Josie Boots is embarrassed, tired, and doesn’t want to rejoin the social media fandom because of whatever happened. She fears people might recognize her from that shameful episode. So, she does the only logical thing possible- she decides to move back to her childhood home in Burnville.

Besides saving her face, she has taken additional responsibility for saving her grandmother’s life on account of her ailing health.

Although this idea does not fully convince her grandma, Karen Boots, she still decides to let Josie stay. Only Karen can understand how long it takes to salvage one’s reputation once it’s completely ruined.

This unusual story of a young girl and her grandmother’s search for truth begins on a complicated note. Even with a promising start, you might feel disappointed with the narration speed in the initial few chapters. There are too many tangents around the main crux of the novel, and at times it feels like they’re hinting at it rather than telling more.

That pace changes dramatically once Josie finds a new friend and new revelations come to light. So, you’ll need a bit of patience to get to the eponymous bad intentions. Once Karen’s dark past comes tumbling out of the shadows, the storyline becomes more engaging.

That final twist might take you by surprise, but it’s not unexpected for this genre. That’s why it’s a recommended read for all thriller lovers, especially those liking dark, foreboding mysteries emerging from complicated pasts.

**This post is based on the ARC copy provided by NetGalley. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.