I enjoyed this twisty thriller that puts a new spin on the “solving a case using DNA” trope. Check out my review of It’s One of Us by J.T. Ellison
It’s One of Us by J.T. Ellison
Published on February 21, 2023 by MIRA Books
Synopsis for It’s One of Us by J.T. Ellison:
Olivia Bender designs home interiors that satisfy the most demanding clients. But her own deepest desire can’t be fulfilled. She desperately wants to be a mother. Fertility treatments and IVF keep failing. And just when she feels she’s at her lowest point, the police deliver shocking news to Olivia and her husband, Park.
DNA results show that the prime suspect in a murder investigation is Park’s son. Olivia is relieved, knowing this is a mistake. Despite their desire, the Benders don’t have any children. Then comes the confession. Many years ago, Park donated sperm to a clinic. He has no idea how many times it was sold—or how many children he has sired.
As the murder investigation goes deeper, more terrible truths come to light. With every revelation, Olivia must face the unthinkable.
Review of It’s One of Us by J. T. Ellison
I haven’t read all of J.T. Ellison’s books, but I have enjoyed the ones I have read, including Her Dark Lies and Good Girls Lie.
There’s a lying theme here, and It’s One of Us is also filled with deceit and deception.
Main character Olivia, devastated as she and her husband Park struggle with infertility, is shocked when the police show up at her door and tell Park that his son’s DNA has been found in a recent murder case.
I don’t want to give too much of the plot away, but there is a lot going on, with multiple POV characters and a lot of twists and turns.
Yes, at times this one got very Jerry Springer (if you remember the show, you will know that I mean high drama involving DNA tests) but It’s One of Us was still a fun and enjoyable read that put a different spin on the “murder solved by DNA” trope.
In this case, the murderer is in a defined group of people, a group who are all in communication with each other. I wish this aspect of the story had been expanded a little, with a little less of relationship drama, but I still thought this made for a very entertaining reading experience.
If you like DNA plots, you can also check out my review of The Match by Harlan Coben.
Once the police find out that all he did was donate sperm and doesn’t know his son, you would think that would be the end of the story. I’m interested in what else might be happening with that whole DNA storyline now.
Haha you would think!
I’m already tiring of the sperm donor trope (I also read Linwood Barclay’s FIND YOU FIRST), but suspect there will be many more stories about half-sibs to come. There were a few unresolved plot points in this book (I await your spoiler discussion) and I agree about the Jerry Springer moments. I thoroughly enjoyed the police characters, but found Olivia to be too much of a cipher. Like I couldn’t quite get her and her motivations. I loved the author note at the end. It was, honestly, my favorite part. 🙂