The End of Us

by Olivia Kiernan

It all started to go wrong the day the Wrights moved in next door

Myles and Lana Butler live on a gorgeous new development in Wimbledon, leaning on a mortgage that is just within reach. When one of Myles' investments goes wrong they are bound to lose everything.

Gabriel and Holly Wright have just moved in next door. The Wrights are sophisticated, ambitious and apparently very wealthy. At an after-dinner drink with their new neighbours, Myles and Lana share their worries and a solution is suggested between the couples. Life Insurance fraud. For a cut of the pay out, the Wrights would help them.

No one thought they were being serious. No one agreed they'd actually go through with it. And no one mentioned it would involve murder.

Then, one night, Lana doesn't come home.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Psychological Thriller, Audiobook

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 23, 2023

About the author

Olivia Kiernan is a writer of crime thrillers and suspense fiction. She holds an MA in Creative Writing. In the past, her work has been longlisted for the Bath and Fish Short Story Awards, the Bath Children’s Novel Award and shortlisted for the BBC Writersroom. She is author of THE END OF US, a thriller published in 2023. She has also written four novels in the critically acclaimed Detective Frankie Sheehan series. Recently, LA based Freedom Films and actor/producer Victoria Smurfit have optioned the series for TV. Kiernan’s fourth novel, The Murder Box, was released in 2021 and sees Detective Frankie Sheehan receive a murder mystery game only to discover that the fictional victim at the game’s centre bears a striking resemblance to a missing woman. On release, the Irish Independent said of The Murder Box: “A clever, original story is augmented by Kiernan’s masterful writing, credible characters, and a smashing finale”. The Daily Mail said, “The plot crackles from first page to last, and the tension never lifts until the darkest of twists brings it to a superb conclusion.”

Reviews

[C.L. Taylor]

Just finished the audiobook of The End of Us - what an absolute triumph! I felt as though I was listening to a Hitchcock film. It was so clever and compelling with a morally slippery main character and a beautifully twisting plot. It deserves to be a bestseller.

[Karly · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Rating Style: 2.5 rounded up to 3⭐️⭐️⭐️stars - 2 felt unfairly low but 3 feels high ENOYED BUT…

Myles and Lana Butler live the high life in a gorgeous exclusive estate in Wimbledon. Myles is playing the balancing act with his mortgage and cashflow, but as Lana is accustomed to a certain lifestyle he is sure he can get on top of the rising mounts of debts. Everything is fine (or so you are led to believe) until one of Myles investments goes horribly wrong and they are set to lose everything.

Myles will tell you everything went wrong when the Wrights move in next door. A successful couple, a beautiful house and they hit it off instantly. At drinks one night Myles and Lana share their financial worries with their new friends and a somewhat dangerous solution is discussed. Life insurance fraud… of course with a cut going to the Wrights for their agreeing to assist.

No one was being serious … right?

No one really agreed to go through with this far fetched plan … right?

No one mentioned murder … did they?

That is until one night Lana doesn’t come home… this is when Myles real trouble kicks in…

Soooooooo…. Anyone who has been reading my recent reviews has noticed I have found a new author and quickly made short work of her back catalogue. So when I realised that Olivia Kiernan the author of the Frankie Sheehan books (HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND BTW) had a standalone thriller on NetGalley I got my requesting skates on and immediately asked pretty please of the publisher. ANNND here we are….

So as my rating suggests to me this was a 2.5 star book… 2 was far too low but 3 felt generous but I rounded up because I really love this author and I absolutely adore her other books so I felt like she was branching out to something new and different that FOR ME didn’t quite land… I think there will be readers that will love this but it fell a bit flat for me and I will tell you why. First though what I liked…

I liked the premise of the book I think it was a bit of wicked dangerous fun that turned into something much more sinister. I do like the story of the rich kind of getting their up yours especially when they are pompous and judgmental to others who are less than in their opinion so this was fun for that reason. I also really liked the description of the houses in the Court where they lived. They did sound gorgeous and lets face it who isn’t going to live in a comfy gorgeous house when they have money so that made sense to me.

I didn’t dislike Myles but he grated on me as the story went on…I don’t know about you but I am not a huge fan of reading about men who will do ANYTHING for a woman just cause shes “out of my league” and I gotta keep her or shes “Uber gorgeous” and I gotta keep her or whatever other superficial reason to basically act like a pushover pussy. It gets on my nerves, he does redeem himself as the story goes on (in a terrible way) but I wont say more than that cause I don’t want to spoil it for people.

Most of the characters are unlikeable and I think they are supposed to be except for loveable Daniel who was a bit of a loser to redemption story which was good I guess… but I think he could do better than Charlotte… just saying. Either way this is a popcorn thriller where you are meant to be misdirected and red herring’d like crazy and that’s what it tries to do… Unfortunately it doesn’t quite land.

I did guess most of the twists and the ones that I didn’t guess I was a bit meh about anyway. Basically for me it was like reading a completely different author there was none of that humour and fun that her other books have. It wasn’t set in Ireland so she had taken out all the Irish slang (which is fine and relevant to this particular book) but I missed it and it honestly felt like I was reading a debut novel from a completely different author.

The ending left me looking for more pages… even though I think the story itself was a little too repetitive and descriptive, lots of hand holding through scenes about making coffee and getting the cup from above the sink etc etc… but again it isn’t like this in her other books so I was pretty confused. I think the book could have been shorter but had a better ending or a little more…

Also what I think would have improved this (and we all know I am a sucker for this so maybe its just me) was a multi-POV rather than first person from Myles only. I think if we were able to read a few different POV that would have improved this story a lot… it would have given the reader more insight into the devious things going on.

Overall: would I recommend… well… sure I would BUT… only if you don’t mind the things I raised as meh moments above. If you think this would annoy you though… don’t write this author off she has an amazing Police Procedural series that you should absolutely check out it was nothing under 4 stars for me in four books. Loved it and would read it again!!!

Thank you to Quercia Books, NetGalley and Olivia Kiernan for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Karen Chong · Rating 1 out of 5]

God I wanted this book to end so I can get out of this misery. Absolutely hated every aspect of this book, ridiculous plot, questionable doctor practice methods and crap build up.

Super disappointed given that her previous book, the murder box I really enjoyed. I hated every single part of this book, it was slow - badly paced and rushed in the end. The plot follows myles and Lana butler who move into a new boujiee home in Wimbledon with a mortgage that can just about cover. Myles mucks up his own investments and burns through all the savings to find that he doesn’t have enough money to cover the mortgage. A new neighbour Holly and Gabe wright move next door, they kick off hosting dinner parties and come up with the idea of carrying out life insurance fraud. Myles and Lana argue but ultimately agree it’s too risky, they only just met the Wrights and they didn’t know what their agendas were.

Then one day, shocker: Lana disappears and myles is left to deal with everything. This is a shockingly bad book, over done, slow build up - waste of time. And also, who on earth allows their spouse to use their life savings without speaking to them at least or some sort- like?? Ain’t nobody that stupid to do that surely. I struggled with the credibility aspect and actually believing the plot because I found it that ridiculous. Bad book overall.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Olivia Kiernan was a new to me author going in to this book, and after finishing it I will definitely be reading more from her!
Boy, did I enjoy this! I loved it right from the start. The story jumps straight in and I was fully invested and along for the ride throughout.
I enjoyed the writing style and how the plot all played out. One thing I really liked was reading the story through Myles's perspective. Usually these types of books have multiple POV's so this was a refreshing change.
This wasn't quite a 5 star read for me as I had figured out all the twists/reveals way before they were revealed, if it hadn't been for that this would have been a 5 star read and I don't give out many of those!
I had such a fun, enjoyable time reading this and I highly recommend you pick this one up if you are looking for a domestic thriller.

Thanks to Quercus Books and Netgalley for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

You might want to skip this one if you have trust issues. Just sayin’.

Myles and Lana are living the good life. Until Myles loses a lot of money in an investment gone horrendously wrong. They stand to lose everything, but neither one is bound to let that happen. After all, they deserve this life. Nothing less will do in the slightest. But surely there’s a line you don’t cross?

One evening while talking to their neighbours, Gabe and Holly Wright, the solution of Life Insurance fraud comes up. As it does. There are the beginnings of a plan, which the Wrights make sound incredibly easy, and obviously they will gladly help for a cut of the money. But nobody is serious, right? They’re not actually going to do this? Myles doesn’t think so. Until one evening, Lana doesn’t come home.

The story is told by Myles. I can’t say I particularly liked him, to be honest. For the most part, he seemed awfully entitled. It also becomes clear quite early on that he has no scruples whatsoever, doing whatever he feels is necessary to keep a handle on this nice life he and Lana have created. Despite finding himself in a situation he didn’t ask for, and dealing with things he wasn’t at all prepared for, I found it nearly impossible to muster up a smidgen of sympathy for him. In my mind, greed and overreaching is what put them in this situation in the first place.

In fact, none of the characters were all that likeable. Lana came across as rather toxic and manipulative to me, and I could never really get a solid grasp on Gabe and Holly. There’s an awful lot of backstabbing going on. Betrayal and deceit seem to lurk around every corner and nobody can be trusted. I didn’t think it was too hard to figure out at least some of what had occurred, but the bigger picture remained somewhat of a mystery to me until the reveal. And I still have a few questions, to be fair.

‘The End of Us‘ is a slow-burning, character-driven psychological thriller that shows how far people are willing to go to protect themselves, to survive. It’s a twisty and addictive tale full of intrigue and deception, which definitely takes “a cunning plan” to a whole new level. At its heart, there’s a moral dilemma that will make you wonder what you would do. I thoroughly enjoyed this suspenseful stand-alone by Olivia Kiernan and I very much look forward to whatever’s next.

[Jo_Scho_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up. Myles Butler is a successful GP and he and his wife Lana live contentedly in Belvedere Court, a luxury development in Wimbledon. But Myles has made an error with an investment and if he isn’t careful, all that’s important to him could slip from his grasp.

Enter Gabe and Holly Wright. They move in next door and are the epitome of style, wealth and success. As the couples get to know one another, the Butlers share their financial worries and are stunned when the Wrights suggest a solution. It’s far too crazy. No one would actually be able to carry their plan off, surely? But desperate times call for desperate measures…

But when Lana doesn’t come home, Myles has to make a decision… a momentous, life changing one…

Woah! This was a real page turner of a read! Exciting, exhilarating and clever, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Told entirely from the perspective of Myles, it was compelling to see him dig himself deeper and deeper. I loved his layers, there was so much more to Max than meets the eye and as his true personality and capabilities were revealed I was hooked.

A brilliant domestic thriller which will leave you gasping. And that ending!

[Stu Cummins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delicious slice of 21st century noir that packs a devious punch!

I am a huge fan of the 1940s Hollywood film noir movement and I love a novel that captures that vibe and brings it into the 21st century. There’s only a handful that do it really well and Olivia Kiernan’s may just be the very best! I loved everything about this novel and simultaneously felt like I was being transported into the very best of the film noir genre (think, Double Indemnity or The Postman Always Rings Twice) and reading something fresh, original and very much of our time (think, not bound by the moralities of that era). It’s no mean feat! Kiernan beautifully blends plot and character, gradually building a mounting tension that spirals into a runaway train of heart-racing thrills and explosive action. If you enjoy a slow-burn novel that really pays off in the final third, The End of Us is one of the finest examples. Kiernan takes her time planting the seeds of the plot, nurturing them and keeping the reader guessing as to what they may grow into, only to masterfully weave the vines around a trellis of misdirection, subterfuge, smoke and mirrors and ultimately, an astoundingly shocking finale. This novel is plotted to perfection, meaning the reader thinks they can see where this is going, only to find that everything will unravel far further than they could possibly imagine. It’s such a satisfying read!

Whilst this book is very much a triumph of plot, it’s also bound by sheer brilliance of the characters. Again, Kiernan has written a book that not all authors can pull off, because there isn’t really a single likeable character at the core of the narrative! This feels entirely right though and fits completely with the noir ambiance. The story is told from the perspective of Dr. Myles Butler and his voice is pitch perfectly reminiscent of the male lead voiceovers so prominent in the film noir movies of the 40s. We get to know Myles intimately and despite his shortcomings, we allegiances come to lie with him. As his situation spirals further and further out of control I was fascinated at how I continued to route for him in the face of insurmountable odds. The final line is a complete knock-out and insanely chilling - it’s going to stay with me for a long, long time!

I really enjoyed the themes that the novel touches upon too. There is a lot of thought-provoking exploration of greed, obsession, deception, our predilection for maintaining appearances and the impact of wealth and the desperation that comes with losing it. These all feel like timeless issues, but Kiernan routes them very much within 21st century capitalism and the mindset of wanting more that so many people have today. All of these themes are so expertly rooted in the overarching plot, making the events of the novel seem so plausible even in their most extreme. That’s what makes this book such a fantastic read!

[Lavender · Rating 4 out of 5]

Myles and Lana are a happy couple and they are living their best of lives. Or so it seems. Then Myles has a secret. One of his investments gone wrong and his job as a doctor is not paying as good as it used to be. So he managed to get them deep into depth and they are about to lose their house in an exclusive gated area. When Lana finally finds out she is furious. While they are thinking about what to do new neighbors arrive and it turns out Lana knows the husband, Gabe, from school. Soon they see each other for dinners. Over food and wine Myles and Lana tell them about their money problems. But Gabe has an unusual idea how to solve their problems. And nobody has do die, actually.

Here we have a story full of unlikeable characters. Myles, Lana, Gabe and his wife Holly are all unpleasant people. At first you can feel for Myles who cowardly hesitates to inform his wife that he lost all their savings and that they are way behind their mortgage repayments. You can see that he is afraid to lose everything including Lana. But as the story goes on he stumbles deeper and deeper into a tangled net of lies and fraud and even murder. It seems that his dark side has awaken and taken over his personality. The story is full of unexpected developments and dark twists. This was my first book from the author and I enjoyed it.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Georgina Reads_Eats_Explores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia Kiernan of the detective Frankie Sheehan novels fame is one of my favourite crime thriller authors. When I had the opportunity to receive a proof copy in return for an honest review, I leapt at the chance.

This book takes a different curve, family drama, here we come! Myles and Lana Butler live in an exclusive but highly expensive new development in Wimbledon. Private GP Myles and Therapist Lana live in the house of their dreams, but happiness comes at a price.

This outwardly picture perfect couple are already on the edge, Myles and Lana are from totally different backgrounds, and it shows in their behavioural nuances. But the day the Wrights moved in next door, it all went hideously wrong.

Gabriel and Holly Wright and the Butlers strike up a good relationship and are soon great friends. Everything goes swimmingly until the day Lana finds out about their actual financial position and the extent of her husband's deceit. They share their fears with the Wrights, who just might have a solution - Life Insurance fraud - what could conceivably go wrong? Sure, the only people to lose out are the conglomerates, not ‘real people’, or at least until Lana doesn't come home one night, sending Myles life into more turmoil than he ever thought possible.

None of these characters are likeable people, all seeming exceedingly entitled, having no scruples whatsoever. They'll do whatever is necessary to keep a grip on the lifestyle to which they're accustomed and damn the consequences.

The End of Us is the story of morally compromised people doing morally questionable things. In all honesty, it's a rather over the top story, but it's so darkly hilariously entertaining and brilliantly written I can't complain. 4⭐

[Vicki Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting book looking at trust issues. I thought that i would have found this book difficult to read, as i nearly had my home repossessed due to an ex partner and i ended up silently being angry and sticking with it until i decided enough was enough and asked him to leave. But i would have never resorted to this its a step too far and one you can’t take back. Also once the trust has gone and all that. There is an element of keeping up with the joneses but is it worth the sacrifice. If you couldn’t trust them before they probably won’t change. But then nearly having your house repossessed changes your mindset and life forever, why not add all possible death into the mix - cos that helps you heal and move on right… how far are you willing to go to protect yourself and in the end is it worth it.

A really interesting book and an interesting ending. I really enjoyed it. I get to meet the author next week and i am quite excited.

[Joanna Cannon]

A dark and twisty tale of greed, tangled webs and the more sinister side of our seemingly respectable neighbours. Myles and Lana appear to have the perfect life in a beautiful new home in an exclusive gated cul-de-sac, but behind the scenes Myles is hiding secrets from his wife - the debts are piling up, the mortgage hasn't been paid for months and his whole life is about to unravel before his eyes ... until their new neighbours make them an offer which turns out to be very hard to refuse. No one has to die, after all. Do they?
A thriller to keep you guessing (and to keep you changing your mind about who to trust!) plus the tension in this novel will certainly increase your heart rate, as Miles walks further and further down a very dark path indeed ...

[Julie Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great psychological thriller that definitely kept me guessing.
As the blurb says, Myles and Lana are having financial difficulties but when their new neighbours suggest life insurance fraud, Myles doesn’t take them seriously.
Following a night out Lana goes home early and the next morning Myles is told she’s dead.
I can’t say much more as you need to see how the story unravels for yourself and there’s definitely a few surprises.
This is a slightly far fetched story but shows the lengths some people will go to to try and solve their problems.
If you like a fast paced story with lots of twists and turns, then this is one for you to read.
Thanks to Quercus Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

[Kate Worthington ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 🌟
Normally not into 1st person books but actually enjoyed this!

[Sara Stokes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, twisty thriller that gains momentum in the second half and leaves you unable to put it down until you've read the last page. When Kiernan's central character Myles Butler, and his wife Lana host a dinner party for their new neighbours, they find themselves tempted by an invitation to conspire in an insurance fraud, thus triggering a series of horrific events. Though dark, there is a campy, outlandish feel to the story that, rather than detracting from it, buoys the narrative and builds pace. It's the first of Kiernan's books I've read and I'll seek out more having read this.

[Ella Tansley · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The End of Us” is a domestic thriller that follows the goings-on of affluent neighbours in Wimbledon, told from the point of view of a GP who’s hiding his true self.

Read it if: you like to imagine your GP is a secret psychopath.

Don’t read it if: you can only identify or sympathise with likeable characters. Most of the people in this book are pretty horrid.

Myles and his wife Lana appear as if they have an idyllic existence, but unbeknownst to Lana, their whole situation is threatened by financial ruin. Their seemingly perfect next-door neighbours suggest life insurance fraud as a solution and everything just gets darker from there.

The novel is told from Myles’ point of view, and I enjoyed learning about his past, his slow descent as he loses control of his life and getting insight into his neuroses. I should warn that this is one of those books where you do end up wanting the bad guy to succeed and pull the wool over everyone’s eyes.

It’s a brilliantly-paced book and the writing really grips you. I feel that this is another novel that is gagging for a sequel as I felt quite irritated at the ending. There were so many threads that were pulled at amongst the characters, and I am someone who likes to have those neatly tied up. I wanted to know more about the characters’ motivations and their backstories, and what led them to such a ludicrous situation.

With thanks to Quercus and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Blondie 🖤💋 · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started out really great and continued in that way until over half way through, but then sort of plateaued slightly. It pointed towards being really twisty with big reveals, but the twists were fairly predictable and the big reveal I picked up when the characters very first interacted with each other at the start of the book. So what would have made it, kinda left it feeling flat. There was no shocking reveal that pulled it back from the brink.
Although, a very easy read and a bit predictable story, the author is a beautiful writer with amazing scene setting. I felt like I was standing in The Court and could feel how the characters must have felt living there.
The characters are so unlikable apart from Daniel, more of Daniel would have been nice but the main characters would have only ruined him anyway. I love how the rich get their comeuppance. I can’t think of a worse kind of man who oozes white privilege than Gabe with his linen shorts and beige chinos and designer watch. Huge Vom!!

The ending is frustrating and not in a good way. I love a page turner where you wish there was more to the ending but still feel satisfied. There was no satisfaction in this ending whatsoever. I googled trying to find an answer but that’s not what I want to feel at the end of a story.

Still, I enjoyed reading it, glad I read it and will definitely read from this author again.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I was disappointed that this was a standalone book, rather than one featuring Frankie Sheehan. However it is a twisty, exciting tale about insurance fraud and murder that never ceased to surprise.

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-5 stars
Dr Myles Butler is feeling very guilty over the large secret he is keeping from his wife Lana. It all comes down to some foolhardy investments using equity on their large Wimbledon house being chief among the things he has concealed. It’s a very real situation, he’s in a terrible mess and the bailiffs are but a few steps away. How to get himself out of the big financial hole he has dug himself is the big question. When Lana finds out the truth she is understandably less than happy. Well, new neighbours, Gabe and Holly may just have the solution, it’s audacious if not dangerous. Do they dare????

Myles doesn’t half take us on a journey. To begin with, although he’s been an idiot his intentions seem good, his fears of letting Lana down are palpable. As time goes on being inside his head becomes less than comfortable but it makes for gripping reading. The plot begins quite slowly, but it doesn’t half ramp up! The characterisation and the couples dynamics are very good as you watch the changing dances of various power plays and much much more. A mystery element begins to feature too and then becomes centre stage.

There is tension in spades, actually in great shovelfuls and there are some dynamite scenes. Implosions, explosions, characters acting like Rottweilers for varying reasons and the unpredictable plot twists just keep on coming. It becomes oh so darkly devious as people are ensnared and caught between rocks and hard places and it’s lipsmackingly good reading. The moral if there is one is how well do we really know someone?

Overall, it’s an extremely well written novel in a style that is most engaging and I really enjoy it. As for that ending…. that is dark!! That gets a great big tick from me!!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Quercus Books, river run for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review

[Kath · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
Although it was quite easy to finish this book - I never had the feeling to quit - I found the premise of this book to be a little over the top for me and had my eyes rolling quite a few times.
We meet Myles and Lana Butler who have overstretched themselves financially to live on a new development in Wimbledon, in a house that is way too big for the two of them. They are only just making the mortgage repayments until one day they aren't. Myles not being a financial wizard and investing badly. But he keeps all this from Lana. Cue secrets and lies.
And then, one day, they have new neighbours - Gabriel and Holly Wright move in next door and the two couples strike up a good relationship. Sharing meals and getting to know each other.
Things tick along until the day Lana finds out their true financial position and it all comes out into the open and they share their fears with the Wrights. Who, coincidentally might have the solution... Life-Insurance fraud... Cue dysfunctional behaviour.
And so begins a bonkers, over the top, but well plotted, story that skirted plausibility and then obliterated it! My opinion only, so I will leave you to make up your own mind without spoilers.
I did guess quite a bit early which probably didn't help my overall enjoyment as I was denied a few "aha" moments which probably could have saved things.
But, on the flip side, it was deliciously bonkers and over the top and did keep me entertained. And it also did end well, to my satisfaction. Just the journey was a bit hit or miss.
Which is all a bit of a shame cos I absolutely LOVE this author's Frankie Sheehan series of books - which I will heartedly recommend. Definitely looking out for the next one of these.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

[Jonathan Dunseath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Myles & Lana Butler live in a gorgeous new house in Wimbledon, depending on a mortgage they can barely afford. When one of Myles’ investments goes wrong, they are bound to lose everything.

Gabriel & Holly Wright have just moved in next door. They are sophisticated, ambitious and very wealthy. At an after dinner drink with their new neighbours, Myles & Lana share their financial worries and a solution is suggested - life insurance fraud. For a cut of the pay out, the Wrights would help them.

No one thought they were serious. No one agreed they’d actually go through with it. And no one mentioned it would involve murder. Then one night, Lana doesn’t come home.

Wow. This book. I finished it in 24 hours which tells you how much I enjoyed it. I love the writing. I love the story. I loved the complexity & the drama in their lives.

I couldn’t put the book down. I had to know what happened. The chapters left on cliffhangers and I just had to keep reading.

A neighbour is someone to turn to, to support you & help you. But what if that is a facade and the only interests your neighbour has, is their own?

I did not think the book would end how it did. I kept thinking, how is Myles going to get away with this and then the last quarter of the book happens. I loved it.

I loved the whole dark domestic feel to the book, how a trusted, well thought of GP could go to such extremes to get out of crippling debts.

Do you trust your neighbours? Or more importantly, do you trust your spouse? Add this book to your TBR pile and thank me later.

[Sheila Rawlings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr Myles Butler and his wife Lana live on a gorgeous new gated development just outside Wimbledon Village, supported by a mortgage that is just within their budget. Unfortunately, when one of Myles' investments fails, they suddenly find themselves about to lose everything. Then Gabriel and Holly Wright move in next door and an unexpected opportunity presents itself.

The Wrights are sophisticated, ambitious and apparently very wealthy. At an after-dinner drink with their new neighbours, Myles and Lana decide to share their worries and a solution is suggested between the couples ... life insurance fraud. For a cut of the pay out, the Wrights offer to help them pull it off.

At first, Giles does not take the offer seriously. Nor does he believe they would ever go through with their suggestion. He certainly does not expect it to involve murder. Then, one night, Lana fails to come home.

‘The End of Us’ is a dark and cleverly written thriller with several twists and turns. The characters are well defined and the storyline totally engrossing. Although it is difficult to empathise with such self-serving people, I found it hard not to feel sorry for Miles, as he gets himself deeper and deeper into trouble. However, no one is entirely honourable and as Miles endeavours to salvage what’s left of his reputation, his actions not only spiral out of control but set off a chain of events which expose everyone’s true colours. The chilling finale will leave you reeling.

[KathVBtn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Myles and Lana are a successful professional couple living a successful professional lifestyle; he's a GP in a private practice whilst she is a psychotherapist. Unbeknown to Lana, however, Myles has been borrowing more and more money to keep their lifestyle afloat and their dream house is at risk of being re-possessed. When Lana finds out, she is understandably furious and he's sure that their marriage is in peril One night however, Gabriel, a neighbour and old friend of Lana's jokingly suggests that an insurance fraud could be the answer to their financial nightmare, if they could pull off a life insurance scam, everything would be paid for.
Suddenly things start spiralling out of control, with Gabriel and Lana concocting a plan that's sounding more possible......

The End of Us was a page turning domestic psych thriller, with unexpected twists and turns and I read it quickly. None of the characters were very likeable; they were all self-centred and selfish. I'm not sure if they were meant to be or not, but I didn't really have any emotional connection to them, so I wasn't that bothered when things started to go wrong. I enjoyed the storyline though, and it was full of drama, so 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for me.

[June Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appearances can be deceptive. Myles and Lana are a perfect couple. Beautiful house, loving relationship, excellent careers, not a care in the world. When new neighbours Holly and Gabe move in, friendship soon develops and confidences shared. Myles thought he could handle his secret without involving Lana, but she was too clever for him. Luckily Gabe and Holly could help, in their own special way!

I really enjoyed this book. Fast paced and edgy, a good thriller. The development of the Myles character was very good, who would have thought!

The characters were all pretty grim, with the possible exception of Daniel who got the pity vote.

There are lots of books of this genre, domestic plots, dodgy neighbours, houses with secrets, etc., some good others not so, but this is a good one. Story did get a bit muddy around the cabin plot line, but apart from that it was very good. And the last sentence of the book!!!

My first book by this author, but I shall definitely look for more. Do you think we have heard the last from Myles?

A dark, twisty thriller, I thoroughly recommend.

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an easy read, about some not entirely likeable but interestingly complex characters. Myles and Lana are facing a financial crisis that might be an existential threat to their relationship - or so Myles at least fears, since he has not come from the kind of privileged background that Lana has.

When their new neighbours Holly and Gabriel come up with an outrageous suggestion to help them, Myles is unwilling to consider the idea of insurance fraud involving Lana's policy. But his wife may be of a different mind.
And so begins a journey that Myles has never imagined.

We have the story from Myles' POV, which I found quite interesting. Because although he is not particularly likeable, some of his ideas are understandable, if not relatable, given his life experiences.

The story moves quite quickly and the writer succeeds in holding the reader's attention without too much effort. There are plenty of twists and quite a bit of darkness on offer here, so if that sounds appealing, this might well be a thriller for you. It gets 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this one kept my mind reeling and after quite a slow start I never knew what to expect next! The story is told by Myles and my goodness what a detestable character he was, married to Lana he is struggling with debt and hiding just how bad the situation is to her. A solution must be sorted and after a dinner party with neighbours Gabe and Holly it’s seems like and answer is found when they all decide to embark on an insurance fraud but oh my from that moment everything begins to take a very nasty turn.
I liked this book a lot though I think it stretched the imagination somewhat but I quite liked that. What made it for me was I disliked nearly all of the characters, I’m not quite sure what that says about me but it certainly made the book one heck of a good read!
My first book by Olivia Kiernan and based on what a great book this one was it won’t be the last.
My thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books, Riverrun for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[adxcle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This just didn’t do much for me. A 2-star rating, for me, doesn’t mean I hated it. But it just means I only enjoyed parts but overall didn’t love the story.

I do see the potential of the book to be enjoyable for a lot of people so this is only for my personal opinion / taste in crime & thriller reads.


It was going good at the beginning and I was enjoying the story, but then I struggled to stay engaged / hyped to see where it went. I think I lacked the care for the characters, or the deep mystery of finding out what was happening.

I feel like the big twists were kinda predictable for me, and didn’t feel too mind-blowing. I didn’t really get a good sense towards the main characters choices in his actions towards the end, and felt like they could of been backed with a little more relevant stories or depth to his thought process.

It feels like a long journey to get to the characters final ending/closing and I just wasn’t blown away with the overall premise & how it ended. It was still an easy read, and enjoyable in parts.

[Saffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Frankie Sheehan series by the author so was looking forward to this, her first stand alone thriller.
Myles, a GP at a private practice and Lana, a psychotherapist, live in an exclusive housing development in Wimbledon. They seem outwardly wealthy and privileged, but Myles has been stacking up debts and they are in danger of losing their home and privileged lifestyle, when their new neighbours Gabriel and Holly come up with the idea of an insurance fraud.
This was an enjoyable, twisty and gripping read that I raced through over the course of 24 hours. The characters are so privileged and unlikeable, and this meant that initially I found it hard to connect with the plot. However, it's such a well paced and compelling read and I soon became completely caught up in the twists and turns of the plot. Recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by the author and I was really impressed with this effort.

Lana and Myles have recently bought their new home, for them status is everything. However, when a few deals go bad, their finances quickly spiral and they are faced with the prospect of losing their home - and worse, their reputation.

Mentioning this to the new neighbours, the Wrights, a plan is soon developed which involves faking Lana's death and claiming her sizable life insurance. Myles decides no..... but then one night Lana fails to come home.......

I shall not say anymore as this twisty ride should be experienced with no expectations or presumptions made on behalf of the read. Just belt in and put a few hours aside as once you pick this up its not getting put down. The very definition of a page turner!

Thanks to Netgalley and Quercus Books, riverrun, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

The End of Us tells the story of Myles and Lana Butler, who move into an exclusive gated community in Wimbledon. It is the kind of place where neighbours take it in turn to host dinners and everyone knows everyone elses business. Myles is struggling financially and is close to losing their home; the couple discuss this with their neighbours and laugh about the possibility of committing insurance fraud. Then Lana disappears...

At first, I thought this was like every other story about a gated community, however it soon became clear that there was more to it. The premise was a new one to me and I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would. There were lies and deception and you're never quite sure who to trust; I loved it!

None of the characters were particularly likeable and their morals are pretty non-existent, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading about them.

My thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.

[Nikki Houghton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh wow. Just how many times can Gone Girl be rewritten? Although the plot is murderous, macabre, and occasionally heart stompingly brilliant (despite having more holes than a fisherman’s jumper) it is also really, really slow. At times I wanted to strangle the author for making me wait and wait and anticipate-no, I don’t want to sit through another dinner party with this lot,no thank you; and that Detective Hunter? What was he for…….?
All the characters are pretty much the caricatures a book of the sixth magnitude would require (think Jessica Rabbit meets Goofy) and the author has dreadful issues writing her protagonist as a man (stick to what you know, dear, and what you know is how to be female, the male POV does not work under your pen. At all).
That said, I tore through this novel and even found myself rooting for Dr Myles Butler, god forgive my poor tortured eyes and soul.
Loved the non ending, too good for this book, very Samantha Dowling.