Wednesday 24 March 2021

Her Dark Lies-J T Ellison

Book: Her Dark Lies
Author: J T Ellison
Publisher: Mira

What if the past comes back to haunt you on the day you are getting married?

Her Dark Lies by J T Ellison is set off the Italian Coast, on Isle Isola, a cliff-top villa owned by the Comptons. Claire Hunter is all set to get married to Jackson Compton, surrounded by close family, intimate friends…and a host of dark secrets. As the wedding weekend begins, things take a turn for the worse when an old body gets dug up on the island, menacing texts get delivered, and a ruined wedding dress. Its not just the happenings, people on the island carry secrets, dark secrets that can ruin not one, but multiple lives.

The plot of the book is quite complex, and in a good way. The plot is not a normal and usual run-off-the-mill thriller, rather it is a story that makes a reader turn the page compulsively. The storytelling is quite interesting, and the author has used subtle details in the beginning that become important towards the end. The language of the book is easy to comprehend, and suits the characters quite well. I loved the part of the book where the tensions start building up and the secrets start tumbling out slowly. The author keeps the shadows hidden, and the revelations are done at the time which is just right. The picture that the author paints is quite detailed and vivid, and I could clearly visualize the island, the villa, and the events as they occur. The climax was quite unexpected, and it added to the charm of the storytelling.

The story is primarily character driven, and it is them who provide the tension needed for a thriller to deliver on its promise. Claire’s character is interestingly crafted, and her past is hinted about in the story, but revealed only in the end, which is quite well done. Jackson’s character has shades of gray which actually set the tone of the book. His loving, romantic side towards Claire is quite opposite to how he reacts towards Elliott. His complex character is something I really enjoyed in the book. Other characters I enjoyed were Ana Compton, and most of all, Will Compton, and the way he adds to the story in the end.

Overall, a definite recommendation for thriller readers that scores a 4.12/5 for me.

Get a copy of the book here.

The post is a part of the blog tour by Harlequin. I was provided an ARC in exchange for an honest review

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