About the Book
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…
My Review
Claire Hunter is beyond happy. Her life is looking too good to be true. She’s a successful artist and she’s marrying the handsome, wealthy Jack Compton. His family is even planning their huge wedding at their family estate in Italy on the Isle Isola.
However, once Claire arrives at the island, disturbing things happen. Her beautiful wedding gown is vandalized and threatening texts are sent to her and the Compton family. Claire also senses some mystery about Jack’s first wife, but she’s not exactly sure what it is. Jack is tight-lipped about it, but in fairness, Claire has quite a few of her own secrets.
I’m not going to say anymore about the storyline as I don’t want to spoil it for anyone. The story started off a bit slow for me, but it picked up quickly and I couldn’t stop reading. I had to know how this was all going to end. At the same time, I didn’t want it to end. I wanted it to keep going.
The author’s descriptive writing style paints a vivid picture of the setting, drawing the reader right into the story. I was immediately transported to Italy (and I really didn’t want to leave.) Her Dark Lies has Gothic overtones and a mysterious family mansion to add to the spooky feeling.
The characters come alive on each page. They stayed with me long after I finished reading. It’s a spine-tingling, thriller with so many twists and turns throughout the book. Every chapter left me with my mouth hanging open. This is suspense at its finest. It had all the ingredients to keep me up late into the night reading (with all the lights on.)
This is the first time I’ve read anything by this author and I’ve now added the author to my “must read” list. I’ll also be checking out the backlist. I can’t wait to get started.
For reading challenges:
Cloak & Dagger Reading Challenge 2021
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
J.T. Ellison is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 25 novels, and the EMMY® award winning co-host of the literary TV show A WORD ON WORDS. With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim, prestigious awards, and has been published in 28 countries. Ellison lives in Nashville with her husband and twin kittens.
That sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteA ruined wedding dress is so sad that I am not sure if I could enjoy the book.
ReplyDelete