I Did Something Bad is one of those mysteries where you can see it happening to you. It’s relatable, while also not being relatable, and it’s compelling from start to finish. I listened to this one on audio and loved it. Keep reading this book review of I Did Something Bad for my full thoughts.
Summary
When freelance journalist Khin Hlaing is assigned by Vogue to get a scoop on Tyler Tun, Hollywood’s hottest movie star who has returned home to Myanmar to shoot a film, she’s determined to succeed. If Khin’s able to get an explosive exclusive, there may well be a permanent position waiting for her at Vogue Singapore, and a ticket out of the city that’s felt too small since her recent divorce.
Tyler has done his very best to keep his private life private, and he doesn’t show any sign of letting down his walls for Khin. But then one night on set, a strange man follows Khin into the surrounding park grounds. When he threatens her, Tyler steps in and things escalate fast. Khin knows they can’t go to the police, even if it was self defense. And when she learns that this man seems to have targeted her specifically, she needs to do everything she can to find out why.
As Khin and Tyler work together to hide their secret and find out more about her attacker, they grow closer and Tyler finally starts opening up. The job at Vogue suddenly looks more promising, but Khin can’t help feel a twang of uncomfortable morality-related guilt. Before long, everything hangs in the balance. Will they get away with murder? Can Khin get the exposé she needs for her dream job? And is she willing to risk Tyler’s trust in the process?
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
I Did Something Bad is an action packed mystery which will keep you on your toes. But even more so, it’s full of fabulous side characters, a romance story line, and questions about our future. The premise immediately causes sparks as Khin wonders how close she can get to Tyler without undermining her journalism. Is everything fodder for her journalistic piece? And for Tyler, can he reveal his cards, his true secrets, to Khin? From the beginning there’s this tension which only becomes more complicated with murder.
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I Did Something Bad is like getting to know each other but in reverse. It’s full of trying to find out the real person behind the illusion, the cover story, the website bio. What makes them tick? I loved being captivated by I Did Something Bad and part of the reason is the narration from Jacqui Bardelang that transported me. I loved being able to hear how conflicted Khin was about not only her feelings, but also about her possible future. We can think we know what we want, but what happens when something changes our mind? Changing our trajectory is difficult, but even more so when we’re trying to avoid getting caught!
Find I Did Something Bad on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.