The Ending Writes Itself

"In the running for the best mystery of 2026. With a trove of tropes that mystery lovers will love, it will remind you, in the best way, of Agatha Christie." - Stephen King
"This captivating thriller is a must for every library and a great choice for book clubs." - Library Journal (starred review)
"The result is nothing short of dazzling." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"High-concept and highly entertaining." - Kirkus Reviews

"Prolific fantasy writer V. E. Schwab and YA author-turned-screenwriter Cat Clarke teamed up to create the Evelyn Clarke persona. Their first novel under the pseudonym is a mystery-and a send-up of the publishing industry itself-in which six authors are summoned to a private island and tasked with writing the ending to the final book from a bestselling author after his untimely death. As you can expect, this sets up a delightfully twisty locked-room mystery full of quirky characters." - Marie Claire
"Six writers are brought to a remote Scottish island to finish a beloved mystery novelist's final book-but not all is what it seems! And there's a ticking clock! The premise alone sounds delightful but when you learn that Evelyn Clarke is the pen-name for the duo of V. E. Schwab and Cat Clarke, you're more or less guaranteed a page-turning treat." - Lit Hub
"HarperCollins' highly-hyped The Ending Writes Itself is actually written by a mystery duo under the pen name Evelyn Clarke, and that in itself intrigues me enough to want to read it. It's also about writers, who are invited to a private island to complete an unfinished book-with just 72 hours to spare-by its deceased author. Sparing synopses of the book provide a tantalizing glimpse into what promises to be a killer mystery novel." - Page Six
"Fans of Agatha Christie's locked-room mysteries and modern tales like Knives Out will fall for The Ending Writes Itself, which masterfully blends classic mystery elements with genre-bending tropes. Crafted with razor-sharp wit and a meta twist, this satirical take on the publishing world ensures readers will hang on every word, right up to its breathtaking finale." - The Nerd Daily
"Smart, original, and completely addictive. . . The Ending Writes Itself is both a great locked-room thriller and a brilliant satire on the publishing industry. An absolute must-read" - Karin Slaughter, New York Times bestselling author of This Is Why We Lied and After That Night
"The most fun I've had with a book in a very, very long time." - A. J. Finn, New York Times bestselling author of End of Story and The Woman in the Window
"Fiendishly clever and compulsively readable, The Ending Writes Itself is both a page turning locked room mystery and a gimlet-eyed look at the business of writing books. An absolute must read." - Ellery Lloyd, New York Times bestselling author of The Club and The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby
"Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None meets Yellowface, this is a quirky murder mystery full of quirky characters and satisfying twists. Great fun!" - Kate Mosse, internationally bestselling author of The Map of Bones and The Ghost Ship
"A cracking read." - Val McDermid, internationally bestselling author of Silent Bones and Past Lying
"Full of twists and turns and mystery tropes, The Ending Writes Itself is a wonderful send-up of classic mysteries and a satire on modern publishing. A must-read for any mystery fan!" - G. T. Karber, internationally bestselling author of Murdle
"A hugely entertaining and thrilling locked-room mystery, with a great cast of characters and an ever-evolving plot." - B. A. Paris, New York Times bestselling author of The Prisoner and The Therapist

"Slick, sharp and wickedly fun, The Ending Writes Itself is a whip-smart addition to the locked room genre. Addictive and thrilling!" - Lucy Clarke, internationally bestselling author of The Surf House and The Hike