It's the End When I Say It's the End

Timmy Failure #7

by Stephan Pastis

In the series finale, Timmy Failure and his class create a hilarious film about his life — just in time for the holidays.

Though I, Timmy Failure, have solved many notorious crimes and now wish to enjoy my retirement, my fans have begged me to turn my memoirs into a movie, an ode to my greatness. I am, however, beset by enemies, the worst of whom is Tom John John, the buffoonish movie director.

What’s more, my father is in town, working at a bar, which is obviously just a cover for our father-son crime-fighting partnership. And my dim-witted polar bear business partner, Total, wants to be reunited with his family. I should have known it would end like this. I expected more.

Genres: Middle Grade, Humor, Fiction, Childrens, School Stories, Juvenile, Holiday

352 pages, Hardcover

First published September 25, 2018

About the author

Stephan Pastis was born in 1968 and raised in San Marino, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley in 1989 with a degree in political science. Although he had always wanted to be a syndicated cartoonist, Pastis realized that the odds of syndication were slim, so he entered UCLA Law School in 1990 and became an attorney instead. He practiced law in the San Francisco Bay area from 1993 to 2002. While an attorney, he began submitting various comic strip concepts to all of the syndicates, and, like virtually all beginning cartoonists, got his fair share of rejection slips. Then, in 1997, he began drawing Pearls Before Swine, which he submitted to the syndicates in mid-1999. In December, 1999, he signed a contract with United.
Pearls Before Swine debuted in newspapers in January, 2002, and Pastis left his law practice in August of that year. Pearls Before Swine was nominated in 2003, 2004 and 2007 as "Best Newspaper Comic Strip" by the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) and won the award in 2004 and 2007. Pastis lives with his family in Northern California.

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

It may be the end, but greatness will live on! I love you, Timmy Failure. Thank you for the laughs!
Goodreads 2018: 66/100
Free Choice 2018: 19/36

[Stace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com

Child detective Timmy Failure or should I now say ex-detective is having to write a movie for a class project and what better movie to shoot that one of his life. Thought artistic differences with his team are putting his version of his life-story at risk. He is also trying to help his Polar Bear side-kick find his long lost brother in the Arctic.

I first encountered Timmy Failure back in 2017 when I reviewed book six in the series – this one is book seven. As I stated then the books can be read as standalone’s, even if I think it is always better to begin a series at the start.

This final book in the series sees Timmy decide to retire from his detective business and when an opportunity comes along to write a movie his class teacher thinks one about his life would be a good choice for him.

The plot, as usual, is completely insane and bizarre and will give children a real giggle, as well as the fab artwork. The books are quite large and might seem daunting for a child but there are so many illustrations throughout that I was up to chapter 40 in just 30 minutes, so a child could probably read this whole book in a couple of hours, though savouring it is best, if they can find the will to put it down once they have started!

As far as I’m aware a movie has been adapted from the series too, I’m not sure whether it was released or not due to the ongoing virus situation, but I’m sure children would love to watch a movie based on a book, especially one they have read.

The story is hilarious and had me laughing-out-loud a few times. If you have children who want some light relief or even are reluctant readers, then this is the series to buy.

[Beth Cato · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through the Library Thing Early Reviewers Program.

I've been a big fan of Pastis's strip Pearls Before Swine for many years now, so when he began to release his Timmy Failure books for middle graders, I had to buy them for my son. He loves them. I haven't read any of the earlier books all the way through--I've just opened them up, laughed at a few pages, that kind of thing.

Therefore, I started reading this final book in the series without knowing much about the full story arc or the previous events. That gave me no problems whatsoever. There are several mentions of previous events, but the book can stand completely on its own.

Timmy Failure is nine and a wee bit precocious for his age. He runs a detective agency along with his dear polar bear friend Total, and has driven at least one of his past teachers to a total nervous breakdown. In this book, his class must create their own film, and Timmy is designated the writer. He decides his memoirs should be filmed, complete with a birth scene featuring 600 flying elephants. Things, of course, don't go well. His classmates resist, and a new kid who is even more precocious and annoying takes over things. Plus, Timmy is coping with his retirement from detecting (as so was decreed by the gods), trying to help Total find his long-missing brother, and contending with the reappearance of his absentee father.

Here's the thing I loved about this book: the wacky humor is balanced with genuine heart and some serious topics. It doesn't shy away from the heartbreak that family can sometimes cause. Really, the book had a real life feel to it (maybe not including the polar bear best friend--maybe) because the real life drama stuff is softened by humor and escapes of imagination.

On a more technical note, this is a smartly-written book that will likely cause kids to look up some words and phrases in the dictionary. Some more 'adult' aspects are incorporated in very kid-like ways, too, like Timmy's insistence upon ordered a whiskey neat--though it becomes clear later that he has no idea what that actually means.

I highly recommend this series.

[Jessica Wilhoite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and am so sad to see this series end. It had a fitting ending and quotes from previous books, like mistakes were made :)

Goodbye Timmy Failure, goodbye Total, and goodbye to the rest of the gang.

[Madison Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the book's! I will miss them.

[Katy Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

One final Timmy misadventure, madcap comic madness of egos and emotions.

I've read several of this series - they are refreshingly different, with a totally self-absorbed protagonist, his polar bear Total and the (mis)fortunes of their aptly-named 'Failure' detective agency.

This time around, the story is pretty simple - Timmy and his class at school are tasked with making a film, and our hero writes the story... all about his life. Total goes on a search for his lost brother. Timmy's estranged Dad moves back to the area.

It all starts with a bizarre scene that is quite evidently some sort of fantasy sequence, one I wouldn't have wanted to read aloud, but after this, it settled down to the Timmy style we know and love.

Timmy is as he ever has been, brash and confident, though with an undercurrent of feeling that occasionally surfaces in some quite sweet moments. The regular cast of 'friends' and school associates are all here, with new additions that may even out-do Timmy in self-importance.

I liked that we got a glimpse of previous characters (teachers, parents) in this final episode, and that Total got a few 'moments' of his own. Timmy himself allows us a few (dare I say it) lump-in-throat moments as we see his heart with his bear and his family, though mostly we get a lot of chances to laugh at (and with) him.

It's nicely wrapped up, and I'm glad Pastis has chosen to settle his own resting place for Timmy Failure, it did feel like a summation and, ultimately, a really lovely end for a unique and unforgettable anti-hero.

Can be read without all the others in the series, but ideally not - will make much more sense in the context of Timmy's other strange exploits.

Recommended for ages 9-12.

With thanks to Walker Books for providing a sample reading copy.

[Behi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll miss him, he's growing, he's a good funny kid who has been through alot and honestly i totally relate to him. This made my reading experience so much pleasurable. Even though I'm kinda serious on giving books a five star rating but that was not the case here.
Timmy has become one of the characters that I'd never forget and will always love.
It's a shame to see him go but I'm sure he will be just fine. Even without his friend Total. I'm truly happy for this sweetheart.

[Tony Laplume · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happen to have gotten a copy of the final book in the series. It’s also the first one I’ve read, now. Mistakes were made. I’m a big fan of Pastis from Pearls Before Swine and Trubble Town. Timmy Failure is probably better known than either of them. For an adult reader, better than his competitors. Although I really can’t imagine being a kid and reading this. Which may be the point. Or why kids are the way they are. Unless you only know awesome kids, like I do. Anyway, good fun. Total nonsense. But good fun.

[Kimberly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would be afraid to give this book to a child. There are so many suggestions of things that I would be afraid they would try to do.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was actually pretty heavy. I'm going to miss this series.

[Aden · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was super funny and good for readers getting into bigger chapter books. I'm going to read the whole series now. For readers 8 and above

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

If it's truly the final volume, kudos to Pastis for ending it on his own terms before it got stale.

[Sanja_Sanjalica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed out loud, I even cried, it was such a great finale. But it was so sad, I can't say goodbye to the series..hope it continues and it's not the end...

[TJL · Rating 5 out of 5]

...Really, Pastis?

Really?

"Are you at home now?"

"I wish [...] Stupid doctors stuck me in a hospital. Been here two weeks."

[...]

"Okay sweetheart {...} I'm signing off. I love you, I love you, I love you. And if there's a big blue place where they let me roam around after this, well, then, I'll love you from there as well."

...Aunt Colander is dying. It's so frickin' subtle I almost didn't catch it at first, but holy SHIT.

AND THEN

And for the first time in all the time I have known [Total], I see a tear roll down his furry cheek.

So I leap into his arms.

"Forget the speech!" I tell him. "Forget the stupid speech! You were my best friend. You were my best friend ever! And you saved me. You saved me from everything and everyone!"

AND THEN

Dear Timmy,

Hi.

I may be far away. But I'm with you always. Right there in the center of your heart.

Love, Total.

WELL GOD-DAMN, PASTIS, JUST CARVE MY HEART OUT WITH A RUSTY SOUP SPOON WHY DON'T YOU

[Paula Lyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Greatness Never Ends"

Truer words were never written. Timmy and Total will live in my heart forever.

[John Woakes]

Not really my cup of tea. I did not finish it.

[Rylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun to read and funny

[Stevie Twicetimes · Rating 4 out of 5]

See the bottom of this review for an evaluation of the entire series (excluding the prequel, which I have not read yet but probably will soon).

Geez, I don't know why I feel like this. This is a series of children's books about a kid with a polar bear. And somehow Pastis manages to make it such an emotional reading experience. I have followed Timmy throughout the entire journey of this series. And seeing it conclude in such a way as this was deeply bittersweet.
Life has mostly settled back to normal for Timmy after the honeymoon. School, life, that kind of thing. However, following an eclipse (which he interprets to be a sign from the gods), he announces that he is retiring from detective work to devote time to helping Total, his polar bear, find his long-lost brother. While this is happening, he has to work with all of his classmates on a film for school, which he is tasked with writing. As readers will expect, Timmy decides to adapt his life story in a highly fictionalized manner.
The book is good throughout. It begins with a very amusing fantasy sequence from Timmy's screenplay, in which he storms into a bar and vanquishes all of the people trying to get in his way. Callbacks to old characters and elements (Principal Scrimshaw, the Scrum Bolo Chihuahua, etc.) abound. There are other great callbacks to the previous books as well (bringing back Old Man Crocus was a nice touch). I found "It's the End When I Say it's The End" to be a very entertaining read, as I've come to expect from Pastis. However, it should be noted that it is not as funny as the others, and the jokes mostly provided light chuckles.
The heart of the book makes up for it in spades, however. The series has had its fair share of emotional moments, though it's been inconsistent with them. The moment of vulnerability between Timmy and Corrina Corrina in "We Meet Again" was fantastic, while the encounter with the old couple in "Sanitized for Your Protection" overstepped its bounds a bit and was probably a bit too heavy for a kids' book. Here, though, Pastis strikes just the right note. Timmy's difficult relationship with his father, who has been absent for much of his life, is explored with depth. TImmy has to deal with letting Total leave and find his brother. This book really got me multiple times.
(Plus, it finally acknowledges Timmy and Corrina Corrina's kiss from "We Meet Again", with both of them denying it ever happened. I'm satisfied.)
All in all, it's a fantastic end to a great series of middle-grade books, and yet more proof that Pastis, already known as a great cartoonist from "Pearls Before Swine", is an exciting voice in the field of literature for youngsters. Great job, Mr. Pastis. You made a good series.

OVERALL SERIES EVALUATION:
-Best: "We Meet Again"
-Worst: "The Cat Stole My Pants"
-Funniest: "Mistakes Were Made"
-Least funny: "The Cat Stole My Pants"
-Saddest: "Sanitized for Your Protection"
-Best character: Timmy

[Cat Strawberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book and a perfect end to the Timmy Failure series. The hardback has a gold cover that's so bright it actually reflects in the light, and is filled with lots of black and white illustrations among the large print text. Timmy Failure has chosen to retire and has been tasked to write his memoirs, in script form, so they can be turned into a film. But things don't go according to plan and Timmy might just have to come out of retirement to solve another crime.

My first experience with the Timmy Failure series was with the previous book, and I'll be honest I didn't really enjoy it all that much. It was a funny book but the humour was lost on me, however I think book six is the wrong book to start the series at, and having read this last book in the series I really enjoyed it and now understand the characters better. The story is set in the time leading up to Christmas, and given a school project, Timmy finds himself having issues with the director of his film. I don't want to give away what happens but the story is very funny and silly with things going missing and Timmy having to solve not only his own problem but his polar bear Total's issue too.

The whole story feels like a great conclusion to the series and several long standing things get resolved. I really enjoyed the ending, it's fun and also a bit sweet with the way things go with Timmy and Total. Something about it being set during Christmastime also made the whole story feel more lovely and it feels like the perfect end to the book as well as Timmy's overall adventures.

I like the illustrations. They are simple black and white drawings but there's something about the way the characters all look that is very funny and I can't help but love that slightly blank stare they all have with their eyes. The images really add to the humour of the story and I like how many of them there are, there's rarely a double page without a drawing hidden here and there.

This book will really appeal to any Timmy Failure fans but I have to say that unlike the previous one in the series, this book can easily be read as a standalone too. I'd really recommend it especially for Christmas as it's just got a perfect story to make you laugh and an ending that will make you smile.
-Thanks to Walker books for a free copy.

[Rhyllis Bignell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stephan Pastis concludes his madcap Timmy Failure series with this seventh novel ‘It’s the end when I say it’s the end’. Timmy’s acerbic comments, unusual outlook on life, ever-present polar bear and his quirky class mates will be missed by the fans. The young detective’s narrative is humorously delivered; his take on his school, life, family and his polar bear’s problems are unique, as is his mastery of the English language.

Total, Timmy’s polar and detective partner is sadly missing his younger brother Timmy. After a solar eclipse that Timmy decides is a sign from the gods, they quit their detective business. They focus on sending faxes across the globe in search of the missing polar bear. (Why didn’t they email?)

Meanwhile, Timmy’s teacher assigns the class a movie-making project and he’s the script writer. Of course, he writes the epic story of his life, from birth to the highs and lows of his investigator business. New student Tom John John is chosen to direct the movie and there are definite creative differences, location, actors and actions, even a kissing scene with Corinna Corinna.

Timmy’s father comes back into his life, he’s working as a bartender, not an international spy as Timmy hoped. Their relationship is tenuous, his father doesn’t know how to parent Timmy and his son places demands on his father that are unacceptable. He also wants to set some of the movie scenes in the bar which causes problems.

When the greatest script ever written disappears, Timmy’s life is turned upside down. How he manages to juggle all of the difficult situations leads to some very funny scenes. There are secrets hidden in a storage locker, family dramas with his Mum and new Husband Dave, a family Christmas party with his quirky relatives and encounters with some old enemies.

‘Greatness Never Ends’ gives the reader pause for thought, this quote begins the final chapter in Timmy Failure’s journey. Stephen Pastis brings the series to a close with his usual flair, fans who love this unique character aren’t ready to say goodbye. Comic book illustrator Pastis has a penchant for the dramatic, with his graphic diary style format, humorous scenes and snapshots of Timmy’s unusual life.

[Cliff · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's an inherent sense of disappointment when you reach the end of a series. So, knowing ahead of time that this was the final book may have set things up where I was expecting a lot. Sadly, this book, while ok, didn't quite live up to those expectations. Stephan Pastis has a sense of humor that I very much appreciate and with this series, there's usually at least one good LOL moment with each book. This one...didn't have one. It had quite a few moments of chuckling to oneself, particularly the slight reworking of the "Who's on First" joke.

The return of many characters from previous books is a nice touch. But then it's hard to overlook that part of what Timmy Failure work was that the reader could conceivably believe that Total was a
figment of Timmy's imagination. Yet clearly, he is capable of doing things that a figment could not.

Don't get me wrong, I still feel this series is light years ahead of a certain Wimpy Kid series.

[A Goodreads User · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the best books in the series. The prologue was funny, and I generally think it was a good start to what the book is about. One of my favorite parts of the book is where Timmy lost the plot for the movie and had to find another one to use. It was funny seeing how the director saw the movie and how he trained the actors for it. Another part is how after a lot of investigating and suspect studies, they found the plot, only to realize that only a few pages were typed rather than the whole thing due to Timmy falling asleep on the keyboard and apparently deleting all of it. Like every great franchise, this one had an ending. A sad ending. It was very downhearted seeing Total leave Timmy and Failure Inc. The good thing is that it was for a good reason, and that sort of helped me feel better. Overall this was a great book and I would recommend it to everyone.

[Kris Kittle · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 11 yr old daughter and I have LOVED the Timmy Failure series. It has been so fun to read it together, discuss Timmy's life, and brainstorm potential reasons why he acts the way he does. To say that my daughter was excited when she discovered the newest book at the library last week would be an understatement! She sped read the entire thing that morning, but then we read it together throughout the week. It is heartbreaking that the series has ended (we've read most of them multiple times). But I appreciate how Pastis brought this one to close (but we are SO sad!!!). He seems to answer so many of the questions in the finale that we've discussed, but without giving a clear, obvious answer. Great series. Great finale.

And now I'll go grab my tissues since it has come to an end.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, no! This is the last Timothy Failure book--or at least he is retiring as a detective. Perhaps he will be reincarnated as a trick rider in the circus or in some other appropriate vocation. Meanwhile he is directing a biographical film in his class at school and running into opposition from some of his classmates. There is also a little matter of family genealogical research for his friend, Polar. As a grandmother, I am not the target audience for this middle grade level laugh fest, but it's a great series for children my granddaughter's age. The humor is appropriate for them and there are some challenging words and concepts that require some thought and perhaps research.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, sure, I start with the end. Now I have to get the rest of the series.

Timmy has gone into retirement but his skills are still needed as he and his classmates are charged with making a film as this year's school project. Timmy is always finding trouble (I'm guessing it's his middle name.) He even gets his dad in trouble. Eventually Timmy gets his film made but it is decidedly low budget.

I enjoyed this story. I loved the chapter titles. I laughed through the book. I know who this is going to. So much fun!

[Danny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Timmy Failure , by Stepha Pastis he is a kid detective that retires. The book is a silly and hilarious book.I liked the book because it was funny and had a lot of pages. The only thing was the pages were short.The reason I liked the book was because he was funny and It was interesting to read.I can't really connect to this book because it is a silly and funny book but it doesn't really make sense.I would give it a 3 out of 5 stars because the book was Interesting and funny but it felt short because the pages were short.

[Colona Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final Timmy Failure book, and I am kind of sad. Timmy has gone through so many changes from the first book to the last. He is still getting into trouble as usual. This time he tries to find his polar bear's brother, write a screen play about his life for the school play, and bond with his father. Of course, nothing goes the way Timmy hopes it will. I especially liked the names that were on his office door throughout this book.


~April

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

It wasn't as good as the others. As we haven't read all previous books, some characters and events meant nothing to us but it was nice to see the ones we did know coming back for a brief second (Emilio Empanada and Edward hicklebottom the third).
Also there are things in it which are not really suitable for kids like Timmy ordering whiskey, his dad offering him beer, the throw out the window intentions...

[Jakob · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the best Timmy Failure book yet. From searching for Total's long lost brother, making a movie about Timmy Failure, and living in a house with a former doorman, this book has it all! Timmy Failure is usually kind of selfish, and this book is no exception. However, he has hints of loyalty in a never-before seen way. I think this book should win an award.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very worried when I saw the title of this book. "No! It can't be the end!" Sadly, it is. I first began checking out this series for my son. He never took to them, but I was hooked. This was a great ending. Timmy becomes kinder, he gets to know his dad, loose ends are tied up. I was surprised at how genuinely sad and touched I was by the goodbye between Total and Timmy