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 fun, fast-paced thriller that keeps secrets until the very last page. A worthy addition to mystery and thriller sections.” —Library Journal
“A VERY BAD THING is a wonderfully smart, twisty, psychological thriller infused with dark secrets, high drama and edgy tension. Wow, what a ride!” —Jayne Ann Krentz, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Night Garden
“Once again, J.T. Ellison hits it out of the park. A VERY BAD THING is twisting, juicy, suspenseful, and heartfelt—a single-sitting read. I couldn’t put it down.” —Meg Gardiner, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Shadowheart and Heat
“A world-famous author, a devoted daughter, a persistent journalist, and one shocking murder—master storyteller J.T. Ellison has penned another winner to keep us up at night. In A VERY BAD THING, Ellison delves into the complex nature of mother-daughter relationships, the price of fame, and the danger of long-held secrets in this addictive, impossible-to-put-down thriller. Loved it!” —Heather Gudenkauf, New York Times bestselling author of The Overnight Guest and Everyone Is Watching
The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and masterful storyteller J.T. Ellison is back with a new, gripping page-turner about the complicated relationships between mothers and daughters, women finding their power and place in the world, the influence and distortion of social media, and the lengths people go to bury their pasts. A VERY BAD THING will be on sale on November 1, 2024 (Thomas & Mercer) and on everyone’s TBR list this fall.
“From the moment I came up with the name Columbia Jones, I knew I needed a story just as unique and special as the woman who could bear that name,” explains J.T. Ellison. “When the book’s core question came to me moments later—who killed Columbia Jones? (GASP!)—I knew I’d landed on a compelling story. The trick was to do justice to a main character who dies at the beginning of the book. Quite the challenge. I hope I have shared Columbia’s tale in a way she would be proud of, and I hope you love discovering the truth behind her unfortunate death.”
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 twenty 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?
For fans of domestic thrillers by the likes of Karin Slaughter, Lucy Foley, Paula Hawkins, Gillian Flynn and of course Ellison herself, A VERY BAD THING is a must-read that will captivate you from the start and will keep you reading until the last page.
Just in time for Spooky Season and to help launch J.T. Ellison’s new psychological thriller, we are hosting an October virtual book tour with this outstanding list of book influencers who will post reviews, features, and giveaways. We hope you will follow along!
Tuesday, October 1 – Inspired J Reads AND KMO Reads
Wednesday, October 2 – Thriller Book Babe AND Rebecca Reviewed It
Thursday, October 3 – We Love Big Books And We Cannot Lie AND Bethany Buried in Books
Friday, October 4 – Purrfect Pages AND A Bookworm with Wine
Saturday, October 5 – Simply Kelina
Sunday, October 6 – The Caffeinated Reader AND Candice Reads (Magnolia Reads)
Monday, October 7 – Sarah’s Bookstack AND La La’s Bookish Life AND Sarah’s Bookish Review
Tuesday, October 8 – Carol Doscher Reader AND Deas Bookshelf
Wednesday, October 9 – Reading is your Destiny AND Books Love and Understanding
Thursday, October 10 – Love My Dane Dolly AND Briana’s Best Reads AND Hooked by Books
Friday, October 11 – Andrea C. Lowry Reads AND We Break For Books
Saturday, October 12 – Reading Mama Reviews AND Where The Reader Grows
Sunday, October 13 – Nikki H. Rose AND Megan’s Book Corner
Monday, October 14 – Books and Coffee MX AND Armed with a Book
Tuesday, October 15 – Rozier Reads and Wine AND Athena Noone Asked You
Wednesday, October 16 – Secret Reading Life AND My Bursting Book Blog
Thursday, October 17 – Nurse Bookie AND Jen’s Towering TBR
Friday, October 18 – Addicted to Books AND Kray’s Bookclub
Saturday, October 19 – Elsie Loves Lit AND The Book Lover Book Club
Sunday, October 20 – Stacy 40 Pages AND Suzy Approved Book Reviews
Monday, October 21 – Nik’s Bookshelf AND Bookapotamus
Tuesday, October 22 – Thrillers Wine and Chill AND Read Your Worries Away
Wednesday, October 23 – Randi Reads AND Danish Mustard Reads
Thursday, October 24 – Nature Books and Coffee AND Suspense is Thrilling Me AND The Book Club Mom
Friday, October 25 – Library of Bookish AND Book Kitty Books
Saturday, October 26 – Subakka Bookstuff AND Dive Into A Good Book
Sunday, October 27 – Kera’s Always Reading AND Nissa the Bookworm
Monday, October 28 – Sue the Bookie AND Holly Read It AND Hannah Reads
Tuesday, October 29 – Madis Mysteries AND Love My Books 2020 AND Poetry and Plot Twists
Wednesday, October 30 – Angela Reads Books AND Sarah and Her Bookshelves
Thursday, October 31 – Girl Loves Dogs Books Wine AND K2Reader AND Andi Reads 2024
Friday, November 1 – Samkwiatkowski AND Meg’s Book Club
