Ok, this was a good story with a good twist but the writing style just wasn't for me. I found it hard to follow and struggled to stay focused.

This was a captivating journey that kept me engrossed from start to finish.

The story centers on Nicky Hunter, a detective fiction expert who is invited by reclusive mystery novelist Sebastian Trapp to his San Francisco mansion. Sebastian, facing a terminal illness, wishes for Nicky to document his life story. As Nicky delves into Sebastian’s past, she becomes entangled in the unresolved disappearance of his first wife and teenage son two decades earlier. The narrative masterfully intertwines past and present, creating a suspenseful atmosphere that kept me guessing until the very end.

Finn’s writing is both atmospheric and engaging, with vivid descriptions that bring the setting to life. The characters are complex and well-developed, each harboring secrets that add depth to the unfolding mystery. The novel pays homage to classic detective fiction, with numerous references that will delight genre enthusiasts.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Name :- End Of Story
Author :- A J Finn
Genre :- Psychological Thriller
A.J. Finn’s End of Story is a gripping blend of psychological thriller and detective fiction, packed with secrets, lies, and a chilling dive into a family’s dark past. Finn expertly constructs a layered narrative that keeps readers guessing until the final page.
What I like :-
1 Compelling Premise: The story begins with an irresistible hook—a dying mystery novelist, Sebastian Trapp, inviting Nicky Hunter, a detective fiction expert, to document his life story. The question of whether Sebastian is a genius storyteller or a master manipulator immediately pulls readers in.
2 Atmospheric Setting: Sebastian’s San Francisco mansion, with its grandeur and hidden corners, creates an ominous, claustrophobic backdrop where the past and present collide.

3 Complex Characters:

a) Sebastian Trapp: A quintessential unreliable narrator whose charm and intellect mask a deeply troubling history.
b) Nicky Hunter: A relatable and driven protagonist who balances her professional curiosity with personal intrigue.
c) Madeleine Trapp: Her growing doubts about her father add emotional depth and tension to the narrative.
4 Intriguing Plot Layers: The dual mysteries—Sebastian’s missing first wife and son, and the murder that occurs in the present—are seamlessly interwoven, creating a narrative that is both suspenseful and thought-provoking.
5 Twists and Turns: Finn excels at misleading the reader. The revelations about the Trapp family and their history are unexpected yet believable.
Overall :- End of Story is a masterclass in tension and intrigue, blending literary and crime fiction with a deeply psychological edge. Finn crafts a haunting exploration of truth, storytelling, and the weight of the past. Perfect for fans of slow-burn mysteries with a psychological twist, this novel will keep you turning pages well into the night.
My Rating: 5/5

Absolutely brilliant book!
I am a big fan of this author and love the writing style!
I cant wait to read more!

This should have been an exciting read. The opening chapters drew me in but then, it dragged and dragged and dragged. It felt like such a long read because of the slow pace of the plot. I continued to read because curiosity got the better of me and I wanted to know how the resolution would pan out. Nothing much happened for 55% of the book. Even after that it wasn't until the final few chapters that we eventually have all the questions answered. Unfortunately, the ending felt rather disappointing and contrived for my liking.

I loved The Woman in the Window but sadly didn't get on with this at all. I found it quite dull and slow and repetitive. Ended up taking me much longer than usual to read because I had no desire to pick it back up. Sorry!

Thought this was a new A J Finn but it must just be a new cover of the one I’ve already read. Sadly didn’t get on with this at all and was most disappointed after loving The Woman in the Window.

Ok, so let me start by saying this book is slow, real slow. If I’m going to be honest it felt like a chore to pick it back up and get back into it. That being said I persevered, am I glad I did? Yes I am because the ending was terrific! The writing wasn’t really to my taste but I loved the storyline. Also this book is long, really long, 100 chapters which was 10+ hours reading for me for 400 pages when I would usually read that in half the time.

Nicky Hunter has been invited to the home of a prestigious mystery writer to help write a biography/memoir of sorts as he’s been given only a few months to live. The author, Sebastian Trapp was involved in a mystery of his own when his wife Hope and young son Cole disappeared simultaneously from two different places on New Year’s Eve in 1999. Now living with his new wife and daughter , Nicky begins interviewing key players from Sebastian’s life whilst working alongside him too. Nicky is uber keen to get to the bottom of the disappearances from NYE 20 years ago and tries her best to steer all conversations that way. She soon finds herself in the middle of other mysteries around her as the clock ticks on Sebastian’s life.

This is nothing like the authors other book “The woman in the window” , there are lots of literary references and quotations from old mystery novels. As I say, I was on the fence with this one but it climbed back for me with its ending.

AJ Finn has a controversial reputation. I absolutely requested this from netgalley out of curiosity, to see how his writing would be post-alleged plagiarism, but I tried very hard not to let the drama surrounding him influence how I critiqued his work.

Even being generous as possible, I found End of Story very muddy. There are two main POV characters and despite the narrative telling us they have very different personalities, they have almost indistinguishable voices. I was constantly having to check whose POV any given chapter was supposed to be from because - aside from a well timed jaw waggle - it was so easy to lose track. Conversations between the two of them may as well have been an internal monologue.

More confusing: Madeleine (who has notably lived at home her entire adult life), walks into rooms and describes them with the same comprehensiveness as Nicky, the newcomer. The Trapp home is like a Hidden Object mobile game, where you'll find a magic 8 ball beside a taxidermied dog, a chandelier and a mural of gaslight London. All of these things are listed out, ad infinitum but it never feels like it sets the scene, so much as inventories the home for insurance purposes.

I actually enjoyed The Woman in the Window. It wasn't groundbreaking in terms of plot twists but the characters were entertainingly over the top, and it was dumb fun. End of Story is twister but none of these characters have a sense of humour about themselves. It felt like a doomed trudge to the end.

There’s a great story in here, but the book is over long and over stylised I’m afraid. This took me ages to read as at times it’s like wading through treacle. I hate it when I don’t ‘click’ with a book as I understand how much work has gone into it, and that the author guards every word they’ve written, but this could honestly do with a brutal edit.

A J King is a fantastic writer, and End of Story is no exception. Engaging from the beginning, I would absolutely recommend this book

The subject matter of this one hooked me from the very start. Sebastian Trapp, famous mystery novelist, invites Nicky Hunter to his mansion to live for three months and write about his life, one that has fascinated many. Twenty years ago, his first wife and teenage son disappeared on New Year's Eve and the case was never solved. They remain missing. Some speculated it was Sebastian's doing and Nicky is intent on discovering the truth.

While I'll admit this one was a slower burn to begin with, it was definitely a case of the right book at the right time. I enjoyed the way the author unfolded the various threads of the novel, the literary references and the writing was just brilliant with some very clever twists. I’m so thankful I was able to read this one early. 4.5*

Thanks so much to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK and Harper Fiction for this gifted review copy.

Rounding up to three 🌟

I struggled to get into this one.
Put it down so many times.
Yet always came back, so I could find out what happened to Cole and his mother.
Got to say, I half guessed, so didn't even have the surprise reveal.
I felt it went on too long, and at times I was confused who was narrating.
Just didn't really grab me unfortunately.

I was really intrigued by this one because of the plot. Woman in the Window was decent for me, so I figured this one will at least be similar. Instead, I found myself very confused throughout most of the book. The change of narrators didn't work for me here because sometimes, I truly did not know whose POV I was in and had to flip back and forth (which took me out of it). Additionally, it was too long. Mysteries/thrillers that are too long just take away from that suspense I crave. This one had promise but it did not deliver for me.

End of Story
A.J. Finn

“If you introduce a gun in Act One, you have to fire it by the finale.”

I will give credit that I didn’t pick the twist. It was a blind oversight, so that definitely adds value. And as the reveal was unfolding the next answer is delivered and I also didn’t expect it. So the ending picked up, however the overall pace of this book to me was too slow. Not enough happened to propel the pace. It was a verbal cat and mouse chase that confused and baffled at times. I was waiting impatiently for paper butterflies.

“This is a story without heroes. Perhaps without villains, as well.” His teeth glint when he bares them. “A story where identities are slippery.” His tie drips scarlet from his neck, as though his throat were slit, and pools on the table. “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.” Glitter in his eyes like knife points. Then he smiles gently. “We’re all in that story. Life is a thriller. The ending is fatal and the conclusion is final.”

I also had high expectations as I loved The Woman in the Window, so that’s on me, possibly I expected too much but this isn’t a book to rave and recommend although I’m glad I read it.

“Just a feeling. But watch your step in that house,” he tells her speaking low. “Too many rooms, too many stairs. B.B says it was the kind of place where at any moment someone very dangerous could be standing right behind you.”

Was this book clever, sure! The characters, especially Sebastian Trapp is magnetic, mysterious, highly intelligent and wholly eccentric. He is undoubtedly the star and without his wit the dialogue and overall storyline would be very dull.

“Conversations are always dangerous if you have something to hide.”

There’s almost an undercurrent of upset to the narrative. There’s moments where you learn something crucial but it’s easy to sweep it under the rug with the general off kilter and erratic behaviour.

“As Simon St. John tells us, the past is a poison. Tolerable only in trace amounts.”

When famous author Sebastian Trapp sends a chilling invitation to his long time correspondent Nicky Hunter, stating “i’ll be dead in three months. Come tell my story.” Nicky begins to unravel Trapp’s life story, that has been shouldered in mystery, after his wife and son disappeared over twenty years ago. When a body surfaces in the family’s garden, they all realise the past isn’t buried - it’s waiting.

“Motive is where the mystery lies.”

Well written with many twists and turns. This book was easy to follow and kept my attention throughout.

Unfortunately, this book was a DNF for me. It is a shame because I read a previous book by this author, and it was good. This one was difficult to follow, it lacked flow, and I couldn't tell which character was talking.

Renowned, terminally ill author, Sebastian Trapp, famed for his Simon St. John detective series, invites writer Nicky Hunter, who just happens to be his pen pal, to document his life story. Eager to work with her literary idol, Nicky moves into his eerie San Francisco mansion - but why has he chosen her, specifically, and why not a member of his family?

The place is straight out of a noir dream, complete with a koi pond, creaky hallways, and a family bursting with secrets: his icy second wife Diana, his fiercely loyal daughter Madeleine, and his wayward nephew Freddy. Oh, and the unresolved disappearance of Trapp’s first wife Hope and son Cole twenty years ago hangs over everything like a storm cloud - has Nicky stepped straight into an unsolved crime scene?

The finale is a whirlwind of revelations, pulling together the slow burn into a truly satisfying conclusion. If you love mysteries with layered characters, smart dialogue, and a house full of secrets, End of Story delivers in spades.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Found this difficult to follow at the beginning and not over keen on the writing style,I enjoyed TWITW so thought would this too,wa a dnf for me

I loved the woman in the window previously so I was excited to read this, I have to agree with other reviews though about the formatting making it a difficult read. Also the book was too slow in the middle so I lost interest a little and had to push through.