Hardcover: 416 Pages
Publisher: MIRA; Original edition (March 9, 2021)
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…
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This book was fantastic. I loved it so much! It was perfectly paced and the characters wonderfully drawn out for the reader. I loved the mystery, suspense and thrills in this novel. I was burning through the pages and was fully entertained and engaged. I love these types of books that grab you and allow to to escape your world and hop into the pages of the book! A MUST read for thriller and mystery lovers!
“Jack, what’s going on? I can see blue lights flashing. Is that the island’s police?”
His attention snaps to the pier. “Our local island polizia, yes. The Italians have both local
police and military police, but here on the island, it’s just a couple of local guys. There’s no
crime on Isola.”
Unspoken—Our security sees to that. You’re safe with me, Claire. Always.
Safety is something Jack offers in spades. After Monday’s escapades, I’ve been shown
that in person.
“What do you think’s happened?” I ask. “They aren’t here about Monday night, are they?”
“I don’t know. I suppose we’ll find out. They’re blocking our way up to the Villa.”
It’s another ten minutes before we can disembark. Jack is silent and watchful the whole
time. He holds my hand and plays absently with my ring. I see the muscle in his jaw tick,
tick, tick as he grinds his teeth.
When the gangplank finally settles against the ground, he says quietly, “Just follow my
lead.” He steers me down the pier toward the flashing lights. We’re fifteen feet away when
he sucks in a breath and says, “Wait here.”
“But—”
“Wait here, Claire.”
Jack doesn’t normally command me. I’m so shocked I halt immediately, and he surges
ahead, disappearing into the crowd. I stand awkwardly alone, shivering in the salty breeze. I
can hear Italian, spoken very quickly, much too fast for me to follow even the few words I’ve
picked up, then Jack’s baritone, all overlaid with a cacophony of seagulls—the island’s
rookery for wayward birds must be nearby. I’m just grateful for the solid ground. Maybe I
was getting a little seasick.
Jack reemerges moments later, his face pale.
“The timing is impeccable,” he grumbles.
“Are they here for us?”
“No. The restoration people dug up a body.”
“A body? Whose?”
“No idea. Sorry, technically it’s not a body, it’s a skeleton. Remains. This happens
frequently in historical restoration.”
“Remains?” I’ve had just about enough death for a lifetime. Two bodies in two days?
Jack smiles. “Don’t freak out. You know this island dates back. Sometimes there are little
mudslides that expose ruins, or the restoration people my dad hired will dig into the ground
and find a tomb, or tunnel under a building and uncover disarticulated bones.”
“So it—they—aren’t recent?”
“Goodness, no. I’m sure they’re not. My parents will have to meet with the people from
the historical society, just to be certain, but it’s all going to be fine. It’s just one more thing to
handle.”
He sounds annoyed but supremely unconcerned, so I relax, too. I have learned to take
my cues from Jack. This is a whole new world I’m stepping into, and camouflage is my only
weapon.
“Let’s get up to the Villa. I’m sure my parents will want to see you. And I’d love to show
you around, if you’re not too jet-lagged. Plus, we have the meeting with the lawyers this
afternoon.”
Ah, the lawyers. I’ve almost forgotten about the prenup signing. Almost…
What, you thought it was going to be different? You missed the part of the story where
Prince Charming sat Cinderella down with an annuity payout schedule because the glass
slipper earned interest at 4.8 percent a year? This is the Comptons we’re talking about.
Jack might love me beyond all reason, but his family will protect him at all cost.
“I’m not too bad actually. Awake enough for greetings and explorations, at least.”
“Then let’s go.”
About J. T. Ellison
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author J.T. Ellison writes standalone domestic noir and psychological thriller series, the latter starring Nashville Homicide Lt. Taylor Jackson and medical examiner Dr. Samantha Owens, and pens the international thriller series “A Brit in the FBI” with #1 New York Times bestselling author Catherine Coulter. Cohost of the Emmy Award-winning show, A Word on Words, Ellison lives in Nashville with her husband.
Connect with J. T.
Excerpt tour:
Monday, February 15th: From the TBR Pile
Tuesday, February 16th: Kahakai Kitchen
Wednesday, February 17th: Seaside Book Nook
Thursday, February 18th: What is That Book About
Friday, February 19th: Pacific Northwest Bookworm
Monday, February 22nd: Helen’s Book Blog
Tuesday, February 23rd: Audio Killed the Bookmark
Wednesday, February 24th: Reading Reality
Thursday, February 25th: Palmer’s Page Turners
Friday, February 26th: Mrs. Mommy Booknerd
Monday, March 1st: Living My Best Book Life
Tuesday, March 2nd: Book Reviews and More by Kathy
Wednesday, March 3rd: Books & Bindings
Thursday, March 4th: Jathan & Heather
Friday, March 5th: Novel Gossip
Saturday, March 6th: Where the Reader Grows
Monday, March 8th: Art Books Coffee
Instagram tour:
Friday, March 5th: @novelgossip
Monday, March 8th: @bookish.sunrise
Tuesday, March 9th: @bryantparkbooks
Tuesday, March 9th: @lovelyplacebooks
Wednesday, March 10th: @the_boozy_baking_bibliophile
Thursday, March 11th: @always_reading
Thursday, March 11th: @workreadsleeprepeat
Friday, March 12th: @pages.and.plates
Saturday, March 13th: @hooked.by.books
Sunday, March 14th: @shobizreads
Monday, March 15th: @lifeinlit
Oh wow- this sounds fantastic! Thank you for being on this tour! Sara @ TLC Book Tours
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