A Book A Week

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)