Two FBI agents, a serial killer and a scavenger hunt through the country. They know who the killer is, they know his methods, he is sending them clues taking them from one place to another in a macabre scavenger hunt to try and save kidnapped girls. And yet, they couldn’t catch him.

I enjoyed this book. The chapters were continuously alternated between three women: Agent Sinclair, Bess the last kidnapped woman and Adelaide the original victim. It was interesting also to see the killer through the eyes and experiences of these different women. I didn’t really suspect the connection between the different characters until almost the end and I liked that it kind of surprised me.
I didn’t however like Agent Sinclair that much. Even after getting the whole picture, I still couldn’t like her. She had some horrifying experiences but her character felt a bit over written. She had almost always extreme reactions about everything and from my point of view that was rather annoying and made me less sympathetic towards her. The character of Bess, on the other hand, was really good. I liked her, her strength and resourcefulness.

This brings me to the part I didn’t like. The author used some forms of descriptions that were repetitive and I felt they were unnecessary as they didn’t really add much to the scenes. But overall it was an enjoyable story.

This was a very well written, engaging thriller! The author's attention to detail was refreshing, and the various twists and turns were well thought out. There is great character development, and I found myself always wanting to learn more about them in each chapter. Told in present day and through flashbacks, the story keeps you guessing as to how the characters are connected. A great read, and I will definitely read more from this author.

It Ends with Her is a standalone thriller featuring a psychopathic serial killer and the FBI team that has been on his trail for years.

His name is Simon Cross. Agent Clarke Sinclair is technically one up as she knows his name. So surely she should be able to find him? As the years of baiting each other continue, Simon keeps taunting her with photographs and clues but Clarke is no closer to bringing him in. His MO is to target girls with red hair, so why has he now taken a blonde? Has he made a mistake or is there something else underlying his actions? Clarke gets pulled in deeper to find that everything was geared to her, so to finish it, it ends with her.

The story is told mainly from 3 POV’s and timelines: you have Clarke who is a supposed FBI star but is an alcoholic with self-harm issues, Adelaide, an orphan who spent time with Simon in a foster home and Bess, the latest of Simon’s victims who was in an abusive relationship. Clarke’s character is difficult to like as she is self-centred and able to push the blame for most of her actions on others. I did find a lot of her whining annoying, but I think the author did a great job of making us try to understand an unlikeable character. The clues and games lead to a great ending, which you think you have guessed but are not quite sure. There were a few questions left unanswered in the book, but as a new author, I think the story and writing were captivating. I just think the relationships between some of the characters could have been explored a little more.

Overall a great read and would definitely recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review it.

Mysteries and Thrillers are my favorite genre so I'm always excited to read something from a new author. While it was a good book, it seemed to drag in places and I did find it hard to continue reading at times. Being as this is the author's first book, I would be willing to read more by the author later on. I see great potential in this author and look forward to reading more in the future.

It Ends With Her
by Brianna Labuskes

Simon Cross is a serial killer that likes to play games, especially with FBI special agent Clarke Sinclair.

Clarke has spent years tracking Cross, forced to break her own rules and those of the FBI to try to catch this killer.

The story has more twists those as both Clarke and Cross’s stories are revealed.

A well written story, in a popular genre. The storyline is set to tease with twists of relationships and slowly builds tension.

I felt the story was perhaps too long, and lost its way about two-thirds of the way through, before ending with a soft bang.

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The author wrote a suspenseful book that grabbed me from the first page. The characters were well developed and the plot moved along at the perfect pace. I was surprised that this was the author's first book, as it was really good. I will seek out her future work.

It’s entirely possible that I’m not giving this book enough of a chance but I just cannot get into it. It comes across to me like it’s one of many in a series (a la James Patterson) and there’s so much generic glossing over a lot of back story that I actually found myself wondering if I had jumped into the middle of a long term storyline. Way too many details crammed in for me to even begin to attach myself to the characters. Also I hate what little I do know of the main character. Guess this one was just not for me!

It Ends With Her is a terrific psychological thriller. A plot that kept me on the edge of my seat. I so enjoyed this author’s writing and look forward to reading more of her books. If you love suspense you will want to read this book.

I really have to stop picking books based only on their cover design. It's strange labeling something as Thriller if it hasn't thrilled you at all.

This wasn't for me AT ALL.

The writing dragged on forever with mundane details and in order to get to at least some action, I felt like I'm back in school and this is some sort of compulsory reading.

I'm sure I missed some crucial parts. I'm sure I missed everything that was supposed to be interesting about this story. I got so bored in the first chapter alone...hell, I'm falling asleep writing this boring review.

I think readers who like long and complex police procedurals with twisted inner relationships between cops will probably have a different opinion. There was some decent amount of family drama here, too. But not the kind that makes you want to kill your mother-in-law or scrape the eyes out of your always-perfect-looking sister...

Thank you Netgalley for this copy in exchange for my honest review.

great book. didn't see the end coming. great plot, well developed characters. the lack of world building actually helped with the confusion about them being constantly on their toes by Simon. I liked that the brutality/blood etc was kept to a minimum while still being horrific. It built well, clues dropped like breadcrumbs and I really liked the lead. Enough that I would read a series about her as an agent struggling with her demons on other cases. highly recommended.

This one was not for me.

The book flip flops between FBI agent Clarke Sinclair, child Adelaide, and victim, Bess.

Clarke, who has a troubled past, though we don’t know why right away, except we do know she’s super close to older, gay partner Sam. Clarke is really close to Sam. She and Sam have an odd relationship. They know what each other is thinking. Clarke and Sam bump each other’s shoulders and he calls her kid a lot and they fight, but it just makes them closer. Clarke and Sam are super close.
And that’s how every chapter of Clarke reads, especially in the beginning. It was redundant and drab. I hated every chapter that was Clarke’s. When it picked up pace, more than halfway through, I finally semi-enjoyed those chapters. I wasn’t a fan of Clarke or Sam’s relationship. We are given tiny glimpses into their past life, which I assume is to move the story along, but she was just pretty unremarkable and unlikeable.

Adelaide’s and Bess’s chapters were much faster paced and I did enjoy them for the most part.

Overall, I just wasn’t a huge fan of the story and pacing. There were a few things that happened that I certainly appreciated.

I must admit, this book didn’t hold my interest very well at first. It was good but I kept getting distracted and I was forcing myself to read. When I got almost to the halfway point, it grabbed my attention and I couldn’t put it down. I read the second half in a little more than 2 hours. The book goes back and forth between 3 different point of view: Clarke, Bess and Adelaide. It labeled each point of view change and also gave the date as Adelaide’s view was in the past. Reading, you wonder why Clarke is doing something or even how it all ties together. Thankfully, towards the end it wraps up nicely. I wasn’t expecting what happened. Once it was revealed, everything makes sense and you are left thinking “why didn’t I see this.” Had this book grabbed me from page 1 I would have rated 5 stars. Since it did not, I gave it 4. I do recommend this book.

The description was very intriguing and the cover is very eye catching.

First I want to thank Net Galley, Brianna Labuskes and Thomas and Mercer for the opportunity to read It Ends With Her. I really liked this book. I liked how it went between all the POV's of Clarke, Bess and Adelaide. I didn't care for Simon at all, I know you arent supposed to like the villain but I really didn't like him. At the beginning before I read muxh I kind of felt sorry for him but the further on I read it made me hate him. I really liked Sam, her partner. The further I read I started to put pieces together and was had an idea in my head and I was so off. The ending was so good. The twist was one I didn't see coming. I liked how the author kept things separate until it all needed to collide to make things come full circle. This is one that I recommend for sure and not just because I am redhead too and I haven't read any books about redheads before!

4.0 stars I am all things, serial killers, only because I want to understand why they do what they do! I was so excited to receive a free copy of It Ends with Her from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is a well-written, fast-paced novel about FBI Agent Clarke Sinclair hunting serial killer Simon Cross this book is filled with suspense, twist & turns once you get past the beginning which starts off kind of slow been then you are on a rollercoaster so hold on tight. There were some things that I found to be predictable but it did not deter me from wanting more. Is Mr. Cross MO expanding past redheads? more than one victim at a time? Read It Ends with Her to find out!

It Ends with Her by Brianna Labuskes

It Ends with Her focuses on three female perspectives who find themselves being pursued by Simon Cross. Simon is a sociopath who has a twisted motivation to obtain an affection that is unrequited. He seeks young women to torture while also sending the FBI on wild chases. To him, it is just a game to get the attention of the one woman he has always felt a connection with.

Adelaide, Bess, and Clark are the three characters whose narration carries the story. Adelaide is a young girl who finds herself growing up with Simon. She is accepted by Simon and feels special due to his attention. She soon sees that Simon is not a good person. Bess is a young woman who is in a terrible relationship. However, she has building up the courage and confidence to leave her horrible life behind. Bess ends up entangled with Simon because she was in the wrong place at the wrong time, or so it seems. Clark, an FBI agent, is struggling internally from childhood issues. Clark’s sole concentration is bringing justice to Simon. Each woman soon finds her strength tested thanks to Simon.

This book had the BEST plot twist! I did not expect it. I liked the suspense building up to the big showdown between FBI agent Clark and sociopath Simon.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun and entertaining read. I found the cat and mouse game between Clarke and Simon Cross extremely enjoyable. I felt like a roller coaster ride of emotions. It was very predictable but that added to my enjoyment of the novel. The novel was written well and the characters were very relatable. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher Thomas &Mercer for this thrilling read. I look forward to more by this author.

I did not see that coming. The ending. It took me be surprise, made gasp, and that is a good thing when it comes to books.
"It Ends With Her" is told in three pov, Clarke, Bess and Adelaide. It's hard to read about Adelaide's life, her loosing her parents at a young age, going into foster care, meeting a boy who is a master manipulator. It is also heart breaking to read about Bess, being abused by her boyfriend and her struggle to break free of him. But, the hardest parts, are the ones about Clarke. She is not a woman to like easily. She too self destructive, to inconsiderate and just obnoxious. And I couldn't really make room in my heart for her. Couldn't understand what made her do stuff even if she knew it was the wrong thing to do. Sure, there where explanations about her past, but never to the point to really explain something. In the end it all made sense, though. The connection to the killer, why Bess and how Adelaide's life ended.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer!

It Ends With Her is a really excellent crime/psychological thriller with a serial killer vibe, lifted by it’s main protagonist Clarke, an FBI agent with a mission, whose divisive nature and intriguing background really make this one truly addictive.

The story itself is twisted and clever, a cat and mouse game that Clarke must win – by the time we meet her, it does feel like we are in the end game with horrific murderer Simon Cross – I loved this because there was no whodunnit to worry about, we know whodunnit for sure, it’s never doubted – but can Clarke use her particular skills to actually catch him. Or is he going to get the better of them all..

The writing is wonderful, especially when it comes to depth of character, the mystery here is within them and their reasons and motivations. The yin and yang of Clarke and Simon and their horrific game, both hidden and out in the open, makes for some very edge of the seat reading. The author allows us to know the victims too – so you get very invested – there are subtle twists and turns that work very well and the ending is brilliant.

Overall I really thought this one was great. I very much look forward to more from this author.

Recommended.

FBI agent Clarke Sinclair has been tracking serial killer Simon Cross for several years. Simon has been providing her with clues that have been haunting her to the depths of her soul. However, he always succeeds in the murders, breaking Clarke more and more with each victim. Simon has a pattern. This time, however, he has broken it and has changed his timetable. This break in pattern is leading Clarke into a trap. Will she be able to save the latest victim – and herself?

I was so touched by Clarke. She is one tough agent, despite a troubled past. Working alongside her mentor Sam allowed the true depth of her pain become all too real to me. However, it was the connection between all of the characters and the timelines played out that really astounded me. It Ends With Her is truly a truly dark thriller that captivated my attention, and yanked on my heartstrings more than once.

Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to NetGalley for this book to review.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy of It Ends With Her by Brianna Labuskes that I read and reviewed.
I really enjoyed this book even though I figured out parts of it and other things shocked me. This was one of those books that you really needed to be able to deal with a lot of crazy things to be able to handle this book emotionally. This definitely hits the reader on a lot of mental levels.
I loved Clarke and Sam as a team even though to me it was a bit codependent in a twisted sort of way. All I can say is be ready for an emotional ride.
This book gets four out of five stars from me.