Welcome to my stop on the Beautiful Bad by Annie Ward blog tour sponsored by TLC Book Tours! Thanks to TLC for the invitation!
About the Book:
In the most explosive and twisted psychological thriller since The Woman in the Window, a beautiful marriage turns beautifully bad.
Things that make me scared: When Charlie cries. Hospitals and lakes. When Ian drinks vodka in the basement. ISIS. When Ian gets angry… That something is really, really wrong with me.
Maddie and Ian’s romance began with a chance encounter at a party overseas; he was serving in the British army and she was a travel writer visiting her best friend, Jo. Now almost two decades later, married with a beautiful son, Charlie, they are living the perfect suburban life in Middle America. But when a camping accident leaves Maddie badly scarred, she begins attending writing therapy, where she gradually reveals her fears about Ian’s PTSD; her concerns for the safety of their young son, Charlie; and the couple’s tangled and tumultuous past with Jo.
From the Balkans to England, Iraq to Manhattan, and finally to an ordinary family home in Kansas, sixteen years of love and fear, adventure and suspicion culminate in The Day of the Killing, when a frantic 911 call summons the police to the scene of a shocking crime.
My Thoughts:
Maddie and Ian meet each other overseas when he’s in the British army, and she’s a travel writer visiting a friend, Jo.
Almost twenty years later, they have a son named Charlie and are living the American dream together.
There’s a camping accident, which leaves its mark on Maddie emotionally, and she seeks therapy. In those sessions, she reveals Ian’s PTSD symptoms, her worries over Charlie’s safety, as well as the complicated past she and Ian have with Jo.
Then, “The Day of the Killing” happens where a 911 call brings the police to the house. Who is the victim, and who is responsible for the murder?
Beautiful Bad is a slow burning suspenseful read with several surprising twists. I was invested in these characters and gripped by this story. Secrets, Lies, friends, and murder. Without giving anything away, I think the title could not be more apt.
Overall, Beautiful Bad is a new thriller on the block and one not to be missed!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
About the Author:
Annie’s sophomore novel and first psychological thriller BEAUTIFUL BAD will be published by Harper Collins/Park Row books in March, 2019.
Annie received a BA in English Lit with an emphasis in Creative Writing from UCLA and an MFA in Screenwriting from the American Film Institute. While studying at AFI, she sold her first short screenplay to MTV/ BFCS Productions. Starring Adam Scott, STRANGE HABIT became a Grand Jury Award Winner at the Aspen Film Festival and a Sundance Festival Official Selection.
After film school, Annie moved to Eastern Europe to work for Fodor Travel Guides, covering regions of Spain and Bulgaria. She remained in Bulgaria for five years spanning a civilian uprising and government overthrow. The novel THE MAKING OF JUNE, which Annie wrote with the Bulgarian revolution and Balkan crisis as its backdrop was sold to Penguin Putnam and published to critical acclaim in 2002.
During Annie’s five years in the Balkans she received a Fulbright Scholarship, taught at the University of Sofia, and script doctored eight screenplays for Nu-Image, an Israeli/American film company that produced a number of projects in Bulgaria for the SyFy Channel. She was later the recipient of an Escape to Create artist residency.
She lives in Kansas City, Kansas with her family.
Have you read Beautiful Bad, or is it on your TBR? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
Sounds like Beautiful Bad has everything I love in a thriller. I’m already eager to know the details about “The Day of the Killing.” Great review!
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Thanks, Suzanne! It’s a compelling thriller!
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I didn’t know you had this one on your shelf, too! Wonderful review, Jennifer, and I can’t wait to listen to it soon.
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Lovely review Jennifer… I have this in my amazon wishlist
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Thanks, Shalini! This was a bunch of fun!
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Your pic is so stunning. Goodness Jennifer, you are an artist! Your props, background, everything are always on point!
This book sounds right up my alley. Fab review.
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Aw, thanks, Diana! That means a lot to me! I have fun with the covers! I especially loved the neutral tones with this one! This is definitely a book up your alley!
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Exciting review, blog tour, and picture, Jennifer. I plan to read this domestic suspense story. Happy Reading.
🌻😘❤️🌹📚
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Thanks, Virginia! I think you’d enjoy this! It’s so much fun! Happy reading to you too! 💗
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Great review, Jennifer! I was gripped by this story too. ❤
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Thanks, Darinda! I’m so happy you liked it too! ♥️
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Gorgeous picture Jen and wonderful review! Happy Tuesday!😊💙
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Thanks, Sus! It was a fun read! I hope you had a lovely Tuesday! ♥️
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This sounds so good!! I’m interested to read how the author carefully crafts each character and slowly builds the suspense in the story – especially given the complexity of the characters relationships to one another.
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Thanks, LP! I think she does a wonderful job with the characterization here. It was a slower builder so there was time for it. ♥️
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Sounds like an excellent read! 🙂 Fantastic review.
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Thanks, Chrissi! It was fab!
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I read this a couple of days ago and found it impossible to put down! I’m glad you enjoyed it too. 🙂
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Thanks, Hayley! I’m so happy you enjoyed it too! It kept me gripped as well!
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Just finished this last night. Overall, I enjoyed it. 3.5 stars for me. 😊
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I’m glad you enjoyed it overall, too, Gigi! ♥️ I’ll check out your review!
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I like the sound of this – I’m picking up more thrillers, or at least adding a few to my reads, at the moment but I’m never quite sure where to start. I’ll add this to my list.
Lynn 😀
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Thanks, Lynn! I think it’s a good one to add in there. I had fun with it!
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Thriller with twists? I am completely and forever all in. SIGN ME UP. Ha! Thanks for being on the tour!
Sara @ TLC Book Tours
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Thanks so much, Sara! I had great fun with this one! So many twists!
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Not sure this book’s for me, but I desperately want that mug of hot chocolate!! I always love your photos! 😀
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Thanks so much, FF! I appreciate that! That hot chocolate was SO good! So creamy and rich!
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I’ve debated picking this one up myself, it looks really interesting.
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It really enjoyed it! It was slower building but compelling!
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Cannot wait for this one! Fab review as always!
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Thanks, Berit! ♥️ I hope you enjoy it too!
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Reblogged this on Angie Dokos.
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Thanks, Angie! ♥️
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You’re welcome.
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Got this one today from the library. Jan and I are going to buddy read this one.
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I hope the dynamic duo enjoys it very much! ♥️
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Dunno what is it about horrible marriages, but i just feel like i need to read all about them 😀 This one sounds perfect.
Great review!
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Thanks, Norrie! 😂 I know! Same here! The dynamics can be fascinating!
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I’m definitely intrigued Jenni but unfortunately I’ve heard mixed reviews! I always like to make my own mind up though and I’m reading it soon so thank you so much for a great review 😘
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Thanks, Beth! I look forward to your thoughts, too! I hope you enjoy it! ♥️
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