I don’t mind an ending that doesn’t tie up all the ends. I’m happy to have to think for myself. What I really hate is a cliffhanger. I feel I’ve been manipulated into buying the next book, so I often don’t.
If it’s done well, it can be the best way to finish a story. It depends on the type of story. For example, you can’t end a murder mystery without the culprit being revealed.
When I wrote romance in my other names, yes, I had to, but with mainstream crime, I’m loving killing everyone. So maybe not happy endings there hahaha.?
I don’t mind if the story just stops but what Atwood did at the end of The Handmaid’s Tale really annoyed me. Luckily, I read the book recently and we now have the TV series to explain what came next.
Ooh, I love it, makes me think what could happen. Like with Gone Girl, people hated the ‘end’ but for me it left endless possibilities…I still think about them and what they’ve been up to…
It makes me want to know what happens next to the characters – it’s not too bad if it’s part of a series but when the book is a one off, it feels unfinished.
People read crime because there are definite conclusions, so open endings should be banned. There has also been a trend recently for crime trilogies, where you have to buy three books to find out the ending – these should also be banned!
I don’t think it’s a good idea to leave a plot and story lines unfinished, but you can write an open ending where that initial story’s events are tied up, but there is still a hint of more to come….?
Unsatisfying for the reader. I get that an open ending is supposed to be thought provoking and intriguing, but to me it’s just annoying. And somewhat of a cop-out.
I agree that it is acceptable if the book is part of a closed sequence – a trilogy for instance – but on a one off basis I feel cheated by such books, which I feel show a kind of contempt for the reader and subvert the cathartic effect of fiction. Not keen on returning baddies, either. Batman should have just wrung the Joker’s neck years ago.
Not fair if it’s a book in the middle of a series – do you carry on reading or start at book 1 ?? Mind you if it’s great you just want to read more of them anyway!
Books are an escape from reality, so I don’t want to be left feeling out of control, wondering what happened, hoping that my favorite person is okay, but not knowing, I personally also want a happy ending, although I also enjoy books that have less happy endings. If books are as uncertain as real life, what is the point to fiction? I guess I’m old fashioned because i know many people now enjoy “reality” shows, that are just people being a mess, but that’s not something I enjoy.
I don’t mind an ending that doesn’t tie up all the ends. I’m happy to have to think for myself. What I really hate is a cliffhanger. I feel I’ve been manipulated into buying the next book, so I often don’t.
I have to admit that I feel cheated by them!
If it’s done well, it can be the best way to finish a story. It depends on the type of story. For example, you can’t end a murder mystery without the culprit being revealed.
I prefer my books to end all neatly tied up with a bow haha
I like a clear ending
Not much
I don’t mind if it’s done in such a way where I can make my own ending up, if that makes sense.
That’s more or less what I meant. If I can make sense of it without having all the ends tied up for me, I’m happy with it.
It’s quite nice to make the ending the way you want it lol.
@Emmy would you ever write a book that ends with a happy ending?
When I wrote romance in my other names, yes, I had to, but with mainstream crime, I’m loving killing everyone. So maybe not happy endings there hahaha.?
Drives me nuts. I like everything all tied up hate loose ends.
I like a book to have a proper ending – an open ending makes me feel like the author couldn’t think how to finish it ! ?
Try reading Italian crime fiction – no sodding ending!
I must seek out some Italian authors 😉
Leonardo Sciascia and Carlo Lucarelli are my recommendations.
I don’t mind if the story just stops but what Atwood did at the end of The Handmaid’s Tale really annoyed me. Luckily, I read the book recently and we now have the TV series to explain what came next.
I hate it. It makes me twitchy but so many love them. It isnt for me xxx
Really hate, it’s such a let down and anticlimactic.
Ooh, I love it, makes me think what could happen. Like with Gone Girl, people hated the ‘end’ but for me it left endless possibilities…I still think about them and what they’ve been up to…
It makes me want to know what happens next to the characters – it’s not too bad if it’s part of a series but when the book is a one off, it feels unfinished.
Pointless really.. It’s just like watching a 2hr film that finishes with a naff ending.. ?
Like open ended especially my fav.authors
I always write a definite ending unless it’s a series. It has to satisfy readers, or they feel cheated.
Don’t like open endings.
I don’t mind an open ending if I know the book is part of a series.
Is this a trick question? With an open ended question lol
That would be telling 😉
It’s only ok if there’s a second book to complete the story
pREFER A PROPER ENDING
If the book is part of a series fair enough but generally hate but open endings
Cliffhangers are fine so long as the author doesn’t leave it too long ( many years later) to write a sequel / tie up the loose ends.
Only if it’s part of a series.
Hate it. Book should carry a warning so I can avoid the cheated feeling I get
Hate them! Same with movies. Feel like it is a waste of time to read/watch them.
Hate them! Same with films, what was that one with Denzil Washington? At the end you didn’t know what was true and what wasn’t. Maddening!!
People read crime because there are definite conclusions, so open endings should be banned. There has also been a trend recently for crime trilogies, where you have to buy three books to find out the ending – these should also be banned!
Make me want to go “ARGGGG!! “ ???
Oh no! Annoying, end the story then next book!
Irritating
Annoying
Bit of a cop out
I don’t think it’s a good idea to leave a plot and story lines unfinished, but you can write an open ending where that initial story’s events are tied up, but there is still a hint of more to come….?
That’s what I like! A story should be complete but I don’t need a ‘they all lived happily ever after’ ending.
Unsatisfying for the reader. I get that an open ending is supposed to be thought provoking and intriguing, but to me it’s just annoying. And somewhat of a cop-out.
I dislike them intensely. Feel like I’ve wasted my time reading …
Not keen. I like a clean ending.and yes unsatisfying
Not at all keen, OK with an ongoing series but not standalone.
It tends to make me forget that I’ve finished the book, and I keep thinking ‘Oh, yes, must get back to that.’
The only way I find them to be acceptable is if it is part of an ongoing series as David says.
I agree that it is acceptable if the book is part of a closed sequence – a trilogy for instance – but on a one off basis I feel cheated by such books, which I feel show a kind of contempt for the reader and subvert the cathartic effect of fiction. Not keen on returning baddies, either. Batman should have just wrung the Joker’s neck years ago.
its ok if the book is in a series
Not keen, I like a good ending, unless it is a series.
Hate them!
Sometimes if you’re writing a series it’s hard to avoid them. But I do try to make sure my actual murder plots, at least, begin and end in one book.
Very annoying. When I’ve invested my time in a book I want a “proper”ending
Unless there is a sequel already planned it’s like a little stab in the heart. The constant wondering ?
Don’t like them at all. I feel totally cheated.
Hate it
Hate it!
Not fair if it’s a book in the middle of a series – do you carry on reading or start at book 1 ?? Mind you if it’s great you just want to read more of them anyway!
Not really unless a series
It’s ok to have an open ending for a subplot or supporting character but not for the central character/main narrative.
Only if I know there is another one coming out in the series.
Don’t mind if it’s not murder mystery, and it’s just a left you with a little wondering
Not for me. If I read a story I want to read a full story.
Do not like them.
Im not keen. I like to know the ending i get annoyed and think they were just to lazy to finish the book. Maybe im a bit too concrete in my thinking!!
So people find them annoying & irritating? What is it that annoys & irritates you?
Books are an escape from reality, so I don’t want to be left feeling out of control, wondering what happened, hoping that my favorite person is okay, but not knowing, I personally also want a happy ending, although I also enjoy books that have less happy endings. If books are as uncertain as real life, what is the point to fiction? I guess I’m old fashioned because i know many people now enjoy “reality” shows, that are just people being a mess, but that’s not something I enjoy.
Like i say concrete thinking i want to know the story and not be left hanging. There needs to be closure