HER DARK LIES

5 stars out of 5

If I had 10 bucks for every body that turns up in this one, I might not be able to buy that beach shack I've been wanting on my beloved North Carolina Outer Banks, but I sure would eat like a queen for a week or two! Wow - just when you thought still-standing characters would be safe, bam - another one bites the island dust.

The island is Isle Isola, off the coast of Italy. That's where uber-rich Compton family has a getaway villa that's nothing short of a castle. And that's where the wedding of son Jackson "Jack" Compton and his bride-to-be, Claire Hunter, will take place, with many family members enjoying luxurious pre-wedding festivities that have been organized to the nth degree by the Compton's highly experienced and competent staff.

But even before Jack and Claire arrive on the island, it's clear something is amiss; as they arrive at Claire's Nashville digs after an event - accompanied by a Compton family security guard - they're accosted by a masked intruder. Surviving that (I'll leave you to read the book to find out how that happens), they try to put it behind them and set off for the island. But almost the second they set foot on it, it's clear that something is amiss here as well. No, it's not Jack's family; despite Claire's background as a multi-tattooed junkie turned noteworthy artist whose work (thanks in large part to a boost from Jack) now sells for thousands of dollars, they appear to welcome her with open arms. 

Rather, the island itself, and the villa, that are suspect  For openers, a skeleton is unearthed that may have close ties to Jack; this is not, for the record, his first go-'round at marriage - his first ending with the tragic death of his wife Morgan. In any event, Jack's mother, firmly established as the family matriarch, wants the discovery swept under the rug. No one - not even Jack - reveals the circumstances surrounding Morgan's death.

Early on, it's obvious that someone isn't exactly thrilled with the upcoming wedding. Her dream dress, which she personally designed, is ruined. When that disturbs, but doesn't stop, the wedding, the shutdown and loss of all data from the family's server causes even more concern. And when that fails to put the brakes on the wedding, the murders begin.

Chapters from the viewpoint of other characters - including the person behind all the mayhem - are interspersed, giving readers an awareness (already suspected) of who's behind all the mayhem as well as insights on the main characters' backgrounds that help with an understanding of why. The action picks up even steam near the ending, which brings a few new and somewhat surprising insights as well. All told? Well-written and enjoyable. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

Her Dark Lies by J.T. Ellison (MIRA, March 2021); 356 pp.