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The End of the Line
After the death of leading haematologist Professor Anstruther, antiquarian book dealer Anthony Sparrow is tasked with clearing out his mansion of its books and papers. He soon begins to question the real circumstances of the old man's death: was he in fact murdered, and if so, who was responsible? The answer might be found in the personal diaries and letters which Sparrow unearths. But as he closes in on the answer, the perspective suddenly shifts and everything which he was sure about dissolves into darkness and shadows.
- GenresMysteryMystery Thriller
Audio CD
Published September 1, 2020
39 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Gillian Galbraith
10 books34 followersGillian Galbraith was born in Coupar Angus, Perthshire, in January 1957. She was educated at a convent and at the Universities of Edinburgh and Dundee.Following careers in dish-washing, bookselling and journalism she was called to the Scottish Bar in 1987.
Her first novel BLOOD IN THE WATER, introducting Edinburgh detective Alice Rice, was published in 2007 and in that same year, optimism to the fore, she abandoned her legal practice in order to concentrate on her writing.
Her second novel, WHERE THE SHADOW FALLS, also featuring DI Alice Rice, will be published by Birlinn in Spring 2008.
Gillian lives happily in Kinross-shire with her husband Robert, daughter Daisy, and assorted other creatures.
Her first novel BLOOD IN THE WATER, introducting Edinburgh detective Alice Rice, was published in 2007 and in that same year, optimism to the fore, she abandoned her legal practice in order to concentrate on her writing.
Her second novel, WHERE THE SHADOW FALLS, also featuring DI Alice Rice, will be published by Birlinn in Spring 2008.
Gillian lives happily in Kinross-shire with her husband Robert, daughter Daisy, and assorted other creatures.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 18, 2024
The first 100 pages of this book are in the form of a diary belonging an aging doctor who has since died. He treated people with hemophilia in the early 80s with blood that was (unknown to him) infected with the AIDS virus. There is now (2014) an investigation into how this happened. The diary is mainly 1) complaints about his caregivers 2) upset about his failing body and memory and 3) upset/guilt about the investigation. After about 70 pages of this I got bored and quit.
August 6, 2019
This book intrigued me as I’d seen a few articles in the news about the contaminated blood scandal.
The book is in a very interesting format, beginning with a man called Anthony who is both an undertaker and antiquarian bookseller. He has to clear the mansion of Professor Anstruther who was once a leading haematologist but was found dead in bed.
He finds a diary, of sorts, by the Professor and most of the story is told via this. Anthony becomes suspicious about the cause of death as the professor was on trial for the blood scandal and receiving threatening letters.
The characters are well done and I really felt sorry for the professor, who was an old, ailing man. He was hugely stressed by the trial and becoming more confused as the story went on.
He has a few carers who come to look after him and he is quite amusing in the way he portrays them. He takes a particular shine to a girl he employs as his ‘secretary’ and home help.
Anthony investigates further and finds that the Secretary is perhaps not as kind as she first seems.
Overall, the book is quite a slow pace but still very readable as you get involved with the characters. There’s a big twist at the end so I recommend you stick with it.
I really enjoyed it and the author has clearly researched thoroughly.
The book is in a very interesting format, beginning with a man called Anthony who is both an undertaker and antiquarian bookseller. He has to clear the mansion of Professor Anstruther who was once a leading haematologist but was found dead in bed.
He finds a diary, of sorts, by the Professor and most of the story is told via this. Anthony becomes suspicious about the cause of death as the professor was on trial for the blood scandal and receiving threatening letters.
The characters are well done and I really felt sorry for the professor, who was an old, ailing man. He was hugely stressed by the trial and becoming more confused as the story went on.
He has a few carers who come to look after him and he is quite amusing in the way he portrays them. He takes a particular shine to a girl he employs as his ‘secretary’ and home help.
Anthony investigates further and finds that the Secretary is perhaps not as kind as she first seems.
Overall, the book is quite a slow pace but still very readable as you get involved with the characters. There’s a big twist at the end so I recommend you stick with it.
I really enjoyed it and the author has clearly researched thoroughly.
October 16, 2019
Like the concept but the story and characters are just off. Doesn’t feel right or believable. Also the amateur detective feels like he’s come from the Victorian period rather than modern.
July 4, 2025
Although boring in many parts, the medical theme attracted me at first. It read like a defense of the doctors who prescribed contaminated blood and caused some patients to contract AIDS. Obviously it would be completely superficial to blame the doctors, as they work within, and are restricted by, a very complex system. It seemed to come down to the exact time when a given doctor became aware that blood stocks could be contaminated.
Unfortunately, the pace doesn't really pick up. We have a whiny, completely unlikely protagonist, Anthony Sparrow, from whose POV we see part of the action. If he despises his clientele so much, why does he charge them such low rates? The biggest section is that of the haematologist who ends up as the murder victim. There's another person as well, his young lady helper, and we rapidly begin to wonder what her role will turn out to be.
There's an ongoing court investigation which the haematologist has to attend, but we learn little about it except for the dreadful strain it imposes on the aged doctor who is going downhill fast with dementia.
I struggled on, but can't highly recommend this book.
I'll just give it a flat 2.0.
Unfortunately, the pace doesn't really pick up. We have a whiny, completely unlikely protagonist, Anthony Sparrow, from whose POV we see part of the action. If he despises his clientele so much, why does he charge them such low rates? The biggest section is that of the haematologist who ends up as the murder victim. There's another person as well, his young lady helper, and we rapidly begin to wonder what her role will turn out to be.
There's an ongoing court investigation which the haematologist has to attend, but we learn little about it except for the dreadful strain it imposes on the aged doctor who is going downhill fast with dementia.
I struggled on, but can't highly recommend this book.
I'll just give it a flat 2.0.
January 30, 2023
Life and death decisions, and all in the dark.
Well, what can I say.. this books was the most slow paced, boring thing I've ever read. I admit, I picked it up in Dobbies garden centre because of the title (yes, I'm a Steve x Bucky truther don't @ me).
This book had so much potential! Anstruther's entries were realistic and believable and I truly felt for the old man but Sparrow. I actually skipped some of the reports because it was boring and honestly, the blurb didn't match the plot of the book at all.
The ending was convoluted. Nothing made sense to me about this book.
Well, what can I say.. this books was the most slow paced, boring thing I've ever read. I admit, I picked it up in Dobbies garden centre because of the title (yes, I'm a Steve x Bucky truther don't @ me).
This book had so much potential! Anstruther's entries were realistic and believable and I truly felt for the old man but Sparrow. I actually skipped some of the reports because it was boring and honestly, the blurb didn't match the plot of the book at all.
The ending was convoluted. Nothing made sense to me about this book.
August 25, 2021
Personally this book was hard to rate. The plot line had depth but at times lacked a good rhythm. The multiple pov’s allowed the reader to understand the characters to a certain level however occasionally they were unnecessary. The book uses a fair amount of jargon so maybe more fitting to readers interested in medical topics such as haematology. It was an interesting read, the basic ideas were there however there was definitely room for development and improvement on these themes.
October 2, 2022
This story is told through a series of documents. Sadly it did not work for me though I was intrigued by the journal of the elderly haematologist. The reader does not really know what has happened as the various points of view send the reader in different directions as the book progresses and when you think you have understood there is a final twist. Not really the sort of book I wanted to read.
January 4, 2020
I found it a bit slow but then 2 reveals or twist hooked me to the end!
August 27, 2020
I loved this book!! Very gripping and I did not want to put it down!
August 1, 2021
Interesting format with a slightly slow start but overall really enjoyed it with a couple of decent twists at the end.
August 30, 2021
Excellent. A really good read. Very much recommend
October 22, 2025
didn't like it
June 27, 2020
Started well with info re Haemophilia / factor VIII / Cryo but quickly went downhill
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews