What do you think?
Rate this book
Keep Them Close
11 hours
From the bestselling author of Look Closer comes a new domestic thriller about betrayal and murder inside one twisted family
Siblings Allison and Luke have been through a lot together. They’ve always stood by each other. They’d do anything for each other.
When Allison’s husband, Finley, is murdered, Luke is right there by her side.
Until the murder investigation exposes secrets that could tear their family apart.
An illicit affair. A decades-old accident. A shocking betrayal. How do they explain Finley’s death? And why are the siblings suddenly avoiding each other?
As past tensions resurface, the truth might lie a little too close to home…
From the bestselling author of Look Closer comes a new domestic thriller about betrayal and murder inside one twisted family
Siblings Allison and Luke have been through a lot together. They’ve always stood by each other. They’d do anything for each other.
When Allison’s husband, Finley, is murdered, Luke is right there by her side.
Until the murder investigation exposes secrets that could tear their family apart.
An illicit affair. A decades-old accident. A shocking betrayal. How do they explain Finley’s death? And why are the siblings suddenly avoiding each other?
As past tensions resurface, the truth might lie a little too close to home…
Audiobook
First published June 30, 2026
About the author
David Ellis
34 books2,756 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,080 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
⭐️ 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
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.
June 30, 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 28, 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 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 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.
May 28, 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.
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⭐️
July 4, 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.
March 23, 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.
July 25, 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.
July 19, 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 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!
July 7, 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 22, 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 8, 2026
It’s been 4 YEARS since David Ellis came out with Look Closer which I absolutely loved!!!!! Keep Them Close is his next “best seller” and holy smokes, this one started right out of the gate and did not let up…..I could not put it down and this may be one of my fave books of 2026. It’s only July but I absolutely loved everything about this jaw dropping thriller. I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone who loves a great whodunnit!!!
July 21, 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!! 👍
July 11, 2026
Too procedural for my liking. All the sibling drama was distracting.
July 2, 2026
Ellis always delivers an action packed thriller that keeps you guessing. This is a domestic thriller with the discovery of Finley body discovered and of course his ex-wife, Allison, is the prime suspect. In addition to being the prime suspects Allison is also helping her brother, Luke, with his troubles at work.
The story is told in multiple POV and dual timeline. There are so many twists and turns along the way that keeps you guessing who really killed Finley.
I really enjoyed the dynamic of Finley and Allison and how that impacted the story. I also enjoyed how the tied the past into the present story and the role that Luke's girlfriend played in the story.
I was able to grab the audiobook the library and it was phenomenal on audio, the narration by Robin McAlpine, Sean Patrick Hopkins, Kelli Tager kept all the characters straight. I liked Louise, the police detective's POV because it gave the story a different angle.
Thank you @putnambooks for a copy of the book.
The story is told in multiple POV and dual timeline. There are so many twists and turns along the way that keeps you guessing who really killed Finley.
I really enjoyed the dynamic of Finley and Allison and how that impacted the story. I also enjoyed how the tied the past into the present story and the role that Luke's girlfriend played in the story.
I was able to grab the audiobook the library and it was phenomenal on audio, the narration by Robin McAlpine, Sean Patrick Hopkins, Kelli Tager kept all the characters straight. I liked Louise, the police detective's POV because it gave the story a different angle.
Thank you @putnambooks for a copy of the book.
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 13, 2026
Haven't been disappointed with a David Ellis book yet!! Loved the audiobook, couldn't stop from listening!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.75 rounded up)
First things first: Look Closer by David Ellis is one of my favorite thrillers, so ofc I went into this one with very, very, veeery high expectations.
Did it reach the same level for me? Not quite. But it was still a really solid read.
The story centers around siblings Allison and Luke after Allison’s husband is murdered, and as the investigation unfolds we start uncovering a lot of messy secrets. Affairs, past accidents, lies, cover ups aaand even more lies… basically everyone seems to have something to hide.
One thing I noticed pretty quickly is that none of the characters are particularly likable or reliable. Everyone has their own agenda and everyone seems to be scheming in one way or another, which made it hard to fully trust anyone.
The sibling dynamic was interesting too. At first it seemed like Allison and Luke had a very strong bond, but by the end I still wasn’t entirely sure what to think. It’s one of those relationships where they clearly love each other… but also seem capable of betraying each other if needed/when needed.
The suspense definitely kept me engaged and I finished this in one sitting. As for the twists, I’d say it was about 50/50 for me; I guessed a few things, but some reveals still caught me off guard, especially towards the end.
Overall, while it didn’t quite reach the level of Look Closer for me, it was still an entertaining thriller that kept me hooked for the night.
⭐️ 3.75, rounded up to 4.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC.
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
First things first: Look Closer by David Ellis is one of my favorite thrillers, so ofc I went into this one with very, very, veeery high expectations.
Did it reach the same level for me? Not quite. But it was still a really solid read.
The story centers around siblings Allison and Luke after Allison’s husband is murdered, and as the investigation unfolds we start uncovering a lot of messy secrets. Affairs, past accidents, lies, cover ups aaand even more lies… basically everyone seems to have something to hide.
One thing I noticed pretty quickly is that none of the characters are particularly likable or reliable. Everyone has their own agenda and everyone seems to be scheming in one way or another, which made it hard to fully trust anyone.
The sibling dynamic was interesting too. At first it seemed like Allison and Luke had a very strong bond, but by the end I still wasn’t entirely sure what to think. It’s one of those relationships where they clearly love each other… but also seem capable of betraying each other if needed/when needed.
The suspense definitely kept me engaged and I finished this in one sitting. As for the twists, I’d say it was about 50/50 for me; I guessed a few things, but some reveals still caught me off guard, especially towards the end.
Overall, while it didn’t quite reach the level of Look Closer for me, it was still an entertaining thriller that kept me hooked for the night.
⭐️ 3.75, rounded up to 4.
Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the ARC.
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
July 24, 2026
Calculated, relentless, and impossible to put down.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5
David Ellis has completely outdone himself with Keep Them Close. From the very first chapter, the plot is brilliantly written—layered, intricate, and packed with relentless twists that keep you guessing until the final page.
The character of Allison was superb. She is wonderfully complex, deeply compelling, and drives the story with so much force that you can’t help but be completely invested in her journey.
The pace was incredibly fast—a true "just one more chapter" read that will have you flying through the pages late into the night. Every scene feels deliberate, and the tension never lets up.
To top it all off, the resolution was perfect. Ellis ties together every dangling thread in a way that feels immensely satisfying, smart, and completely earned.
If you love thrillers with sharp writing, incredible character depth, and flawless pacing, do not skip this one. Easily one of my top reads of the year.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / 5
David Ellis has completely outdone himself with Keep Them Close. From the very first chapter, the plot is brilliantly written—layered, intricate, and packed with relentless twists that keep you guessing until the final page.
The character of Allison was superb. She is wonderfully complex, deeply compelling, and drives the story with so much force that you can’t help but be completely invested in her journey.
The pace was incredibly fast—a true "just one more chapter" read that will have you flying through the pages late into the night. Every scene feels deliberate, and the tension never lets up.
To top it all off, the resolution was perfect. Ellis ties together every dangling thread in a way that feels immensely satisfying, smart, and completely earned.
If you love thrillers with sharp writing, incredible character depth, and flawless pacing, do not skip this one. Easily one of my top reads of the year.
July 27, 2026
Clever twisty book, I didn’t know who to trust!
Allison is an attorney who is married to Finley, a cheater who basically does a lot of nothing, living off of his very successful wife. Allison's brother Luke is her closest friend, after an accident ended a promising future baseball career when he was a ten, he has become a renowned college coach. When Finley turns up murdered and the police begin their investigation, all eyes turn to Allison--did she do it?
There are timelines in the past and the present, and a case involving Luke is twined around Finley's case. This book is absolutely full of surprises and twists, I loved how clever all of the characters were, figuring out what the others were doing and double and triple crossing each other. The ultimate resolution to everything was very satisfying and really fun to read.
This book was incredibly fast paced because I wanted to know what was going on and who was lying and who was telling the truth and why. I love Ellis's books and can't wait to see what he comes up with next as I had a lot of fun with the surprises in this one.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Allison is an attorney who is married to Finley, a cheater who basically does a lot of nothing, living off of his very successful wife. Allison's brother Luke is her closest friend, after an accident ended a promising future baseball career when he was a ten, he has become a renowned college coach. When Finley turns up murdered and the police begin their investigation, all eyes turn to Allison--did she do it?
There are timelines in the past and the present, and a case involving Luke is twined around Finley's case. This book is absolutely full of surprises and twists, I loved how clever all of the characters were, figuring out what the others were doing and double and triple crossing each other. The ultimate resolution to everything was very satisfying and really fun to read.
This book was incredibly fast paced because I wanted to know what was going on and who was lying and who was telling the truth and why. I love Ellis's books and can't wait to see what he comes up with next as I had a lot of fun with the surprises in this one.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
March 29, 2026
David Ellis rarely disappoints, and this was no exception!
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.
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?
This book started out with suspense right from the first chapter, and those are my favorite types of books!
Grab my attention right from the get-go and keep me interested; this book did exactly that!
It’s difficult to give a thorough description of the plot and characters without including any spoilers, but if you look at the other reviews, you’ll see that everyone who’s read it seems to really like this book.
If you like mysteries/thrillers, especially legal ones, you are going to enjoy this!
The book is written in multiple POV and timelines.
A murder occurs on April 1st and the timelines are the months leading up to this and the days following it.
Then later in the book we learn more details on exactly what happened on April 1st.
There are a lot of twists in the second half of the book.
I would think I had a pretty good idea of who did what, and then a new detail would emerge that completely negated that scenario.
This ended up being a pretty quick read for me.
All of the chapters are short, which encouraged me to just keep reading more of them and kind of lose track of time in the process.
If you’ve enjoyed other books by David Ellis, I can’t see why you wouldn’t thoroughly enjoy this one as well!
Thanks to NetGalley, Putnam, and David Ellis for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: June 30, 2026
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.
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?
This book started out with suspense right from the first chapter, and those are my favorite types of books!
Grab my attention right from the get-go and keep me interested; this book did exactly that!
It’s difficult to give a thorough description of the plot and characters without including any spoilers, but if you look at the other reviews, you’ll see that everyone who’s read it seems to really like this book.
If you like mysteries/thrillers, especially legal ones, you are going to enjoy this!
The book is written in multiple POV and timelines.
A murder occurs on April 1st and the timelines are the months leading up to this and the days following it.
Then later in the book we learn more details on exactly what happened on April 1st.
There are a lot of twists in the second half of the book.
I would think I had a pretty good idea of who did what, and then a new detail would emerge that completely negated that scenario.
This ended up being a pretty quick read for me.
All of the chapters are short, which encouraged me to just keep reading more of them and kind of lose track of time in the process.
If you’ve enjoyed other books by David Ellis, I can’t see why you wouldn’t thoroughly enjoy this one as well!
Thanks to NetGalley, Putnam, and David Ellis for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: June 30, 2026
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,080 reviews