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To the End of Reckoning
After a traumatic brain injury alters a curmudgeonly psychiatrist’s mind—leaving him agitated and confused but obsessively observant—he enlists his reluctant son to help investigate a colleague’s mysterious suicide . . .
Twenty-three-year-old Lukas Moore has returned to his hometown of Faith, New York, and left his burgeoning acting career behind to care for his father. Dr. Richard Moore is a psychiatrist known for being nearly as misanthropic as he is brilliant, but a recent traumatic brain injury has left him dependent on his begrudgingly attentive son and has changed his worldview in unexpected ways. Attuned to the slightest detail, Dr. Moore now sees mysteries where other people see settled facts—nowhere more so than in the disappearance of his former colleague and neighbor Dr. Jason Grant.
One year ago, Jason’s shoes, watch, and car were found beside a nearby lake and no trace of him has been found since. The obvious conclusion was suicide, despite Jason’s youth, wealth, and successful career as a child psychiatrist. Only two people question his fate: Richard, obsessed with fragments of memory, and Misty, Jason’s younger sister and Lukas’s high school girlfriend.
When Misty asks for the Moores’ help in finding out what really happened to her brother, Lukas takes the chance to resolve his father’s obsession and to reconnect with someone he may still have feelings for. As Lukas, Richard, and Misty are drawn into the puzzle, however, they are forced to confront the secrets behind both Jason’s disappearance and Richard’s injury. Sometimes the deepest mysteries are found in the people we think we know best.
Twenty-three-year-old Lukas Moore has returned to his hometown of Faith, New York, and left his burgeoning acting career behind to care for his father. Dr. Richard Moore is a psychiatrist known for being nearly as misanthropic as he is brilliant, but a recent traumatic brain injury has left him dependent on his begrudgingly attentive son and has changed his worldview in unexpected ways. Attuned to the slightest detail, Dr. Moore now sees mysteries where other people see settled facts—nowhere more so than in the disappearance of his former colleague and neighbor Dr. Jason Grant.
One year ago, Jason’s shoes, watch, and car were found beside a nearby lake and no trace of him has been found since. The obvious conclusion was suicide, despite Jason’s youth, wealth, and successful career as a child psychiatrist. Only two people question his fate: Richard, obsessed with fragments of memory, and Misty, Jason’s younger sister and Lukas’s high school girlfriend.
When Misty asks for the Moores’ help in finding out what really happened to her brother, Lukas takes the chance to resolve his father’s obsession and to reconnect with someone he may still have feelings for. As Lukas, Richard, and Misty are drawn into the puzzle, however, they are forced to confront the secrets behind both Jason’s disappearance and Richard’s injury. Sometimes the deepest mysteries are found in the people we think we know best.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2026
About the author
Joseph Moldover
5 books198 followersJoe Moldover is a writer and clinical psychologist who lives and works in the Boston area. He has written a number of short stories (often under the name Joseph Sloan), as well as works of nonfiction focusing on issues of health and disability. He is the grandson of the novelist Sloan Wilson, author of The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit.
Joe's second novel, Just Until, will be available through Holiday House in October 2024. His debut, Every Moment After, was published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2019.
Joe's second novel, Just Until, will be available through Holiday House in October 2024. His debut, Every Moment After, was published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 27, 2026
Father-Son as a Holmes-Watson team
A review of The Mysterious Press eBook (April 21, 2026) released simultaneously with the hardcover.
This was an unconventional mystery and I especially enjoyed it for that reason. Dr. Richard Moore has been injured in a car accident and his son Lukas has moved back home from his nascent acting career in New York City in order to care for him. Richard's wife and Lukas' mother has left the home for reasons that are eventually revealed.
Dr. Moore was always rather distant and curmudgeonly, but his personality has now changed in a way that has made him sharply observant, but also prone to making unfiltered verbal commentary about his observations. He has become obsessed with the case of the apparent suicide and subsequent disappearance of a fellow doctor Jason Grant. When Jason's sister also returns home for the 1-year anniversary of her brother's death (the body not having been found) a trio is formed to investigate further. The alliance turns shaky but the truth eventually comes out.
I am usually suspicious of cover blurbs by fellow authors due to having been disappointed by many in the past, but I have to confess that William Kent Krueger's "To the End of Reckoning blew me away. Once I picked up the piece, it was impossible to put down. The unusual Holmes-Watson pairing of father and son was pure delight. And after writing twenty mysteries of my own and reading hundreds of others, it's a joy to find a story whose twists and turns are so wonderfully unpredictable." actually lived up to its statement, despite the fact that The Mysterious Press misspelled his name on the cover as William Kent Kreuger (sic) 🤪. They might fix that later, so I have immortalized it below:
Footnote
* So did I, see further information at What is dendritic arborization and why is it important.
Trivia and Links
The title of the novel is taken from the quote: "Truth is truth, To the end of reckoning" excerpted from William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure (1604), which is also used as one of the novel's epigraphs.
Author Joseph Moldover is a clinical psychologist and is also the author of previous YA novels of which Every Moment After (2019) is the most popular to date (based on current GR ratings and rankings). He is also the author of the non-fiction booklet The Empowered Parent: Thinking About Your Child's Disability (2012) a short guide for parents of children with special needs. To the End of Reckoning is his first adult-themed novel.
A review of The Mysterious Press eBook (April 21, 2026) released simultaneously with the hardcover.
The waiter probably didn’t even know what “limited dendritic arborization” meant (I had to look it up*). The issue was the perseveration, the relentlessness, the step too far, beyond the signals that would warn other people to stop.
This was an unconventional mystery and I especially enjoyed it for that reason. Dr. Richard Moore has been injured in a car accident and his son Lukas has moved back home from his nascent acting career in New York City in order to care for him. Richard's wife and Lukas' mother has left the home for reasons that are eventually revealed.
Dr. Moore was always rather distant and curmudgeonly, but his personality has now changed in a way that has made him sharply observant, but also prone to making unfiltered verbal commentary about his observations. He has become obsessed with the case of the apparent suicide and subsequent disappearance of a fellow doctor Jason Grant. When Jason's sister also returns home for the 1-year anniversary of her brother's death (the body not having been found) a trio is formed to investigate further. The alliance turns shaky but the truth eventually comes out.
I am usually suspicious of cover blurbs by fellow authors due to having been disappointed by many in the past, but I have to confess that William Kent Krueger's "To the End of Reckoning blew me away. Once I picked up the piece, it was impossible to put down. The unusual Holmes-Watson pairing of father and son was pure delight. And after writing twenty mysteries of my own and reading hundreds of others, it's a joy to find a story whose twists and turns are so wonderfully unpredictable." actually lived up to its statement, despite the fact that The Mysterious Press misspelled his name on the cover as William Kent Kreuger (sic) 🤪. They might fix that later, so I have immortalized it below:
Footnote
* So did I, see further information at What is dendritic arborization and why is it important.
Trivia and Links
The title of the novel is taken from the quote: "Truth is truth, To the end of reckoning" excerpted from William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure (1604), which is also used as one of the novel's epigraphs.
Author Joseph Moldover is a clinical psychologist and is also the author of previous YA novels of which Every Moment After (2019) is the most popular to date (based on current GR ratings and rankings). He is also the author of the non-fiction booklet The Empowered Parent: Thinking About Your Child's Disability (2012) a short guide for parents of children with special needs. To the End of Reckoning is his first adult-themed novel.
June 27, 2026
Excellent story.
March 2026 Mystery Club Book @thepoisonedpenbookstore.
The actual book release date is April 21,2026.
There will be an author interview live-streamed from The Poisoned Pen Bookstore (FB & U-tube) on April 29, 2026 and then available on their U-Tube files.
This book drew me in from the beginning and didn’t let up.
I look forward to reading more adult books by Joseph Moldover.
I highly recommend The End Of Reckoning!
UPDATE: This is Joe Moldover’s first adult novel.
Another adult novel is expected next year (2027). I’m looking forward to reading that one, too.
Also, there is an interview between Hank Phillippi Ryan and the author on social media available at A Mighty Blaze: Crime Time, date June 23, 2026.
March 2026 Mystery Club Book @thepoisonedpenbookstore.
The actual book release date is April 21,2026.
There will be an author interview live-streamed from The Poisoned Pen Bookstore (FB & U-tube) on April 29, 2026 and then available on their U-Tube files.
This book drew me in from the beginning and didn’t let up.
I look forward to reading more adult books by Joseph Moldover.
I highly recommend The End Of Reckoning!
UPDATE: This is Joe Moldover’s first adult novel.
Another adult novel is expected next year (2027). I’m looking forward to reading that one, too.
Also, there is an interview between Hank Phillippi Ryan and the author on social media available at A Mighty Blaze: Crime Time, date June 23, 2026.
April 25, 2026
Book# 35 2026
"To the End of Reckoning" ~ Joseph Moldover
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A title like this swings a heavy blade, and "To The End Of Reckoning" largely earns the weight it promises.
This is the kind of story that feels like it’s always moving toward something inevitable, like distant thunder you know will eventually crack overhead. Moldover leans into themes of consequence, justice, and the quiet cost of choices, weaving a narrative that’s both gritty and reflective. The tension builds steadily rather than explosively, which gives the story a slow burn intensity.
The characters are where this book really digs its claws in. They’re not polished heroes or clean-cut villains, but something far more interesting people shaped by their pasts, making decisions that feel messy, human, and sometimes frustrating in the best way.
The atmosphere carries a kind of heaviness, almost like walking through a storm that never fully breaks. It works beautifully for the tone, though at times the pacing can feel a bit deliberate, especially if you’re craving faster action or sharper twists.
This is a thoughtful, tension laced read that prioritizes depth over speed. It doesn’t just tell a story . . . It asks questions, and lets the answers echo. #booktok #goodreadsgiveaway #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers
"To the End of Reckoning" ~ Joseph Moldover
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A title like this swings a heavy blade, and "To The End Of Reckoning" largely earns the weight it promises.
This is the kind of story that feels like it’s always moving toward something inevitable, like distant thunder you know will eventually crack overhead. Moldover leans into themes of consequence, justice, and the quiet cost of choices, weaving a narrative that’s both gritty and reflective. The tension builds steadily rather than explosively, which gives the story a slow burn intensity.
The characters are where this book really digs its claws in. They’re not polished heroes or clean-cut villains, but something far more interesting people shaped by their pasts, making decisions that feel messy, human, and sometimes frustrating in the best way.
The atmosphere carries a kind of heaviness, almost like walking through a storm that never fully breaks. It works beautifully for the tone, though at times the pacing can feel a bit deliberate, especially if you’re craving faster action or sharper twists.
This is a thoughtful, tension laced read that prioritizes depth over speed. It doesn’t just tell a story . . . It asks questions, and lets the answers echo. #booktok #goodreadsgiveaway #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers
May 20, 2026
Love discovering a new author! This mystery grabbed me right from the first chapter: Lukas is home in Faith, NY (putting a pause to his fledgling Broadway-bound career) in the Catskills to care for his father, Dr. Richard Moore, the victim of a car accident...he suffers from a traumatic brain injury and can't be left alone overnight due to wandering and incoherence. One of the things his father seems stuck on is the death of a neighbor, Jason, a fellow psychiatrist allegedly by suicide, because the body was never found. Dr. Moore and Jason had gotten together shortly before this young man's disappearance and Dr. Moore insists to Lukas that something isn't right--but he can't remember due to his TBI. Then Jason's sister Misty, an old crush of Lukas's, comes home from college and asks him to look into her brother's disappearance as well. Together, he and his Dad decide to take up the case. The voices of the father and son protagonists are so strong and well-written, their witty banter makes for some terrific scenes. I just loved all the characters in this book, even the villains. This book has some beautiful writing and a very clever mystery. Hoping this will not be the last of Lukas and his father.♡ Highly recommend.
May 22, 2026
3.5 stars…I’m rounding up to 4, because I found the characters particularly well drawn, and—while the plot strains credulity beyond my tolerance level—the author has a deft touch in varying his tone and keeping the reader fully engaged. (It’s also the second book in a row I’ve read with a complicated father-son relationship at its center, and—while Moldover is certainly no Elizabeth Strout—it is sensitively and sympathetically portrayed.)
July 10, 2026
This is a quirky mystery involving a psychiatrist, an unmarried son who gives up a career to come to the aid of his father, the value of mentally challenged children, and family greed. There is humor spread throughout and plenty of twists and turns. A good mystery and a good read!
May 27, 2026
Smart. “ Truth is truth.”
May 25, 2026
Suspenseful and very well-written!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
To the End of Reckoning by Joseph Holdover was one of those books that completely pulled me in and kept me thinking about it long after I finished.
The mystery itself is really compelling. A man disappears, leaving behind just enough clues to raise questions but not enough to explain what actually happened. From there, the story slowly unfolds in a way that keeps you guessing without ever feeling confusing or overcomplicated. I loved how each new detail made me rethink what I thought I knew.
What really makes this book shine, though, is the relationship between the father and son at the center of the story. Their dynamic adds so much heart and depth, and it makes the investigation feel personal rather than just a puzzle to solve. The emotional side of the story blends naturally with the mystery, which made everything feel more real and meaningful.
The pacing was spot on for me. It is thoughtful and layered, but never boring. The twists feel earned, and the ending is both satisfying and emotionally resonant. You can tell a lot of care went into the characters and the way the story was put together.
If you like mysteries that are smart, character driven, and a little bit emotional, this one is absolutely worth reading.
The mystery itself is really compelling. A man disappears, leaving behind just enough clues to raise questions but not enough to explain what actually happened. From there, the story slowly unfolds in a way that keeps you guessing without ever feeling confusing or overcomplicated. I loved how each new detail made me rethink what I thought I knew.
What really makes this book shine, though, is the relationship between the father and son at the center of the story. Their dynamic adds so much heart and depth, and it makes the investigation feel personal rather than just a puzzle to solve. The emotional side of the story blends naturally with the mystery, which made everything feel more real and meaningful.
The pacing was spot on for me. It is thoughtful and layered, but never boring. The twists feel earned, and the ending is both satisfying and emotionally resonant. You can tell a lot of care went into the characters and the way the story was put together.
If you like mysteries that are smart, character driven, and a little bit emotional, this one is absolutely worth reading.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
To the End of Reckoning by Joseph Moldover. Thanks to @penzlerpub for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lukas Moore is home from his acting job in the city to help care for his father, Dr. Richard Moore, a renowned psychiatrist who has suffered a brain injury. Dr. Moore’s former colleague, Dr Jason Grant disappeared a year ago in a presumed suicide. Dr. Moore is convinced it wasn’t suicide but can’t work through the past knowledge he may have.
I liked the mystery plot behind this. It was a unique twist on a missing person trope. My favorite part was the amateur investigation, especially with Lukas’s father, who now has no filter due to a TBI. A lot of what he said was shocking but perfect for the moment. The mystery unwrapped at a good speed that kept interest in the book.
“I wanted to know how it happens, if love leaks away in a steady, constant trickle or if it’s gone all at once like some magician’s trick, the sheet whisked away to show that there’s nothing where you thought there was something.”
Read if you like:
-Missing person trope
-Father / son relationships
-Psychiatry
-Amateur investigations
To the End of Reckoning comes out 4/21.
Lukas Moore is home from his acting job in the city to help care for his father, Dr. Richard Moore, a renowned psychiatrist who has suffered a brain injury. Dr. Moore’s former colleague, Dr Jason Grant disappeared a year ago in a presumed suicide. Dr. Moore is convinced it wasn’t suicide but can’t work through the past knowledge he may have.
I liked the mystery plot behind this. It was a unique twist on a missing person trope. My favorite part was the amateur investigation, especially with Lukas’s father, who now has no filter due to a TBI. A lot of what he said was shocking but perfect for the moment. The mystery unwrapped at a good speed that kept interest in the book.
“I wanted to know how it happens, if love leaks away in a steady, constant trickle or if it’s gone all at once like some magician’s trick, the sheet whisked away to show that there’s nothing where you thought there was something.”
Read if you like:
-Missing person trope
-Father / son relationships
-Psychiatry
-Amateur investigations
To the End of Reckoning comes out 4/21.
June 2, 2026
To the End of Reckoning is a modern update of the classic Holmes and Watson team solving mysteries featuring a brilliant physician father with a traumatic brain injury and his son, who is an actor. The author does a great job of pairing the two together and the interaction between them as they try to solve the events surrounding the death of another physician ranges from poignant to very funny. The book draws you in quickly as the story is set in a fictional New England town filled with interesting characters and a plot that entices you to keep reading. I always enjoy how the author pays special attention to the complex relationships between the characters and the depth it adds to his stories. Overall, a very enjoyable book and one I would recommend highly.
July 11, 2026
First off, this was definitely not a traditional mystery/suspense/detective novel. Following the suicide of a young colleague, Richard Moore, a brilliant psychiatrist who recently suffered a traumatic brain injury, is convinced the death was due to foul play. Ultimately, Moore and his son, a 23-year old actor, clumsily attempt to uncover the truth. While the father and son’s interactions added an ongoing touch of humor to the novel, a fascinating array of believable and colorful characters helped flesh out the story. All in all, it was an enjoyable read, with everything wrapped up well by the end of the novel.
Although this was a 4 ½ star read for me….I’ve rounded upwards to a 5-star review
Although this was a 4 ½ star read for me….I’ve rounded upwards to a 5-star review
May 11, 2026
Sherlock Holmes fans will find a bit of camaraderie available here. The Master has been replaced by a brain-damaged psychiatrist (non-clinical) and his aspiring actor son acting the part of Watson. Nods to the author's predecessor are scattered about but are not distracting from the story being told.
This is not an easy trek. Considering the novel runs to less than 300 pages, there is a huge amount of information, a full cast of characters, and a satisfying endgame.
Do not misunderstand. This is not a Holmes send-up or pastiche or in any way obvious homage. It is a mystery in the tradition. An adventure built around a did-somebody-do-it?
Recommended.
This is not an easy trek. Considering the novel runs to less than 300 pages, there is a huge amount of information, a full cast of characters, and a satisfying endgame.
Do not misunderstand. This is not a Holmes send-up or pastiche or in any way obvious homage. It is a mystery in the tradition. An adventure built around a did-somebody-do-it?
Recommended.
May 19, 2026
Lukas Moore has left an acting career behind in New York City and come back to his hometown to take care of his father, Richard, a psychiatrist, who had a traumatic brain injury after being hit by a car. Richard can't be left alone for long and, while he was always opinionated and difficult, he now sees details others miss and has become obsessed by the death of fellow psychiatrist Jason Grant. Jason disappeared a year ago and is presumed dead. Richard feels Jason was murdered and draws Lukas into helping him investigate what happened to Jason. To the End of Reckoning is a debut mystery with interesting characters and a puzzle that keeps the reader turning the pages.
May 25, 2026
I really enjoyed reading this story for both the characters and the mystery. The two main characters, a father and son, are a well-developed mystery duo. The other characters in the neighborhood were also unique and interesting. The mystery was well thought out and had me surprised in multiple parts. I was reading through it fast and in longer amounts at a time to find out what happens next. This is an impressive first mystery novel for this author. I hope we get another book because I want to find out what mystery Lukas and Richard can solve next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Suspense and mystery novels that teach me interesting and fascinating things are some of my favorite books. Mr. Moldover gives us a novel that is both intriguing and character driven. I enjoyed the twists and turns but especially enjoyed the adult father/son relationship. Lukas is the main narrator but his father is the really interesting character.
I’ve never read anything from this author but I’m a fan now!!
I’ve never read anything from this author but I’m a fan now!!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This was such a pleasant surprise! The character development was so good, I kept reading because I was invested in them, even more so than the mystery itself. Lukas and his dad especially worked their way into my heart for sure, and I will definitely read the next book in (what I hope is) this series.
The actual mystery was a little underwhelming - just a little! and I didn't really care because, see above.
The actual mystery was a little underwhelming - just a little! and I didn't really care because, see above.
July 12, 2026
Read this in two days; it was hard to put down. It is fast-paced, and well-written, with fascinating characters and an intricate plot, and contained more than one twist at the end that I did not see coming. A literary mystery to be savored; highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Compelling, well-written, interesting mystery with unique vibes and a great sense of style in its plotting. 5 stars. tysm for the E-ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I enjoyed the story and read it in one sitting - great characters!
April 27, 2026
Amazing characters and a great mystery! Cant wait to see what’s next!!
May 8, 2026
Creative, well-structured, and engaging.
May 9, 2026
Apparently this author’s first adult novel. Well done! Two detectives with real personalities.
June 17, 2026
4+ stars. Entertaining read
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews