Reviews with content warning for Animal cruelty - Unnatural Ends

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Unnatural Ends by Christopher Huang

4 reviews

ahill33's review

mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Wow! What an interesting mystery to read. This follows three siblings: Alan, Roger and Caroline. They have been tasked with finding their father’s killer. The plot intrigued me right from the beginning, and this story had many twists and turns that I did not expect. By the end I was fuming at a particular character…I’ll let you guess who!

I really enjoyed reading this from the multiple perspectives. Not only did we get to see things from the siblings POV but also from side characters as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for an honest review!

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anntharai's review

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

With thanks to NetGalley, Christopher Huang, and the publishers at Inkshares for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read a lot of books, moreover I read a lot of mysteries, and this book has had a greater hold over me since I began reading it than any other I’ve read this year.

I was actively thinking about this book long after pausing for the day. The writing was visceral in its imagery, the characters wildly infuriating and lifelike - even the ones who make up the background to the story. This attention to depth doesn’t, however, add unnecessary bulk to the work - at no point does the story ramble or go on at length for no reason. I can see the style not resonating with some readers, but for those whom it does - they are in for a literary treat.

There’s no denying it deals with some nasty philosophies and world beliefs - racism, xenophobia, misogyny - the violent realities of many people - abuse of differing types and degrees, suicide, and murder. Vitally, though, at no point does it feel targeted, callous, or gratuitous in detail.

It is a curiously written, engaging, horrible story full of strange, off-putting, and sympathetic (if not necessarily likeable) characters.

In short, this book is a truly remarkable thing. I will be keeping an eye out for other work by Huang.

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caffeine_free's review

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

In the beginning was Linwood Hall, and Linwood Hall was the world.

Unnatural Ends by Christopher Huang feels like an ode to 20th century mystery novels; I instantly thought of Agatha Christie as I read this, which made me even more excited, as well as sympathetic to the pacing since it felt appropriate for the period it was trying to emulate. The story follows the now-adult children of Sir Lawrence Linwood—Alan, Roger and Caroline—who take a break from their varied lives after being told their father has been murdered, forcing them to return to the place where it all started: home. Though the funeral is not all it seems. In the will, Sir Linwood gives his children a task to complete—a dying wish, if you will: the first to solve his murder will become heir of Linwood Hall.

This book had me at the edge of my seat, and just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse for our three main characters, it does. I really enjoyed the multi-point of view. We could’ve gotten the entire story told in third-person omniscient, which isn’t bad, but I feel like the way the book is written allows us to form deeper connections with the characters separately (as well as compare what the others have seen and experienced, to see how they view each other).

I also don’t think there was a single character that wasn’t well-written. It felt like I was actually there, seeing Caroline speak to Davey in Paris; feeling Alan find himself, and his faith, as he explored Machu Picchu; watching Roger almost fumble his meeting by taking the wrong blueprint only for Iris to save him at the last minute. And he almost makes me wish that Linwood Hall exists (and I say “almost” because the thought of that place gives me the creeps), mostly in part for the research he’s done on the area (which I really appreciate because it shows through the book how much he loves this).

The only thing I have a critique on is how it ended. It felt very anticlimactic. Thank you to Netgalley, Christopher Huang and Inkshares for allowing me to read this ARC; it’s hands down one of my favorite books now.

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chublaikhan's review

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mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Thanks to NetGalley and Christopher Huang for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. This was a thorough, well written and interesting golden age mystery! Huang’s depth of research is evident and I really enjoyed the characters. His portrayal of the female characters especially felt realistic for the era while also highlighting their character and agency. I wasn’t surprised by the outcome, but I thought the motive/resolve was unique enough that I didn’t mind. While it held my attention the whole time it also felt a tad slow, which is my only knock down in rating.

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