End of Story by A. J. Finn is a well-crafted mystery novel that will keep you up at night. But only for a few nights, as you’ll finish it very quickly. It’s one of those novels where each chapter ends with a hook, and there are exactly 100 chapters. It’s a long book.
Sebastian, a best-selling mystery writer living in San Francisco, has a mystery in his own life. Twenty years earlier, both his wife and his young son separately disappeared on New Year’s Eve, never to be seen again. Now nearing the end of his life with a two-month deadline delivered by his doctors, he has invited Nicky, a young woman with whom he has corresponded for 5 years, yet never met, for an extended visit during which she will help write his “memory book” for his family and close friends. Nicky is thrilled as she hopes to solve the question of what happened to the wife and son.
Of course, all is not what it seems. Is Sebastian truly guilty, as many have assumed, of the disappearances? What’s eating at his daughter, Madelaine? Who is leaving the tiny origami creatures around the house, so similar to the ones that lost son Cole once made? When now-wife Diana, a lovely and welcoming presence who tries to bring stability to the house, takes a nose dive off the third floor balcony, the story’s waters become even more muddied than the koi pond in which she is discovered the morning after a party. And then…and then…and then…
End of Story is a great read, and if the characters are a little confusing, don’t worry, you will get the hang of it. Finn keeps us guessing right to the last chapters, then explains all. This is the kind of novel I want to go back and re-read so I can see what clues I may have missed. I give this five stars.
You can download the Kindle version of End of Story by A. J. Finn or purchase the paperback on Amazon.
Recipe for Green Goddess Dressing
This classic salad dressing is said to have been created by the chef at a fancy San Francisco hotel during the visit of a Hollywood star who was there during the filming of the movie…what else?…The Green Goddess, one of the first “talkie” films. The dressing is creamy and delicious, and it can double as a dip or a sauce for any protein. It is especially good on seafood. The original recipe called for anchovies, but we’ve updated it for those who don’t care for that flavor.
Recipe
Throw these ingredients into a food processor or blender. Voila! A quick dressing or dip.
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup fresh parsley (so easy to grow in a pot inside or outside)
- 2 tblsp chopped chives
- 2 tblsp lemon juice plus a bit of zest
- 1 tblsp olive oil
- 1 tblsp capers or 1 tblsp anchovy paste
- 1 tblsp prepared garlic (from a jar) or one clove, chopped
- Sprinkle of salt and pepper
Did you like the book? The recipe? I’d love to know! Please leave a comment.
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