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Keep Them Close
Two siblings. One murder. So many lies.
Siblings Allison and Luke have been through a lot together. They’ve always stood by each other. They’d do anything for each other.
Or so it seems.
When Allison’s husband, Finley, is murdered, the investigation threatens to expose the siblings’ darkest secrets. An illicit affair. A decades-old accident. A stunning deception. How do these events explain Finley’s death? How far will Allison and Luke go to keep their secrets buried? And can the siblings even trust one another anymore?
As the investigation winds tighter and past and present collide, the most shocking betrayal might lie a little too close to home…
Siblings Allison and Luke have been through a lot together. They’ve always stood by each other. They’d do anything for each other.
Or so it seems.
When Allison’s husband, Finley, is murdered, the investigation threatens to expose the siblings’ darkest secrets. An illicit affair. A decades-old accident. A stunning deception. How do these events explain Finley’s death? How far will Allison and Luke go to keep their secrets buried? And can the siblings even trust one another anymore?
As the investigation winds tighter and past and present collide, the most shocking betrayal might lie a little too close to home…
358 pages, Hardcover
First published June 30, 2026
About the author
David Ellis
33 books2,881 followersDavid Ellis is a lawyer and the Edgar Allan Poe Award winner for Best First Novel for Line of Vision. Ellis attended Northwestern Law School and began his legal career in private practice in Chicago in 1993. He served as the House Prosecutor who tried and convicted Illinois Governor Blagojevich in the Impeachment Trial before the Illinois Senate. He was elected to the Illinois Appellate Court in 2014 and took office December 1, 2014. Ellis currently lives outside Chicago with his wife and three children.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,629 reviews
July 16, 2026
because of how much i loveddddd Look Closer, this had some big shoes to fill… big fat no from me dawg
July 14, 2026
4⭐️s
Allison is a successful lawyer who has never lost a case. Unfortunately, she's married to Finley, an unfaithful loser of a husband who lives off her income while chasing one failed get-rich-quick scheme after another.
Allison and her brother, Luke, have always had each other's backs. But when Finley turns up dead, the investigation into his murder threatens to expose secrets they'd rather keep buried. As suspicion mounts, they're forced to question not only who they can trust, but whether they can even trust each other.
Told from the perspectives of Allison, Luke, and the detective investigating Finley's murder across alternating timelines, this story had a lot of moving pieces which kept me guessing until the very end. What I appreciated most was that the twists felt plausible and never crossed into OTT territory for the sake of shock value, which has become all too common in this genre.
While the ending provided a satisfying conclusion, it also felt a bit like an info dump, which isn't my favorite way to wrap up a story. Although I didn't love this one quite as much as Look Closer, it was still a highly engaging read that had me turning the pages late into the night.
Now available! My thanks to G.P. Putnam’s Sons via NetGalley for my digital ARC.
Allison is a successful lawyer who has never lost a case. Unfortunately, she's married to Finley, an unfaithful loser of a husband who lives off her income while chasing one failed get-rich-quick scheme after another.
Allison and her brother, Luke, have always had each other's backs. But when Finley turns up dead, the investigation into his murder threatens to expose secrets they'd rather keep buried. As suspicion mounts, they're forced to question not only who they can trust, but whether they can even trust each other.
Told from the perspectives of Allison, Luke, and the detective investigating Finley's murder across alternating timelines, this story had a lot of moving pieces which kept me guessing until the very end. What I appreciated most was that the twists felt plausible and never crossed into OTT territory for the sake of shock value, which has become all too common in this genre.
While the ending provided a satisfying conclusion, it also felt a bit like an info dump, which isn't my favorite way to wrap up a story. Although I didn't love this one quite as much as Look Closer, it was still a highly engaging read that had me turning the pages late into the night.
Now available! My thanks to G.P. Putnam’s Sons via NetGalley for my digital ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
APRIL FOOL’S DAY
BEFORE, DURING and AFTER
But, WHO will fool WHO?
Siblings Allison and Luke have always stuck together through the good times and the bad times.
So when Allison needs the videos from a road rage tape to disappear-she knows to call Luke. And, when Luke gets arrested-he knows which lawyer he wants defending him-his sister Allison.
BUT when Allison’s husband, Finley, is murdered, on April Fool’s Day, the investigation threatens to expose more than Finn’s infidelity. It may also expose the siblings’ darkest secrets…
AND, their biggest deceptions.
The story unfolds through Allison and Luke’s alternating POV’s and those of Louise-the seasoned detective on the case.
The Publisher’s blurb doesn’t say much more than this, so I won’t either but what I will say is that this latest DOMESTIC THRILLER from David Ellis was one ADDICTING and TWISTY ride!
In 2022 I awarded him my “TOP THRILLER of the YEAR” award for Look Closer, and although it gets the edge, this is nearly just as good! I wasn’t quite as enamored with last year’s offering, “The Best Lies” which was about Crime lords and assassins (not my jam!) but I am thrilled to report that this story is closer in style to “Look Closer”-so if you LOVED that one, you won’t want to miss this one!
Did I mention how TWISTY it is? 😉. But, in the best way.
4.5 stars rounded up! 🤩
A buddy read with Marilyn, DeAnn and Mary Beth! Be sure to watch for their reviews too!
NOW AVAILABLE!
Thank You to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
BEFORE, DURING and AFTER
But, WHO will fool WHO?
Siblings Allison and Luke have always stuck together through the good times and the bad times.
So when Allison needs the videos from a road rage tape to disappear-she knows to call Luke. And, when Luke gets arrested-he knows which lawyer he wants defending him-his sister Allison.
BUT when Allison’s husband, Finley, is murdered, on April Fool’s Day, the investigation threatens to expose more than Finn’s infidelity. It may also expose the siblings’ darkest secrets…
AND, their biggest deceptions.
The story unfolds through Allison and Luke’s alternating POV’s and those of Louise-the seasoned detective on the case.
The Publisher’s blurb doesn’t say much more than this, so I won’t either but what I will say is that this latest DOMESTIC THRILLER from David Ellis was one ADDICTING and TWISTY ride!
In 2022 I awarded him my “TOP THRILLER of the YEAR” award for Look Closer, and although it gets the edge, this is nearly just as good! I wasn’t quite as enamored with last year’s offering, “The Best Lies” which was about Crime lords and assassins (not my jam!) but I am thrilled to report that this story is closer in style to “Look Closer”-so if you LOVED that one, you won’t want to miss this one!
Did I mention how TWISTY it is? 😉. But, in the best way.
4.5 stars rounded up! 🤩
A buddy read with Marilyn, DeAnn and Mary Beth! Be sure to watch for their reviews too!
NOW AVAILABLE!
Thank You to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
July 26, 2026
5.++ stars— It seemed that during the last several months every book I attempted to read was a dreadful, over-hyped bore. Thankfully, David Ellis decided to release his new book, “Keep Them Close” right when I was at my low point of crappy thriller reading. I am happy to report my faith in current authors has been restored. Ellis wrote my favorite book of 2022 “Look Closer,” so I knew he had the ability to write a great thriller. But, I wasn’t a fan of his last book (that he wrote with James Patterson), but I decided to read this one anyway. “Keep Them Close” is brilliant from start to finish. The author opens the book with Allison, the main character, spying on her cheating husband and then getting into a road rage altercation as she is returning to her home. The plot takes a million twists and turns from there, and I can honestly say there was never a point in the book where I was bored or confused like I have been in several of the novels I have recently read. In fact, the amount of unexpected zig-zags the plot takes might be peak Alice Feeney… and I didn’t see any of them coming. Ellis does a great job writing from the perspective of a former federal prosecutor who is now working as a criminal defense attorney (Allison). Allison takes the cake as far as her ability to get herself out of difficult situations, set-ups, and in protecting herself and those she loves. Come to think of it —it is a little frightening the amount of knowledge that someone who has seen every side and angle of a criminal case has when he or she has a run in with the law themselves. I was mesmerized by the storyline, the cat and mouse games reminiscent of “Gone Girl”, as well as the grand finale. Bravo Mr. Ellis, and you are now in the running for best thriller of 2026.
July 17, 2026
Want a masterclass in how to plot an amazing mystery-thriller? David Ellis is your man.
In what I think is his best since 2022’s Look Closer, which was also a 5 star read for me, his personal knowledge of the legal system as a lawyer and former prosecutor are on full display, and I don’t know whether to be impressed or terrified at how well he understands how it can be manipulated in the hands of someone who knows how it works!
Allison Brice is a high-powered former prosecutor and now respected defense lawyer in her own private practice, where she’s pulling down a million dollars a year. Her husband Finley is a skirt chaser whose endless failing start-up ideas leave Allison as the sole provider for them and their college freshman son Grayson.
Luke Rankin is Allison’s older brother. He’s a very successful college baseball coach whose golden boy future as a baseball prodigy was cut short by an accident involving his bike and a drunk driver when he was 12. Trinity Casto is Luke’s love interest and is making a documentary about his life.
When Allison encounters an angry driver one night while driving home, she can’t imagine the cascading effects that threaten to upend everything she’s so carefully built. She also doesn’t initially realize how many connections this event will have to all the other characters I mentioned, and she certainly isn’t expecting someone to be murdered.
One thing she does understand very well is the law. She knows what investigators like her own PI Jessica Harper, aka Harp, and police sergeant Louise Pratt and partner Cutty Sark are looking for in a crime, and she knows how to make sure they find or don’t find what they’re looking for. I’ll just say that I wouldn’t want to be on her bad side!
There’s so much more to this plot that I’m going to leave to the reader to discover, because a book like this deserves all those wonderful moments of surprise. What I will tell you is that Ellis’ attention to detail and plotting is as impressive as I’ve seen and makes him a must read author for me. The way he ties all the threads of this story together is so impressive!
This was an immersion read on my Kindle with the audio from Libby narrated by Robin McAlpine, Sean Patrick Hopkins and Kelli Tager, who all did a great job. If you want a mystery-thriller done right, I can highly recommend this one!
★★★★★
Thanks to G.P. Putnam’s Sons, NetGalley and author David Ellis for this DRC to honestly review and to my library/Libby for the audio. This is out now.
In what I think is his best since 2022’s Look Closer, which was also a 5 star read for me, his personal knowledge of the legal system as a lawyer and former prosecutor are on full display, and I don’t know whether to be impressed or terrified at how well he understands how it can be manipulated in the hands of someone who knows how it works!
Allison Brice is a high-powered former prosecutor and now respected defense lawyer in her own private practice, where she’s pulling down a million dollars a year. Her husband Finley is a skirt chaser whose endless failing start-up ideas leave Allison as the sole provider for them and their college freshman son Grayson.
Luke Rankin is Allison’s older brother. He’s a very successful college baseball coach whose golden boy future as a baseball prodigy was cut short by an accident involving his bike and a drunk driver when he was 12. Trinity Casto is Luke’s love interest and is making a documentary about his life.
When Allison encounters an angry driver one night while driving home, she can’t imagine the cascading effects that threaten to upend everything she’s so carefully built. She also doesn’t initially realize how many connections this event will have to all the other characters I mentioned, and she certainly isn’t expecting someone to be murdered.
One thing she does understand very well is the law. She knows what investigators like her own PI Jessica Harper, aka Harp, and police sergeant Louise Pratt and partner Cutty Sark are looking for in a crime, and she knows how to make sure they find or don’t find what they’re looking for. I’ll just say that I wouldn’t want to be on her bad side!
There’s so much more to this plot that I’m going to leave to the reader to discover, because a book like this deserves all those wonderful moments of surprise. What I will tell you is that Ellis’ attention to detail and plotting is as impressive as I’ve seen and makes him a must read author for me. The way he ties all the threads of this story together is so impressive!
This was an immersion read on my Kindle with the audio from Libby narrated by Robin McAlpine, Sean Patrick Hopkins and Kelli Tager, who all did a great job. If you want a mystery-thriller done right, I can highly recommend this one!
★★★★★
Thanks to G.P. Putnam’s Sons, NetGalley and author David Ellis for this DRC to honestly review and to my library/Libby for the audio. This is out now.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️ 4.25 ⭐️ David Ellis never disappoints. EVERYONE is lying and everyone wants to protect their dirty little secrets! This was so hard to put down! So many good surprises and great pacing, I loved the premise: two siblings, an affair, one murder & a bunch of lies all related to a decades old accident that ruined many lives. For full transparency, I love legal thrillers and police procedurals. So when I saw Ellis was coming out with a brand new novel, I didn't have to read it to know early on two things: it will be clever and make my brain do backflips. So let's get into it!
This awesome thriller is centered on two siblings, Allison and Luke, who seem to have an amazing bond that begins to crack when Allisons husband, Finley, is murdered and both of them are thrown into the affairs of the investigation. The story follows three time lines, three character driven arcs that are twist-heavy and suspenseful, that gradually converge cleverly to reveal the truth.
Allison:
Allison knows her husband is a cheating slug. He's been doing it for years but they have a teenage son who is about to start college and an intensive job/case at the moment, so she is not ready to leave him, not yet. She's a successful attorney and one of the best in court. She follows her husband to his mistresses house and confirms his extramarital relationship (for herself). As she leaves, she is chased down by a man in a truck who has an ulterior motive. Outsmarting him, she runs him over and escapes. But when this man is saved by police and EMS, a criminal investigation opens, threatening to expose Allison and end her career. As detectives dig deeper, long buries secrets emerge revealing that almost everyone is involved. Allisons world starts cracking--how far will she go to keep her innocence?
Luke:
Luke is an ex baseball player who works as a college coach post his teenage injury, bringing the teams to state championships. When Luke volunteers to run an errand for someone who wants to be in a relationship with, things go sideways very fast and Luke is thrown under the bus, prompting Allison to take his case and go all in with the investigation. Little does everyone know, Luke is playing a side game that is cunning and dangerous. He's protective of his sister yet becomes very resentful. The sibling drama and the flip in the script is really well written in this book and I couldn't put it down. How far is he willing to go to protect the lie?
The detective/the investigation:
These chapters are police procedurals where turn of events (dates, times, motives) are revealed to the readers in a slow motion and served to create/elevate the tension and dread in both Allison and Luke. The detective, is very intuitive and follows a trail that guides us onto another trail where completely unrelated events become the breakthrough points in the investigation. I LOVED these chapters!
This was an addictive book that encouraged binge-reading. I stayed up past midnight to finish this book. Ellis is master in creating complicated but loyal family dynamics. He gives the characters so many faces, it's hard to know which face is real and which is an illusion. He throws in little details that feel important but they are flukes until the very end! Reading his books is always a good time. Make sure to add this to your list!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Putnam/G. P. Putnam's Sons and the author, David Ellis for an early copy!
Publication date: June 30, 2026
This awesome thriller is centered on two siblings, Allison and Luke, who seem to have an amazing bond that begins to crack when Allisons husband, Finley, is murdered and both of them are thrown into the affairs of the investigation. The story follows three time lines, three character driven arcs that are twist-heavy and suspenseful, that gradually converge cleverly to reveal the truth.
Allison:
Allison knows her husband is a cheating slug. He's been doing it for years but they have a teenage son who is about to start college and an intensive job/case at the moment, so she is not ready to leave him, not yet. She's a successful attorney and one of the best in court. She follows her husband to his mistresses house and confirms his extramarital relationship (for herself). As she leaves, she is chased down by a man in a truck who has an ulterior motive. Outsmarting him, she runs him over and escapes. But when this man is saved by police and EMS, a criminal investigation opens, threatening to expose Allison and end her career. As detectives dig deeper, long buries secrets emerge revealing that almost everyone is involved. Allisons world starts cracking--how far will she go to keep her innocence?
Luke:
Luke is an ex baseball player who works as a college coach post his teenage injury, bringing the teams to state championships. When Luke volunteers to run an errand for someone who wants to be in a relationship with, things go sideways very fast and Luke is thrown under the bus, prompting Allison to take his case and go all in with the investigation. Little does everyone know, Luke is playing a side game that is cunning and dangerous. He's protective of his sister yet becomes very resentful. The sibling drama and the flip in the script is really well written in this book and I couldn't put it down. How far is he willing to go to protect the lie?
The detective/the investigation:
These chapters are police procedurals where turn of events (dates, times, motives) are revealed to the readers in a slow motion and served to create/elevate the tension and dread in both Allison and Luke. The detective, is very intuitive and follows a trail that guides us onto another trail where completely unrelated events become the breakthrough points in the investigation. I LOVED these chapters!
This was an addictive book that encouraged binge-reading. I stayed up past midnight to finish this book. Ellis is master in creating complicated but loyal family dynamics. He gives the characters so many faces, it's hard to know which face is real and which is an illusion. He throws in little details that feel important but they are flukes until the very end! Reading his books is always a good time. Make sure to add this to your list!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Putnam/G. P. Putnam's Sons and the author, David Ellis for an early copy!
Publication date: June 30, 2026
March 18, 2026
Impossible to put down!
Siblings Allison and Luke have always had each other‘s backs while being each other’s own worst enemies at times. When Allison’s husband Finlay is murdered, what seems like a simple explanation turns into something much more convoluted. To give away anything else would involve spoilers.
Alison and Luke were two characters that were quite despicable and conniving…in a good way! How everything is tied together and resolved requires the reader to suspend quite a bit of disbelief. But it’s tied up rather nicely. While the end game was a bit predictable, the trip there was not. There were so many twists and turns I had to stop a few times and say “wait what?!”. The chapters were short and each one ended in a way that left you wanting more. This was another one of those read-in-one-day books because it’s so addicting.
There wasn’t too much that I didn’t enjoy, but I did feel that maybe the subplot of the congressman’s case and Aaron was unnecessary. Unless I missed it, I didn’t see how it’s tied in much more so than being part of a side story.
As a matter of enjoyment, this one is a close second to Look Closer, so if you enjoyed that one, give this one a try for sure.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Siblings Allison and Luke have always had each other‘s backs while being each other’s own worst enemies at times. When Allison’s husband Finlay is murdered, what seems like a simple explanation turns into something much more convoluted. To give away anything else would involve spoilers.
Alison and Luke were two characters that were quite despicable and conniving…in a good way! How everything is tied together and resolved requires the reader to suspend quite a bit of disbelief. But it’s tied up rather nicely. While the end game was a bit predictable, the trip there was not. There were so many twists and turns I had to stop a few times and say “wait what?!”. The chapters were short and each one ended in a way that left you wanting more. This was another one of those read-in-one-day books because it’s so addicting.
There wasn’t too much that I didn’t enjoy, but I did feel that maybe the subplot of the congressman’s case and Aaron was unnecessary. Unless I missed it, I didn’t see how it’s tied in much more so than being part of a side story.
As a matter of enjoyment, this one is a close second to Look Closer, so if you enjoyed that one, give this one a try for sure.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2026
IS BLOOD REALLY THICKER THAN WATER
In Keep Them Close attorney Allison and her brother Luke have always been so close. When Allison's serial-cheating husband Finley is murdered, a dark web of family secrets, illicit affairs, and decades-old betrayals threatens to tear the siblings apart.
You can also bet that when it comes to Mr. Ellis you are going to have a fun twisty time with his reads. This book was no different and had me on my tippy toes the entire time.
The was soooooo much drama and I was getting whiplash at all the secrets and reveals that was unravelling with Allison and her brother Luke. I didn’t know if I was coming or going.
If you love a good cat and mouse thriller sprinkled in pure domestic then this is the book for you.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading how the story played out and it was a nicely paced novel.
I can’t wait to see what David writes next.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
pre read
I have been anticipating this release.
The blurb just screams DRAMA!
Lets goooooooo!
💛💙💙💛
In Keep Them Close attorney Allison and her brother Luke have always been so close. When Allison's serial-cheating husband Finley is murdered, a dark web of family secrets, illicit affairs, and decades-old betrayals threatens to tear the siblings apart.
You can also bet that when it comes to Mr. Ellis you are going to have a fun twisty time with his reads. This book was no different and had me on my tippy toes the entire time.
The was soooooo much drama and I was getting whiplash at all the secrets and reveals that was unravelling with Allison and her brother Luke. I didn’t know if I was coming or going.
If you love a good cat and mouse thriller sprinkled in pure domestic then this is the book for you.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading how the story played out and it was a nicely paced novel.
I can’t wait to see what David writes next.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
pre read
I have been anticipating this release.
The blurb just screams DRAMA!
Lets goooooooo!
💛💙💙💛
July 23, 2026
Author David Ellis first came on my radar in 2022 with his psychological thriller Look Closer, and again in 2024 with The Best Lies — both five-star reads in my opinion.
His new offering, Keep Them Close, is a masterclass in orchestrating an elaborate cover-up to get away with a crime: hide evidence; plant new evidence; send investigators chasing whatever confirms their existing theories; manipulate police procedure to frame someone else.
Brilliant.
Ellis, a former prosecutor and a sitting Illinois Appellate Court judge, brings a legal mind’s precision to every procedural detail.
Keep Them Close will leave you gobsmacked as the line between victim and predator slowly blurs until it vanishes, and family loyalty becomes indistinguishable from complicity.
You think your family has issues?
Ha!
What till you meet this one.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My dear thriller fans, this is an epic thriller you absolutely shouldn’t miss. It comes from David Ellis, whom I consider one of the true masters of the genre. He’s one of those authors I automatically request without even thinking twice. And while this book may not always appear on every “best thrillers” list, it worked for me instantly. From the very first pages, I knew I was in for a gripping ride.
The story moves cleverly between timelines, centered around April Fool’s Day, which happens to be my birthday but also the day Finlay dies. Not exactly the happiest coincidence! The way the narrative shifts between before and after that crucial day is smart and keeps the tension building as the mystery slowly unfolds.
While you’re trying to figure out who the murderer is, you also find yourself digging deeper and deeper into the complicated lives of siblings Allison and Luke. At first glance, they seem like ordinary, law-abiding people simply trying to survive a run of terrible luck. Poor Allison is dealing with a cheating husband, and her brother Luke has already lost his dream career after a tragic accident. Now he’s facing drug possession charges that could ruin what’s left of his future. Even worse, he’s stubbornly defending his documentary filmmaker friend Trinity, who might somehow be connected to the drugs. Is it loyalty, or is his secret love for her clouding his judgment?
And that’s only the beginning.
Allison becomes involved in a terrifying road rage incident that could have ended in unimaginable violence. In a desperate moment she hits the man with her car, and suddenly the situation turns into something that could send her to prison. Who helps her erase the security camera footage that might expose the truth? Her brother Luke, of course. But what if both siblings are hiding far darker secrets from each other? Secrets that could be even worse than the death of a cheating husband?
As the investigation unfolds, the crime unit tries to piece together what really happened, but things only grow more suspicious. Allison unexpectedly refuses to testify, and Luke’s behavior becomes increasingly strange. Neither of them seems eager to cooperate with the authorities. Are they protecting each other… or are they both trapped in a web of lies that might destroy the last connection they have left?
This book is a wild, adrenaline-fueled ride. Right until the epilogue, you constantly feel as if the rug is being pulled out from under you. Just when you think you’ve solved the mystery, another twist arrives and shatters your theory. Nothing is exactly what it seems, and that’s what makes it so addictive.
The pacing is fantastic. This is the kind of thriller that keeps you turning pages late into the night because you simply cannot stop. The tension builds steadily, especially in the complicated relationship between Allison and Luke. Their bond feels intense, emotional, and sometimes dangerously fragile.
Allison is a brilliant character: a sharp, calculating, powerhouse lawyer who knows exactly how to play the game when survival is on the line. Luke, once a promising baseball star and now a rising baseball coach whose career was shattered by an accident, is equally compelling. He’s loyal, protective, and deeply devoted to his sister, but beneath that loyalty there are layers of resentment, fear, and secrets. Both characters feel incredibly real. They love fiercely, but they’re also capable of holding grudges and playing very dirty when pushed into a corner.
In short, this thriller completely blew my mind.
I’m happily giving this book five stars and strongly recommending that you add it to your reading list as soon as possible. Trust me on this one. I take my thriller reading very seriously, and this is a big winner.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and G. P. Putnam’s Sons for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
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The story moves cleverly between timelines, centered around April Fool’s Day, which happens to be my birthday but also the day Finlay dies. Not exactly the happiest coincidence! The way the narrative shifts between before and after that crucial day is smart and keeps the tension building as the mystery slowly unfolds.
While you’re trying to figure out who the murderer is, you also find yourself digging deeper and deeper into the complicated lives of siblings Allison and Luke. At first glance, they seem like ordinary, law-abiding people simply trying to survive a run of terrible luck. Poor Allison is dealing with a cheating husband, and her brother Luke has already lost his dream career after a tragic accident. Now he’s facing drug possession charges that could ruin what’s left of his future. Even worse, he’s stubbornly defending his documentary filmmaker friend Trinity, who might somehow be connected to the drugs. Is it loyalty, or is his secret love for her clouding his judgment?
And that’s only the beginning.
Allison becomes involved in a terrifying road rage incident that could have ended in unimaginable violence. In a desperate moment she hits the man with her car, and suddenly the situation turns into something that could send her to prison. Who helps her erase the security camera footage that might expose the truth? Her brother Luke, of course. But what if both siblings are hiding far darker secrets from each other? Secrets that could be even worse than the death of a cheating husband?
As the investigation unfolds, the crime unit tries to piece together what really happened, but things only grow more suspicious. Allison unexpectedly refuses to testify, and Luke’s behavior becomes increasingly strange. Neither of them seems eager to cooperate with the authorities. Are they protecting each other… or are they both trapped in a web of lies that might destroy the last connection they have left?
This book is a wild, adrenaline-fueled ride. Right until the epilogue, you constantly feel as if the rug is being pulled out from under you. Just when you think you’ve solved the mystery, another twist arrives and shatters your theory. Nothing is exactly what it seems, and that’s what makes it so addictive.
The pacing is fantastic. This is the kind of thriller that keeps you turning pages late into the night because you simply cannot stop. The tension builds steadily, especially in the complicated relationship between Allison and Luke. Their bond feels intense, emotional, and sometimes dangerously fragile.
Allison is a brilliant character: a sharp, calculating, powerhouse lawyer who knows exactly how to play the game when survival is on the line. Luke, once a promising baseball star and now a rising baseball coach whose career was shattered by an accident, is equally compelling. He’s loyal, protective, and deeply devoted to his sister, but beneath that loyalty there are layers of resentment, fear, and secrets. Both characters feel incredibly real. They love fiercely, but they’re also capable of holding grudges and playing very dirty when pushed into a corner.
In short, this thriller completely blew my mind.
I’m happily giving this book five stars and strongly recommending that you add it to your reading list as soon as possible. Trust me on this one. I take my thriller reading very seriously, and this is a big winner.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and G. P. Putnam’s Sons for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
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July 4, 2026
When I got back into reading in 2023, Look Closer was one of the first thrillers I read, and to this day it's still one of my all-time favourites. It ticked every box for me and, if I'm being honest, I've been chasing that same feeling ever since. So, it's probably no surprise that I went into Keep Them Close with some pretty high expectations.
Ellis immediately sets the tone, opening with a suspenseful prologue that throws us straight into Allison's world as she catches her husband having an affair. Rather than reacting in the heat of the moment, she's already thinking several steps ahead. You instantly get the feeling she's got a bigger plan in mind, and that this isn't going to be a straightforward confrontation.
One of the things I liked most was the focus on family. At its core, this is a story about sibling loyalty, how far you'll go to protect the people you love, and whether you can ever truly trust those closest to you. It's packed with manipulation, carefully laid plans and characters who all seem to have their own version of the truth, so I was constantly second-guessing who to believe.
Luke was an easy favourite. His train of thought had me chuckling more than once because one minute he's thinking about something serious, the next he's wondering about some completely random fact before snapping straight back to reality. As someone whose brain regularly goes off on those same little tangents, I found him oddly relatable. I also really liked Sergeant Louise Pratt. She's calm, incredibly observant, and I loved how she reads people beyond what's being said. One moment that really stood out was her first impression of Allison, where she notices not what Allison is doing, but what she isn't doing. It immediately showed how perceptive she was without needing to tell us outright.
I also thought the April Fools' Day setting was a clever choice. Ellis takes a day built around deception and uses it to make everything feel just that little bit more unreliable. It fits the story really well because you're constantly wondering who's telling the truth, who's putting on an act, and who's about to fool everyone.
The pacing is fast, with short chapters and multiple POVs from Allison, Luke and Louise, alongside timelines covering the weeks leading up to April Fools' Day and the investigation afterwards. Once we actually reach April Fools' Day, the story almost shifts into a minute-by-minute account of what's happening, creating a real ticking time-bomb effect that made it hard to stop listening.
I had to let this one sit for a while after finishing because I could feel myself comparing it to Look Closer, and I didn't think that was entirely fair. Even after coming back to it with a fresher mindset, though, I still found myself struggling to fully engage with the story. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it. Ellis has once again written a layered, cleverly constructed thriller that's riddled with clues, where every character's version of events makes you question what really happened. I just never became as invested as I'd hoped.
In the end, this was still a solid thriller and one I'd happily recommend to fans of intricate, clue-filled mysteries. It didn't quite capture that same lightning-in-a-bottle feeling I experienced with Look Closer, but I can still appreciate just how cleverly Ellis put this one together.
3.5⭐️
Ellis immediately sets the tone, opening with a suspenseful prologue that throws us straight into Allison's world as she catches her husband having an affair. Rather than reacting in the heat of the moment, she's already thinking several steps ahead. You instantly get the feeling she's got a bigger plan in mind, and that this isn't going to be a straightforward confrontation.
One of the things I liked most was the focus on family. At its core, this is a story about sibling loyalty, how far you'll go to protect the people you love, and whether you can ever truly trust those closest to you. It's packed with manipulation, carefully laid plans and characters who all seem to have their own version of the truth, so I was constantly second-guessing who to believe.
Luke was an easy favourite. His train of thought had me chuckling more than once because one minute he's thinking about something serious, the next he's wondering about some completely random fact before snapping straight back to reality. As someone whose brain regularly goes off on those same little tangents, I found him oddly relatable. I also really liked Sergeant Louise Pratt. She's calm, incredibly observant, and I loved how she reads people beyond what's being said. One moment that really stood out was her first impression of Allison, where she notices not what Allison is doing, but what she isn't doing. It immediately showed how perceptive she was without needing to tell us outright.
I also thought the April Fools' Day setting was a clever choice. Ellis takes a day built around deception and uses it to make everything feel just that little bit more unreliable. It fits the story really well because you're constantly wondering who's telling the truth, who's putting on an act, and who's about to fool everyone.
The pacing is fast, with short chapters and multiple POVs from Allison, Luke and Louise, alongside timelines covering the weeks leading up to April Fools' Day and the investigation afterwards. Once we actually reach April Fools' Day, the story almost shifts into a minute-by-minute account of what's happening, creating a real ticking time-bomb effect that made it hard to stop listening.
I had to let this one sit for a while after finishing because I could feel myself comparing it to Look Closer, and I didn't think that was entirely fair. Even after coming back to it with a fresher mindset, though, I still found myself struggling to fully engage with the story. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it. Ellis has once again written a layered, cleverly constructed thriller that's riddled with clues, where every character's version of events makes you question what really happened. I just never became as invested as I'd hoped.
In the end, this was still a solid thriller and one I'd happily recommend to fans of intricate, clue-filled mysteries. It didn't quite capture that same lightning-in-a-bottle feeling I experienced with Look Closer, but I can still appreciate just how cleverly Ellis put this one together.
3.5⭐️
March 22, 2026
Nothing will ever take the number one spot of my favorite David Ellis book from Look Closer, but my goodness this one sure does come close. From the moment it grabbed my attention, at like page one 😆, I did not want to put it down.
In true Ellis form, I was questioning any and everyone, and just when I thought I had cleared them, bam they were back on the suspect board. And that is my favorite part of his incredibly well-written books—he slowly peels back the layers, bit by bit, revealing just the tiniest bit that becomes incredibly meaningful. I never can see where the story is going, making him one of the only thriller writers I cannot predict. Ever.
The family drama component of this story was endlessly fun. If there is a more complex brother/sister drama than this one, I don’t know what it is. Who can be trusted? Who wronged who? Is their bond real? These are just a few of the questions that I grappled with throughout. Just trust me when I say, this is the type of thriller that goes deeper than a popcorn take, but somehow feels entertaining enough to enjoy with some popcorn.
A winner through and through.
Read if you like:
▪️twisty thrillers
▪️fast pacing
▪️dynamic characters
▪️smart and engaging writing
▪️domestic suspense
Thank you Putnam for the advanced copy.
In true Ellis form, I was questioning any and everyone, and just when I thought I had cleared them, bam they were back on the suspect board. And that is my favorite part of his incredibly well-written books—he slowly peels back the layers, bit by bit, revealing just the tiniest bit that becomes incredibly meaningful. I never can see where the story is going, making him one of the only thriller writers I cannot predict. Ever.
The family drama component of this story was endlessly fun. If there is a more complex brother/sister drama than this one, I don’t know what it is. Who can be trusted? Who wronged who? Is their bond real? These are just a few of the questions that I grappled with throughout. Just trust me when I say, this is the type of thriller that goes deeper than a popcorn take, but somehow feels entertaining enough to enjoy with some popcorn.
A winner through and through.
Read if you like:
▪️twisty thrillers
▪️fast pacing
▪️dynamic characters
▪️smart and engaging writing
▪️domestic suspense
Thank you Putnam for the advanced copy.
August 30, 2026
Okay, this one grabbed me right away. The beginning had me completely hooked and I was thinking, ohhh, this is going to be good. Then somewhere in the middle I started wondering… where exactly are we going with all of this? 😂
There are A LOT of moving pieces... multiple timelines, secrets, lies, questionable decisions, and basically no one you can fully trust. The sibling relationship between Allison and Luke was probably my favorite part because it’s messy, complicated, and constantly had me changing my mind about them.
The pacing dragged a little for me in spots, but then the twists started coming again and pulled me right back in. And I will give David Ellis credit... the ending tied everything together really well, which always makes me happy with a thriller.
Messy people, family secrets, lots of suspicion, and enough twists to keep me guessing. A solid 4 stars for me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
There are A LOT of moving pieces... multiple timelines, secrets, lies, questionable decisions, and basically no one you can fully trust. The sibling relationship between Allison and Luke was probably my favorite part because it’s messy, complicated, and constantly had me changing my mind about them.
The pacing dragged a little for me in spots, but then the twists started coming again and pulled me right back in. And I will give David Ellis credit... the ending tied everything together really well, which always makes me happy with a thriller.
Messy people, family secrets, lots of suspicion, and enough twists to keep me guessing. A solid 4 stars for me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 3, 2026
Good job David, you didn't disappoint 👏👏 What a page-turner!
While not as great as Look Closer, this was still so addictive. Unreliable characters, secrets, and SO MUCH FAMILY DRAMA 🤌🤌 Some twists were predictable and others not so much, but this was just a very fun time. It kinda gave me "How to Get Away With Murder" vibes too.
___________________________________________________________
pre-read:
Don't disappoint me David.
While not as great as Look Closer, this was still so addictive. Unreliable characters, secrets, and SO MUCH FAMILY DRAMA 🤌🤌 Some twists were predictable and others not so much, but this was just a very fun time. It kinda gave me "How to Get Away With Murder" vibes too.
___________________________________________________________
pre-read:
Don't disappoint me David.
July 20, 2026
"Two siblings. One murder. So many lies."
Allison and Luke are siblings and there for each other. Even when Allison's husband, Finley, lying cheating scoundrel is found murdered...something from their past is about to surface. So much deception collides with their own betrayal. You will not be able to put this one down.
"An illicit affair. A decades-old accident. A stunning deception. How do these events explain Finley’s death? How far will Allison and Luke go to keep their secrets buried? And can the siblings even trust one another anymore?"
I could not figure out what was happening and if they even loved and supported each other. Twisted and suspenseful with some steamy corruption that will definitely make the top ten books for this year.
Can you really trust anyone...even the ones you love?
Thank you NetGalley and Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Allison and Luke are siblings and there for each other. Even when Allison's husband, Finley, lying cheating scoundrel is found murdered...something from their past is about to surface. So much deception collides with their own betrayal. You will not be able to put this one down.
"An illicit affair. A decades-old accident. A stunning deception. How do these events explain Finley’s death? How far will Allison and Luke go to keep their secrets buried? And can the siblings even trust one another anymore?"
I could not figure out what was happening and if they even loved and supported each other. Twisted and suspenseful with some steamy corruption that will definitely make the top ten books for this year.
Can you really trust anyone...even the ones you love?
Thank you NetGalley and Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Once again, David Ellis does what he does best…giving his readers a guaranteed twisty thriller to devour!
Siblings Allison and Luke are always there for each other. But now those sibling bonds will be seriously tested after Allison’s husband is murdered! Of course, Allison turns first to her brother for help. But what will that cost them? I don’t mean to be short, but I can’t say more without the risk of spoilers!
A compulsive read that will keep you flipping pages at a breakneck speed. And as always, we’re given multiple twists guaranteed to stop you in your tracks.
Though Look Closer is still my favorite, this was a close second! I’m already looking forward to his next!
✍️ David Ellis
📄 368 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: June 30, 2026
📈 4/5🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Twisty thriller 🥨
Thank you to NetGalley and GP Putnam’s Sons
Siblings Allison and Luke are always there for each other. But now those sibling bonds will be seriously tested after Allison’s husband is murdered! Of course, Allison turns first to her brother for help. But what will that cost them? I don’t mean to be short, but I can’t say more without the risk of spoilers!
A compulsive read that will keep you flipping pages at a breakneck speed. And as always, we’re given multiple twists guaranteed to stop you in your tracks.
Though Look Closer is still my favorite, this was a close second! I’m already looking forward to his next!
✍️ David Ellis
📄 368 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: June 30, 2026
📈 4/5🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Twisty thriller 🥨
Thank you to NetGalley and GP Putnam’s Sons
March 19, 2026
If you are a thriller lover, you already know who David Ellis is! He wrote one of the greatest thrillers of all time! I have read several of his books and will read his to-do list if he let me!!!
What’s one thing you know you’re gonna get in his novels? LIES, and this is no different. However, Keep Them Close takes off with a BANG! Two adult siblings with secrets from the past threaten everything when one of their partners gets murdered.
That’s all you need to know. Ellis is a guaranteed good read and I loved this one as well. Super fast paced and surprising twists! Add it to your TBR. Pre-order your copy.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date 6/30/26
Thank you to Putnam, NetGalley and David Ellis for the gifted copy.
What’s one thing you know you’re gonna get in his novels? LIES, and this is no different. However, Keep Them Close takes off with a BANG! Two adult siblings with secrets from the past threaten everything when one of their partners gets murdered.
That’s all you need to know. Ellis is a guaranteed good read and I loved this one as well. Super fast paced and surprising twists! Add it to your TBR. Pre-order your copy.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date 6/30/26
Thank you to Putnam, NetGalley and David Ellis for the gifted copy.
May 18, 2026
We follow a group of characters pulled into a web of secrets and escalating tension, where past decisions and hidden connections start to surface in ways that complicate everything.
This one had a lot going for it in terms of premise, and I was initially intrigued by where it was headed. The pacing moves along well, and there’s a clear effort to keep the tension building.
For me, the biggest challenge was connecting with the characters. They all felt a bit distant, and I had a hard time really investing in their perspectives or outcomes. That made it more difficult to stay fully engaged, even as the plot unfolded.
That said, the structure and overall concept are solid, and I can see this working really well for readers who enjoy character-driven suspense with a more detached lens.
Overall, a decent read with an interesting setup, even if it didn’t fully click for me personally.
✴︎a˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
This one had a lot going for it in terms of premise, and I was initially intrigued by where it was headed. The pacing moves along well, and there’s a clear effort to keep the tension building.
For me, the biggest challenge was connecting with the characters. They all felt a bit distant, and I had a hard time really investing in their perspectives or outcomes. That made it more difficult to stay fully engaged, even as the plot unfolded.
That said, the structure and overall concept are solid, and I can see this working really well for readers who enjoy character-driven suspense with a more detached lens.
Overall, a decent read with an interesting setup, even if it didn’t fully click for me personally.
✴︎a˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Hot damn! The great David Ellis has produced yet another banger of a book! Delivering everything I’ve come to expect over the years, Keep Them Close had all of the intricate plotting, unreliable characters, and jaw-dropping twists that are his standard fare. The multiple mysteries, suspects, and viewpoints, however, were what turned this into a one-sitting read. You see, this web of deceit pulled the wool over my eyes in the best possible way. With oodles of backstabbing betrayals, calculated lies, and well-hidden secrets, there was no telling how it was all going to end. Don’t get me wrong, this armchair sleuth had plenty of guesses before the perfectly plotted truth was laid at my feet. Showcasing a messy, dysfunctional family in all of their glory, I enjoyed every single moment of this addictive, unputdownable read.
So what was my favorite piece of the puzzle? Well, between the dark family secrets and the complex sibling relationship, the morally gray characters just barely eked out a win. Don’t worry, the fast-paced plot and nonstop twists and turns didn’t stop fighting for top place until I reached the last page. And let me tell you, it felt like I got there in no time at all. With short, punchy chapters and boatloads of cliffhangers, it was a case of reading ‘just one more chapter’ until I found myself staring in shock at the acknowledgments. So if you love thrillers that have an Alex Finley-meets-Lisa Jewell feel or a plot with a vibe straight out of Alafair Burke’s The Better Sister, run—don’t walk—to get your copy right now. After all, this book was yet another humdinger of a read by this insanely talented author. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Siblings Allison and Luke have been through a lot together. They’ve always stood by each other. They’d do anything for each other.
Or so it seems.
When Allison’s husband, Finley, is murdered, the investigation threatens to expose the siblings’ darkest secrets. An illicit affair. A decades-old accident. A stunning deception. How do these events explain Finley’s death? How far will Allison and Luke go to keep their secrets buried? And can the siblings even trust one another anymore?
As the investigation winds tighter and past and present collide, the most shocking betrayal might lie a little too close to home…
Thank you David Ellis, Putnam Books, and Kaye Publicity for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: June 30, 2026
Content warning: infidelity, drug trafficking, emotional abuse, violence, car accident, murder, blood, self-harm, mention of: fatphobia, knife violence
So what was my favorite piece of the puzzle? Well, between the dark family secrets and the complex sibling relationship, the morally gray characters just barely eked out a win. Don’t worry, the fast-paced plot and nonstop twists and turns didn’t stop fighting for top place until I reached the last page. And let me tell you, it felt like I got there in no time at all. With short, punchy chapters and boatloads of cliffhangers, it was a case of reading ‘just one more chapter’ until I found myself staring in shock at the acknowledgments. So if you love thrillers that have an Alex Finley-meets-Lisa Jewell feel or a plot with a vibe straight out of Alafair Burke’s The Better Sister, run—don’t walk—to get your copy right now. After all, this book was yet another humdinger of a read by this insanely talented author. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Siblings Allison and Luke have been through a lot together. They’ve always stood by each other. They’d do anything for each other.
Or so it seems.
When Allison’s husband, Finley, is murdered, the investigation threatens to expose the siblings’ darkest secrets. An illicit affair. A decades-old accident. A stunning deception. How do these events explain Finley’s death? How far will Allison and Luke go to keep their secrets buried? And can the siblings even trust one another anymore?
As the investigation winds tighter and past and present collide, the most shocking betrayal might lie a little too close to home…
Thank you David Ellis, Putnam Books, and Kaye Publicity for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: June 30, 2026
Content warning: infidelity, drug trafficking, emotional abuse, violence, car accident, murder, blood, self-harm, mention of: fatphobia, knife violence
September 15, 2026
Good!!
**I'd love recommendations others have enjoyed like this!
**I'd love recommendations others have enjoyed like this!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Happy publication day 6/30/26!! 🥳
Thoughts immediately after finishing: holy buckets of broccoli!! Who knew it could be so much fun to have things so mixed up?! That should have stressed the crap out of me and given me loads of anxiety. But I am sitting here on my bed after finishing, with a slight grin on my face and a feeling of bewilderment at how clever and entertaining I found the second half of the book and questioning how my brain kept up with all of that! Pondering the rating and further thoughts. (Posted 3/28/26)
—————————further thoughts 👇
Resentment. Revenge. Regret. Repercussions. This deliciously deceptive book has all of those and more. Allison and Jack are siblings. I say no more in fear of spoiling anything and for the love of colby jack cheese-sticks I want everyone to be as entertained as I was. This book could have stressed the pants off of me (I have no idea what that actually means beyond incredibly stressed, stupid things pop into my head sometimes and come out my fingers) but it left me feeling glad I was able to simply go with the flow and have fun with it instead. Second half was definitely better than the first half was for me.
This might be my first book by this author, but it won’t be my last. Are all of them this good?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book. Have fun everyone!! All thoughts are my own.
9/10: 4.5⭐️ rounded down to 4⭐️’s.
Rating and thoughts posted: 3/28/26
Expected publishing date: June 30, 2026
Reposted for publication date: 6/30/26
Thoughts immediately after finishing: holy buckets of broccoli!! Who knew it could be so much fun to have things so mixed up?! That should have stressed the crap out of me and given me loads of anxiety. But I am sitting here on my bed after finishing, with a slight grin on my face and a feeling of bewilderment at how clever and entertaining I found the second half of the book and questioning how my brain kept up with all of that! Pondering the rating and further thoughts. (Posted 3/28/26)
—————————further thoughts 👇
Resentment. Revenge. Regret. Repercussions. This deliciously deceptive book has all of those and more. Allison and Jack are siblings. I say no more in fear of spoiling anything and for the love of colby jack cheese-sticks I want everyone to be as entertained as I was. This book could have stressed the pants off of me (I have no idea what that actually means beyond incredibly stressed, stupid things pop into my head sometimes and come out my fingers) but it left me feeling glad I was able to simply go with the flow and have fun with it instead. Second half was definitely better than the first half was for me.
This might be my first book by this author, but it won’t be my last. Are all of them this good?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book. Have fun everyone!! All thoughts are my own.
9/10: 4.5⭐️ rounded down to 4⭐️’s.
Rating and thoughts posted: 3/28/26
Expected publishing date: June 30, 2026
Reposted for publication date: 6/30/26
July 19, 2026
the setup…
Allison Brice is a high-powered Chicago criminal defense attorney, married to her childhood sweetheart Finley and mother to their son Grayson who is away at college. Life should be good but Finley is cheating on her. One night she’s staked outside of his current lover’s place, ready and prepared to do some harm but changes her mind. But on her way back home she’s dogged by a road raged monster. That encounter sets off a series of events that threaten not only her freedom but her older brother Luke. Ten months later on April Fools Day, Finley is murdered and all eyes are on her.
the heart of the story…
And the lies just kept on coming. Allison is not only skilled at representing her clients but anticipating how police investigations work and navigate. When Luke, a successful college baseball coach, gets into trouble, she takes on his case. Every time I thought I knew the score, another curveball came flying and sent me into the outfield. I struck out often from all the twists, turns, lies and more lies. And a little karma, too.
the narration…
I love it when the narrators wear their characters with ease as did these three. Kelli Tager sounded like the smooth and sophisticated Allison; Sean Patrick Hopkins captured the artful and affable Luke; and Robin McAlpine nailed the cranky and clever Detective Louise Pratt. They were all great storytellers.
the bottom line…
Be ready for the lies you won’t see coming and the many seismic shifts they bring. Allison and Luke aren’t your typical siblings and they are clever, redefining “morally gray.” It isn’t an April Fools joke but certainly made me feel like I was in the middle of one so many times. Well done Mr. Ellis! 4.5 stars
Allison Brice is a high-powered Chicago criminal defense attorney, married to her childhood sweetheart Finley and mother to their son Grayson who is away at college. Life should be good but Finley is cheating on her. One night she’s staked outside of his current lover’s place, ready and prepared to do some harm but changes her mind. But on her way back home she’s dogged by a road raged monster. That encounter sets off a series of events that threaten not only her freedom but her older brother Luke. Ten months later on April Fools Day, Finley is murdered and all eyes are on her.
the heart of the story…
And the lies just kept on coming. Allison is not only skilled at representing her clients but anticipating how police investigations work and navigate. When Luke, a successful college baseball coach, gets into trouble, she takes on his case. Every time I thought I knew the score, another curveball came flying and sent me into the outfield. I struck out often from all the twists, turns, lies and more lies. And a little karma, too.
the narration…
I love it when the narrators wear their characters with ease as did these three. Kelli Tager sounded like the smooth and sophisticated Allison; Sean Patrick Hopkins captured the artful and affable Luke; and Robin McAlpine nailed the cranky and clever Detective Louise Pratt. They were all great storytellers.
the bottom line…
Be ready for the lies you won’t see coming and the many seismic shifts they bring. Allison and Luke aren’t your typical siblings and they are clever, redefining “morally gray.” It isn’t an April Fools joke but certainly made me feel like I was in the middle of one so many times. Well done Mr. Ellis! 4.5 stars
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My favorite thriller author David Ellis is back with another banger! Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC.
Multiple timelines, multiple POVs, all perfectly layered and plotted out before & after a murder on April Fools Day. A reoccurring concept in the book is prepare, prepare, prepare and then execute. And that is exactly what David Ellis did.
While there are plenty of twists throughout, I felt this was missing one big moment/twist that would give me goosebumps like Look Closer and The Best Lies had. But this book wins in the hundreds of details & events that create each character’s motive and how it’s executed over multi-POV and timeline.
This was my most anticipated book of the year and I’m so upset it’s over. Time to read his older books!
Multiple timelines, multiple POVs, all perfectly layered and plotted out before & after a murder on April Fools Day. A reoccurring concept in the book is prepare, prepare, prepare and then execute. And that is exactly what David Ellis did.
While there are plenty of twists throughout, I felt this was missing one big moment/twist that would give me goosebumps like Look Closer and The Best Lies had. But this book wins in the hundreds of details & events that create each character’s motive and how it’s executed over multi-POV and timeline.
This was my most anticipated book of the year and I’m so upset it’s over. Time to read his older books!
September 8, 2026
Look Closer is such a sensational masterpiece in thriller writing, I am wondering if David Ellis can top it with his latest offering, Keep Them Close.
Well... let's segue a bit. Look Closer is such a banger that I immediately picked Keep Them Close. I just can't get enough. James Patterson's protégés can churn out bangers for sure... The Fourth Monkey by JD Barker is a prime example (read this pls if you haven't already)
Now Keep Them Close was enjoyable for sure. It just didn't reach the satisfying heights of Look Closer. Let's be honest, it is Rare to read a thriller that reaches the lofty heights of Look Closer, but it doesn't mean Keep wasn't enjoyable. It's still quite a fun and gripping read. Maybe almost very good. Confession time though, I may be rating this one a bit unfairly because I read it too close to its predecessor. Well who cares? j/k kimora
Well... let's segue a bit. Look Closer is such a banger that I immediately picked Keep Them Close. I just can't get enough. James Patterson's protégés can churn out bangers for sure... The Fourth Monkey by JD Barker is a prime example (read this pls if you haven't already)
Now Keep Them Close was enjoyable for sure. It just didn't reach the satisfying heights of Look Closer. Let's be honest, it is Rare to read a thriller that reaches the lofty heights of Look Closer, but it doesn't mean Keep wasn't enjoyable. It's still quite a fun and gripping read. Maybe almost very good. Confession time though, I may be rating this one a bit unfairly because I read it too close to its predecessor. Well who cares? j/k kimora
July 5, 2026
David Ellis has done it again. OMG. This was incredible. It’s one of my best reads of 2026 and absolutely deserves a spot among my top picks, just like his other book, Look Closer.
Since David Ellis is a lawyer, he was able to showcase his knowledge of the law brilliantly in this book. Although there were only a few trial scenes, I was fascinated by how smart, resourceful, and fierce lawyers can be. I even picked up some legal terms and their meanings along the way, which honestly felt like an added bonus.
Luke and Allison’s relationship is both complex and special. Their bond as siblings, combined with the secrets they keep from each other, added so much depth to their characters. They’re equally intelligent and stubborn, and I absolutely loved that dynamic.
The mystery surrounding Finley’s death, the secret from more than 20 years ago, and the way the characters are connected to it all—David Ellis set this up to be insanely twisty. Whatever you think is going to happen next probably won’t happen the way you expect, and just when you think you’ve finally figured it out, David throws in an unexpected twist that hits so hard you won’t know what just happened.
This was remarkably written, and I will never stop talking about it.
Since David Ellis is a lawyer, he was able to showcase his knowledge of the law brilliantly in this book. Although there were only a few trial scenes, I was fascinated by how smart, resourceful, and fierce lawyers can be. I even picked up some legal terms and their meanings along the way, which honestly felt like an added bonus.
Luke and Allison’s relationship is both complex and special. Their bond as siblings, combined with the secrets they keep from each other, added so much depth to their characters. They’re equally intelligent and stubborn, and I absolutely loved that dynamic.
The mystery surrounding Finley’s death, the secret from more than 20 years ago, and the way the characters are connected to it all—David Ellis set this up to be insanely twisty. Whatever you think is going to happen next probably won’t happen the way you expect, and just when you think you’ve finally figured it out, David throws in an unexpected twist that hits so hard you won’t know what just happened.
This was remarkably written, and I will never stop talking about it.
July 19, 2026
I didn't think David Ellis could outdo himself, after Look Closer, but he comes mighty close with this one. This book introduces us to Allison and Luke, siblings who would do anything for the other. Through an unfortunate accident, Luke had to give up his dreams of being a professional baseball player and coaches University athletics. Allison is a hot shot lawyer who knows her way around the legal system.
We follow both of them as they try to navigate various unfortunate events that lead to an unexpected outcome. Definitely recommend.
We follow both of them as they try to navigate various unfortunate events that lead to an unexpected outcome. Definitely recommend.
July 21, 2026
Very clever!
Sibling rivalry is often a good thing unless it goes too far.
Allison Brice, married to Findley, is a high powered attorney who is a sister to Luke a successful baseball coach who had his dreams of playing professional baseball "cut" short by a tragic bicycle accident.
The siblings are very close and seem to carry the same ability for treading the line between right and wrong, with lots of gray area surrounding them. They keep secrets, dark ones, and when Findley is murdered those secrets trickle out to create a plot twisting, "oh wow" story that boggles one's mind and keeps you on the circuitous path to the end.
Ellis creates tension, lots of tension, as he brings these characters, often extremely devious, into full play and makes you question their every move.
This is what a thriller should be...thriller writers take note, as there are more twists than the Belt Pkwy (from a former NY'er). He kept me saying this one is the culprit, no this one is, and then reversing myself numerous times. Such fun and a delight to read.
Sibling rivalry is often a good thing unless it goes too far.
Allison Brice, married to Findley, is a high powered attorney who is a sister to Luke a successful baseball coach who had his dreams of playing professional baseball "cut" short by a tragic bicycle accident.
The siblings are very close and seem to carry the same ability for treading the line between right and wrong, with lots of gray area surrounding them. They keep secrets, dark ones, and when Findley is murdered those secrets trickle out to create a plot twisting, "oh wow" story that boggles one's mind and keeps you on the circuitous path to the end.
Ellis creates tension, lots of tension, as he brings these characters, often extremely devious, into full play and makes you question their every move.
This is what a thriller should be...thriller writers take note, as there are more twists than the Belt Pkwy (from a former NY'er). He kept me saying this one is the culprit, no this one is, and then reversing myself numerous times. Such fun and a delight to read.
July 9, 2026
Too procedural for my liking. All the sibling drama was distracting.
July 8, 2026
**Updated Review**
Crack! 💥 That is the sound of David Ellis, yet again, hitting it OUT of the park! Man, I cannot tell you how great it is to find a book that grabs you from the beginning, teases you along the way and gives you whiplash towards the end! Now THAT my friends, is a damn good time which equals a great book!
If you loved his book Look Closer, you will enjoy this one just as much! Look Closer has been one of my top favorite thriller books of all time, so that says a lot about this book.
Siblings Allison and Luke are there for each other. As any good brother and sister would be. So when Allison has an accident in the parking lot of Luke’s work, she calls on her brother to help her out with those pesky security cameras 📸. You know the ones that are used as evidence in court. And when Luke gets pulled over and arrested with possession of Oxy 💊 in his car, he calls the best defense lawyer he knows, his sister Allison! And then one day, Allison’s husband ends up dead and that’s where the book takes off and doesn’t let up until the final page.
There is a motley crew cast of characters that will have you questioning every one of them until the end and that is what makes this book truly the kind of thriller I enjoy reading the most. If I am forced to constantly guess who or what then I’m hooked line and sinker and will stay up way past my bedtime until I know what is happening! Which is exactly why thrillers are my favorite genre!
So if you are looking for your next page turner, look no further my friends, grab this one asap!
I gave this 4.5 ⭐️ rounded ⬆️!!
Crack! 💥 That is the sound of David Ellis, yet again, hitting it OUT of the park! Man, I cannot tell you how great it is to find a book that grabs you from the beginning, teases you along the way and gives you whiplash towards the end! Now THAT my friends, is a damn good time which equals a great book!
If you loved his book Look Closer, you will enjoy this one just as much! Look Closer has been one of my top favorite thriller books of all time, so that says a lot about this book.
Siblings Allison and Luke are there for each other. As any good brother and sister would be. So when Allison has an accident in the parking lot of Luke’s work, she calls on her brother to help her out with those pesky security cameras 📸. You know the ones that are used as evidence in court. And when Luke gets pulled over and arrested with possession of Oxy 💊 in his car, he calls the best defense lawyer he knows, his sister Allison! And then one day, Allison’s husband ends up dead and that’s where the book takes off and doesn’t let up until the final page.
There is a motley crew cast of characters that will have you questioning every one of them until the end and that is what makes this book truly the kind of thriller I enjoy reading the most. If I am forced to constantly guess who or what then I’m hooked line and sinker and will stay up way past my bedtime until I know what is happening! Which is exactly why thrillers are my favorite genre!
So if you are looking for your next page turner, look no further my friends, grab this one asap!
I gave this 4.5 ⭐️ rounded ⬆️!!
July 10, 2026
Hooray!! David Ellis is back to vintage form in this latest mystery-thriller! While “Look Closer” is still my favorite, this one could easily be the runner-up. In typical Ellis style, he weaves a story that continuously knocks-you-off balance, and has you thinking ‘ok, I think I’ve figured this out’, only to get your feet taken-out from underneath you. There’s plenty of GR summaries of the storyline here that I won’t go into, and there’s no way I can hold a candle to how well others write showcasing these books, so I’ll spare you my attempt! Suffice it to say, I’m the eternally grateful for all my GR friends that turn me onto such great books! Thank you, thank you!!
I listened to the audiobook and the narrators did a great job - I highly recommend this one!! 👍
I listened to the audiobook and the narrators did a great job - I highly recommend this one!! 👍
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