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The World's End: A Gripping Irish Mystery Thriller
'ADDICITVELY TENSE - THE DEFINITION OF A PAGE-TURNER.' - DONAL RYAN'A
FANTASTIC NEW VOICE IN THE CRIME FICTION WORLD' - PATRICIA GIBNEY
What happened to Grace Doran?
On a beautiful weekend in May, Grace Doran and her friend Sarah travel to Castle Cove to stay in a luxurious summerhouse, The World's End, with Sarah's boyfriend and some of his friends.
After a night of partying and sizzling temptations, they hire a boat and sail to a nearby island. Five go out, only four return.
One year later, Private Investigator Lana Bowen journeys to Castle Cove. Haunted by a traumatic event in her past, and tormented with panic attacks, she fights her own demons as she tries to piece together what happened on the island. The further she delves, the more she uncovers – a web of deceit, betrayal and a sinister undercurrent.
Someone is desperately trying to hold on to a secret.
Truth is a shifting and elusive concept, where masks of deception hide motives and secrets
FANTASTIC NEW VOICE IN THE CRIME FICTION WORLD' - PATRICIA GIBNEY
What happened to Grace Doran?
On a beautiful weekend in May, Grace Doran and her friend Sarah travel to Castle Cove to stay in a luxurious summerhouse, The World's End, with Sarah's boyfriend and some of his friends.
After a night of partying and sizzling temptations, they hire a boat and sail to a nearby island. Five go out, only four return.
One year later, Private Investigator Lana Bowen journeys to Castle Cove. Haunted by a traumatic event in her past, and tormented with panic attacks, she fights her own demons as she tries to piece together what happened on the island. The further she delves, the more she uncovers – a web of deceit, betrayal and a sinister undercurrent.
Someone is desperately trying to hold on to a secret.
Truth is a shifting and elusive concept, where masks of deception hide motives and secrets
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 4, 2024
I like this book more than I thought at first. It did keep me guessing, and the ending was good. Nice easy fast paced read
May 7, 2024
3.5⭐️
This was a great debut novel! The premise had me intrigued all the way through, and it kept me guessing the whole time.
The World's End had so many storylines going on, the main one that was split into two parts and then the personal storylines of each main character. I thought the different storylines were handled quite nicely as details provided in each of the character's lives had me thinking of so many possible theories. I kept trying to determine if something was important in solving the mystery or if it was merely a coincidence.
While I thought the premise was great, it started off a bit too slow for my preference. That being said, once the story started to pick up, especially in part two, I was addicted and couldn't put the book down. Additionally, I would have preferred if some of the storylines were more flushed out and that there was more time spent on the ending. I loved all the different twists, but some of them seemed so sudden and without much explanation, which had me wanting more.
Even so, I thought The World's End was a thrilling read! Thank you BookSirens and Karen Fitzgibbon for the ARC.
This was a great debut novel! The premise had me intrigued all the way through, and it kept me guessing the whole time.
The World's End had so many storylines going on, the main one that was split into two parts and then the personal storylines of each main character. I thought the different storylines were handled quite nicely as details provided in each of the character's lives had me thinking of so many possible theories. I kept trying to determine if something was important in solving the mystery or if it was merely a coincidence.
While I thought the premise was great, it started off a bit too slow for my preference. That being said, once the story started to pick up, especially in part two, I was addicted and couldn't put the book down. Additionally, I would have preferred if some of the storylines were more flushed out and that there was more time spent on the ending. I loved all the different twists, but some of them seemed so sudden and without much explanation, which had me wanting more.
Even so, I thought The World's End was a thrilling read! Thank you BookSirens and Karen Fitzgibbon for the ARC.
April 27, 2024
From a casual, cordial pace to an increased lead into uneasy fun at the start, this is a riveting, well-written book that takes its time laying the groundwork to set the scene for a jolting tragedy. Then the second half starts.
There are several complex individual threads woven into the overall story, and I would have liked a little more time and detail on the summation of the biggest of the red herrings.
The drama of personal situations lends itself well to the possibilities, and I found myself caught off guard by the solution to the chilling main thread of the plot.
I did have to get used to the style of writing a lot of sentences strung together as phrases in a single sentence, although once in a while I had to read some parts over to get the correct context.
It was really hard to set this book down when I had to, once the tension kicked into high gear in part two. The time given to the several threads made multiple options plausible, and hid the full picture without seeming to until the last moment.
I would absolutely read more books like this written by this talented author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
There are several complex individual threads woven into the overall story, and I would have liked a little more time and detail on the summation of the biggest of the red herrings.
The drama of personal situations lends itself well to the possibilities, and I found myself caught off guard by the solution to the chilling main thread of the plot.
I did have to get used to the style of writing a lot of sentences strung together as phrases in a single sentence, although once in a while I had to read some parts over to get the correct context.
It was really hard to set this book down when I had to, once the tension kicked into high gear in part two. The time given to the several threads made multiple options plausible, and hid the full picture without seeming to until the last moment.
I would absolutely read more books like this written by this talented author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 6, 2024
I don’t usually read crime novels but I absolutely loved this book. I couldn’t put it down! I powered through it. Really easy read and so gripping, I had to know what was going to happen next.
July 28, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It was a very well thought out story line, which kept me wondering what had happened. With the build up being so so good, I did feel a little disappointed with the ending. It was still a good ending but it just felt a little rushed.
May 23, 2024
Loved it! Not usually a crime fiction fan but I found it hard to walk away from this book. Devoured it in a day! Kept me guessing throughout too. A page turner where you feel you are actually there, watching the action unfold from a birds eye view. Beautifully set on the coast of Ireland. Makes you want to search for 'the world's end' and the island!
May 22, 2024
An absorbing read
If you are looking for an irish mystery/thriller that will have you sacrificing sleep, this is the book for you! I loved it.
If you are looking for an irish mystery/thriller that will have you sacrificing sleep, this is the book for you! I loved it.
September 22, 2024
Grace is excited to be spending the weekend away with her friend Sarah, at a big fancy house on the coast. After a party the previous evening that includes Sarah's boyfriend and his 2 friends, the 5 of them take a boat ride to the nearby Mutton Island. But only 4 of them return. A year on, private investigator Lana is hired to find out the truth of that fateful island trip.
Split into two halves, we first have the build up to the event and in the second half, Lana is trying to work out who is behind the big incident that left one of the group on island. I don't read a lot of thriller books but I do enjoy books that have an investigator driving the story, which is why I picked this one up. I liked the premised and was really engaged in the story. I do think the ending was slightly rushed but overall it's a very solid debut novel. I read it on holiday and thought it was a fantastic holiday read!
Split into two halves, we first have the build up to the event and in the second half, Lana is trying to work out who is behind the big incident that left one of the group on island. I don't read a lot of thriller books but I do enjoy books that have an investigator driving the story, which is why I picked this one up. I liked the premised and was really engaged in the story. I do think the ending was slightly rushed but overall it's a very solid debut novel. I read it on holiday and thought it was a fantastic holiday read!
July 9, 2024
Start of the book very good, intriguing and kept me guessing. But the end was too rushed. With too good of an end for all parties. And all my questions were answered only in epilogue as a curtsey it seems. As it didn’t give the satisfaction of a finished book
June 5, 2025
What did happen to Grace Doran?
Karen Fitzgibbon’s The World’s End is a slow-burning, atmospheric mystery that slips under your skin before you know it. It all starts with sunshine and laughter; Grace and her friend Sarah are heading down to Castle Cove for what’s meant to be a carefree weekend in a fancy summerhouse by the sea. Sarah’s new fella and a few of his gang are there, and between the beers, the heat and a bit of harmless flirting, sure everything’s grand—until it isn’t.
They take a boat trip to a nearby island. Five go out. Only four come back.
A year later, PI Lana Bowen lands in Castle Cove. She’s carrying a heavy past and panic attacks that strike when she least expects them. She’s not your typical sharp-edged detective; she’s cracked around the edges, but all the more captivating for it. As she digs into what really happened to Grace, she finds herself caught in a web of secrets, half-truths, and sketchy people with plenty to hide.
The pace might be gentle starting out, but the writing more than carries it—lush, evocative, and full of tension that tightens slowly, like a rope being pulled taut. You don’t race through this one. You absorb it, bit by bit, like mist rolling in off the water.
There’s a quiet dread running through the whole story, the kind that creeps in softly but lingers long after the chapter ends. Everyone’s wearing a mask, and no one’s telling the full story. And though the setting feels idyllic on the surface, the sea air is thick with something darker underneath.
It took me a few chapters to settle into the rhythm, but once I did, I was all in. One of those reads where you keep saying “just one more chapter” and suddenly it’s well past bedtime. Recommended!
Karen Fitzgibbon’s The World’s End is a slow-burning, atmospheric mystery that slips under your skin before you know it. It all starts with sunshine and laughter; Grace and her friend Sarah are heading down to Castle Cove for what’s meant to be a carefree weekend in a fancy summerhouse by the sea. Sarah’s new fella and a few of his gang are there, and between the beers, the heat and a bit of harmless flirting, sure everything’s grand—until it isn’t.
They take a boat trip to a nearby island. Five go out. Only four come back.
A year later, PI Lana Bowen lands in Castle Cove. She’s carrying a heavy past and panic attacks that strike when she least expects them. She’s not your typical sharp-edged detective; she’s cracked around the edges, but all the more captivating for it. As she digs into what really happened to Grace, she finds herself caught in a web of secrets, half-truths, and sketchy people with plenty to hide.
The pace might be gentle starting out, but the writing more than carries it—lush, evocative, and full of tension that tightens slowly, like a rope being pulled taut. You don’t race through this one. You absorb it, bit by bit, like mist rolling in off the water.
There’s a quiet dread running through the whole story, the kind that creeps in softly but lingers long after the chapter ends. Everyone’s wearing a mask, and no one’s telling the full story. And though the setting feels idyllic on the surface, the sea air is thick with something darker underneath.
It took me a few chapters to settle into the rhythm, but once I did, I was all in. One of those reads where you keep saying “just one more chapter” and suddenly it’s well past bedtime. Recommended!
July 13, 2024
While renting a summerhouse for the weekend, five friends take a boat trip out to a nearby island, but only four of them return that night. The following morning, one of the women in the group is found barely alive on the island. The book is split in two - the first half with the events leading up to that night, and the second half, a year later, where investigator Lana Bowen is working out the truth of what happened that weekend.
Fitzgibbon certainly knows how to do tense writing, I felt such a sense of unease in the first half of this book, wanting to look out for the character Grace with every turn of the page. The first half of the book is slower than the second as it needs to build the storylines behind our characters, but around the halfway point it picks up at full speed, and I wasn’t able to put it down. With 100 pages left I had to tell my husband to leave me alone so that I could find out the ending 😅
If you’re someone who loves twists and turns, this would be a great choice, especially if you like authors like Lucy Foley. In fact, this reminded me of Foley’s book The Hunting Party, if it were set in the summer!
Overall this was a great debut from author @karen.fitzgibbon into the mystery/crime genre.
Thank you Karen for sending me this 🙏
Fitzgibbon certainly knows how to do tense writing, I felt such a sense of unease in the first half of this book, wanting to look out for the character Grace with every turn of the page. The first half of the book is slower than the second as it needs to build the storylines behind our characters, but around the halfway point it picks up at full speed, and I wasn’t able to put it down. With 100 pages left I had to tell my husband to leave me alone so that I could find out the ending 😅
If you’re someone who loves twists and turns, this would be a great choice, especially if you like authors like Lucy Foley. In fact, this reminded me of Foley’s book The Hunting Party, if it were set in the summer!
Overall this was a great debut from author @karen.fitzgibbon into the mystery/crime genre.
Thank you Karen for sending me this 🙏
August 23, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The World's End by Karen Fitzgibbon is a Gripping Tale of Love, Loss, and Lies.
This was an emotional and partly heart-breaking story of a broken life and search for the answers!
It starts like a light long weekend story that turns into a dark nightmare.
Bank holiday weekend, beautiful island, best friends Grace and Sarah, Sarah's boyfriend and his friend... careless parties and alcohol... and tragedy!
A year later, Private Investigator Lana Bowen is there to find out what happened on that horrific night when someone's life was turned into a nightmare!
I can't believe this was Karen Fitzgibbon's debut novel! I was literally glued to this book! Seriously, I could not concentrate on anything and read every single spare second because I needed to know!
What was surprising, there were quite a few characters and I was worried that I would struggle to follow but somehow author managed to present them in a way that was so easy to know who was who! Even though the chapters didn't mark who is the main character in this chapter. You just knew it! Probably because it's just one timeline so no jumping in time, I don't know but I was surprised that there wasn't confusion even once!
Thank you BookSirens for this copy! It's out already so just head to get your book!
The World's End by Karen Fitzgibbon is a Gripping Tale of Love, Loss, and Lies.
This was an emotional and partly heart-breaking story of a broken life and search for the answers!
It starts like a light long weekend story that turns into a dark nightmare.
Bank holiday weekend, beautiful island, best friends Grace and Sarah, Sarah's boyfriend and his friend... careless parties and alcohol... and tragedy!
A year later, Private Investigator Lana Bowen is there to find out what happened on that horrific night when someone's life was turned into a nightmare!
I can't believe this was Karen Fitzgibbon's debut novel! I was literally glued to this book! Seriously, I could not concentrate on anything and read every single spare second because I needed to know!
What was surprising, there were quite a few characters and I was worried that I would struggle to follow but somehow author managed to present them in a way that was so easy to know who was who! Even though the chapters didn't mark who is the main character in this chapter. You just knew it! Probably because it's just one timeline so no jumping in time, I don't know but I was surprised that there wasn't confusion even once!
Thank you BookSirens for this copy! It's out already so just head to get your book!
May 31, 2025
Another fantastic book...thank you so much for writing this book Karen. I greatly enjoyed reading this book too. And I highly recommend this book to all of the mystery and suspense lovers out there. You will love the book I am sure.
This book is all about a beautiful weekend in May when Grace Doran and her friend Sarah travel to Castle Cove to stay at a luxurious summer house. The World's End, with Sarah's boyfriend and some of his friends, The house is gorgeous and the partying goes almost all night. The next day they all decide to hire a boat and sail to a nearby island for the day. Five people go out but only four return.
One year later, Private Investigator Lana Bowen journeys to Castle Cove, trying to get answers from that terrible day. She is talking to everyone that she can find that might know anything. The more she uncovers and the secrets, betrayal and lying begin. Someone is desperately trying to hide a secret of what actually happened to Grace Doran. Will we ever find out what actually occurred on that boat? Was Grace pushed overboard on purpose? If so who did it?
This book is all about a beautiful weekend in May when Grace Doran and her friend Sarah travel to Castle Cove to stay at a luxurious summer house. The World's End, with Sarah's boyfriend and some of his friends, The house is gorgeous and the partying goes almost all night. The next day they all decide to hire a boat and sail to a nearby island for the day. Five people go out but only four return.
One year later, Private Investigator Lana Bowen journeys to Castle Cove, trying to get answers from that terrible day. She is talking to everyone that she can find that might know anything. The more she uncovers and the secrets, betrayal and lying begin. Someone is desperately trying to hide a secret of what actually happened to Grace Doran. Will we ever find out what actually occurred on that boat? Was Grace pushed overboard on purpose? If so who did it?
May 20, 2024
This was such a great read. It was very engaging and a nice balance between the time before the incident and afterwards and flashbacks. There were enough twists to keep it interesting. The basic premise is there is a terrible accident and an investigator is trying to piece it all together. In this way, you get different accounts of what people know and the truth is finally revealed. There are other backstories included too. It takes place in Ireland. The writing was straight forward and easy to read. I didn’t love just one piece of the story that just didn’t seem cohesive with the rest. I think it was meant as a red herring maybe but it didn’t quite hit its mark with me. Otherwise, a great story that I would highly recommend. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 13, 2024
I quite enjoyed this book. There were a few minor blips that I think the author could have fixed. E.g at the beginning someone is described wearing a white shirt twice. Another weird one for me was when one character was in a rush to get to a house “didn't have to tell me twice” thinking, but then detours and goes swimming and is the last one to arrive back at the house.. huh?
I think I read another reviewer mention how the ending kind of came to an abrupt wrap. which I kind of understand how it seemed rushed compared to the rest of the story. I do feel like there could have been a little more depth there. Overall, it was a great vacation read and I couldn't put the book down til I finished.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I think I read another reviewer mention how the ending kind of came to an abrupt wrap. which I kind of understand how it seemed rushed compared to the rest of the story. I do feel like there could have been a little more depth there. Overall, it was a great vacation read and I couldn't put the book down til I finished.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 7, 2024
Really enjoyed reading this book. From the very start it had my interest. The story is very well laid out. In the first half We get a picture of each character and their stories kept me interested and intrigued to see where they fit in the overall plot. The second half of book kept me guessing all the way until the reveal at the end. The ending wrapped everything up very neatly and sometimes is it better to leave the reader wanting more. Definite recommend this book and looking forward to next one
May 13, 2024
This book is this authors debut and it didn't disappoint!
Plenty going on to keep readers interested, but not done in a confusing way.
I wasn't sure where this book was heading, and I kept changing my mind throughout.
Although the ending wrapped everything up and answered all questions I had, I did personally feel it was slightly rushed - it has such a big build up, then it was over very quickly, but like I said, nothing was left open which I liked.
Really enjoyed it and would recommend.
Plenty going on to keep readers interested, but not done in a confusing way.
I wasn't sure where this book was heading, and I kept changing my mind throughout.
Although the ending wrapped everything up and answered all questions I had, I did personally feel it was slightly rushed - it has such a big build up, then it was over very quickly, but like I said, nothing was left open which I liked.
Really enjoyed it and would recommend.
January 4, 2025
❌❌OMG!! ❌❌
Firstly, apologies to the author @karen.fitzgibbon , for taking a while to read and review your book. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ This lovely lady sent me a proof copy of her first book.
I’m mad …soooo mad, that I took so long to read it. It was fabulous and I absolutely had no clue, as to how this was going to go/end. (I’m good at guessing bits usually 🤣🫢)
You need TO READ THIS BOOK . ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://www.instagram.com/bookstagram...
Firstly, apologies to the author @karen.fitzgibbon , for taking a while to read and review your book. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ This lovely lady sent me a proof copy of her first book.
I’m mad …soooo mad, that I took so long to read it. It was fabulous and I absolutely had no clue, as to how this was going to go/end. (I’m good at guessing bits usually 🤣🫢)
You need TO READ THIS BOOK . ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
https://www.instagram.com/bookstagram...
January 30, 2025
Finally getting to review this excellent debut and thanks to Karen for sharing an early copy of her book with me. It was a very addictive read with lots of secrets & lies being uncovered. The writing style was really easy to read and the characters were well developed. With plenty of twists and turns, it was a very good read which I'd certainly recommend to fans of twisty storyline! Looking forward to the next book by Karen de
August 7, 2025
Thanks to BookSirens, publishers and author for an ARC of The Worlds End.
I read this after reading the second book in the series. I really enjoyed both books, but this one seemed to skip over certain details referred to in the second book. It slightly skipped and jumped and the ending was a little anti climactic, but I will be sticking with this series and look forward to the next books to be released.
I read this after reading the second book in the series. I really enjoyed both books, but this one seemed to skip over certain details referred to in the second book. It slightly skipped and jumped and the ending was a little anti climactic, but I will be sticking with this series and look forward to the next books to be released.
May 9, 2024
This book was incredibly gripping, making it one of the most captivating books I have read in quite some time. Donal Ryan's endorsement on the front cover, labelling it "Addictivelt Tense The definition of a page turner," perfectly encapsulates the essance of the book. Ir was truly a fantastic read and I couldn't put it down.
May 9, 2024
A real who's done it page turner. Beautifully written by Karen Fitzgibbon, this book allows the reader to be fully immersed in the stunning setting while creating a head scratcher of what happened on "That Island" . I would highly recommend as I've given it five stars. Karen brings each and every character to life in her book while keeping the suspense throughout. Buy it now you won't regret it.
June 11, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I think parts didn't need to be included, but overall, it was a great book and I hope to read more from this author.
Five friends go out on a boat one day, and only four return. The one that didn't return is found later in the water by a local - still breathing but hurt pretty bad. She has no recollection of what happened that awful night. Lana, a private investigator is hired to find out.
Hearing the story leading up to the accident - and then finding out what really happened will have you question everything.
Five friends go out on a boat one day, and only four return. The one that didn't return is found later in the water by a local - still breathing but hurt pretty bad. She has no recollection of what happened that awful night. Lana, a private investigator is hired to find out.
Hearing the story leading up to the accident - and then finding out what really happened will have you question everything.
July 21, 2025
I recently read Never Look Back by this author, which I thoroughly enjoyed, leading me seek out another of her books pretty promptly.
This was another cracker…I might have enjoyed it even more than Never Look Back. I often describe good books as 'unputdownable', but for me, it's more theoretical than practical, i.e. if I could find more time to read, I wouldn't be able to put the book down! In this case, it absolutely was practical. I was virtually carrying my Kindle around the house, grabbing any five minutes I could to race to the end.
Well plotted with characters that come to life…be they goodies or baddies…this is a gripping story of a weekend in a beautiful Irish fishing village that turns very sour indeed, changing one young life forever.
A totally absorbing and gripping read.
This was another cracker…I might have enjoyed it even more than Never Look Back. I often describe good books as 'unputdownable', but for me, it's more theoretical than practical, i.e. if I could find more time to read, I wouldn't be able to put the book down! In this case, it absolutely was practical. I was virtually carrying my Kindle around the house, grabbing any five minutes I could to race to the end.
Well plotted with characters that come to life…be they goodies or baddies…this is a gripping story of a weekend in a beautiful Irish fishing village that turns very sour indeed, changing one young life forever.
A totally absorbing and gripping read.
May 29, 2024
Such a good read,
Definitely coming back to read more when they come out. Such an amazing story.
Definitely coming back to read more when they come out. Such an amazing story.
June 22, 2024
Lovely book
Lovely book, great read, lovely story to hold your interest. A holiday read looking forward to another book from Karen.
Lovely book, great read, lovely story to hold your interest. A holiday read looking forward to another book from Karen.
January 3, 2025
Too much exposition right at the end. Felt rushed. Started very well, but the second part was disappointing.
June 2, 2025
Very good read
Very easy to read. Only 324 pages. I would recommend this book and am looking forward to reading her next book.
Very easy to read. Only 324 pages. I would recommend this book and am looking forward to reading her next book.
August 30, 2025
After what I felt was a slow but interesting start the story took off. I really liked PI Lana and found I couldn’t put it down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews