The Ending Writes Itself

by Evelyn Clarke

A PROPULSIVE DEBUT MYSTERY FROM EVELYN CLARKE, THE BRILLIANT AND DIABOLICAL CREATION OF CAT CLARKE AND V.E. SCHWAB

Six authors.

One private island.

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

“Smart, original and completely addictive. . . . The Ending Writes Itself is both a great locked-room thriller and a brilliant satire on the publishing industry. An absolute must-read.”—Karin Slaughter

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.

Starting is often the hardest part. But getting to the end could be murder.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Fiction, Adult, Books About Books, Contemporary

352 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication April 7, 2026

About the author

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.

source: Amazon

Reviews

[Victoria Schwab · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this book so many times by now, I feel I should definitely get credit (I’m one half of Evelyn Clarke).

[Ricarda]

Just when I thought that my V.E. Schwab era is over for good, she co-authors a mystery thriller and has my full attention again.

[Youssra (semi ia)]

V.E Schwab bamboozling all of us and co-authoring this book under a pen name is one of my favorite discoveries this year.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

When requesting this book, I did not know about the hype currently surrounding this one and the ongoing mystery of who the person (or persons should I say?) behind Evelyn Clarke really is.

All I know is whoever they are, they can write a hell of a thriller.

This is packaged as a mystery/thriller but also a satire on the publishing industry and, having read it, I can only be glad I'm a reader and not a writer. That does not sound like a good industry to be competing in!

The novel tells the story of the death of Arthur Fletch, famous, bestselling author who recently died having left the unfinished manuscript for his last novel. Determining that the book must be finished, 6 authors are invited to Arthur's remote island to compete for the honour of finishing his last novel. As the competition ramps up, so do the bodies and it's clear that someone would kill to finish off Arthur's last book.

First and foremost, this is a brilliant mystery, with red herrings, twists and turns galore. Just when you think you have it sussed, it's clear that you don't! But it also seems to be a great satire of the cutthroat nature of the publishing industry, of which I know next to nothing, but it seems like a very difficult industry to thrive in, although I'm sure many people love it.

All in all, a great novel and I can't wait until it's released next year to find out the real Evelyn Clarke!

Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Booksblabbering || Cait❣️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mystery thriller written by VE Schwab and Cat Clarke.

When a famous, reclusive author dies before finishing his final book, 5 mid-list authors from different genres (thriller, romance, YA, sci fi, and horror) are invited to secretly spend 72 hours on the author’s isolated island, with no access the outside world. They must finish his manuscript, competing against each other to get a million pounds deal.

This doesn’t start off as a mystery or thriller. Rather, it is an insider’s look at the publishing industry. This is a common motif throughout. Similar to RF Kuang’s Yellowface, this is a cutting portrayal of the glamour and facade of being an author.

With the variety of genres present, this also comments on the perceptions of genres too. From editing, to marketing, to readers, to other authors. There is a snobbery and hostility towards genres that exists. This has been made clearer with the rise of booktok and the rising hate against romantasy - or faerie porn.

Each character has a reason to pursue the prize. Anyone not in the industry, not an author or hopeful, may never know how brutal publishing is. Becoming a published author is not ‘dream accomplished’. Getting that job in a publishing house does not mean you can glide through life on a high.

I do wish this touched more on the diversity aspect of publishing which it breezed through despite having a black romance author and editor.

I liked how each perspective changed depending on the genre each character wrote in. I especially enjoyed the horror author’s drier, wittier outlook.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the plot twist. I guessed it as an option, but quickly disregarded it as being too cheap and completely against the commentary in this book.
However, the epilogue slightly redeemed this.

Fast-paced and biting, this thriller kept me hooked.

Arc gifted by HQ Stories.

Bookstagram
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[Melanie (meltotheany)]

♡ signed b&n copies (available as of november 9th + this is ve schwab and cat clarke's collab pen name!)

[Anniek · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long-time V.E. Schwab fan, I couldn't believe my luck when I won an early copy of the thriller they co-wrote with Cat Clarke! Of course, I dove right in. Since I read it so early, I'll be careful not to give too much away in my review.

Right from the start, I was pulled DEEPLY into this book. I was just immediately so into it. I took my time reading it to savour everything. I found the writing so engaging, and every single character felt so real and interestingly flawed. I especially had a lot of fun with how self-aware this book is. I'm not a huge thriller reader, but I found that this, as a locked room (well, island) whodunit, combines all of the elements I enjoy in the genre.

[Colby · Rating 5 out of 5]

"secrets don't stay secret for long in publishing" and, reader, the identity of evelyn clarke—the devious and brilliant alter ego of v.e. schwab and cat clarke—is a secret i've had to keep for a very long time. THE ENDING WRITES ITSELF was one of my most anticipated novels of 2026, and i can't begin to explain to you how much sheer delight i experienced in its pages. at once a stellar locked room thriller, an incisive critique of the publishing industry, and a darkly hilarious look into the reality of seven competitive writers sharing an abandoned mansion, THE ENDING WRITES ITSELF not only lived up to my expectations, but quickly surpassed them by leaps and bounds.

as lyrical as schwab's novels and as cinematic as clarke's screenplays, evelyn clarke's debut goes down like whisky and settles like the thrill of a good game. every publishing experience within this book is pulled from reality—be it something that happened to schwab, clarke, or someone they know—and what makes this novel work, beyond its incredible premise and execution, is the sheer honesty of it. it is the satirical, wild ride of YELLOWFACE meeting the atmospheric tension and mysterious twists of AND THEN THERE WERE NONE. it's the literary murder mystery of your dreams, and there's nothing that makes me happier in the perfect wake of it than knowing that there's another evelyn clarke book on the horizon to follow.

having followed both schwab and clarke for years and seeing the ways their careers weaved and separated from one another, i knew them coming together to take on the publishing industry like this would be a match made in heaven, and i loved every second of being proven right. if this book somehow wasn't already on your list after harper's phenomenal marketing campaign, here's me telling you to put it there. it's going to be one of the biggest books of next year, and i can't wait to see evelyn clarke's star rise.

THE ENDING WRITES ITSELF is out april 7, 2026, and is available for preorder wherever you get your books! 🖋️

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published April 7, 2026.

3 stars

This little mystery, by authors Cat Clarke and V.E. Schwab, begins with the tale of Arthur Fletch, a famous crime novelist. He’s working on his very last book when….he dies, leaving it unfinished. This book is the biggest thing in publishing and his publisher and agent don’t want to admit that it is unfinished so they decide to have a secret contest of midlist authors to see which one can come up with the best finish….that person will get two million dollars and a contract and the whole event will take place on Fletch’s Scottish island.

Competing are two thriller writers (that will be explained,) a romance author, a YA scribe, a sci-fi writer, a horror author and someone who is an up-and-comer, but, for whom, it would be their debut work. However, some people are lying and some are murderers.

This was cute, even though I felt like I had seen some (but not all) of it before. Still enjoyable, though. I was very worried about SPOILER! (you’ll know when you read the book) but it all worked out.

[vicky.]

Me encantó The writing retreat. Me gustó You’re fatally invited. Este me tiene que gustar también, lo manifiesto.

[Dion McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

My weekend read was The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke and I don’t have words. HQ have surely got one of the biggest hits of 2026 in their hands. We all know the publicity going around - Evelyn is a pen name for two authors. Both published for over a decade, one a multiple times NYT bestseller and the other not. This book blends genres, amps suspense and tension, and keep the guesses going until the end. Throw in an epilogue to spice things up more and what’s left is one of the best books I’ve read this year. This one really need to hit everyone’s TBRs

[Mick · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5*

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

EVELYN CLARKE IS A FRAUD!!

Unless you’ve been living under a rock or stuck in a real housewives hole, you’ll know that Evelyn Clarke doesn’t exist. She is a fictional author created by TWO top secret writers who clearly got together and said “What if we caused absolute chaos in the publishing world?” Mission. Accomplished.

Thanks to the legends at hqstories, I got an early peek at this fever dream of a novel and let me tell you—IT SLAPS.
It’s a cross between a Knives Out Mystery and The Traitors. It’s giving secrets, it’s giving sabotage, it’s giving “I trust no one, not even myself.” At one point I was fully expecting Claudia Winkleman to burst out and ask the key players if they were a traitor or faithful because even I was unsure who to trust and who not to.

Told through multiple POVs, this book is an UNHINGED and WILD ride. I finished it in two days and now I just sit here, emotionally unstable and side-eyeing everyone in my life.

Can I tell you anything about the plot? Absolutely not. Do I want to? Of course I bloody do. But I won’t. Go in blind. Go in confused. Come out SHOOK.

The true authors are being revealed soon and all I have to say is - Whoever they are: you’re chaotic and I love you.

[daphne · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝐒��𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠.”

.. I sure hope this one does. I’m not really a thriller reader, but I gladly made an exception for this writer duo (as a huge VE Schwab fan & getting to know Cat’s writing). The Ending Writes Itself had me hooked - I ended up binge reading it! The satirical take on publishing was great and surely comparable to Yellowface by R.F. Kuang. The build up was exciting and kept me going. Not a single one of these characters were without flaws, which is also something I enjoy reading. I of course cannot give too much away, just… add this to your tbr, you won’t regret it! This was one of my most anticipated 2026 releases and I’m so immensely grateful I got to receive an early proof copy 🥹

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

World famous author Arthur Fletch is dead and his final novel remains unfinished. His publisher has invited six midlist authors to his private residence in Scotland to present them with the opportunity of a lifetime, whoever writes the perfect ending to the book gets millions of dollars. With only a short amount of time and no access to the outside world, they just have to write, although starting is the hardest part. But getting to the end could be murder.

Ever since I heard about the Ending Writes Itself and the mysterious Evelyn Clarke, I have been so intrigued and excited to read! Not only is there plenty of mystery in the story but also around the identity of the two authors who are behind pseudonym Evelyn Clarke. Whoever the authors are it is clear they are exceptional writers and have merged together seamlessly, the writing flows perfectly.

I was invested as soon as I started the story, loving all the premise, creative devices and getting an insight into different genres. The chapters are told in the view of different characters and each were compelling in their own right, having their own unique voice. Even though there were quite a few characters introduced early on, I found it was never confusing and I could easily picture each of them individually.

The story has a focus on the publishing world, creating an awareness behind the realities of this industry and the difficulties authors can face. I found it hugely fascinating. The remote Scottish setting was atmospheric and creepy, helping to build the tension and suspense. With a clever, original narrative and plenty of red herrings I never knew if the authors were sending me up
The garden path or not. The only incredibly small niggle I had was it felt a tad long and a slow burn at times, however it worked well to help build up the storyline and anticipation.

This certainly ended up being a book that I will carry on thinking about and I can see this being a massive hit! It is definitely one that I will be talking about a lot and recommending. 4.5 stars. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Evelyn Clarke. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

[amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, wow. Where do I even start?

I almost fell out of my seat when I saw I’d been approved for an ARC of The Ending Writes Itself, because I’ve been anticipating its publication ever since I started noticing the clever marketing centred around Evelyn Clarke, the pseudonymous author duo (and honestly, no, I have no idea as to who they could be, but I’m very impressed at how seamless the writing is – I’d have had no clue two people wrote this if I hadn’t been told beforehand).

The basic premise already had me hooked – a group of authors locked away, tasked with writing the ending to a prolific and now-very-much-dead writer’s final book, but when I actually started reading it and realised it was so much more than that, I devoured it in just over a day. The characters are incredibly compelling, and I became quite attached to almost all of them despite my best efforts (I knew, after all, that this story would result in at least a few bodies), the plot twists kept hitting me out of left field, and the meta commentary on the publishing industry was so hard-hitting and spot-on.

I’m well and truly a sucker for books about people who work in publishing, so I knew from the get-go that I’d love this, but I didn’t anticipate just how much of an impact it would have on me. I can’t wait to reread it knowing what I know now, and most importantly, I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy! My only gripe is that I currently have no one to talk (or rather, scream incoherently) to about this incredible novel.

Thank you so much to HQ for the advance copy!

[Ageminireader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I generally am quite sparing with my 5 star reviews, I think. But if anything immediately pulls me out of a slump then 5 stars it gets, and I absolutely ate The Ending Writes itself.

Towards the climax my favourite of our writers, Agatha Christie’d on a remote Scottish island, utters the words ‘anything can be horror if read right’. And I kind of read this book that way. Every time they split up, were forced away from one another, or you got a new perspective that hinted at misfortune I was so eager to find out ✨why✨. And maybe that’s why I found this so addictive. Because this is one of my favourite authors writing in a moreish blend of two genres I don’t normally touch. But I needed to know the secrets and I needed them now.

Whoever wrote the comp titles for this needs a raise. Yellowface meets And Then There Were None is the perfect way to describe The Ending Writes Itself, with a wee dash of Turton mixed in there. And I say that in the most affectionate way possible. Those were all bold claims, but the book lives up to them and all the hype.

Pick it up. Go in blind. Read nothing about it (kind of shoot g myself in the foot with the review I guess), and have a great time.
There genuinely was more I wanted to say about this one, but in the 2 hours since I’ve finished it I’ve done nothing but want to read.

(If my gushing hasn’t convinced you, read it for Kenzo. The man is an icon)

[Cindy (leavemetomybooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Harper for the ARC (pub date: April 7, 2026)

This was fine, but I think maybe my locked room mystery era has ended.

[GemsLiteraryGems · Rating 3 out of 5]

When big-name author Arthur Fletch dies before he finishes what is meant to be his final novel, his agent and editor decide to keep it under wraps and get it finished using a ghostwriter. But of course they don't just do that and instead they get 6 midlist authors to compete to write the ending. Of course they don't tell the authors that Arthur is even dead until they're trapped on his private island, an NDA signed and all their electronic devices locked in a time-locked safe for 72 hours. Whoever writes the best ending wins a once in a lifetime contract. Only before long the competition turns deadly.

The story is told through multiple POVs - Cate (debut novelist), Kenzo (horror), Jaxon (sci-fi), Priscilla (romance), Millie (YA), Malcolm and Sienna (thriller duo writing). Although that works well, particularly when a character who is narrating is subsequently murdered, it does mean that we miss some of the depth of backstory for each of them, which is a shame as it gets hinted at on a few occasions, but we never actually go back to follow up or explain why its relevant. The house is a character in itself, with hidden corridors and potentially deadly props scattered liberally throughout (somebody please move the antler bouquet for the love of god!), the island gives a sense of being trapped and the incoming storm is pathetic fallacy if I ever saw it. But for me it just felt like something was missing. The characters don't seem to be that bothered when someone dies, it borders on ranting about how publishing is not fair to midlist authors on more than one occasion and the ending feels a bit rushed. That being said, its a fun and quick read, and for the first time in ages it's a thriller that hasn't been compared to Knives Out, which is strange as it actually bears resemblance to it towards the end! Read it expecting lots of death and a decent whodunnit without much gore.

[Gabi(Ravi SinghxPip Fitz-Amobi's version)]

This should be done more,so interesting and one of the authors is V.E Schwab

[clara:) · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was fun, i know which world famous author i want to die next (of natural causes) (fuck terfs)

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been dying (pun intended) to read this book since I first heard about it, so I’m incredibly grateful to Harper Collins for allowing me to read it so early.

‘The Ending Writes Itself’ is a uniquely meta crime novel, where crime writing and the publishing industry are the subject of the thriller itself. It begins with a group of authors being summoned to the remote home of a famous crime author under the pretence of a writing retreat. When it is revealed upon arrival that the author is dead and they have been tasked with writing the ending to his final novel, calling the publishing industry “cut-throat” becomes a little too on the nose. A competition for the publishing deal of a lifetime becomes a deadly intellectual battle for a handful of writers struggling to make their way onto bestseller lists, and not everyone will live long enough to write their own endings…

This book was written with expert precision, especially given that multiple anonymous authors wrote it together. The real identities that comprise ‘Evelyn Clarke’ are kept secret from us but many clues are provided for the avid readers of the genre to guess, forging an additional ingenious layer on top of an already extraordinary premise. Not only are we trying to guess the killer, but also who is writing the killer; it’s truly brilliant and unlike anything I’ve ever read before.

It was so fast paced, on account of both the exceptional plotting and the frequent perspective changes; there were times when I literally couldn’t turn the pages quick enough. All of the plot twists and the big reveals and the red herrings that constantly keep you guessing, mixed together to concoct the perfect mystery; where the dots are all there, you just can’t join them in the right way to find the solution.

This was a thrilling ode to crime writing, as well as the authors and publishers that put stories into our hands and blow our minds. It not only fulfilled all of my expectations but created new ones and smashed through those as well.

This will create a seismic shift in the crime genre in 2026; it deserves all the praise I anticipate it will get when it is published.

[Rachel_loves_to_read · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolute rollercoaster of a read!

This book has so much hype around it, but rightly so! Could I figure out the 2 authors under the pen name of Evelyn Clarke? No…. I couldn’t even tell there were 2 people writing this!

So the story is about Arthur Fletch- a renowned author who tragically died before writing an ending for his final book. His publishing company, Merryweather Press have an opportunity of a lifetime for 6 up mid list authors: to write an ending to complete his legacy. In return, the chosen ending/author will receive one million dollars for said ending, plus another million dollars and a 3 book contract.

Sounds simple? Wrong- these authors have just 72 hours to write the ending for the book, whilst shut off from the world in a creepy ass castle on a remote Scottish island….

This book was told through multiple pov and was definitely suspenseful. It was mysteriously twisty and now that I’ve got to the end I can see there were clues throughout the book!

Thank you so much to HQ publishers for the advance read. I have never run to Netgalley so fast to request a book, and this one did not disappoint! Opinions expressed here are my own.

[Caroline O'Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so intrigued by this book and couldn’t wait to get my hands on it and start reading.

Set in a small castle on an island in Scotland, the story brought together a fascinating cast of authors from different genres, all gathered for the same mysterious reason. I especially loved how it began with chapters written in different genre styles before shifting to a chapter per character format, letting us step inside each author’s mind.

The storyline felt unique, which I really appreciate, and I enjoyed how it all played out. That said, it didn’t quite blow me away the way I hoped. The pacing slowed a little in the middle for me, which took away some of the tension.

Still, I’m glad I read it. The premise was fantastic, and the atmosphere was spot on.

Guessing the authors here, I’m guessing Lucy Foley along with a male author, I was leaning towards Stig Abel but I feel like his books are more imagery heavy, so I’m not 100% but definitely male (I think)

[Kalina Atanasova · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy from the publisher and was delighted to have an early start to this brilliant new collaboration of authors.

I don't usually read thrillers or horror but to quote Kenzo "Everything is horror." and this books proves that.
For the first two-thirds of this book I wasn't sure where the story would stand. It seemed to define genres and at the same time follow them to the letter. But at it's core this is not a book about a murder, it's a book about the publishing industry and the different ways it chews people out - as "the final girl" would prove that.

I wasn't hooked on the characters from the get-go even though I am a writer and could relate to them. But they became more appealing and real as the book progressed.

At its core I think this is a book about hope - hope that if more people know how the publishing industry operates, it's wicked ways could be thwarted or survived. And it's also about people, just trying to survive and achieve their dreams. Maybe you could find a mirror of yourself in it.

[eka · Rating 1 out of 5]

The ending writes itself… straight into disappointment.


I picked up The Ending Writes Itself at an op shop for $15 which was incredibly lucky and I convinced myself it was destiny. I’d just added it to my TBR days before, so when I spotted it on the shelf, I figured the universe was telling me to grab it right then.

I’m genuinely sad I didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d hoped. I was lucky to get my hands on an ARC of this book, and I know plenty of people would have killed to have a copy (pun very much intended).

The premise reminded me of The Labyrinth House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji , so I went in expecting that I would absolutely enjoy this one too. Instead, I got unlikeable characters with a lot of filler pages. More than half the book focuses almost entirely on just two characters, and the rest of the plot gets squeezed in at the last minute. The pacing is painfully slow — nothing major really happens until about 60% of the book.

I didn’t like how the story ended. I thought it was rushed and way too convenient. Overall, I wanted to love this book, but the heavy focus on a small portion of the cast, the slow build, and the rushed ending left me disappointed. Fun idea, but the execution could have used a little more… balance.

[Evelyn Evertsen-Romp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun, a well written whodunnit always makes me happy. It reads really easily, this is hard to put down.
I also admire the underlying message about how (un)fair publishing is. This must feel like a warm hug for midlist authors (I learned a new word, midlist!) from VE Schwab. And I love that she wrote this with an author who is clearly talented, but not world famous.

[Shannon Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very classic murder mystery premise which quickly pulls you in. I loved the interwoven commentary on the publishing industry and breaking of the fourth wall. I enjoyed how each of the different authors POV played into the stereotypes and tropes of their genres. This book felt like a little wink to all the readers and writers out there.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[ryan ⚡︎]

9/14/25 - THEE VICTORIA SCHWAB DEBUNKED THE COWRITING MYTH ACTUALLY TRUE OMGGG

[Carola · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75*