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geen_22's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
scknitter's review against another edition
5.0
A.J. Finn definitely has a way with words and a way with twists that seem to spiral out of control. I loved the witty dialog between Sebastian Trapp and Nicky Hunter and the many quotes from famous mystery writers. To say the ending was totally off the wall and unexpected is an understatement. There were red herrings galore but that was to be expected in a mystery about a famous mystery writer.
triciawil's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
brytnii's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I picked this up because I was excited to enjoy A.J. Finn's latest novel.
"End of Story" follows Nicky Hunter as Nicky visits her longtime pen pal, Sebastian Trapp. Sebastian, a widely successful novelist, only has three months left to live, and he wants someone to help him write a biography so that his legacy can live on. Sebastian has secrets, mainly that his wife and son disappeared twenty years ago without a trace, and most people assume that he is responsible. Nicky, a wannabe detective and lover of mystery novels is excited to try her hand at uncovering the truth once and for all before Sebastian takes his secrets to the grave.
There was something about both Nicky and Sebastian that I found difficult to connect to, and because of this, I felt disconnected from the story. Pretty much everyone in the story had a secret they were hiding, which was great and interesting, but it made it difficult to truly become invested in them as people.
There was something about the pacing of this story that felt really slow to me as well. For a story with such high stakes, I felt like it took a long time to have any inkling of what was going on.
The ultimate reveal about what had happened twenty years ago and what was happening in present day was interesting and I think a unique take for this story. Unfortunately, for me, by that point in the story I was already not fully invested, so I was not left incredibly moved or upset for the characters.
Overall, this story was fine. I definitely think it is worth reading, but I likely will not be thinking about it much in the future.
"End of Story" follows Nicky Hunter as Nicky visits her longtime pen pal, Sebastian Trapp. Sebastian, a widely successful novelist, only has three months left to live, and he wants someone to help him write a biography so that his legacy can live on. Sebastian has secrets, mainly that his wife and son disappeared twenty years ago without a trace, and most people assume that he is responsible. Nicky, a wannabe detective and lover of mystery novels is excited to try her hand at uncovering the truth once and for all before Sebastian takes his secrets to the grave.
There was something about both Nicky and Sebastian that I found difficult to connect to, and because of this, I felt disconnected from the story. Pretty much everyone in the story had a secret they were hiding, which was great and interesting, but it made it difficult to truly become invested in them as people.
There was something about the pacing of this story that felt really slow to me as well. For a story with such high stakes, I felt like it took a long time to have any inkling of what was going on.
The ultimate reveal about what had happened twenty years ago and what was happening in present day was interesting and I think a unique take for this story. Unfortunately, for me, by that point in the story I was already not fully invested, so I was not left incredibly moved or upset for the characters.
Overall, this story was fine. I definitely think it is worth reading, but I likely will not be thinking about it much in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Suicide attempt, Murder, Death, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Grief, Mental illness, Death of parent, Stalking, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Gun violence, Emotional abuse, and Cancer
Moderate: Child death
rjbila22's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
rmarcin's review against another edition
3.0
A reclusive author, Sebastian Trapp, contacts Nicky Hunter, who has been corresponding with him about his novels for years, and invites her to his home to write the end of his story. Nicky travels to CA, where she meets his wife, Diana, his nephew Freddy, and his daughter, Madeleine. There is an air of mystery around his home and his life as 20 years earlier, on NYE 1999, Sebastian's first wife, Hope and his young son, Cole, disappeared without a trace. Many think Sebastian is guilty of their murders, and Nicky is there to dig into the past. Both Madeleine and Nicky question Sebastian, and slowly he reveals more and more of himself.
I figured out part of the mystery partway through, as there are several obvious clues. However, I didn't know the final 2 mysteries. Not as tense as his first novel, but still an OK mystery.
I figured out part of the mystery partway through, as there are several obvious clues. However, I didn't know the final 2 mysteries. Not as tense as his first novel, but still an OK mystery.
kelseymcg20's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Suicide, Death of parent, Bullying, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Miscarriage, Car accident, Dysphoria, Grief, and Infertility