The Beauty of the End - Hardcover

Howells, Debbie

3.62

1,080 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 149670598X ISBN 13: 9781496705983

Publisher: Kensington, 2016

View all copies of this ISBN edition:

From the acclaimed author of The Bones of You comes a haunting and heartbreaking new psychological thriller about a man thrust into the middle of a murder investigation, forced to confront the secrets of his ex-lover's past.

"I was fourteen when I fell in love with a goddess. . ."

So begins the testimony of Noah Calaway, an ex-lawyer with a sideline in armchair criminal psychology. Now living an aimless life in an inherited cottage in the English countryside, Noah is haunted by the memory of the beguiling young woman who left him at the altar sixteen years earlier. Then one day he receives a troubling phone call. April, the woman he once loved, lies in a coma, the victim of an apparent overdose--and the lead suspect in a brutal murder. Deep in his bones, Noah believes that April is innocent. Then again, he also believed they would spend the rest of their lives together.

While Noah searches for evidence that will clear April's name, a teenager named Ella begins to sift through the secrets of her own painful family history. The same age as April was when Noah first met her, Ella harbors a revelation that could be the key to solving the murder. As the two stories converge, there are shocking consequences when at last, the truth emerges.

Or so everyone believes. . .

Set in a borderland where the past casts its shadow on the present, with a time-shifting narrative that will mesmerize and surprise, The Beauty of the End is both a masterpiece of suspense and a powerful rumination on lost love.

Advanced Praise for The Beauty of the End

“Debbie Howells is a terrific new talent—she paints with words and takes a scalpel to emotions.”—New York Times bestselling author Peter James

"A combination of lyrical writing and smart mystery. It's a winner.”—Sandra Block, author of The Girl Without a Name

Praise for The Bones of You

“One of those books that captivates you from the first page, holds tight and never lets go. I savored every word, character and psychological twist. Truly brilliant!”—Lisa Jackson, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Suspenseful and poignant debut . . . the increasingly tense storytelling and astute observations on mother-daughter relationships will keep readers turning the pages.”—Publishers Weekly

“Has been compared to Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones . . . Indeed, Rosie's voice offers a dynamic narrative. Her disembodied perspective, tempered with other points of view—chiefly Kate’s—adds an unusual and haunting layer to the novel.”—Library Journal

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:

Debbie Howells is the author of The Bones of You, her debut thriller which sold internationally for six-figures in several countries. While in the past she has been a flying instructor, the owner of a flower shop, and a student of psychology, she currently writes full-time. Debbie lives in West Sussex with her family, please visit her online at DebbieHowells.com.

Review:

A terrific new talent. She paints with words and takes a scalpel to emotions -- Peter James Full of twists and surprises, you'll be gripped until the end Essentials Magazine Kept me guessing Woman & Home A haunting new thriller Good Housekeeping Debbie Howells, bestselling author of The Bones of You, showcases the superb control she has in her writing ... weaving together a tale of both past and present in a single narrative, Howells' skills as a writer are at the forefront of this novel, making it a fantastic read Dead Good Books Intense and gorgeous ... gloriously plotted and absolutely beautifully written, one of those novels where small parts of the prose make you shiver and give a real emotional pull Liz Loves Books The characterisation here is exceptional ... This book is quite beautifully constructed, with perfect pace - and has real emotional depth as the harrowing story of treachery and betrayal unfolds. The different threads are quite perfectly handled - this author really is a quite excellent storyteller, who handles the complicated structure with total ease, never dropping a stitch Being Anne Reading Spectacularly written and plotted, Howells is a masterful thriller writer, so if you're a fan of the genre, you must, must put her on your list ... Howells' whole writing style is a beautiful balancing act. It's not the beauty of the end, it's the beauty of the book in its entirety. This story is a little cracker. It explores the dark side of privilege and human nature and also how it's dangerous to cast too rosy a glow on people or memories The Book Bag

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.