Published January, 2026

About three years ago, I read and reviewed Ashley Elston’s First Lie Wins (****) and enjoyed it, and although I really don’t recall specifics, I remember it well enough to recommend it to people who, like me, enjoy escapist fiction in the crime/thriller category. So I was pleased to receive a copy of Anatomy Of An Alibi from Viking Penguin in exchange for my honesty review. 

It came at the perfect time: I was almost desperate for something to read that would grab me and hold my attention (admittedly, partly just to avoid news!). The story does require some attention, because it involves multiple female characters/ POVs, and timelines. But it is easy to follow, and as the story unfolds, the various players and layers become clear. 

There is definitely one dead guy, and while he was totally disgusting in many ways, there just aren’t any characters who are totally likeable, IMHO.  For a mystery, this can be good as it keeps the reader involved and in this case there wasn’t anyone who, if they turned out to be the killer, would have bothered me – more like “oh wow, so THAT is who did it”)

I will continue to pick up Ashley Elston’s books, especially when I want something to help me escape for a day. For what it is (escapist thriller), it was great! This one gets 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.