Unnatural Ends by Christopher Huang

I was drawn into this story from the first chapter and it never failed in its promise of a great story. It is an absorbing well-crafted story and I felt I was there with the characters in their surroundings. 

It is a brilliantly written historical murder mystery with diverse characters.

I am looking forward to future books from Christopher Huang.

Siblings, Alan, Roger, and Caroline are called back to their childhood home, Linwood Hall in Yorkshire, following the murder of their father, Sir Linwood.

When his will is read, they learn that the one successful in solving his murder will inherit his entire estate.

Sir Linwood had been a domineering, controlling, and often cruel father. His life lessons for the children included strength of character to the extent of insensitivity and indifference. He expects these traits to dominate and for the siblings to each follow their course of investigation without sharing their knowledge.

But he underestimates his children. 

All three siblings were ado
pted as babies and two are of mixed race. After their initial individual enquiries, they soon share information, combine their knowledge and work together.

Their research and interviews reveal dark secrets in their past and their father’s mysterious life.

The siblings are the three main characters. Alan is an archaeologist, Roger an engineer, and Caroline a journalist (that is as far as her father knew who also believed she was certain to become a politician)

Other key characters include Iris Morgan (Roger’s fiancé), Giles Brewster (innkeeper), Detective Inspector Mowbray, and Lady Linwood (wife of the deceased).

In addition to the people, and due to Huang’s skilful writing and descriptions, Linwood Hall is an imposing and ominous character itself that dominates the landscape.

All characters (including the minor ones) were interesting, well developed, and (most of them) likeable.

The story of the siblings is so fascinating the ‘murder mystery’ takes a back seat to the gradual revelations of the past. Huang achieved this through varying POVs. Each character has a distinct ‘voice’ and reveals their past through flashbacks, but the storyline doesn’t get bogged down.

The author skilfully uses language to set the mood and the time. I felt I was right there in the mansion, shivering from the cold and morbidity. I wish I could write with the beauty and turn of phrase used in this book.

The story deals with sensitive issues including psychological and physical abuse but I felt it was not too graphic.

Thank you to NetGalley, Inkshares & Christopher Huang for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My rating 5*