This well-known phrase was by T.S.Elliot, used in his 1925 poem ‘The Hollow Men’, and I really try to have my stories end with a bit of a bang, even a muted bang, or s suggested bang, but definitely not a whimper.
http://loiselden.com/2012/03/30/a-satisfactory-ending-part-1/
http://loiselden.com/2012/03/31/a-satisfactory-ending-part-2/
I recently wrote about Ann Cleeves excellent Shetland series about the Detective Jimmy Perez, and I have just finished reading the last in the series ‘Blue Lightening’.
It was a great read, some fascinating description which enhanced the story rather than obscuring or deflecting from it, intriguing mystery and a variety of motives for the intriguing crime and I was on the edge of my metaphorical seat (I was actually supine in bed when I was reading it!)
Suddenly I felt as if I had been slapped round the head with a large jelly fish, it was unexpected, shocking and not very nice and then there was a flabby gelatinous residue of feeling. I won’t give the game away by revealing what the unexpected ending was, except to say I guarantee you will not anticipate it…. but it was somehow not agreeable, I felt let down and disappointed and the shock seemed contrived just to be shocking. The last chapters of the book seemed just to tail away and yet Ann Cleeves is such a good writer I am sure it is exactly as she intended.
Despite these opinions, I really would recommend you to read it, but read the other three in the quartet first, and if you do, please give me your opinion. I don’t believe a writer should be proscribed by what her readers want and yet…. and yet…. I couldn’t help but feel that this book ended with a bit of a whimper.
Post script: I finished the book last Wednesday morning and a couple of hours later I was having lunch in a pub in Saddleworth. It was a very good lunch and on the table next to us were two ladies having theirs. They were discussing a recent trip to Fair Isle, where ‘Blue Lightening’ is set. What is more, they were bird watchers, as were the characters in the novel, and they mentioned several of the places I had just an hour ago been reading about… what a coincidence!
Lois Elsden 
Well, you got me curious now, I’ll look out for Ann Cleeves at the airport – and I’ll make sure I start with number I! 🙂
Birdwatchers are always good for s surprise. In North Norfolk, the birdwatching paradise, the birdwatschers don’t let me down. They’re down to earth nature lovers, easy going and if the’re not already in the marshes or on the road very early, they’re adorable, interesting guests at the breakfasttable (Klausbernd does a little B&B, when he’s home in Cley).
By the way, I’m on facebook (Hanne Siebers).
Take care, have a great time.
Love Dina
on the way to Dublin…
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Another crime writer who write about birds is Graham Hurley… his detective is a bird watcher!
I know Cley… I think my cousins took us for a lovely meal in a pub there.
In 2014 we are having our family holiday in Norfolk if you’ve visiting at that time (I know it’s a long way away but we have to book places early because about 20 of us go!!)
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Enjoy Dublin, enjoy the Guinness!
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The image of the jellyfish slap is staying with me! oh dear. good one Lois!
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Oh thank you!
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