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[A Necessary End] [By: Wilson, F. Paul] [January, 2014]
LIFE CAME OUT OF AFRICA…But now it's death's turn.... It spreads like a plague but it’s not a disease. Medical science is helpless against the deadly autoimmune reaction caused by the bite of the swarming African flies. Billions are dead, more are dying. Across the world, governments are falling, civilization is crumbling, and everywhere those still alive fear the death carried in the skies. Some say the flies are a freak mutation, others say they’re manmade, but as hope of beating them fades, most turn to the only comfort left and see the plague as God’s will. He sent a deadly deluge the last time He was upset with mankind. This time He has darkened the sky with deadly flies. And perhaps that is true, for so many of the afflicted speak with their dying breaths of seeing God coming for them. But not everyone dies. A very few seem immune. They call themselves mungus and preach acceptance of the plague, encouraging people to allow themselves to be bitten by “the flies of the Lord” so that they may join Him in the afterlife. Nigel, an investigative reporter, searches the apocalyptic landscape of plague-ravaged England in search of Bandora, a kidnapped African boy. On a quest for personal redemption as well as the truth, his search takes him away from the troubles he can no longer face at home, and into the world of the head mungu, a man who speaks truth in riddles and has no fear of the African flies. A Necessary End is about apocalypse, about love, about the fragile bonds that hold marriages and civilizations together. But mostly it’s about truth — how we find it, how we embrace or reject it, and how we must face the truths within ourselves.Sarah Pinborough is a critically acclaimed award-winning author of horror, crime and YA fiction. She has also written for "New Tricks" on the BBC, and has a horror film and an original TV series in development. She lives in London. F. Paul Wilson is an award-winning, NY Times bestselling author of over 50 novels in many genres and numerous short stories translated into twenty-four languages. He is best known as creator of the urban mercenary Repairman Jack.Maelstrom Volume 4, Book 3
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First published January 8, 2014
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About the author
Sarah Pinborough
96 books7,770 followersSarah Pinborough is a New York Times bestselling and Sunday Times Number one and Internationally bestselling author who is published in over 30 territories worldwide. Having published more than 25 novels across various genres, her recent books include Behind Her Eyes, now a smash hit Netflix limited series, Dead To Her, now in development with Amazon Studios, and 13 Minutes and The Death House in development with Compelling Pictures. Sarah lives in the historic town of Stony Stratford, the home of the Cock and Bull story, with her dog Ted. Her next novel, Insomnia, is out in 2022. You can follow Sarah on Twitter at @sarahpinborough.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 10, 2025
This story revolves around a global catastrophe triggered by a deadly plague, carried by swarming African flies. Yes, it is gross.
This plague, characterized by a fatal immune reaction, leaves billions dead and society in ruins. Medical science is powerless, and as governments fall, people turn to faith and fatalism for solace.
The flies, whether seen as a freak mutation, a man-made disaster, or a divine punishment, symbolize the fragility of civilization. There is a desperate search for meaning in the face of annihilation.
The story follows Nigel, a journalist, and his wife, Abby. She has lupus, and has rediscovered religion.
Nigel is a staunch unbeliever, but he embodies all of the Christian beliefs that Abby places her faith in.
Secrets are spilled, people die, and the world keeps turning. This book is an exploration of apocalypse, love, and the fragile bonds that hold marriages and societies together. This doesn’t necessarily have a happy ending, but it fit the story.
Mother Nature and mankind working hand in hand to bring about their own destruction. If it wasn’t so terrifying, it would be comical.
This plague, characterized by a fatal immune reaction, leaves billions dead and society in ruins. Medical science is powerless, and as governments fall, people turn to faith and fatalism for solace.
The flies, whether seen as a freak mutation, a man-made disaster, or a divine punishment, symbolize the fragility of civilization. There is a desperate search for meaning in the face of annihilation.
The story follows Nigel, a journalist, and his wife, Abby. She has lupus, and has rediscovered religion.
“Ever since you got sick you’ve been looking for meaning in everything.”
Nigel is a staunch unbeliever, but he embodies all of the Christian beliefs that Abby places her faith in.
“God. They all see God when they die. He comes to take them. He’s saving them.”
“Vishnu comes to them?”
“No…God. The one true god.”
Singh smiled slightly. “Oh, you mean Shiva? Or do you mean Brahma?”
“The Christian God.”
“Humans have invented many gods. Why is yours the one now getting all the glory?”
Secrets are spilled, people die, and the world keeps turning. This book is an exploration of apocalypse, love, and the fragile bonds that hold marriages and societies together. This doesn’t necessarily have a happy ending, but it fit the story.
January 24, 2014
It’s the characters that really made this story for me. Nigel and his partner Abby are wonderfully observed. Their actions and reactions to events are perfectly judged and never jar the reader out of the world that the authors have created. Don’t be fooled, this isn’t just a typical by the numbers apocalypse; it’s also an insightful character study. There’s something fascinating watching people trying to live their lives in exceptional circumstances, it’s mesmerizing stuff.
The element of the story that really struck a chord is the different way in which both these characters come to terms with the inevitability of events. Nigel is driven by reason, science, rationality and the need to discover the source of the insects. His nature is such that he just can’t sit idly by and wait for the world to stop. He has to know why, no matter what the cost of that knowledge is. Meanwhile, Abby is the polar opposite. She has returned to a faith she thought lost, letting her feelings and intuition guide her decisions. She’s convinced that the apocalypse is all part of some grand plan and she is happy to let events unfold naturally. She is resolute that there is something better waiting for them all on the other side.
It’s interesting; in some respects the end of the world feels almost inconsequential in comparison to the breakdown of the couple’s relationship. Abby has a serious medical condition and Nigel doesn’t know how to deal with it. This causes resentment on both sides, and when we first meet them they’re dancing around the issues they have. Neither is willing to voice their fears, both are so paralyzed by the potential outcome. There is a genuine sense of sadness that permeates both characters. The deterioration of their life together mirrors the larger events going on around the couple. Their interactions act almost as a microcosm to the world surrounding them.
On top of all that, let’s not forget that this is still a horror novel at its dark heart and there are a number of suitably gruesome moments. I’ll admit, I got so caught up in the lives of the two leads that most of these horrific scenes managed to catch me totally unaware. The good news is because we’re talking about vast plagues of insects proceedings do sometimes rate quite highly on the old ick-o-meter. I can tell you this in no uncertain terms – I’m never setting foot in an airport again.
I have to admit a certain amount of curiosity whenever I find myself reading a collaborative effort between two authors. It becomes almost a game to try and spot each writer’s contributions. There is always a concern that different writing styles will clash and disrupt the flow of a narrative but I’m glad to say that’s not the case in this instance. Wilson and Pinborough are both accomplished storytellers in their own right and their styles complement one another well to form a truly compelling tale.
If you’re a fan of apocalyptic fiction and are looking for something that is a little bit more character driven than your standard fare, this could well be the book for you. It’s always a pleasure to discover writing that’s introspective, insightful and emotive. I strongly suggest you seek this little gem out.
The element of the story that really struck a chord is the different way in which both these characters come to terms with the inevitability of events. Nigel is driven by reason, science, rationality and the need to discover the source of the insects. His nature is such that he just can’t sit idly by and wait for the world to stop. He has to know why, no matter what the cost of that knowledge is. Meanwhile, Abby is the polar opposite. She has returned to a faith she thought lost, letting her feelings and intuition guide her decisions. She’s convinced that the apocalypse is all part of some grand plan and she is happy to let events unfold naturally. She is resolute that there is something better waiting for them all on the other side.
It’s interesting; in some respects the end of the world feels almost inconsequential in comparison to the breakdown of the couple’s relationship. Abby has a serious medical condition and Nigel doesn’t know how to deal with it. This causes resentment on both sides, and when we first meet them they’re dancing around the issues they have. Neither is willing to voice their fears, both are so paralyzed by the potential outcome. There is a genuine sense of sadness that permeates both characters. The deterioration of their life together mirrors the larger events going on around the couple. Their interactions act almost as a microcosm to the world surrounding them.
On top of all that, let’s not forget that this is still a horror novel at its dark heart and there are a number of suitably gruesome moments. I’ll admit, I got so caught up in the lives of the two leads that most of these horrific scenes managed to catch me totally unaware. The good news is because we’re talking about vast plagues of insects proceedings do sometimes rate quite highly on the old ick-o-meter. I can tell you this in no uncertain terms – I’m never setting foot in an airport again.
I have to admit a certain amount of curiosity whenever I find myself reading a collaborative effort between two authors. It becomes almost a game to try and spot each writer’s contributions. There is always a concern that different writing styles will clash and disrupt the flow of a narrative but I’m glad to say that’s not the case in this instance. Wilson and Pinborough are both accomplished storytellers in their own right and their styles complement one another well to form a truly compelling tale.
If you’re a fan of apocalyptic fiction and are looking for something that is a little bit more character driven than your standard fare, this could well be the book for you. It’s always a pleasure to discover writing that’s introspective, insightful and emotive. I strongly suggest you seek this little gem out.
February 26, 2014
I always have my reservations about “end of the world” stories. I feel like it is to much to encompass that large of an undertaking that most writers really don’t do justice with such a powerful storyline. A Necessary Ends premise isn’t so much the story as are the characters. For an end of the world story it has a small ensemble but they are so powerful and 3-dimensional you are right there with them going through this anguish that they experience. A riveting story that really searches out your soul and makes you really question religion and what happens when you die. 5 Stars….right now I am debating this or N0S4A2 as my choice for which should win the Stoker Award for best novel of 2013.
October 13, 2014
The BEST
Great read, terrific ride- an ending you don't expect. The characters are well developed, and you really get sucked into the story. Definitely recommend this book...
Great read, terrific ride- an ending you don't expect. The characters are well developed, and you really get sucked into the story. Definitely recommend this book...
February 15, 2016
It is not every day that two of my favorite authors combine their powers and work together. I have no idea what took me so long to get this as F.Paul Wilson and Sarah Pinborough are clearly two of my favorites. In many ways these two plotting to end the world is a absolute match made in heaven. Wilson has ended the world before in classics like Nightworld and Midnight Mass, and Pinborough has done slow burn collapses in the Dog Faced Gods Trilogy and Deathhouse.
As someone who has read almost 40 novels between the two I admit I was curious to see if I could detect one author's touch on given passages. For the most part it was a perfect blend. The London setting might trick a reader to think the narrative was lead by Pinborough. There are moments that clearly in the voice of Paul Wilson. Neither dominates for more than flashes and as such it provides a unique reading experience that only bums me out at the short page count.
The novel is the story of Nigel and Abby a married couple in London facing the end of the world caused by a plague of flies. Nigel is a reporter who has just returned from a investigation in Africa to find the roots of the plague. The novel starts with his return but that trip itself felt like it could have been a equally interesting novel. There are many moments that felt ripe for expansion of the story. This concept could have carried an extra 200 or 300 pages that is something as a reader and critic I almost never say.
The end of the world in this novel is quite horrifying, in fact there is a scene that takes place at London's Heathrow airport that is jaw-droppingly good. Both authors do a really amazing job squeezing in a ton of story and world building to the 174 pages. If there is a negative is that Wilson's trademark B story plot twist doesn't have the time to develop. Repairman Jack novels almost always weave B stories that often develop organically from plot points you don't see coming, even when you look for them. (I mean sometimes he plants seeds two or more books out)
The B story of a missing child amid the chaos of the end of the world was great but might have worked better as a case that Nigel was working on before the end of the world started. This was hard to do as the entry point the authors used was jumping in mid-apocalypse. That's minor nitpick.
The real strength of the book might get over looked in such a high concept story. The characters of Nigel and Abby ground the story. A strong indication of how well the characters are realized comes when I led off describing the story with them before I did the Fly apocalypse. The end of the world is my favorite subgenre of horror and those elements are well represented, but Nigel and Abby's personal struggles get magnified by the stress. Nigel throws himself into work, and Abby into faith.
It is interesting view the different ways they handle it all. A human way to view the world ending.
I really loved this end of the world novel, I wanted more. I wanted to see more of the global response, I wanted to see Nigel's trip to Africa. I really love these two authors, so lets face it I just wanted a longer book. That said I am happy with what we have. If you like end of the world novels this one featuring a swarming disease infested flies is well worth your time.
As someone who has read almost 40 novels between the two I admit I was curious to see if I could detect one author's touch on given passages. For the most part it was a perfect blend. The London setting might trick a reader to think the narrative was lead by Pinborough. There are moments that clearly in the voice of Paul Wilson. Neither dominates for more than flashes and as such it provides a unique reading experience that only bums me out at the short page count.
The novel is the story of Nigel and Abby a married couple in London facing the end of the world caused by a plague of flies. Nigel is a reporter who has just returned from a investigation in Africa to find the roots of the plague. The novel starts with his return but that trip itself felt like it could have been a equally interesting novel. There are many moments that felt ripe for expansion of the story. This concept could have carried an extra 200 or 300 pages that is something as a reader and critic I almost never say.
The end of the world in this novel is quite horrifying, in fact there is a scene that takes place at London's Heathrow airport that is jaw-droppingly good. Both authors do a really amazing job squeezing in a ton of story and world building to the 174 pages. If there is a negative is that Wilson's trademark B story plot twist doesn't have the time to develop. Repairman Jack novels almost always weave B stories that often develop organically from plot points you don't see coming, even when you look for them. (I mean sometimes he plants seeds two or more books out)
The B story of a missing child amid the chaos of the end of the world was great but might have worked better as a case that Nigel was working on before the end of the world started. This was hard to do as the entry point the authors used was jumping in mid-apocalypse. That's minor nitpick.
The real strength of the book might get over looked in such a high concept story. The characters of Nigel and Abby ground the story. A strong indication of how well the characters are realized comes when I led off describing the story with them before I did the Fly apocalypse. The end of the world is my favorite subgenre of horror and those elements are well represented, but Nigel and Abby's personal struggles get magnified by the stress. Nigel throws himself into work, and Abby into faith.
It is interesting view the different ways they handle it all. A human way to view the world ending.
I really loved this end of the world novel, I wanted more. I wanted to see more of the global response, I wanted to see Nigel's trip to Africa. I really love these two authors, so lets face it I just wanted a longer book. That said I am happy with what we have. If you like end of the world novels this one featuring a swarming disease infested flies is well worth your time.
February 13, 2014
(Full disclosure: I received a free e-copy of this short novel for Bram Stoker Award consideration.)
A thoughtful, character-driven approach to fly-borne plague wiping out the majority of the human race? Yes, it's possible. This near-future dark thriller has a solid SF feel to it, but I never felt that the science overwhelmed the braided stories of three individuals trying to cope with this catastrophe.
Set mainly in near future (tomorrow?) London, A Necessary End centers on the efforts of one journalist to recover a missing child -- and to redeem himself after his own research into the plague is stolen, with horrific consequences. The journalist's wife (a lupus patient), and another seemingly unrelated Londoner make up the two remaining viewpoints of this story. Snippets of international news articles provide a broader context as the action proceeds.
It's difficult to discuss the plot without introducing spoilers, so I won't -- though I will note that I suspected the ending's twist fairly far in advance. It didn't ruin a thing for me, however. I also appreciated this well-crafted narrative being only as long as it needed to be, without padding or irrelevant subplots.
A thoughtful, character-driven approach to fly-borne plague wiping out the majority of the human race? Yes, it's possible. This near-future dark thriller has a solid SF feel to it, but I never felt that the science overwhelmed the braided stories of three individuals trying to cope with this catastrophe.
Set mainly in near future (tomorrow?) London, A Necessary End centers on the efforts of one journalist to recover a missing child -- and to redeem himself after his own research into the plague is stolen, with horrific consequences. The journalist's wife (a lupus patient), and another seemingly unrelated Londoner make up the two remaining viewpoints of this story. Snippets of international news articles provide a broader context as the action proceeds.
It's difficult to discuss the plot without introducing spoilers, so I won't -- though I will note that I suspected the ending's twist fairly far in advance. It didn't ruin a thing for me, however. I also appreciated this well-crafted narrative being only as long as it needed to be, without padding or irrelevant subplots.
March 12, 2014
Best-Selling Author (creator of the urban mercenary Repairman Jack), F. Paul Wilson, of over 50 Novels (Bram Stoker Award Finalist) Produces His Best Fast Paced Intelligent Apocalyptic Thriller Yet!
Want to read
July 2, 2015This is copy 51 of 333 signed and numbered copies.
This is book 3 of 3 of Brian Keene's Maelstrom IV 3-book set.
This is book 3 of 3 of Brian Keene's Maelstrom IV 3-book set.
March 12, 2016
a great collaboration between two talented writers of Horror fiction. Though this isn't a horror story it's a horrific premise and interesting take on the 'end of the world' genre.
January 10, 2019
Plague spread by fly saliva! Great description of how the disease affects the body. Should have been right up my alley. But the angsting between Abby and Nigel gets really boring. And the progression of the story is weird. Can you really get all that excited about finding a kid in the middle of the end of the human race? The ending was also too sappy for my taste.
July 15, 2021
DNF, Too much for me.
January 9, 2014
LIFE CAME OUT OF AFRICA…
But now it’s death’s turn….
It spreads like a plague but it’s not a disease. Medical science is helpless against the deadly autoimmune reaction caused by the bite of the swarming African flies. Billions are dead, more are dying. Across the world, governments are falling, civilization is crumbling, and everywhere those still alive fear the death carried in the skies.
So, just as an aside to start this off, I’m going to have to go and check out some of F Paul Wilson’s other stories – so my to be read pile is probably about to significantly increase. Sigh. Ah well. Life throws us these curveballs…
Here we have a pretty much character driven end of days tale…following along mainly with a married couple, Abby and Nigel, as the world falls apart around them and they each find their own way of coping, it is both horrific and fascinating all at the same time.
I’m not going to say too much about what they do or why, as that really is the point of the whole thing and you need to find that out for yourself when you read this – which I highly recommend that you do – but there are many themes woven seamlessly together here, love, loss, redemption, science v faith, ultimately creating a very human story.
The writing is brilliant, I expected nothing less, but the best thing about this for me was the emotional response it elicited in me when it came to these two characters. I hated Abby with a fiery vengeance but equally I can see many readers will adore her. By the end of the book I loved Nigel with something close to hero worship, but equally I can see many readers will want to throw things. When you get characters like this, drawn with such depth and substance that they really make you FEEL then you know you are onto a good thing.
Add to that an interesting take on the apocalypse, some often disturbing descriptive prose and some very authentic scenario’s when it comes to the reactions of the general public and you have a truly terrific tale. I love reading drama’s about the destruction of humanity (hey its not just me ok?) and this is a great example of that with the added Pinborough (and Wilson of course) magic that gives it just a bit of an edge over everyone else.
Highly Recommended.
Happy Reading Folks!
But now it’s death’s turn….
It spreads like a plague but it’s not a disease. Medical science is helpless against the deadly autoimmune reaction caused by the bite of the swarming African flies. Billions are dead, more are dying. Across the world, governments are falling, civilization is crumbling, and everywhere those still alive fear the death carried in the skies.
So, just as an aside to start this off, I’m going to have to go and check out some of F Paul Wilson’s other stories – so my to be read pile is probably about to significantly increase. Sigh. Ah well. Life throws us these curveballs…
Here we have a pretty much character driven end of days tale…following along mainly with a married couple, Abby and Nigel, as the world falls apart around them and they each find their own way of coping, it is both horrific and fascinating all at the same time.
I’m not going to say too much about what they do or why, as that really is the point of the whole thing and you need to find that out for yourself when you read this – which I highly recommend that you do – but there are many themes woven seamlessly together here, love, loss, redemption, science v faith, ultimately creating a very human story.
The writing is brilliant, I expected nothing less, but the best thing about this for me was the emotional response it elicited in me when it came to these two characters. I hated Abby with a fiery vengeance but equally I can see many readers will adore her. By the end of the book I loved Nigel with something close to hero worship, but equally I can see many readers will want to throw things. When you get characters like this, drawn with such depth and substance that they really make you FEEL then you know you are onto a good thing.
Add to that an interesting take on the apocalypse, some often disturbing descriptive prose and some very authentic scenario’s when it comes to the reactions of the general public and you have a truly terrific tale. I love reading drama’s about the destruction of humanity (hey its not just me ok?) and this is a great example of that with the added Pinborough (and Wilson of course) magic that gives it just a bit of an edge over everyone else.
Highly Recommended.
Happy Reading Folks!
April 6, 2023
A new breed of flies mutates, insects that bite with razor sharp mouths, their saliva delivering a death dealing virus that kills within days: a virus that spreads across the world within a matter of months.
What's not to love, right?
Well, the premise was great. And it was interesting reading about a heavily panicked populous, covering their faces and hands with protective masks, and using sprays to keep the flies (hence the virus) from their doors. It was all the more fascinating considering that this book was first published in January of 2014. Touch of the Nostradamus, eh?
Sarah Pinborough is a damn fine writer (not to mention that she used to live in the next town over from me), and F. Paul Wilson is one of the stalwarts of the business. I've enjoyed more of his books than I have time to list. This one? Not so much.
Technically, the writing and pacing is on point. The main problem I had was with the two central characters. Nigel is a work-driven reporter, forever looking for the next big scoop. Abby is the proclaimed love of his life, and yet he would rather bury his head in work than confront his wife's illness. She is going through her own battles with the autoimmune disease lupus.
A secondary problem, at least for Nigel, is that Abby has returned to her faith. Nigel isn't a believer, and although I originally felt he was being unkind in attacking her belief system, by the end of the book her constant grinding and moaning and preaching while the world fell to sh*t... well, let's just say she'd done my head in, too.
Neither of them is particularly likeable as characters, but a larger problem still is that what started out as a creepy-as-hell premise where the flies are out to get us, mostly evaporated into a highly unlikely bout of investigative journalism; Nigel choosing to abandon his wife during her time of need, and instead sets off on a cross country search for an abducted child.
Summary: great start, but devolved into something other than I was expecting.
What's not to love, right?
Well, the premise was great. And it was interesting reading about a heavily panicked populous, covering their faces and hands with protective masks, and using sprays to keep the flies (hence the virus) from their doors. It was all the more fascinating considering that this book was first published in January of 2014. Touch of the Nostradamus, eh?
Sarah Pinborough is a damn fine writer (not to mention that she used to live in the next town over from me), and F. Paul Wilson is one of the stalwarts of the business. I've enjoyed more of his books than I have time to list. This one? Not so much.
Technically, the writing and pacing is on point. The main problem I had was with the two central characters. Nigel is a work-driven reporter, forever looking for the next big scoop. Abby is the proclaimed love of his life, and yet he would rather bury his head in work than confront his wife's illness. She is going through her own battles with the autoimmune disease lupus.
A secondary problem, at least for Nigel, is that Abby has returned to her faith. Nigel isn't a believer, and although I originally felt he was being unkind in attacking her belief system, by the end of the book her constant grinding and moaning and preaching while the world fell to sh*t... well, let's just say she'd done my head in, too.
Neither of them is particularly likeable as characters, but a larger problem still is that what started out as a creepy-as-hell premise where the flies are out to get us, mostly evaporated into a highly unlikely bout of investigative journalism; Nigel choosing to abandon his wife during her time of need, and instead sets off on a cross country search for an abducted child.
Summary: great start, but devolved into something other than I was expecting.
May 7, 2017
I had mixed feelings about this book. I was really itching to get my hands on this book. Been wanting it for awhile. At first it started off promising. The end of the world was happening and it was all to do with flies. Neat concept and was excited about continuing. Unfortunately, it had a lot of mess on a marriage gone bad with a few things happening in between. Once about halfway through, it turned into a missing persons mystery which gave it a new reason to keep reading. I was enthralled with the latter part of the book. The ending seemed more of an argument on whether there is such thing as God or is it just science. Of course, that argument will never be won and wasn't by the time the book ended. It wasn't a bad book but would have liked to seen more action. Instead it was more of a discussion on moral dilemmas.
July 23, 2018
Not your typical end of the world story. There were so many times where I thought that I knew where the story was headed (and wasn't too happy about it), and then everything fell into place. After reading too many action based apocalypse books this year it's good to slow down and really think about how an epidemic like this might play out.
I found the characters very human- everyone had realistic reactions to what was going on, and their personalities weren't whitewashed. I admit to hoping that Abby would be one of the first victims as soon as she was introduced, as I initially found her very grating, but even she grew on me.
Nicely done, especially if you're looking for a break from one of the zombies/bad guys everywhere apocalypse type of book.
I found the characters very human- everyone had realistic reactions to what was going on, and their personalities weren't whitewashed. I admit to hoping that Abby would be one of the first victims as soon as she was introduced, as I initially found her very grating, but even she grew on me.
Nicely done, especially if you're looking for a break from one of the zombies/bad guys everywhere apocalypse type of book.
May 20, 2018
This was the last of the the novellas included in the collection Midnight Duets, and it ended the book on a high note. This tale involves the near-extinction of mankind due to a virus carried by flies. As Nigel, an irreligious reporter, tries to discover the cause of the plague, his wife Abby, a devout Catholic, deals with the collapse of civilization in her own way. Pinborough and Wilson pair up nicely on this book, with a sharply written story with a great sense of pace. F Paul Wilson is a writer I've enjoyed for years, and his work is just as good with Pinborough with him.
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My Rating: 4.25/5
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My Rating: 4.25/5
May 18, 2017
I really enjoyed this book - unfortunately I found Abby a little too selfless. I tend to like characters with a few flaws - more like me. The theme of faith and death was skilfully explored.
July 6, 2021
Disappointed.. i liked the setting..but not the religious stuff, the ending is so uprupt.. not satisfied
February 1, 2022
Brilliant concept!! No 3 vac immunity in THIS plague.
December 30, 2022
Great collaboration by Sarah Pinborough and F Paul Wilson about a pandemic written before our current pandemic.
June 7, 2023
Not the horror thriller that I was expecting. Too much social and religious preaching by unpleasant characters, and with a hugely dissatisfying ending.
March 18, 2025
Really enjoyable and engaging read from page 1. I devoured it in a couple of sittings. Thoroughly recommended
March 29, 2025
F Paul Wilson is one of my favorite authors, and he delivered with this one. It's short, it's well written, and a fun plot.
January 9, 2015
Diese Kollaboration der britischen Autorin Sarah Pinborough mit dem US-amerikanischen Schriftsteller F. Paul Wilson (bekannt vor allem durch seine Handyman-Jack-Romane) war im letzten Jahr für den Stoker Award, dem wohl renommiertesten amerikanischen Preis für Horrorliteratur, nominiert und musste sich am Ende nur Stephen Kings DOCTOR SLEEP geschlagen geben. Es ist beileibe keine Schande gegen King zu verlieren, aber auch DIE LETZTE PLAGE wäre ein wahrhaft würdiger Preisträger gewesen. Der Luzifer Verlag hat sich die deutschen Rechte für diesen Roman an Land gezogen und so kommen wir recht früh zu dem Vergnügen, diese exzellente Dystopie in übersetzter Fassung lesen zu können.
Die Menschheit geht zu Grunde. Diesmal sind es keine Zombies oder irgendwelche Killerviren, die dem Homo Sapiens den Garaus machen, sondern es sind mutierte Fliegen, durch deren Bisse Menschen an einer in drei Tagen tödlich verlaufenden Autoimmunkrankheit erkranken. Erzählt wird die Geschichte des Enthüllungsjournalisten Nigel, der dem Ursprung der zunächst in Afrika aufgetretenen Mutation auf der Spur ist und seiner Frau Abby, einer an Lupus erkrankten Krankenschwester, die durch ihre Krankheit zurück zum katholischen Glauben gefunden hat. Als Nigels Story über den Ursprung der Seuche ohne wirkliche Verifizierung an die Öffentlichkeit gerät, passiert ein Unglück (der vermeintliche Verursacher der Mutation und seine Familie werden gelyncht), dass er dadurch zu kompensieren versucht, ein verschwundenes Kind wiederzufinden. Währenddessen hört die Zivilisation, wie wir sie kennen, auf zu existieren.
Das hört sich nun nach einer recht unspektakulären, fast schon typisch zu nennenden dystopischen Geschichte an. Was diesen Roman aber über andere Vertreter dieser Gattung hinaushebt, ist die Geschichte von Nigel und Abby. Das Paar hat sich entfremdet. Sie ist die schon fast fundamentale Christin und er ist der rational denkende Atheist. Die Liebe der beiden zueinander ist aber trotz aller Gegensätze und auch Spannungen zwischen den Zeilen spürbar. (Kleiner Bezug zu meiner vorhergehenden Rezension: So schreibt man in einem Spannungsroman eine Liebesgeschichte und nicht wie in WILDER FLUSS). Und an dem Konflikt der beiden wird nun beispielhaft der Konflikt von Glauben und Unglauben im Kleinen ausgetragen, der in Anbetracht des bevorstehenden Untergangs der Zivilisation auch im Großen ausgetragen wird. Hier diejenige, die glaubt, alles sei von Gott vorherbestimmt und gewollt, um die Welt von den (schlechten?) Menschen zu reinigen (darauf beruht wohl auch der Originaltitel A Necassary End - "Ein notwendiges Ende") und auf der anderen Seite der Rationalist, für den alles purer Zufall ist. Aber das Autorenduo stellt sich auf keine Seite. Beiden Möglichkeiten wird Raum gegeben und am Ende gibt es keinen „Sieger“. Wenn man eine Lehre aus dem Buch ziehen kann, dann, dass jede Einstellung zunächst einmal Respekt verdient, sollte sie auf den ersten Blick noch so fremd erscheinen. Es sei denn, sie ist einfach nur dumm und menschenverachtend, denn auch solche Einstellungen kommen im Buch zur Sprache. Das ist wohltuend anders als viele andere Dystopien, die zum größten Teil das Recht des Stärkeren propagieren, und verleiht dem Roman einen humanistischen Anstrich, der gerade in Tagen wie diesen, nicht zu kurz kommen darf.
Aber das soll jetzt nicht den Eindruck erwecken, dass DIE LETZTE PLAGE ein langweiliges philosophisches Traktat sei. Im Gegenteil: Es ist ein spannender Roman, der von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite fesselt. Die metaphysischen Aspekte bekommt man nebenbei mitserviert. Und das ist etwas, was in meinen Augen aus einem guten Unterhaltungsroman einen großartigen Unterhaltungsroman macht. Dazu kommen noch einige humorvolle Passagen, etwa ein kurzer Bericht über den Umgang Nordkoreas mit der Fliegenseuche. Als einziges kleines Manko kann man vielleicht nennen, dass gegen Ende fast etwas zu dick in Sachen Sentimentalität aufgetragen wird. Aber man hat nie den Eindruck, dass es unpassend wäre. Eher im Gegenteil. Ein fast rundum gelungener Endzeit-Roman, der berührt, zum Reflektieren anregt und dazu noch spannend ist. (14/15)
Die Menschheit geht zu Grunde. Diesmal sind es keine Zombies oder irgendwelche Killerviren, die dem Homo Sapiens den Garaus machen, sondern es sind mutierte Fliegen, durch deren Bisse Menschen an einer in drei Tagen tödlich verlaufenden Autoimmunkrankheit erkranken. Erzählt wird die Geschichte des Enthüllungsjournalisten Nigel, der dem Ursprung der zunächst in Afrika aufgetretenen Mutation auf der Spur ist und seiner Frau Abby, einer an Lupus erkrankten Krankenschwester, die durch ihre Krankheit zurück zum katholischen Glauben gefunden hat. Als Nigels Story über den Ursprung der Seuche ohne wirkliche Verifizierung an die Öffentlichkeit gerät, passiert ein Unglück (der vermeintliche Verursacher der Mutation und seine Familie werden gelyncht), dass er dadurch zu kompensieren versucht, ein verschwundenes Kind wiederzufinden. Währenddessen hört die Zivilisation, wie wir sie kennen, auf zu existieren.
Das hört sich nun nach einer recht unspektakulären, fast schon typisch zu nennenden dystopischen Geschichte an. Was diesen Roman aber über andere Vertreter dieser Gattung hinaushebt, ist die Geschichte von Nigel und Abby. Das Paar hat sich entfremdet. Sie ist die schon fast fundamentale Christin und er ist der rational denkende Atheist. Die Liebe der beiden zueinander ist aber trotz aller Gegensätze und auch Spannungen zwischen den Zeilen spürbar. (Kleiner Bezug zu meiner vorhergehenden Rezension: So schreibt man in einem Spannungsroman eine Liebesgeschichte und nicht wie in WILDER FLUSS). Und an dem Konflikt der beiden wird nun beispielhaft der Konflikt von Glauben und Unglauben im Kleinen ausgetragen, der in Anbetracht des bevorstehenden Untergangs der Zivilisation auch im Großen ausgetragen wird. Hier diejenige, die glaubt, alles sei von Gott vorherbestimmt und gewollt, um die Welt von den (schlechten?) Menschen zu reinigen (darauf beruht wohl auch der Originaltitel A Necassary End - "Ein notwendiges Ende") und auf der anderen Seite der Rationalist, für den alles purer Zufall ist. Aber das Autorenduo stellt sich auf keine Seite. Beiden Möglichkeiten wird Raum gegeben und am Ende gibt es keinen „Sieger“. Wenn man eine Lehre aus dem Buch ziehen kann, dann, dass jede Einstellung zunächst einmal Respekt verdient, sollte sie auf den ersten Blick noch so fremd erscheinen. Es sei denn, sie ist einfach nur dumm und menschenverachtend, denn auch solche Einstellungen kommen im Buch zur Sprache. Das ist wohltuend anders als viele andere Dystopien, die zum größten Teil das Recht des Stärkeren propagieren, und verleiht dem Roman einen humanistischen Anstrich, der gerade in Tagen wie diesen, nicht zu kurz kommen darf.
Aber das soll jetzt nicht den Eindruck erwecken, dass DIE LETZTE PLAGE ein langweiliges philosophisches Traktat sei. Im Gegenteil: Es ist ein spannender Roman, der von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite fesselt. Die metaphysischen Aspekte bekommt man nebenbei mitserviert. Und das ist etwas, was in meinen Augen aus einem guten Unterhaltungsroman einen großartigen Unterhaltungsroman macht. Dazu kommen noch einige humorvolle Passagen, etwa ein kurzer Bericht über den Umgang Nordkoreas mit der Fliegenseuche. Als einziges kleines Manko kann man vielleicht nennen, dass gegen Ende fast etwas zu dick in Sachen Sentimentalität aufgetragen wird. Aber man hat nie den Eindruck, dass es unpassend wäre. Eher im Gegenteil. Ein fast rundum gelungener Endzeit-Roman, der berührt, zum Reflektieren anregt und dazu noch spannend ist. (14/15)
November 4, 2014
A Necessary End follows Nigel Thompson, a reporter for a small newspaper in London, who is attempting to figure out the source of a species of flies transmitting a plague across the globe. As he returns home to a crumbling country he is forced to confront his dying, religion obsessed wife, and try to figure out the disappearance of a small boy who might be the key to ending the plague.
Wilson and Pinborough do a great job of thrusting the reader into the middle of a full-blown crisis, but making it understandable at the same time. The writing is uniformly good and the plot is generally entertaining. The story feels a lot like Children of Men (the movie not the vastly-different book) in a lot of ways, though unique enough to be distinct. There is a consistent feeling of society collapsing while the main character tries to navigate his way to the truth as society comes grinding down slowly.
While Nigel's fights with his wife and their discussions about God and religion are something I could have done without, and become a bit tiresome over the course of the book, the dialogue is sound and believable. The pacing moves along smartly as well and there are rarely down moments to trudge through. The characters aside from the above-mentioned conflicts are generally likable. Considering how Nigel is portrayed at the beginning this may not have been the case, and the authors thankfully made the choice not to make the characters unpleasant to read about. They're by no means perfect, but the book strikes a delicate balance between them being someone you want to root for and someone with human foibles.
The complaints I have are minimal. For one there's a few too many subplots going on, and the red herrings aren't all as satisfying as they could have been. The Henry plot, following a man bent on revenge was underwhelming in particular because it didn't feel like it added to the story much. Secondly, the book is short - about 170 pages - and certain aspects of the story could have been explored more. While the reader gets a taste of the chaos gripping the rest of the world from some of the news interludes in the text, I would have liked to see more about that covered.
The book is short, but that makes it a quick read. Moreover it does what a good book does - it leaves the reader wanting more rather than overstaying its welcome.
http://apocalypseyarns.blogspot.com/
Wilson and Pinborough do a great job of thrusting the reader into the middle of a full-blown crisis, but making it understandable at the same time. The writing is uniformly good and the plot is generally entertaining. The story feels a lot like Children of Men (the movie not the vastly-different book) in a lot of ways, though unique enough to be distinct. There is a consistent feeling of society collapsing while the main character tries to navigate his way to the truth as society comes grinding down slowly.
While Nigel's fights with his wife and their discussions about God and religion are something I could have done without, and become a bit tiresome over the course of the book, the dialogue is sound and believable. The pacing moves along smartly as well and there are rarely down moments to trudge through. The characters aside from the above-mentioned conflicts are generally likable. Considering how Nigel is portrayed at the beginning this may not have been the case, and the authors thankfully made the choice not to make the characters unpleasant to read about. They're by no means perfect, but the book strikes a delicate balance between them being someone you want to root for and someone with human foibles.
The complaints I have are minimal. For one there's a few too many subplots going on, and the red herrings aren't all as satisfying as they could have been. The Henry plot, following a man bent on revenge was underwhelming in particular because it didn't feel like it added to the story much. Secondly, the book is short - about 170 pages - and certain aspects of the story could have been explored more. While the reader gets a taste of the chaos gripping the rest of the world from some of the news interludes in the text, I would have liked to see more about that covered.
The book is short, but that makes it a quick read. Moreover it does what a good book does - it leaves the reader wanting more rather than overstaying its welcome.
http://apocalypseyarns.blogspot.com/
September 1, 2015
The apocalypse is on in A Necessary End. These days zombies, aliens, or a major environmental event tend to be what brings about the end of things, but in this novel, it is something more realistic, a plague that results from flies, which is a bit of an old-school concept considering the history of our planet and the diseases brought about by flies. The novel is set in the UK where Nigel is a reporter trying to uncover the start of the plague. Abby is his wife, who is among the many religious folk who seem to give up on finding a cure and have just accepted this as the will of God. People are dropping like flies (pun intended) while some crazed survivors are making things worse by purposely trying to spread the plague.
This is a tightly plotted novel, with a great deal of suspense. There are some good horror elements involved in the novel. The characters are good and bad. I think Nigel was a well-developed character, but I found Abby to be really annoying. Her fatalism and hard-headed beliefs wore on me as the novel progressed. The novel gets into heavy religious and philosophical debates. Although, I think they fit the story, they dragged on for too long and I found myself wanting to skip those parts. The writing is really strong in this novel. The pace was good, and it was in general quite entertaining. Overall, this is an enjoyable novel that I recommend.
Carl Alves - author of Reconquest: Mother Earth
This is a tightly plotted novel, with a great deal of suspense. There are some good horror elements involved in the novel. The characters are good and bad. I think Nigel was a well-developed character, but I found Abby to be really annoying. Her fatalism and hard-headed beliefs wore on me as the novel progressed. The novel gets into heavy religious and philosophical debates. Although, I think they fit the story, they dragged on for too long and I found myself wanting to skip those parts. The writing is really strong in this novel. The pace was good, and it was in general quite entertaining. Overall, this is an enjoyable novel that I recommend.
Carl Alves - author of Reconquest: Mother Earth
December 18, 2023
“A sacred child. A gift from God.”
Nigel Thompson is an investigative journalist. He’s currently on a flight from Cairo, Egypt, back to London, England—and he’s in possession of crucial information on a flash drive.
The world is crumbling. A plague. Flies.
Abby is Nigel’s wife of 8 years. Zealously Catholic and a lupus patient.
We learn Nigel’s entire story of his time in Africa. Kinshasa, the private flight when no one else will take him…venturing through the abandoned, decaying city…
Bandora Hakizimana is Malcolm’s wife’s cousin’s little boy. From Burundi, Bandora is only 2. Now Nigel must locate the special child.
Campaigns of information—and disinformation—are met with suspicion.
As usual with SP, eerie and macabre atmospheric writing. She sets the tone as well as anybody in the business.
The dark humor is sooooo SP as well. (Personally, my money is on her writing Nigel, and the man writing Abby.)
The unmasking of Dr. Rajiv Singh, the preeminent Oxford entomologist…his work in the Congo where the plague cases were first discovered. Tracing Jengo back to Zahran and the Mungu cult…
Excellent writing. Introspective, immersive, and thought-provoking. Creepy, scary, bleak—and also hopeful.
The symmetry was as awesome as it was inescapable.
Nigel Thompson is an investigative journalist. He’s currently on a flight from Cairo, Egypt, back to London, England—and he’s in possession of crucial information on a flash drive.
The world is crumbling. A plague. Flies.
Abby is Nigel’s wife of 8 years. Zealously Catholic and a lupus patient.
We learn Nigel’s entire story of his time in Africa. Kinshasa, the private flight when no one else will take him…venturing through the abandoned, decaying city…
Bandora Hakizimana is Malcolm’s wife’s cousin’s little boy. From Burundi, Bandora is only 2. Now Nigel must locate the special child.
Campaigns of information—and disinformation—are met with suspicion.
As usual with SP, eerie and macabre atmospheric writing. She sets the tone as well as anybody in the business.
The dark humor is sooooo SP as well. (Personally, my money is on her writing Nigel, and the man writing Abby.)
The unmasking of Dr. Rajiv Singh, the preeminent Oxford entomologist…his work in the Congo where the plague cases were first discovered. Tracing Jengo back to Zahran and the Mungu cult…
Excellent writing. Introspective, immersive, and thought-provoking. Creepy, scary, bleak—and also hopeful.
The symmetry was as awesome as it was inescapable.
December 15, 2014
"A Necessary End" is an "End of the World As We Know It" thriller, courtesy of one of the masters of the genre, F. Paul Wilson. (See Nightworld)
This time out he is joined by Sarah Pinborough, who lends a British flair to the storytelling.
At 177 pages, "A Necessary End" is a quick read, but because of its short form the action and plot pinball almost haphazardly to the seemingly rushed and tacked on finale.
The two main characters are likable and fully fleshed out while a rogues gallery of supporting characters come and go, their significance not fully realized. In contrast to the two main characters, this is startlingly apparent.
Still, the tale features some genuine moments of terror, using a devastating plague on humanity to drive the narrative and it derives genuine moments of horror that capture the panic realistically as the disease makes its way across the globe from The Dark Continent.
"A Necessary End" is a true page-turner, a white-knuckle thriller that leaves the reader exasperated, terrified, and frustrated, all in a most satisfying way.
This time out he is joined by Sarah Pinborough, who lends a British flair to the storytelling.
At 177 pages, "A Necessary End" is a quick read, but because of its short form the action and plot pinball almost haphazardly to the seemingly rushed and tacked on finale.
The two main characters are likable and fully fleshed out while a rogues gallery of supporting characters come and go, their significance not fully realized. In contrast to the two main characters, this is startlingly apparent.
Still, the tale features some genuine moments of terror, using a devastating plague on humanity to drive the narrative and it derives genuine moments of horror that capture the panic realistically as the disease makes its way across the globe from The Dark Continent.
"A Necessary End" is a true page-turner, a white-knuckle thriller that leaves the reader exasperated, terrified, and frustrated, all in a most satisfying way.
October 14, 2014
I wanted to love this book. I had high hopes, since I am a big fan of F. Paul Wilson, I figured it was a no brainer to grab this one. The premise is one of the most topical I can think of and the horror is real. I liked some of the characters, while others were drawn in very broad strokes. There doesn't seem to be a clear focus of action, the story is all over the place and some of the explainations for what happens seem to be ridiculous. The ending was tacked on. The story seemed to need about another 100 pages to be complete for me. It seemed rushed and unfinished. I was very disappointed.
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