It has been a few weeks since I last read a thriller, and I've really missed them. Don't get me wrong, I've really enjoyed expanding my reading habits and exploring new authors and genres. I've gained a greater perspective of the literary world at large, and I'm happy to see such a diverse and fruitful crop of books. I've become a more well-rounded reader and will continue to vary my reading as the year continues. Still, I'd be lying if I said I haven't missed my go-to genre of mysteries and thrillers. There's something about flying through the pages of a good thriller that just can't be beaten. J.T. Ellison flew onto my radar a few years ago when I read her first take as a solo author Lie to Me. I had a few minor issues with that book, but really enjoyed the way Ellison played with her characters. In an attempt to read more from her and to quench my thirst for another thriller, I picked up her latest book Good Girls Lie.Ashlyn Carr has had a tough run at life thus far. The young, English girl had a privileged but tragic childhood that culminated in the death of both of her parents. An orphan with no family to care for her, Ash turned to an unlikely place to take refuge. The elite Goode School in Virginia has historically been a place of learning for the intelligent and wealthy girls of the US. After completing a successful video conference interview with the school's dean, Dr. Westhaven, Ash was admitted to the school. Attending and living at the school will give her a shot at starting things over, making friends, and grieving for her past life and trauma.
At first, Ash is invigorated by the intellectual challenge the school provides her. She is a natural with all things computer-related, and the computer teacher sets up private lessons to foster her passion for the field. While excelling in academic rigor comes naturally to Ash, she is having a tough time connecting with the other girls. Goode prides itself on being the cream of the academic crop, but it can't overcome the societal norms that plague almost every school. The girls at Goode fall into hierarchal cliques that have a mysterious secret society at the very top. Ash instantly finds herself on the wrong side of senior girl Becca who is the unofficial head of the student body. The plot comes to a boiling point when one of Goode's girls is found dead, hanging from a spike on the front gate of the property.
Good Girls Lie is a twisty and tumultuous thriller that sees author J.T. Ellison tackle classism, grief, and the education system at large. She deftly shifts perspectives between present-day Ash, Ash's past, and the present-day dean Dr. Westhaven. Each chapter reveals a new ripple of revelation that tantalizes the reader with the feeling that everything is coming together. Just when I felt like I knew where this story was headed, Ellison would throw in another curveball. Ellison thrives at inhabiting her novel with characters who are flawed with complexities that have you questioning who, if anyone, to root for at any given point in the story. The plot of this one does veer a bit to the side of being outrageous and unbelievable, but I can forgive that in this case. The pages were turning so fast and I was so invested in seeing what happened next that I really didn't notice the unbelievability until I had finished the final page. Overall, Good Girls Lie more than satisfied my need to read a thriller and reminded me of why I often turn to this genre. Complex characters, a twisted plot, and a breakneck pace make Good Girls Lie a really fun read.
For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2020, 25)
So glad your venture into horizon expansion went well and you could reward yourself with this thrilling treat. I've been meaning to try Ellison's books and I haven't read a boarding school setting in a while. Great review, Ethan!
ReplyDeleteI think you'd really like this one. I liked it better than her other novel.
DeleteI also find it easy to forgive some of those OTT plot choices, when I am enjoying the story. I find the choice of POVs interesting. I love the idea of hearing the story from an older and younger version of the main character, and am intrigued to know why the author gave the dean a POV.
ReplyDeleteI should clarify a bit that the parts of her as a younger child are brief compared to the others, but it still really adds to the whole picture.
DeleteI have never read a book before that narrates the story through an older and younger version of a character and I am quite intrigued. I have seen this one around on so many blogs. You know what that means...
ReplyDeleteThis was a quick read that I think you'll like if you can get past it being a bit unbelievable.
DeleteWell, I recently read Foul is Fair by Hannah Capin, and it is one of my "OMG I LOVE THIS BOOK" books, and it too is a tad unbelievable but I don't even care because IT IS EVERYTHING right now. I'll probably be fine with this one also.
DeleteI'll have to add that one to my list!
DeleteYes!! I enjoyed this one as well!
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
DeleteI'm usually willing to "just go with it" when it comes to belivability issues (I mean, it is fiction) unless things are truly over the top. It's interesting that you say "who, if anyone, to root for" which makes me wonder if Ash is not as innocent as might be presumed. Interesting!
ReplyDeleteYou might be on to something...
DeleteThis sounds so good...not just the twisty suspenseful parts, but that it's set at an elite school. that's gotta be one of my favorite settings. :)
ReplyDeleteI love a good boarding school story. Have you read The Broken Girls?
DeleteI have! I really liked it. Simone St. James is one of my favorite authors. :)
DeleteAwesome! With Broken Girls and Sundown Motel, she has quickly become one of my favorites too.
DeleteI can't resist a good twisty mystery either! I love boarding school books. Something about that setting always grabs my attention. I think I'd do the audio here.
ReplyDeleteI think the boarding school setting really adds to the sense of isolation and mystery!
DeleteI hate schools like that with bitchy rich girls who think they are better than everyone else. But it sounds like a good idea for a story.
ReplyDeleteSome of the students were the absolute worst lol. But it sure made for a fun read!
DeleteI always end up back with a thriller, but enjoy branching out every so often. I've got the audio on hold - glad it's a good one!
ReplyDeleteOur reading habits are always pretty similar. That's why you are one of my go-to reviewers!
DeleteThere is always a secret society, ugh snobbish school, but it does make a for a good thriller
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!
DeleteI don't normally read thrillers, but like you, I'm trying to step out of my reading comfort zone. ;) I just started The Mountains Wild by Sarah Stewart Taylor, and while it's more mystery than thriller, I'm really enjoying it!
ReplyDeleteLindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬
It can be really rewarding to venture out of your usual habits a bit!
DeleteI always struggle with thrillers but I'm going to give them a try on audio. I'll keep this one in mind.
ReplyDeleteKaren @ For What It's Worth
To me, thrillers work really well as audiobooks. You can really get sucked into the story!
DeleteIf a book can make me *not* feel how long it is, and make me feel like I am flying through it, I am hooked. This sounds amazing! I am still looking for that boarding school setting that makes me appreciate it has a genre.
ReplyDeleteThis one and The Broken Girls are both excellent boarding school stories. I've heard Catherine House is another, so I hope to read it soon!
DeleteGreat review I need to get this. I'm a huge Ellison fan from even way back when she wrote for HQN.
ReplyDeleteThis is only my second book by Ellison, but she is quickly becoming one of my favorites too!
DeleteI love my thrillers. I try to read other things too, but when I circle back to them, I found I just rip through them.
ReplyDeleteGlad this one was twisty and exciting.
You just can't beat a good thriller!
DeleteI've read so many thrillers, but I always want more! Especially if they're riveting as this one seems to be. There's nothing like racing through a good thriller to take your mind off real life problems and stresses. I'm definitely going to be reading this one!
ReplyDeleteIt is my go-to genre for a reason. In fact, I just started reading another one last night!
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