Where You End

A Novel

By: Abbott Kahler

Narrated by: Megan Tusing, Samantha Desz

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

"Tusing keeps listeners' attention from the start. At first, her voice has the quality of an ingenue. Desz, as Jude, sounds dominating, subtle, and quietly terrifying. Their voices align beautifully, with a darkness that entices deeper listening, particularly when motivations aren't clear."—AudioFile (Earphones Award Winner)

“A perfectly paced, addictive thriller with a vicious twist.”—Paula Hawkins

From bestselling nonfiction author Abbott Kahler comes a spellbinding fiction debut: an unusual form of amnesia upends the lives of identical twins, forcing them to face the indelible, dangerous shadow of the past.

When Kat Bird wakes up from a coma, she sees her mirror image: Jude, her twin sister. Jude’s face and name are the only memories Kat has from before her accident. As Kat tries to make sense of things, she believes Jude will provide all the answers to her most pressing questions:

Who am I?

Where am I?

What actually happened?

Amid this tragedy, Jude sees an irresistible opportunity: she can give her sister a brand-new past, one worlds away from the lives they actually led. She spins tales of an idyllic childhood, exotic travels, and a bright future.

But if everything was so perfect, who are the mysterious people following Kat? And what explains her uncontrollable flashes of violent anger, which begin to jeopardize a sweet new romance?

Duped by the one person she trusted, Kat must try to untangle fact from fiction. Yet as she pulls at the threads of Jude’s elaborate tapestry, she has no idea of the catastrophe she’s inviting. At stake is not just the twins’ relationship, but their very survival.

Intensely creepy and beautifully written, Abbott Kahler’s Where You End is an unforgettable tale of intrigue, revenge, and the quest for redemption.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company.

©2024 Abbott Kahler (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“A vividly written, deeply layered novel about the intersection of sisterhood, memory, and trauma. Abbott Kahler is a powerful storyteller, and this book kept me in its grasp until the final page." (Sarah Pekkanen, New York Times bestselling author of Gone Tonight)

“A genuinely startling tale of love and revenge, Where You End’s ingenious structure and breakneck pace had me feverishly turning pages. But it’s Abbott Kahler’s sharp-witted and intrepid heroines, portrayed with such depth and compassion, who elevate this haunting inquiry into the indelible power of memory. Heads up, Indies: this fiction debut is a handselling book lover’s dream.” (Joshilyn Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of Never Have I Ever and Mother May I)

“Where You End is haunting, suspenseful and beautifully written—a modern-day gothic that explores the peculiar bond between twin sisters and the twisted power of cults; the mysteries of memory and the ineluctable pull of the past. It unnerves and beguiles in ways reminiscent of Donna Tartt’s The Secret History and David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks”—but it’s a true original.” (Margaret Talbot, New Yorker staff writer and author of The Entertainer)

Good but just wanted more

It wasn’t a bad story but there was just so much potential to be more! More creepy, more suspenseful, more weird. The performers were great though.

More than the usual cliche fest, this book is good from the first to the last sentence.

Really impressive use of language that enhances the story, which snakes from past to present. Read it!

Weird and Good!

This book is so unique. The author does a great job weaving everything together. If kept me listening and coming back!

Just a fluke

I am not really sure why I listened to this book. But I’m glad I did!

Couldn’t stop listening!

I’ve always enjoyed Abbot’s storytelling style and this first foray into fiction was absolutely addictive. There are so many layers to this novel yet it’s easy to follow and always engaging. It’s clear that Abbot did her research!
The narration was very well done with two narrators alternating from past to present. As an audiophile, I’m impressed by the voice talent, too!

Trigger warning, child sexual assault

Trigger warning, child sexual assault . It’s well written, well narrated, but couple hours in and there is an out of the blue child sexual assault. It is not off page. So I couldn’t go on, maybe it is a good book, but you really need to give a heads up on that kinda thing.

very strange

The blurb doesn't explain the plot/story very well. It is a very odd story, rather disturbing, and I'm not sure what to think of it. My overall conclusion is that I didn't care for it much. The narrator's did a nice job, but I wish I had given this one a pass.

Don't waste your time unless you have really low standards

The plot is just this side of total trash and the narrator who voiced Jude creeped me out. Her voices for King Bash and Verona telegraphed evil and slime with every breath. No doubt she's talented but I had a good idea where the story was going from the start. I'm sorry I didn't stop at the first chapter and wish I had my time and money back. With so many great books in the world I'm disappointed in myself for wasting my time with this one.

It's just okay - a bit odd and hard to like

I listened to this book rather quickly, but after I finished I thought that I didn't really like it very much. Some of the goings on were hard to listen to and hard to believe that someone would give that many changes to what appears to be a crazy person.
The narrator's did a nice job, but in hindsight, I think I should have used a credit on a story that is less creepy/nutty.