Nicky travels to San Francisco at the invitation of famous mystery writer, Sebastian Trapp, who is diagnosed with terminal kidney failure, and wants Nicky to document his life for his loved ones. He is not just an author of fictional mysteries - many years ago his wife and child disappeared on New Years Eve and were never seen again. This quote describes the situation best: “a very popular novelist who suffered a devastating misfortune. Or a very popular novelist who committed the perfect crime.”

The main character Nicky is an expert herself in the mystery genre and often spars with Sebastian with an arsenal of quotes from famous writers. She is a great character and her role in the book as the author of Sebastian’s memoir sets her up nicely to be the confidant of age old secrets that will help solve the disappearance of his wife and child.

The plot progresses at a good pace and doesn’t get bogged down with lots of extraneous detail. Despite the small number of suspects, the reveals at the end were a complete surprise - bravo. But I was a bit disappointed with the reveal. In my opinion I thought it was a bit of a lazy cop out.

Overall, another enjoyable and gripping mystery book!

2.5 stars

If you’re going into this book expecting something similar to Woman in the Window - prepare to….. not get that. Looking at the other reviews it seems mixed as to how people feel about this being so different but I am in the disappointed/struggled to finish camp.

End of Story is told from two women’s perspectives - Nicky and Madeleine. Nicky Hunter has been corresponding with leading crime writer Sebastian Trapp for years, ever since she spotted an error in one of his books and wrote to point it out to him. Now he is in his final years of life, he has asked her to come and stay at his San Francisco mansion and write some sort of memoirs for him for his family. Meanwhile, his daughter Madeleine is on the hunt for some answers about the past.

20 years earlier, Sebastian’s wife and son disappeared in the middle of the night on New Year’s Eve and no one knows what happened to them.

Very, very, painfully slowly, Nicky and Madeleine dig into what happened that night by doing very little other than musing and talking in riddles until the last 15% of the lengthy tale.

It was just such a slog to get through. I appreciated the style being old school detective style and all the references to Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie and the traditional who-dunnit but this wasn’t really much like that genre because it was far too slow paced and not gripping. None of the characters were likeable and I frequently found myself going “gah who is this again?”

It felt like nothing really happened in between Nicky arrives, someone dies in koi pond, here’s what happened that night 20 years ago, and end. The frequent attempts to drum up intrigue were just a bit annoying because they didn’t lead anywhere for such a long time. And when we finally found out the truth it was a bit “oh right”, for me anyway!

A frustrating book that I may not have finished if I wasn’t sent it to review.

I wanted to love this book as it’s very well written and the plot is unique. However. I found it a bit of a struggle to engage with.

An exciting thriller read with twists that keep you guessing till the end! Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!

Only read 50% but I still had no idea of the plot so I haven't managed to finish this one. Thank you for the ARC, but I won't be sharing my review.

I really enjoyed AJ Finn's first book 'The Woman in the Window' - so was excited to read this highly anticipated second thriller.
What a disappointment this book was!
I found the plot to be super slow, and it just didn't grip me! I also got very confused of the character perspectives as the characters just weren't individual enough.
Not for me! Do not recommend! So many better thrillers out there!

When a crime story writer's wife and son vanish from separate locations after a New Year's celebration, it is hard not to question whether someone has been putting his creativity to the wrong kind of use. But in the years that follow, nothing is ever successfully proved against legendary crime fiction author Sebastian Trapp, although there are conspiracy theories aplenty...

Given only three months to live, he unexpectedly invites a young fan, Nicky Hunter, with whom he has been corresponding for 5 years, to help him write a memoir. His final story, so to speak.

Sebastian's daughter Madeline is not excited by Nicky's arrival, failing to understand why her father would invite this unknown woman to participate in their home life in the last precious time they have left together. His second wife, Diana, is more inviting though - and clearly willing to do whatever makes her husband happy.

But will Sebastian provide any revelations about the fate of his wife and son in this last offering of his? And does he even know what happened to them?

To be honest, excited as I was about reading it, this novel didn't work for me. The pacing was uneven, and it felt like things were dragging for much of time. I also found the continuous attempts at cleverness somewhat artificial and a bit pretentious at times, and ended up feeling exhausted by the process of trying to winnow out the key elements of the story amidst all the background noise.

But the main elements of the plot are strong. And the book leans very heavily on the golden age mysteries of the past, so there are lots of references to keep classic mystery lovers happy. I have no doubt it will find its fans. It gets 2.5 stars.

The description of this book really interested me however I struggled with the writing style and slow pace. I found the start really slow and struggled to connect. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers though for giving me access to a story by an author I have never read before.

This book was unfortunately not for me. I found this book incredibly slow, very ‘wordy’ and quite cliched in the red herrings used.

"I would be grateful if you could come to San Francisco to write my life story, as I have only three months to live."

With this invitation, Nicky Hunter travels to San Francisco to meet the renowned and enigmatic author, Sebastian Trapp.
She has been in communication with him for five years after she pointed out an error in one of his novels.
Even more intriguing to her is the unsolved mystery surrounding him. On New Year's Eve 1999, his wife, Hope, and son, Cole, vanished from two different locations, never to be seen again.
Therefore, she finds herself in the mysterious house, ready to write a private biography, or as she calls it, a memoir book about the life of Sebastian Trapp.

What should be a captivating yet straightforward assignment turns into something far more complex.
Nicky also shares an undisclosed connection with the family...she was a pen pal with Cole, Sebastian's son who disappeared.
However, appearances can be deceiving, as everyone harbors a secret. Some secrets, though, are more significant than others.

"Life is a thriller. The ending is fatal and the conclusion is final."

If you are an admirer of Arthur Conan Doyle, this book is an absolute must-read, as it contains numerous references to his books.

The first chapter begins with a bang and is very descriptive and atmosphere, but do not anticipate a rapid pace. This is a gradual narrative where the tension steadily builds to a climactic conclusion.

I thoroughly enjoyed the beginning of the book, but after approximately 20%, my interest waned, and my attention occasionally drifted. However, at around 80%, the pace accelerated, and the ending was truly mind-blowing! I am so glad I persevered!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I'm aware that there's some controversy surrounding this author, although to be honest I haven't looked into it so am not qualified to judge, but what I can do is judge his writing and damn but the boy can write! The sentences fairly vibrate with Finn's joy in setting them down 'just so' and I thoroughly enjoyed his use of language, this is a writer who loves words, loves mysteries, and loves weaving the two together until the result is more than the sum of its parts! The plot is fairly complicated, and although an early clue got me wondering, there were sufficient red herrings and obfuscation that I couldn't be sure. For some reason, and it's probably just me & the result of a busy time, but I got a bit bogged down with some of the men's names, and had to keep reminding myself who was who. I've heard it described as a slow start, which I didn't feel, but then I was enjoying the fizz of the writing so much that perhaps that escaped me, and certainly in comparison to some later stages in the book which were at a cracking pace I guess this could be so, but your patience will definitely be rewarded. The story centres around a writer (something of a fangirl, and fellow expert in mystery writings) invited to document the memories of a famous author, Sebastian Trapp, with only months to live. In his past and overshadowing the family and the story is his unfortunate history of the disappearance of his wife and young son 20yrs previously, with most people believing that he was responsible and had gotten away with murder. The young writer, Nicky Hunter, receives a mixed welcome in the house - not everyone is comfortable with having their past raked over, after all. Trapp's beautiful new wife (also a character from the bygone days) and his sullen daughter engage with Nicky in varying degrees. The insightful and kind Nicky listens to everyone's stories, but after a particularly dramatic party we finally come to the death hinted at at the beginning of the book (& on the cover!) and Nicky begins to feel increasingly uncomfortable about her position in the house, but events are escalating and spiralling out of control and she can't drag herself away from trying to unravel the truth of both the past and the present. It was a great read, highly recommended, and many thanks go to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

Thanks so much for the advanced copy! This is so much of a better read than The Woman in the Window! Sebastian Trapp, mystery novelist, invites long-time fan (and penpal) Nicky Hunter to visit him in his dying months at his family home in San Francisco. The Trapp family have had plenty of woes, and his second wife and wary daughter await Nicky’s arrival, interested and a bit unnerved at what the detective fiction expert will find out. She’s there to write a memoir of sorts, but finds a community there, of people whose interest in Trapp is both personal and, well, profitable. Will Sebastian talk about the disappearance of his first wife and son? And who is responsible for the body in the koi pond? It’s quite clear that some history prefers not to stay hidden.

A.J. Finn's latest novel, End of Story, is an intense story revolving around Sebastian Trapp, a reclusive crime novelist who invites aspiring writer Nicky Hunter to chronicle his life. As Nicky delves deeper into Sebastian's past, a long-unsolved mystery surrounding the disappearance of his first wife and son twenty years before resurfaces.

The novel does a great job of pulling in elements from the golden age of detective fiction. There are many references to iconic authors such as Agatha Christie and Raymond Chandler throughout the story, which made me nostalgic for those timeless novels. The setting, a sprawling mansion with hidden secrets, further reinforces this atmosphere. I thought the writing throughout was consistently strong, as it was in The Woman in the Window which I also really enjoyed.

The dual narrative, following both Nicky and Sebastian's daughter, Madeleine, adds depth to the story. Nicky's obsession with uncovering the truth kept me intrigued while Madeleine struggles with questions about her father and what really happened all those years ago. I guessed one of the twists but it didn't affect my enjoyment and there were plenty of other surprises to keep me interested.

The pacing, however, felt inconsistent, with some sections dragging and others rushing towards revelations. I really liked the ending but I could imagine that it might leave some readers wanting a bit more.

Overall, End of Story is a compelling read for fans of classic mysteries and psychological thrillers. The novel's engaging central mystery and skilful writing kept me wanting to read on.

Long time mystery fanatic Nicky Hunter arrives at the home of Sebastian Trapp, renowned mystery writer and recluse tasked with crafting a personal memoir for his family's eyes only. Will she finally be privy to the truth about his wife and son, who have been missing for two decades? As the writer and house withhold their secrets, Nicky must fight to find the truth before it's too late.

This was a little slow to start but once I settled into the book, I found the intrigue and clever viewpoints expected from A.J. Finn as previous worl and found myself eager to read on to solve the mystery and find the truth.

Thank you the the author, publisher and Nethalley for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC.

I loved The Woman in the Window, and I was thrilled to be able to get the chance to read End of Story. by A. J. Finn

The story centres on the Trapp family in San Francisco. Sebastian Trapp is an author or more accurately he is now widely regarded an infamous author. He is now living out his final days with his second wife Diana and daughter Madeleine and is thinking about his legacy. Much to his family’s puzzlement, he invites Nicky Hunter, a crime fiction expert, to spend three months with him and provides her with an opportunity to gather and write up his memories/life.

Nicky has spent years corresponding with Sebastian Trapp and she is keen to unearth what actually happened to Sebastian’s first wife, Hope, and their son Cole who both disappeared twenty years earlier. Trapp’s reputation has been tarnished by their disappearance and the world has pretty much decided that they are dead. The question everyone wants to know is whether he did or did not kill them.

This is a great rollercoaster ride of a book. Everyone in the Trapp extended family seems to have secrets, and the question is of course who can be trusted. This book kept me enthralled and on the edge of my seat!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, Hemlock Press, for making an e-ARC available to me to read in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Early on New Years Eve, twenty years ago, Cole (14) disappeared from his cousin’s home. His mother, Hope, vanished from her own home at the same time. Neither has been seen or heard of since then. Cole’s father (or Hope’s husband if you prefer) is Sebastian Trapp, famous author of a crime story series set in 1920’s England. The books echo the style and ambience of the early Golden Age of detective stories, although Sebastian and his family are all modern Americans based in San Fransisco. It is widely believed that Sebastian has murdered them and disposed of the bodies using his plotting skills to create a perfect crime. Although uxoricide is not uncommon in all levels of society, filicide is rare in upper class families, but Sebastian is known to have despised his son as a milk-sop, mummy’s boy, who prefers making origami butterflies to playing sports.
Suspicions are not proofs and Sebastian’s authorial life continued much as before, and his daughter Madeleine, late thirties, continues to live with him in the family home (a large gothic mansion) along with his second wife. Fifteen years after Hope’s disappearance and presumption of death, Sebastian married Diana, Hope’s former assistant, who had lost her own husband and child. But now Sebastian has been diagnosed with end stage kidney failure and has only three months to live. Over the last few years he has been corresponding with Nicky Hunter, a college lecturer on crime fiction, and now he invites her to come and live with the family and write his biography. Nicky leaps at the chance, hoping that she might be able to solve the mystery behind the disappearances. But her researches stir up old memories and animosities, and then origami butterflies start to appear, suggesting that Cole might be alive and in the vicinity. But after twenty years is it likely that the family members could recognise him? Various mid-thirties, blonde guys appear to be possible candidates. And, if Cole has returned, why has he done so, and what does he want? Reconciliation or Revenge?
The story is told mainly from Nicky’s or Sebastian’s point of view, although some aspects are seen only from Madeleine’s. The style reflects, but is not a pastiche of, the Golden Age, heightened by frequent allusions to and quotations from classic examples of the genre. At times, conversations between Sebastian and Nicky are verbal parrying matches, which reveal quite a lot about the two protagonists. Other characters are circling these two, each with their own idiosyncrasies. Madeleine, neurotic at the best of times, is particularly feeling the pressure, because she was closest to Cole before his disappearance and has missed him the most. The plot unfolds slowly at first, partly because there is a lot of exposition and partly because the author is enjoying playing with the literary language. He is also partial, perhaps over partial, to anthropomorphism and personification. It picks up gradually as more and more incidents occur and starts to speed up noticeably, and the tension increases, as we spiral towards the dénouement, in fact the triple dénouement since there are three great reveals. I did work out two of these but failed on the third, although the clues are all there subtly stitched in to what is a very twisted plot.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

I was intrigued by the concept of this book, I wanted to know what had happened to Sebastian's wife and son. It found it interesting but a bit confusing, this could be because the ARC copy I had was not properly formatted. There were no paragraph breaks so scenes ran into each other and it was hard to tell when the author had switched from one character to another.

I also found I didn't really connect with any of the characters. I definitely did not see that ending coming, I love a good twist. But that wasn't enough to make this a 5 star book. I'd say it was a high 3 stars.

End of Story is a cleverly crafted, well written book but fair warning, there are a lot of characters and its plot is complicated.
The story is slow moving to start with, but once we get to the heart of it, it moves along at a steady pace.
There are many twists, and a surprising revelation towards the end.
Despite the slow start I enjoyed this book immensely. It was obvious from the onset that all of the characters had something to hide, and this added to the intrigue.
End of Story is reminiscent of those classic crime stories by authors such as Agatha Christie and Dorothy L Sayers, but set in the present day. There are many references to, and quotes from the Sherlock Holmes series of books. Unsurprising, as one of the main characters has written a series of books about a detective in the London of the early 1900's.
Many thanks to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for this review.

When Nicky is invited into the home of infamous crime writer Sebastian Trapp to write his memoirs as he is dying, the question on her and everyone’s lips is did he kill his wife and child who disappeared under mysterious circumstances nineteen years ago.
With lots of characters and some weird things happening this book kept me intrigued until the very end which absolutely blew my mind! The twists just kept coming, my head was spinning! Well worth the long wait from this author. Highly recommend

An Invitation Not To Refuse..
An invitation, a mystery novelist and a luxurious mansion house. When an invitation from Sebastian Trapp, mystery novelist, arrives for Nicky, she simply cannot refuse. She has been his long time correspondent and, as an expert in detective fiction, she jumps at the opportunity. Arriving at the enigmatic mansion, she wonders whether she has done the right thing. It soon becomes clear that there is more to both Sebastian and the mansion than meets the eye. An intriguing read with a deftly drawn cast and an engaging premise, a slow burn plot populated with red herrings, often witty wordplay, compelling reveals and bubbling with atmospherics as well as more than frequent nods to detective fiction authors and their works - the author’s love of literature, the Golden Age mystery genre and classic film is evident. The writing style is rather marmite - perhaps, the reader will love it or hate it - although this reader loved every word.