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* ''Literature/TheSuicideShop'' ends with Alan's family ''finally'' content and wanting to live... and then Alan falls off the Shop's tower. His father catches him, but the last words of the book are "He lets go." Turns out Alan was always just as suicidal as the rest of his family, it's just he didn't want to die while his family was unhappy.
to:
* ''Literature/TheSuicideShop'' ends with Alan's family ''finally'' content and wanting to live... and then Alan falls off the Shop's tower. His father catches him, but him...only for the last words of the book are story to end with "He lets go." Turns out Alan was always just as suicidal as the rest of his family, it's just he didn't want to die while his family was unhappy.
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* In the short children's book ''The Apple Tree'' by Lynley Dodd, the titular tree is gifted to two children by their grandfather. The tree survives the winter and is lovingly cared for by the children as it begins to blossom and bear beautiful fruit. But during the very night before the children plan to pick the apples, [[ShaggyDogStory a possum comes and eats them all up. The end.]]
to:
* In the short children's book ''The Apple Tree'' by Lynley Dodd, the titular tree is gifted to two children by their grandfather. The tree survives the winter and is lovingly cared for by the children as it begins to blossom grow leaves, blossom, and bear finally beautiful fruit.apples that gradually increase in size. But during the very night before the children plan to pick the apples, [[ShaggyDogStory a possum comes and eats them all up. The end.]]
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* In the short children's book ''The Apple Tree'' by Lynley Dodd, the titular tree is gifted to two children by their grandfather. The tree survives the winter and is lovingly cared for by the children as it begins to blossom and bear beautiful fruit. But during the very night before the children plan to pick the apples, [[ShaggyDogStory a possum comes and eats them all up. The end.]]
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* ''Literature/TheSuicideShop'' ends with Alan's family ''finally'' content and wanting to live... and then Alan falls off the Shop's tower. His father catches him, and the last words of the book are "He lets go." Turns out Alan was always just as suicidal as the rest of his family, it's just he didn't want to die while his family was unhappy.
to:
* ''Literature/TheSuicideShop'' ends with Alan's family ''finally'' content and wanting to live... and then Alan falls off the Shop's tower. His father catches him, and but the last words of the book are "He lets go." Turns out Alan was always just as suicidal as the rest of his family, it's just he didn't want to die while his family was unhappy.
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* While it's traditionally given the upbeat translation "They all lived HappilyEverAfter", the original endings of many of the FairyTales collected by Creator/TheBrothersGrimm would be more accurately translated, "And they all lived happily [[WeAllDieSomeday until they died]]."
to:
* While it's traditionally given the upbeat translation "They all lived HappilyEverAfter", the original endings of many of the FairyTales {{Fairy Tale}}s collected by Creator/TheBrothersGrimm would be more accurately translated, "And they all lived happily [[WeAllDieSomeday until they died]]."
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* ''Literature/TheSuicideShop'' ends with Alan's family ''finally'' content and wanting to live... and then Alan falls off the Shop's tower. His father catches him, and the last words of the book are "He lets go." Turns out Alan was always just as suicidal as the rest of his family, it's just he didn't want to die while his family was unhappy.
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Alphabetized examples.
Deleted line(s) 11,19 (click to see context) :
* In the final chapters of ''Tottie: The Story of a Doll's House'', one of the dolls is [[KilledOffForReal burned to death]].
* ''Literature/MostlyHarmless'', the fifth book of ''Literature/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy'', ends with all but one of the protagonists dying horribly. The author, Creator/DouglasAdams, did plan on writing a sixth book and ending the series on a happier note, but [[DiedDuringProduction his own death prevented this.]] [[Literature/AndAnotherThing A more upbeat sixth book]] ''was'' eventually written.
* Xinran's ''Miss Chopsticks'' is a fairly upbeat book about three sisters making their way in modern China and finally gaining their father's respect. The Author's Note at the end reveals that of the three real-life girls the characters were based on, one was then forced into an unwanted marriage, one lost her job when her employer was shut down for distributing banned books, and the third disappeared.
* Played with in the ''Literature/CaptainUnderpants'' series. At the end of the ninth book, Tippy Tinkletrousers accidentally creates a post-apocalyptic timeline and apparently gets crushed to death, and the book appears to end with a textless two-page spread of SceneryGorn...but then the following page reveals that the story will be continued. Doubly so when you realise that Tippy's disruption of George and Harold's arrest (seen at the end of Book 8 and the beginning of Book 9) had yet to happen.
* ''Literature/TheBurningRoom'': Pretty much out of nowhere, after both mysteries have been solved and all the plot threads have been wrapped up, Literature/HarryBosch is fired from the LAPD for the incident where he broke into his captain's office. There's foreshadowing in the novel about how the department is looking to force out grizzled old veteran cops like Bosch, but it still comes as a shock.
* Played with in the ''Literature/CaptainUnderpants'' series. At the end of the ninth book, Tippy Tinkletrousers accidentally creates a post-apocalyptic timeline and apparently gets crushed to death, and the book appears to end with a textless two-page spread of SceneryGorn...but then the following page reveals that the story will be continued. Doubly so when you realise that Tippy's disruption of George and Harold's arrest (seen at the end of Book 8 and the beginning of Book 9) had yet to happen.
* While it's traditionally given the upbeat translation "They all lived HappilyEverAfter", the original endings of many of the FairyTales collected by Creator/TheBrothersGrimm would be more accurately translated, "And they all lived happily [[WeAllDieSomeday until they died]]."
* Xinran's ''Miss Chopsticks'' is a fairly upbeat book about three sisters making their way in modern China and finally gaining their father's respect. The Author's Note at the end reveals that of the three real-life girls the characters were based on, one was then forced into an unwanted marriage, one lost her job when her employer was shut down for distributing banned books, and the third disappeared.
* ''Literature/MostlyHarmless'', the fifth book of ''Literature/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy'', ends with all but one of the protagonists dying horribly. The author, Creator/DouglasAdams, did plan on writing a sixth book and ending the series on a happier note, but [[DiedDuringProduction his own death prevented this.]] [[Literature/AndAnotherThing A more upbeat sixth book]] ''was'' eventually written.
* Played with in the ''Literature/CaptainUnderpants'' series. At the end of the ninth book, Tippy Tinkletrousers accidentally creates a post-apocalyptic timeline and apparently gets crushed to death, and the book appears to end with a textless two-page spread of SceneryGorn...but then the following page reveals that the story will be continued. Doubly so when you realise that Tippy's disruption of George and Harold's arrest (seen at the end of Book 8 and the beginning of Book 9) had yet to happen.
* While it's traditionally given the upbeat translation "They all lived HappilyEverAfter", the original endings of many of the FairyTales collected by Creator/TheBrothersGrimm would be more accurately translated, "And they all lived happily [[WeAllDieSomeday until they died]]."
* Xinran's ''Miss Chopsticks'' is a fairly upbeat book about three sisters making their way in modern China and finally gaining their father's respect. The Author's Note at the end reveals that of the three real-life girls the characters were based on, one was then forced into an unwanted marriage, one lost her job when her employer was shut down for distributing banned books, and the third disappeared.
* ''Literature/MostlyHarmless'', the fifth book of ''Literature/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy'', ends with all but one of the protagonists dying horribly. The author, Creator/DouglasAdams, did plan on writing a sixth book and ending the series on a happier note, but [[DiedDuringProduction his own death prevented this.]] [[Literature/AndAnotherThing A more upbeat sixth book]] ''was'' eventually written.
Changed line(s) 22 (click to see context) from:
* ''Literature/TheWinterQueen'' has Lady Astair letting Fandorin escape from her suicide bomb after Fandorin promises not to hunt down the members of her Azazel secret society. But the Moscow police start hunting down Azazel members, with Fandorin being involved against his will. The book seems to be ending happily, with Fandorin having solved the mystery and getting married to his beloved Elizaveta. However, the remnants of the Azazel group get their revenge in the last two pages, via a bomb that fails to kill Fandorin but does kill his wife.
to:
* ''Literature/TheWinterQueen'' has Lady Astair letting Fandorin escape from her suicide bomb after Fandorin promises not to hunt down the members of her Azazel secret society. But the Moscow police start hunting down Azazel members, Played with Fandorin being involved against his will. The book seems to be ending happily, in ''Literature/{{Redshirts}}'', which ends with Fandorin having solved the mystery ship and getting married its crew [[AndTheAdventureContinues going on to his beloved Elizaveta. However, further adventures]]...for six months, until the remnants of the Azazel group get their revenge in the last two pages, via a bomb that fails to kill Fandorin but does kill his wife.ship was destroyed when it hit an asteroid and everyone died. The next (very short) chapter simply says "Just kidding, they're fine."
* For the most part, ''Literature/StarWarsQueensShadow'' is a lighthearted, low-stakes ComingOfAgeStory about Padmé learning to become a senator and develop her own identity beyond being "Queen of Naboo", with the help of her loyal handmaidens and new friends in the Senate. The main story ends with Padmé having successfully transitioned into galactic politics and saved the Bromlarch aqueducts...then the epilogue skips ahead nine years to the end of ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'', where a heartbroken Sabé is attending [[DoomedByCanon Padmé's funeral]] after she died in childbirth (and her baby seemingly having died with her), the Republic's recently become the Galactic Empire and basically everything has gone to hell. The only bright spot is Bail Organa contacting Sabé after she vows to find out what really happened to Padmé, thus implying she may join the [[LaResistance Rebel Alliance]].
* In the final chapters of ''Tottie: The Story of a Doll's House'', one of the dolls is [[KilledOffForReal burned to death]].
* In the final chapters of ''Tottie: The Story of a Doll's House'', one of the dolls is [[KilledOffForReal burned to death]].
Changed line(s) 25,28 (click to see context) from:
* Played with in ''Literature/{{Redshirts}}'', which ends with the ship and its crew [[AndTheAdventureContinues going on to further adventures]]...for six months, until the ship was destroyed when it hit an asteroid and everyone died. The next (very short) chapter simply says "Just kidding, they're fine."
* ''Literature/TheBurningRoom'': Pretty much out of nowhere, after both mysteries have been solved and all the plot threads have been wrapped up, Literature/HarryBosch is fired from the LAPD for the incident where he broke into his captain's office. There's foreshadowing in the novel about how the department is looking to force out grizzled old veteran cops like Bosch, but it still comes as a shock.
* For the most part, ''Literature/StarWarsQueensShadow'' is a lighthearted, low-stakes ComingOfAgeStory about Padmé learning to become a senator and develop her own identity beyond being "Queen of Naboo", with the help of her loyal handmaidens and new friends in the Senate. The main story ends with Padmé having successfully transitioned into galactic politics and saved the Bromlarch aqueducts...then the epilogue skips ahead nine years to the end of ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'', where a heartbroken Sabé is attending [[DoomedByCanon Padmé's funeral]] after she died in childbirth (and her baby seemingly having died with her), the Republic's recently become the Galactic Empire and basically everything has gone to hell. The only bright spot is Bail Organa contacting Sabé after she vows to find out what really happened to Padmé, thus implying she may join the [[LaResistance Rebel Alliance]].
* While it's traditionally given the upbeat translation "They all lived HappilyEverAfter", the original endings of many of the FairyTales collected by Creator/TheBrothersGrimm would be more accurately translated, "And they all lived happily [[WeAllDieSomeday until they died]]."
* ''Literature/TheBurningRoom'': Pretty much out of nowhere, after both mysteries have been solved and all the plot threads have been wrapped up, Literature/HarryBosch is fired from the LAPD for the incident where he broke into his captain's office. There's foreshadowing in the novel about how the department is looking to force out grizzled old veteran cops like Bosch, but it still comes as a shock.
* For the most part, ''Literature/StarWarsQueensShadow'' is a lighthearted, low-stakes ComingOfAgeStory about Padmé learning to become a senator and develop her own identity beyond being "Queen of Naboo", with the help of her loyal handmaidens and new friends in the Senate. The main story ends with Padmé having successfully transitioned into galactic politics and saved the Bromlarch aqueducts...then the epilogue skips ahead nine years to the end of ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'', where a heartbroken Sabé is attending [[DoomedByCanon Padmé's funeral]] after she died in childbirth (and her baby seemingly having died with her), the Republic's recently become the Galactic Empire and basically everything has gone to hell. The only bright spot is Bail Organa contacting Sabé after she vows to find out what really happened to Padmé, thus implying she may join the [[LaResistance Rebel Alliance]].
* While it's traditionally given the upbeat translation "They all lived HappilyEverAfter", the original endings of many of the FairyTales collected by Creator/TheBrothersGrimm would be more accurately translated, "And they all lived happily [[WeAllDieSomeday until they died]]."
to:
* Played with in ''Literature/{{Redshirts}}'', which ends with the ship and its crew [[AndTheAdventureContinues going on to further adventures]]...for six months, until the ship was destroyed when it hit an asteroid and everyone died. The next (very short) chapter simply says "Just kidding, they're fine."
* ''Literature/TheBurningRoom'': Pretty much out of nowhere,''Literature/TheWinterQueen'' has Lady Astair letting Fandorin escape from her suicide bomb after both mysteries have been Fandorin promises not to hunt down the members of her Azazel secret society. But the Moscow police start hunting down Azazel members, with Fandorin being involved against his will. The book seems to be ending happily, with Fandorin having solved the mystery and all getting married to his beloved Elizaveta. However, the plot threads have been wrapped up, Literature/HarryBosch is fired from remnants of the LAPD for the incident where he broke into his captain's office. There's foreshadowing Azazel group get their revenge in the novel about how the department is looking last two pages, via a bomb that fails to force out grizzled old veteran cops like Bosch, kill Fandorin but it still comes as a shock.
* For the most part, ''Literature/StarWarsQueensShadow'' is a lighthearted, low-stakes ComingOfAgeStory about Padmé learning to become a senator and develop her own identity beyond being "Queen of Naboo", with the help of her loyal handmaidens and new friends in the Senate. The main story ends with Padmé having successfully transitioned into galactic politics and saved the Bromlarch aqueducts...then the epilogue skips ahead nine years to the end of ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'', where a heartbroken Sabé is attending [[DoomedByCanon Padmé's funeral]] after she died in childbirth (and her baby seemingly having died with her), the Republic's recently become the Galactic Empire and basically everything has gone to hell. The only bright spot is Bail Organa contacting Sabé after she vows to find out what really happened to Padmé, thus implying she may join the [[LaResistance Rebel Alliance]].
* While it's traditionally given the upbeat translation "They all lived HappilyEverAfter", the original endings of many of the FairyTales collected by Creator/TheBrothersGrimm would be more accurately translated, "And they all lived happily [[WeAllDieSomeday until they died]]."does kill his wife.
----
* ''Literature/TheBurningRoom'': Pretty much out of nowhere,
* For the most part, ''Literature/StarWarsQueensShadow'' is a lighthearted, low-stakes ComingOfAgeStory about Padmé learning to become a senator and develop her own identity beyond being "Queen of Naboo", with the help of her loyal handmaidens and new friends in the Senate. The main story ends with Padmé having successfully transitioned into galactic politics and saved the Bromlarch aqueducts...then the epilogue skips ahead nine years to the end of ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'', where a heartbroken Sabé is attending [[DoomedByCanon Padmé's funeral]] after she died in childbirth (and her baby seemingly having died with her), the Republic's recently become the Galactic Empire and basically everything has gone to hell. The only bright spot is Bail Organa contacting Sabé after she vows to find out what really happened to Padmé, thus implying she may join the [[LaResistance Rebel Alliance]].
* While it's traditionally given the upbeat translation "They all lived HappilyEverAfter", the original endings of many of the FairyTales collected by Creator/TheBrothersGrimm would be more accurately translated, "And they all lived happily [[WeAllDieSomeday until they died]]."
----
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%% This page has been alphabetized. Please add new examples in the correct order. Thanks!
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!!Warning: As a SpoileredRotten EndingTrope, EVERY SINGLE EXAMPLE on this list is a spoiler by default. Administrivia/YouHaveBeenWarned.
{{Sudden Downer Ending}}s in {{Literature}}.
----
* In the final chapters of ''Tottie: The Story of a Doll's House'', one of the dolls is [[KilledOffForReal burned to death]].
* ''Literature/MostlyHarmless'', the fifth book of ''Literature/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy'', ends with all but one of the protagonists dying horribly. The author, Creator/DouglasAdams, did plan on writing a sixth book and ending the series on a happier note, but [[DiedDuringProduction his own death prevented this.]] [[Literature/AndAnotherThing A more upbeat sixth book]] ''was'' eventually written.
* Xinran's ''Miss Chopsticks'' is a fairly upbeat book about three sisters making their way in modern China and finally gaining their father's respect. The Author's Note at the end reveals that of the three real-life girls the characters were based on, one was then forced into an unwanted marriage, one lost her job when her employer was shut down for distributing banned books, and the third disappeared.
* Played with in the ''Literature/CaptainUnderpants'' series. At the end of the ninth book, Tippy Tinkletrousers accidentally creates a post-apocalyptic timeline and apparently gets crushed to death, and the book appears to end with a textless two-page spread of SceneryGorn...but then the following page reveals that the story will be continued. Doubly so when you realise that Tippy's disruption of George and Harold's arrest (seen at the end of Book 8 and the beginning of Book 9) had yet to happen.
* The novel ''Breathers'' is a horror-comedy about a world where the recently dead randomly reanimate (but still retain their minds) and have no civil rights, are used as lab animals and are even destroyed for fun in the streets. The protagonist Andy eventually becomes a celebrity who fights for zombie rights and really seems to be making a difference despite that fact that he and several other zombies secretly eat people, since human flesh reverses zombie decomposition, makes their hearts beat again and even makes them able to have children). Then at the very end Andy, his pregnant zombie girlfriend Rita and his zombie best friend Jerry are attacked by fratboys who burn Rita and Jerry to (re)death. Knowing which fraternity is responsible, Andy then gathers their circle of zombie friends and attacks the frathouse in a RoaringRampageOfRevenge, slaughtering everyone inside [[RevengeBeforeReason despite knowing full well that this will utterly destroy the zombie rights movement.]] While some of their armed friends rescue them after their capture, they face a BolivianArmyEnding with the police closing in and nowhere to run. This all happens in the last ''twenty pages.'' Fortunately, despite the ending implying otherwise, Andy survives to a sequel, ''I Saw Zombies Eating Santa Claus'', where [[EarnYourHappyEnding he does get a happier ending]].
* ''Literature/OnHerMajestysSecretService'' is a thrilling ''James Bond'' story in Ian Fleming's trademark cavalcade of spy thrillers. In its ending, James marries the beautiful Tracy Draco and drives off into the sunset, but their car breaks down. James steps out to inspect the damage, while Tracy is simultaneously killed by [[TheDragon Irma Bunt]] and [[BigBad Ernst Stavro Blofeld]] in a drive-by shooting. This ending has become one of the most memorable in the ''Bond'' franchise, and it isn't hard to see why.
* ''Literature/TheWinterQueen'' has Lady Astair letting Fandorin escape from her suicide bomb after Fandorin promises not to hunt down the members of her Azazel secret society. But the Moscow police start hunting down Azazel members, with Fandorin being involved against his will. The book seems to be ending happily, with Fandorin having solved the mystery and getting married to his beloved Elizaveta. However, the remnants of the Azazel group get their revenge in the last two pages, via a bomb that fails to kill Fandorin but does kill his wife.
* In Creator/OscarWilde's short story, ''Literature/TheStarChild'', the eponymous star child finally learns AnAesop about humility and not judging others based on their physical appearance. He is rewarded for his troubles by being reunited with his royal birth parents, and eventually succeeding them as a King. Then the story ends with a sentence saying that the star child would die young, and that the ruler after him is a cruel tyrant.
* The English novel ''The Towers of Trebizond'' is generally a light comedy of manners/travelogue, featuring, for example, an old woman riding a deranged camel to church and gentle mockery of attempts to convert Turkish people to Anglicanism. Although the book sometimes discusses faith in more serious tones, it generally maintains its breezy air right up until about five pages from the end, when the protagonist's poor judgment in driving kills her adulterous lover. She then spends the remainder of the book musing about the relationship of love and faith and ultimately seems to decide that she is destined to die outside of the church, which she believes to be the path of salvation.
* Played with in ''Literature/{{Redshirts}}'', which ends with the ship and its crew [[AndTheAdventureContinues going on to further adventures]]...for six months, until the ship was destroyed when it hit an asteroid and everyone died. The next (very short) chapter simply says "Just kidding, they're fine."
* ''Literature/TheBurningRoom'': Pretty much out of nowhere, after both mysteries have been solved and all the plot threads have been wrapped up, Literature/HarryBosch is fired from the LAPD for the incident where he broke into his captain's office. There's foreshadowing in the novel about how the department is looking to force out grizzled old veteran cops like Bosch, but it still comes as a shock.
* For the most part, ''Literature/StarWarsQueensShadow'' is a lighthearted, low-stakes ComingOfAgeStory about Padmé learning to become a senator and develop her own identity beyond being "Queen of Naboo", with the help of her loyal handmaidens and new friends in the Senate. The main story ends with Padmé having successfully transitioned into galactic politics and saved the Bromlarch aqueducts...then the epilogue skips ahead nine years to the end of ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'', where a heartbroken Sabé is attending [[DoomedByCanon Padmé's funeral]] after she died in childbirth (and her baby seemingly having died with her), the Republic's recently become the Galactic Empire and basically everything has gone to hell. The only bright spot is Bail Organa contacting Sabé after she vows to find out what really happened to Padmé, thus implying she may join the [[LaResistance Rebel Alliance]].
* While it's traditionally given the upbeat translation "They all lived HappilyEverAfter", the original endings of many of the FairyTales collected by Creator/TheBrothersGrimm would be more accurately translated, "And they all lived happily [[WeAllDieSomeday until they died]]."
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%% This page has been alphabetized. Please add new examples in the correct order. Thanks!
%%
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!!Warning: As a SpoileredRotten EndingTrope, EVERY SINGLE EXAMPLE on this list is a spoiler by default. Administrivia/YouHaveBeenWarned.
{{Sudden Downer Ending}}s in {{Literature}}.
----
* In the final chapters of ''Tottie: The Story of a Doll's House'', one of the dolls is [[KilledOffForReal burned to death]].
* ''Literature/MostlyHarmless'', the fifth book of ''Literature/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy'', ends with all but one of the protagonists dying horribly. The author, Creator/DouglasAdams, did plan on writing a sixth book and ending the series on a happier note, but [[DiedDuringProduction his own death prevented this.]] [[Literature/AndAnotherThing A more upbeat sixth book]] ''was'' eventually written.
* Xinran's ''Miss Chopsticks'' is a fairly upbeat book about three sisters making their way in modern China and finally gaining their father's respect. The Author's Note at the end reveals that of the three real-life girls the characters were based on, one was then forced into an unwanted marriage, one lost her job when her employer was shut down for distributing banned books, and the third disappeared.
* Played with in the ''Literature/CaptainUnderpants'' series. At the end of the ninth book, Tippy Tinkletrousers accidentally creates a post-apocalyptic timeline and apparently gets crushed to death, and the book appears to end with a textless two-page spread of SceneryGorn...but then the following page reveals that the story will be continued. Doubly so when you realise that Tippy's disruption of George and Harold's arrest (seen at the end of Book 8 and the beginning of Book 9) had yet to happen.
* The novel ''Breathers'' is a horror-comedy about a world where the recently dead randomly reanimate (but still retain their minds) and have no civil rights, are used as lab animals and are even destroyed for fun in the streets. The protagonist Andy eventually becomes a celebrity who fights for zombie rights and really seems to be making a difference despite that fact that he and several other zombies secretly eat people, since human flesh reverses zombie decomposition, makes their hearts beat again and even makes them able to have children). Then at the very end Andy, his pregnant zombie girlfriend Rita and his zombie best friend Jerry are attacked by fratboys who burn Rita and Jerry to (re)death. Knowing which fraternity is responsible, Andy then gathers their circle of zombie friends and attacks the frathouse in a RoaringRampageOfRevenge, slaughtering everyone inside [[RevengeBeforeReason despite knowing full well that this will utterly destroy the zombie rights movement.]] While some of their armed friends rescue them after their capture, they face a BolivianArmyEnding with the police closing in and nowhere to run. This all happens in the last ''twenty pages.'' Fortunately, despite the ending implying otherwise, Andy survives to a sequel, ''I Saw Zombies Eating Santa Claus'', where [[EarnYourHappyEnding he does get a happier ending]].
* ''Literature/OnHerMajestysSecretService'' is a thrilling ''James Bond'' story in Ian Fleming's trademark cavalcade of spy thrillers. In its ending, James marries the beautiful Tracy Draco and drives off into the sunset, but their car breaks down. James steps out to inspect the damage, while Tracy is simultaneously killed by [[TheDragon Irma Bunt]] and [[BigBad Ernst Stavro Blofeld]] in a drive-by shooting. This ending has become one of the most memorable in the ''Bond'' franchise, and it isn't hard to see why.
* ''Literature/TheWinterQueen'' has Lady Astair letting Fandorin escape from her suicide bomb after Fandorin promises not to hunt down the members of her Azazel secret society. But the Moscow police start hunting down Azazel members, with Fandorin being involved against his will. The book seems to be ending happily, with Fandorin having solved the mystery and getting married to his beloved Elizaveta. However, the remnants of the Azazel group get their revenge in the last two pages, via a bomb that fails to kill Fandorin but does kill his wife.
* In Creator/OscarWilde's short story, ''Literature/TheStarChild'', the eponymous star child finally learns AnAesop about humility and not judging others based on their physical appearance. He is rewarded for his troubles by being reunited with his royal birth parents, and eventually succeeding them as a King. Then the story ends with a sentence saying that the star child would die young, and that the ruler after him is a cruel tyrant.
* The English novel ''The Towers of Trebizond'' is generally a light comedy of manners/travelogue, featuring, for example, an old woman riding a deranged camel to church and gentle mockery of attempts to convert Turkish people to Anglicanism. Although the book sometimes discusses faith in more serious tones, it generally maintains its breezy air right up until about five pages from the end, when the protagonist's poor judgment in driving kills her adulterous lover. She then spends the remainder of the book musing about the relationship of love and faith and ultimately seems to decide that she is destined to die outside of the church, which she believes to be the path of salvation.
* Played with in ''Literature/{{Redshirts}}'', which ends with the ship and its crew [[AndTheAdventureContinues going on to further adventures]]...for six months, until the ship was destroyed when it hit an asteroid and everyone died. The next (very short) chapter simply says "Just kidding, they're fine."
* ''Literature/TheBurningRoom'': Pretty much out of nowhere, after both mysteries have been solved and all the plot threads have been wrapped up, Literature/HarryBosch is fired from the LAPD for the incident where he broke into his captain's office. There's foreshadowing in the novel about how the department is looking to force out grizzled old veteran cops like Bosch, but it still comes as a shock.
* For the most part, ''Literature/StarWarsQueensShadow'' is a lighthearted, low-stakes ComingOfAgeStory about Padmé learning to become a senator and develop her own identity beyond being "Queen of Naboo", with the help of her loyal handmaidens and new friends in the Senate. The main story ends with Padmé having successfully transitioned into galactic politics and saved the Bromlarch aqueducts...then the epilogue skips ahead nine years to the end of ''Film/RevengeOfTheSith'', where a heartbroken Sabé is attending [[DoomedByCanon Padmé's funeral]] after she died in childbirth (and her baby seemingly having died with her), the Republic's recently become the Galactic Empire and basically everything has gone to hell. The only bright spot is Bail Organa contacting Sabé after she vows to find out what really happened to Padmé, thus implying she may join the [[LaResistance Rebel Alliance]].
* While it's traditionally given the upbeat translation "They all lived HappilyEverAfter", the original endings of many of the FairyTales collected by Creator/TheBrothersGrimm would be more accurately translated, "And they all lived happily [[WeAllDieSomeday until they died]]."
