Elliot—lips open, tongue tapping the front teeth.
Will—lips pursed, then the tongue tap.
Brice—lips barely pursing before opening full.
Ana—lips fully open.
Jack.
J is a sound that must be done with the lips opened, mouth open, tongue touching the palate like a small, hissing kiss. If I were to play a mental video of her last moment and read Morgan’s lips, if I were to apply this formula to the sound of her whisper, it is very possible the missing word is...Jack.
Jack killed me.
I suppose we’ll never know for sure, will we?
Because I will make sure of it.
However long the island allows me to be a Compton wife, for we die before our time, I will stop at nothing to protect my family.
* * *
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This book was an exceptional journey, full of mountains and valleys. It was born on my birthday, on a terrace in a little hotel on Lake Como. During dinner, a yacht sailed to the small island of Isola Comacina, and as the sky darkened, a fireworks display started across the water. I was quite impressed that my family had arranged for fireworks to usher me into my next half century, but quickly found out it was to celebrate a wedding, a tradition on the island. I knew immediately this was the basis for my next book. Many thanks to my family for taking me to Italy for my birthday and indulging me as I absconded from their company to write on the terrace.
Beginnings are one thing. Endings are quite another. Thanks and gratitude to the following:
Laura Benedict, who read too many versions of this to count, and was right in all of her suggestions.
My entire writing porch, Ari, Patti, Laura, Paige, Lisa and Helen, who keep me honest and on track with inspiration and commiseration. You are the wind beneath my wings.
The incredible author, actor, and narrator Julia Whelan for her pandemic inspired #500wordsaday Twitter challenge. Please bring it back!
Victoria Schwab, for perpetually good advice.
Lisa Unger, Heather Gudenkauf, Mary Kubica, and the whole #authortalks community. Love our Friday Twitter chats!
My best friend from childhood, Connie Gehrman, and her husband Chuck Martin for hosting me on tour and teaching me how oil paints work.
Scott Miller, who believed in this story from the beginning. Thank you for your many years of guidance and friendship.
Laura Blake Peterson, who took on a wreck of a writer, shepherded the book into being, hand held, bolstered, and cheered me along to the finish lines–both of them.
Holly Frederick, film agent extraordinaire, who continues to find wonderful Hollywood homes for my work. I know what season two is!
My longtime editor Nicole Brebner, for spitballing, pushing, challenging me to do better, and finally, laying the last puzzle piece into place. You always make my work come to life!
Those who both volunteered as tribute and claimed they were ready to die when I ran my Who Wants To Die In My Next Novel contest: Katie Elderfield, Henna Shaikh, Morgan Fraser–I hope your deaths were satisfying!
Karmen Harris, who won an auction to have her name included in the book. You were a cop, a security guard, a cop again, a couture dress label, and finally the head of Compton Security. You gave me a merry chase, but in the end, you were exactly who you were meant to be. Sorry about the knife in the back.
The YouTube AMSR ancient library videos were hugely instrumental in setting the tone for this novel. Highly recommended.
My intrepid assistant Leigh, who keeps the trains running on time and the social media feeds gorgeous!
Joan Huston, for the crash edit and honest opinions.
Andi Baynham, owner of Salt and Starlight, whose divine choice of crystals raised my vibrations and brought my voice to life when I needed it most.
The entire team at Harlequin and MIRA, who deserve every bit of thanks and gratitude I can muster.
The Literati, the greatest little Facebook group ever.
The incredible booksellers and librarians who have found myriad creative ways to connect readers with our books during the pandemic.
Authors are always inspired by other great artists, and I am no different. I want to thank the following great artists whose work helped me through a most difficult time while I was writing this book:
Emily St. John Mandel
Diana Gabaldon
Lisa Gardner
Lori Gottlieb
Shonda Rhimes
Rina Mimoun
And a few more who will remain nameless but to whom I owe a great deal of thanks.
My fabulous family—my parents: first readers, and constant sounding boards; who gave me the gifts and the space to grow them. Jeff, Jay and Lisa, Jason, Kendall, Dillon; my in-laws Jimmy and Jo; and my lovely goddaughter, Isla—I love you all more than life itself.
And finally, my darling Randy, my lifeblood, my heart, my Prince Charming. You soldiered through this with me, and I owe you one. Always.
ISBN-13: 9781488076541
Her Dark Lies
Copyright © 2021 by J.T. Ellison
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
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