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End of Story
“I’ll be dead in three months. Come tell my story.”
So writes Sebastian Trapp, reclusive mystery novelist, to his longtime correspondent Nicky Hunter, an expert in detective fiction. With mere months to live, Trapp invites Nicky to his spectacular San Francisco mansion to help draft his life story . . . living alongside his beautiful second wife, Diana; his wayward nephew, Freddy; and his protective daughter, Madeleine. Soon Nicky finds herself caught in an irresistible case of real-life “detective fever.”
“You and I might even solve an old mystery or two.”
Twenty years earlier—on New Year’s Eve 1999—Sebastian’s first wife and teenaged son vanished from different locations, never to be seen again. Did the perfect crime writer commit the perfect crime? And why has he emerged from seclusion, two decades later, to allow a stranger to dig into his past?
“Life is hard. After all, it kills you.”
As Nicky attempts to weave together the strands of Sebastian’s life, she becomes obsessed with discovering the truth . . . while Madeleine begins to question what her beloved father might actually know about that long-ago night. And when a corpse appears in the family’s koi pond, both women are shocked to find that the past isn’t gone—it’s just waiting.
So writes Sebastian Trapp, reclusive mystery novelist, to his longtime correspondent Nicky Hunter, an expert in detective fiction. With mere months to live, Trapp invites Nicky to his spectacular San Francisco mansion to help draft his life story . . . living alongside his beautiful second wife, Diana; his wayward nephew, Freddy; and his protective daughter, Madeleine. Soon Nicky finds herself caught in an irresistible case of real-life “detective fever.”
“You and I might even solve an old mystery or two.”
Twenty years earlier—on New Year’s Eve 1999—Sebastian’s first wife and teenaged son vanished from different locations, never to be seen again. Did the perfect crime writer commit the perfect crime? And why has he emerged from seclusion, two decades later, to allow a stranger to dig into his past?
“Life is hard. After all, it kills you.”
As Nicky attempts to weave together the strands of Sebastian’s life, she becomes obsessed with discovering the truth . . . while Madeleine begins to question what her beloved father might actually know about that long-ago night. And when a corpse appears in the family’s koi pond, both women are shocked to find that the past isn’t gone—it’s just waiting.
408 pages, Hardcover
First published February 20, 2024
About the author
A.J. Finn
11 books7,161 followersA.J. Finn, pseudonym for Daniel Mallory, has written for numerous publications, including the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, and the Times Literary Supplement (UK). A native of New York, Finn lived in England for ten years as a book editor before returning to New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,731 reviews
May 31, 2024
Honestly, you guys, I read this so you don't have to.
What the heck happened here? Was the author high when he wrote this? Do I also need to be high to understand it? Because the entire time I was reading this, I kept waiting for someone to jump out of the bushes and tell me that it's a joke, that they're pulling my leg, because this was such a hot mess I'm having trouble believing it's for real.
Let's start with my biggest issue, which was the writing style. There was something really strange and off-putting about it. It felt impenetrable on purpose, there to maximumly confuse and confound the reader. And I'll tell you what, it succeeded.
The dialogue in particular was incredibly affected and obtuse, almost to the point of incomprehensibility. Often, one participant would make a "witty" remark about something random, then the other participant would parry back with something equally "witty" and baffling, and we'd go back and forth. Obviously no real people talk like this, so it makes the characters all seem ridiculous and full of themselves.
But it wasn't just the dialogue. Almost every description and scene felt overly theatrical and bombastic, to the point of pretentiousness. At times, we even got stage directions and setting of the scenes, as if we were in some sort of dramatic play instead of prose. To say I was puzzled is an understatement. Why would the author choose to write in this way?
The pace was excruciatingly slow. Almost nothing happens for a long time. You could conceivably skip the first 100 or even 200 pages without having missed anything because nothing really happens until the last few chapters. And this book has a lot of pages (400) and chapters (100), so you're in it for a long time.
The mystery itself has potential, but it's so buried under how the story is written that it's hard to take it for what it is. By the time we get to the reveal, I feel like someone had been messing with me for so long, I couldn't muster up enough excitement to care about what was happening.
The whole time reading this, my primary feeling was one of bewilderment. Bewilderment at the bizarre writing style, bewilderment at the long length, and bewilderment at the lack of editing and polishing that somehow sent this out the door.
Perhaps the author had an idea, went to write it, and proceeded to write himself into a corner he could not back out of. While I wasn't a fan of A.J. Finn's first book (unreliable narrators aren't my usual jam), I could still see its appeal to others. But not so much with this one. My suggestion is, if you're a fan of the author's first book, it's probably best to pretend this one doesn't exist and just wait for his next one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
The Woman in the Window
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
What the heck happened here? Was the author high when he wrote this? Do I also need to be high to understand it? Because the entire time I was reading this, I kept waiting for someone to jump out of the bushes and tell me that it's a joke, that they're pulling my leg, because this was such a hot mess I'm having trouble believing it's for real.
Let's start with my biggest issue, which was the writing style. There was something really strange and off-putting about it. It felt impenetrable on purpose, there to maximumly confuse and confound the reader. And I'll tell you what, it succeeded.
The dialogue in particular was incredibly affected and obtuse, almost to the point of incomprehensibility. Often, one participant would make a "witty" remark about something random, then the other participant would parry back with something equally "witty" and baffling, and we'd go back and forth. Obviously no real people talk like this, so it makes the characters all seem ridiculous and full of themselves.
But it wasn't just the dialogue. Almost every description and scene felt overly theatrical and bombastic, to the point of pretentiousness. At times, we even got stage directions and setting of the scenes, as if we were in some sort of dramatic play instead of prose. To say I was puzzled is an understatement. Why would the author choose to write in this way?
The pace was excruciatingly slow. Almost nothing happens for a long time. You could conceivably skip the first 100 or even 200 pages without having missed anything because nothing really happens until the last few chapters. And this book has a lot of pages (400) and chapters (100), so you're in it for a long time.
The mystery itself has potential, but it's so buried under how the story is written that it's hard to take it for what it is. By the time we get to the reveal, I feel like someone had been messing with me for so long, I couldn't muster up enough excitement to care about what was happening.
The whole time reading this, my primary feeling was one of bewilderment. Bewilderment at the bizarre writing style, bewilderment at the long length, and bewilderment at the lack of editing and polishing that somehow sent this out the door.
Perhaps the author had an idea, went to write it, and proceeded to write himself into a corner he could not back out of. While I wasn't a fan of A.J. Finn's first book (unreliable narrators aren't my usual jam), I could still see its appeal to others. But not so much with this one. My suggestion is, if you're a fan of the author's first book, it's probably best to pretend this one doesn't exist and just wait for his next one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
The Woman in the Window
~~~~~~~~~~~~
✧ Connect with me ✧ Instagram ✧
March 8, 2024
So sloooooooow. The twist was good though, but not easy to figure it out.
February 27, 2024
1.5 “WTAF” stars, rounded up just because I’m feeling generous today - this one’s a hot mess and so very, very excruciatingly slow (and 100+ chapters!!). POV constantly shifted & at times you couldn't tell whose it was. Only positive was the "golden age of mystery" callbacks, for me. None of the promise of this controversial author’s great debut exists, all the promised twists were a let down and too long coming, and after 65% in, I just skimmed to the end to be done with this absolute 💩. Don’t waste your time!
April 6, 2024
2 and a half stars, rounded up to 3. I'm very torn on this book.
What I liked:
- Finn's writing style (he has a unique voice that I enjoy)
- The characters (the main character, Nicky, especially)
- The twists I didn't see coming
What I disliked:
- The unnecessarily unreliable narrators (yes, two of them, and it took away from the story to know the reader is essentially being lied to the whole time by both people who are telling the story)
- The length of the book (I feel about 100 pages could have been cut and it would have been more enjoyable, which is ironic, since there is a line in the book about making sure novels don't go on too long)
I don't know what to tell you. If you've exhausted the rest of the thrillers on your TBR, then sure, give this a go. If not, it isn't anything particularly special, but it did surprise me (if you don't mind being lied to for 350+ pages first).
At any rate, I'll stick to enjoying The Woman in the Window and ignoring this one's existence.
Pre-story thoughts:
I had no idea A.J. Finn had a new book coming out?? Hello?? I truly couldn't care less about the hate The Woman in the Window got. Some people just haven't the same exquisite taste as the rest of us, and for that, I am so, so sorry.
Friendly reminder that this is not an open forum to discuss your distaste for Finn. I rate a book on how well I enjoy the book, not the person behind it. Most of the time, I do not know a thing about the writer besides the short bio inserted in the back of a story. I guarantee every one of you has read (and perhaps even enjoyed) a book by a person who has done horrible things in their personal life. Not all of us are as obsessed with researching real humans and cancelling them as some of you are. You are not a savior for personally attacking me for liking his book. Please find a book and an author you enjoy and put your energy toward that instead. I hope you find peace and happiness.
What I liked:
- Finn's writing style (he has a unique voice that I enjoy)
- The characters (the main character, Nicky, especially)
- The twists I didn't see coming
What I disliked:
- The unnecessarily unreliable narrators (yes, two of them, and it took away from the story to know the reader is essentially being lied to the whole time by both people who are telling the story)
- The length of the book (I feel about 100 pages could have been cut and it would have been more enjoyable, which is ironic, since there is a line in the book about making sure novels don't go on too long)
I don't know what to tell you. If you've exhausted the rest of the thrillers on your TBR, then sure, give this a go. If not, it isn't anything particularly special, but it did surprise me (if you don't mind being lied to for 350+ pages first).
At any rate, I'll stick to enjoying The Woman in the Window and ignoring this one's existence.
Pre-story thoughts:
I had no idea A.J. Finn had a new book coming out?? Hello?? I truly couldn't care less about the hate The Woman in the Window got. Some people just haven't the same exquisite taste as the rest of us, and for that, I am so, so sorry.
Friendly reminder that this is not an open forum to discuss your distaste for Finn. I rate a book on how well I enjoy the book, not the person behind it. Most of the time, I do not know a thing about the writer besides the short bio inserted in the back of a story. I guarantee every one of you has read (and perhaps even enjoyed) a book by a person who has done horrible things in their personal life. Not all of us are as obsessed with researching real humans and cancelling them as some of you are. You are not a savior for personally attacking me for liking his book. Please find a book and an author you enjoy and put your energy toward that instead. I hope you find peace and happiness.
November 23, 2023
A lugubrious taxi driver takes Nicky Hunter, an expert in detective fiction, through the San Francisco fog to Pacific Heights and the spectacular property of reclusive mystery author, Sebastian Trapp. The two have been corresponding old school style for five years, and she is now at his home to help draft his much anticipated memoir. Why now? Well, apart from anything else, Sebastian doesn’t have long to live. However, the big story surrounding him is that 20 years ago on New Year’s Eve 1999, his wife Hope and son Cole vanish from different locations and are never seen again. Nicky becomes obsessed with discovering the truth and then finds herself caught up in yet another dramatic family mystery. This is a novel about the past, inevitably it gets dredged up mostly because it’s unfinished business and therefore the past is far from being done.
I love the way the author has chosen to tell this remarkable story, which cleverly changes as situations become weirder or deteriorate. The start feels old school but in the best possible way as it’s like an updated golden age detective mystery, particularly as Sebastian and Nikki trade literary quotes and titles at each other such as Sherlock Holmes. The tone here is funny, witty, ironic and self-deprecating, and definitely raises a smile or two. There are occasions in the first half where I feel as if I’ve strayed into a play from a bygone era as the dialogues bat back and forth. Then things change, get a little strange and we get a fairytale vibe and I’m not talking Disney, obviously. Towards the end of the book, it becomes pure thriller as things teeter on the brink. This is such an effective way to tell this tale and somehow makes it more compelling.
The characters are obviously centre stage to what unfolds and there right slap bang in the middle with the spotlight fixed firmly on him, is Sebastian. He’s magnetic, mysterious, enigmatic, highly intelligent, and sees much more than he says. His daughter, Madeleine is fascinating, damaged and very much in his thrall. I’ll say little about Nicky as that story is a real journey in itself.
The whole novel is packed full of atmosphere, courtesy of the eccentric Trapp house which feels alive at times, and of course there are San Francisco locations which are used masterfully in the ensuing drama.
You start in one place and finishing another with this book. There’s a building unsettling vibe and as the pace rises and then falls, when you learn something crucial, it seems to pop out at you, almost in neon signs! Things start to fall apart, behaviour is off kilter and becomes alarming. At moments of tension or when exciting revelations are forthcoming, short, sharp sentences heighten the effect. It escalates to an excellent, unpredictable finale, and that an ingenious final sentence… So good.
Overall, this is one smart novel which I enjoy very much indeed. A terrific cover entices you into the contents, too, so appropriate.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, Harper Fiction for granting my wish for this arc, which is greatly appreciated.
I love the way the author has chosen to tell this remarkable story, which cleverly changes as situations become weirder or deteriorate. The start feels old school but in the best possible way as it’s like an updated golden age detective mystery, particularly as Sebastian and Nikki trade literary quotes and titles at each other such as Sherlock Holmes. The tone here is funny, witty, ironic and self-deprecating, and definitely raises a smile or two. There are occasions in the first half where I feel as if I’ve strayed into a play from a bygone era as the dialogues bat back and forth. Then things change, get a little strange and we get a fairytale vibe and I’m not talking Disney, obviously. Towards the end of the book, it becomes pure thriller as things teeter on the brink. This is such an effective way to tell this tale and somehow makes it more compelling.
The characters are obviously centre stage to what unfolds and there right slap bang in the middle with the spotlight fixed firmly on him, is Sebastian. He’s magnetic, mysterious, enigmatic, highly intelligent, and sees much more than he says. His daughter, Madeleine is fascinating, damaged and very much in his thrall. I’ll say little about Nicky as that story is a real journey in itself.
The whole novel is packed full of atmosphere, courtesy of the eccentric Trapp house which feels alive at times, and of course there are San Francisco locations which are used masterfully in the ensuing drama.
You start in one place and finishing another with this book. There’s a building unsettling vibe and as the pace rises and then falls, when you learn something crucial, it seems to pop out at you, almost in neon signs! Things start to fall apart, behaviour is off kilter and becomes alarming. At moments of tension or when exciting revelations are forthcoming, short, sharp sentences heighten the effect. It escalates to an excellent, unpredictable finale, and that an ingenious final sentence… So good.
Overall, this is one smart novel which I enjoy very much indeed. A terrific cover entices you into the contents, too, so appropriate.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, Harper Fiction for granting my wish for this arc, which is greatly appreciated.
February 22, 2024
I finished this and I turned to my cat and said, “Well, Emma, that was a book.” So 🤷🏻♀️
February 29, 2024
EXCERPT: Bleak House Tuesday, June 23
In a moment they'll find her.
Find her where she floats, fingers splayed wide in the marbling water, hair spread like a Japanese fan. Fish glide beneath it, push through it; skate along the line of her body. The filter hums. The pond simmers, shimmers. She trembles on the surface. Fog prowled the ground earlier this morning - San Francisco swirl, velvet- thick and chill - but now the last of it burns off, and the courtyard basks in light: paving stones, sundial, a chorus line of daffodils. And near the pond, that perfect circle sunk near the wall of the house, with its glowing fish, its lily pads like stars.
In a moment a scream will crack the air.
Until then, all is silent and all is still, except for the shiver of the water . . .
ABOUT 'END OF STORY': “I’ll be dead in three months. Come tell my story.”
So writes Sebastian Trapp, reclusive mystery novelist, to his longtime correspondent Nicky Hunter, an expert in detective fiction. With mere months to live, Trapp invites Nicky to his spectacular San Francisco mansion to help draft his life story . . . living alongside his beautiful second wife, Diana; his wayward nephew, Freddy; and his protective daughter, Madeleine. Soon Nicky finds herself caught in an irresistible case of real-life “detective fever.”
“You and I might even solve an old mystery or two.”
Twenty years earlier—on New Year’s Eve 1999—Sebastian’s first wife and teenaged son vanished from different locations, never to be seen again. Did the perfect crime writer commit the perfect crime? And why has he emerged from seclusion, two decades later, to allow a stranger to dig into his past?
“Life is hard. After all, it kills you.”
As Nicky attempts to weave together the strands of Sebastian’s life, she becomes obsessed with discovering the truth . . . while Madeleine begins to question what her beloved father might actually know about that long-ago night. And when a corpse appears in the family’s koi pond, both women are shocked to find that the past isn’t gone—it’s just waiting.
MY THOUGHTS: I can do no better than provide a (slightly) abridged quote from End of Story - This is a story without heroes. Perhaps without villains as well. A story where identities are slippery. Where the mystery and the violence are mostly within you, and where the clues almost ineluctably lead you someplace you don't want to go. We're all in that story. Life is a thriller. The ending is fatal and the conclusion is final.
AJ Finn sucked me right into the narrative of this story then, at the end, spat me out, probably with a self-satisfied smile on his face. And he should be self-satisfied. End of Story is a blinder. I felt like I was living it along with Nicky. I agonised over what had happened to Cole and Hope, where they had gone and, if they were indeed still alive, who they could possibly be.
The characters - what can I say about the characters? Elegant. Charming. Enigmatic - definitely. Damaged also. They give the impression of a bevvy of swans gliding serenely about, but underneath . . . they are completely different people, struggling to keep afloat, to stay on an even keel.
I can't praise End of Story enough. It is atmospheric, enchanting, absorbing, twisty, exciting, entertaining and shocking. The ending is unexpected. It is brilliant. At various times during reading I cried, I exploded with laughter (the bon mots are unparalleled), forgot to breathe, cried out 'No,no,no,no - don't do this!', and bit the soft flesh between index finger and thumb go relieve the tension.
End of Story is not simply a book - it is an experience, one I am going to partake of again, slowly this time, savoring every nuance, every word, rather than gorging on it like a box of favorite chocolates, as I have just done.
It has been a long stretch between books, Mr Finn, but End of Story was worth the wait.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#EndOfStory #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: A.J. Finn, pseudonym for Daniel Mallory, has written for numerous publications. A native of New York, Finn lived in England for ten years as a book editor before returning to New York City.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction, via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of End of Story by AJ Finn for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own opinions.
End of Story is due for publication 29 February 2024.
In a moment they'll find her.
Find her where she floats, fingers splayed wide in the marbling water, hair spread like a Japanese fan. Fish glide beneath it, push through it; skate along the line of her body. The filter hums. The pond simmers, shimmers. She trembles on the surface. Fog prowled the ground earlier this morning - San Francisco swirl, velvet- thick and chill - but now the last of it burns off, and the courtyard basks in light: paving stones, sundial, a chorus line of daffodils. And near the pond, that perfect circle sunk near the wall of the house, with its glowing fish, its lily pads like stars.
In a moment a scream will crack the air.
Until then, all is silent and all is still, except for the shiver of the water . . .
ABOUT 'END OF STORY': “I’ll be dead in three months. Come tell my story.”
So writes Sebastian Trapp, reclusive mystery novelist, to his longtime correspondent Nicky Hunter, an expert in detective fiction. With mere months to live, Trapp invites Nicky to his spectacular San Francisco mansion to help draft his life story . . . living alongside his beautiful second wife, Diana; his wayward nephew, Freddy; and his protective daughter, Madeleine. Soon Nicky finds herself caught in an irresistible case of real-life “detective fever.”
“You and I might even solve an old mystery or two.”
Twenty years earlier—on New Year’s Eve 1999—Sebastian’s first wife and teenaged son vanished from different locations, never to be seen again. Did the perfect crime writer commit the perfect crime? And why has he emerged from seclusion, two decades later, to allow a stranger to dig into his past?
“Life is hard. After all, it kills you.”
As Nicky attempts to weave together the strands of Sebastian’s life, she becomes obsessed with discovering the truth . . . while Madeleine begins to question what her beloved father might actually know about that long-ago night. And when a corpse appears in the family’s koi pond, both women are shocked to find that the past isn’t gone—it’s just waiting.
MY THOUGHTS: I can do no better than provide a (slightly) abridged quote from End of Story - This is a story without heroes. Perhaps without villains as well. A story where identities are slippery. Where the mystery and the violence are mostly within you, and where the clues almost ineluctably lead you someplace you don't want to go. We're all in that story. Life is a thriller. The ending is fatal and the conclusion is final.
AJ Finn sucked me right into the narrative of this story then, at the end, spat me out, probably with a self-satisfied smile on his face. And he should be self-satisfied. End of Story is a blinder. I felt like I was living it along with Nicky. I agonised over what had happened to Cole and Hope, where they had gone and, if they were indeed still alive, who they could possibly be.
The characters - what can I say about the characters? Elegant. Charming. Enigmatic - definitely. Damaged also. They give the impression of a bevvy of swans gliding serenely about, but underneath . . . they are completely different people, struggling to keep afloat, to stay on an even keel.
I can't praise End of Story enough. It is atmospheric, enchanting, absorbing, twisty, exciting, entertaining and shocking. The ending is unexpected. It is brilliant. At various times during reading I cried, I exploded with laughter (the bon mots are unparalleled), forgot to breathe, cried out 'No,no,no,no - don't do this!', and bit the soft flesh between index finger and thumb go relieve the tension.
End of Story is not simply a book - it is an experience, one I am going to partake of again, slowly this time, savoring every nuance, every word, rather than gorging on it like a box of favorite chocolates, as I have just done.
It has been a long stretch between books, Mr Finn, but End of Story was worth the wait.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#EndOfStory #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: A.J. Finn, pseudonym for Daniel Mallory, has written for numerous publications. A native of New York, Finn lived in England for ten years as a book editor before returning to New York City.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction, via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of End of Story by AJ Finn for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own opinions.
End of Story is due for publication 29 February 2024.
April 25, 2024
For starters, I personally enjoyed this book better than “The Woman in the Window” by this author. While this book was extraordinarily long (or so it seemed), it didn’t read as slow as his previous book. This newest book also had some surprise twists at the end that I definitely did not see coming, which totally redeemed this story for me. I should also mention that although this was a long book, the chapters were short and very easy to read- which made this book go by much quicker.
In this story we have Nicky Hunter, who has been corresponding by mail for the past five years with the infamous author Sebastian Trapp. Sebastian, after learning that his health is failing, invites Nicky to come stay at his mansion and interview him for an autobiography of sorts. Twenty years prior on New Years Eve 1999, Sebastian lost both his first wife and son. They both disappeared from different areas, only to never to be seen again. All these years, Sebastian has had to live with the grief and listen to people accuse him of murdering his own family members.
When Nicky arrives at the mansion in San Francisco to meet and interview Sebastian, she also meets his new beautiful wife Diana. Sebastian married Diana fifteen years after his wife and son went missing. We also have his adult daughter Madeleine, who still lives at home with them. Nicky also meets other family members along the way, such as the handsome nephew Freddy- who now comes by to help Sebastian with his treatments now that he is sick.
As Nicky interviews Sebastian and his other family members and houseguests, she starts to wonder if she is even safe staying in the mansion herself? Is Sebastian keeping secrets? And will Nicky ever uncover the whole story of the disappearance of Sebastian’s previous wife and son?
At the end of this story- I will say that I enjoyed it. There were some issues that I had such as length, and I felt the setting wasn’t quite right. While this book took place in San Francisco, I kept picturing London, England somewhere. So for some reason that kept throwing me off. All in all, this was a good read and I will be looking forward to his next book!
In this story we have Nicky Hunter, who has been corresponding by mail for the past five years with the infamous author Sebastian Trapp. Sebastian, after learning that his health is failing, invites Nicky to come stay at his mansion and interview him for an autobiography of sorts. Twenty years prior on New Years Eve 1999, Sebastian lost both his first wife and son. They both disappeared from different areas, only to never to be seen again. All these years, Sebastian has had to live with the grief and listen to people accuse him of murdering his own family members.
When Nicky arrives at the mansion in San Francisco to meet and interview Sebastian, she also meets his new beautiful wife Diana. Sebastian married Diana fifteen years after his wife and son went missing. We also have his adult daughter Madeleine, who still lives at home with them. Nicky also meets other family members along the way, such as the handsome nephew Freddy- who now comes by to help Sebastian with his treatments now that he is sick.
As Nicky interviews Sebastian and his other family members and houseguests, she starts to wonder if she is even safe staying in the mansion herself? Is Sebastian keeping secrets? And will Nicky ever uncover the whole story of the disappearance of Sebastian’s previous wife and son?
At the end of this story- I will say that I enjoyed it. There were some issues that I had such as length, and I felt the setting wasn’t quite right. While this book took place in San Francisco, I kept picturing London, England somewhere. So for some reason that kept throwing me off. All in all, this was a good read and I will be looking forward to his next book!
December 18, 2023
Having read Woman in the Window and raved about it, I was looking forward to A.J. Finn's follow up novel. End of Story deals with a dying crime author whose first wife and son went missing 20 years previously, he invites a would be writer to his home to write a piece on himself.
This is supposed to be a homage to the great detective novels/film plots which have gone before, in fact the opening paragraphs are lifted straight from the great Billy Wilder's Sunset Boulevard, and throughout the novel there are references to Christie, Conan Doyle and nods to Chandler. However, End of Story does not hold it's own against the greats of the crime genre. The plotting is over complicated, the characters seem 2 dimensional and I worked out the reveals from just about the outset of the novel and it just felt like a chore to read sadly. Too much box ticking and an implausible plot doesn't make for a great reading experience.
This is supposed to be a homage to the great detective novels/film plots which have gone before, in fact the opening paragraphs are lifted straight from the great Billy Wilder's Sunset Boulevard, and throughout the novel there are references to Christie, Conan Doyle and nods to Chandler. However, End of Story does not hold it's own against the greats of the crime genre. The plotting is over complicated, the characters seem 2 dimensional and I worked out the reveals from just about the outset of the novel and it just felt like a chore to read sadly. Too much box ticking and an implausible plot doesn't make for a great reading experience.
November 14, 2023
First of all, a massive thank you to Harper Collins UK for granting my wish on NetGalley o read this book. A new AJ Finn book.. how exciting! It might not be out until the end of February but I dove straight in. This book has been a very long time coming and for me, the wait was absolutely worth it
Sebastian Trapp is a famous mystery writer with a mysterious past of his own. And he is dying. He invites his long time penpal and fan, Nicky Hunter, to come stay with him and his family in his San Francisco home and write a personal memoir for him, for only his families eyes. How could she say no? Will he finally talk about his wife and son who disappeared 20 years earlier, never to be seen again? The house holds many secrets, and those who surround Sebastian have plenty of their own.
This was a slower burning thriller, but one with so much atmosphere and promise. There were plenty of twists and turns that I did not see coming and the ending was superb. I found myself turning pages late into the night on a school night so that tells you something. I just had to know how it would end.
A very clever book, with plenty of literary references. So much fun to read. Get your hands on this February 29th. You can thank me later.
Sebastian Trapp is a famous mystery writer with a mysterious past of his own. And he is dying. He invites his long time penpal and fan, Nicky Hunter, to come stay with him and his family in his San Francisco home and write a personal memoir for him, for only his families eyes. How could she say no? Will he finally talk about his wife and son who disappeared 20 years earlier, never to be seen again? The house holds many secrets, and those who surround Sebastian have plenty of their own.
This was a slower burning thriller, but one with so much atmosphere and promise. There were plenty of twists and turns that I did not see coming and the ending was superb. I found myself turning pages late into the night on a school night so that tells you something. I just had to know how it would end.
A very clever book, with plenty of literary references. So much fun to read. Get your hands on this February 29th. You can thank me later.
March 6, 2024
DNF at 98 pages in...it's just way too slow, dull, and just all over the place. If I had to give a word to describe how I feel this one reads, up until where I put it down, it would possibly be 'pretentious' or something similar. Who knows, I may go back and give this another chance when I have more patience, but there are too many other exciting books I want to read right now!
Moving on...
Moving on...
February 23, 2024
Oh man. I hated this one. The characters were one dimensional. I couldn't keep track of the side characters, because they all sounded and acted the same. The story was confusing. AJ was trying too hard to make it poetic, rather than a fleshed out story. There were several scenes where it felt like entire paragraphs were missing, because what the heck is going on? The twist, the killer, I didn't even care by the time we got there. Le sigh. Just terrible.
April 15, 2024
I have to assume the low rating for this book came from two sources:
(1) people who rated this book based on an old expose about the author's character rather than his work
(2) people who prefer the simple popcorn-thrillers with an out-of-nowhere twist that are flooding the psychological thriller market lately (no shade intended if you like these--I believe everyone should read what they like!)
This book is GOOD. The story has intricate plotting, elegant prose that was prevalent in the author's first novel, and the plot is fascinating. Subtle twists, a perfectly creepy setting in the fictional author's house, and an eccentric and mysterious character in the fictional author (Sebastian Trapp) himself.
Go in knowing this is a character-driven story that will be a slow burn compared to flashy thrillers. Brilliant!
Full review:
The story opens with acclaimed and reclusive author Sebastian Tripp inviting reporter Nicky Hunter to his storied, gothic, San Francisco mansion. The famed mystery writer shares that he is dying, and he wants to have someone tell his story before he goes. Nicky is taken aback by the request, though she and Sebastian have exchanged correspondence for years. He is looking for a writer who he knows can do his story justice and will go into their book with good intent.
Sebastian Tripp is best known for his compelling mystery novels featuring a Hercule Poirot-esque detective named Simon St. John. Tripp is known among literary critics as a “champion deceiver” for his expertly crafted mysteries and well-timed twists that blow the case wide open. Tripp may be most famous for his best-selling mysteries, but second only by a small margin are the tragedy and scandal that surround him.
Twenty years earlier, Tripp’s first wife Hope and his son Cole disappeared. Even more bizarre, they disappeared from seemingly two different locations on the same night. The mother and son were presumed dead when no sightings were reported. In the wake of their shocking disappearance, gossip and speculation ran wild. The rumors gained more traction when Sebastian married his second wife, Diana, not long after the disappearance. To add fodder to the gossip, Diana was his wife Hope’s assistant prior to her disappearance.
Nicky moves into the bizarre and often creepy mansion while she works on writing Tripp’s story. Also present in the house are his second wife Diana, his nephew Freddy, and his daughter Madeleine. Diana’s coolness is matched only by Madeleine’s bitter and combative disposition and Freddy’s overly friendly one. As Nicky begins to dig into Sebastian’s past, it’s clear she is ruffling feathers. When someone is murdered, Nicky finds herself in the middle of a whodunnit that could appear in one of Sebastian’s mysteries. The world has spent two decades wondering if Sebastian pulled off a perfect crime the night his wife and son disappeared. Now, Nicky wonders whether there is a killer nearby or if Sebastian pulled off a second perfect murder?
Thoughts
One of the more impactful parts of End of Story is how much the reader is kept in the dark at the beginning. We are not unlike Nicky herself, coming into Sebastian Tripp’s dark and brooding mansion unsure of what to expect and the true purpose of our summons.
In a vast landscape of psychological suspense novels that rely on outlandish twists, soapy relationships, and reused tropes, End of Story stands boldly in front with its clever plotting and expertly crafted mystery that delivers a perfectly-timed twist.
As with The Woman in the Window, the book is filled with nods to great mysteries and renowned crime fiction that are woven seamlessly throughout the narrative. The first portion of the book is devoted largely to building the atmosphere and setting surrounding Sebastian Tripp and the mysteries that follow him like a shadow. Unsettling characters and eerie events begin to stack up, until the true nature of the mystery becomes clear with terrifying reality.
Finn’s instincts as a writer are sharp. He is able to reference many of the great writers throughout history as inspiration (Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie) and craft a mystery that is as compelling as theirs and actually deliver on an intricate solution (something that many writers before have failed to do). The characters are all carefully developed to evolve before the reader’s eyes throughout the novel.
True to it’s title, the end of the story is fatally perfect—both complex and simple. It’s an ending you’ll never see coming but that also reframes the entire experience reading the story in a way that makes perfect sense.
My final advice? Buy this book. Set aside the time to invest in reading it and soaking up the incredibly detailed and complex mystery Finn has crafted. The story is absolutely beguiling—it’s beautiful and fatal in equal measure.
(1) people who rated this book based on an old expose about the author's character rather than his work
(2) people who prefer the simple popcorn-thrillers with an out-of-nowhere twist that are flooding the psychological thriller market lately (no shade intended if you like these--I believe everyone should read what they like!)
This book is GOOD. The story has intricate plotting, elegant prose that was prevalent in the author's first novel, and the plot is fascinating. Subtle twists, a perfectly creepy setting in the fictional author's house, and an eccentric and mysterious character in the fictional author (Sebastian Trapp) himself.
Go in knowing this is a character-driven story that will be a slow burn compared to flashy thrillers. Brilliant!
Full review:
The story opens with acclaimed and reclusive author Sebastian Tripp inviting reporter Nicky Hunter to his storied, gothic, San Francisco mansion. The famed mystery writer shares that he is dying, and he wants to have someone tell his story before he goes. Nicky is taken aback by the request, though she and Sebastian have exchanged correspondence for years. He is looking for a writer who he knows can do his story justice and will go into their book with good intent.
Sebastian Tripp is best known for his compelling mystery novels featuring a Hercule Poirot-esque detective named Simon St. John. Tripp is known among literary critics as a “champion deceiver” for his expertly crafted mysteries and well-timed twists that blow the case wide open. Tripp may be most famous for his best-selling mysteries, but second only by a small margin are the tragedy and scandal that surround him.
Twenty years earlier, Tripp’s first wife Hope and his son Cole disappeared. Even more bizarre, they disappeared from seemingly two different locations on the same night. The mother and son were presumed dead when no sightings were reported. In the wake of their shocking disappearance, gossip and speculation ran wild. The rumors gained more traction when Sebastian married his second wife, Diana, not long after the disappearance. To add fodder to the gossip, Diana was his wife Hope’s assistant prior to her disappearance.
Nicky moves into the bizarre and often creepy mansion while she works on writing Tripp’s story. Also present in the house are his second wife Diana, his nephew Freddy, and his daughter Madeleine. Diana’s coolness is matched only by Madeleine’s bitter and combative disposition and Freddy’s overly friendly one. As Nicky begins to dig into Sebastian’s past, it’s clear she is ruffling feathers. When someone is murdered, Nicky finds herself in the middle of a whodunnit that could appear in one of Sebastian’s mysteries. The world has spent two decades wondering if Sebastian pulled off a perfect crime the night his wife and son disappeared. Now, Nicky wonders whether there is a killer nearby or if Sebastian pulled off a second perfect murder?
Thoughts
One of the more impactful parts of End of Story is how much the reader is kept in the dark at the beginning. We are not unlike Nicky herself, coming into Sebastian Tripp’s dark and brooding mansion unsure of what to expect and the true purpose of our summons.
In a vast landscape of psychological suspense novels that rely on outlandish twists, soapy relationships, and reused tropes, End of Story stands boldly in front with its clever plotting and expertly crafted mystery that delivers a perfectly-timed twist.
As with The Woman in the Window, the book is filled with nods to great mysteries and renowned crime fiction that are woven seamlessly throughout the narrative. The first portion of the book is devoted largely to building the atmosphere and setting surrounding Sebastian Tripp and the mysteries that follow him like a shadow. Unsettling characters and eerie events begin to stack up, until the true nature of the mystery becomes clear with terrifying reality.
Finn’s instincts as a writer are sharp. He is able to reference many of the great writers throughout history as inspiration (Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie) and craft a mystery that is as compelling as theirs and actually deliver on an intricate solution (something that many writers before have failed to do). The characters are all carefully developed to evolve before the reader’s eyes throughout the novel.
True to it’s title, the end of the story is fatally perfect—both complex and simple. It’s an ending you’ll never see coming but that also reframes the entire experience reading the story in a way that makes perfect sense.
My final advice? Buy this book. Set aside the time to invest in reading it and soaking up the incredibly detailed and complex mystery Finn has crafted. The story is absolutely beguiling—it’s beautiful and fatal in equal measure.
July 3, 2024
After reading a number of mixd reviews about End of Story I was on the fence about whether or not to give this a pass.
Fast forward 413 pages later: I cannot emphasize strongly enough how much I enjoyed everything thing about this novel. It is mysteries within mysteries. The characters are mesmerizing. The twists twist in on themselves. And the ending could not have been more shocking, authentic, and satisfying.
Adding to my delight was reading the excerpts and references from books by Agatha Christie, Raymond Chandler, etc. which are weaved in all throughout the storyline.
End of Story is a sizzling slow burn novel I could read over and over. Sign me up A.J. Finn's next release.
Fast forward 413 pages later: I cannot emphasize strongly enough how much I enjoyed everything thing about this novel. It is mysteries within mysteries. The characters are mesmerizing. The twists twist in on themselves. And the ending could not have been more shocking, authentic, and satisfying.
Adding to my delight was reading the excerpts and references from books by Agatha Christie, Raymond Chandler, etc. which are weaved in all throughout the storyline.
End of Story is a sizzling slow burn novel I could read over and over. Sign me up A.J. Finn's next release.
July 27, 2024
Nicky Hunter has just received the invitation of a lifetime. Famous mystery novelist Sebastian Trapp, now on his deathbed, wants her to write his memoir. Trapp’s wife and son went missing 20 years ago, and his involvement in their disappearance has long been suspected by the public. Nicky goes to stay at Trapp’s creepy mansion to interview the old man…and hopefully uncover some answers.
This book felt super…stylized, I guess? It was like a detective film, complete with a creepy mansion, noir-inspired characters and an actual chase scene. But as fun as the vibes were, they also became a bit of a turnoff, because they made the story feel a bit cartoonish. For instance, every character was super witty and always prepared with the perfect comeback, which made all of their voices feel the same. It actually pulled me out of the story, because none of the dialogue felt true to life.
A high point was the character of Madeleine, Trapp’s aging heiress daughter, who had abandoned any attempts at building a career or family after the traumatic loss of her brother and mother. Her story felt tragically believable, and she was really the only realistic and well-developed character of the bunch.
Despite these downsides, this book delivered some great twists and turns. There were some excellently deployed red herrings and a final twist I definitely didn’t see coming (although it required a bit of a suspension of disbelief). I wouldn’t recommend this book, but it wasn’t an entirely bad time.
This book felt super…stylized, I guess? It was like a detective film, complete with a creepy mansion, noir-inspired characters and an actual chase scene. But as fun as the vibes were, they also became a bit of a turnoff, because they made the story feel a bit cartoonish. For instance, every character was super witty and always prepared with the perfect comeback, which made all of their voices feel the same. It actually pulled me out of the story, because none of the dialogue felt true to life.
A high point was the character of Madeleine, Trapp’s aging heiress daughter, who had abandoned any attempts at building a career or family after the traumatic loss of her brother and mother. Her story felt tragically believable, and she was really the only realistic and well-developed character of the bunch.
Despite these downsides, this book delivered some great twists and turns. There were some excellently deployed red herrings and a final twist I definitely didn’t see coming (although it required a bit of a suspension of disbelief). I wouldn’t recommend this book, but it wasn’t an entirely bad time.
March 6, 2024
BOOO HISS TOMATO TOMATO
Shelved as 'dnf'
April 29, 2024I haven’t picked this up since February so it’s time to call it. I 5 star loved his last book and hope his next one will be another winner for me.
February 25, 2024
This book, and its author, are so smugly punchable
Read
February 16, 2024Thank you to Bibliolifestyle, William Morrow, and AJ Finn for my copy of this book. It’s about a famous mystery writer, Sebastian Trapp, and his relationship with Nicky Hunter, an expert in detective stories. Sebastian invites Nicky to his San Francisco mansion for his last three months of life to write his story. Along with Sebastian, the house is full of family including his second wife Diana, his daughter Madeline, and his nephew Freddy.
Twenty years earlier, Sebastian’s first wife and teenage son disappeared without a trace. Many people think he killed them, and now Nicky wants to get to the bottom of what really happened. But there is a lot going on in the family beneath the surface, and some of that could get in the way of the original mystery. And then another body shows up…
Thoughts: I just don’t know. I have mixed feelings on this story and I’m not quite sure where I land. On one hand, the homage to the crime genre and all of the references in this book were amazing and entertaining. This book is beautifully written and was hard for me to get into, but once I did, I really enjoyed his prose and writing style. I liked the setting of the creepy house, all the relics, and even the hidden room behind the bookcase. Sebastian was a wonderful main character, and I enjoyed the perspectives of each of the family members as well.
On the other hand, this was a SLOW burn. So slow that I nearly gave up reading. It was too wordy at times and I felt like it took paragraphs to say what could have been said in a sentence. The biggest problem for me was the reveal. It was both extremely clear what would happen, and I also found myself hoping it would not be the direction that the author would take. Most of the twists were pretty obvious to me, but what wasn’t was not necessarily shocking. It left me with conflicting feelings about this story, so I won’t be sharing a rating for this one.
Twenty years earlier, Sebastian’s first wife and teenage son disappeared without a trace. Many people think he killed them, and now Nicky wants to get to the bottom of what really happened. But there is a lot going on in the family beneath the surface, and some of that could get in the way of the original mystery. And then another body shows up…
Thoughts: I just don’t know. I have mixed feelings on this story and I’m not quite sure where I land. On one hand, the homage to the crime genre and all of the references in this book were amazing and entertaining. This book is beautifully written and was hard for me to get into, but once I did, I really enjoyed his prose and writing style. I liked the setting of the creepy house, all the relics, and even the hidden room behind the bookcase. Sebastian was a wonderful main character, and I enjoyed the perspectives of each of the family members as well.
On the other hand, this was a SLOW burn. So slow that I nearly gave up reading. It was too wordy at times and I felt like it took paragraphs to say what could have been said in a sentence. The biggest problem for me was the reveal. It was both extremely clear what would happen, and I also found myself hoping it would not be the direction that the author would take. Most of the twists were pretty obvious to me, but what wasn’t was not necessarily shocking. It left me with conflicting feelings about this story, so I won’t be sharing a rating for this one.
March 2, 2024
the last few chapters are really great but the journey getting there is odd and confusing. the biggest reason this didn’t work for me is that Finn tries too hard for humor through quirky/eccentric dialogue but it came across as cringey - it’s set in modern day but the characters talk like they’re in the 1950s, it’s very jarring.
the story is confusing at first, we dive headfirst into a lot of characters without being introduced to who they are which made it take awhile for me to keep track of who everyone was. the book is also about 100 pages too long, it definitely meanders as it gets closer to the end (and something key in the synopsis doesn’t even happen until 200 pages in).
the ending was good though although i can see people having issues with it. it’s been awhile since i read TWITW but from i can recall this is quite a big departure from that style, both in story and tone.
the story is confusing at first, we dive headfirst into a lot of characters without being introduced to who they are which made it take awhile for me to keep track of who everyone was. the book is also about 100 pages too long, it definitely meanders as it gets closer to the end (and something key in the synopsis doesn’t even happen until 200 pages in).
the ending was good though although i can see people having issues with it. it’s been awhile since i read TWITW but from i can recall this is quite a big departure from that style, both in story and tone.
February 24, 2024
3.5⭐️ Reclusive and ailing mystery novelist Sebastian Trapp invites his longtime correspondent Nikki Hunter, into his home and into his family, in order to write his life story for him, including information on the disappearance of his wife and son twenty years earlier. As Nikki begins to unravel long held secrets, she becomes obsessed with figuring out what exactly happened to the former Mrs. Trapp and their son.
Let me preface this review by saying that The Woman in the Window is one of my all time favorite thrillers, and therefore, I went into this book with fairly high expectations. And while I did enjoy it, it did not hit that bar that TWITW set for me. However, those who love classic detective novels, a la Agatha Christie, will probably find a lot to love in END OF STORY.
What Finn does best of all, is create a really atmospheric setting that is so picturesque, you almost feel as though you are right there in it. Not since Riley Sager’s The Only One Left, has a house felt like so much of a character in-and-of-itself, and a very creepy one at that. The moment Nikki arrives at its doorstep, you know this is a house with secrets to tell. From the portraits that seemed alive, to the taxidermy dogs flocking the hallway, this house was insanely eerie and added tenfold to the atmosphere of the novel.
Another element I loved is the idea of identity that is examined throughout the story - the fluidity of the characters, the truths and the lies and the blurring of them at times. This theme is so brilliantly woven into a tale that is already so much about the concept of truth versus fiction. And considering the controversy surrounding the author, a really interesting element to add to the story. And of course, it also wouldn’t be an AJ Finn novel without a heck of a lot of fun twists including the biggest of all which I did not see coming.
While a lot of the story did work for me, what didn’t work as well was the pacing. This is a very slow moving story for the entire first half of the story. So much so, I had considered DNFing. In addition, there is a very large cast of characters, and at times I found myself confused as to who the pivotal characters were, versus the more tertiary. However, if you stick with it, the second half is much more fast paced and as soon as the first twist drops, it becomes very hard not to want to continue.
🎧 Helen Laser is the star of this audiobook. She manages to maneuver through an insanely large cast of characters, while still giving each and every one of them a unique voice, all while somehow conveying just how eerie an atmosphere this is taking place in. I am insanely impressed with her talent and will definitely be on the hunt for more books with her at the helm.
I am aware of the controversy surrounding this author. What he did was horrible and far from okay. That said, I believe strongly in second chances. However, I completely understand the hurt and outrage others feel, especially as it pertains to his dishonesty surrounding his cancer, and completely respect the decision to no longer support him. I have read and reviewed this book as I do all books - critically and fairly - and this is my honest review.
Read if you like:
•atmospheric reads
•old school detective novels
•slow burn mysteries
•character driven thrillers
•large ensemble casts
Thank you Bibliolifestyle, William Morrow and Harper Audio for the gifted copies.
Let me preface this review by saying that The Woman in the Window is one of my all time favorite thrillers, and therefore, I went into this book with fairly high expectations. And while I did enjoy it, it did not hit that bar that TWITW set for me. However, those who love classic detective novels, a la Agatha Christie, will probably find a lot to love in END OF STORY.
What Finn does best of all, is create a really atmospheric setting that is so picturesque, you almost feel as though you are right there in it. Not since Riley Sager’s The Only One Left, has a house felt like so much of a character in-and-of-itself, and a very creepy one at that. The moment Nikki arrives at its doorstep, you know this is a house with secrets to tell. From the portraits that seemed alive, to the taxidermy dogs flocking the hallway, this house was insanely eerie and added tenfold to the atmosphere of the novel.
Another element I loved is the idea of identity that is examined throughout the story - the fluidity of the characters, the truths and the lies and the blurring of them at times. This theme is so brilliantly woven into a tale that is already so much about the concept of truth versus fiction. And considering the controversy surrounding the author, a really interesting element to add to the story. And of course, it also wouldn’t be an AJ Finn novel without a heck of a lot of fun twists including the biggest of all which I did not see coming.
While a lot of the story did work for me, what didn’t work as well was the pacing. This is a very slow moving story for the entire first half of the story. So much so, I had considered DNFing. In addition, there is a very large cast of characters, and at times I found myself confused as to who the pivotal characters were, versus the more tertiary. However, if you stick with it, the second half is much more fast paced and as soon as the first twist drops, it becomes very hard not to want to continue.
🎧 Helen Laser is the star of this audiobook. She manages to maneuver through an insanely large cast of characters, while still giving each and every one of them a unique voice, all while somehow conveying just how eerie an atmosphere this is taking place in. I am insanely impressed with her talent and will definitely be on the hunt for more books with her at the helm.
I am aware of the controversy surrounding this author. What he did was horrible and far from okay. That said, I believe strongly in second chances. However, I completely understand the hurt and outrage others feel, especially as it pertains to his dishonesty surrounding his cancer, and completely respect the decision to no longer support him. I have read and reviewed this book as I do all books - critically and fairly - and this is my honest review.
Read if you like:
•atmospheric reads
•old school detective novels
•slow burn mysteries
•character driven thrillers
•large ensemble casts
Thank you Bibliolifestyle, William Morrow and Harper Audio for the gifted copies.
February 4, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed Finn’s The Woman in the Window so I was so excited to read his newest work but this was a huge disappointment for me. The plot felt extremely complicated and hard to follow, and I got bored about 30% into the book. Not worth your time in my opinion.
February 14, 2024
The author of the wildly divisive but wildly popular THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW returns a stunning 6 years later with a second novel at last: END OF STORY… And it is one hell of a story. I think the premise was very strong; and Finn is still a gifted storyteller in my opinion. He has a certain way of grasping a reader, and the dialogue he writes is witty and sharp. END OF STORY tells of a a popular mystery writer who knows he only has 3 months to live; and has a very dark past where he has been accused of murdering his wife and child many years ago; he invites a woman he has been corresponding with to his home to help tell his real story in book form….
When the book was about a third of the way through I felt that it began to muddle some because there are a good number of characters; but then Finn does his job correctly and flips the switch and introduces a new plot line at the 50% mark that really reinvigorated the novel and gave it life again.
I was genuinely surprised by the ending. It does have a WTF did I just read twist that I wasn’t expecting; was it believable? Not really. But, this is fiction my friends!
This book will have its fans and I also think some people will DNF it before either of the big twists… because it could’ve been tighter and some passages edited out in the middle, but I did appreciate it overall... It was a decent second novel and I’m curious to see what the author publishes next and if it takes another 6 years… Thanks to the publisher and Libro.fm for an advanced copy.
3.5 ⭐️
When the book was about a third of the way through I felt that it began to muddle some because there are a good number of characters; but then Finn does his job correctly and flips the switch and introduces a new plot line at the 50% mark that really reinvigorated the novel and gave it life again.
I was genuinely surprised by the ending. It does have a WTF did I just read twist that I wasn’t expecting; was it believable? Not really. But, this is fiction my friends!
This book will have its fans and I also think some people will DNF it before either of the big twists… because it could’ve been tighter and some passages edited out in the middle, but I did appreciate it overall... It was a decent second novel and I’m curious to see what the author publishes next and if it takes another 6 years… Thanks to the publisher and Libro.fm for an advanced copy.
3.5 ⭐️
February 21, 2024
This story has everything I enjoy in a thriller. The setting is beautifully atmospheric, the characters are expertly written and the story is clever. The set up is fun and the pacing is just right. I enjoyed the twists in the story and the ending was wonderful. Narration on the audio production by Helen Laser is outstanding as always and she had quite a few characters to voice. Each one was easy to distinguish from the others and her performance was entertaining.
Something that appears to be back in the news with the release of his new book is the controversy surrounding the author. The New Yorker wrote a scathing tabloid article about A.J. Finn in 2019 and the fallout was disastrous for him. The Guardian wrote a subsequent article explaining that Dan Mallory (aka A.J. Finn) has a severe form of bipolar disorder and he was so embarrassed by the stigma of mental illness that he lied about many facets of his life to cover it up. I understand that people are angry when they are lied to, but sometimes we don’t have all the information and the media often picks and chooses what they report to promote a scandal and sell newspapers. If you choose to read the articles, read more of them than just the New Yorker article. A mental health disorder that caused delusions substantiated every allegation their newspaper made. The Washington post jumped on the bandwagon a few days ago with a negative review of End of Story complaining the author’s book had too many big words in it. Oh, my.
“Moral indignation is envy with a halo.” Now that is a great line and very apropos.
Something that appears to be back in the news with the release of his new book is the controversy surrounding the author. The New Yorker wrote a scathing tabloid article about A.J. Finn in 2019 and the fallout was disastrous for him. The Guardian wrote a subsequent article explaining that Dan Mallory (aka A.J. Finn) has a severe form of bipolar disorder and he was so embarrassed by the stigma of mental illness that he lied about many facets of his life to cover it up. I understand that people are angry when they are lied to, but sometimes we don’t have all the information and the media often picks and chooses what they report to promote a scandal and sell newspapers. If you choose to read the articles, read more of them than just the New Yorker article. A mental health disorder that caused delusions substantiated every allegation their newspaper made. The Washington post jumped on the bandwagon a few days ago with a negative review of End of Story complaining the author’s book had too many big words in it. Oh, my.
“Moral indignation is envy with a halo.” Now that is a great line and very apropos.
May 2, 2024
2.5⭐️
March 19, 2024
If I would have known how this book ended, I would have never picked it up.
I should have known that I wouldn’t have enjoyed this as I gave “The Woman In the Window” 2 Stars and that was BEFORE I knew the author was icky.
Even before the big “twist” (we will get to that in a minute) I thought this book was boring. It is over 400 pages long and not a damn thing happened until page 200…but okay fine, I can deal with some set up..
What we are not doing in 2024 is using the struggles of the LGBTQIA community as a plot device. The plot twist being ‘the FMC is actually the missing lost boy, and she transitioned!” should not exist (but somehow I’ve seen this twice in the last year) ALSO ABOVE ALL — I’m tired of the “the girl is crazy” trope. Move on men, write about something else please.
Who proof-read this book and honestly thought that this was a book the world needed.
I should have known that I wouldn’t have enjoyed this as I gave “The Woman In the Window” 2 Stars and that was BEFORE I knew the author was icky.
Even before the big “twist” (we will get to that in a minute) I thought this book was boring. It is over 400 pages long and not a damn thing happened until page 200…but okay fine, I can deal with some set up..
What we are not doing in 2024 is using the struggles of the LGBTQIA community as a plot device. The plot twist being ‘the FMC is actually the missing lost boy, and she transitioned!” should not exist (but somehow I’ve seen this twice in the last year) ALSO ABOVE ALL — I’m tired of the “the girl is crazy” trope. Move on men, write about something else please.
Who proof-read this book and honestly thought that this was a book the world needed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2024
Not a bad plot.....just the execution is not to my taste. Way too long with way too many chapters where nothing much happens at all. The writing is just....i dunno...they use 10 words when they could use 3, just wasn't for me. The resolutions(s) were also a bit of a let down, so 2 stars = it was just ok (barely)
May 2, 2024
“End of Story” is the second novel by A.J. Finn, author of the previous bestselling “The Woman in the Window” several years ago. Often times, writers who have great success with their novel, have a hard time living up to expectations with their second outing. That is not the case with A.J. Finn. At least it is not for me.
Just like after reading it his second novel, I have the same one-word response as I did after finishing his first one – Wow!
For me, the plotting and style were similar to Gillian Flynn and Ruth Ware. I was reminded of the psychological character depth of Flynn’s “Gone Girl” and the emotional intense plotting of Ware’s “One by One” and “The It Girl”. I felt some of the most incredible moments of fear and surprise during my read. Although it wasn’t perfect, it was pretty dang close to one of the most enjoyable and fully layered mystery reading experiences that I have had in some time.
“End of Story” begins with Nicky Hunter arriving in San Francisco. Nicky is a college instructor and non-fiction writer with expertise in mystery fiction and writers. She has come to visit Sebastian Trapp, a famous and reclusive mystery writer who has about three months to live, and has asked her to write the stories of his life while staying at his historic mansion.
Living with Trapp us his second wife, Diana; his overly protective and outspoken daughter, Madeleine; and his troubled nephew, Freddy. However, Trapp has suffered from personal scandal greater than those of the characters in his popular mystery series. Twenty years ago, on New Year’s Eve, Trap’s first wife, Hope, and son, Cole, disappeared, both from different places, never to be heard from again nor their bodies ever found. Following their disappearance, Trapp went into seclusion while most of the public were left thinking the writer pulled off the perfect crime without being caught.
If so, why is Sebastian inviting Nicky, a stranger that he has only exchanged letters with, into his home to share personal stories with? Is he going to confess to the murders of his wife and son? As Nicky meets with Sebastian, his family members, and others he interacts with, she finds him to be bigger mystery than she expected and is driven to discover the truth of what happened, and more importantly, what secrets that she’s positive Sebastian is holding back. It doesn’t take Nicky long to find out that the past has many secrets that are waiting to be revealed in the present… Secrets that are harmful, deadly, and waiting to be revealed…
Like Flynn’s previous novel, this one also starts slow with a slow burn, introducing characters, storylines, background, and setting (which also plays an important role). Then Finn builds on the multi-layered drama and mystery, scene upon scene, increasing the temperature steadily until everything percolates to an intense boil that provides a worthy set of multiple climaxes.
Let me list some of the things that I really enjoyed about this book, as well as a few constructive comments.
This was a quickly immersive read that pulled me in the very first few pages. I am a hardcore mystery fan, and Finn pulled on that muscle immediately and throughout this ode to the classic mystery writers – Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Edgar Allen Poe - that laid the foundation for today’s popularity and publishing success. This was like watching the fresh and unique quality of storytelling that “Knives Out” brought several years ago when it debuted on Netflix.
Finn combined interesting, flawed, and compelling characters with well-developed and structured plotlines and stimulating settings to deliver a multiple course mystery that rivals the quality of a five-star restaurant or hotel. They all worked together in a flow and rhythm that provided an excellent reading experience.
For me, one of the best elements, is that the clues were there throughout the book, as well as the red herrings. No trick endings or the hated Aunt from out of town shows up at the end and is revealed to be the killer outcome. This is one of the few times when I had connected some of the dots, but one of the major plot reveals was an absolute surprise that delivered a shocking “What the Heck!!!” response from me. Finn set it up like a master craftsman and everything was there, but the moment of pure surprise was so dang worth. I did not see it coming, and I am going to go out on a limb and say that I don’t think that most readers will. This is me, waving both hands down together and chanting “I am not worthy”.
Now before I get too carried away, that’s not to say this was perfect or didn’t have weaknesses, but a good writer can make you forget or overlook them. Finn’s writing style flows in such a natural manner, that the reader cannot help get lost in the heads of Nicky, Sebastian, Madeleine, and Diana, focusing your attention on what is real and what is not, what is truth and what are lies, and who is a killer. Because Finn’s tight plotting develops well, keeps moving, and has many twists and turns throughout the story, you tend to ignore some of the overly dramatic writing.
I perused some of the other reviews of Goodreads to see how other readers reacted to this book, and I noticed that some readers thought the book was slow (at least in the first half). I certainly did not feel that way, but I won’t argue with those perspectives. Our reality is our own. I would only say that if you feel that way early in the book, please keep reading because the payoff will be worth it.
And yes, for those hardcore mystery readers that hate disconnected endings, I promise, all the clues that you need to figure things out are there along the way. Finn uses this book as a canvas to deeply explore several series issues and themes, including bullying, the cost of revenge, how far we would go protect family and those we love, and even more importantly, how we see who we truly are. We only see different character perspectives through tainted eyes which amplifies the conflict and drama, all the way to the shocking twists in the last fifty pages of the book that leave you drained and emotionally spent, as well as questioning your own behavior towards others.
Overall, this is a novel that focused on delivering a hardcore mystery with elements and influence from great writers like Christie, Doyle, and Poe, as well as cinematic geniuses like Hitchcock. The good news is that it works. It really works well. If A.J. Finn is only going to publish a book every five or six years, and produce this kind of result, I will take it and say thank you very much. Some may say that I am drinking the Kool Aid, and I will agree with that. I am pretty dang confident is saying this book will most likely be in my top ten reading list for 2024.
My recommendation is to get yourself something to drink and snack on, curl up on the couch, and simply lose yourself in the joy of an excellent and intense filled read…
Just like after reading it his second novel, I have the same one-word response as I did after finishing his first one – Wow!
For me, the plotting and style were similar to Gillian Flynn and Ruth Ware. I was reminded of the psychological character depth of Flynn’s “Gone Girl” and the emotional intense plotting of Ware’s “One by One” and “The It Girl”. I felt some of the most incredible moments of fear and surprise during my read. Although it wasn’t perfect, it was pretty dang close to one of the most enjoyable and fully layered mystery reading experiences that I have had in some time.
“End of Story” begins with Nicky Hunter arriving in San Francisco. Nicky is a college instructor and non-fiction writer with expertise in mystery fiction and writers. She has come to visit Sebastian Trapp, a famous and reclusive mystery writer who has about three months to live, and has asked her to write the stories of his life while staying at his historic mansion.
Living with Trapp us his second wife, Diana; his overly protective and outspoken daughter, Madeleine; and his troubled nephew, Freddy. However, Trapp has suffered from personal scandal greater than those of the characters in his popular mystery series. Twenty years ago, on New Year’s Eve, Trap’s first wife, Hope, and son, Cole, disappeared, both from different places, never to be heard from again nor their bodies ever found. Following their disappearance, Trapp went into seclusion while most of the public were left thinking the writer pulled off the perfect crime without being caught.
If so, why is Sebastian inviting Nicky, a stranger that he has only exchanged letters with, into his home to share personal stories with? Is he going to confess to the murders of his wife and son? As Nicky meets with Sebastian, his family members, and others he interacts with, she finds him to be bigger mystery than she expected and is driven to discover the truth of what happened, and more importantly, what secrets that she’s positive Sebastian is holding back. It doesn’t take Nicky long to find out that the past has many secrets that are waiting to be revealed in the present… Secrets that are harmful, deadly, and waiting to be revealed…
Like Flynn’s previous novel, this one also starts slow with a slow burn, introducing characters, storylines, background, and setting (which also plays an important role). Then Finn builds on the multi-layered drama and mystery, scene upon scene, increasing the temperature steadily until everything percolates to an intense boil that provides a worthy set of multiple climaxes.
Let me list some of the things that I really enjoyed about this book, as well as a few constructive comments.
This was a quickly immersive read that pulled me in the very first few pages. I am a hardcore mystery fan, and Finn pulled on that muscle immediately and throughout this ode to the classic mystery writers – Agatha Christie, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Edgar Allen Poe - that laid the foundation for today’s popularity and publishing success. This was like watching the fresh and unique quality of storytelling that “Knives Out” brought several years ago when it debuted on Netflix.
Finn combined interesting, flawed, and compelling characters with well-developed and structured plotlines and stimulating settings to deliver a multiple course mystery that rivals the quality of a five-star restaurant or hotel. They all worked together in a flow and rhythm that provided an excellent reading experience.
For me, one of the best elements, is that the clues were there throughout the book, as well as the red herrings. No trick endings or the hated Aunt from out of town shows up at the end and is revealed to be the killer outcome. This is one of the few times when I had connected some of the dots, but one of the major plot reveals was an absolute surprise that delivered a shocking “What the Heck!!!” response from me. Finn set it up like a master craftsman and everything was there, but the moment of pure surprise was so dang worth. I did not see it coming, and I am going to go out on a limb and say that I don’t think that most readers will. This is me, waving both hands down together and chanting “I am not worthy”.
Now before I get too carried away, that’s not to say this was perfect or didn’t have weaknesses, but a good writer can make you forget or overlook them. Finn’s writing style flows in such a natural manner, that the reader cannot help get lost in the heads of Nicky, Sebastian, Madeleine, and Diana, focusing your attention on what is real and what is not, what is truth and what are lies, and who is a killer. Because Finn’s tight plotting develops well, keeps moving, and has many twists and turns throughout the story, you tend to ignore some of the overly dramatic writing.
I perused some of the other reviews of Goodreads to see how other readers reacted to this book, and I noticed that some readers thought the book was slow (at least in the first half). I certainly did not feel that way, but I won’t argue with those perspectives. Our reality is our own. I would only say that if you feel that way early in the book, please keep reading because the payoff will be worth it.
And yes, for those hardcore mystery readers that hate disconnected endings, I promise, all the clues that you need to figure things out are there along the way. Finn uses this book as a canvas to deeply explore several series issues and themes, including bullying, the cost of revenge, how far we would go protect family and those we love, and even more importantly, how we see who we truly are. We only see different character perspectives through tainted eyes which amplifies the conflict and drama, all the way to the shocking twists in the last fifty pages of the book that leave you drained and emotionally spent, as well as questioning your own behavior towards others.
Overall, this is a novel that focused on delivering a hardcore mystery with elements and influence from great writers like Christie, Doyle, and Poe, as well as cinematic geniuses like Hitchcock. The good news is that it works. It really works well. If A.J. Finn is only going to publish a book every five or six years, and produce this kind of result, I will take it and say thank you very much. Some may say that I am drinking the Kool Aid, and I will agree with that. I am pretty dang confident is saying this book will most likely be in my top ten reading list for 2024.
My recommendation is to get yourself something to drink and snack on, curl up on the couch, and simply lose yourself in the joy of an excellent and intense filled read…
June 7, 2024
Sincer, ar fi un 3,5, dar am simțit nevoia să fiu un pic mai dură. Stilul de scriere a fost foarte ciudat, de parcă nu este același autor ca în "Femeia de la fereastră". Mult mai întortocheat totul, dialoguri în care nu îți dai seama care dintre personaje vorbește, pentru că nu primești detalii din care să îți dai seama, salturi de la narațiunea la persoana a treia la persoana întâi. La toate se adaugă o mulțime de răsturnări de situație.
Ideea în sine: interesantă. Un autor de cărți polițiste, ai cărui soție și copil au dispărut în urma cu 20 de ani, este pe moarte și vrea să își publice povestea vieții. Pentru asta apare în peisaj Nicky, o tânără care a corespondat timp de 5 ani cu autorul, până când îl convinge că este persoana potrivită pentru a scrie biografia.
Doar că, după ce Nicky se mută la Sebastian acasă, încep să se întâmple tot soiul de chestii ciudate (nu supranaturale sau care să îți dea fiori), astfel că descoperi că personajele nu sunt cine credeai. Plus că mai moare cineva în toată ecuația. 🫢
Ideea în sine: interesantă. Un autor de cărți polițiste, ai cărui soție și copil au dispărut în urma cu 20 de ani, este pe moarte și vrea să își publice povestea vieții. Pentru asta apare în peisaj Nicky, o tânără care a corespondat timp de 5 ani cu autorul, până când îl convinge că este persoana potrivită pentru a scrie biografia.
Doar că, după ce Nicky se mută la Sebastian acasă, încep să se întâmple tot soiul de chestii ciudate (nu supranaturale sau care să îți dea fiori), astfel că descoperi că personajele nu sunt cine credeai. Plus că mai moare cineva în toată ecuația. 🫢
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April 8, 2024DNF @ 60% .. honestly no idea what was happening in this book.. seen as nothing is happening!
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