It Ends Here

by Heidi Perks

'I couldn't stop turning the pages' Andrea Mara
'A pulse-pounding thriller' Lucy Clarke
'Keeps you guessing right until the end' TM Logan

________________________________________________

You are one of five strangers whose day will start with the worst phone call imaginable.

Your loved one is in danger.

They are part of a group trapped in a café in a sleepy marina town.




The young barista on the early shiftThe bestselling novelist looking for a writing spotThe husband on his way back from a work tripThe influencer mum whose picture-perfect life isn’t the whole truthThe woman starting her birthday with a quiet coffee
As the hours tick by it will soon become clear that one of them has a secret they would kill to keep.

How well do you know the person closest to you?

________________________________________________

MORE PRAISE FOR IT ENDS HERE:

'Original, nail-biting and compulsive, It Ends Here is a stunning psychological thriller... the plot is terrific but it's Perks' vividly drawn characters and emotional acuity that make this a truly thrilling read.' Gilly Macmillan

'Such a refreshing take on the ‘whodunnit’. Emotional, tense and twisty, as we’ve come to expect from the brilliant Heidi Perks. This is definitely her best yet. An absolute must-read!' Caz Frear

‘Makes you question how well we ever really know those closest to us. Tense, twisty and unputdownable’ Asia Mackay

‘I’m blown away by Heidi’s plotting. It Ends Here is so compulsive and gripping, brilliantly constructed. She’s at the top of her game, an absolute superhero of the genre – so impressive’ Sabine Durrant

‘A gripping exploration of how well we know the people we love. You'll immediately want to discuss this book with all of your friends’ Kelly Mullen

'‘A story chock full of secrets, lies and doubt. It kept me up way past my bedtime!’ Emylia Hall
‘Heidi Perks combines taut suspense with an extraordinary understanding of human nature and high-stakes relationships. Every page tightens the grip on an utterly propulsive plot. It Ends Here is immersive, insightful, and impossible to put down. I was hooked from the very first page!’ Amanda Cassidy

'I loved this book.' Jane Corry
‘A tense, compulsive, deeply emotive thriller whose intriguing cast of characters had me invested from the first page... An utter triumph and totally unmissable!’ A.A. Chaudhuri

'A multi-layered, hugely intriguing story with jump off the page characters – I couldn’t stop turning the pages to find out what was going on, loved it!' Andrea Mara

‘Packed with secrets, twists, and smart reveals, this pulse-pounding thriller kept me guessing until the final page’ Lucy Clarke

‘An intense, immersive thriller filled with enough secrets and lies to keep you guessing right to the very end’ TM Logan
________________________________________________

<

Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 26, 2026

About the author

Heidi Perks lives on the south coast, spending her time writing by the sea. She gets all her inspiration for her books from the beautiful towns on the coast, imagining dark things happening in the most prettiest of places. Apart from one all her books are set along the south of England.

Heidi's seventh books, SOMEONE IS LYING is out March 2025. Her other six books include three Sunday Times bestsellers, Now You See Her, Come Back For Me and The Whispers, and two Richard and Judy picks including The Last Resort.

She is currently writing book eight which will be out in 2026.

Reviews

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say this was not the book I was expecting to read. When I read the synopsis of this one, what was not to love? A hostage situation in a sleepy marina town. Five people in the small café but who is the hostage taker and, more importantly, why? All set up for a thrilling novel.

However, despite the fact there are thrills and action within this book, it is very much character-driven and we actually spend very little time in the cafe with the hostages (and hostage taker) until the final chapters of the book. Instead, the book is told from the perspective of the husband, wife, partner, grandparents of those inside and the affect that the situation has on them too. Why were there loved ones in there? Do they really know the ones they love the most? And the largely unspoken truth, four of their loved ones are victims but one is perpetrator.

Like I say, not the novel I was expecting but in a way the drama was almost secondary to the investigation and the examination of relationships which was a completely different take on this type of book. I really enjoyed the ending too which is always satisfying

Thanks to Netgalley and Random Housing UK Cornerstone/Penguin for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about a hostage situation in a cafe.
The book concentrates on the family of the people involved in the situation and on their family circumstances. At first you don’t know which one is holding the others hostage.
I found the book slow but it had twist and turns to keep me interested.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tense and twisty read I couldn’t put down! It Ends Here kept me on edge the whole way through, never quite sure how things were going to play out. The story unravels slowly and clearly, and while the ending wasn’t a big surprise, I really enjoyed how everything came together. Loved it

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heidi Perks is one of my goes to authors and her books never disappoint. Her new book It ends here is no exception.
When a gunshot is heard at 7.30am coming from The Boatside café at the marina on the isle of Wight. They know that it is a hostage situation. With five people in there due to Jennie that works there, and some cars parked in the carpark. But what they don’t know who they are and who is holding them hostage and why?
Detective Aaron field oversees the situation and must gather information from the relatives of the victims and decide who is the hostage taker and why the other four people are being held hostage? The relations claim that each person doesn’t know each other. But there must be some link. As it can’t be a coincidence that they are there.
Thank you for the publisher for a copy of It Ends here. At first, I be honest with you I found this to be quite slow I felt a bit overwhelmed with the backstory of each character and wondered the relevance. But then the tension ramped up a notch, that kept me guessing who the hostage taker and the story had finally come together. This turned out to be a great read with its original storyline. 4 stars from me.

[Sammy Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Took a while this one but only because I was reading other books round it, as usual Heidi didn't disappoint a decent thriller as always

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

“It Ends Here” by Heidi Perks delivers a tense, compelling ride that grips you from page one and those “who could be the shooter?” questions don’t let up until the final, shocking twist.

From the outset, the multiple points of view are a huge win. Perks alternates between perspectives in a way that doesn’t just shuffle characters; each shift pulls you deeper into the fabric of the tension, letting you see hidden motives, unspoken fears, and private thoughts. You get closer to every hostage, every suspect, and that makes the guessing game all the more fiendish: just when you think you’ve pinned who the shooter might be, a new perspective springs up to undercut that theory.

One of the book’s strengths is how it keeps you guessing throughout. The clues are dropped carefully, not so subtle that you miss them but not so obvious you can solve it in a single chapter. Twists unfold in layers, the pace keeps climbing, and you’re constantly reevaluating: maybe it’s person A, or B, or could C have an angle nobody saw coming?

The family dynamics among the hostages are fascinating to explore. Each family is different, and Perks uses that not just as backstory but as fuel. You see how people behave under duress; how long-held grudges burst open; how alliances shift. These relationships aren’t just window dressing, they become central to the suspense, because you care about these families, understand their flaws, their hopes, their secrets. That emotional stake heightens every moment of crisis.

The pacing is tight. The narrative doesn’t drag. Moments of raw, high-stakes confrontation are balanced with quieter scenes, just enough breathing room to let you absorb, to reflect, to wonder. Then suddenly you’re back in the chaos. Perks handles this with skill so that there’s never a lull that feels unnecessary; every scene pushes forward, either by revealing character, deepening mystery, or ratcheting up tension.

Overall, the structure of “It Ends Here” is a triumph. The shifting perspectives, the interwoven backstories, the layering of clues all build toward a conclusion that feels earned, not just a twist for twist’s sake. Everything fits: misdirection, revelations, emotional arcs. And yet there’s still room to breathe, to feel, to mourn, to hope.
If there’s any drawback, it might be that at times the sheer number of perspectives can blur before key moments, keeping track can demand sharp attention. But that’s also part of the pleasure: the challenge of untangling it all.

In short, “It Ends Here” is clever, urgent, and emotionally resonant. It delivers on suspense and character in equal measure and keeps you guessing until the very end. For anyone who loves thrillers that engage not just the mind but the heart, this one is well worth your time.

[Denis Wheller · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a hostage situation who suffers most; the hostages, their families, or the hostage taker? In a café on the River Medina in Newport, IOW, five people constitute the first and last of these, but at first there is no one in the middle category. The first police know of the situation comes from a slightly vague report of a gunshot in The Boatyard café at the marina from a witness who is very specific that the only people who entered were the waitress who opened up that morning, and four others who arrive individually but within a few minutes of each other. The relevant police force is based at Southampton, twenty miles away on the mainland, almost all of that distance being by ferry. DI Aaron Field is hesitant because of the tenuous evidence (and possibly the trip), but as time goes by and no one has come out of the café he decides that one of them must be holding the others at gunpoint and travels to the scene. He knows the identity of the waitress, of course, and tracing car registrations gives him three of the individuals. Relatives of all the names are brought to the scene, and questioned in an attempt to connect the people who arrived, did they know each other, did their relatives know that they’d planned to be there. An important gap is the identity of the fifth person. An even more important concern is the lack of any communication from the hostage taker, since routine police procedure is to negotiate, which requires someone to negotiate with. The longer the wait the more likely it is that something will go wrong and people will die.
Hostage books almost always concentrate on the dynamics within the group who are held, and the background and motive of their captor. Backstories come out of these interactions, tensions are built. The other usual interaction is that between the hostage taker and the police. This book does neither. We don’t know what is going on inside the café, we hear the thoughts of the hostage taker, but we don’t know who they are, we don’t know the motive, we don’t know the relationships, if any, between the people held captive or their connection, if any, to their captor. Like DI Field we have to gather all this from the families and thus identify who is the one with gun and formulate a motive. The writing is strong, the plot is clever, the solution is deducible without being obvious. An entertaining puzzle. And when its done you can try to answer my question at the start.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow just wow! This book is a slow burner but in a good way, it has everything you want.. suspense, mystery and twists and turns that make you think you know where it's heading but every single time i thought i knew where it was leading i was wrong and shocked.

It ends here starts with a bang literally, a gunshot has gone off in a café in a sleepy marina town with 5 people inside, one of them is the one with a gun and the others hostages. Slowly it delves into who they all are and what led them to be taken hostage or if it was just arriving at the wrong place at the wrong time. The loved ones of those inside the cafe feel like their loved ones have nothing to hide and have no reason why this is happening to them but after getting short pov's of the one with the gun you slowly realise as the book goes on they were brought there for a reason and they want the truth one way or another.

Throughout the read i was wondering myself why there were being held hostage and didn't see the twist and then of course as the different POV's of the loved one's family members went on i thought i finally knew who the one with the gun was but no when it was finally revealed i was gobsmacked literally! The twist of why this event was unfolding was really heartbreaking and i really felt for what the character had and was going through. Some characters i definitely didn't like maybe 1 or 2 in particular but overall the many POV's kept you engaged and learning about their backstories and has you thinking How well do you know the person closest to you?

I really enjoyed this book, there was so much twists and turns and tension throughout the whole read. I managed to read it in a matter of hours and couldn't wait to find out the reason this event had came to be. A definite must read for those who enjoy a thriller with unlimited amount of suspense and thrills. I really look forward to what the author will bring out again in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers Random House UK, Cornerstone | Penguin for the copy of this arc in exchange of my full honest review.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A twisty, emotionally charged thriller, It Ends Here, is a tightly woven, high-stakes story that grips from the opening scene and never lets go.

The novel begins with a chilling setup, a witness sees five people enter The Boathouse café at a marina on the Isle of Wight and moments later, a gunshot rings out. When police arrive, they find the café locked down, with no clear idea of who is the aggressor and who might be in danger. What follows is a tense, fast-paced hostage situation that unravels layer by layer through multiple perspectives.

Officer Aaron Field leads the delicate operation, working frantically to identify the hostage taker and understand their motive before more lives are lost. Outside the café, family members gather in mounting fear, their stories and secrets gradually revealing the tangled connections that bind everyone involved.

Perks expertly alternates between the perspectives of those on the outside and the haunting inner thoughts of the hostage taker, maintaining a relentless tension while constantly shifting the reader’s suspicions. Each chapter peels back another layer of deceit, trauma, and betrayal, and just when you think you’ve figured out who’s behind the gun, Perks pulls the rug out from under you.

What makes It Ends Here so compelling isn’t just the mystery, it’s the emotional depth beneath it. This is a story about the lingering scars of the past, about how secrets can destroy lives, and how one moment of violence can echo across years. The final revelation is both shocking and deeply human, with the kind of devastating clarity that Perks handles so well.

Gripping, clever, and full of emotional punch, It Ends Here is an expertly plotted thriller that keeps you guessing right until its final, heart-stopping twist. A multi-layered psychological thriller that’s as moving as it is suspenseful.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Random House UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Elli (Kindig Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have previously read and enjoyed other books by Heidi Perks, such as Come Back for Me and For the Last Time, so I was excited to request her latest novel – It Ends Here.

At 7am a gunshot is heard from a café on the marina on the Isle of Wight. 5 people are inside - 4 victims and a perpetrator, but who is innocent and who is holding the gun?

From the first chapter of It Ends Here I was hooked, the introduction to this book is perfectly paced with a shock reveal to have you off balance in the best possible way. The book does not let up in this throughout, the twists come fast and all the little assumptions you may have made as you read are quickly turned on their head.

This isn’t an action-packed book about the hostage situation, it’s more of a character driven plot about the people inside the café – their friends and family, and the race to find out which of them is holding the gun and why. The book alternates chapters from each person’s perspective – they all seem to have secrets, and my mind was constantly trying to work out what was happening and changing course as more and more things were revealed. There was just the right number of characters and family members to keep track of as well, so that nothing became confusing.

I did find it slightly odd that no contact is made with the café in the 6 hours they are there, and I think perhaps the conversation had in the room could have taken a lot shorter time, but I guess these were needed for the overall arc. The ending which wrapped up the storylines for each character and showed us the aftermath and consequences of the event was satisfying.

Overall, It Ends Here is a twisty thriller which had me hooked. Thank you to NetGalley & Random House UK – Cornerstone for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For more of my reviews check out Kindig Blog

[Roroblu'sMum · Rating 5 out of 5]

5* Utterly engrossing, and without the faux-gloss of Big City tales. Well narrated; with plausible characters, main and peripheral; a sad underlying reveal; and justice done for one, leaving me a little sad for the person in prison at the end.

I got an email from the publisher offering me this book, and having read one by this author before, I simply said yes and dove in blurb unread. Which was the best possible way to have read it.

It's done in the unidentified voice of the person who's lured all the others to the café to get to a trith in their shared past and deliver their long-held-back justice. It's impossible to tell if they're male or female, as all the persons that've been identified as present could be the one holding the gun. Which ends up going off, fatally, at the start of the tale. And going off once more at the end.

Their nearest and dearest are brought in to try and shed light on a possible connection between them. The cops are a bit slow to respond, but start to pick up clues. The nearest and dearest end up with reveals about their loved ones that make them wonder how well they knew them, if at all. Some of the hostages end up being slightly more remorseful than others. A couple try to spin things. The co-biggest baddie, a truly horrible person, got the ultimate just desserts. The other co-biggest baddie got off too lightly for me who wanted to see justice done, but I felt they'd be in a hell of their own making. The tale was a masterpiece of dovetailing, bloody good writing, preparation, plotting and execution. Couldn't fault this at all, and felt really sorry for the perpetrator of the meet-up.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Penguin Random House for my reading pleasure.

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Heidi Perks, and Penguin Random House for providing me with this ARC!

This story was intriguing and suspenseful in how we watch the different perspectives and stories unfold and come together. Something about this story started feeling menacing and scary—like we didn’t know anything about anybody, and nothing connected. We were manipulated to explore theory after theory by the author, and I still could not figure it out until right before the plot twist. The way this whole incident became more than what we initially thought. I loved how, before the instant, we slowly started to strike out who our hostage taker could be.

Once all the pieces of the puzzle came together, it told a really tragic and sad story. In the end, can we really blame the perpetrator?

I loved all the different perspectives of the hostages family Rather than the actual hostages themselves because it shows us how much you don’t know about a person Rather than the actual hostages themselves. After all, it shows us how much you don’t know about a person. It was fascinating to watch all the different moving components finally come together and weave the tale we were told. Additionally, I really enjoyed Hannah’s ending chapter! However, I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there was just a small bit missing for me, which is why it didn’t hit the five-star mark.

This also reminded me that I like mystery thrillers that follow police investigations, even though it can be pretty frustrating when you don’t feel like you’re actually getting anywhere.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of thriller that doesn’t just grip—it unsettles. It Ends Here opens with a nightmare scenario: five strangers trapped in a café, each with someone they love in danger. The setup is taut, but it’s the slow reveal of secrets that makes this story truly compelling.

Heidi Perks has a gift for peeling back the layers of ordinary lives to expose the fractures beneath. The cast—a barista, a novelist, a husband, a picture-perfect influencer, and a woman quietly celebrating her birthday—feels real and flawed, each carrying something they’d rather keep buried. As the hours tick by, the tension builds not just from the situation, but from the question: how well do we really know the people closest to us?

The pacing is sharp, the atmosphere claustrophobic, and the emotional stakes high. Perks doesn’t rely on shock alone—she crafts suspense from character, from choice, from the quiet dread of watching things unravel. It’s twisty, yes, but also thoughtful. You’ll finish it wanting to talk about it, to pick apart the decisions, the betrayals, the truths that surface when everything else falls away.

Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell and Claire Douglas, this is a thriller with heart, teeth, and just the right amount of chill.

With thanks to Heidi Parks, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Claire Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A puzzling isolated mystery with a difference.

This book was fab! I’ve not read this author before but I would definitely seek out more of her crime fiction. Her writing was methodical and so commanding making it really hard to find a place to comfortably stop.

What I loved most about this book in the way in which it was delivered. 5 strangers held, presumably, hostage within a cafe on the Isle of Wight. No demands, no proof of life and an uncertainty of everyone’s identity. The only sign that there is cause for concern was the unmistakable sound of a gun shot.

Now most novels of this ilk would be set within the drama, inside the cafe and with the characters battling it out to figure out why they are there and how to get out. Not this one! Heidi, very cleverly places the reader firmly on the outside. Told from the perspective of the concerned relatives and the DI I charge on the investigation. The reader not only has to figure out why this is happening and who might be the one responsible for the gun shot. With no comms from the inside, the reader must pick apart the lives of their families to find the answer.

Thoroughly enjoyed it but felt the ending could’ve been a bit shorter/tighter.

Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of ‘It Ends Here’ by Heidi Perks, due to be published on 26 March 2026 by Random House UK, Cornerstone.

A witness sees five people enter The Boathouse cafe at a marina on the Isle of Wight, then a gunshot is heard. He tells the police exact details of what they were wearing and the times they arrived.

Deciding that this is a hostage situation, attending officer Aaron Field must work quickly to try and establish who the hostage taker is and their motive. As family members of the hostages begin arriving, he must piece together the information they have, to help bring an end to the situation.

This was gripping storyline, with many threads of the current and previous lives of the hostages and their families. Interspersed chapters are told from the point of view of the hostage taker, leading you to think it could be any of them as their motives remain unclear. Secrets and lies lead to the conclusion, along with the devastating impact the past has had on the hostage taker. It was certainly not who I thought it was going to be! A great thriller that keeps you guessing. A recommended read.

[mrs s j john · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the things I most enjoyed about this book was the way the story unfolded through the eyes of each character, in their own words. Creating depth and understanding the motivations, fears, and secrets each person carried.

The ending snowballed quickly — in the best way possible. I found myself completely hooked, and constantly second-guessing my own "whodunnit" theories. Leading to a thrilling conclusion and all questions answered.

What truly stood out, though, was how the final revelations were handled. As everything came to light, the emotional weight of each character’s choices lingered. It made me reflect deeply how I might behave if faced with the same dilemmas. The book didn’t just entertain; it made me think and feel empathy for more than one character.

If I had one wish, it would be for an additional chapter or epilogue set years later — a glimpse into how the characters move on from the revelations, and what came next. Still, that longing only speaks to how invested I became. This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and why Heidi Perks remains one of my favourite authors

[Mrs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I did feel it started slow but all the characters had to be introduced and boy did it then get interesting. The book is set in a café on a marine in the Isle of Wight. Early one morning a boat owner hears a gun shot and reports it to the Police. It transpires there are 5 people in the café and they have been taken hostage. Why? The Police eventually track down the families of most of the 5. All the families say it cannot be mine. Eventually as the story progresses the family members begin to wonder how well they know them. The Police collate the information on each hostage looking for a common denominator but this takes time and the man in charge has to make a decision whether to storm in or let the drama play out. Eventually they find the link and it goes back many years. The story follows through each hostage and their lives and on the base of it, it was difficult to decide who did it. I got it wrong. They are so many dramas played out and the tension does get better as you read along. The characters were interesting and their background stories were interlinked well. I really enjoyed reading this book by Heidi Perks – roll on the next one

[Sharon Valler: Live Love Read Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a hard-hitting and twisty thriller which kept me guessing. For so long, I was convinced I knew who the hostage taker was - until I wasn’t! Superb writing and clever red herrings had me hooked from the start and I loved that this is a different take on other hostage books I’ve read, in that we know very little about the hostages; we don’t know who of the five people in the building is the hostage taker and we don’t know why they have acted in this way..

The story mainly focuses on the loved ones POV’s, questioning how well they really know the person closest to them and when the smallest doubts crept in, it transpired that it really could have been any of the group holding the gun.

As the truth began to emerge, I felt so much sympathy for the hostage taker. Of course, there is never justification for the actions they took, but I could relate at some level to the experience they had, the anxiety that had led to and the massive long term impact it had on the direction their life subsequently took.

A gripping read, I loved it.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Heidi Perks and Random House, Cornerstone, for an ARC of this book.

[Saleha Tabassum · Rating 4 out of 5]

On one eventful morning on a picturesque island, five people find themselves held hostage in a charming little café by a marine officer. A witness reports hearing a gunshot, but strangely, no contact is made with the police. No one knows the motive behind this shocking act — and detective Aaron, leading the case, can’t shake the feeling that something far more complex is unfolding.

As the story progresses, we learn that every relative of the hostages carries a secret of their own — and those secrets only make it harder to uncover the truth. I was completely hooked by the 20% mark. The short chapters, each ending with a gripping cliffhanger, kept me turning the pages late into the night.

While the beginning moves at a slower pace and shifts between multiple POVs, once the story finds its rhythm, it becomes unputdownable. The last 40% is especially intense — a true page-turner that keeps you on edge.

My favorite character was Ede Hodgan — a beautifully written, grounded, and resilient woman who has endured so much yet remains kind at heart.

This is a slow-burning mystery thriller and an emotional roller coaster. It brilliantly explores how childhood trauma shapes who we become, making the ending both haunting and deeply satisfying.

[Saffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve really enjoyed all of the author’s novels and feel that she is getting better with each novel. I raced through It Ends Here in less than 24 hours and it was a gripping and tense read.
It starts on an early weekday morning when DI Aaron Field gets a call in Southampton about an incident at a marina on the Isle of Wight. It soon becomes clear that 5 people are in a cafe and one of them is a gunman.
The reader follows the police investigation as we gradually learn who is inside the cafe and meet their family members who are forced to consider that their loved one might be the gunman. We don’t find out their identity until near the end of the novel as their motive is gradually revealed.
I loved the pace of this novel which builds the tension as the author slowly reveals the lives of those inside the cafe and we get to know about their partners and families.
A compelling read that I was completely immersed in and would highly recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
4.5 stars.

[Paula Sterling-Stead · Rating 5 out of 5]

A psychological twister that delivers on every level.

The plot opens on the Isle of Wight. Five people have been taken hostage in a small cafe. What is odd is that they were supposed to be somewhere else. As the news gets out, their families become overwhelmed and suspicious, as they gather with the police. Liv has just found out that after years of trying she is pregnant and makes her way to the cafe in the hope of breaking the news to her husband. Eventually it becomes clear that one of the five is indeed the hostage taker. Now the puzzle is to pick away why the four have been chosen and what connection they all have with the hostage taker. As expected, Heidi Perks takes you on an intricate journey as you explore the back stories of each character. Through suspense and tension, we wait with the other on-lookers for the outcome.

This is a story about childhood trauma, broken families, and murder told through the various voices of those affected. I loved every moment of it.

Thank you NetGalley and ARC for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication.

[Gordon Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

It Ends Here is a good thriller, and a little different. A small cafe on the Isle of Wight is the scene, and a gunshot is heard early in the morning. The cafe is shuttered and no communications are possible. The selling point here is that the narrative is told almost exclusively from those outside - the police trying to make contact and the relatives seeking news.

As time goes on, the police identify five people in the cafe - but not who has the gum. It is assumed they are holding the others, but there is no explanation. This is suspenseful, and we learn a little about each from their relatives. The story eventually comes together and the secrets are revealed.

The novel is well written and entertaining, although the police officers feel underwritten. Most do not even get names and they are very passive throughout. Little attempt is made to contact those inside the cafe or to gain intelligence.

[Sue Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having enjoyed all of the author’s previous novels I had high expectations for this latest offering and I definitely wasn't disappointed.
'It Ends Here' had me gripped from the start when a shot was fired in a cafe on the marina on the Isle of Wight where it seemed 5 people were inside with 4 of them being held hostage - but who was the gunman and who were the hostages?
As the story unfolds we gradually learn who is inside the cafe and meet their family members who are forced to consider that their loved one might be the gunman. Tension builds as we gain insights into the characters inside the cafe and their back stories from their family and friends on the outside.
A compelling read with a great set of characters , an intriguing plot and a surprising final reveal.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced reader copy of this highly recommended twisty thriller.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very good, I read it in a few sittings. I didn’t guess who was responsible for taking the others hostage and this book was full of surprises right to the very last pages.

Five people were locked inside The Boathouse cafe in a marina on the Isle of Wight. A gunshot was heard but no demands were made and nobody could make contact with any of the people they believed were inside the building.

The detectives investigating were slowly starting to identify the majority of the people but they had no idea who, of the five people inside, were hostages and who was the one in possession of the gun.

Family members started to arrive and it looked like they were all withholding something from the police. Each of them refused to believe that their family member was the one responsible for holding the others hostage.

A book full of surprises and twists and turns.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[janine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love this author and have pretty much read, and enjoyed, every single book they have written, unfortunately I didn't overly enjoy this one 😕

In all honesty, I think it boils down to one thing.... the pacing! The start felt really drawn out, the middle seemed to flag and the end wasn't a surprise. It never felt like I was getting anywhere with it.

I enjoyed the multiple POVs and the way the characters lives we're all entertwined. I particularly liked the perspective of the hostage taker, it added another dimension to the storyline that felt original.

Personally this felt more like a character led drama than a suspense novel which would explain the drawn out pacing and lack of intensity that I was expecting.

Whilst this one wasn't for me, it would be perfect for those who like layered, character driven storylines.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the ARC.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

You are one of five strangers whose day will start with the worst phone call imaginable. Your loved one is in danger. They are part of a group trapped in a café in a sleepy marina town.

The young barista on the early shift. The bestselling novelist looking for a writing spot. The husband on his way back from a work trip. The influencer mum whose picture-perfect life isn’t the whole truth. The woman starting her birthday with a quiet coffee.

An excellent slow-burn story where the clues build slowly each reveal adding to the hugely tense atmosphere. For a long time the police, and therefore the reader, have no clue as to why this siege is happening but then the clues are drip-fed leading to a first-rate and completely credible climax.

My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin RandomHouse UK for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sk

Just before 7,30 am gunshot is heard coming from The Boathouse Cafe at the marina on the Isle of Wight, It soon becomes clear that this is a hostage situation but nobody really knows who is inside apart from Jenny who works there. Two others are identified as their cars were parked outside and a local man witnessed others going inside. No demands have been made and the phones remain unanswered. As the police try to find a link between the five people, the families of those concerned arrive at the marina and they are all adamant that their relative is not the hostage taker. Told from the points of view of the police and the relatives and the hostage taker, this was an extremely enjoyable read. As the story developed I kept changing my mind as to the identity of the hostage taker. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity of reading an ARC of this book.

[Christine Rennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It ends here by Heidi Perks is a psychological thriller and keeps the reader guessing as to who are the victims and who is the hostage taker. Five strangers all receive phone calls that the loved one is being held hostage in a cafe in a marina in a sleepy backwater. All of the strangers converge on the marina but the police don’t know who or why there is a hostage situation and who is keeping the other people hostage.
It is a mesmerising storyline with a gripping backstory that the reader doesn’t get to know until near the end.
The characters are all ordinary everyday people or so their love ones believe. Everyone will examine the relationships that they have with their partner or loved one but only one person will lose their partner before the siege ends.
A fascinating story with believable characters and how one event bound them all together.
Highly recommended

[Lisa Tristram · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a good thriller/mystery and the blur on this book sounded so interesting. I have mixed reviews after completing it. For me it was a bit of a slow burn and for the first quarter of the book i honestly lost interest and was struggling to continue reading but I have to admit it did pick up. I like the idea of a hostage situation and especially the view of the situation came from the outsiders rather than the hostages. There are quiet a few different view points and you have to remember who is related to who but it does work overall. There was a good twist at the end and I like the way we get a decent epilogue for a change and the reader gets to read about each characters ending it tied everything up and didnt leave you feeling " oh is that it". I will definitely try more from this author in the future

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've read any of Heidi Perks' books before, then you will know what to expect, high-quality writing, suspense and a thrilling read from start-to-finish.

'It Ends Here' is no different. Focussed around a mysterious hostage situation, this book starts with a bang, quite literally. With an eye-witness seeing 5 people enter the small cafe on the Isle of Wight where the book is set, and where the gunman, one of whom must be one of the 5 customers that entered the cafe that morning.

With the ongoing hostage situation taking place behind closed doors, the book turns to focus on the family and friends of those, that haven't turned up to work or meetings, that may have been seen entering the cafe. With a coming together of terrified family members at the site, tensions brew as the mystery of whether their loved ones are a hostage or a potential gunman.

I thought this book was brilliant, and I loved the way the characters unfolded. I have recommended it to people at work, who will surely snap up a copy once the book is released. However, I was a little miffed that I was able to guess at the hostage taker from page 1 and there were very little (strong) twists to sway that suspicion, however the why is good enough to finally give this book 4 stars.