Josh Lanyon here. But you knew that. I have a new title coming out with Loose Id this month. I haven't talked a great deal about it -- I haven't talked a great deal about anything as I'm buried in rewrites at the moment. The novella is called Don't Look Back, and as with the vast majority of my work, it's an m/m romance centered around a bit of mystery and romantic suspense. Nothing too intense. (At least in my opinion.) The story is really about the relationship between the two main characters.
This one is about a museum curator who wakes up in the hospital to find himself accused of...well, here's the blurb:
Museum curator Peter Killian wakes in the hospital, accused of ripping off his own museum. He doesn’t remember stealing the artifact or tough, sexy police Lt. Mike Griffin. But Mike remembers him and is determined to see Peter behind bars.
But...little segue here, I've been surprised lately to hear how many readers peek at the ending of a book. Especially a mystery or romantic-suspense novel. Granted, I've been known to do this with a couple of writers who...well, I just don't trust! But in general, no. I don't want to spoil the surprise. I like that tension. Mostly.
Usually.
If I trust the writer.
So I thought we'd do a little "contest" or giveaway here today. Comment on this post -- truthfully -- as to whether you peek at endings or not, and I'll randomly pick a couple of names/emails to give away a copy of Don't Look Back which will be released next Tuesday. You don't even have to justify your cheatin' ways! *g*
So...do you peek at the end?
25 comments:
I have, in the past, peeked. In my defence, these were writers who had, in my opinion, "gone off the boil" (in a "no longer any editorial control" way - possibly because they were deemed beyond such trivialities (hope the fact that I believe this should never be true shines through) or because they have "cheated" (with deus ex machina or treating a simple solution as impossible until the very end) or *gulp* have fallen so in love with their characters that they should be wearing their knickers outside pantyhose. This stuff seems (or seemed) more prevalent in murder-mystery and crime fiction, but is no doubt because this is usually a series-related thing (although if an author has "let me down" before, regardless of single title or series in the current book, I'd be likely to look.
However, these days I seldom buy mainstream (that looks so odd, when talking about genre fiction) murder-mystery or suspense titles for myself (am far too busy reading m/m flavoured with murder-mystery, SF/SFF and "straight" romance) and I haven't yet zipped to the end of an ebook to check, so either I have abandoned the "dodgy" writers (through a plentitude of titles available) or ebooks don't lend themselves to doing this (for me).
Cheers!
p.s. *puts on fangirl hat* Really enjoyed SKHE.
Yep, I am one of those, lol. When I shopped at actual booktores, I always read the ending before I forked out the money. These days I buy more ebooks than print, and will usually get about half way through before I just can't stand it, and have to read the last few pages. If doesn't take away the impact of the story, but somehow just lets me relax and enjoy it more.
Congrats Josh on your upcoming release. Checked out the excerpt and it looks like a great story.
I have to admit it. I am one of those who sneak peaks at the end of some (but not all) the books I read.....and I bet there are even more who won't come clean. LOL
I love your books, Josh, and am looking forward to the next one.
I never peek. I read predominently mystery/polic procedurals, and that would just ruin it for me. To me, it's figuring it all out as I read, getting lost in the mystery and danger, and how can that happen if I already know "who done it?"
And if I'm reading romance, we'll I'm pretty sure its going to end well.
As far as whether or not I trust an author to deliver? Every book is a leap of faith - even the ones by authors I love - and I'm usually not disappointed.
Unless I can't even finish it. Then, all bets are off and books can fly!
Off course I have peeked at endings! I truly believe everyone has at one time or another.
Ex.: I was so afraid that you had done something horrible to Adrien or Guy in the Pirate book that when I was half way through I peeked at the ending, but happily didn't get what was going on.
Mostly I would never peek but because of this being number 4 in a series and Adrien's troubled heart I grew really worried about this one.
I'm glad I was worried for nothing and I'm sure you chose the title with the worried readers in mind?
Thanks for your great writings.
I used to read the ending but now that I'm older and reading mostly e-books I don't anymore. {shrug} Not sure why, but I don't want to spoil the book by reading ahead anymore. Love your books, Josh. SKHE was great - looking forward to Don't Look Back.
I will admit I am not above peeking. I see nothing wrong with it, why waste the time? I am not one of those people whose enjoyment is ruined by spoolers. For me it is more of a journey not the a destination thing. Maybe that is why i read favorite books over and over. That said i don't jump to the end with every book. In part it depends on what genere it is ( i jump around genere and read many books at once like i have ADD). Romance books are almost garenteed to have a happy ending so you don't have to worry about the author being "realistic" and bumping characters off or leaving them miserable. (if i wanted to be depressed i'd watch the news) In other words the reading is worth the tears in the end.
If it is mystery i can usually wait till the end if i don't think someone i have become attached to is going to die.
I guess it is mainstreme genre and books that fall in between that i go right to the end. Also if it is not very good book but i still want the story line summed up. Or if the author splitts the book into so many little sections from more than 2 peoples point of view then i end up randomly reading ahead .
Not if I have any intention of reading the middle.
I only peek when I'm having troubles making through the book. And then, it's more of a skimming ahead trying to finish without reading. If I make it past the 1st couple chapters, my OCD kicks in & I want to know the story...even if really can't stand reading more. O_o
I have peaked a few times, though most of the time I don't. I prefer figuring out what I think is the end result and waiting to see if I am right or wrong.
Hey thanks, H.! Glad you liked SKHE. It was fun writing something relatively angst-free for a change. *g*
Thanks for the good wishes, Cathy. I admit to occasionally peeking. It really depends on a variety of factors.
If I'm reviewing or critiquing, then no. Because I need to have the real flow of the story.
Thanks Melanie! Nice to hear.
There are a handful of writers -- fan fic writers actually -- who I really love, but I always check their endings. I just can't take the death of characters I love.
Hey Lynn, I agree that peeking at the end of a mystery really messes the story dynamic. Oddly enough I don't ever peek to find out Who Dunnit. I like the puzzle.
I do peek if I think a beloved character might not still be breathing on the last page. *g*
Tennak, I'm flattered that I drove you to peeking. *g*
I actually try to take very good care of my readers -- if only because I know how enraged I am when authors do bad things to my favorite characters.
I'm so glad you enjoyed SKHE, Lisa. *g* Nice to hear.
When I was very young I used to peek at the end of mysteries, but now...well, for one thing I almost always know Who Dunnit the minute the character is introduced, so I don't want to ruin the puzzle anymore than I have to.
Tara, I think that's a great way to look at it. I'm one for re-reading favorite books again and again. Knowing how it all turns out almost makes it easier to relax and enjoy every scene on its own merit.
Hey there, Amber! You probably never shook your birthday presents either, right? *g*
Hey C, I've done that many a time on books I get bored with. If I can't be bothered to even peek at the ending, that really IS a sad statement.
Robin, I agree. The fun in the mystery is figuring out the puzzle.
I enjoy the puzzles even though it's really the characters that I read for.
And write for, frankly.
yes. fine. I admit it. I have peeked at the ending of one or two books in my life. OK. maybe 3.
Seriously, yes, sometimes I peek just to see if the two main characters were still alive.
but you know what - does it count if you "skim" a book in a book store - you know check out a couple of chapters in the middle? ever done that?
Fine. I peeked at the ending of more than 3 - since I am over 45 years, I have had a longer chance to be tempted (does that count?)
Basically. I am weak, and there's no excuse.
Hey you, LtC!
That's usually the thing that drives me to peek -- the death of a character I love. I just don't seem to be able to take the suspense the way I used to. *g*
My winners are (courtesy of my neice who has her own arcane system of choosing): Cathy M, Tara, and H.
Drop me a line with your email address and I'll be sending your copy of Don't Look Back when it's released.
Thanks so much, Josh, and congrats to Tara and H. Can't wait to read Don't Look Back.
Oh! Congratulations to Cathy M, Tara and Me! *g*
Big thanks to niece with Arcane Methods. :)
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