I'm Thinking of Ending Things

By: Iain Reid

Narrated by: Candace Thaxton

Length: 5 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's Summary

In this deeply scary and intensely unnerving debut novel, Jake and a woman known only as "The Girlfriend" are on a drive to visit his parents at their secluded farm. But when Jake leaves "The Girlfriend" stranded at an abandoned high school, what follows is a twisted unraveling of the darkest unease, an exploration into psychological frailty, and an ending as suspenseful as The Usual Suspects and as haunting as Misery.

Deeply scary and intensely unnerving, Iain Reid's debut novel is a tightening spiral of a story about a woman's uncertainty of her relationship with her boyfriend, Jake. After an uncomfortable and confusing trip to meet Jake's parents at their isolated farmhouse, reality unravels, and events spin out of control when Jake and "The Girlfriend" make an unscheduled stop at an abandoned high school.

Part murder mystery, part psychological thriller, I'm Thinking of Ending Things is about doubt, psychological fragility, and the lengths we'll go to avoid the truth. As twisted as Shutter Island, as suspenseful as Under the Skin, and as atmospheric as The Sisters Brothers, Reid's breakout literary thriller is sure to keep listeners guessing until the last minute.

©2016 Iain Reid (P)2016 Simon & Schuster

What a ride! This is a must read!

You will read the summary and think you have an idea what this book will be like. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO GET INTO! This book will stay in your head long after you put it down. It's not for everyone, I'm sure. It's creepy, bizarre, philosophical and really makes you use your brain! It's unsettling but in a good way in my opinion. Again, not for everyone but if you like something creepy and bizarre this is for you!

Skip it

Narration was quirky with odd inflection. (Why does everyone try to read like Ira Glass?). Even if it worked for the story (which it doesn't), it was frustrating to listen to after awhile. Story had interesting ideas, but never really went anywhere. Not really as shocking or surprising as other reviews let on. But thought it was well written.

Strange book with an odd time-line.

I felt like I was missing something throughout the entire book. it definitely had a twist but was confusing and I'm still not sure of what was actually going on. I think it doesn't lend itself well to the audio format.

Skip the description and just dive in!

The less said about the plot of this excellent debut novel, the better. I suggest you don't even read the description beyond "In this deeply suspenseful and irresistibly unnerving debut novel, a man and his girlfriend are on their way to a secluded farm." It contains a spoiler you're better off not knowing. Just listen to the book and listen carefully. It's written in a conversational, first person style that moves so casually it would be easy to overlook just how carefully crafted it is, to miss subtle moments that have significance.

It's an unnerving and compelling novel. I highly recommend it!

Couldnt stop listening!

Any additional comments?

This is one of those stories that I love getting from Audible, one I just cant stop listening to. The ending is not clear cut, it is very elusive. I believe the author wanted you to put some thought into why and what, and so there are answers, but not the epiloge that is usually tied with a bow. Not sure I am a fan of that, but it does keep you thinking long after the story is done.

An ending I never saw coming

This audiobook was 10 different layers of conflicting emotions. Twists and turns and a last chapter I never saw coming. The banter between the two main characters was intelligent and witty. The backstory was told beautifully. As it went along I definitely got engrossed in the storyline but I would never have guessed how it ended. The narrator did a great job and the story was told well with great inflection and emotions that were believable. If you’re looking for something different, a challenge to see if you can figure it out, this audio is for you.

A beautiful let down.

There was such potential in the storyline. But it took a long time to get used to the performers chirpy voice so that it wasn't so distracting. I think a lot of wonderful questions and concepts are raised in the introspective reflections of the narrator but there is a lot of tremendous buildup for a not so fulfilling ending.

I wish I knew...

loved it from the beginning and literally couldn't put it down but alas a horrible ending. I do not recommend wasted time.

Still Thinking

This book promises much and delivers little. Parts, such as the interminable, pointless conversations between Jake and his protagonist girlfriend, try the soul of willing listeners/readers.
The suspenseful moments outside and inside the high school are frightening and seem to be leading us to the core of the mystery, until they don't.
Audible/Amazon goes way too far in comparing this weak first novel to stars such as MISERY or THE USUAL SUSPECTS.

Psychological mystery

Very unique. You know early on that something is not right in the relationship and you can probably guess to some extinct the problem but the writing is so creative that you still enjoy the journey to the end. Highly recommend.