If you only read one thriller this year…“A great modern gothic. Ellison outdid herself— what an ending!” —Catherine Coulter, #1 NYT bestselling author of VORTEX.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 … 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…
You won’t be able to guess what happens in the end!
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If you haven’t already heard, HER DARK LIES went on sale last week written by one of my favorite authors, J.T. Ellison. She’s been in the murder business for years and this novel is her best one yet! With a gothic Italian villa, dark family secrets and recently discovered human remains, you know this book is going to be a page turner… so pour yourself a glass of wine and settle in for a night well spent because you won’t be able to put this one down!
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!
The wedding of the year, a dreamy island off the Italian coast, a looming storm, a bride and groom each with dark secrets — what could possibly go wrong? J.T. Ellison weaves the old and the new, art and history, mystery and love story into one stunning tapestry of a novel. This book swept me away on the very first page, and kept me breathlessly diving deeper and deeper into a story so rich in character, atmosphere, and exquisite suspense. Elegant, propulsive, and utterly unputdownable HER DARK LIES is the work of one of our most talented thriller writers at the very top of her game.
I loved Her Dark Lies. A great modern gothic. Ellison outdid herself — what an ending!
A deliciously dark tale that will sweep you up into the dangerous depths of love and murder.
Within the pages of this book, a storm brews, one so dark and damaging that its sweeping powers mesmerize you.
This isn’t a book to read in one sitting. You could…but if you want to get lost within the pages, within the storyline itself, then this book deserves to be savored like a fine scotch.
There is so much about this book that I loved: the setting was a character, the villa I knew I’d get lost in if I were there, the fact that JT Ellison goes THERE…she kills all her darlings without hesitation. That, I think, is what I loved the most.
Italy is a special place to me. I’ve been a few times now, explored the coast, walked through the ruins, fell in love with the food. While this story didn’t take place on the Isle of Capri, that’s where my mind always went with the setting…I could picture it in my head so clearly. This book, while mainly taking place in one central location in a made up island on the coast, has me wishing I could go back.
Did I mention that the author goes THERE? The places most authors want to go but hesitate. She went into the places you thought she might but figured she wouldn’t, and then even a few places where you had no idea were possible.
HER DARK LIES is twisted in a dark, delicious way. It’s definitely a book that belongs on my bookshelf and will be read again, and again!
This is a great read in the new Gothic/psychological suspense tradition.
Claire drove me crazy with the way she constantly questioned small statements until she drove herself insecure. I get it’s her wedding and stuff is falling apart but Lord, pull it together. She wasn’t the strong heroine i was expecting that’s for sure. She tended to let Jack take the lead and just accepted his word as gospel. That bugged me because I could see Jack was hiding some secrets… some secrets that were buried around 6 feet under. Jack wasn’t the only one with secrets thought. His family, the Compton’s, are just as pompous as they sound. There’s so many secrets in this family that you have to sign an NDA to even join the family… rolls eyes.
With all that said, I did like the story. In started out slow and very slowly picked up pace. When the first person dies, I literally thought, finally, let’s get this story moving. Thankfully it does start to move after that death. The past is rip with secrets and it isn’t as dead as the Compton’s would like. Oh no, they have some unburied secrets hiding along passageways waiting to mess up Jack’s idealistic future. I’ll be real, any thriller lover will see this ending coming from a mile away. However, that doesn’t ruin the storyline per say. The writing is good and well developed. The characters are easily dislikable for the most part with a few being likeable. So you don’t mind everything going down as it is. Even with the ending pretty laid out for anyone to guess, I liked it. I was happy with it and found the ending to be satisfactory.
I received an ARC of this book with the hope that I would leave an Unbiased Opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… my opinions.
J.T. Ellison is a phenomenal thriller author. Her Dark Lies is possibly my favorite of hers so far. I know when I pick up her books that I will be pulled in, become invested in the story, and intrigued by the characters. With each chapter I read I became more curious as to how the story will end and then when I turn that last page I am sad that the story has ended.
Her Dark Lies is a story that takes place on a beautiful, secluded island near Italy. It has been in Jack Compton’s family for years and is rich in history. I loved how much detail was shared in setting up the setting of the wedding. The history shared, the beautiful landscaping described, and the people who had lived there in the past and present all set up where the story was headed.
As I continued reading clues were given and I felt like I was doing an okay job in following them. The ending came and I only had it partially right. Looking back, I can see where I missed some clues and where I misinterpreted other clues. I love when I have an inkling of where the story is headed but am also surprised.
I am a fan of J.T. Ellison and will always recommend her books. Pick up your own copy and lose yourself in this wonderful thriller.
Stunning. Her Dark Lies is a gorgeously atmospheric thriller, a brilliant contemporary twist on a beloved classic. Beautifully written, psychologically chilling and gaspingly surprising, J.T. Ellison proves she’s our new Daphne DuMaurier.
So dark, so twisted, so very delicious! I loved the setting of this novel – an Italian villa with its own ancient crypt and labyrinth. Wonderful imagery for the backdrop of the murderous secrets revealed within. The more I learned about Claire, Jack, and the Comptons, the more I kept turning the pages. My kind of thriller!
This book is so wonderfully dark with enough twists and turns that it will have your head spinning. I could not put this book down. JT Ellison delivers yet another fabulous thriller that you will speed read through because you just simply can’t stop!
Well J.T. This has been one very wild ride, or maybe I should say swim! I always say after reading one of your books that that’s my favorite and it can’t get any better and then you go and do it and write another fantabulous book! This one had me on the edge of my seat almost the entire time. Thank you for writing such fantastic books for us!
This was the absolutely, hands-down, best Gothic suspense that I have read since Victoria Holt’s classic “Bride of Pendorric.” This book swept me away to Isola, an imaginary island off the coast of Italy and was so creepy that I almost felt like I needed to look over my shoulders as I was reading. The story centered around Claire, a young woman from Nashville who falls in love with a multi-millionaire named Jack Compton. Jack’s family owns the island and his family’s history and the villa in which they reside there were fascinating and made this book a totally compulsive read. Getting to know Jack’s family in the pages of this book was a pleasure, kind of. I found that some were nicer and more accepting of Claire than others. My particular favorite was Jack’s grandfather Will, the patriarch of the family who suffers from dementia but who has more wisdom than many others in the household. The characters and the setting made this novel a stellar read. Each time a new character was introduced, I wanted to get to know them well and quickly, and the author did a wonderful job of making sure that I knew what I needed to know to continue to progress into the labyrinth that was Claire’s love story. Most characters had a secret, some more than one, that ended up like a spider’s web of lies and deceit. There were so many hidden places in the family villa on Isola that I loved exploring this ancient home, with so many secrets within its walls and in its gardens. The horror of the events that occurred leading up to Claire’s wedding was well wrapped up in a plot that was extremely intricate and complicated. But the author made it all seem so simple to understand because she unwound truths slowly, like a cornucopia of bountiful mysteries. I can’t say enough about how much I loved this book! I wish my mom were still alive for me to discuss it with her because she introduced me to Victoria Holt and I’m sure that she would agree that J.T. has achieved the same summit of writing a truly entertaining gothic suspense. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy mystery, suspense, thriller and a Gothic atmosphere that is its own character in the book.
Disclaimer
I purchased an autographed copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
J.T Ellison takes us to a breathtakingly beautiful island in Italy, where a wedding is to take place. But amongst the elite guests, a killer lies in wait. This is the premise for “Her Dark Lies”.
Aspiring artist Claire is living a literal fairy tale come true. Her fiancé, Jack, is heir to a massive fortune, and when he suggests the two of them get married on his estate on a small island in Italy, Claire is ecstatic. But as soon as she gets to Isle Isola, everything starts going wrong. First, bones are discovered washed up on the beach. Then, Claire’s wedding dress is ruined when someone sprawls a nasty word across the train. But that’s not the worst of it- soon, people close to Claire and Jack are being killed off, one by one. Claire has to start questioning everyone she thought she knew- or she may be next.
“Her Dark Lies” is very scenic. I loved the solitary island, the dream-like castle, even the Mythological history of the family and their property. The novel is, very literally, a fairy tale gone horribly wrong.
Claire is likable, and very enviable, and although Jack is the cause of much suspicion, I still found myself falling prey to his charms. He definitely had the charisma and magnetism that only comes from someone who grew up with unlimited money and elaborate things, but still manages somehow to not come off as arrogant or elitist.
The story is narrated mostly from Claire’s viewpoint, although we do get a periodic glimpse of Jack in there, as well as our “mystery suspect” once or twice. Right from page one, it was evident who the “mystery suspect” was, but I was still intrigued as to how that person managed to pull off what they did. They were a few unexpected twists still, and they kept me riveted.
“Her Dark Lies” is definitely the perfect kind of escapist fiction, as the descriptive setting is enough to make anyone dream of foreign shores and crashing waves. For those of us in the modern doldrums of everyday life, to imagine this elaborate and extensive amount of wealth existing (and living AMONG it) is nearly impossible, which is why it was easier for me to imagine this as a twisted rags-to-riches fairy tale of sorts. I rooted for Claire, even though she had some very dark skeletons herself, and the final ending of the novel brought about a satisfying conclusion.
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.
Wow what a page turner.
J.T. Ellison is known for page turning thrillers but this one was just captivating. From page one you are immediately sucked into the book and completely engrossed by Claire’s story. I knew immediately there was no way I was going to be putting it down until I was finished.
When artist Claire heads to Isle Isola to wed her wealthy fiancee Jack in a small family ceremony, things immediately feel off kilter when odd things start to happen. With skeletal remains being found, odd texts being received and her wedding dress intentionally being defaced, Claire’s exquisite already off to a rough start. As a huge storm descends on the island and the power goes out, both Claire and Jack both have to face some dark secrets from their past to make it through this wedding alive.
Ellison’s newest is quite the gripping read. The story line was easy to follow and kept me guessing while the main characters were likable but just shady enough to make me question their reliability. There was non-stop action around every corner, and I truly questioned everyone as the culprit as I continued to read. This one has tons of twists and turns and the ending is a show-stopper. A fabulous thriller full of suspense. This is one I definitely recommend. Another powerhouse novel by J.T. Ellison.
A twisted, up-to-date retelling of the classic Rebecca.
A lavish wedding on a private island in Italy, what could be more romantic? Or deadly? Someone is trying to sabotage artist Claire’s wedding to billionaire Jack. There are enough family secrets on both sides to sink a relationship, to say nothing of eerie happenings, bloody deaths, and enough intrigue to keep a reader glued to the pages. Don’t miss this one!
Lies = Twist = Complications = Death!
This one sets up with an romantic, dreamy, and even picturesque wedding on the horizon. This one will soon thereafter give you whiplash from all of the twist and turns you may not see coming. All in all, this murder full tale with its high body count is a good one. It is all justified, murder and all because of all the Her Dark LIES!
Riveting read from the prologue to the last page. Fantastic writing, with complex characters brought together in a closed setting on a storm ravaged Italian isle.