Review of The Ending Writes Itself

I'm a sucker for island mysteries. But, to tell the truth, I picked up this book at my local library because the title intrigued me: The Ending Writes Itself.

More About The Ending Writes Itself

Six authors.

One private island.

Seventy-two hours to write the ending that will change their lives.

Arthur Fletch, one of the world’s bestselling novelists, is a reclusive genius known for his iconic protagonists and fiendish twists. When six struggling authors are invited to spend a weekend on his private Scottish island, they arrive to discover a shocking secret: Arthur Fletch is dead . . . and his last book is unfinished.

Desperate to publish the novel, Fletch’s agent and editor have summoned these writers in the hope that one of them will imagine a worthy ending for this final book. To sweeten the deal, they are offering an irresistible prize: in addition to ghost-writing the last chapter––for a mind-boggling sum––they will also help the lucky writer successfully re-launch their own career, guaranteeing future bestsellers. The catch: the writers have just seventy-two hours to finish Fletch’s magnum opus.

It’s the perfect plot. All it needs is a killer ending.

More about Evelyn Clark

It was a dark and stormy night (well, it was actually an unusually warm evening in Edinburgh, Scotland) when New York Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab proposed an absurd idea to longtime friend and screenwriter Cat Clarke: that they should write a book together. V had made quite a name for herself, with more than 20 books, including the Shades of Magic series, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, and Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, but had sworn she'd never co-write a novel, let alone one without fantasy. While Cat, following a tumultuous career as an editor and the author of several YA novels, including Girlhood and Entangled, had fled the publishing industry to work in the even more tumultuous film industry, swearing she'd never return to books. And yet, fate—and an irresistible idea—made liars of them both. That night, as they switched from tea to something stronger, Evelyn Clarke was born.

Thoughts about The Ending Writes Itself

Is this a mystery or a book poking fun at mysteries, the publishing industry and writers? Why can't it be both! I had fun with the red herrings The Ending Writes Itself tossed into the mix. Is he dead or alive? Is anyone who they really say they are? Someone is going to die...but who? Is this a writing contest or a treasure hunt?

Although I enjoyed the book, I felt that some loose ends remained by the final page. Not all the characters received that same rich backstory and attention throughout the book, leaving them feeling a little caricature-ish. I was unsatisfied with the convenient switcheroo at the end that I won't go into detail about because I hate to be a spoiler. But overall, it was a fun read with shades of Agatha Christie.

Ready to Read

Harper Collins Publishers