After a spectacular rise and fall following the success of his debut novel, The Woman In The Window, and the subsequent New Yorker profile that read more like a surgical takedown of the author’s character, A.J. Finn is finally back with his long-awaited second novel, a story that’s so shocking, so well plotted, and so perfectly delivered, that it proves, without question, that Finn is one of the most talented writers working today.
Famed author Sebastian Trapp is dying. But before he goes, the beloved storyteller wants his story told, and there’s only one person he trusts to do it justice. Reporter Nicky Hunter has exchanged notes with Trapp for years now, but even so, the young journalist, who is considered an expert in Detective fiction, never expected Trapp to ask her to write his biography (think Steve Jobs enlisting Water Isaacson to write his life story before he died.) To do things properly and to make sure she has the needed access to capture Trapp’s life, Nicky—who serves as the story’s protagonist—moves into Trapp’s San Francisco mansion.
Also living in the spectacular California home is Trapp’s second wife, Diana, along with his nephew, Freddy, and his daughter, Madeleine. Known for his best-selling Simon St. John mystery novels, written in the same vein as Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot, Trapp is considered the “champion deceiver” among critics for his ability to craft brilliantly-times twists that readers never see coming. (An author known as “the champion deceiver” is a nice touch by Finn, who offers a subtle nod to his own past controversies.) Upon arriving at their home, Nicky is given the guest bedroom to stay in, a room that once belonged to Cole, Trapp’s first son, whom he had with his ex-wife, Hope. twenty years ago, both Cole and Hope went missing, never to be seen again. Both were presumed dead, and Trapp himself was a suspect at the time. Now, with the author on his deathbed and having been given full, unvetted access to his life, Nicky plans to revisit that whole topic in hopes that she might uncover what really happened.
But as Nicky starts digging into the past, she uncovers a lot more than she bargained for, and when death strikes in the present day, she suddenly finds herself in the middle of a classic whodunit. Is it possible the author known for shocking readers pulled off the perfect crime two decades prior? If not, who else might have wanted Hope and Cole dead? Either way, a killer is still out there . . . and there are parts of the story they’re willing to kill in order to keep hidden.
Everyone loves a good redemption arc, and I sincerely hope this is just the beginning of exactly that for A.J. Finn because, as a storyteller, the man is a genius. Bluntly put, any critic panning this book is unwilling or unable to look past Finn’s past and grade this book solely on its own merit. Maybe that’s fair, maybe it’s not. I won’t pretend to know the right answer there. What I can tell you, though, with absolute certainty, is that for my money, End of Story is the best physiological thriller since Gillian Flynn shocked the world with Gone Girl way back in 2012, kicking off a chain of similar titles that dominated fiction over the last decade. Finn’s flawless prose and witty, razor-sharp dialogue mix perfectly with his vibrant descriptions and a well-crafted cast of mysterious characters. There’s certainly a Knives Out vibe at times, but also plenty of homage paid to classic Golden Age mysteries too. All in all, Finn delivers a wildly entertaining story that, despite its title, readers will not want to see come to an end. I cannot recommend it enough.
In a literary landscape crowded with suspense novels and overused troupes, End Of Story stands out in a big way, offering a pulse-pounding journey into the heart of darkness with a finale that will haunt you long after you’ve closed the book. If you crave a gripping tale with a twist that will leave your mind in knots, A.J. Finn’s latest is an absolute must-read.
Book Details
Author: A.J. Finn
Pages: 416 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 0062678450
Publisher: William Morrow
Release Date: February 20, 2024
Praised as “One of the hardest working, most thoughtful, and fairest reviewers out there” by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline, Ryan Steck has “quickly established himself as the authority on mysteries and thrillers” (Author A.J. Tata). Steck also works full-time as a freelance editor and is building a growing community on Twitch. His debut thriller, FIELDS OF FIRE, which #1 New York Times bestselling author Jack Carr says “will leave you speechless and begging for more,” is now available. His second novel, LETHAL RANGE, is also in bookstores, and his third book, OUT FOR BLOOD, comes out on June 4th. For more information, be sure to follow him on Twitter and Facebook. To interact with other readers and talk about your favorite books and authors, join The Real Book Spy’s Discord server.