This story is set in the 1920’s where a Sir Lawrence Linwood has been found dead. Whilst the town is devastated by the news, Sir Linwood’s 3 adopted children Caroline, Alan & Roger all return home for the funeral only to find there is a clause in their fathers will that states that his entire estate will be awarded to the child who solves the case of his murder. In this book we follow the journey of all three children, who along the way begin to get suspicious of one another & a few curious townsfolk. They learn many family secrets along the way to which may hold the truth to solve the case.

I actually thoroughly enjoyed this book, it kept my interest & had many little plot twists that excited me to keep on reading. It does go back and fourth between different peoples perspectives and in some cases back and fourth years, which usually drives me insane, however I actually found them to be easy to follow and they came across a little more like “flashback” scenes in a sense that they were to show you things from the past to give you a better understanding for the person or the moment to come. I feel like I really got to know each of the characters & their stories well, the character development was great.

The only downfall I had for this book was the ending, I feel that once the last plot twist occurred things wrapped up rather quickly & the finale was a bit of a let down. I expected it to go in a much more dramatic direction & was really looking forward to the reactions and excitement of the downfall. Even so, I still do believe that this was a great story & I would 100% read it again!

In terms of the cover for the book, I have seen a different one featured on goodreads & out of the two I definitely love the look of the one featured here on netgalley more. I am a HUGE cover judger & will generally pick a book off the shelf purely for the cover without reading the back. The cover featured here on netgalley is one that would definitely capture my attention and make me want to buy it.

Thanks to Netgalley & Inkshares for the advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'll admit it took me a bit to get into this book. I definitely got Agatha Cristie vibes from it. Enjoyed it and am looking forward to reading more from the author! Thank you NetGalley & the publisher for the advanced reading copy.

I was very intrigued by the premise of this book—when 3 siblings gather for their father’s funeral it is revealed that the one who solves his murder will inherit his large estate! And, it did turn out to be an interesting mystery, as the 3 discovered lost secrets and attempted to figure out if the family’s past played a role in the murder. However, it took me a long time to engage with the story, and I never felt as though I truly connected with the characters. I’m glad that I made it to the end, but it took me much longer to get there than I expected. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC.

4.5⭐

In April 1921, Alan, an archeologist, Roger, an engineer, and Caroline, a journalist – the three Linwood siblings return to their family estate in Yorkshire for their adoptive father’s funeral. Their father, the late Sir Lawrence Linwood, had been bludgeoned to death in his study with a medieval flanged mace by an unknown assailant.

Upon the reading of Sir Lawrence’s will, they are made aware of a “find my killer” clause wherein in the case of an unnatural death, the one who can solve his murder inherits his estate. Their father's manipulation from beyond the grave does not come as a surprise as the three of them have spent their whole lives under the autocratic control of Sir Lawrence whose idea of nurturing competitive spirit involved pitting them against one another throughout their childhood. As adults, they still crave his approval at every juncture and strive to maintain the standards set by him and fulfill his expectations. Though none of them are particularly motivated to deprive the other two of their share of the inheritance, the siblings do venture out following different clues in search of who may be responsible for their father’s murder. As the narrative progresses we see how their endeavors lead to the unearthing of long-buried family secrets and the siblings come to realize just how deep-rooted their father’s control and manipulation of those around him have been throughout their lives. The larger part of the third-person narrative switches between the perspectives of Alan ,Roger and Caroline- their present lives and struggles and how their lives have been shaped by their childhood experiences and the authoritarian, often tyrannical behavior of Sir Lawrence towards them. Harsh discipline paired with strict academic schedules meant to fuel ambition and competitiveness among the siblings, with little to no intervention from Lady Linwood on their behalf made for a less than idyllic childhood. Their only respite was in the hours they spent with one another in their playroom in one of the towers of the old mansion- a room they dubbed 'Camelot'.

Unnatural Ends by Christopher Huang is a smartly crafted murder mystery set in 1920s England with an interesting and diverse cast of characters. Each of the main characters is well fleshed out, even the most unlikable ones. There are many supporting characters we meet throughout the narrative which can be confusing at times. The novel with its multiple threads does require a bit of patience on the part of the reader, but it is well –worth the effort. The author does a brilliant job in bringing all the characters and their stories together. Huang’s writing is elegant and the author's note at the end of the book indicates the research that went into framing the post-World War I period setting. This is a lengthy novel, written with meticulous attention to detail, in terms of the historical and physical setting of the story as well as descriptions of the dysfunctional dynamics within the Linwood family. The twists and turns as well as the character studies kept me hooked till the end. Though I could partially predict where the story was going I loved how the author got us there. Fans of Agatha Christie and Daphne Du Maurier might find this one quite intriguing!
I eagerly look forward to reading more from Christopher Huang.

Many thanks to Inkshares and NetGalley for providing the digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars.
"In the event that my death should be due to unnatural causes, I charge my children with the task of identifying my killer. Should one of them do so to the satisfaction of the police and the courts of law, I render null and void....... Instead, I leave the entirety of this residuary estate to that child."
Sir Lawrence has been murdered and now it is up to Alan, Roger, and Caroline to find out who the real killer is.
Usually, I'm not the biggest fan of murder mysteries but something about this book intrigued me. The setting and the atmosphere of this story were great, especially with the historical touches but what I liked most about this book were the characters. I fell in love with Alan, Roger, Caroline, and their backstory and if it weren't for them as characters I don't think I would've liked this book as much as I did. In my opinion, Unnatural Ends has a huge pacing issue. It took quite a while to get the "murder mystery" rolling and as great as some of the plots were, some just dragged on (e.g the "found family"). Especially since the whole story is told from different perspectives some aspects just get repeated. I feel like this book could be a little bit shorter and then it would be even better.

This was an interesting read. Alan, Roger, and Caroline reunite at their father's funeral. The catch is that he was murdered and whoever finds his killer will receive Linwood Hall (their father's estate/where the siblings grew up). There were several things I liked about the book. Firstly, the relationship between the main characters was well fleshed out. The three siblings, Alan, Roger, and Caroline have a complicated but believable relationship with each other and their father. They all have interesting personalities, hopes, beliefs, and goals. Besides being a bit slow in some parts the pacing of the book was fine. Overall this is a novel I would read again.

I'd really like to give this book a higher rating but it just didn't lived up to my expectations. I rarely read historical mystery murder and I got intrigued with the premise. The plot was very promising but the writing style, for me, was very middle. I applauded the historical aspects of the book not because of the accuracy (I have no idea whether they are accurate in the first place) but because of the way it was written and interjected in the story arcs of the characters; though I didn't get a lot of the references made, especially the Shakespeare ones. The way the events were unravelled was my major turn off because there was more telling instead of showing. Once the mystery of the murder was revealed, I got lost a bit and the ending was unsatisfying for me.
*Thanks to Netgalley and Inkshare for the ARC of this book.*

This historical fiction mystery was more impressive than I thought it would be. At the beginning, I wasn’t sure if I was going to finish it simply because I was waiting for the mystery journey to start–that is a fault of my own as I am an impatient person in general! There are twists and turns, and sibling rivalry (if I can call it that) but also is sibling unity.

The story takes place in the 1920s. Sir Lawrence is found murdered in his study–completely unrecognizable. A clause in his will is for his 3 adopted children, Roger, Alan and Caroline, to figure out who murdered him. The first one to figure it out gets the entire Linwood estate…however, the siblings find multiple secrets as they try to figure out who killed their father… and they know he loves a good experiment.

The writing was great, the plot peaked my interest but the journey and twists and turns is what really got my 4 stars.

Unnatural Ends was truly a captivating page turner. I found myself fully immersed in the mystery surrounding the death of Sir Lawrence Linwood, and the relationships between the 3 Linwood siblings as they try to figure out who killed their father.

Early 20th century mystery-thriller at its finest.
There were so many twists and turns that left me dumbfounded with a few exceptions.
However, I do admit you just have to plow through the first 80 pages but from then on, it's pure gold.
This was amazing.

Thank you Netgalley and Christopher Huang for providing me with this ARC.

I was very intrigued by the plot of this book. The premise is so unique and clever, and I think the foundation of a great mystery is here, but I ultimately had a hard time engaging with the characters and the storyline. The viewpoint switches not only between characters but timelines as well and I found myself confused by details and plot points. I think Huang is on to something with the murder mystery set against the backdrop of such disturbing family dynamics, I just had a hard time staying with the storyline and wanting to find out what happened in the end.

What I liked: complex family dynamics, a myriad if interesting and dynamic characters, an incredible sense of place. This book is incredibly well written.

What I didn't like: It starts very slow and sort of stays there, it was a bit of a slog to get through at times.

Overall a solid read, but I wish it had picked up a little earlier than it did.

3.5 stars.

Unnatural Ends focuses on the three (adopted) children of Sir Lawrence Linwood: Alan, Roger and Caroline. When it's revealed that their father was murdered, they were instructed, per his will, that if he died of unnatural means, they must uncover who did it to earn their inheritance. Of course, nothing's as simple as that. Secrets about their adopted past and the truth about their father were uncovered, driving their disillusionment.

Considering the time period the novel is set in, Mother Linwood's attitude and the social standing of Sir Linwood, the secret/truth* is no real shocker. However, since I realized it before the characters did, the succeeding chapters after the chapter I realized it was teasing me about the inevitable shock (and maybe even, life crises) the characters were going to undergo. Despite being one step ahead of the characters, I was still one step behind Christopher Huang, who introduced another twist that, in hindsight was predictable, attacked me while I was blind due to the novel's twists and turns. The same could be said for the characters. Despite that last big twist, the characters were able to overcome their feelings and insecurities relating to their father and planted their feet into the ground to fight for what they wanted.

Quick-fire notes:
- No matter what standards you're judging him by, Sir Lawrence Linwood is a trashy father (and husband). He pitted his own children against each other. What the hell, man.
- I pity the Linwood siblings. They were told one thing and believed it their whole lives until that "truth" was ripped out under them during the plot of the story. Meanwhile, they were heavily scrutinized by their father since childhood, putting up masks to live up to their father's standards and becoming semi-estranged from each other.
- *The truth wasn't too shocking, but it's still unsettling. It aligns with certain mindsets that were more common during the 1900-1920s, but the lack of morality and empathy makes it worse.
- It's slow to unfold, but still engaging. Props to Huang.

Thanks to Netgalley and Inkshares for providing me with the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This one is a twisty thriller! You will think you have the mystery solved, but it throws you for a loop. Roger,Caroline, and Alan Linwood return home to Linwood Hall after receiving the news that their father has been murdered. Upon the reading of the Will, they learn that who ever solves their father’s murder will be the heir to the Estate. While they are searching, they discover shocking clues that each of them were chosen through selective breeding. Everyone is not who and what they seem. Be prepared to piece it together for a fantastic ending.

Christopher Huang's Unnatural Ends follows Alan, Roger, and Caroline Linwood following the unexpected death of their adoptive father, Sir Lawrence Linwood. At the reading of the will, they learn that the entire estate is to be left to the child who solves Sir Lawrence's murder. As they begin to dig, they uncover unimaginable secrets about their family and the little town that they live in, but they may not be safe. The murders keep coming and everyone is a suspect. This book is perfect for adults who loved The Inheritance Games and for fans of historical fiction. It's slow-paced, but compelling, and has beautifully written characters. It's a story of finding oneself under strict expectations, family secrets, and issues of eugenics.

"Certain pedestals were never meant to be occupied by mortal men."

Sir Lawrence Linwood has been murdered, bludgeoned by a mace in his study. The three children of Sir Linwood are tasked to find his murderer and be pronounced as the sole heir of the Linwood property.

Unnatural Ends is a gothic mystery with a captivating premise. The three children, facing the loss of their father, have little consideration for the will. They want to bring their father justice. In doing so, they tumble upon secrets of the past, of lives that were once entwined with theirs. Bred to be their father's righteous heirs, Unnatural Ends is a story of unspeakable trauma, childhood and psychological abuse, manipulation, familial dysfunction, and a predatory stage.

Each character has a distinctive voice and narrative. Christopher Huang fleshed out each of his character in great detail, their point of views well-fitting of the England of 1921. The mystery was laid-out in a cunning fashion. The number of suspects kept rising as the story progressed. My initial guess was correct, and the major revelation was what I had guessed it to be.

Among the characters, I favored Iris. She was smart, resourceful, and not the human accessory people around her saw her to be. That, of course, had me suspecting her for the most part of the book along with the true culprit. In a way, I was relieved to find she was simply ingenious, not malicious. Apart from her, Caroline, with her wit and talking, presented herself as a bold character. Roger, with his love for engineering, came alive on the pages. Alan's character, however, felt a bit of a cutout and was my only source of complaint. But it also made sense because the three children had been shaped by their father, and what he had left in them was hard to kill.

Overall, it is a rattling book about a dominant, controlling father with an involvement in eugenics, a mother who has blend in so thoroughly she is nothing but a mere ghost, and three children who could not help but be the object of a man's manipulation.
Thanks to NetGalley and Inkshares for providing an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Unnatural Ends by Christopher Huang feels like an ode to 20th century mystery novels; I instantly thought of Agatha Christie as I read this, which made me even more excited, as well as sympathetic to the pacing since it felt appropriate for the period it was trying to emulate. The story follows the now-adult children of Sir Lawrence Linwood—Alan, Roger and Caroline—who take a break from their varied lives after being told their father has been murdered, forcing them to return to the place where it all started: home. Though the funeral is not all it seems. In the will, Sir Linwood gives his children a task to complete—a dying wish, if you will: the first to solve his murder will become heir of Linwood Hall.

This book had me at the edge of my seat, and just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse for our three main characters, it does. I really enjoyed the multi-point of view. We could’ve gotten the entire story told in third-person omniscient, which isn’t bad, but I feel like the way the book is written allows us to form deeper connections with the characters separately (as well as compare what the others have seen and experienced, to see how they view each other).

I also don’t think there was a single character that wasn’t well-written. It felt like I was actually there, seeing Caroline speak to Davey in Paris; feeling Alan find himself, and his faith, as he explored Machu Picchu; watching Roger almost fumble his meeting by taking the wrong blueprint only for Iris to save him at the last minute. And he almost makes me wish that Linwood Hall exists (and I say “almost” because the thought of that place gives me the creeps), mostly in part for the research he’s done on the area (which I really appreciate because it shows through the book how much he loves this).

The only thing I have a critique on is how it ended. It felt very anticlimactic. Thank you to Netgalley, Christopher Huang and Inkshares for allowing me to read this ARC; it’s hands down one of my favorite books now.

UNNATURAL ENDS read like a modern take on a Golden Age mystery blended with a psychological thriller topped with a splash of gothic setting. 

The pacing keeps us on our toes, waiting for the next clue to lead to yet another horrible realization—and every clue does! From the beginning, I detested the antagonist. “Father’s” parenting makes him as horrible a villain as anything Daphne du Maurier ever wrote, and I kept hoping Alan, Roger, and Caroline would realize that everything they’d been taught about life was wrong. 

Overall, the type of mystery that classic mystery lovers enjoy. The only thing keeping it from being a five star read is that I figured out every twist about ten pages before it happened.

Thanks to NetGalley and Christopher Huang for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. This was a thorough, well written and interesting golden age mystery! Huang’s depth of research is evident and I really enjoyed the characters. His portrayal of the female characters especially felt realistic for the era while also highlighting their character and agency. I wasn’t surprised by the outcome, but I thought the motive/resolve was unique enough that I didn’t mind. While it held my attention the whole time it also felt a tad slow, which is my only knock down in rating.

I have mixed feelings about this one. The plot is interesting and not something you typically see in thillers but unfortunately, this book dragged at times.