Virtual time travel to the 60’s. A bit of glamour. A bit of intrigue. With a wartime mystery at its heart. Who can resist that premise?

It’s the early 1960’s, and Delia Maxwell is a famous British entertainer who has just been offered a starring role in a Hollywood movie when she unexpectedly disappears. Worried about her safety, Peter Jenks, her manager, sends his wartime friend Frank Landry to use his army skills to track down the missing star in time to sign her movie contract. During the search of Delia’s home, Frank comes across a young woman, Lily Brooks, who first claims to be Delia’s assistant, and later makes a public announcement that she is in fact the singer’s daughter, who Delia gave up for adoption shortly after birth. When Delia comes out of hiding, she happily embraces the young woman as her long lost child. But Frank has his suspicions – he believes that Lily may have an ulterior motive.

I really enjoyed this gentle, character driven story, especially the complex dynamics between all three main characters, who are each giving us a take of the story through their unique POV. It was very obvious from the beginning that Lily Brooks had some ulterior motives befriending Delia, but I was surprised at the depth of the story that enfolded from here. I love mysteries that explore people through different shades of grey rather than those drawn in black and white, hero and villain. People are complex, and Grey demonstrates this beautifully through the three voices that narrate this tale.

Rich in historical detail and faithfully recreating the general atmosphere of the era, TELL ME HOW IT ENDS made for virtual time travel of the best kind. With the war still a raw wound left in the lives of many, its cold sinister memories are very much part of the dynamics in this group of characters. This may be a gentle and slow burning tale, but if brims with emotion and intrigue as long buried secrets rise to the surface. If I had any preconceived ideas about any of the characters, they were soon dispelled as my empathy grew for each and every one of them.

In summary, TELL ME HOW IT ENDS is a perfect example of why I love slow, character driven historical mysteries. Lacking any of the gimmicks of modern crime writing (the unreliable narrator, the killer twist you won’t see coming, etc), it instead explores interpersonal relationships scarred by a wartime mystery. With a depth often lacking in other crime fiction, the story touched my heart whilst also keeping me totally intrigued until its satisfying finale. I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s writing and look forward to reading more of her books in future!

There’s a reminiscence of All About Eve from this intense read. Singing icon Delia Maxwell is loved by all but some (and one in particular) loves her more than others. When Lily gets her dream job as Delia’s assistant it seems that the stars are aligning but is there more to Lily’s new position than everyone thinks? Takes elements of classic mystery novels with the glamour and pizzazz of celebrity and turns both on their heads. Captivating.

I really enjoyed this book which transported me to the glamour of the 1950’s. Set to the backdrop of the music and film industry, Delia is a famous international singing sensation. She has the world at her feet but something in her past still plays on her mind!,

Into Delias life steps Lily Brooks who claims to be her daughter. But is she ? Her relentless ambition and fascination with Delia seems unsettling. Is there more to her story than meets the eye and what is the string that really ties her to Delia?

This is a steady paced classic read. To me it was like watching a old movie, and the characters were beautifully written and easy for me to relate too.. I particularly loved the descriptions of Delias youth and everything that had happened in her life which made her into the person she had become.

Our pasts definitely shape our future and this book demonstrated that it is important to forgive ourselves and others so we can move forward without bitterness.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for my chance to read this beautiful historical fiction book .

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for this arc. I was intrigued by the female rivalry theme, one of my favourite tropes in the psychological suspense genre, and the by the 1960s setting of the music and movie industry setting so excited to read this.
This starts off with Frank, who has been asked by his music producer friend to investigate the disappearance of Delia Maxwell, a British music star in her early 30s, who has been missing for a week. In his search he meets Celeste, Delia's stylist, who reveals her suspicions regarding Lily, an 18-year old fan who has wormed her way into Delia's life as an assistant. With Delia missing and a music awards show scheduled Lily is roped in to do the live performance Delia was supposed to, as a tribute instead. On the night of the performance Lily blows the audience away and equally stuns them with a shocking revelation: she is Delia's daughter...Then a few days later Delia reappears and publicly embraces Lily as her daughter...But Frank isn't sure that Lily is quite who she says she is...Who is Lily really, and what does she want from Delia?
This book left me astounded! I ADORED this book. I loved the behind-the-scenes of the Sixties showbiz world and the movie that is being filmed within this book and all those on-set politics and scheming. I was emotionally engaged and invested in the characters. The book is told from the POV of Frank, Delia and Lily. All characters were convincing and felt plucked from the Golden Age of Hollywood. I especially liked their backstories. Delia is Jewish and escaped from Hungary, who still struggles with the guilt of her survival while her friends and family were caught in Auschwitz; Frank was in the British army based in Kuala Lumpur when it was trying to regain independence from British rule and is haunted by his memories; and Lily grew up in foster homes and struggled with seeing parental figures still grappling with the trauma of the Holocaust and is desperate to put her past of hardship behind her thus ruthless in her ambitions. Each character has their own unique way of looking at the world and are steadfast in their actions, which creates lots of tension and conflict. I was hooked and rushing to read the next chapters long into the night. This is beautifully observed, a gorgeous tribute to the Golden age of the Sixties. A wonderful read with references to the movies All About Eve, Laura and A Star is Born. This is fascinating psychological drama at it's finest. I will clarify to the reader that this is less on the psychological thriller side and more of a drama with some hints of suspense, so don't go in expecting lots of twists. This is a character-driven read about surviving in showbiz, struggling with the aftermath of trauma and guilt, and scheming politics behind the scenes of a movie set. Its 5/5.

Ok so this is original ,it has a sort of thriller undertone but well the twist really is it isn’t
It’s about redemption forgiveness and if you are expecting devious minds in battle of wits with a a shock twist at the end this isn’t it
It’s moving and I enjoyed how they characters evolved not in a way u we expect reading what u may think is a psychological thriller
Enjoyable not gripping or page turner but enjoyable as shows humans can change and grow and bond despite history .
Ty netgalley and publishers for the advanced copy

I loved this book , shows how you really don't always know the person behind the successful career.. Delia is filled with remorse over her past choices. Lily is ruthless and relentless, determined to avenge the past. Frank finds the answers and ends up in love with Delia.
Set in sixties London, stylish and engaging

Thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

'Tell Me How It Ends' is one of the most compelling examples of historical crime fiction I have read in a long while. It is no less than a triumph of literary fiction by an author that has storytelling running through her veins. V.B. Grey's spellbinding narrative of thwarted ambition, intrigue, and the complexities of the human spirit, hooked me from the very first page. It may not be for everyone, however. That is if you love your fiction packed with gimmicks, or so-called 'high-concepts'. It is neither fast-paced, nor, is it full of the hackneyed old tropes we associate with crime fiction. What it is, without doubt, is a prize gift to readers who are happy to immerse themselves, for hours on end, in a classic, character-driven novel. This is a multi-faceted, layered book, of astounding detail, and an unerring probing of human action and its often unintended consequences. It is a story rich in historical detail, veering from war-torn Europe to the Swinging Sixties with uncanny ease. There is nothing easy about the impeccable narrative V.B. Grey has constructed, however. It is first and foremost a study of the human condition - the decisions we make and the consequences of actions that ripple through the years. Consequences that refuse to be confined to a particular historical era, artificially contrived by historians and social theorists. It is what binds the fate of missing singing sensation, Delia Maxwell to Frank Landry, and her self-proclaimed 'adopted daughter', Lily. Where does truth and fiction collide and separate? This is the question for Frank Landry, entrusted with disentangling past from present, and the probe into the fate of Delia Maxwell. The answers are far from obvious, spilling out often reluctantly, but with unerring precision. With its eminently satisfying ending, I found myself crushed by the realisation I had finished this book. Simply stunning - a spellbinding example of historical fiction at its very best.

Very much enjoyed the era this book was set in. It seems like such an innocent time, without the constant news cycle we're force fed now. The story was fairly gentle, Although Lily's intentions weren't always honourable, I never felt that Delia was really in danger. Frank came across as a decent man, and I wasn't completely convinced by the thread with his son. An easy read that would be perfect for a summer holiday.

I found the style of writing unable to grab me and immerse me in the story sadly. I didn't get past 15%. Thanks for the chance to read this title.

A very interesting and entertaining story which starts in WW2 through to the swinging sixties. It is set around the music and film industry where petty jealousies abound but there is much more than that to this story, not quite a five but very nearly.

I have mixed feelings about this book. The plot and writing style flow well but the characters feel a little wooden. Emotion is described but I did not feel it. I found Delia quite annoying in her refusal to accept reality, and Frank's story felt like an afterthought. It had a very period feel- I actually thought it may have been written years ago and re-published. (I wonder how old the author is!) On balance, I do prefer something with a more contemporary feel.

It’s the 1950’s and international singing sensation Delia Maxwell’s television appearance causes a strange reaction of anger and bitterness from one viewer. Fast forward to London in 1963. Frank Landry is asked to come and meet his wartime friend Peter Jenks who is the owner of Delia's record label. Peter tells Frank that Delia has disappeared and is due to sign a very important film contract. Peter wants Frank to use all the skills he learned in war torn Malaya to find Delia. During his search of Delia’s property Frank encounters Lily Brooks who has inveigled her way into Delia’s life and is now her personal assistant. Lily has been seen copying Delia’s performance moves and when the star fails to reappear Lily offers to sing in her place at an awards ceremony. She then drops a bombshell to the assembled press post performance and announces she is Delia’s adopted daughter. Is it true? Who exactly is Lily? Where is Delia? Why has she disappeared? What exists in Delia’s past? This intriguing story is narrated by Frank himself and from the perspectives Lily and Delia until we arrive at the truth.

There is a lot I find fascinating about this story which is firmly embedded in the times so we have the London of the ‘swinging 60’s’ with all the changes in fashion but also in society. Delia’s story takes us back to war torn Europe and Hungary which was invaded by the Nazis in 1944 with all the attendant tragedy due to occupation and race. Frank and Peter are linked by their wartime experiences and Frank has suffered as a result of the communist insurrection during the Malayan independence movement as he was part of the British force.

The characters are good too and some are very likeable. Delia is kind and more than fair to Lily partly because she grows to love the girl and partly out of guilt. Frank is a good character with an interesting past. Lily is an ambiguous character while I grew to understand her motives she’s arrogant, ambitious and a ruthless survivor and not that easy to like.

The book is well written, the plot unfolds well with plenty of revelations along the way and some of the characters back stories are heartbreaking. The ending is good with both female characters aligned. Overall, a fascinating read which is a little bit different.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for the ARC.

Quite a moving little story that didn’t go exactly where I thought it would go! I must say that I’m not a huge fan of when stories are wrapped up in a neat bow at the end so that kind of tainted it for me, but there was lots to think about throughout and I couldn’t put it down because I wanted to know what was going to happen.

A brilliant historical novel. Dark and creepy at times and a little crazy. Loved it. And would highly recommend xxx