This Is Where It Ends

By: Cindy K. Sproles

Narrated by: Barbara McCulloh

Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Award-Winning Author Pens a Unique Southern Tale

When Minerva Jane Jenkins was just 14 years old, she married a man who moved her to the mountains. He carried with him a small box, which he told her was filled with gold. And when he died 50 years later, he made her promise to keep his secret. She is to tell no one about the box or the treasure it contains.

Now 94, Minerva is nearing the end of what has sometimes been a lonely life. But she's kept that secret. Even so, rumors of hidden gold have a way of spreading, and Minerva is visited by a reporter, Del Rankin, who wants to know more of her story. His friend who joins him only wants to find the location of the gold. Neither of them knows quite who they're up against when it comes to the old woman on the mountain.

As an unlikely friendship develops, Minerva is tempted to reveal her secret to Del. After all, how long is one bound by a promise? But the truth of what's really buried in the box may be hidden even from her.

©2023 Cindy K. Sproles (P)2023 Recorded Books

the characters

beautiful story of Appalachia. I enjoyed this very much. I am going to listen to all of Cindy Sproles books.

Beautifully written, heartfelt novel

This is such a sweet, heartfelt story. I found myself smiling at an old ladys sass. A rollercoaster of emotions until the very last page.

Engaging story

This is Where it Ends is an emotion journey with a darling 94 year old heroine who will capture your heart. I wasn’t sure going in if I would enjoy this book. I’m primarily a romance reader, but I also love a good mystery. The fact that Cindy K. Sproles was able to hook me and keep me engaged is a testament to the power of great storytelling. It’s an exploration of love, secrets, family, faith, loneliness, greed, and death.

Set in the backwoods of a small Kentucky Appalachian town in the early 1900’s, intrepid reporter Del Rankins journeys to Shoal Mountain to visit an old woman who holds the secrets to a decades old mystery. Isolated in a small cabin on top of the mountain, 94 year old Minerva Jane Jenkins has lived alone for the past 30 years. She’s kept the secret her husband asked her to keep concerning a box filled with gold. Del’s come to investigate the rumors of gold, and also connect to a lonely woman in need of help and comfort as she prepares for the end of her life.

At the age of 14, Minerva was whisked away to the mountain when she married the older Stately Jenkins. Theirs was a complicated relationship that’s teased out throughout the story. Minerva never opened the box and has dutifully kept the secret he asked of her. But, when Del comes asking questions, it stirs up the past and makes her think about things she’s hidden even from herself. She questions the promise she made and whether it’s time to break it.

Del is determined to help Minerva when he sees the conditions she’s living in especially at her advanced age and they form a delightful relationship. But, it seems someone is determined to find the box. Is Minerva just imagining things and experiencing the effects of aging, or is there someone who’s truly after the gold?

Minerva is a spitfire! I loved her no nonsense, humorous, engaging personality. Her Appalachian dialect and Southern sayings made her even more endearing. She’s been through so much in her 94 years. As the story slowly unravels, she expresses lots of regrets especially about whether it was right to close herself off from a community that would willingly embrace her. As she ponders her mortality, she’s faced with some deep questions. She doesn’t want to die alone, and her prayers are answered when Del comes to stay.

The audiobook version was good. I loved the way the narrator captured Minerva. There was some distinction between the characters, but at times it was difficult to distinguish between the male characters. It took a while for me to get used to the narration style, but the story soon hooked me and I found myself really enjoying the audiobook.

It’s the story of tender mercies and found family. Showing both the kindness and greed of strangers. A slow burn mystery that’s worth exploring until the very end. It’ll make you laugh, smile, shed a tear or two, and want to hold your aging family members a little closer.

Highly recommend to historical fiction fans! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given.

Where It Ends

Cindy Sproles once again delivered a spellbinding story about life and love and the messiness wrapped up in both. At the end of our days, how we loved is the real gold.

The narrator captured the flavor of the mountain folk with the right touch of twang.

Highly recommend this book.