https://fromtheheartofeurope.eu/the-end-of-the-day-by-claire-north/

I’m afraid The End of the Day fell into the less good category for me. The writing as ever is good,and there are some lovely vignettes, but I did not quite gel with the central plot concept: Charlie, the protagonist, has been recruited to be the harbinger of Death, who together with the other three Horsemen of the Apocalypse is active in today’s world; bad guys are trying to interfere with Death, and there’s some incidental observations on US politics that didn’t really come together for me. Still, liking four out of six books by her is not bad and I’ll still be looking to buy more. ( )

The first, and only, book of hers that I didn't really like. Not a bad read, but I had trouble finishing it. ( )

He is the Harbinger of Death, he who comes before. Sometimes as a warning, sometimes as a courtesy. Oh and his name is Charlie.

The End of the Day by Claire North will probably end up as my book of the year for 2021. It's certainly not going to be the case for everyone though as this is not a plot driven story but more just getting to know a character. It is at times funny, sad, uplifting and doom-laden often all of these within the space of a few paragraphs. Probably veers towards the darker end of the spectrum though so be warned if you feel intrigued enough to pick this one up. ( )

My first DNF of 2020, but because I couldn't finish it, no rating. Not sure what's wrong with it, but I think it's the completely blase reaction everyone has to the Harbinger of Death. There's no wow here whatsoever.

It's just kind of...there.

Not my cup of tea.

I adored Catherine Webb’s books when I was a teenager, and I reveled in rediscovering her writing as Kate Griffin, and I may not be quite as enamored with her Claire North persona I definitely find it intriguing. Most of her previous characters were so engaging that it was impossible for me not to be drawn into their stories, and this time was no different - Charlie, the Harbinger of Death is nothing if not unique and his story is almost as impossible to ignore as his employer. Yet, upon reaching the finish I find myself left slightly wanting. His chosen profession (if he truly did chose it rather than fall into it by sheer chance) is definitely challenging; I can’t imagine travelling the world, helter-skelter, to usher along death (or the warning therein), so it’s slightly expected when Charlie begins having “complications.” The extent of these is worrying, to say the least, but the conclusion which implies that he just continues on is slightly baffling. But maybe that’s the point - death, but we continue on. ( )