A Twist at the End

In A Twist at the End, Steven Saylor weaves a gripping historical novel around the infamous Austin servant girl murders of 1885, blending real-life events with fiction. The story follows young Will Porter, who would later become the renowned author O. Henry, as he navigates a city gripped by fear and mystery amidst a string of brutal killings targeting young black women. As Porter confronts a relentless blackmailer and reflects on his past, including a doomed love affair, he uncovers dark secrets tied to both the murders and his own life. Set against a backdrop of social upheaval, this tale reveals the chilling complexities of crime and its impact on a community.