Cover Image: The End of Us

The End of Us

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Brilliant - the twist!! So cooly done, loved it.

Great entertaining characters, who are utterly believable and the deceit level keeps being used.

Fab use of plot twist, and scheming.

More please!

Was this review helpful?

I like d the premise of the book. Most of the characters are very unlikeable. I did find the twists were predictable. It wasn’t very engaging at all.

Was this review helpful?

Wow, what a read! I couldn't put it down. It's so twisty and some genuine surprises in the lot. Can't wait to read more from the author based on this.

Was this review helpful?

Highly recommended psychological suspense novel that is definitely different to the run of the mill fare.

Olivia Kiernan showcases her skill in providing the reader with a range of divisive and well-rounded characters who move the well-plotted storyline to its brilliant conclusion.

Was this review helpful?

I will start this by saying this was not really for me. The premise was okay although one I feel I've read before however as the book progressed, the events became more and more ridiculous and I thought it lost the little sense of realism it started with. The supposed twists were also obvious and I could see what was going to happen next.
The characters are okay, I actually really liked Myles and thought he was a sympathetic, vulnerable character who carried the story well and I felt empathy for him during the events of the book. The other characters are not as likeable but they serve their purpose for the plot.
This was an okay read but does become unbelievable the more the book goes on.
Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books for an advance copy.

Was this review helpful?

An enjoyable thriller which had many twists and kept me intrigued throughout. I enjoyed the plot and the characters of this read and would recommend it to friends.

Was this review helpful?

"The End of Us" by Olivia Kiernan is a domestic thriller that delves into the lives of affluent neighbours in Wimbledon, exploring the lengths to which people will go to maintain their lifestyle. The novel is primarily narrated by Myles Butler, a GP who finds himself in financial ruin and is drawn into a dangerous scheme suggested by his new, seemingly perfect neighbours.

The story's exploration of greed, deception, and the dark side of human nature resonates with the classic themes of film noir, updated to fit the contemporary setting of a posh London suburb. Whether it's a hit or a miss for you will depend largely on your tolerance and interest in a narrative filled with morally compromised individuals and a plot that some could find over-the-top. Nonetheless, "The End of Us" is a testament to Kiernan's ability to craft a narrative that is both divisive and engaging.

Was this review helpful?

A good storyline, but sadly for me something was missing in this one. I am a fan of Olivia's, but this just missed the mark.
It was well written but sometimes it was terribly unbelievable and a little predictable
I would give 3.75 stars but can't so its a 3 star from me .

Was this review helpful?

This domestic noir features characters living picture perfect lives while trying to maintain appearances.

'The End of Us' is strongly plotted and is easy to read due to the strong intrigue that Olivia Kiernan weaves into the narrative. Reminiscent of 1950s film noir, 'The End of Us' features unlikeable characters driven to insane acts but, thanks to Kiernan's strong characterisation, their behaviour seems completely believable.

The plot keeps the reader guessing while commenting on 21st Century capitalism and greed.

Was this review helpful?

A tangled web of lies, greed and murder in this unpredictable domestic noir tale set in the glossy lives living in affluent Wimbledon.

Was this review helpful?

I thought that this book was well written, having never read any of this authors thriller fiction before. In recent years I have gone off thrillers finding that they lack something for me and this was true with this one. I appreciated the writing and the suspense that it created, it was fast paced which I liked. I didn't however connect with the main characters and the story line was a bit far fetched for me for a thriller.

Was this review helpful?

Thankyou to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.
This is my first title by this author but I really enjoyed it.
This book is very well written and was very easy to read therefore I flew through this book like no tomorrow hahah
This book had me drawn in from the start to the finish.
This book had twists and turns that you don’t see coming.
If you are looking for a awesome thriller I recommend this title.
Thanks again I will be read more from this author In the future.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Was this review helpful?

Olivia Kiernan of the detective Frankie Sheehan novels fame is one of my favourite crime thriller authors. When I had the opportunity to receive a proof copy in return for an honest review, I leapt at the chance.

This book takes a different curve, family drama, here we come! Myles and Lana Butler live in an exclusive but highly expensive new development in Wimbledon. Private GP Myles and Therapist Lana live in the house of their dreams, but happiness comes at a price.

This outwardly picture perfect couple are already on the edge, Myles and Lana are from totally different backgrounds, and it shows in their behavioural nuances. But the day the Wrights moved in next door, it all went hideously wrong.

Gabriel and Holly Wright and the Butlers strike up a good relationship and are soon great friends. Everything goes swimmingly until the day Lana finds out about their actual financial position and the extent of her husband's deceit. They share their fears with the Wrights, who just might have a solution - Life Insurance fraud - what could conceivably go wrong? Sure, the only people to lose out are the conglomerates, not ‘real people’, or at least until Lana doesn't come home one night, sending Myles life into more turmoil than he ever thought possible.

None of these characters are likeable people, all seeming exceedingly entitled, having no scruples whatsoever. They'll do whatever is necessary to keep a grip on the lifestyle to which they're accustomed and damn the consequences.

The End of Us is the story of morally compromised people doing morally questionable things. In all honesty, it's a rather over the top story, but it's so darkly hilariously entertaining and brilliantly written I can't complain. 4⭐

Was this review helpful?

Delicious slice of 21st century noir that packs a devious punch!

I am a huge fan of the 1940s Hollywood film noir movement and I love a novel that captures that vibe and brings it into the 21st century. There’s only a handful that do it really well and Olivia Kiernan’s may just be the very best! I loved everything about this novel and simultaneously felt like I was being transported into the very best of the film noir genre (think, Double Indemnity or The Postman Always Rings Twice) and reading something fresh, original and very much of our time (think, not bound by the moralities of that era). It’s no mean feat! Kiernan beautifully blends plot and character, gradually building a mounting tension that spirals into a runaway train of heart-racing thrills and explosive action. If you enjoy a slow-burn novel that really pays off in the final third, The End of Us is one of the finest examples. Kiernan takes her time planting the seeds of the plot, nurturing them and keeping the reader guessing as to what they may grow into, only to masterfully weave the vines around a trellis of misdirection, subterfuge, smoke and mirrors and ultimately, an astoundingly shocking finale. This novel is plotted to perfection, meaning the reader thinks they can see where this is going, only to find that everything will unravel far further than they could possibly imagine. It’s such a satisfying read!

Whilst this book is very much a triumph of plot, it’s also bound by sheer brilliance of the characters. Again, Kiernan has written a book that not all authors can pull off, because there isn’t really a single likeable character at the core of the narrative! This feels entirely right though and fits completely with the noir ambiance. The story is told from the perspective of Dr. Myles Butler and his voice is pitch perfectly reminiscent of the male lead voiceovers so prominent in the film noir movies of the 40s. We get to know Myles intimately and despite his shortcomings, we allegiances come to lie with him. As his situation spirals further and further out of control I was fascinated at how I continued to route for him in the face of insurmountable odds. The final line is a complete knock-out and insanely chilling - it’s going to stay with me for a long, long time!

I really enjoyed the themes that the novel touches upon too. There is a lot of thought-provoking exploration of greed, obsession, deception, our predilection for maintaining appearances and the impact of wealth and the desperation that comes with losing it. These all feel like timeless issues, but Kiernan routes them very much within 21st century capitalism and the mindset of wanting more that so many people have today. All of these themes are so expertly rooted in the overarching plot, making the events of the novel seem so plausible even in their most extreme. That’s what makes this book such a fantastic read!

Was this review helpful?

Very good domestic thriller, just dark enough to keep you hooked while still being entertaining. Felt it ended a little abrubtly but otherwise this cast of tricky characters made it a real page turner. Full of tension and dishonesty in just the right ways.

Was this review helpful?

I’m a fan of this author and did like this standalone novel but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me! It was deliciously gossipy and completely over the top so a fun read but you definitely had to suspend belief as it really wasn’t very believable most of the time. Full of unlikeable characters, it was a little predictable at times but overall a decent domestic thriller.

Was this review helpful?

mm honestly the vibes were kinda off here. this was definitely enjoyable enough to read, but i just felt like the characters and storyline lacked some depth. it felt like i was reading about some very morally compromised people doing morally questionable things, and even their motivations were extremely questionable. i don’t want to go into too much detail because of spoilers, but each character has such straight-forwardly selfish motivations, and the background we got on each character further added to their motivations being centred on self-preservation and wanting to be a successful person even if it’s at someone else’s expense. this all meant that while i did enjoy the writing style and mystery of the storyline, it did feel a bit one dimensional and i wasn’t particularly invested in the characters or outcomes.

Was this review helpful?

Myles is in financial difficulties and hatches a plan with neighbours to fake his wife’s death and claim the life insurance. I was hooked on the story from the start and couldn’t be sure which way things were going even towards the end.
The characters, whilst many of them flawed, were compelling and believable. I can’t wait to read more bu this author.

Was this review helpful?

Not one for me I’m afraid. I found the plot much to over the top to even begin to take any of it seriously. However as a positive it wasn’t badly written and it was a quick

Was this review helpful?

"The End of Us" is a gripping crime thriller with complex characters and unexpected twists.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, and no significant gaps between words, and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Was this review helpful?