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End of Story cover art

End of Story

By: Louise Swanson
Narrated by: Sophie Bentinck
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Summary

Too much imagination can be a dangerous thing

It's the year 2035 and fiction has been banned by the government for five years. Writing novels is a crime. Reading fairytales to children is punishable by law.

Fern Dostoy is a criminal. Officially, she has retrained in a new job outside of the arts but she still scrawls in a secret notepad in an effort to capture what her life has become: her work on a banned phone line, reading bedtime stories to sleep-starved children; Hunter, the young boy who calls her and has captured her heart; and the dreaded visits from government officials.

But as Fern begins to learn more about Hunter, doubts begin to surface.

What are they both hiding? And who can be trusted?

©2023 Louise Swanson (P)2023 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Critic reviews

"As much a ride as a read, this tense, paranoid thriller expands into something absolutely show-stopping. End of Story is a rare find indeed! Louise Swanson takes every expectation and defies it - to tell a breath-taking tale of humanity and redemption." (Janice Hallett)

"Wow. Swanson gives us what few writers can- a thriller with heart. End of Story will undoubtedly be the hit of 2023!" (Christina Dalcher)

"An unforgettable tour-de-force. Imaginative, terrifying, beautiful. Do not miss this one." (Chris Whitaker)

What listeners say about End of Story

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stunning

didn't know what to expect with this book and the initial dystopian premise was excellent - bleak, scary and a bit 'out there'. but the way the story evolved just broke my heart. highly recommend this unique story

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A gripping thriller

This book was incredibly compelling, a thriller about a world with no fiction and so much more: about grief, loss, loneliness and healing. Ambitious and moving, I loved it.

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Amazing

Excellent story thoroughly enjoyed would certainly recommend look forward to another book from Louise Swanson

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Wow!

Wow! I’ve really enjoyed this! It started as one book and ended up as something else!

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Ridiculous

This book was predictable and utterly ridiculous. I fell for the hype but was completely let down.

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