The Beauty of the End


This book receives a full moon!


Debbie Howells', The Beauty of the End, is a masterful mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. Noah Calaway, an ex-lawyer turned author, has lived an isolated life until he gets a call that the woman he almost married is in trouble. Comatose in a hospital bed, the suspect of a murder investigation, and therefore unable to defend herself, April Moon is in need of his help. Noah is certain that April is innocent, so he dusts off his lawyer's credentials and skillset as he travels to begin an investigation of his own. 

As Noah delves into both the present investigation as well as his memories of the past, Ella, a teenage girl is working through her own family troubles with her newest therapist. Initially, Ella's story seems irrelevant to the main arc of the novel, yet as the investigation grows more intense, the two stories become more apparently intertwined until the final revelation occurs. 

The narrative of The Beauty of the End jumps around between Noah's present day experiences, Ella's story, and flashbacks to Noah's past memories of April. Although a slight bit confusing at first, as one reads further into the novel, the ways in which these story arcs intertwine add greatly to the thrill of trying to determine the truth of the situation. Even in the beginning, without truly understanding the purpose of each arc, Howells' prose is highly engaging and draws the reader in to care about the characters even before their relevance is revealed. 

Unlike many mystery novels, The Beauty of the End does not drop obvious clues as to the resolution over the course of the story. Instead, the reader is drawn in to become part of the story alongside Noah as he researches and eventually discovers the final truth. This style drives the suspense to feel more real which gives the novel a building inability to be put down. 

If you enjoy mystery novels where you are easily able to discern the solution and just wish to read along and watch the characters come to the same conclusion, then this novel is not your style. However, if you are looking for a mystery in which you can delve into the story and discover the truth alongside the characters, then The Beauty of the End is a thrilling novel you will certainly enjoy.

Here's hoping you'll love it to the moon and back!

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