A Very Bad Thing Summary, Characters and Themes

A Very Bad Thing by J.T. Ellison is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the consequences of a lifetime built on lies. 

When bestselling author Columbia Jones dies suddenly during a book tour, what initially appears to be an accidental overdose soon spirals into a murder investigation. Columbia was not just a celebrated writer—she was a woman with dark secrets, a hidden past, and a confession that could destroy everything she built. As her daughter Darian and investigative journalist Riley Carrington dig deeper, they uncover a tangled web of deception, long-buried crimes, and a legacy tainted by betrayal.

Summary

Columbia Jones is at the peak of her literary career—an internationally recognized author with legions of fans, a highly anticipated movie adaptation of her novel, and a seemingly perfect life. But on the last night of her book tour, everything comes crashing down. 

After spotting a familiar face in the audience, Columbia collapses. By morning, she is found dead in her hotel room, lying in a pool of blood. What initially seems like an accidental overdose soon turns into something far more sinister.

Columbia’s daughter and publicist, Darian, is devastated. She is forced to navigate not only her grief but also a whirlwind of media attention and speculation. 

Detective Sutcliffe is assigned to the case and quickly discovers that Columbia’s death was no accident—she was poisoned with brodifacoum, a lethal rodenticide. But who would want Columbia dead? 

The answer lies in her past, a past she worked tirelessly to erase.

As the investigation unfolds, journalist Riley Carrington, who had been shadowing Columbia’s book tour, begins to notice inconsistencies in the author’s life story. Riley digs into Columbia’s background and discovers shocking secrets: Columbia was not who she claimed to be. 

Her real name was Devon Elder Mears, and she had completely reinvented herself to escape a dark past.

Years ago, Devon had been trapped in an abusive marriage to Benjamin Mears. In an act of desperation, she killed him. But instead of taking responsibility, she let another man, Knox Shepherd, be convicted for the crime. 

Knox, an innocent man, was imprisoned while Devon built a new life under the name Columbia Jones. She changed her identity, altered her appearance through surgery, and became a celebrated author. But despite her success, guilt loomed over her.

Before her death, Columbia had recorded a private confession, admitting to “a very bad thing.” She planned to reveal the truth and clear Knox’s name, but someone ensured she never got the chance. 

The investigation soon reveals that Knox had been in the audience at Columbia’s final book event. Having spent years behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit, he had every reason to want revenge. But was he truly the killer?

As Darian delves deeper into her mother’s past, she uncovers even more betrayals. She learns that she had a twin sister, Kira, whom Columbia had given up for adoption. Kira, now Kira Hutchinson, had no idea of her true parentage until Columbia’s death. 

Though Columbia had secretly provided financial support for Kira’s adoptive family, she had never revealed the truth to either of her daughters. Darian, already grappling with the lies about her mother’s past, is shattered by this revelation.

Meanwhile, the public turns against Columbia posthumously. Her online accounts are hacked, and deepfake videos emerge, spreading false rumors about her life and crimes. 

The hashtag #Legacy trends worldwide, fueling the controversy. A mysterious letter surfaces, detailing Columbia’s past as Devon Mears and further tarnishing her reputation. The media frenzy intensifies, and Columbia’s once-celebrated legacy crumbles.

In a final twist, Columbia’s recorded confession is released to the press. She admits on camera that she killed Benjamin Mears and allowed Knox Shepherd to take the blame. She had spent her life running from her crime, but before her death, she wanted to set things right. 

The confession exonerates Knox, finally proving his innocence. However, it also cements Columbia’s downfall—some see her as a survivor, others as a coward.

Eight months after Columbia’s death, Darian, Riley, and Kira reunite to scatter her ashes into the ocean. Each of them struggles with their feelings about the woman they knew as Columbia Jones. 

Kira, despite the deception, forgives her for keeping her away and appreciates the life she was given. Riley acknowledges Columbia’s sacrifices, even if her methods were flawed. But Darian is the most conflicted—while she understands her mother’s reasons, she cannot fully forgive her for abandoning Kira and allowing Knox to suffer.

In the end, Columbia’s confession brings both closure and devastation. Knox is free to rebuild his life, Kira discovers her true origins, and Darian begins a new chapter, free from the weight of her mother’s secrets. 

Columbia Jones may have written bestselling fiction, but her own life was a tragic story of deception, sacrifice, and, ultimately, redemption.

Characters

Columbia Jones (Devon Elder Mears)

Columbia Jones, the central character of the novel, is a complex and multi-layered individual. A world-renowned author at the peak of her career, Columbia appears to have it all—a successful career, a beloved reputation, and a dedicated following of fans.

However, beneath the surface, her life is fraught with secrets and lies. Columbia’s real identity is revealed to be Devon Elder Mears, a woman with a dark and traumatic past.

Her abusive marriage to Benjamin Mears and the crime she committed to escape that situation—killing him in self-defense—sets the stage for her hidden life. Rather than face the consequences of her actions, she allowed an innocent man, Knox Shepherd, to take the fall for her crime.

Her decision to change her identity and reinvent herself as Columbia Jones is an attempt to escape her past and start over, but the guilt from her actions never leaves her. Despite her success, she is constantly haunted by the truth, and in the end, her confession reveals the full scope of her lies and betrayal.

Columbia’s character is a study in survival, self-deception, and the heavy burden of guilt. She is both a victim of her circumstances and a perpetrator of harm, ultimately revealing a profound vulnerability in her final moments.

Darian Jones

Darian Jones is the daughter of Columbia and plays a pivotal role in the novel. At the time of her mother’s death, Darian is struggling to come to terms with her identity and her relationship with her mother.

As a publicist for her mother, she is deeply involved in Columbia’s professional life, yet she is oblivious to the dark secrets that Columbia has hidden for years. Darian’s journey throughout the story is one of discovery, as she uncovers the many layers of her mother’s past and the painful truths about her family.

She is forced to reconcile the mother she knew with the one revealed through the investigation, and this process challenges her perception of love, loyalty, and betrayal. Darian’s emotional turmoil is at the heart of the novel, and her struggle to forgive her mother for the abandonment of her twin sister, Kira, and the suffering caused to Knox Shepherd makes her character highly relatable.

She represents the deep pain and confusion that comes when a person is confronted with the flaws of someone they deeply love and admire.

Kira Hutchinson

Kira Hutchinson is the twin sister of Darian, though neither she nor Darian knew of each other’s existence until after Columbia’s death. Kira was adopted as an infant, and she grew up without the knowledge of her biological mother’s identity or the legacy that would eventually connect them.

Her story is one of surprise, confusion, and self-discovery, as she learns about her true parentage after Columbia’s death. Kira, who had lived a happy life with her adoptive family, finds herself thrust into a whirlwind of revelations about her birth mother’s identity and the secrets she kept hidden from her.

Kira’s character embodies a sense of lost time and the search for meaning in one’s origins. Despite the shock of discovering her true identity, she shows a surprising amount of grace and understanding, forgiving her mother for the years of separation and the lies that were told to protect her.

In many ways, Kira represents the possibility of reconciliation, even when the past is filled with painful truths.

Riley Carrington

Riley Carrington, a journalist, plays an instrumental role in the investigation into Columbia’s death. She is initially hired to write a profile about Columbia but quickly becomes entangled in the mystery surrounding the author’s untimely demise.

As she uncovers inconsistencies in Columbia’s life and traces the threads of her past, Riley becomes more personally involved in the story, driven by both professional curiosity and a growing sense of empathy for those affected by Columbia’s actions. Her role as an investigator allows the reader to discover the hidden facets of Columbia’s life.

Riley’s persistence is key in revealing the author’s darkest secrets. Despite her journalistic instincts, Riley is also portrayed as someone who wrestles with her own personal ambitions and the ethical dilemmas that arise as the case deepens.

Throughout the story, she serves as a bridge between the reader and the hidden world of Columbia, offering both a critical perspective and a deeply human approach to uncovering the truth.

Knox Shepherd

Knox Shepherd is a man wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. His life was ruined by a past that he didn’t deserve, and much of his suffering can be traced back to Columbia’s actions.

Knox’s character is defined by both his tragic past and his desire for justice. After spending years in prison for the murder of Benjamin Mears, Knox is released after Columbia’s confession clears his name.

His experience in prison and the emotional scars from being unjustly incarcerated shape much of his character, and he is portrayed as someone who has been deeply affected by his ordeal. Though he seeks justice and vengeance, he also carries the weight of his own emotional struggles and the trauma of losing so many years of his life.

Knox’s character is a powerful commentary on the long-lasting effects of injustice and the complexities of forgiveness. His eventual exoneration offers a sense of redemption, though it comes at the cost of uncovering the dark truth about Columbia’s past.

Detective Sutcliffe

Detective Sutcliffe is the officer assigned to investigate Columbia’s death. He is a methodical and determined investigator, but the case proves to be one of the most perplexing he has ever encountered.

Initially thinking Columbia’s death was an overdose, he is soon led to a web of lies, poisons, and twisted relationships. Sutcliffe’s involvement in the investigation is crucial to unraveling the complex mystery.

His character serves as the grounded, logical counterpart to the emotional chaos surrounding the case. While he is focused on solving the crime, Sutcliffe is also humanized by the emotional toll that the investigation takes on him, particularly as he uncovers the disturbing truths about Columbia’s past.

His tenacity in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds makes him a key figure in the novel’s resolution.

Themes

Exploring Guilt, Redemption, and the Legacy of a Secret Life

The themes of guilt and redemption dominate A Very Bad Thing, drawing a stark contrast between the choices made by Columbia Jones and the consequences of those decisions on her family and the people around her. Columbia’s past is shrouded in deception, and the guilt she carries for allowing an innocent man, Knox Shepherd, to take the fall for a crime she committed as a teenager is central to the story.

As the narrative unfolds, the revelation of her true identity, Devon Elder Mears, and the murder she committed as a young woman become the crux of the investigation into her death. Columbia’s ultimate confession in the end can be seen as her attempt to redeem herself by clearing Knox’s name and taking responsibility for her actions.

However, this redemption is bittersweet, as her public confession and the subsequent fallout tarnish her legacy forever. The story interrogates the possibility of true redemption for someone whose life has been built on a foundation of lies, examining whether the truth can ever fully erase the damage caused by a lifetime of running from responsibility.

The Consequences of Living a Double Life and the Weight of Concealed Secrets

Another significant theme in A Very Bad Thing is the immense toll of living a double life and the weight of concealed secrets. Columbia, under the name of Devon Elder Mears, reinvented herself completely after committing a murder in her youth.

This transformation—physically through surgery and legally by changing her identity—allowed her to escape the consequences of her actions and build a successful career as a novelist. However, the emotional burden of this concealed truth proved impossible to escape, and it ultimately led to her downfall.

The secret of her past is one she kept hidden from everyone, including her daughter Darian and even her twin daughter, Kira, who was given up for adoption without Darian’s knowledge. The family is forever altered by the discovery of these secrets, and the narrative paints a poignant picture of how hidden truths can destroy lives, even long after the events have passed.

The revelation of Columbia’s hidden identity and past crimes forces her loved ones to grapple with the uncomfortable reality of who she truly was, challenging their understanding of their own relationships and the person they thought they knew.

The Complicated Nature of Family and Forgiveness in the Face of Betrayal

The theme of family and forgiveness is intricately woven throughout the story, especially as Darian, Kira, and Riley navigate the aftermath of Columbia’s death. As Darian uncovers more about her mother’s life, including the truth about Kira, her own sense of betrayal deepens.

Columbia’s actions, which include abandoning her daughter Kira and allowing an innocent man to take the fall for her crime, create an emotional distance that Darian finds hard to overcome. This struggle to forgive is compounded by the knowledge that Columbia’s motivations were rooted in a complex mix of self-preservation, guilt, and a desire to protect the people she loved.

Kira’s eventual discovery of her true heritage, however, brings a different perspective. Despite never knowing Columbia as her mother, Kira’s ability to forgive stems from an understanding of the life she was given and the love from her adoptive family.

Riley, too, as a journalist, reflects on the complexities of her relationship with Columbia—her ambition to uncover the truth is tempered by a newfound sympathy for the woman who spent her life hiding from her past. This theme of forgiveness, particularly in the context of family, explores how deeply betrayal can hurt, yet also how complex and redemptive the process of coming to terms with the truth can be.

The Clash Between Public Perception and Private Truths

A Very Bad Thing also delves into the theme of public perception versus private truths, particularly in the age of social media and viral scandals. After Columbia’s death, her private confessions and the revealing of her past crimes spark a media frenzy.

The use of social media and deepfake technology to spread rumors and alter perceptions about Columbia’s life reflects the dangerous power of public opinion and the difficulty of protecting one’s legacy in a world that is quick to judge. The viral hashtag #Legacy captures the shifting views of Columbia’s life, as some see her as a victim of circumstance while others condemn her for the lives she destroyed.

Columbia’s attempt to control her own narrative through the release of her confession is an act of reclaiming her story, but the damage to her reputation is irrevocable. This theme explores the dissonance between who a person truly is and how they are seen by the public, questioning the fairness and accuracy of judgment when personal details are broadcasted for mass consumption.

The Fragility of Justice and the Impact of Long-Buried Truths on the Innocent

Lastly, A Very Bad Thing examines the fragility of justice and how long-buried truths can forever alter the lives of innocent people. The wrongful imprisonment of Knox Shepherd for a crime he did not commit is a pivotal moment in the story, as it highlights the failures of the justice system and the lasting consequences of Columbia’s decision to let him take the fall for her murder.

The eventual exoneration of Knox, triggered by Columbia’s confession, is a moment of justice, but it is tempered by the years of suffering Knox endured. The story interrogates the cost of a wrongful conviction and the irreparable damage done to someone’s life, even when the truth is finally revealed.

Knox’s journey from being a convicted man to being freed is symbolic of the long road to justice for those who have been wronged, while the narrative also critiques the flaws and imperfections within the justice system that can allow the innocent to suffer for the sins of others. This theme underscores the lasting impact of lies and the difficulty of restoring justice once it has been tainted by deception.