmospheric thriller

It's the wedding of the year. Artist Claire Hunter is set to wed William "Jack" Jackson Compton at his wealthy and famous family's villa in Italy. But before they even leave for the Italian coast, things seem off when an intruder breaks into their apartment. On the island, Claire learns a set of bones have just been unearthed: not the start she'd hoped for her romantic wedding. Then her wedding dress is ruined. The family's cyber network is threatened. A storm looms. It's quickly looking like someone doesn't want Jack and Claire to marry--and they'll go to any lengths to stop them.

"How romantic, how very gothic and creepy, and how very Compton to choose an island in the middle of nowhere surrounded by sea monsters and exhausted birds to call their own."

I love Ellison's books, as she excels at writing a twisted and dark tale that sucks you in from the start. This wasn't my all-time favorite, but it was still an excellent escape, filled with messed up characters and a rich family with so many secrets. Oh the secrets, oh the lies. Told from both Jack and Claire's point of view, along with a mysterious third perspective, you never quite know whom to trust, whom to believe, and what exactly is about to go down.

The Italian villa where Claire and Jack are to marry--where his famous filmmaker grandfather lives--is another character in this thriller. The gothic villa, the foreboding Italian seaside: it's all so atmospheric you feel as if you're there, wandering the dark passageways of the villa or traipsing along in the pouring rain with our terrified/manic/evil characters. Ellison does an excellent job of setting the scene.

I was never sure where this one was going. Claire seems innocent and along for the ride, Jack protective of his lovely, young bride, and the house ominous yet gorgeous. Is everything at face value? Jack's family is wealthy and intimidating and Claire only has a few relatives along for her wedding day. Do they really love each other? Is his wealthy family happy with the marriage? There are plenty of dark moments (not always for the faint of heart), lots of unearthed secrets, and tons of rain. Oh the gloomy Italian rain! A recipe for disaster, I'd say, for Claire and Jack, but a thrilling read for the rest of us.

I received a copy of this book from Harlequin/MIRA and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. Look for this one on March 9th!

Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ PaperBackSwap ~ Smashbomb ...more

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Mar 16, 2021 Brenda ~Traveling Sisters Book Reviews rated it really liked it

Shelves: blog-tour

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. ~ book summary

In need of an escape? Grab a glass of wine and armchair travel to this luxurious island off Italy’s coast for a paradise wedding with these characters and see who will survive!!! The body count on this one is one I will not forget!!

Jutting from sparkling turquoise waters off the Italian coast, Isle Isola is an idyllic setting for a wedd ...more

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Feb 28, 2021 Melissa (LifeFullyBooked) rated it liked it

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 progresse ...more

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Feb 09, 2021 Amanda McGill rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2021, netgallery

Is it just me or is secluded weddings with a killer the mystery theme of the year? I've been reading a lot of these lately. Thankfully I love these types of locked room mysteries so I'm happy to read them!

Her Dark Lies follows Claire and Jack who are getting married on a beautiful private island owned by Jack's family. Of course nothing is as it's seems as past secrets come out and threaten to ruin their big day.

I really enjoyed all the mysteries and secrets that Claire and Jack had to face. It ...more

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Feb 10, 2021 blondethrillerbooklover rated it really liked it

Claire has met the man of her dreams- Jack is handsome, loving, protective and from an extravagantly weathly family.

Their wedding is set to take place at his family’s breathtaking island villa that sits atop a cliff off the coast of Italy.

But, almost immediately after arriving at the villa, things feel wrong to Claire. Then strange things begin happening- escalating quickly from eerie to vicious..... A storm begins raging outside...The power goes out.... 👀
_______________________________

I am rea ...more

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Mar 15, 2021 jendlo rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery-suspense-thriller, 2021, fiction

HER DARK LIES is like a modern retelling of Rebecca.

Fans of that Daphne du Maurier classic, J.P. Delaney's The Girl Before, and HBO's Succession (Romulus is a wolfdog in this ~~tail~~ tale) should really enjoy it.

Fundraiser William Jackson ("Jack") Compton, prone to paranoia, is about to wed artiste Claire Hunter, prone to anxiety attacks. What a marriage theirs will be, if they ever make it down the aisle.

The stage is set: on the Comptons' island estate, Villa la Scogliera (a "Manderley" that I ...more

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Mar 01, 2021 Rae rated it liked it

Shelves: arcs

Check out vicariouslyvoraciously.com tomorrow for a Blog Tour post on this terrifyingly addictive book!

Thanks to the publisher for sending me a blog tour invite! I read another book by J.T. Ellison last year and loved it, so I'm really looking forward to this one!

_____________________________________

RTC! This was an interesting read..!
...more

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Sep 18, 2020 Dsbook rated it really liked it

J T Ellison is one of my favorite authors but I had a hard time with this book. It was very confusing and I had a lot of questions at the end of the book. Who did kill her???

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Mar 21, 2021 Nursebookie rated it it was amazing

Her Dark Lies
JT Ellison

I am a huge fan of JT Ellison’s writing, so when I saw this book I knew I had to read it, as she is an auto-buy author for me.

Her Dark Lies is definitely a great thriller that I enjoyed a lot. I loved the story telling style where a menacing narrator’s voice is sprinkled throughout the chapters whom we will find out later that is causing havoc for the Compton family and Claire. The setting is on an Island off the coast of Italy at the family’s enormous villa at the Isle I ...more

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Mar 12, 2021 Leah rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2021, mystery, listened-on-audio, thriller, suspenseful, gothic

❐ Overall Rating 4⭐ | Narration 😕 = Should’ve had more narrators
❐ Narrated by Brittany Pressley
❐ Listening Length: 11H 54M
❐ Suspense Thriller
❐ The “wedding of the year”
❐ Gothic Atmosphere with a secluded island setting
❐ With a locked-room mystery feel
❐ Secrets, Lies, & Betrayals

The Good:

The island setting is descriptive, remote, and creepy. 👌

Nobody was safe in this story. The bodies were piling up. 😱

It was engaging and well written...I was never bored. 💯

The Bad:

There is only one narrator and ...more

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About J.T. Ellison

J.T. Ellison

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J.T. Ellison began her career as a presidential appointee in the White House, where a nuclear physicist taught her how to obsess over travel itineraries and make a seriously good pot of Earl Grey, spawning both her love of loose leaf and a desire for control of her own destiny. Jaded by the political climate in D.C., she made her way back to her first love, creative writing. More than 20 novels la ...more

Books by J.T. Ellison

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Quotes from Her Dark Lies

“Love is simply a word we use to explain the biochemical nature of species propagation. It’s something we use to justify the base desire to experience pleasure with another person when in fact it’s just about making procreation more palatable. We say we’re in love, but what we really mean is we want to connect so we don’t feel so alone, and in so doing, create stronger familial constructs that allow us to fend off other familial constructs who want to take what we have.” — 1 likes

“If adventures will not befall a young lady in her own Village, she must seek them abroad.” —Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey” — 1 likes

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