What did others think of the ending of this book.  I found it quite genius really.  Although the book you're seeing things through Ryan, so it makes sense if he don't know what happened why should the reader, it just keeps us in suspence and making up our own conculsions.

I found the ending exactly what it should have been. Adam/Rob is a very damaged character, and as you say it makes sense. He doesn't know what happened, all his flashbacks only serve to confuse him further, so why should we be less confused. I think it's sad these days that readers want every i dotted and t crossed. The present day murder was solved (and yes, I fingered R from the start, couldn't see why nobody else did), but the ongoing case, seen through the rather surreal narration of Ryan, was rivetting. All the main characters came over strongly, all damaged in their own way, and Ryan's inability to understand Cassie's suffering was very well drawn, even when you wanted to shake him!

I see that Tana French is nominated for first novel by an American author, but for me she does not write as an American (and indeed she seems to have spent most of her life outside America). I don't know Ireland well, but I found the background most convincing.

I loved this book, and as I've said elsewhere, I need to read it again. I picked up on a lot of Ryan's 'hidden' points, but not all.

I see on Amazon that her new book is about Cassie, which seems right - can't see another book devoted to Ryan, poor soul!

tolly18:

He doesn't know what happened, all his flashbacks only serve to confuse him further, so why should we be less confused. I think it's sad these days that readers want every i dotted and t crossed.

 

I can see this point.  However, I think I was hoping for more twists or at least a more dramatic ending, even if we never find out what happened to the missing children.  I think because right at the beginning Ryan tells the reader that he is a liar, I expected that to have a more dramatic effect on the story and in fact, I thought HE might turn out to be the killer.

I hated it!  I bought the book after reading the blurb and was dying to find out what happened to him and his friends after all those years.  I felt the end as a cop out and the author didn't know where to take it so just ended it with him accepting he wouldn't remember it.  However I know I am in the minority here as almost everyone else loved it.

I didn't like it either.

Far too verbose and long drawn out. To be honest, I couldn't finish it.