A Very Bad Thing

A VERY BAD THING

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 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?

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Recognition

Best Mysteries and Thrillers of Fall 2024—Bookbub

Readers' Most Anticipated Fall Mysteries & Thriller—Goodreads

“A VERY BAD THING features J.T. Ellison at her most bewitching. It is a lengthy novel that demands to be consumed in a single sitting. There are no red herrings here; instead, we have one clue and revelation after another that leads to a memorable finale. The suspense and tension that are built surrounding what will be revealed at the reading of the will become nearly unbearable—which is exactly what Ellison wants in this exceedingly brilliant novel.”
—Ray Palen, Bookreporter

“A fun, fast-paced thriller that keeps secrets until the very last page. A worthy addition to mystery and thriller sections.”
—Library Journal

“…takes readers on a wild ride of secrets, lies, and hidden connections….This is a novel that has plot twists until the very last page. Readers may not want to start A Very Bad Thing on a night when they have to be up early the next day.”
—Chapter 16

“Author Ellison knows how to write psychological thrillers. This is another great one, in a long line of great novels. It has some many twists and turns, that you will not want to put it down. It’s a real page-turner.”
—Red Carpet Crash

Ellison is a master of weaving a web so tightly, that you often aren’t sure where you ended up or how you got there.”
—Chick Lit Central

“…a beacon of originality and depth, illuminating a path all its own… J.T. Ellison has not just written a thriller; she has crafted a mirror reflecting the complexities of human nature and the unpredictable consequences of our choices. This book is a testament to her prowess as a storyteller, capable of entwining suspense, emotion, and insight into a narrative that captivates from the first page to the last.”
—Jessica Jones Reads

“With its gripping storyline, unforgettable characters, and relentless suspense, A Very Bad Thing is sure to captivate fans of mysteries and psychological thrillers alike. A cross between Ruth Ware and Freida McFadden, J.T. Ellison’s latest thriller is impossible to put down. Prepare to be enthralled because once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop until you’ve uncovered the truth behind the death of Columbia Jones.”
—The Real Book Spy

“For an action-packed thriller, you won’t go wrong with A Very Bad Thing.”
—Leslie Zemeckis, Montecito Journal

Brimming with intrigue, dark secrets, and drama, A Very Bad Thing is an intense page-turning thriller that implores you to race through it with a burning desire to consume every last sordid detail.  J.T. Ellison has delivered an expertly crafted, twisty tale that provides hours of indulgent entertainment.
—Steve Netter, The Best Thriller Books

Praise for A VERY BAD THING

“J.T. Ellison once again crafts a deliciously suspenseful mystery with the pacing of a top-notch thriller. Just when you think Ellison can't top herself, she does, and A VERY BAD THING proves it. Compelling characters, a twisty mystery, and a propulsive story, I savored the book through the very last page.”
—Allison Brennan, New York Times bestselling author of You’ll Never Find Me

“J.T. Ellison delivers yet again. A Very Bad Thing sizzles from page one.  Moving at breakneck speed, Ellison’s latest explores the complex relationships between mothers and daughters and delivers twists and turns that make for an irresistible read.”
—Lori Roy, Edgar Award-winning author of Lake County

“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

“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 2

“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

“From the first sentence, A VERY BAD THING is a bullet train-paced thriller that plunges the reader into the scene of a murder and a brilliant novelist's dark past. Filled with a cast of characters with questionable motives and a whip-sharp plot, Ellison's latest will have you guessing who-done-it until the very last page. An engrossing domestic thriller well-suited for Ellison's fans and mystery readers alike. I was thoroughly entertained by this fun and wild story.”
—Kerry Lonsdale, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post bestselling author of No More Words and Last Summer

More Information

• Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

• Original Release Date: September 3, 2024

• Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audio, Paperback

• Hardcover ISBN: 978-1662520334