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A Joanne Kilbourn Mystery #10
The Endless Knot
The tenth novel in the highly acclaimed Joanne Kilbourn series features the murderous fallout of a tell-all book on the troubled adult children of Canadian celebrities.
When journalist Kathryn Morrissey’s sensational book on the lives of thirteen adult children of prominent Canadians is published, one of the parents, Sam Parker, is furious enough to take a pot shot at the author, grazing her shoulder. Charges are laid, and Joanne’s new beau, Zack Shreve, is hired by Parker as his defence counsel. At the trial, which Joanne is covering for NationTV, Shreve focuses the jury’s attention not on who shot whom, but on why — on the ethics governing the relationship between a journalist and her subject.
Morrissey’s betrayal of her subjects opens up questions about an even more serious betrayal — the betrayal of children by their parents. While everyone condemns Parker for taking a gun to Morrissey, no one can fault his defence of his only child, Glen, a transsexual. The mutual love and commitment between this father and child stands in stark contrast to the alienation between Howard Dowhaniuk, Saskatchewan’s former premier, and his son, Charlie.
On the day of the verdict, Morrissey is brutally murdered, and Joanne’s investigation quickly has her trying to unravel the endless knot of the relationship between parent and child.
A deeply affecting novel of trust and betrayal, The Endless Knot is a superb mystery by a virtuoso of the genre.
When journalist Kathryn Morrissey’s sensational book on the lives of thirteen adult children of prominent Canadians is published, one of the parents, Sam Parker, is furious enough to take a pot shot at the author, grazing her shoulder. Charges are laid, and Joanne’s new beau, Zack Shreve, is hired by Parker as his defence counsel. At the trial, which Joanne is covering for NationTV, Shreve focuses the jury’s attention not on who shot whom, but on why — on the ethics governing the relationship between a journalist and her subject.
Morrissey’s betrayal of her subjects opens up questions about an even more serious betrayal — the betrayal of children by their parents. While everyone condemns Parker for taking a gun to Morrissey, no one can fault his defence of his only child, Glen, a transsexual. The mutual love and commitment between this father and child stands in stark contrast to the alienation between Howard Dowhaniuk, Saskatchewan’s former premier, and his son, Charlie.
On the day of the verdict, Morrissey is brutally murdered, and Joanne’s investigation quickly has her trying to unravel the endless knot of the relationship between parent and child.
A deeply affecting novel of trust and betrayal, The Endless Knot is a superb mystery by a virtuoso of the genre.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
20 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Gail Bowen
57 books178 followersGail Dianne Bowen (née Bartholomew) is a Canadian playwright and writer of mystery novels. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Bowen was educated at the University of Toronto, the University of Waterloo and the University of Saskatchewan. She subsequently taught English in Saskatchewan, and is currently a professor of English at First Nations University of Canada. Bowen's mystery novels feature Joanne Kilbourn, a widowed mother, political analyst and university professor who finds herself occasionally involved in criminal investigations in various parts of Saskatchewan. Many have been adapted as Canadian television movies by Shaftesbury Films.
Series:
* Joanne Kilbourn Mystery
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (1995): A Colder Kind of Death
Series:
* Joanne Kilbourn Mystery
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (1995): A Colder Kind of Death
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 6, 2023
I have to admit I liked the change of pace here, more of a legal/family drama for the first 2/3 of the book, with lots of changes in store for Joanne and her family. The preposterous murder mystery only occurred in the last couple chapters. While the two parts were connected it still felt disjointed and kind of all over the map. Oh well. On to the next!
January 21, 2019
Good story, but some strange stuff in it.
When the author has her protagonist explain transsexualism to her daughter, what she actually explains if hermaphroditism. NOT the same thing, at all.
And a couple lovely homophone twangles that I noted, but can't remember.
This may be the beginning of the end. I first read a book near the end of the series and liked it, then started at the beginning and hated it, so then went and read from where I'd started to the end, now have been reading from where I started backwards and I get the sense that they're starting to get awful again.
I'll try one more and see.
When the author has her protagonist explain transsexualism to her daughter, what she actually explains if hermaphroditism. NOT the same thing, at all.
And a couple lovely homophone twangles that I noted, but can't remember.
This may be the beginning of the end. I first read a book near the end of the series and liked it, then started at the beginning and hated it, so then went and read from where I'd started to the end, now have been reading from where I started backwards and I get the sense that they're starting to get awful again.
I'll try one more and see.
March 13, 2018
Joanne's family finally is showing some cracks as her daughter Mieka's marriage to Greg shows cracks. A skilled interviewer author's a book on the lives of a number of young people exposing their inner darkest secrets, leaving families in a turmoil. The father of a trans woman saves his daughter from taking her life and then goes to the author and she is shot, but not mortally. A trial follows with Zack defending the accused and he is found not guilty. The same day the author is murdered. A complex story with a sudden twist when Taylor goes missing and the murderer is revealed.
October 22, 2020
5 stars because every single time I sat down to read this book I completely escaped all the current craziness and went off to October in Saskatchewan. The "mystery" doesn't really get going in this one until 3/4 of the way into the story, but I didn't care. I like Joanne Kilbourn's world and so far I've enjoyed each "visit" more than the last. Thank goodness I don't read summaries of books by my favorite authors (until I've finished the story) because this back cover summary contains at least one spoiler!
August 14, 2020
A heartbreaking story, a journalist Katherine Morrisey writes a hideous book about the tortured lives of children from prominent families. A father of one of the children is charged with attempted murder of the Journalist. A court case ensues where Joanne Kilbourn’s boyfriend represents the accused man. The Journalist, Katherine Morrisey is later found brutally murdered.
A complex story of relationships, between some parents and their children. Absorbing and heartbreaking.
A complex story of relationships, between some parents and their children. Absorbing and heartbreaking.
February 23, 2020
#10 in the Joanne Killbourn mystery series. This was good. Continuous lives of many of the characters as Joanne's life goes on. Her daughter Taylor turns thirteen and Joanne is contemplating marrying Zack even after seeing him in action in the courtroom.
November 1, 2019
Love this series.
Read
August 22, 2020murder takes place on p. 220 of 290.
August 28, 2023
A decent fast read.
Thank you.
Thank you.
February 8, 2009
Sam Parker is furious and confronts Kathryn Morrissey about her recent novel which reveals secrets concerning the children of prominent Canadians. Frustrated with her reaction, he shots her, grazing her shoulder and charges are laid. Zack Shreve (Joanne's new love) is hired as his defence counsel. During the trial, everyone condemns Parker for his action but no one blames him for coming to the defense of his only child, Glen, a transsexual. On the day of the verdict, Morrissey is brutally murdered and the fallout quickly becomes a far more personal and urgent matter than Joanne has ever expected.
I enjoy Canadian writers and mysteries set in Canada this one is in Saskatchewan. The characters are well developed and likable. The plot is complex and entirely believable. The story is of a man accused of murdering a journalist who has exploited and betrayed him. It makes us think seriously about the ethics of broadcasting and the individual right to privacy. This novel is about trust and betrayal, deeply affecting.
Several of Gail Bowen's mysteries have been made into TV movies starring Wendy Crewson as Joanne. They are also very entertaining.
I enjoy Canadian writers and mysteries set in Canada this one is in Saskatchewan. The characters are well developed and likable. The plot is complex and entirely believable. The story is of a man accused of murdering a journalist who has exploited and betrayed him. It makes us think seriously about the ethics of broadcasting and the individual right to privacy. This novel is about trust and betrayal, deeply affecting.
Several of Gail Bowen's mysteries have been made into TV movies starring Wendy Crewson as Joanne. They are also very entertaining.
April 30, 2012
I am starting to sound like a broken record concerning this mystery series and this book is no exception. The books are readable definitely but I don't like most of the main characters. In this book I took umbrage with Joanne discussing an especially disturbing adult book about bad parenting and the shattered lives of the children they parented with her 10 year old daughter. I know the girl is mature but give me a break, she is 10! Also, her older daughter's behavior came out of left field and didn't sit too well with me. Like I said a definitely readable mystery but the characters, for the most part, leave me cold.
June 14, 2007
Amongst mysteries and suspense I consider this book to be a pure gem. The author is from Regina and her stories all take place in Saskatchewan, mostly in Regina. Of course the fact that I am from Saskatchewan myself adds to the enjoyment, but Gail Bowen has exactly captured the feel of my hometown province. The characters all seem very real, to the point that if I were to meet the author and talk to her about her books, I would have trouble remembering that her books are works of fiction and might end up asking her to meet Joanne Kilbourne, the main character!
August 22, 2011
#10 in the series (12 to date as of 2011). This one is slightly different because the bulk of the book is a courtroom case, and there is not a murder until almost the end. Joanne Kilbourn, the English prof/amateur sleuth is asked to cover the trial for Nation TV because she knows those involved, and she is on sabbatical. The theme of parents betraying children runs through the book, and is illustrated in various ways.
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June 11, 2016Transgender issues: Glen to Glenda (Olympic swimmer - years before Jenner and Caitlyn).
Personal lives are exposed in a book. Sam Parker is accused of attempted murder of the author and is defended by Zach.
Joanne & Zach's relationship is serious and a wedding is planned; new house
Taylor is troubled by a classmate, Ethan, who turns out to be the son of the author
Ethan is deeply troubled and kills his mother
Mieka's marriage is over
Howard D. and Charlie
-lots of new story lines
Personal lives are exposed in a book. Sam Parker is accused of attempted murder of the author and is defended by Zach.
Joanne & Zach's relationship is serious and a wedding is planned; new house
Taylor is troubled by a classmate, Ethan, who turns out to be the son of the author
Ethan is deeply troubled and kills his mother
Mieka's marriage is over
Howard D. and Charlie
-lots of new story lines
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2012
Good mystery. Surprise ending that I guess I should have seen. The advantage I have is I live in the city that the book takes place in. Seeing in my mind the places that she writes about adds to the enjoyment of the book. Also, seeing the cozy second story sunroom that she writes in and meeting the author herself was thrilling to say the least.
October 24, 2014
I've enjoyed Gail Bowen's series in the past but this one left me shrugging. I didn't care for the love story threaded through it, far too unbelievable and I sensed the "who-dun-it" from about the middle onwards.
Perhaps the series has run its course.
Jo Kilbourn seems far too good to be true.
Perhaps the series has run its course.
Jo Kilbourn seems far too good to be true.
August 14, 2011
A joy to savour, The Endless Knot is an intelligent and entertaining literary mystery.
See my review here - http://livinginthekitchenwithpuppies....
See my review here - http://livinginthekitchenwithpuppies....
July 19, 2014
More a 31/2 star, because I found some of the characters' behavior to be...well, out of character. I also simply do not buy that Joanne would be asked to provide TV commentary for a trial where her love interest is the defense attorney. But these books are so compelling, I can't stay mad.
May 11, 2012
didn't read this one either... HELP
March 24, 2022
This is an outstanding novelist. All of her books have pulled me into the story. Wonderful background with interesting details.
December 29, 2013
I didn't enjoy this book as much as some of the previous in the series. I felt like this plot did not hang together quite as well as most of the books by this author.
Read
June 25, 2014great read
February 18, 2018
Good one!
May 15, 2015
these things are addictive
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews