“YOU KNOW HOW THIS STORY BEGINS.

Once upon a time, there was a writer named Fern.

She was a bestseller. An award-winner. Loved by readers and critics alike. With her words, she changed the world.

Until her story took a turn.

Now Fern is a cleaner in a hospital. Condemned to anonymity. Because reading books is now a crime.

Only, Fern doesn’t plan on going down without a fight. She’ll keep writing, no matter the consequences. She will make her voice heard.

Because Fern’s story is only beginning.

BUT CAN YOU GUESS HOW IT WILL END?

A white-knuckle ride of a thriller set in an all-too-believable near-future with a shocking twist, perfect for fans of Gillian McAllister and Catriona Ward.”

Hello and welcome to damppebbles. Today I am delighted to share my review of End of Story by Louise Swanson. End of Story was published by Hodder & Stoughton on 23rd March 2023 and is available in hardcover, audio and digital formats with the paperback to follow next year. I chose to read a free eARC of End of Story but that has in no way influenced my review.

Fern Dostoy used to be a bestselling author. But times have changed drastically following the government’s decision to ban all fiction, putting Fern out of a job and without her creative outlet. Life for Fern is pretty bleak. She works as a hospital cleaner, a job she hates, whilst secretly writing her thoughts and feelings down in a hidden diary. When Fern learns of a secret ‘bedtime story service’ a fellow ex-author is part of, she is keen to be involved. Yes, she’s breaking the law but the urge to share fiction with children again is just too strong. Creeping out of the house in the dead of night and risking her life and freedom to do so. When a young boy calls the bedtime story line, Fern is immediately drawn to him. She’s desperate for more information on Hunter. But Fern’s need to tell stories, and to Hunter in particular, could be the death of her…

End of Story is a bold and highly imaginative tale from an author who knows how to pack an emotional punch. Side note: Swanson also writes under the name Louise Beech and I have read and enjoyed a number of her other books. The characters are always beautifully depicted, the story is always fully involving and you can guarantee it will be an emotional ride. End of Story is no different. This book had the author’s gorgeous prose and unfaltering style stamped all over it, but with a dystopian twist. I am a huge fan of dystopian fiction but I don’t read an awful lot of it these days. So when I heard Swanson was about to publish her near-future dystopian debut, I was excited to read it. And what a concept! Sounds like hell on earth to me. Fiction is illegal. No stories, no fairy tales, everything published must be cold, hard fact. It would be a terrifying situation for most of the people I know. At the centre of the novel is Fern, a once bestselling author who is monitored and watched by the government to make sure she is abiding by the law. I liked Fern. I enjoyed how she was determined to keep writing despite being watched. I liked that she was a risk taker and fully invested in the cause to keep stories alive. As the novel progresses the reader realises that there’s so much more to Fern than meets the eye. Beautifully written by the author.

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. I found End of Story to be a gripping, highly emotional read that’s well paced and very intriguing. There are twists and turns throughout, moments where I found myself open mouthed at this strange new world which I hope never to experience for myself! I was (and I know I am in the smallest minority here) a smidge disappointed with the big twist. I can explain why this is but I believe in doing so, there’s a chance I’m going to give something away which I shouldn’t, so I won’t elaborate now. However, please know that the writing is superb, the characters are believable and interesting, and the dystopia aspect of the novel had me fully invested, immersing myself in Swanson’s strange new world. Recommended.

I chose to read and review a free eARC of End of Story. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

End of Story by Louise Swanson was published in the UK by Hodder & Stoughton on 23rd March 2023 and is available in hardcover, audio and digital formats with the paperback to follow (please note, the following links are affiliate links which means I receive a small percentage of the purchase price at no extra cost to you): | amazon.co.uk | Waterstones | Foyles | bookshop.org | Goodreads | damppebbles bookshop.org shop | damppebbles amazon.co.uk shop | damppebbles amazon.com shop |

Louise Swanson wrote End of Story during the final lockdown of 2020, following a family tragedy, finding refuge in the fiction she created. The themes of the book – grief, isolation, love of the arts, the power of storytelling – came from a very real place. Swanson, a mother of two who lives in East Yorkshire with her husband, regularly blogs, talks at events, and is a huge advocate of openly discussing mental health and suicide.

She also writes as Louise Beech. Beech’s nine books have won the Best magazine Book of the Year 2019, shortlisted for the Romantic Novel of the Year, longlisted for the Polari Prize, and been a Clare Mackintosh Book Club Pick. Her memoir, Daffodils, was released in audiobook in 2022, and as Eighteen Seconds in Paperback 2023.